Poor man's 50i?

[turboawd]

gosh darnit, you guys are making me regret not getting a diesel.

[shodanusmc]

I put the PPK on my 09 135 Vert. It made a word of difference. Bought a new X5 5.0 and it moves a lot quicker to me than my 135. Love them both. Am getting around 14 MPG with the 5.0 On a highway trip of 100 miles averaged 21

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by turboawd

gosh darnit, you guys are making me regret not getting a diesel.

Have no regrets. You have a good car with different characteristics.

[cy07]

poor mans 50i is a used 50i or lightly equipped one. 35i is still very different from the smooth V8 TT.

Personally I couldnt go back to 35i after the test drive, especially considering how heavy the X5 is.

[py0413]

My 35i will arrive next week and I am already thinking about adding a tune to it. Now, is it safe to do so on a brand new car? Or should I wait a bit and let the car go through its proper break-in? Any thoughts guys?

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by py0413

My 35i will arrive next week and I am already thinking about adding a tune to it. Now, is it safe to do so on a brand new car? Or should I wait a bit and let the car go through its proper break-in? Any thoughts guys?

Some have put the tune in from the beginning of taking delivery...

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by py0413

My 35i will arrive next week and I am already thinking about adding a tune to it. Now, is it safe to do so on a brand new car? Or should I wait a bit and let the car go through its proper break-in? Any thoughts guys?

Don't matter. BMW install MPPK prior to delivery also. And they redlined your engine during the final testing already.

[Alan l.]

Yes. You can install the tune before break in. You can still observe all break in rules with or without the tune. You just can't enjoy it to its full potential right away. I'm at 900miles with my X5 so i am close.

As for the debate between 35i, 35d and 50i...think of it like this

35i is a guy with a 6" "pole" where the width is consistent throughout
35d is a guy with a 6" "pole" that is wider initially but tapers thinner midway
50i is a guy with a 9" "girthy pole"

There is a "hole" that is only 6" deep that you can insert this pole into. All three engine choices will get the job done but you can use less of the pole to accomplish the same thing at the end. The 35i and 35d guy will need to use all of his pole while the 50i can use part of it for the win. LOL

Alan

[Babs]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Yes. You can install the tune before break in. You can still observe all break in rules with or without the tune. You just can't enjoy it to its full potential right away. I'm at 900miles with my X5 so i am close.

As for the debate between 35i, 35d and 50i...think of it like this

35i is a guy with a 6" "pole" where the width is consistent throughout
35d is a guy with a 6" "pole" that is wider initially but tapers thinner midway
50i is a guy with a 9" "girthy pole"

There is a "hole" that is only 6" deep that you can insert this pole into. All three engine choices will get the job done but you can use less of the pole to accomplish the same thing at the end. The 35i and 35d guy will need to use all of his pole while the 50i can use part of it for the win. LOL

Alan

Still laughing as I write this. I will leave the more creative comments to other forum members with a good sense of humour.
Question for you Alan and other forum members too. I plan to do the PDC at Spartanburg for my F15 and drive it home (Atlanta). Since it is dealers that install MPPK and MPE, should I wait to complete the break in period first (1200miles?) or get MPPK and MPE installed right after I get home while still within the break in period?

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Yes. You can install the tune before break in. You can still observe all break in rules with or without the tune. You just can't enjoy it to its full potential right away. I'm at 900miles with my X5 so i am close.

As for the debate between 35i, 35d and 50i...think of it like this

35i is a guy with a 6" "pole" where the width is consistent throughout
35d is a guy with a 6" "pole" that is wider initially but tapers thinner midway
50i is a guy with a 9" "girthy pole"

There is a "hole" that is only 6" deep that you can insert this pole into. All three engine choices will get the job done but you can use less of the pole to accomplish the same thing at the end. The 35i and 35d guy will need to use all of his pole while the 50i can use part of it for the win. LOL

Alan

That's awesome!

