35d vs 35i

[1flossedm3]

Still on the fence about what to do for a new DD, I'm thinking the 550i is out.. maintenance too much and that motor scares me for long term reliability.

I've been doing research on both models. My mom has an x3 with the 35i and its peppy for sure. I drive a lot for work, 20,000 miles at least a year.

I work in a suit, will I notice any smell on the interior with the diesel? Will the 35d have enough pep (I realize it has gobs of torque).

Never even contemplated owning a diesel BMW but there are a lot for sale it seems.

[Zero_Cool]

I'm pretty sure torque is the "pep" you feel from a launch... So if you look at the stock 35i vs 35d numbers you will see the D has more "pep" off the line. Can't speak for diesel smell.. Then again its not a cummin rollin coal...

[serge1]

It may sound crazy, but... test drive both?

[leo_du_garde]

My wife and i have put on the close to 150,000 miles on our two diesels. X5d and 335d. No smell, just two quiet, fast, reliable machines that purr along no matter what the outside conditions are. When you look at the ratio of gas mileage and power, you can't beat it. When getting gas, nozzles can be oily, so just wrap a paper towel around it and off you go.

[1flossedm3]

Originally Posted by serge1

It may sound crazy, but... test drive both?

Crazy thing is there is not one X5D within 75 miles of me.

I plan on buying something and shipping it up.

[1flossedm3]

Originally Posted by leo_du_garde

My wife and i have put on the close to 150,000 miles on our two diesels. X5d and 335d. No smell, just two quiet, fast, reliable machines that purr along no matter what the outside conditions are. When you look at the ratio of gas mileage and power, you can't beat it. When getting gas, nozzles can be oily, so just wrap a paper towel around it and off you go.

Thanks for the info, that's great.

[leo_du_garde]

Originally Posted by 1flossedm3

Thanks for the info, that's great.

Try to get certified so that you can get 100k coverage. And find a good bmw tech at a bmw dealer who will get to know your car. As others commented, you will probably have emission related issues here and there, but the engine itself, the tranny and rest of the car are pretty bulletproof.

[rhombus]

I have had several diesels. I was fully set on getting a D and then drove a 35i. I also read alot of other owners who had both and preferred the N55 powered 35i. The maintenance on the D is considerably more than the 35i and the milage is only 2-4mpg better. There are alot of expensive parts on the D, not to mention the 14hr carbon cleaning job, swirl flaps or egr cooler. Much more expensive HPFP, Injectors, SCR, DPF. Any one of those items are over 1000 in parts alone. US diesel fuel quality and HPFPs scare me. On my old Audi TDI, a HPFP failure was about a 7k repair as the pump sends shrapnel into all the injectors, fuel rails, lines and tank; requiring all to be replaced.

After thinking about it and driving one, I started to change my mind. The 35i has a 8speed auto with 2 overdrives. It has direct injection and valvetronic. The E70 35d only came with the 6spd auto. These are the reasons that there is not a huge gap in MPG between the 2. Diesel also can be more expensive than gas. Back when the 35D came out, the other engine choices were the N52 3.0L NA and the 4.8L V8. Neither could compare to the 35D for mileage. All that changed when the N55 35i came out.

There are a TON of 35i out there to choose from. Since it was the base engine, the prices are reasonable and selection is good. I got mine fully loaded with 20-way multi contour active seats, logic7, pano, 4 zone climate, tech package, comfort package, lighting package. The seats, my 3rd car with comfort seats, makes my 5hr commute a joy and its nice to arrive at a client without being sore.

I commute about 50k/yr and get 26 on the interstate doing 75mph in my 35i and 22 average after I get in the city. Its honestly almost as good of mileage as my E91 6MT wagon (29hwy 22avg). Now if you are driving into a headwind, you wont get 26, but the same is true on the 35D.

The N55 is a solid motor. BMW addressed the issues of the N54, no HPFP issues, more reliable injectors, no wastegate rattle. N55s are in almost every model BMW, there are tons of them out there and parts are reasonable. Carbon cleaning is only $350 vs 14hr.

I did a flash tune on mine and it is as fast as a stock 50i without all the maintenance of the hot V motor. Clocked it at 5.4sec 0-60 (without launching) and gets 26 on the highway. Even pulled away from the 50i on the highway. I am happy I went with the 35i.

[1flossedm3]

Originally Posted by rhombus

I have had several diesels. I was fully set on getting a D and then drove a 35i. I also read alot of other owners who had both and preferred the N55 powered 35i. The maintenance on the D is considerably more than the 35i and the milage is only 2-4mpg better. There are alot of expensive parts on the D, not to mention the 14hr carbon cleaning job, swirl flaps or egr cooler. Much more expensive HPFP, Injectors, SCR, DPF. Any one of those items are over 1000 in parts alone. US diesel fuel quality and HPFPs scare me. On my old Audi TDI, a HPFP failure was about a 7k repair as the pump sends shrapnel into all the injectors, fuel rails, lines and tank; requiring all to be replaced.

