2013 X6 35i vs 50i

[juno_bmw]

I'm going to order 2013 X6 and going to drive more than 7 years. I'm thinking about 35i but really like 50i V8 engine sound.

35i - Cold, Premium, M Performance Pkg, Multi-contour seats, Full LED lights
* M Performance -> Carbon Black Color, 20" wheel

50i - Cold, Premium, Sport Activity Pkg
* Black Sapphire Metallic, 19" wheel

Spend $3350 more to get 50i V8 engine & better brake or save $3350 for better options & Fuel Consumption?
What would you get? 35i or 50i

I really like Carbon Black but the price of 50i + M Performance with other options will be more than $80K.

[doug_999]

Real world fuel economy is not that much better in the 35. The balance of the car is however. It comes down to this - is that sound worth $3K to you? To me it was.

[crunchingnumbers]

I bought one in nov 2011 and posed the same question. Doug_999 answered and I'm glad he did. 5.0 is the ONLY way to go.

Regarding gas I've done 10k in the 4 months - hard driving and avg 17mpg which is a mute point really because you're driving the X6 for the car and not the economy.

I love it and the only thing I'd look at is a faster, newer one. When I wear this one out I will even consider the X6M

[ND40oz]

The differences in power between the two are huge, especially if you're ordering the m performance package on them. 315/330 vs 440/480 is a huge jump, just depends on if that's worth it to you.

[AndreyATC]

I'm going to agree with the above
X6 needs V8 to come alive
While I6 is great on 1, 3 series and decent on 5er, it becomes 4-cyl on X6
It's a one heavy mofo

[udmx6]

50i V8 engine is really great Its sound is much better than my 550i. However, I ordered 2013 35i.
I really want CB color and CB comes with M performance pkg. 50i with M pkg + some other pkgs and options that I really want was over $80K
With the same options on 35i was $7750 cheaper. I didn't want to spend a lot of $$$ on X6 because I already enjoyed my 550i V8 engine and X6 is not a sport sedan.

Your difference is $3350. I asked many questions to Doug_999 and he knows cars. He is right. V8 sound is worth $3K?

[udmx6]

M Performance Package is $4400 for 35i and $3900 for 50i
Sports Activity Package is $1900 for 35i and $1400 for 50i
$2500 different.

Power Kit for X6: $1174 + install
Upgrade to 20" wheel : $950
Stainless steel pedals: $156.23
M foot rest: $60.22

$2500 - $2340.45(above) = $159.55

$159.55 for power kit installation, black chrome exhaust tips, M door sills, and optional Carbon Black metallic paint.
It doesn't say but I believe it comes with M steering wheel.


CB with black chrome exhaust tips, you're going to love it
Adaptive LED head light is a new option on 2013 X6. Go for it

Note: Power Kit price is for N54 engine and its special price was $599.

[Mike van D]

I would say it really depends on how you're going to use it. For me the 35i works well as a DD and road trip cruiser...no issues with lack of power for those uses. If it was to be my only toy, then yes...would go for the V8.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

I would say it really depends on how you're going to use it. For me the 35i works well as a DD and road trip cruiser...no issues with lack of power for those uses. If it was to be my only toy, then yes...would go for the V8.

I agree with this. When I placed the order for my X6 back in 2008, I was torn between the 35i and the 50i. (no ///M version at the time)

Like you OP, I was going back and forth with either getting a fully loaded 35i with every option available, or skipping on a few perks and goin with the 50i.

Eventually, I pulled the trigger on the 35i because it was to be used as a DD, 93 octane was $4.56 a gallon at the time, and I rarely go over 30 MPH during my commute in rush hour traffic.

I love the sound of the 50i and now the ///M as well, but at that time I just couldn't justify spending the extra $8,000 to myself on the extra ponies that would never get to run free.

Like Need More Toyz said, it depends on what you plan on using it for. If it is a weekend toy for your self, I would say get the 50i. If you plan on using it for a Daily Driver, I think the 35i is just fine... especially if your commute will be similar to mine.

