35d or 35

[Wardman]

Looking for input. 1500 more in list price, and prob 20% more for diesel.

Over 60,000 miles assuming 30mpg vs 20mpg, and $4 vs $3.80 it looks to be about a 2500 savings in fuel costs.

Does that sound right? I will be leasing, so 3 year rental.

Pros and cons? I am seeing a lot of 35d love and why I asking.

[BillK]

The only disadvantage to the diesel is the fuel if it costs more and the availability Bmw doesn't allow bio more than B5. For me, diesel is about 10-15 cents cheaper and the availability is plenty so it's a no brainier. So far with about 1k miles on the clock the average mpg is 29 and that's mostly city driving we took one small road trip and it averaged 36. It also has a lot more torque than the standard gas model

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Wardman

.... and prob 20% more for diesel.....
.....

Be sure to compare diesel prices to premium/91/92 octane -your only alternative with 35i. Due to the tax component, diesel is more expensive in some markets, but less in others. I have not seen a market where the difference is greater than +/- 10%.

[Wardman]

Great diesel MPG.

Yes - watching both price and premium. Good web sites to check that out locally here. Diesel less than premium - WOW!!!

Waiting to see if anyone chimes in on gas mpg numbers.

[Kzang]

I am positive that subject has been hashed out many times.. Did you do a search?

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Wardman

Great diesel MPG.

Yes - watching both price and premium. Good web sites to check that out locally here. Diesel less than premium - WOW!!!

Waiting to see if anyone chimes in on gas mpg numbers.

I have clocked 34-35.8 mpg on 50+ mile trips on the freeway at 65mph, four passengers, A?C on, and get 21mpg in our very hilly town which is not reflective of city/urban driving.

Spoken with a wide audience in mind as many on this board are from UK, Norway, Hungary, UAE........there are many places where diesel is cheaper: http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/index.php?sort=6 ....less refined equals cheaper unless taxes interfere.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

I have clocked 34-35.8 mpg on 50+ mile trips on the freeway at 65mph, four passengers, A?C on, and get 21mpg in our very hilly town which is not reflective of city/urban driving.

Spoken with a wide audience in mind as many on this board are from UK, Norway, Hungary, UAE........there are many places where diesel is cheaper: http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/index.php?sort=6 ....less refined equals cheaper unless taxes interfere.

By comparison, our 35i barely approaches 20 on long trips and gets around 16 for local driving. Neither is any better than the '07 X5 4.8i I had, which is disappointing. I expected at least some improvement over the V8.

[Ray knight]

Diesel is a no brainer over the 35i. Way better MPG and a LOT more torque. Plus then you don't have to feel like you bought the "base model". The diesel is actually really fun to drive. its super quiet and silky smooth with quite a bit of power especially with the racechip installed.

[Wardman]

Thanks Chrisny - in a 535GT getting 29mpg to and from NY so those numbers are disappointing too.

[skalberti]

Clocking 24.3 in complete city driving with speeds below 45 mph. On the highway driving 70-75mph getting close to 34. Keep in mind there's only 750 mile on her so she's not broken in. We came out of a 2012 35i M Sport which was getting 15.9 in the same city driving and 22 driving 70-75mph. Diesel is about 15 cents more where we live, but with the fuel savings the diesel still wins. The diesel is quieter and requires little from the motor to get going from a stand still. We're glad we made the switch!

[Wardman]

Great - so no regrets coming from an v8 to diesel!

[Ray knight]

Originally Posted by Wardman

Great - so no regrets coming from an v8 to diesel!

I came from the 50i to the 35d. I really like the diesel and i don't care about MPG honestly because i only drive about 8k/yr between 3 cars. But the diesel is really fun. Its not crazy mad fast like the 50i but it has a really powerful feel right off idle and loves to cruise on the highway.

