Test drive an X5 35d

[300hp]

So my 2011X5 35i was involved in an accident and considered a total loss, pic attached of 35i and 2013 35d. I plan on buying the 35d this coming week.

On the test drive I was so surprised that I could not feel the torque. The 35d was nowhere close to the 35i at any speed. I was resetting the OBC to check the mileage and highway I saw 21mpg and city about 17mpg. My 35i got 22-23mpg easy on the highway and about 17 city. I had the car for about 20 minutes.

The diesel actually sounded quieter than the 35i with no real discernible exhaust note. I prefer so character with the exhaust note.

My question is was this too short a time to really be able to make any judgements about the diesel. I really like this 35d and will most likely get it.

[howiedds]

probably need to reset tranny, but once you get a JBD in ,itll be better.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by howiedds

probably need to reset tranny, but once you get a JBD in ,itll be better.

Thanks, is this something I should ask the dealer to do. The car has been available for sale for a few months now so that may be it

[howiedds]

dont ask the dealer about the JBD, just reset the transmission adaptation...lol

[300hp]

Originally Posted by howiedds

dont ask the dealer about the JBD, just reset the transmission adaptation...lol

Lol, My mistake I should have been more clear. I meant the transmission reset. Let me see what he says.

Thanks.

[paddy335]

20 minutes indeed is not really long enough to judge a car IMO. Having said that 20 min's was about how long I tested the X5 when comparing to Discovery, Merc ML and RR Sport. That was all that was needed!

The diesel performing at a similar level to the petrol but at half the rpm's, that's torque in action right there. Unless you are towing or going up a steep hill with a heavy load the noticable torque variance between the 35i and 35d isn't very evident.

As for your consumption....20 minutes while you were obviously trying out the 35d's performance isn't the most balanced comparison! The 35d will give you in the 10 litres per 100km region (28mpg combined) or better in the real world (that's what I am getting out of the 40d, which is chipped to 250kw (340hp) and 700Nm (516lb ft)).

[300hp]

Originally Posted by paddy335

20 minutes indeed is not really long enough to judge a car IMO. Having said that 20 min's was about how long I tested the X5 when comparing to Discovery, Merc ML and RR Sport. That was all that was needed!

The diesel performing at a similar level to the petrol but at half the rpm's, that's torque in action right there. Unless you are towing or going up a steep hill with a heavy load the noticable torque variance between the 35i and 35d isn't very evident.

As for your consumption....20 minutes while you were obviously trying out the 35d's performance isn't the most balanced comparison! The 35d will give you in the 10 litres per 100km region (28mpg combined) or better in the real world (that's what I am getting out of the 40d, which is chipped to 250kw (340hp) and 700Nm (516lb ft)).

Thanks. I have everything set up to pick up the D this week. Before I do I am test driving 2Ds just to be sure that mine is operating as it should. Maybe something was off with the one I drove so driving two back to back including the one I want should put that to rest.

Really excited about this new chapter into the diesel world. I could have got a 35i but I figured let me try something different. I also like the color combination of the D I am picking up.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by 300hp

Thanks. I have everything set up to pick up the D this week. Before I do I am test driving 2Ds just to be sure that mine is operating as it should. Maybe something was off with the one I drove so driving two back to back including the one I want should put that to rest.

Really excited about this new chapter into the diesel world. I could have got a 35i but I figured let me try something different. I also like the color combination of the D I am picking up.

We don't really get the petrol versions down here now, petrol is too expensive. The d's are great vehicles though....good luck and enjoy.

[howiedds]

hey 300hp, hope you can try this before you buy the car. go tst drive the car again but do this first:

Resetting the Adaptive Driver Memory for the Automatic Transmission
Over time the ECU in the trans learns your driving style and that is what it keeps in memory. The throttle is "Drive By Wire" and adapts and personalizes to your particular driving style. However, there is a way to set the ECU back to factory default. I have done this with my 07 328 and it works fine. I've done this with several Mercedes. The only difference with a push button to start/stop engine system is that you must use the start button instead of turning the key to it's first position and again to simulate the off position.
DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY DURING THIS PROCEDURE
Here it is; How to do a TBA: Throttle Body Adaptation reset.
Resetting the Adaptive Driver Memory for the transmission.

Works with any car that has Driver Adaptive Electronic Controlled Transmission.

1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.
2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter turns over. BMW: press start button – foot off brake - all idiot lights on.
3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position. BMW: All idiot lights on.
4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back to the "off position". BMW: foot off brake press start button - all idiot lights now off (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
5. Wait a full 2 minutes for a full electronic alignment. Don't remove the key.
6. Start engine, drive the car, notice the difference.




try this and see if the car feels different!

