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      03-18-2018, 10:49 AM   #1
Dan_Q
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xDrive 50i or M?

I'm likely making the switch from having 2 vehicles to having just 1. I sold my 335i last fall with plans to replace it with an F82 M4 this spring. My winter/camping/family vehicle is a Land Cruiser. But simplifications in life have me now considering just getting a nicer SUV, selling the LC and having one vehicle. I still want something quick/sporty (the LC is my first automatic transmission ever), and so the 50i or the M would be my two options.

I don't like the style of the F15 as much, and the jump in price is not worth it to me over the E70. I just went and drove an E70 50i and it was definitely not slow. The steering felt great too. With a tune it would prob be very quick. I haven't driven an M yet but it sounds like it's a monster. I'd be trying to find something as low mileage as possible (~35k seems possible on 2013's) and would travel to get it. M's are fewer and farther between and mileage that low may not be possible. I live in CO and ski/camp/bike, so this thing will see some adventure miles but I'll dial back my expectations from what the LC's seen! There will be separate wheels/tires for winter in the plan as well.

Both cars seem to have mediocre reliability but a lot of it looks to be simple fixes? I'm very handy and have done a lot of maintenance/repair on all my cars. Probably not valve seal replacements though... I've done turbo replacements but never had an engine out. Probably never will and it I do, it definitely won't on my daily! But my general impression is that these cars are decently reliable if you take good care of them. And hopefully there are no ticking time bomb repairs. I likely won't own the vehicle past 100k miles.

From others who've considered these two, or someone who's owned both of them. What decision did you make and what did you base it on? Happy with your ride in the end? Anything you'd tell a perspective owner?

Last edited by Dan_Q; 03-18-2018 at 05:28 PM..
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      03-18-2018, 10:58 AM   #2
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I would check the search function...a thread like this one pops up every few months. If you keep the X5M stock then it’s loads more reliable...unless you wrench even small stuff is very expensive to fix though. Usual consensus is if you want better reliability and better all around and don’t mind the big price jump then get the ///M. If you want a reliable E70 then get the 35i.

Still search for other threads though...a lot of info on this topic out there
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      03-18-2018, 12:28 PM   #3
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I've owned 2 '12 E70 diesels, a '12 50i with a tune, and a '10 X5M. After test driving a used M, I knew the tuned 50i I had at the time would leave me yearning for the M.

I won't rehash what you'll find with the suggested search, but just about everything seems a tad better in the M over the 50i. Handles better, greater responsiveness, stronger pull, smother shifts. I suspect lots of people would not notice a difference, but I definitely feel like those things are better.

I rationalized those modest improvements over the 50i were not worth an additional $15-20k for otherwise comparable vehicles for a couple years. After that test drive, that extra cash was totally worth it.

I've made a ton of vehicle purchase mistakes over 30 years, but getting into the used E70 X5M wasn't one of them. (and yes, I know it's going to need a lot of spendy maintenance).

Good luck!

Last edited by Molez93; 03-18-2018 at 12:54 PM..
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      03-18-2018, 01:01 PM   #4
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I'm combing through the archives but I appreciate the new input. The thought of the M...
it sounds like an awesome machine and since I am giving up on the M4...

Fortunately my Land Cruiser already gets 14 mpg so the shock in gas mileage may not be so extreme.
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      03-18-2018, 01:13 PM   #5
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At the risk of stating the obvious, the X5 handles more like a sedan than a truck. Seems very reasonable to think the X5 could replace the two vehicles when you don't need it to handle track/autocross duties.
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      03-18-2018, 01:47 PM   #6
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M for sure!
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      03-19-2018, 07:47 AM   #7
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A lot of issues with the n63. Do you homework and buy educated, not emotional.
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      03-19-2018, 10:26 AM   #8
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Quote:
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A lot of issues with the n63. Do you homework and buy educated, not emotional.
Yeah I am gathering that. Like the valve seals seem to be more of a "when" than an "if".

The S63 sounds like it needs comparatively minor stuff with the exception of the oil pan gasket which at ~$2k isn't even that terrible. I could do that replacement myself with sufficient time I'm sure.

The M is in my price range. Biggest hurdle will be it seems they're all black. That thing will own me if I get a black one! I need something that doesn't show scratches as badly. Silverstone, Space Grey or Alpine White are preferable. Just need a low mileage one to come up for sale somewhere in the country!
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      03-19-2018, 12:17 PM   #9
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Go wrap it so you can't see the scratches
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      03-19-2018, 03:53 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by UglyBuzzard View Post
A lot of issues with the n63. Do you homework and buy educated, not emotional.
Oh yeah. Good point. As a former owner who got rid of an N63 out of concern for those likely expensive repairs, I should have thought to mention that too.
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      03-19-2018, 04:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Oh yeah. Good point. As a former owner who got rid of an N63 out of concern for those likely expensive repairs, I should have thought to mention that too.
sounds like u just answered u own question!
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      03-19-2018, 08:49 PM   #12
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I went against the grain here. I went with the 50I. Mainly because I bought a low mileage one from a old lady (really 77 years old!) I shopped both for 4 months and I really couldn't find an M within a reasonable distance at a reasonable price. I was looking ao 2010-13 vehicles.
So I have my fingers crossed on reliability for a while.
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      03-20-2018, 12:04 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sciond View Post
I went against the grain here. I went with the 50I. Mainly because I bought a low mileage one from a old lady (really 77 years old!) I shopped both for 4 months and I really couldn't find an M within a reasonable distance at a reasonable price. I was looking ao 2010-13 vehicles.
So I have my fingers crossed on reliability for a while.
Congrats - get a warranty...
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      03-20-2018, 12:09 AM   #14
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Congrats - get a warranty...
thanks I am working on it
considering USAA's version
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      03-20-2018, 04:09 AM   #15
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      03-20-2018, 09:06 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sciond View Post
I went against the grain here. I went with the 50I. Mainly because I bought a low mileage one from a old lady (really 77 years old!) I shopped both for 4 months and I really couldn't find an M within a reasonable distance at a reasonable price. I was looking ao 2010-13 vehicles.
So I have my fingers crossed on reliability for a while.
Don't they say German cars like to be driven hard? Can't imagine the old lady flooring it all the time
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      03-24-2018, 09:54 AM   #17
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      03-24-2018, 11:15 AM   #18
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I researched this same thing for months prior to making a decision. I ended up going with the 50i M-package. I would have preferred to get the M but I couldn't find any with low miles and within a reasonable distance to where I am at and within my budget.