After thinking about it and driving one, I started to change my mind. The 35i has a 8speed auto with 2 overdrives. It has direct injection and valvetronic. The E70 35d only came with the 6spd auto. These are the reasons that there is not a huge gap in MPG between the 2. Diesel also can be more expensive than gas. Back when the 35D came out, the other engine choices were the N52 3.0L NA and the 4.8L V8. Neither could compare to the 35D for mileage. All that changed when the N55 35i came out.

There are a TON of 35i out there to choose from. Since it was the base engine, the prices are reasonable and selection is good. I got mine fully loaded with 20-way multi contour active seats, logic7, pano, 4 zone climate, tech package, comfort package, lighting package. The seats, my 3rd car with comfort seats, makes my 5hr commute a joy and its nice to arrive at a client without being sore.

I commute about 50k/yr and get 26 on the interstate doing 75mph in my 35i and 22 average after I get in the city. Its honestly almost as good of mileage as my E91 6MT wagon (29hwy 22avg). Now if you are driving into a headwind, you wont get 26, but the same is true on the 35D.

The N55 is a solid motor. BMW addressed the issues of the N54, no HPFP issues, more reliable injectors, no wastegate rattle. N55s are in almost every model BMW, there are tons of them out there and parts are reasonable. Carbon cleaning is only $350 vs 14hr.

I did a flash tune on mine and it is as fast as a stock 50i without all the maintenance of the hot V motor. Clocked it at 5.4sec 0-60 (without launching) and gets 26 on the highway. Even pulled away from the 50i on the highway. I am happy I went with the 35i.

Thank you for the excellent write up, this is exactly what I was looking for. I agree on all points. I didn't know how much maintenance was required with the diesel.

[fsd350]

Originally Posted by leo_du_garde

My wife and i have put on the close to 150,000 miles on our two diesels. X5d and 335d. No smell, just two quiet, fast, reliable machines that purr along no matter what the outside conditions are. When you look at the ratio of gas mileage and power, you can't beat it. When getting gas, nozzles can be oily, so just wrap a paper towel around it and off you go.

+1 We have a X5d and 335d also with over 200k miles between the two. They have been very reliable, and are very efficient. We have had several BMW's over the years. Will never go gas again after these. As you know, a BMW is a highly engineered vehicle, not a Japanese appliance and YMMV.

[jplatt83]

I have a 35d. 85K on the ticker. No issues as of yet.

[Weebl]

I have a 08 335 (N54) and the 12 X5d.
The 335 is quick and the X5 pulls with more lag to it. I was not fond of the loaners in the 3ers with the 8 speed box, all I felt was shift,shift,shift. I was not a fan of that even if it meant more mileage. No smells from the diesel but you can smell it once every while, no one will notice a smell on you.
On the X5, I have had the head replaced and just recently a glow plug along with its controller, all under CPO. Unless they fixed it the 335 water pump can expire fairly quickly and is ~$380 on your doorstep. I've had to do two.
On the head issue, I cannot find anywhere on the internet my exact same problem. They started at the fuel tank,pumps,injectors and then the head. About 15k in parts I imagine.
YMMV

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by rhombus

I have had several diesels. I was fully set on getting a D and then drove a 35i. I also read alot of other owners who had both and preferred the N55 powered 35i. The maintenance on the D is considerably more than the 35i and the milage is only 2-4mpg better. There are alot of expensive parts on the D, not to mention the 14hr carbon cleaning job, swirl flaps or egr cooler. Much more expensive HPFP, Injectors, SCR, DPF. Any one of those items are over 1000 in parts alone. US diesel fuel quality and HPFPs scare me. On my old Audi TDI, a HPFP failure was about a 7k repair as the pump sends shrapnel into all the injectors, fuel rails, lines and tank; requiring all to be replaced.

After thinking about it and driving one, I started to change my mind. The 35i has a 8speed auto with 2 overdrives. It has direct injection and valvetronic. The E70 35d only came with the 6spd auto. These are the reasons that there is not a huge gap in MPG between the 2. Diesel also can be more expensive than gas. Back when the 35D came out, the other engine choices were the N52 3.0L NA and the 4.8L V8. Neither could compare to the 35D for mileage. All that changed when the N55 35i came out.

There are a TON of 35i out there to choose from. Since it was the base engine, the prices are reasonable and selection is good. I got mine fully loaded with 20-way multi contour active seats, logic7, pano, 4 zone climate, tech package, comfort package, lighting package. The seats, my 3rd car with comfort seats, makes my 5hr commute a joy and its nice to arrive at a client without being sore.

I commute about 50k/yr and get 26 on the interstate doing 75mph in my 35i and 22 average after I get in the city. Its honestly almost as good of mileage as my E91 6MT wagon (29hwy 22avg). Now if you are driving into a headwind, you wont get 26, but the same is true on the 35D.