GL -Howie

[300hp]

Originally Posted by howiedds

hey 300hp, hope you can try this before you buy the car. go tst drive the car again but do this first:

Resetting the Adaptive Driver Memory for the Automatic Transmission
Over time the ECU in the trans learns your driving style and that is what it keeps in memory. The throttle is "Drive By Wire" and adapts and personalizes to your particular driving style. However, there is a way to set the ECU back to factory default. I have done this with my 07 328 and it works fine. I've done this with several Mercedes. The only difference with a push button to start/stop engine system is that you must use the start button instead of turning the key to it's first position and again to simulate the off position.
DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY DURING THIS PROCEDURE
Here it is; How to do a TBA: Throttle Body Adaptation reset.
Resetting the Adaptive Driver Memory for the transmission.

Works with any car that has Driver Adaptive Electronic Controlled Transmission.

1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.
2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter turns over. BMW: press start button foot off brake - all idiot lights on.
3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position. BMW: All idiot lights on.
4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back to the "off position". BMW: foot off brake press start button - all idiot lights now off (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
5. Wait a full 2 minutes for a full electronic alignment. Don't remove the key.
6. Start engine, drive the car, notice the difference.




try this and see if the car feels different!

GL -Howie

Thanks man, I did not know this and I will make sure to do it before my test drive. I have scheduled it for today. Picking her up hopefully this Thursday.

I will update you guys after the test drive if maybe I had too high expectations on the first test drive, maybe I was expecting Lambo performance, lol

[serge1]

Welcome to the dark (diesel) side!

Originally Posted by 300hp

I got 29.4 mpg on a 80 mile trip, in DS 8th gear. Who needs a hybrid

Originally Posted by 300hp

I thought the 35i "felt" faster when I test drove both back to back. My choice had nothing to do with acceleration though, ended up with....., well I guess its obvious

[300hp]

Originally Posted by serge1

Welcome to the dark (diesel) side!

Indeed

I test drove the diesel again and today I was impressed. I did feel the torque this time and the acceleration if it is to be described in one word, that word would be effortless.

I like the colors on this particular D, its got an Oyster interior and its Deep Sea Blue Metallic exterior. I am also picking up a 2014 335i xdrive with Msport, PPK and MPE at the same time as the D. The 335i is Estoril Blue, to match the X5 blue

Can't wait to pick these two babies up this week.

Thanks to all you guys who told me not to lose hope on the D, to be honest I am looking forward to that more than the 335i

[serge1]

Originally Posted by 300hp

Indeed

I test drove the diesel again and today I was impressed.

Same vehicle or another one?

[300hp]

Originally Posted by serge1

Same vehicle or another one?

Same truck, the one I am buying pictured in my first post. I think the last time my expectations were warped. I had no idea what was going on. Today however with more familiarity I was very happy with the truck. The only knock I have is the exhaust note, the 35i had better. The D has more engine notes which I also like.

I am very excited about the D

[Capnhook]

Also, remember that resale value will (should?) be higher with the 35d versus the same 35i at your end use of the vehicle! At least they are here in Texas.

[300hp]

Update
One week with the D and I am a happy camper. My wife and I observed how we went through an entire weekend and a week of the usual mundane stuff of groceries and school errands for the kids etc yet we are just over a quarter tank. I don't think my X5 35i would have been able manage this. I have done 330 miles of mixed driving at this stage and I am sure I have in excess of 100 miles left on the tank. In the 35i I would need 100% highway driving to match this.

Tq is abundant especially when doing rolling starts from anything up to say 70mph. It's definitely slower on 0-60 runs as the magazines have reported but it would not surprise me if it's a bit faster on some short rolling start runs.

Complaints
When it's idling, I wish it could be a bit quieter, the 35i does that better.

The only time you realize you have fewer gears is on the highway, the 35i could easily carry 75mph around 1,200rpm. The d will be around 2,000rpm.

[jekadad]

ive had mine for exactly one year. I've put about 16k on it and it had 13k when I bought it. I've kept one of the trip odometers set since i bought it and can tell you my overall combined fuel mileage has been 20.6 during that time. I did notice that at about 25k miles the fuel mileage improved around town. I attribute that to diesels taking longer to break in, I experienced that on my Ford Excursion with a 6.0 diesel, which I still own, too.

My BMW is the same color, similar options and can tell you that after a year I absolutely love the vehicle. Good luck with yours!

[Capnhook]

Filled up my wife's today, hand calculated 26.7 mpg with a 25:75 mix of city:highway driving. Hers has the sport wheels, so I was impressed with the results, as they add alot of unsprung weight!

[300hp]

Thanks guys. The gas situation is very encouraging.

Is it true to say the active steering (I think that's what it's called) has a a smallish on center dead spot. This is why I found the steering odd when compared to my 35i, it did not have this. It took a bit of getting used to, seems more aggressive as you move away from center. Not complaining though just wanted clarification

[finnbmw]

Diesel model does not have active steering as an option

[Diesel X5]

Congrats with the new D. I know you should really enjoy the fuel economy I do with mine.
Enjoy the ride...

[300hp]

Thanks guys and thanks for the correction on active steering. I thought it felt different maybe it's a 2011 vs 2013 thing.