anyone considered moving to the new X5 3.5d?

[c4racer]

The BMW lease rates are relatively attractive right now. Actually what makes it work well is the $4500 eco credit. That gives you effectively a zero down deal and $579 / month for 36 months for the BMW national deal, and I bet you could do 10% better with some negotiation.

The 3.0L twin turbo diesel looks to be an interesting engine - 425lb-ft of torque is a nice number. runs 0-60 in 6.9sec, so is nearly a second slower than my 4.6is there, but I would bet passing power with the turbos and all that tq is pretty similar. And at 12K miles per year assuming a 22mpg average vs my 16 or so nets $50-60 / month at current gas prices too.

I don't really need a new SUV, but thoughts of tranny failure or something else that would cost me big $$ has me a bit worried about the old E53. Mine has been relatively trouble-free so far with over 100K miles on the clock, which I realize is not a big deal with a BMW.

Has anyone made the switch, considered it? driven one?

[darkside4.8]

i have both a 4.8is and a 35d in my driveway. the 35d is a great car. torque is not instant like the V8 though. but it does come, and quite smoothly all the way through the power band. also, its shamefully quiet. like i said, a great car, very practical, real world fuel economy is fantastic (ours does mid 20s combined city/highway vs. the 4.8 which sits around 13). However, at the end of the day, its nowhere near as exciting to drive as the E53 4.8is it sits next to.
its tons of fun seeing your fuel range sit in the 500s. but i'll still hop in the 4.8 every time.

[JCL]

I would think you would miss the sportier 'edge' of your 4.6. The E70 has a different feel, diesel or not.

[c4racer]

hmm - ya, I haven't driven one. I do like my 4.6is... And it is paid for too....

I am in the process of selling my S4 now and trying to decide what my next move is. So I was checking the BMW lease rates just to think about some ideas and ran across this eco credit which looked pretty interesting, plus I can write off the lease as a business expense.

But another potentially even more interesting car is the 135i coupe - the lease rates on those right now are quite attractive, and I found a local one in alpine white w/ black interior, manual trans and sport package. That could be a really nice replacement for the S4 and then I would just keep the X5 as my SUV.

[cheappc]

Funny, I have been thinking a lot about that deal, I really dont need to go fast.. however, I never driven a 4.6 or 4.8, so maybe im missing out..

However, I hate 13mpg, i get 15 in the city right now with my 3.0 (uggh), indeed its very very very nice, its triple black, and i really mean triple black, i got it like new at 59,000 miles extremely pampered. So its a beauty.

I went to test drive the 35d, i have to tell you I was very happy jumping back in my 3.0, but I wasnt happy about the mpg's, and the thought of dumping another $4500 in my transmission, so believe me, my cpo and maintenance will be up in september. Thats perfect, summer will be over, no more needing to tow my boat around, and I could buy my 35d.

The guys at the e70 section say they got like mid 20's, and even mid 30's on the highway, MID 30'S??? thats sick for a X5!

[X5Sport]

I know the Imperial Gallon is slightly larger, but I get 27mpg around town and 37mpg on the motorway (Freeway) which is why Diesel X5's outsell petrol versions all the time and always have in the UK.

There's rumoured to be a 4.0litre diesel X5 to be launched shortly with the BiTurbo removed as the engine no longer needs both. Now that could be an interesting animal.

[4MoJoe]

I went all the way to putting deposit down and ordering a X35D in January and then 4 weeks later canceled it. I wanted the better mileage and like the looks of the new E70 but then I did a self check. My E53 is paid for, has low miles and 2 1/2 years of warranty left. Besides the abysmal gas mileage I love the car and it's perfect for towing my boat; that need won't go away. So I've actually been considering the 128i or 135i convertible as my 2nd car and just keep my E53 until the warranty expires or heck until the wheels drop off. But the X35D was a nice drive for sure.

[Werewolf]

The x5 is a perfect vehicle for a diesel engine but I'm waiting until bmw works out the bugs on the diesel and the used car depreciation sets in

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

The x5 is a perfect vehicle for a diesel engine but I'm waiting until bmw works out the bugs on the diesel and the used car depreciation sets in

For some unfounded reason I am leary buying diesel engine that needs urea injector. If Audi and Benz can do w/o, BMW should.
But that ecodrive credit is sure nice incentive.

+1 on, nothing cheaper than driving paid-of car even if you can get diesel for free (since the depreciation on new car will offset that); but also no price tag on driving new car

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

I went all the way to putting deposit down and ordering a X35D in January and then 4 weeks later canceled it. I wanted the better mileage and like the looks of the new E70 but then I did a self check. My E53 is paid for, has low miles and 2 1/2 years of warranty left. Besides the abysmal gas mileage I love the car and it's perfect for towing my boat; that need won't go away. So I've actually been considering the 128i or 135i convertible as my 2nd car and just keep my E53 until the warranty expires or heck until the wheels drop off. But the X35D was a nice drive for sure.

lease rates are pretty attractive right now on the 1 series. I am considering a 135i, but I think more likely I will end up getting a used E46 M3 if I get a BMW. Also considering C6 vette and 996 P-car.