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      08-08-2014, 07:58 PM   #1
midlifecrisis
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X5 35d update including family trip

For the second time in as many weeks, I've driven the X5d from New Jersey to Maine and I thought a comparison review of the two trips might be of interest.

The first trip included four adults and two children, ages 3 and 1. We used a Thule box mounted on the BMW Base Support System. I had been more than a little concerned about using the third row on a 7 hour trip, but we gave it a shot. My 3 year old grandson drew the short straw, so I mounted his (skinny) child seat in the third row, using the standard 3 point belt with a clip and attaching the latch strap to one of the cargo anchors. (Some wider car seats might be too tight.) My wife, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were in the middle row. My wife was outboard with the seat moved forward to give the grandson some leg room.

I'm surprised and happy to report that nobody complained about the ride! My grandson was fine as long as the third row A/C fan was on (it would be great if this could be controlled through the I-drive controller) and my wife reports she was comfortable in the shortened second row.

I was quite pleased with the fuel economy indicated at 32 mpg by the on board computer, especially considering the box and the full load.

This week I repeated the same trip but with only 3 adults and no box on the roof. Indicated fuel economy was over 35 mpg - I'm ecstatic!

After almost 5,000 miles in 3 months, I'm more convinced than ever that the diesel powertrain is perfectly matched to this vehicle. The economy is just the icing on the cake - there's so much else to love about it. It's quiet, comfortable, and confident on the road. The pulling power is always there when you need it in real life conditions, and the transmission is perfectly matched to the engine. I'm a "save the manuals" type, and this is only the second car I've ever bought for myself with an automatic. This transmission reads my mind - it's always in the right gear. (I had the same trans in my '11 X3 28i with the naturally aspirated six and I didn't feel the same way about that car.) Is the steering feel as good as my E46's? No, but it's quite a bit better than my last X3's. There's so much else to like I rarely think about it.

I've really surprised myself that I'm such a passionate fan of the X5 35d. I bought because I needed a practical vehicle that carries lots of people and stuff. I didn't expect it to become my favorite travel vehicle, but it is. (Maybe I'm getting too old!)
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      08-08-2014, 08:10 PM   #2
Propofoln
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thx for the review midlife. I am expecting my wife's 2015 loaded X5D in 2 weeks. Can't wait. For comparison, our 2012 X5D recently did a Dallas to Denver road trip. Averaged 24 MPG the whole trip, so it seems the new diesel is much more eco-friendly and more powerful to boot.
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      08-08-2014, 08:54 PM   #3
midlifecrisis
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I'd be interested in your thoughts comparing your old and new cars.
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2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017)
2019 230i X-drive
2022 M3 base
2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon
SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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      08-08-2014, 08:54 PM   #4
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Great writeup

"I was quite pleased with the fuel economy indicated at 32 mpg by the on board computer, especially considering the box and the full load.

This week I repeated the same trip but with only 3 adults and no box on the roof. Indicated fuel economy was over 35 mpg - I'm ecstatic!"

Great MPG numbers. Were you in Comfort/Eco-Pro/Sport for those MPG figures?

Was it all highway? I-95? Usually a lot of stop/go traffic on that road. Would love other details of the journey.

Have a 35D on order and was very pleased to read your excellent review.

Thanks in advance.
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      08-08-2014, 09:01 PM   #5
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Cool

Next time you try a trip, add some cetane booster or fuel conditioner and test your mileage. I add Stanadyne to my diesels. For my New Holland tractor, it just keeps the fuel system clean and the engine starting at very low temps (low for GA). For my Powerstroke 6.0L, it keeps the injectors and fuel pump lubricated and clean. For the BMW, it gave me better economy so far.

To be clear, "better" right now is subjective as I am on my second tank and I need more tanks to validate an improvement. So far, I think it's giving me about 1 mpg more but I also just settled on the settings for my chip. So I am not completely convinced of its effectiveness on economy yet.

For my other vehicles, I wouldn't fill the tank without it.
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      08-08-2014, 09:29 PM   #6
midlifecrisis
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I use Eco-pro when I'm just cruising, but put it back in comfort when I think I'm going to need better acceleration. I go to Maine via GSP, 287, 684, Mass Pike and 495 to 95. The 35 mpg included a little stop and go and the drive on Route 1 from Brunswick to Rockland.
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2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017)
2019 230i X-drive
2022 M3 base
2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon
SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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      08-09-2014, 12:06 AM   #7
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San Francisco to Carmel via HWY1, with a family of four, and trunk packed with gear (above the retractable gear). Had to go through city street for 15 minutes in SF. Then in Santa Cruz was stuck in Friday PM traffic for about 45 minutes of stop and go.

MPG 33.7
Mode: Eco-pro
AC on for about 100 miles
Driving Style: I was trying to maximize MPG
Other: included a 30 minute section with ACC at 70 mph

Car is 8 days old. I was utterly impressed.

Last edited by MattBianco; 08-18-2014 at 11:24 AM..
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