2011 50i or 35i w/ tune or 35d w/ tune?

1bbp · 10-27-2013, 11:54 AM

I should be reading up more on tune/flash to see what the numbers look like, but I figured I would start a thread and get some expert opinions.

Originally I was set on the 50i. Twin turbo V8 sounds great. Having had a TT V6 (2001 Audi S4) and now having an SC V6 (2010 Audi S4) I want something that will be fun to drive. I'm getting rid of the current S4 to make space for a second car seat.

I've read here that there are flashes for the 35d and imagine there are some for the 35i. Just trying to figure out which would be the best bang for the buck. I've only driven the 50i and that was great although it needs paddle shift. Issues I see with the 35d is it only has the 6 speed trans and no M package.

Opinions please

Thanks
1bbp

Techjunkie666 · 10-27-2013, 12:45 PM

I was also set in a 50i but loved the torque on the 35d. I too wish it has the M package but I think the torque makes up for it (atleast for me). Wish they has the 50d M in US.

rennis · 10-28-2013, 11:31 AM

If you're set on the M Sport package the only option is the 50i. The 35i is a nice ride, but does not have the power of the 50i or the diesel. I wanted the diesel as well but the M Sport package is a must-have for me.

As for power, I know there are JB tuners for the 35d, and I would definitely check out Malone. The 50i has several options, all with significant gains. Velos and Dinan seem to be the go-to options from my readings. Velos for cost, Dinan for warranty compatibility.

Ironically, my weekend car is also a B5 S4, so I know where you are coming from. Great minds.

P1 · 10-28-2013, 01:01 PM

No M Sport on the 35d was a deal breaker for me. My wife has a 135i if I want to go fast, so the 35i X5 was perfect for me. It's not slow, but still gets decent MPG. I'd never get an X5 to go fast in the first place.

rennis · 10-28-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

No M Sport on the 35d was a deal breaker for me. My wife has a 135i if I want to go fast, so the 35i X5 was perfect for me. It's not slow, but still gets decent MPG. I'd never get an X5 to go fast in the first place.

I chose the 50i because I needed the power for towing, which justified the cost...which is great because it's a lot of fun for daily driving duty too!

Even if I wasn't towing I would still critically compare the two, even though I have 2 other "go-fast" cars.

That said, the 35i is probably more than enough motor for 90% of buyers, unless you want to tow.

:beer:

1bbp · 10-28-2013, 03:14 PM

Granted an SUV isn't the ideal go fast mobile, but when you are going from two cars to one. And the one car has to be functional and fun there aren't a lot of options. The X5 seems like the best of the semi-affordable SUVs.

Would the 35i with a flash be comparable to the 50i stock?

I won't be doing any towing. Just want the M package, multi-comfort seats, and everything else good.

P1 · 10-28-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rennis

I chose the 50i because I needed the power for towing, which justified the cost...which is great because it's a lot of fun for daily driving duty too!

Even if I wasn't towing I would still critically compare the two, even though I have 2 other "go-fast" cars.

That said, the 35i is probably more than enough motor for 90% of buyers, unless you want to tow.

:beer:

I hear you. The 50i would be a lot more fun to drive, and I could add a nice exhaust to it to show off the power under the bonnet. I thought about doing that with the 35i, but didn't see the point. I came from a thirsty V8, followed by an equally thirsty I-6 Cummins diesel. I wanted something that got 20+ mpg for a change...

rennis · 10-28-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

Would the 35i with a flash be comparable to the 50i stock?

I think the HP numbers would be close, although the 35i would make it's power a bit higher in the rev range, so you'd have to breathe on it a bit harder.

You'd have a hard time matching it up with the 4.4TT when it comes to torque though, both in specific output and where it is in the rev range.

ND40oz · 10-28-2013, 05:20 PM

Drive them back to back and see what you like better. Make sure you test out one with adaptive drive as well, but the 2011 with M Sport should have it.

Personally, I find the tuned 35i is fine, even if it's just the M Performance tune, put the M Performance exhaust on it and it sounds great, the regular M Sport exhaust is too muted for my liking but it's all in what you prefer. 330 ft-lbs at 1200 rpm doesn't make it feel like it's lacking any low end torque and it still has plenty of passing power even at 12k feet winding through the mountains.

One thing that is an absolute is adaptive drive, it is a must have option IMO.

rennis · 10-28-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND40oz

One thing that is an absolute is adaptive drive, it is a must have option IMO.