My budget was under 30k and I wanted a 2011-2016 mode with less than 50k miles that had to have the M-package. Everything I looked at was either over that price range or had too high of mileage. I ended up finding a diehard BMW guy that had just bought a 2018 X5M (his dream car) and was selling his old 50i that he absolutely babied (kept every receipt, BMW only parts and services, garaged, only professionally detailed, premium gas, etc...), I mean I couldn't have asked for a better find. 51k miles, all the upgrades (cold, tech, M, & lane assist packages, etc..), and negotiated a great deal with an extra set of summer tires (w/ warranty). I've had it for 6 mo. and it's been a blast!

Is the X5M my dream vehicle? Yeah!
Was it within my search parameters? No.
Will I buy an X5M after the 50i M-package? Yes.

I'd say if you don't have a tight budget, go for the X5M. For what I was looking for, the 50i with M-package got me as close as I could get for about $10k less. With a couple mods, I'll be able to get close but as everyone else is saying the M is just that much better.

(The BMW mechanic I go to was saying how much more the X5M parts and services can be, so for whatever that is worth..)

BTW, I'd be curious to get some more info about all of the talk about N63 having issues?
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      03-24-2018, 12:32 PM   #19
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50i owner here - we bought the 50i as we wanted the 3rd row, which obviously isn't available on the X5M.

Otherwise, X5M for sure. But only a 2013 w/ LED headlights

The ///M cars are such a step up from the non ///M variants - I learned this quickly after buying an M3 a few years back. Especially if buying used, the ///M models are priced fairly reasonably.
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      03-25-2018, 06:45 PM   #20
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Not exactly the same situation, but I currently have a 4.8 with third row seats (just big enough for a small child to fit in, by the way) and the x5m.

4.8 rides higher, is softer, and the steering is loose. The M really does handle like a car; it's lower and sportier. The 4.8 also currently has the coolant transfer pipe issue.

Get the M if you can.
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      03-26-2018, 09:30 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sruss2354 View Post
I researched this same thing for months prior to making a decision. I ended up going with the 50i M-package. I would have preferred to get the M but I couldn't find any with low miles and within a reasonable distance to where I am at and within my budget.

My budget was under 30k and I wanted a 2011-2016 mode with less than 50k miles that had to have the M-package. Everything I looked at was either over that price range or had too high of mileage. I ended up finding a diehard BMW guy that had just bought a 2018 X5M (his dream car) and was selling his old 50i that he absolutely babied (kept every receipt, BMW only parts and services, garaged, only professionally detailed, premium gas, etc...), I mean I couldn't have asked for a better find. 51k miles, all the upgrades (cold, tech, M, & lane assist packages, etc..), and negotiated a great deal with an extra set of summer tires (w/ warranty). I've had it for 6 mo. and it's been a blast!

Is the X5M my dream vehicle? Yeah!
Was it within my search parameters? No.
Will I buy an X5M after the 50i M-package? Yes.

I'd say if you don't have a tight budget, go for the X5M. For what I was looking for, the 50i with M-package got me as close as I could get for about $10k less. With a couple mods, I'll be able to get close but as everyone else is saying the M is just that much better.

(The BMW mechanic I go to was saying how much more the X5M parts and services can be, so for whatever that is worth..)

BTW, I'd be curious to get some more info about all of the talk about N63 having issues?
I don't have either but have been viewing the forums quite a bit. I think most of the issues have been solved due to the N63 campaign. Although I think the V8 owners still need to do the valve stem seals? every once in a while and that's pretty pricey.
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      03-27-2018, 07:33 AM   #22
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Quote:
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I don't have either but have been viewing the forums quite a bit. I think most of the issues have been solved due to the N63 campaign. Although I think the V8 owners still need to do the valve stem seals? every once in a while and that's pretty pricey.
Yup n63 needs valve steam seals typically every 70k miles. Also it suffers from oil leaks, like most bmw engines. I’ll also state I’ve owned two e70 x5s and they seem to kill alternators every 40-60k miles.

Theoretically, a low temp thermostat and some atp-205 to add elasticity back to the seals goes a real long way to solving the valve stem problem. Worked well on my Smokey n62. The low temp thermostat reduces engine operating temps, which slows the rate the seals looks their flexibility and helps prevent the problem,

Also the PCV lines, and other plastic parts in the engine bay tend to degrade and become very brittle with age.

Basically every bmw v8 seems to have crappy oil seals. It kills me how many $8 parts, especially seals that fail and take me all,day to replace...

But I love my x5s and think their great suvs in spite of these annoyances. Really other than expensive to repair seals, these cars are pretty robust.

Last edited by Thecastle; 03-27-2018 at 07:47 AM..
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