What makes this tough is that the 50i is just non-trivially more expensive than either of the other two. It seems very realistic to get hold of a well-optioned 35i or 35d at a price that begins with a 6. The 50i, based on how BMW structures the option packages (damned Executive package) keeps coming down at the high 70s in my mind. It's more than just the "big engine option."

Practically speaking, the 50 is $10K-$12K more. That's a lot. I intuitively feel $3K-$5K more value in the added performance.

I don't disagree with the comment above about considering a CPO V8 car as a cost alternative. At this particular moment, though, that moves a guy back to an E70, and atop that there are the N63 engine considerations where many of us wouldn't want to be outside of warranty. It all just makes it a tougher choice. It also moves me toward a CPO Cayenne S a little.

[Blackhawks]

Originally Posted by WilliCO

That's awesome!

What makes this tough is that the 50i is just non-trivially more expensive than either of the other two. It seems very realistic to get hold of a well-optioned 35i or 35d at a price that begins with a 6. The 50i, based on how BMW structures the option packages (damned Executive package) keeps coming down at the high 70s in my mind. It's more than just the "big engine option."

Practically speaking, the 50 is $10K-$12K more. That's a lot. I intuitively feel $3K-$5K more value in the added performance.

Fantastic analogy, Alan. And I agree with you WilliCO... if this was a 3-5k difference I think it would be a borderline no-brainer. However, packaging the two vehicles (35i vs 50i) comes out to almost a 12k difference for me. Add in the extra gas and I can't justify it. The juice isn't worth the squeeze...

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by Blackhawks

Fantastic analogy, Alan. And I agree with you WilliCO... if this was a 3-5k difference I think it would be a borderline no-brainer. However, packaging the two vehicles (35i vs 50i) comes out to almost a 12k difference for me. Add in the extra gas and I can't justify it. The juice isn't worth the squeeze...

You guys looked pretty good last night, BTW. I'm a huge fan of Patrick Roy but in a certain sense I can't believe we let go of Quenneville when we did.

[py0413]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Yes. You can install the tune before break in. You can still observe all break in rules with or without the tune. You just can't enjoy it to its full potential right away. I'm at 900miles with my X5 so i am close.

As for the debate between 35i, 35d and 50i...think of it like this

35i is a guy with a 6" "pole" where the width is consistent throughout
35d is a guy with a 6" "pole" that is wider initially but tapers thinner midway
50i is a guy with a 9" "girthy pole"

There is a "hole" that is only 6" deep that you can insert this pole into. All three engine choices will get the job done but you can use less of the pole to accomplish the same thing at the end. The 35i and 35d guy will need to use all of his pole while the 50i can use part of it for the win. LOL

Alan

Oh dear...I wonder that the F85 guys think now lol

By the way, thank you guys for the replies.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by Ray knight

i went from 50i to 35d with racechip. the "D" is a beast with the chip! so much effortless torque and gets average 28-32mpg. i love it. i really liked the rocket 50i but it was a real gas hog. the diesel goes around 700 miles per tank. and right now diesel is cheaper than premium. the off the line torque from the racechip 35d feels higher than the 50i. its very fun to drive. pulls hard at every shift.

I used to own an X6 35i from 2009 to 2013. I would imagine that driving around Chicago is very similar to drinking around NYC, so I know what you mean about not being able to have "fun" behind the wheel.

I found that the 35i is suitable for city driving. Better gas mileage for sure. I had the JB4 installed for about 3 of the 4 years I had my X6, and the JB4 definitely gave my car a great and noticeable power jump after driving it stock for a little over a year before installing the chip.

I must be honest and say that I wplan on sticking with the V8 from now on because I really enjoy the power under my right foot, but the practical side of me knows that for the price tag, it's a bit of a waste.

I believe that if you tune the 35i, you will be content with the abilities of your future car, but I know that once in a while, buyer's remorse can come into mind once in a while, lol.

Either way, I wish you lots of safe and happy miles with whatever engine you put your money into.

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by cy07

poor mans 50i is a used 50i or lightly equipped one. 35i is still very different from the smooth V8 TT.