Agreed.

Techjunkie666 · 10-28-2013, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rennis

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND40oz

One thing that is an absolute is adaptive drive, it is a must have option IMO.

Agreed.

+1 adaptive drive is really hard to find since it is $3500 option. I test drove one without it and it had a lot if body roll. The adaptive drive makes the truck corner and drive like a car. Since it's a relatively rare package, I think it will help hold the value of the truck too.

1bbp · 10-29-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techjunkie666

+1 adaptive drive is really hard to find since it is $3500 option. I test drove one without it and it had a lot if body roll. The adaptive drive makes the truck corner and drive like a car. Since it's a relatively rare package, I think it will help hold the value of the truck too.

I believe the adaptive drive is part of the M package on the 2011 model year.

Worst part abut shopping for these is finding good color combo with all the right options packages.

1bbp · 10-29-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rennis

Agreed.

I really miss my B4S4. Never should have sold that one. How's yours holding up?

Techjunkie666 · 10-29-2013, 09:36 AM

Since mine is a X5 d, its a separate line item to get the adaptive drive. There was only a handful of X5 d in the state and most of them had really bad color combo. I went for the X5 D cause the torque is awesome. I drove both the X5 5.0 and the X5 D and the diesel seemed like a better fit coz it had a better mpg, the torque and the adaptive drive. My X5 d is platinum gray with oyster interior and bamboo trim. I may switch out the bamboo trim for piano black.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

I believe the adaptive drive is part of the M package on the 2011 model year.

Worst part abut shopping for these is finding good color combo with all the right options packages.

rennis · 10-29-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

I really miss my B4S4. Never should have sold that one. How's yours holding up?

It's doing well. Typical problems for an 11 year old car w/ 125k miles, but it's still looking good and really fun to drive hard. It's amazing how small it is compared to the average sedan made today.

(heck, my wife's E92 M3 coupe dwarfs it!)

P1 · 10-29-2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

I believe the adaptive drive is part of the M package on the 2011 model year.

Worst part abut shopping for these is finding good color combo with all the right options packages.

Correct. I have it on mine and when driving through the twisties, it makes a noticeable difference. It was part of the M Package indeed on the 2011 models, which would mean it was optional on the 35d.

1bbp · 10-30-2013, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

Correct. I have it on mine and when driving through the twisties, it makes a noticeable difference. It was part of the M Package indeed on the 2011 models, which would mean it was optional on the 35d.

I've been strictly looking for the 50i and hard to find everything I want. If I open the search to the 35d and/or 35i it should be a lot easier to find something. Although I think I want the V8.

Approx how many miles are the V8 getting per tank?

P1 · 10-30-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

I've been strictly looking for the 50i and hard to find everything I want. If I open the search to the 35d and/or 35i it should be a lot easier to find something. Although I think I want the V8.

Approx how many miles are the V8 getting per tank?

What you need to do is keep looking for the 50i, but make the search nationwide. Make sure it has the M Sport, and it's a 2011, and you will have the Adaptive Suspension. You can always look for a 2012 or 2013 as well, but then you'll have to take the VIN number and see what options it came with to ensure Adaptive Drive was part of that vehicle.

1bbp · 10-30-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

What you need to do is keep looking for the 50i, but make the search nationwide. Make sure it has the M Sport, and it's a 2011, and you will have the Adaptive Suspension. You can always look for a 2012 or 2013 as well, but then you'll have to take the VIN number and see what options it came with to ensure Adaptive Drive was part of that vehicle.

That's what I did yesterday. Expanded the search, not sure how I feel about having a car shipped across the country.

P1 · 10-30-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bbp

That's what I did yesterday. Expanded the search, not sure how I feel about having a car shipped across the country.

Buy a one-way flight, and drive the car home. Nothing wrong with a road trip!

1bbp · 10-30-2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

Buy a one-way flight, and drive the car home. Nothing wrong with a road trip!

I guess you aren't married

I do like that idea, but only have time for a one day trip. No time to drive from coast to coast.

rennis · 10-30-2013, 10:22 AM

I had actually started looking nationwide for my 2011 50i M Sport when the one I first found locally became available again. I had anticipated a multi-week search.

Nothing wrong with shipping a car across the country. Just don't believe promised delivery times (it WILL take longer) and don't use DAS.

