Educate me (or talk me out of) the 35D...

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by kcheves

As a reference point, in March I bought a private party 2013 X35d with 35K miles for $35K. Alpine White, Sport Package, 214's, comfort seats, comfort access, technology package (HUD and side view cameras) and running boards. Everything you are looking for but the 3rd row seat, which you will find is not a common option. 3rd row seats also have the rear air suspension which will eventually require maintenance due to pump failures or airbag leaks. So deals are out there, just be patient.

The car is great, and I really love the torque, fuel economy, and range. I get 21 MPG in mixed driving, and 26 MPG on long trips. I've just had a few CEL issues that the dealer has addressed under the 4/50 new vehicle warranty, but which would have been covered under the California 7/70 emissions warranty.

Good Luck.

Can you find me one like yours LOL?

Wife is on board with a less than 50k miles 2013 Alpine on Cinnamon, Sport Package, Sport Activity, Luxury Seating (not a must have but would be nice) with 214's and running boards - Now I just have to find one -

We contemplated a new 2017 Golf Gas wagon with 4motion AWD, but I see it this way, thirst for premium at 30mpg with the 40 cent per gallon price hike above diesel, or 25mpg with the BMW driving experience.

[Kostyan]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Can you find me one like yours LOL?

Wife is on board with a less than 50k miles 2013 Alpine on Cinnamon, Sport Package, Sport Activity, Luxury Seating (not a must have but would be nice) with 214's and running boards - Now I just have to find one -

We contemplated a new 2017 Golf Gas wagon with 4motion AWD, but I see it this way, thirst for premium at 30mpg with the 40 cent per gallon price hike above diesel, or 25mpg with the BMW driving experience.

the 35K example scheves got is likely a non-CPO. I would not believe that a low mileage example with that level of equipment (65k+ MSRP) and extended wtty be sold by a dealer for 35K, unless there is a prior damage, or some other story to that X5. The 35 grand may get you a CPO with above 50K mi and lower equipment level. I would not recommend getting even a low mileage one without some sort of extended warranty period, no matter how good of a deal it is.

[PAX5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Can you find me one like yours LOL?

Wife is on board with a less than 50k miles 2013 Alpine on Cinnamon, Sport Package, Sport Activity, Luxury Seating (not a must have but would be nice) with 214's and running boards - Now I just have to find one -

We contemplated a new 2017 Golf Gas wagon with 4motion AWD, but I see it this way, thirst for premium at 30mpg with the 40 cent per gallon price hike above diesel, or 25mpg with the BMW driving experience.

Consider this one - 2013 X5 35d with Adaptive Drive in Virgina - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

I have lots of details on it ... PM me.

[Ricky Bobby]

Well bumping this thread as VW is painstakingly slow with their buyback process, but we are still leaning towards a 35D and on the last year of the E70, Sport Activity Package is a must -

BMW Certified listings are easy enough to navigate on the website, although I wish I could search nationwide, as I wouldn't mind traveling to Florida or the south (non salt states) for the right vehicle -

My wife is also considering a 2014 MSport 35i X3, but I'm kind of nudging her towards the 35d, just because we may be expecting a child in the next couple years, and we already travel with 2 big dogs, so I don't really need to start shopping again if we added a little one and thought we'd need more space - The mileage on the X3 is the same as the 35D for the most part, but will take premium 93 instead of the cheaper diesel fuel.

We also would consider a 15 or 16 28d in the Xline or Msport (doesn't really exist) trim in the X3, but that is kind of stretching the budget.

As of November 2016 the used/certified prices are still fairly high on the 2013 X5's with the diesel that I've found, the clean ones are being asked from $35-40k, I'm wondering what actual sale prices are - considering these diesels are already 4 model years old and will be 4 physical years old going on 5, soon.

The X3 in the Msport is comparable price wise to a clean, low mileage 2013 X5 diesel equipped handsomely so for us they would probably both be considered and come down to which is the better deal for us for the long term. I won't be selling my E53 any time soon as I'd never get back what I put in.

Also, it seems that a lot of the X5's I'm seeing, although clean looking, seem to sit for a while - I was under the impression the used market is much more hurried along than the new inventory, unless things have changed. Maybe they aren't priced right? Or is it the fact that I'm not looking for Black Exterior or Black interior for her what ends up showing me a lot of the same vehicles?

