New 2011 X3 2.8 or 3.5 Turbo?

[tekman]

Well, been pricing these for some time, (used X5), and based on the new size and features on the new X3 the pricing for the X3 makes me think new is better than used, so I am considering a new X3 over the 3 year old CPO X5. The new X3 is basically the same size as the older X5, so it makes it more attractive for us and it's cheaper than the old X5's were new too.

It seems kind of dumb to me to spend 40K on a 3 year old Used vehicle vs just a few K more for a brand new X3.

She wants me to package the smaller engine in the 2.8SI X3, with Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, and Sports Package, but still 240 HP although I'd love to have the 3.5 Turbo.

I've got the wife convinced that the 2011 X3 is the way to go, but now I'm just trying to convince her to let me get the 3.5 turbo vs the 2.8SI.

I need ideas on how to make the 3.5 Turbo her idea.

Come on guys, help a brother out.

[JCL]

If she is going to be the primary driver, and doesn't really see the need for 300 hp, then let her get the 28. Just my $0.02. I once got a car for my wife that was more my choice than hers. Never made that mistake again.

PS: My wife is driving a 2008 X3 3.0si with 260 hp. She didn't need the si, the lower spec model would have been fine. But this way she got better headlights. I was the one who pointed that out.... She also had to put up with getting a panorama roof, which she saw no value in. I pointed out that she could keep the cover closed.

[wishman]

Originally Posted by tekman

Well, been pricing these for some time, (used X5), and based on the new size and features on the new X3 the pricing for the X3 makes me think new is better than used, so I am considering a new X3 over the 3 year old CPO X5. The new X3 is basically the same size as the older X5, so it makes it more attractive for us and it's cheaper than the old X5's were new too.

It seems kind of dumb to me to spend 40K on a 3 year old Used vehicle vs just a few K more for a brand new X3.

She wants me to package the smaller engine in the 2.8SI X3, with Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, and Sports Package, but still 240 HP although I'd love to have the 3.5 Turbo.

I've got the wife convinced that the 2011 X3 is the way to go, but now I'm just trying to convince her to let me get the 3.5 turbo vs the 2.8SI.

I need ideas on how to make the 3.5 Turbo her idea.

Come on guys, help a brother out.

3.5 gets better gas mileage and better CO2 emissions. So I would use the environmental factor in your arguement.

[mizboo102]

the 28 will most likely be phased out soon as it is an old engine, the 35 will have better resale value. Go let her drive both

[tekman]

Actually I will be the primary driver of this one for the first year or so until after the baby is born. After that, we'll have this one paid off and then I'll take her car and go trade it in and get myself a 3 series. She relented on the 3.5. I used the resale argument and the gas mileage and she pretty much just caved. I ordered it today. Black on Black, with Cold weather, Sports package and Premium. Should be pretty nice when we get it in a few weeks. End of January is the expected date for now.

I was looking at the 2008 X5 for myself, but then looking at the new X3, seeing the larger size and it's only a few grand more than the used X5, it just seems a no brainer to get the newer one. Even the 2008 X3 wasn't bad, just a little cramped. Seeing the 2011 is like looking at the 08 X5 with slimmer lines.

I honestly thought she'd put up more of an argument, but she caved pretty easily.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by tekman

She wants me to package the smaller engine in the 2.8SI X3, with Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, and Sports Package, but still 240 HP although I'd love to have the 3.5 Turbo.

Both engines are the same size. The 28i (not 2.8!) is a detuned 3.0-litre atmo. The 35i (not 3.5!) is a turbo (single, twin scroll) 3.0-litre. If you want performance get the 35i, if not the 28i will do the job.

[carlgo]

In the body shop, I had a customer with a famous name. Damn near 100 years old, and his wife in maybe the low 80s (ran off with a young hottie 60 years ago).

Anyway, they had his and hers Mercedes, turbo V12s. Really brutally fast, I think 600 hp or something. They would just slam you if you punched them on the freeway. Scared me the first time I did that, not expecting such a violent slamming explosion of power. I was expecting a smooth turbine-like thrust...silly me. I got used to it though!

She literally went to church and then to the store every Sunday. Every year he would trade in the car and get whatever the current version was and hers only would have a few hundred miles on it.

I doubt she really knew what she had, only that it was an expensive Mercedes. Imagine, though, if she hit the gas instead of the brake...nothing good could happen.

[kyle1127]

i think 3.5i come with the auto start-stop function (not start-stop button) which 2.8i doesn't come with.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by kyle1127

i think 3.5i come with the auto start-stop function (not start-stop button) which 2.8i doesn't come with.

Not relevant to the North American market. No Auto Start/stop function possible regardless of model.

[Weasel]

Since the 35i has more power AND better fuel mileage... I'd go with it. The 28i has a slightly lower initial cost, but the overall experience and fuel economy of the 35i are probably worth it to most.