Regarding the mileage question, the fewest miles I've seen on a tank in the 50i is 240 miles. The best was 380, and that was all highway.

It gets pretty awful mileage in town. I actually see better fuel consumption towing my boat on the highway than I do driving in town. lol.

10-27-2013, 11:54 AM	#1
1bbp New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2010 audi s4 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: md iTrader: (0)	2011 50i or 35i w/ tune or 35d w/ tune? I should be reading up more on tune/flash to see what the numbers look like, but I figured I would start a thread and get some expert opinions. Originally I was set on the 50i. Twin turbo V8 sounds great. Having had a TT V6 (2001 Audi S4) and now having an SC V6 (2010 Audi S4) I want something that will be fun to drive. I'm getting rid of the current S4 to make space for a second car seat. I've read here that there are flashes for the 35d and imagine there are some for the 35i. Just trying to figure out which would be the best bang for the buck. I've only driven the 50i and that was great although it needs paddle shift. Issues I see with the 35d is it only has the 6 speed trans and no M package. Opinions please Thanks 1bbp
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10-27-2013, 12:45 PM	#2
Techjunkie666 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 386 Posts Drives: X5D SAV Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tx iTrader: (2)	I was also set in a 50i but loved the torque on the 35d. I too wish it has the M package but I think the torque makes up for it (atleast for me). Wish they has the 50d M in US. __________________ 2014 F10 M5 (On Order) '10 E92 M3, '09 E90 M3, '12 C63 AMG 507 Ed, '07 335i, '06 RS4
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10-28-2013, 11:31 AM	#3
rennis Captain 43 Rep 708 Posts Drives: E70 5.0 & B5 S4 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kirkland iTrader: (2)	If you're set on the M Sport package the only option is the 50i. The 35i is a nice ride, but does not have the power of the 50i or the diesel. I wanted the diesel as well but the M Sport package is a must-have for me. As for power, I know there are JB tuners for the 35d, and I would definitely check out Malone. The 50i has several options, all with significant gains. Velos and Dinan seem to be the go-to options from my readings. Velos for cost, Dinan for warranty compatibility. Ironically, my weekend car is also a B5 S4, so I know where you are coming from. Great minds.
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10-28-2013, 01:01 PM	#4
P1 Lieutenant General 11565 Rep 11,135 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	No M Sport on the 35d was a deal breaker for me. My wife has a 135i if I want to go fast, so the 35i X5 was perfect for me. It's not slow, but still gets decent MPG. I'd never get an X5 to go fast in the first place.
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10-28-2013, 03:14 PM	#6
1bbp New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2010 audi s4 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: md iTrader: (0)	Granted an SUV isn't the ideal go fast mobile, but when you are going from two cars to one. And the one car has to be functional and fun there aren't a lot of options. The X5 seems like the best of the semi-affordable SUVs. Would the 35i with a flash be comparable to the 50i stock? I won't be doing any towing. Just want the M package, multi-comfort seats, and everything else good.
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10-28-2013, 05:20 PM	#9
ND40oz Major 397 Rep 1,342 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Denver/Frankfurt iTrader: (0)	Drive them back to back and see what you like better. Make sure you test out one with adaptive drive as well, but the 2011 with M Sport should have it. Personally, I find the tuned 35i is fine, even if it's just the M Performance tune, put the M Performance exhaust on it and it sounds great, the regular M Sport exhaust is too muted for my liking but it's all in what you prefer. 330 ft-lbs at 1200 rpm doesn't make it feel like it's lacking any low end torque and it still has plenty of passing power even at 12k feet winding through the mountains. One thing that is an absolute is adaptive drive, it is a must have option IMO. __________________ 21 BMW X5 xDrive40i 20 BMW M2 CS 19 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 6MT
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10-30-2013, 10:22 AM	#22
rennis Captain 43 Rep 708 Posts Drives: E70 5.0 & B5 S4 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kirkland iTrader: (2)	I had actually started looking nationwide for my 2011 50i M Sport when the one I first found locally became available again. I had anticipated a multi-week search. Nothing wrong with shipping a car across the country. Just don't believe promised delivery times (it WILL take longer) and don't use DAS. Regarding the mileage question, the fewest miles I've seen on a tank in the 50i is 240 miles. The best was 380, and that was all highway. It gets pretty awful mileage in town. I actually see better fuel consumption towing my boat on the highway than I do driving in town. lol.
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