(I won't do a black car, and black on the interior with both dogs is a no no since the hair just screams at you when you get in)

[Thecastle]

There isn't a big size difference between an X3 and an X5. In most interior dimensions they are within about 1-2" of each other. I've compared, my brother has a 2014 X3 sdrive 28i. and I have a 2008 E70 X5 4.8i.

Overall because of the better aerodynamics of an X3 vs e70 X5, better transmission lower weight I'd expect real world the x3 x35 vs an x5 35d fuel economy would be awash. The only real advantage of the D would be at the moment lower diesel prices, but that savings will be more than offset by the cost of emissions repairs and higher maintenance.. The M57's have well documented reliability problems with emissions components and suffer from accelerated Carbon Build Up. Which is why ABC deletes are so popular (I know I have a 2011 335D which is the same engine in the E70 except for low pressure EGR).

My opinion would be, the D because of its lower reliability, more expensive engine oil, DEF refils, etc. would more than offset any cost savings from fuel and not save you any money over the 35i. If you get 35D tuned that changes the equation some, but you'll have to spend $3000+ to do an emissions delete which has its downsides (smoke, smell). $3000 buys you a lot of gasoline.

The reason to buy a diesel is if you really like the engine and plan to do a lot of towing. Better yet would be to buy a N57 in the 2014 diesels which maybe more reliable. But don't buy a diesel one thinking it will save you money, its unlikely due to reliability and higher maintenance costs. Most D owners will tell you your happiest days are when you buy a D and when you sell it :-) I do like mine however.

[Ricky Bobby]

^^Great post and great points - I especially appreciate the size comparison, I know the X3 "looks" smaller" but in reality is not much smaller than the E70 -

I've also been looking for a 28d for her, but those are definitely harder to come by - however since its taking a while and we probably have another month or two before this car is bought back, I'll keep my eyes peeled - I think we'll stick with the X3 plan, it probably would be weird for me anyway to go from my E53 and go into an E70, variety is the spice of life.

Out of the box and with a tune I think the 35i is pretty stupid fun to drive as well -

[Thecastle]

Yeah its all a matter of what you want. I think the lighter weight and better power to weight ratio of the x3 35i makes it more fun to drive, its kind of like a 3 series vs a 5 series. The X5 is a fine vehicle but its not light years larger, and it certainly is heavier and less fuel efficient. The reason I chose an X5 is I own a company and needed to fit ladders in my vehicle and liked the flip down tail gate to lay tools on while I was working. It makes a great mobile work platform for me. I also wanted the X5 for its better towing capability as my wife and I own a 21 foot travel trailer and the X5 can tow ~6000lbs. I did get the 4.8i as I've had soo much trouble with the diesels I didn't want a repeat with the X5, and the 5.0i's are known to have lots of turbo and valve stem issues. So that left me with the 4.8i, but I do get a miserable ~8mpg while towing. So part of me wishes for a D, but for me at least, I bought my X5 used (2008, 89K miles) and it was a CPO for a short period of time for 15K. It was in excellent condition, had multi-contour seats, adaptive suspension, etc. I figured with how much I saved I could afford a lot of gas. The downside of course to any BMW is you need a lot of free time to keep them running when their older or a 3rd car ;-)

[Ricky Bobby]

Great points - We actually found an Msport 35i at a local dealer which is high on the miles at 65k but at least I'd have about 2 years or 35k of CPO warranty -

The price is right which is tempting to us, I've been looking in the mid-30's where the first lease ones are coming in at, with about 30-45k miles. This one with 65k looks pretty clean and maintained but dealer is asking $26k. She'd have it paid off in 2 years tops - Question is will the N55 be ok for the long haul -

[blue dragon]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

and suffer from accelerated Carbon Build Up.

In the 335d, sure, but not in the X5 35d

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

In the 335d, sure, but not in the X5 35d

This is good to know so no carbon buildup in the 35d?

Any other potential items to address in the 35d in the later years - I am reading on this forum about an idler bolt snapping, as well as something about cleaning the intake manifold swirl flaps? Glow plug updates, etc -

Anything I'm missing? I've found a couple with Sport Activity package and one with the Luxury Seating Package, none of them are terribly close but they are 2013's with under 35k miles -

The wife also found an F25 28d in Mineral Silver/Oyster with Cold Weather/Luxury/LED lighting package which we are going to take a look at as its a 2015 with 22k miles -

Finally sent the buyback paperwork in to VW, we should have our buyback date set in a couple weeks be done