35i or 50i?????

[schwetysteve]

I'm in the market to get one of these but I can't make up my mind.
So far I've weighed some options.
Smoothness and somewhat Ecofriendliness of the V6.
Muscle from the V8!
I've test drove the 35i and loved driving it, love the acceleration turning corners. I can only imagine what the 50i would be like. Is the 10k plus extra worth it? If there is something else I'm missing, please help me decide!
What I have decided is the colors. Black (matte hopefully) exterior/Chateau Nevada leather interior, black wheels.

PS. I was thinking X5 originally but I think I would have been bored with it too quickly and won't have as much fun to drive.

[archwerks]

Originally Posted by schwetysteve

I'm in the market to get one of these but I can't make up my mind.
So far I've weighed some options.
Smoothness and somewhat Ecofriendliness of the V6.
Muscle from the V8!
I've test drove the 35i and loved driving it, love the acceleration turning corners. I can only imagine what the 50i would be like. Is the 10k plus extra worth it? If there is something else I'm missing, please help me decide!
What I have decided is the colors. Black (matte hopefully) exterior/Chateau Nevada leather interior, black wheels.

PS. I was thinking X5 originally but I think I would have been bored with it too quickly and won't have as much fun to drive.

Read Edward Loh's @ Motor Trends latest review.
He basically says the the heavier ttv8 feels more planted & Steady over bumps, but slightly slower response due to more weight, but 35 i handles quicker because it's lighter, but not as tight over bumps. These are all subjective, depends on what ur used to & what u like.
Whatever u get, make sure u get adaptive drive to limit body roll & pitch if u tend to drive sporty. Don't get too carried away on accessories ( 6disc dvd or rear entertainment ) as they put a heavy draw on the battery.
Test drive the features, Enjoy.

[dmlgc]

I think you need to test drive them both to determine which is for you.

[GuyOh]

if you got money to spend i say get the 50i

[Deda]

Originally Posted by GuyOh

if you got money to spend i say get the 50i

oh yeah! +1!

[chonko]

The sound of the 4.4 litre V8 is intoxicating, and the power delivery is just brilliant. However the real question, is how often do you intend to drive at such limits- in my opinion, the 35i is equally good for daily use.

[Deda]

...and that is true too...well,you cant go wrong with both 35i or 50i!

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by archwerks

Read Edward Loh's @ Motor Trends latest review.
He basically says the the heavier ttv8 feels more planted & Steady over bumps, but slightly slower response due to more weight, but 35 i handles quicker because it's lighter, but not as tight over bumps. These are all subjective, depends on what ur used to & what u like.
Whatever u get, make sure u get adaptive drive to limit body roll & pitch if u tend to drive sporty. Don't get too carried away on accessories ( 6disc dvd or rear entertainment ) as they put a heavy draw on the battery.
Test drive the features, Enjoy.

+1

BTW: the 6 disc DVD changer has been removed from the 2009 X6 offering (they even removed the cabling in the car so you can't retrofit it)!

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by xDrive50i

+1

BTW: the 6 disc DVD changer has been removed from the 2009 X6 offering (they even removed the cabling in the car so you can't retrofit it)!

They also removed the spare tire.

BMW's way of increasing revenue by removing things that may not be obvious to most buyers.

However, I still do see the DVD changer as part of the premium sound package on the BMWNA web site. So not sure what you mean as far as it being deleted.

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

They also removed the spare tire.

BMW's way of increasing revenue by removing things that may not be obvious to most buyers.

However, I still do see the DVD changer as part of the premium sound package on the BMWNA web site. So not sure what you mean as far as it being deleted.

If you go back through the forum, I think it was sometime in August, September or October time frame, this was discussed back then. Those were changes made to the 2009 MY. I had a discussion with my sales manager about this and his explanation was that BMW removed this because most customers either did not buy this option and would use the iPod interface instead or would only load CDs into the drive.

And you are right, in the US the spare tire was changed into a standalone option (US$300). In Canada, the spare tire was never included or an option anyway. Also, the 4M5 leather dash option was added at the same time.

[chonko]

Originally Posted by xDrive50i

If you go back through the forum, I think it was sometime in August, September or October time frame, this was discussed back then. Those were changes made to the 2009 MY. I had a discussion with my sales manager about this and his explanation was that BMW removed this because most customers either did not buy this option and would use the iPod interface instead or would only load CDs into the drive.

And you are right, in the US the spare tire was changed into a standalone option (US$300). In Canada, the spare tire was never included or an option anyway. Also, the 4M5 leather dash option was added at the same time.

Essentially, you get less from 09 than you would from an 08, and you pay more.

[shenard]

50i all the way! I agree that you should drive them both and I think after you do you will have a hard time wanting the 35i. Although it is still a great vehicle the difference in power and torque is noticeable stronger in the 50i and the exhaust tone sounds so much better IMO and for me I have a hard time driving it slow because I am so addicted to the exhaust tone!

[archwerks]

Like v12 ferrari. very nice sound but be prepared for a gloveboxful of speeding tickets.
Whichever u get make sure u get tire & wheel insurance.
Tire replacement & labour is easily $500 each.
I just had a claim. Fortunately i bought bmw t&w policy, so halfway to break even after 7mos.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by shenard

50i all the way! I agree that you should drive them both and I think after you do you will have a hard time wanting the 35i. Although it is still a great vehicle the difference in power and torque is noticeable stronger in the 50i and the exhaust tone sounds so much better IMO and for me I have a hard time driving it slow because I am so addicted to the exhaust tone!

+1 the exhaust sound gets attention when you punch it (which like shenard for me is most of the time).

[Deda]

that is so cool!

[schwetysteve]

I think i'm leaning toward the 50i. By the way, has anyone else try to get that Matte Black finish?

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

My vote would be for 35 as you can drop a chip into it and you have a 400/400 hp/tq monster with much better fuel economy versus the larger V8.

Mike

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

My vote would be for 35 as you can drop a chip into it and you have a 400/400 hp/tq monster with much better fuel economy versus the larger V8.

Mike

Sure, but once there is a chip available for the TTV8, you drop it into the 50i and it will be an even BIGGER monster

[archwerks]

35 engine has been out for a few yrs. so if reliability is any concern, stick w/it.
ttv8 is a new engine which is used for the nu 7 & probably has 2 fuel pumps & 2 catalytic conv. so future maintenance costs may be some peoples' concern.
ttv8 is nice but visits to the pump will be more frequent as both cars carry the same fuel capacity 85 Litres.incl. larger 12L reserve for v8, so refuel warning will come sooner.
If such mundane tasks are looked after by your garage attendant/chauffeur, then damn the torpedos! Go 50i !

[X6 meister]

schwetysteve :
I am in the same boat as you are. I am deciding in the 35i or the 50i. Is 10k worth it and more trip to the gas station for the 50i ? I still don't know. I am planning on trading my 07 escalade for a X6. Anyone wants a escalade? LOL

[Deda]

Few years ago escalade was very popular in Europe.

[schwetysteve]

i have been playing around with the "build your own". Comparable options and all you end up paying about only 5k more on the 50i. However i haven't done the math on the extra speeding tickets and cost of fuel consumption.