Is the X5 50i worth the extra $$ over a 35i

[Lifted07Duramax]

Im tossing around the idea of getting an X5. I currently have a 335i so I know what can be done to these I6 turbo motors, but how reliable is the X5 with the 4.4TT?
And is it worth the extra $10k over the I6?

[Draper]

I've driven various types of all 3, and the 50i is dramatically more powerful than the 35i or 35d, and IMO a must have.

If a 50i wasn't an option and I had to choose between the 35i and 35d, I would opt for the diesel.

Just my 0.02.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

I've driven various types of all 3, and the 50i is dramatically more powerful than the 35i or 35d, and IMO a must have.

If a 50i wasn't an option and I had to choose between the 35i and 35d, I would opt for the diesel.

Just my 0.02.

Even with the tuning capability of the 3.5? Is it a N54 or N55 in the 2010+ X5s?

[///SAL]

50i is so much fun, i wanna get the new x5 but its a shame for me to get rid of mine with 10k miles and dinan s4

[Draper]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

Even with the tuning capability of the 3.5? Is it a N54 or N55 in the 2010+ X5s?

Yep. Just ask 1FASTX5.

2010+ X5 35i is N55

[nabizzy]

It depends on what you are gonna be using the vehicle for...if you're looking for just an suv, I'm sure the 35i will meet and surpass your needs, but if the extra power is something you really want in a car, then the 50i or M are your other options. Alternatively, if I am not mistaken, the diesel has more torque, so it will feel faster, maybe that is an option as well?

Again if I am wrong correct my assumption, but does the engine style play a huge role in holding resale value as well? I would assume so, but I may be wrong.

[hashmanx]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

but how reliable is the X5 with the 4.4TT?

Depends on who you ask, but it is somewhat less reliable than its I6 sibling.

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

And is it worth the extra $10k over the I6?

Again, depends on who you ask. Most 50i buyers, myself included, would say it's definitely worth the extra $. I guess X5M buyers could probably say the same about it being worth the extra $$ over the 50i, but I think the 50i offers the best value of performance per $. It is closer to the X5M in performance and not too far off from the 35i in price.

[rennis]

Yes. 50i or 35d were the clear winners for me short of the /M when I bought mine. M Sport is worth the extra money every time too.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Originally Posted by rennis

Yes. 50i or 35d were the clear winners for me short of the /M when I bought mine. M Sport is worth the extra money every time too.

What exactly do you get in the M sport on the X5s?

[nabizzy]

thicker steering wheel
some m logos here and there
i think bigger wheels and a sport suspension

[troymi]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

What exactly do you get in the M sport on the X5s?

I had a '12 X5 diesel and traded after a year for '13 35i with M Sport and M Performance pack options among others.

I liked the diesel, but in no way did the torque make it feel faster than the 35i does. The 35i rev range and extra gears (maybe?) make it feel plenty fast except for a few occasions. That being said, we still get pretty good mileage.

The M Sport adds cosmetic changes, but the M Performance pack add 20HP and 40 lb/ft torque (I think this is correct but I will be corrected if not) and performance exhaust (different exhaust and outlet tips).

I chose both the diesel and gas, and in my opinion the gas wins. Even on the cost basis of mileage/fuel.

[rennis]

Originally Posted by nabizzy

thicker steering wheel
some m logos here and there
i think bigger wheels and a sport suspension

and fender flares, rockers, M door sills, color-matched M Sport front and rear bumpers, some other stuff I'm forgetting, and most importantly, Adaptive Drive - the key piece.

Drive an M Sport 50i back-to-back with, say, a 35i sport package without adaptive drive, and you'll understand - they're incomparable. The air suspension in the rear end and wizardry of the adaptive drive puts the handling on a different level. You combine the handling with the 50i torque and sweetness of the 8 speed, and you have an amazing combo. I dislike the economy of the V8 but it makes up for it everywhere else, believe me.

M Sport 35i has a similar feel but you're still pushing around a 5k pound tank with a higher-revving 300hp inline 6 - I'll take the V8 every time. (I also use it for towing, so the big jump in torque was absolutely a necessity)

[Draper]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

What exactly do you get in the M sport on the X5s?