I do understand that you plan on driving whatever you decide to get for 7 years so you might be concerned about having regrets about lack of power with the 35i, or gas milage with the 50i. I can testify that with the $600 tuner chip I had installed on my 35i, I can keep up with any stock 50i without question. Just a little food for thought.

I am sure you will enjoy your new purchase... whatever it may be!

[Rac10000]

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

I would say it really depends on how you're going to use it. For me the 35i works well as a DD and road trip cruiser...no issues with lack of power for those uses. If it was to be my only toy, then yes...would go for the V8.

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

I agree with this. When I placed the order for my X6 back in 2008, I was torn between the 35i and the 50i. (no ///M version at the time)

Like you OP, I was going back and forth with either getting a fully loaded 35i with every option available, or skipping on a few perks and goin with the 50i.

Eventually, I pulled the trigger on the 35i because it was to be used as a DD, 93 octane was $4.56 a gallon at the time, and I rarely go over 30 MPH during my commute in rush hour traffic.

I love the sound of the 50i and now the ///M as well, but at that time I just couldn't justify spending the extra $8,000 to myself on the extra ponies that would never get to run free.

Like Need More Toyz said, it depends on what you plan on using it for. If it is a weekend toy for your self, I would say get the 50i. If you plan on using it for a Daily Driver, I think the 35i is just fine... especially if your commute will be similar to mine.

I do understand that you plan on driving whatever you decide to get for 7 years so you might be concerned about having regrets about lack of power with the 35i, or gas milage with the 50i. I can testify that with the $600 tuner chip I had installed on my 35i, I can keep up with any stock 50i without question. Just a little food for thought.

I am sure you will enjoy your new purchase... whatever it may be!

I agree with these guys! My X6 is not my "fun" car ... that's what my Z4 35is is for.

If I only had one car (and I think that's what I might do after I get rid of the X6 and Z4) I would need something with more power than the X6 35i.

[justforfun]

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

I can testify that with the $600 tuner chip I had installed on my 35i, I can keep up with any stock 50i without question.

Hi, so do you think with this chip your in the MPG range with the 50i?

I'm in the process of ordering the 35i with M Peformance Pkg - more HP/TQ. Really like to look into the chip as well I hope this chip won't void my warranty.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by justforfun

Hi, so do you think with this chip your in the MPG range with the 50i?

I'm in the process of ordering the 35i with M Peformance Pkg - more HP/TQ. Really like to look into the chip as well I hope this chip won't void my warranty.

First let me congratulate you on the X6. Even after driving it for over 3 years, I still think the X6 is an awsome machine... It is my first BMW however and I see you are coming out of an M3... so you have been fortunate enough to be driving a Bimmer longer than me, lol

The chip I have is the JB4 from Burgertuning. I started a thread about it a while ago when I first had it installed. I'm sure a forum search will bring it up. I think the chip works great and does what it's supposed to do for the N54 engine. There are a few Youtube videos out there from guys who have the chip installed as well.

I was worried about voiding the warranty before I had the chip put in so my original plan was to remove it then reinstall before and after visiting the dealership for service. Of course when I found out that the dealship can still detect any modifications even if you take it out, I decided to run the risk of leaving it in. The dealership I am using still honors my warranty and I have nothing but positive experiences with them. Not sure if it is just luck, or special treatment for me (service member) but having the chip installed has not voided my warranty... yet.

[doubleroll]

I went for the 3.5 myself mainly because it's a dd. Interesting thing is that when I test drove the X3 with the same motor, I felt that the X6 had better power. Strange since the 6 is a heavier truck.

