X5 35i vs 50i Regrets?

[Kewl X5]

If you want awesome instant passing power on the freeway/highway, especially on an incline, 50i all the way.

Also have E53 X5 3.0i and love the smooth inline-6 but the V8 is beast that makes the F15 X5 move like monster. Moves as fast as our E46 M3 but with much less fuss...

Fuel mileage on F15 50i is better than E53 3.0i on the highway if you are easy with it.

Did have F15 35i loaner and it is more than adequate and faster than most other SUV BUT does not have the same torquey/"scary fast acceleration to triple digits speed" of the 50i engine.

28K miles on 50i and so far so good...

[Scho18]

Get the 50i. MPG on my 2014 50i is about 19.6 (12 Liter for 100km; ca. 70% on Swiss highways).
25,000 miles now and no issues so far. The car is very reliable and it is fun to drive. If more fun is required, I jump into my M4 convertible.

[puckybadger]

If performance means anything to you there is nothing to discuss.

[bubbahead]

IF you get the 5.0 and you like spirited driving, then the DHP is a MUST ! I think the difference will be close to 15-20k more than the 35i.

[onfireX5]

If what you stated is your thought process, get the 50. You will be disappointed if you do not and then it is too late.

[platinum903]

Originally Posted by deedlebag

That's good to know. I think the best way I can avoid buying a 50i is to stay out of the drivers seat. I know me, and if I spend too long in the 50i I will put the practical point of view of the purchase behind me haha.

At least you know better...

I got in the seat of an M5 in Germany and drove it all day on the Autobahn. Guess what's now sitting in my garage in Dallas?

You guessed it.

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by platinum903

At least you know better...

I got in the seat of an M5 in Germany and drove it all day on the Autobahn. Guess what's now sitting in my garage in Dallas?

You guessed it.

The same reason why I must not test drive the X5M!

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by kanvas

The same reason why I must not test drive the X5M!

Ignorance is BLISS!

[samguan]

You will never be satisfied, you get a 50i, you want a M. Same for my previous car, got. 328i cabriolet, wanted a 335, my cousin bought a 335i and I drove it couple times, then I wanted a M3. Even people with 35i are talking regretting certain packages, might as well add this and add that.

I have only seen one 50i so far, because the difference between 50i and X5M is smaller than 35i vs M, people just go up to the M.

It all comes down to $$$, I would go up to the X5M directly but I rather spend the $$ somewhere else in which I can improve my quality of living.

I never understand Nissan GTR owners maybe because I don't own one, that car is fast, really fast already and people still mod crap out of it for more
Power and speed. This just shows that you will never be satisfied. Power in the 35i is a little weak I must admit though but maybe because I've driven many 500+ HP AMG cars(friends, family) and everything else feels slow.

When we had the 328i, many times I get into the car and said to my wife we should have gotten the 335. Now with 35i, I keep saying we should get a X5M next time.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by samguan

You will never be satisfied, you get a 50i, you want a M.

Sometimes you have to draw the line somewhere.
With that said.. I wish I got the 50i..

But then to keep my budget in check I would probably lose a lot of creature comfort options and suspension upgrades and forced to keep the 50i stock.... which would totally suck.

[chango335]

I think the X5 35i is the perfect blend of performance and efficiency/comfort. Although it's a very heavy car, there's still a decent amount of performance. It's mainly my wife's daily driver, so she drives all over the place (real estate agent) and drives my daughter, so absolute performance was not in our minds. We bought it mainly for comfort and fuel efficiency.

My dad has the X5 4.8i and although the performance and sound of the V8 is very nice, the fuel economy is absolute garbage.

On a daily basis however, the 35 is more than enough around public roads. You could always get a second car thats more "fun" to drive

[mynameisplayer]

Never even considered the 35i coming from a 40d, but price for me was the reason. Got into a loaded 50i for $10-15k AUD more than a 35i, an X5M would have been another 70 above the 50i.....

[RM707]

Get 50i. Reason is - torque, it's crazy how it pulls.