If you're shopping for used, I'd recommend this tool to see which options are available and what you get with the different packages. You can also price out the exact car, and see what the original sticker price was.

http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-X5-201...ons/undefined/

Also, to see which options are installed on a particular vehicle, you can do a vin search at http://bmwvin.com

[Draper]

Originally Posted by rennis

and fender flares, rockers, M door sills, and most importantly, Adaptive Drive - the key piece.

Drive an M Sport 50i back-to-back with, say, a 35i sport package without adaptive drive, and you'll understand - they're incomparable. The air suspension in the rear end and wizardry of the adaptive drive puts the handling on a different level.

Yep, that's pretty much it. Though Adaptive Drive is optional, even for M Sport models.

[rennis]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

Yep, that's pretty much it. Though Adaptive Drive is optional, even for M Sport models.

I actually didn't know that - I assumed that was standard with the M Sport. Thanks for clarifying.

[Draper]

Originally Posted by rennis

I actually didn't know that - I assumed that was standard with the M Sport. Thanks for clarifying.

Well, it is part of the M Sport package, but it can be deleted to save money if you don't need or want it. At least when I was looking, I found the breakdown of 50i M Sports that had it, versus those that did not was about 50/50.

[SteveMD]

I went from a tuned N54 335i to my 50i and I have to say it is an absolute hoot and I don't miss the 3er at all. I have Terry's stage 1 on it, stage 2 coming. I don't do a lot of stoplight drag racing but the look on peeps faces as a big old X5 goes by them is priceless.

It's a permanent smile machine.

[minnmarker]

Get the X5 35i and a used M3 for the same price. At least that's what I did.

[sarends]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

Well, it is part of the M Sport package, but it can be deleted to save money if you don't need or want it. At least when I was looking, I found the breakdown of 50i M Sports that had it, versus those that did not was about 50/50.

Unfortunately you are wrong on this.

You can prove it out this way:

1) Go to Autotrader
2) Search for any year of E70 X5
3) Add the option to search for exact phrase "M Sport"
4) Now, open up this VIN decoder - http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html (others my work too)
5) Input the VIN of an "M Sport" X5
6) If the car has Adaptive Drive the VIN decoder will return:

Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment
S2VAA Adaptive Drive Chassis & suspens. setup"Adaptive Drive"

You can input 20 (or more) "M Sport" VIN numbers before you will find one with adaptive drive. I know, I did this when I was looking for my 11 Xdrive 50I with Adaptive Drive.

M Sport X5s with Adaptive Drive also have a "Sport" button just below the shift lever. Go to any dealership with M Sports on the lot, you will be lucky if any have Adaptive Drive.

But, all X5Ms have Adaptive Drive - it is impossible to have an X5M without AD.

BTW, I LOVE my Xdrive50 with Adaptive Drive - nothing compares (that I have driven).

[P1]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

Yep, that's pretty much it. Though Adaptive Drive is optional, even for M Sport models.

Originally Posted by rennis

I actually didn't know that - I assumed that was standard with the M Sport. Thanks for clarifying.

It was standard on all 2011 M Sports, which is why the M Sport package was so expensive. For years 2012 and beyond, it was an option (and the M Sport package was quite a bit cheaper, too).

[P1]

I came from a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 petrol and a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. Both were guzzlers. Last thing I wanted was another guzzler when I was looking for an X5. I really would have gone either a x50i or an x35i because I really wanted the M Sport package more than anything else. I'm glad that I found a 35i because the mileage is quite a bit better. The X5 will never be a race car, so didn't feel the need to get a more powerful engine.

If I want to go fast, I just ask my wife if I can drive her 135i.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

Originally Posted by P1et

I came from a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 petrol and a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. Both were guzzlers. Last thing I wanted was another guzzler when I was looking for an X5. I really would have gone either a x50i or an x35i because I really wanted the M Sport package more than anything else. I'm glad that I found a 35i because the mileage is quite a bit better. The X5 will never be a race car, so didn't feel the need to get a more powerful engine.

If I want to go fast, I just ask my wife if I can drive her 135i.

Tell that to the M3 driver I dusted the other day...