[mdrobc13]

Same issue for me. Could have gotten a 5.0 or an M but I went with the X6 35i because of the gas mileage, costs, and the car I found had basically everything I needed/wanted in it. Sound of the V8 is great and the M awesome and I'd love to have similar sound and yes they do have more Hp/torque but with a Dinan Stage 1 tune and soon either an Eissenman Performance exhaust or Remus Sport Exhaust my X6 35i will do more than adequate duty on the road and will show nicely to alot of stock 5.0is as well. For the extra cash for the V8 don't need the slightly worse gas mileage and significantly increased price especially since the X6 isn't the only ride or the weekend fun toy but the alternate daily driver and foul weather car. So you gotta look what you want to do with it and your wallet and figure out from there my friend. One thing for sure..can't go wrong with either three options!

[Rygel XXV]

OP, If you haven't made the decision yet, 35 vs. 50 is ultimately a "head vs. heart" debate. There doesn't seem to be any practical reason to pick the V8 over the I6, but it has an undeniable emotional appeal. Based on the value comparison you made as well as your stated intention of keeping the car for a long time, the 35 would better appeal to you as a rationalist, but getting a Toyota AWD minivan would probably be the most rational choice of all, which I don't picture you doing either lol.

I was also torn between the 35 and 50, and ultimately chose the 35. The reason for me was that as much as I loved (and I mean really, really loved) the sound and "instant on" of the V8, the better handling and slightly better mileage of the I6 got the better of me. In terms of acceleration, you can tune the I6 to approximate the V8, which I and probably quite a few others here would agree is really essential for a car this heavy. But if/when the 35 is tuned, it's the best of all worlds. Utterly docile for normal cruising, better mpg, better handling, then the surprise factor for unsuspecting Porsche Cayenne drivers.

Either way, good luck with your purchase!

[UAxDEATH(NYC)]

from the first day I had v8 5.0, and recently I drove 3.5 what a fucking shame.

[Poleposition]

Originally Posted by Rygel XXV

I was also torn between the 35 and 50, and ultimately chose the 35. The reason for me was that as much as I loved (and I mean really, really loved) the sound and "instant on" of the V8, the better handling and slightly better mileage of the I6 got the better of me. In terms of acceleration, you can tune the I6 to approximate the V8, which I and probably quite a few others here would agree is really essential for a car this heavy. But if/when the 35 is tuned, it's the best of all worlds. Utterly docile for normal cruising, better mpg, better handling, then the surprise factor for unsuspecting Porsche Cayenne drivers.

Please explain for the less informed like myself. How is the 3.5 a better handling vehicle than the 5.0?

[Rac10000]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Please explain for the less informed like myself. How is the 3.5 a better handling vehicle than the 5.0?

I assume he is referring to the lower weight of the 35i vs the 50i (4,784 vs 5,225) and slightly better weight distribution (50/50 vs 49/51). Everything else being equal, the 35i should handle better.

[GameTheory]

I got the 2012 35i and while I love it, I immediately regretted not getting the 50i. In fact, I tried to switch to the 50i but my vehicle was already in production by that point. Oh well.

My 2 cents, go with the 50.

[Rygel XXV]

Originally Posted by Rac10000

I assume he is referring to the lower weight of the 35i vs the 50i (4,784 vs 5,225) and slightly better weight distribution (50/50 vs 49/51). Everything else being equal, the 35i should handle better.

That's what I meant, yes. But I should say that I've driven but haven't flung around a 50, so I'm going strictly by the theoretical benefits of the lower weight. I'd guess that for most drivers under most conditions, you probably wouldn't notice the difference.

[juno_bmw]

Ordered 2013 X6 today

X6 35i
* Cold Weather Package
* M Performance Package
* Premium Package
* Full LED Lights
* Running boards
* PCD Delivery

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by juno_bmw

Ordered 2013 X6 today

X6 35i
* Cold Weather Package
* M Performance Package
* Premium Package
* Full LED Lights
* Running boards
* PCD Delivery

Congrats!

I just reviewed the other comments on this thread and I think that I would describe the 50 as a bit "ponderous" in terms of driving dynamics. The 35i while no lightweight, definitely felt better balanced - especially in braking. Full disclosure - I did not drive them back to back. I would LOVE to drive a 35i with M Perf package back to back with a 50 without (then again, that might remove the pricing difference?).