[newtlicious]

I had convinced myself to settle for the 35i and then I found a dealership with a 50i on the lot for 14% off. It had been in stock for a year and they couldn't move it so they had it listed for $12,000 off sticker with no haggling. It was still slightly more than a 35i but the value was inarguable. I bought it on Saturday!

The 50i is really wonderful. I'm definitely an enthusiast and don't really view cars as simply a form of transportation. For me, the 50i was a no-brainer.

- Patrick

[knepsterd]

Was it an M Sport and did it have DHP?

[deedlebag]

Originally Posted by newtlicious

I had convinced myself to settle for the 35i and then I found a dealership with a 50i on the lot for 14% off. It had been in stock for a year and they couldn't move it so they had it listed for $12,000 off sticker with no haggling. It was still slightly more than a 35i but the value was inarguable. I bought it on Saturday!

The 50i is really wonderful. I'm definitely an enthusiast and don't really view cars as simply a form of transportation. For me, the 50i was a no-brainer.

- Patrick

I've been looking at many dealerships trying to locate a deal like that one you received. Unfortunately for me, there are pretty much zero with an upgraded suspension and with the msport. Most of the other options I'm flexible on if the deal is good enough.

[newtlicious]

Originally Posted by deedlebag

I've been looking at many dealerships trying to locate a deal like that one you received. Unfortunately for me, there are pretty much zero with an upgraded suspension and with the msport. Most of the other options I'm flexible on if the deal is good enough.

Flexibility was the key. I really wanted the cognac leather that was in the M Sport 35i in Silver Spring. The deal on the Lux 50i was just too good. I'm happy with the colors but they wouldn't have been my first choices. The sticker was 84,095 and my bottom line with a LoJack installed was 72 flat. I couldn't pass that up! I don't know what the DHP does or feels like but I'm damn happy with the standard setup. For reference, my last car was a 2015 Porsche 911 turbo.

Honestly, I like the Lux exterior better but the M Sport steering wheel is the business. I will be swapping it out for sure. I also hated the running boards that came with the car so the dealership is swapping them out at cost. It also has the totally base spec 19 inch wheels but I was going to replace whatever was on the car anyway. My new 22s arrive next Tuesday. Semper Gumby!

- Patrick

[taxjoc]

Originally Posted by samguan

You will never be satisfied, you get a 50i, you want a M.

Sad but true. The more you get the more you want. I did take the plunge and bought the 50i with DHP, active steering, B & O, mocha nappa, ACC stop and go, executive, lighting, etc. It was in my budget but my wife still gives me a hard time about purchasing such an expensive item that does nothing but depreciate. I feel bad about spending so much but somehow I forget about all that when I get behind the wheel. I get a smile on my face every time I get in my X5. The problem is that I find myself going on the "build your own" feature on BMW USA and start configuring an X5M. I also find myself reviewing posts on the X5M/X6M forum. Hmmm...Donington Gray with Mugello Red or Aragon Brown....

[barcelona]

I bought the 2014 35i without driving it, as in 2013 E70 was the current model. Three days I drove E70 six. It felt slow compared to my F25 I6. Of course a I6 will be quicker in F25 than F15. I changed order to 50i. Pleased.

[mynameisplayer]

Pleased?! You should have a smile like the Joker! 50i is such a laugh, so nice to drive and be in.

[PeanutButterJellyTime]

Originally Posted by deedlebag

I appreciate your opinion on the subject. I will be purchasing the vehicle (not a fan of leasing for personal reasons). I have seen the reliability problems on the forums on the past 50i. I was just hoping that they may be all worked out by now. Given the cheaper payment, better fuel economy, cheaper insurance, and "hopefully@" more reliability I should buy the 35i. Buuuuuuut something about the v8 is so intriguing haha.

I had the same issue at first when deciding between the 35i or 50i. I initially negotiated for the 35i. Then changed my mind the next day when I had to come in to do the financing and ended up with the 50i. Love the power and the sound of the engine, but hate how it drinks gas like water.

No doubt by now you would have made a decision but I just want to chime in for future readers of this topic.

[Bahn360Photo]

35 with chip is still slow, go for 50i!