The N55 is a solid motor. BMW addressed the issues of the N54, no HPFP issues, more reliable injectors, no wastegate rattle. N55s are in almost every model BMW, there are tons of them out there and parts are reasonable. Carbon cleaning is only $350 vs 14hr.

I did a flash tune on mine and it is as fast as a stock 50i without all the maintenance of the hot V motor. Clocked it at 5.4sec 0-60 (without launching) and gets 26 on the highway. Even pulled away from the 50i on the highway. I am happy I went with the 35i.

Well said. Precisely the reason I went 35i.

[kcheves]

I have a '13 35d. Love everything about it, but have had persistent problems with emmisons-related CEL's. After 5 service calls, they opened a PUMA case with BMW NA and replaced the SCR catalyst and I think the problem may finally be fixed.

Long story short, I'm worried about owning the car past the 7/70 California emissions warranty.

YMMV, but if I had it to do over again I'd get the 35i.

[socale39]

if I didn't occasionally tow I'd opt for the 35i myself. Don't get me wrong, I love my diesel and I have no regrets getting it but everyone has different tastes and needs, it's just a matter of finding what best suits you.

In terms of overall maintenance costs, here's your breakdown from high to low:

1) X5M
2) 50i
3) 35d
4) 35i

So if the 35i fits what you need I'd go that route as others have voiced.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Well said. Precisely the reason I went 35i.

Of course you would


I liked my wife's 2011 X5D so much I bought myself one. They are actually opposites, her's is white with black leather, mine black with white leather. I didn't want an N55 as I know I would mod it and I'm not sure I trust it to be that much more reliable than the N54. I'm probably wrong but whatever. I also only want one BMW to mod and that is my E92.



$250 tune JBD tune:



vs. 35i JB Tune:



I post the tune only dynos only to show low end TQ difference. So for DD I think the D will be better for driving around. The N55 obviously has a lot more potential and will be faster in a straight line with 8 speed and higher HP etc. Especially with mods. But I think the Diesel will get better MPG and it can also go something crazy like 600 miles before a fill up with the 22 gallon tank which I am also looking forward to. With my E90 I had to fill up every 4-5 days and I would bet the X5 35i is the same way.


Daft do you know how that transmission holds up with high hp/tq? Do you think it would be fine with Pure turbos and 100% E85 injection?

[socale39]

Can't wait to tune my diesel. Just need to settle on lowering setup and get the alignment done before I go down that route.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by socale39

Can't wait to tune my diesel. Just need to settle on lowering setup and get the alignment done before I go down that route.

What tune are you going to go with?

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Of course you would


I liked my wife's 2011 X5D so much I bought myself one. They are actually opposites, her's is white with black leather, mine black with white leather. I didn't want an N55 as I know I would mod it and I'm not sure I trust it to be that much more reliable than the N54. I'm probably wrong but whatever. I also only want one BMW to mod and that is my E92.



$250 tune JBD tune:



vs. 35i JB Tune:



I post the tune only dynos only to show low end TQ difference. So for DD I think the D will be better for driving around. The N55 obviously has a lot more potential and will be faster in a straight line with 8 speed and higher HP etc. Especially with mods. But I think the Diesel will get better MPG and it can also go something crazy like 600 miles before a fill up with the 22 gallon tank which I am also looking forward to. With my E90 I had to fill up every 4-5 days and I would bet the X5 35i is the same way.


Daft do you know how that transmission holds up with high hp/tq? Do you think it would be fine with Pure turbos and 100% E85 injection?

You're dead on right about gas mileage. I'm averaging 17-18mpg in my x35i, mostly city driving and some spirited acceleration from time to time (thank you LCI paddles and MHD burble )

And excellent question on the 8AT. That too is my question. Part of me is half tempted to throw on a big turbo, go FBO and shoot for 500whp. Then again, as much as I loved my big twin 335, it also required lots of monitoring/proactive behavior to ensure it was running properly.

[Alliedacid]

recently bough a CPO '13 x5 30k miles. (previously e90 6sp)

test drove / reviewed options on all CPO x5d's with less than 35k miles in a 150 mile radius of NYC. only 8!!

bought one from a dealer outside Philadelphia.

very happy... 75 mile round trip commute averaging 23MPG.

Acceleration is is slow to build but once moving impressive.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Alliedacid

recently bough a CPO '13 x5 30k miles. (previously e90 6sp)

test drove / reviewed options on all CPO x5d's with less than 35k miles in a 150 mile radius of NYC. only 8!!

bought one from a dealer outside Philadelphia.

very happy... 75 mile round trip commute averaging 23MPG.

Acceleration is is slow to build but once moving impressive.

Put a JBD on it. Well worth it imo. 60+ horsepower and 100+ torque for $250 is small money for the gains. Super easy to install.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Put a JBD on it. Well worth it imo. 60+ horsepower and 100+ torque for $250 is small money for the gains. Super easy to install.

Does MHD do anything as it comes to tune for the 35D or is JBD the answer?