[Terp335]

I'm in the market now and struggling with this as well. I think that if you're looking to lease, diesel is an easy choice. If you buy and keep your cars 6 - 8 years like I do, the uncertainty of what states will convert to b10 or above and the impact long term b10-b20 will have on your engine is enough to make me think twice. Minnesota and Illinois are two states that already have higher bio blends than what is covered under our warranty. I'd be pissed if 2 yrs after buying VA mandated b20.

Reading these posts I'm surprised to read that the 35i averages 20 on he highway. I thought it would easily get mid 20's. Good to know.

[Mathme]

35d

You won't regret it.

[DavidTSG]

No regrets here moving from 35i E70 (2012) to 35d F15 (2015). Mileage went from 13.5 to 20.5 mixed city/hwy (mostly city). I haven't done any trips sufficiently long to give a real measure of pure highway. As others have stated, check fuel prices against 91/92 octane and compare. In my area, diesel and 91 are the same, within a penny or two, so the economy is worth it over the longer haul. Plus, fewer stops at the pump.

And, as also mentioned, LOVE the TORQUE But the 35i has great power off of the line, too, so that is a subjective measure for some of us.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Wardman

Thanks Chrisny - in a 535GT getting 29mpg to and from NY so those numbers are disappointing too.

I got about that, 29 to 30 in my 335 going down to Jersey and back for a while. The X5 is just much heavier with the same engine… I didn't expect 30, but hoped for at least what we were getting with our X3 with the non-turbo I6, low to mid 20's.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Ray knight

Diesel is a no brainer over the 35i. Way better MPG and a LOT more torque. Plus then you don't have to feel like you bought the "base model". The diesel is actually really fun to drive. its super quiet and silky smooth with quite a bit of power especially with the racechip installed.

This is a great point, because those of us that spent $60 - 80k on our 'Base model' 35i's feel so inadequate (hint, see Sdrive 35i for the actual "base model" X5 if you're going by starting MSRP, and I bet they feel pretty good about their luxury SAV's too ). More torque in the diesel is great if you're towing, but the 35i has plenty of torque itself and offers better performance overall. FYI, they're all fun to drive.

The 35d is no greater than the 35i, they're just different variations to suit different needs. Not everyone has easy, dependable access to diesel. And some of us just don't want our wives to have to pump diesel, nor worry they may forget to plan properly while out with the kids somewhere and get stuck.

They're both great engines. Get what suits your needs best.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Terp335

Reading these posts I'm surprised to read that the 35i averages 20 on he highway. I thought it would easily get mid 20's. Good to know.

I should add that I tend to average around 75 mph on those long trips, and absolutely never use eco pro.. So I'm sure better numbers can be had by more conservative drivers.

[HansRobert]

I cannot think of any disadvantages with the diesel but several advantages. First is MPG and the other torque.

I got the diesel and am very happy with it.

[Wardman]

Hans - I am in southeastern PA. what 35d did you get and options? lease or buy? I am mostly dealing with Doylestown dealer.

[HansRobert]

Originally Posted by Wardman

Hans - I am in southeastern PA. what 35d did you get and options? lease or buy? I am mostly dealing with Doylestown dealer.

This is my build:
xDrive 35d
Sparkling Brown
Canberra Beige Dakota Leather
Luxury Line
451 Wheels w/RFT
Cold Weather Package
Driver Assistance Package
Driver Assistance Plus
ACC Stop & Go
Lighting Package
Premium Package
Dynamic Damper Control
Space Saving Spare
Aluminum Running Boards
Rear Window Shades
Multi-contour Seats
Comfort Rear Seats
Leather Dash
HK Sound System
Enhanced USB/Bluetooth + Smartphone Integration*
Destination

I bought it instead of leasing as I tend to keep vehicles longer than a traditional lease period. I bought mine for Sun Motor Cars in Mechanicsburg, PA but I took delivery at the PC in Spartanburg. Which, BTW, was a fantastic experience.

I've had it a week tomorrow and am thoroughly enjoying it!

[Wardman]

Awesome build!