Personally I couldnt go back to 35i after the test drive, especially considering how heavy the X5 is.

That's me. I did both, bought a used, lightly equipped 50i. Mine had 6000 miles. I have the window sticker: MSport Pkg, Executive Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg. MSRP $77345, paid 66100. (it also had front bumpers and hood w/Xpel protector, not sure what that costs)) Very pleased, love the performance. I've had it up to 100mph a few times, like riding on air.
NOTE: Yes you can tune the engines, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the 50i does come with certain upgrades not found on the 35i, like bigger brakes.

[Kzang]

$77K MSRP for a 50i? What options and packages does it have?

[Alan l.]

No matter how i built my 50i the price still came out to 82K because i couldn't give up certain options. I figure not having some key options would bother me more every day than not having the V8 power so i ended up with a loaded 35i build.

F85 guys are the "mandingo" of the X5 world lol (if you don't know what that means look it up but not at work lol)

Alan

[patrikr]

I'm with Alan, I'd give up some power for some features/options I consider crucial. I was lucky to find a *loaded* 5.0i on Swapalease with a riciculous low payment. The MSRP was $90k+ and I know I can't get the same specs when the lease is up as the payments would probably be north of $1100 per month. So when that time comes I'll probably go with a 3.5d as I don't want to give up DHP, ACC etc.

[cy07]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

That's me. I did both, bought a used, lightly equipped 50i. Mine had 6000 miles. I have the window sticker: MSport Pkg, Executive Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg. MSRP $77345, paid 66100. (it also had front bumpers and hood w/Xpel protector, not sure what that costs)) Very pleased, love the performance. I've had it up to 100mph a few times, like riding on air.
NOTE: Yes you can tune the engines, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the 50i does come with certain upgrades not found on the 35i, like bigger brakes.

You can always tune V8 TT as well too. That's a smart move by the way.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

No matter how i built my 50i the price still came out to 82K because i couldn't give up certain options. I figure not having some key options would bother me more every day than not having the V8 power so i ended up with a loaded 35i build.

F85 guys are the "mandingo" of the X5 world lol (if you don't know what that means look it up but not at work lol)

Alan

Same here... I would not be happy driving around in a big SUV without some upgraded suspension for one.., I built a 50i to my exact options and it was in the 90's. $10 - $15K more and might as well get the M

[r33_RGSport]

Well, for me, I went with sDrive35i since I live in LA and almost never went up the mountain. So, xDrive is out of the question.
Also, I wasn't thinking of modding this as far as I did at the beginning, so I went in more for the comfort but leaving a room on the possibility on modding. And I knew the N55 has more mods and room to play then the N63tu.
The other reason also, if I would go big, I would go all-in with the X5M. No offense to the 50i guys. But, since the X5M released, the 50 feels to be stuck in between. It is similar to purchasing an iPhone or iPad with 32GB while the 16gb being the cheapest and 64gb being the most expensive.
While 35d is a different breed, can't compare that to the gas motor. I was debating on that also. Good thing I didn't jump on that, because I will be bored in a few months.

[Blackhawks]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Well, for me, I went with sDrive35i since I live in LA and almost never went up the mountain. So, xDrive is out of the question.
Also, I wasn't thinking of modding this as far as I did at the beginning, so I went in more for the comfort but leaving a room on the possibility on modding. And I knew the N55 has more mods and room to play then the N63tu.
The other reason also, if I would go big, I would go all-in with the X5M. No offense to the 50i guys. But, since the X5M released, the 50 feels to be stuck in between. It is similar to purchasing an iPhone or iPad with 32GB while the 16gb being the cheapest and 64gb being the most expensive.
While 35d is a different breed, can't compare that to the gas motor. I was debating on that also. Good thing I didn't jump on that, because I will be bored in a few months.

Are you going to the UDE at Santa Anita by any chance? I was thinking of going out there for White Sox/Angels and Cubs/Dodgers then up to SF... Wanted to the the UDE in Chicago but it's not until October. Might be able to get it done in August and use the coupon if I push my build out another month.