Is the 35i fun to drive?

Ti335 · 09-29-2012, 06:51 PM

It seems that most people here have a 50i or X6M. Is the 35i a dog or is it still fun to drive despite the smaller engine?

x6Hawkeye · 09-29-2012, 07:39 PM

You'll love it! We have a 2011 35i with Sport package (wife's) and a 2013 50i with the M Perf package (mine).

Driving experience is nearly identical, hugs the corners - great brakes - outstanding feel in steering. The 35i is very zippy and has a nice growl. The 50i is quicker in acceleration (and has a wonderful, deep exhaust tone), but its rare I even have an opportunity to open the full 35i up its already so quick.

On the interstate, the 35i has more oomph than most cars out there and the 7 speed is excellent so passing us a breeze. The 50i is closer to snap your neck when you kick down, both a lot of fun.

We both get compliments often - it's fun to drive such a beautiful car that's not so common!

Rygel XXV · 09-30-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti335

It seems that most people here have a 50i or X6M. Is the 35i a dog or is it still fun to drive despite the smaller engine?

I wouldn't say the 35i is a dog (particularly as I have one lol) but I do think it is underpowered for this much weight and not going to have the straight line acceleration of the 50i. However, the trade-off is better handling (which honestly most people probably wouldn't even notice) and fuel economy. Really depends on which is more important to you.

x6Hawkeye · 09-30-2012, 01:17 PM

I'd recommend taking a test drive. The pre-2011 models didn't have the new 7 speed, might make a slight difference in feel. With more gears, it is able to keep the RPM's more optimal. No doubt the 50i's have more punch, but the 35i is very quick.

Mike van D · 09-30-2012, 02:22 PM

The 35i doesn't disappoint IMO...not a toy, but still good fun and a blast on the twisties.

doug_999 · 09-30-2012, 09:45 PM

Ok guys, enough with the 7 speed comments. The 2011 X6 and higher have an 8 speed trans

As pointed out however, the 35 will probably handle better and the power is just fine. Less ponderous if you will.

The 50 wins for sound and power however.

BlackSaphr · 09-30-2012, 11:25 PM

Put it this way, ive surprised a couple of G35's in the 35i, in the corners and on the highway lol its no pig

x6Hawkeye · 10-01-2012, 04:39 AM

@Doug - oops! I forgot about the Mach gear, well - even more gears to keep RPM's up in this case?!

shodanusmc · 10-01-2012, 10:20 AM

Get the PPK1

doubleroll · 10-03-2012, 07:52 PM

Yes it is fun to drive...feels a lot smaller than it really is.

bulldog_yyc · 10-05-2012, 02:10 PM

get a jb3 and it will feel alot better

v8888vx6 · 10-05-2012, 07:35 PM

you have to test both youself, then make a decision

jero20 · 10-06-2012, 08:41 AM

I was pleasently surprise with how awesome is to drive my 35i. I didnt get to test drive one before i bought it, since none of the dealers around carry them on their normal stock cars. I havent driven the 50i, but i can say that the 35i is the best handling car i have driven in my life and it is really fun specially in curvy roads, everyone that drives with me gets realllyyyyy surprise at how fast i drive to any type of road and they cant barely tell, till i ask them if they could tell i was doing over 80, it is funny to see their face of shock. LoL

And i have a friend that has a brand new X5 and after he drove my car he was regreting getting the x5 vs the x6 ;-).

09-29-2012, 06:51 PM	#1
Ti335 Lieutenant 35 Rep 427 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Is the 35i fun to drive? It seems that most people here have a 50i or X6M. Is the 35i a dog or is it still fun to drive despite the smaller engine?
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09-29-2012, 07:39 PM	#2
x6Hawkeye 911 TTS Cab 42 Rep 201 Posts Drives: '17 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabrio Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	You'll love it! We have a 2011 35i with Sport package (wife's) and a 2013 50i with the M Perf package (mine). Driving experience is nearly identical, hugs the corners - great brakes - outstanding feel in steering. The 35i is very zippy and has a nice growl. The 50i is quicker in acceleration (and has a wonderful, deep exhaust tone), but its rare I even have an opportunity to open the full 35i up its already so quick. On the interstate, the 35i has more oomph than most cars out there and the 7 speed is excellent so passing us a breeze. The 50i is closer to snap your neck when you kick down, both a lot of fun. We both get compliments often - it's fun to drive such a beautiful car that's not so common!
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09-30-2012, 01:17 PM	#4
x6Hawkeye 911 TTS Cab 42 Rep 201 Posts Drives: '17 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabrio Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I'd recommend taking a test drive. The pre-2011 models didn't have the new 7 speed, might make a slight difference in feel. With more gears, it is able to keep the RPM's more optimal. No doubt the 50i's have more punch, but the 35i is very quick.
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09-30-2012, 02:22 PM	#5
Mike van D Major 18 Rep 1,112 Posts Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	The 35i doesn't disappoint IMO...not a toy, but still good fun and a blast on the twisties. __________________ ...just enjoying life.
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09-30-2012, 09:45 PM	#6
doug_999 Brigadier General 2543 Rep 3,968 Posts Drives: 2011 1M/2021 992/2023 X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Ok guys, enough with the 7 speed comments. The 2011 X6 and higher have an 8 speed trans As pointed out however, the 35 will probably handle better and the power is just fine. Less ponderous if you will. The 50 wins for sound and power however. __________________ 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio 2021 911 C4S Gentian Blue, manual 2023 X3 M40i - loaded sans Park Assist
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09-30-2012, 11:25 PM	#7
BlackSaphr Private 0 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: MTL iTrader: (0)	Put it this way, ive surprised a couple of G35's in the 35i, in the corners and on the highway lol its no pig
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10-01-2012, 04:39 AM	#8
x6Hawkeye 911 TTS Cab 42 Rep 201 Posts Drives: '17 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabrio Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	@Doug - oops! I forgot about the Mach gear, well - even more gears to keep RPM's up in this case?!
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10-01-2012, 10:20 AM	#9
shodanusmc Captain 21 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb iTrader: (0)	Get the PPK1
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10-03-2012, 07:52 PM	#10
doubleroll Private First Class 15 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2022 X6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X6 [0.00] 2002 BMW 330Ci [0.00] 2012 BMW X6 [0.00]	Yes it is fun to drive...feels a lot smaller than it really is. __________________ -------------- 2022 X6 40i
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10-05-2012, 02:10 PM	#11
bulldog_yyc Major General 130 Rep 5,040 Posts Drives: GT3RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: probably work iTrader: (28)	get a jb3 and it will feel alot better
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10-05-2012, 07:35 PM	#12
v8888vx6 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: X6 50i 2009 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	you have to test both youself, then make a decision
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10-06-2012, 08:41 AM	#13
jero20 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 43 Posts Drives: bmw x6 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	I was pleasently surprise with how awesome is to drive my 35i. I didnt get to test drive one before i bought it, since none of the dealers around carry them on their normal stock cars. I havent driven the 50i, but i can say that the 35i is the best handling car i have driven in my life and it is really fun specially in curvy roads, everyone that drives with me gets realllyyyyy surprise at how fast i drive to any type of road and they cant barely tell, till i ask them if they could tell i was doing over 80, it is funny to see their face of shock. LoL And i have a friend that has a brand new X5 and after he drove my car he was regreting getting the x5 vs the x6 ;-).
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