e53 is totaled. Choosing between '10 xDrive30i and '12xDrive35i

[Longj582]

My adored 2003 M54 e53 w/185K was totaled last week.

I've found two seemingly suitable replacements w/all the options I want on the west coast (I live in Seattle, both cars are in Ca)

Choices are:

2010 2 owner xDrive30i w/the "M" package, no air suspension, adaptive drive, and naturally aspirated just like this (only the one I'm looking at has 65K - it was sold as a CPO car in 2013): https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/6030716245.html

or

a 2012 2 owner xDrive35i w/the "M" trim package w/air suspension, no adaptive drive, but Twin Turbos (72K) which just got traded into the stealership (who also sold it originally and maintained it - was a CPO Car in 2014)


I'm sure both will need a valley pan gasket and VCG in the near future and all fluids changed due to the mileage.

I do my own wrenching or have my best friend who is a BMW tech who moonlights in his backyard shop (with a lift and all the goodies) fix it.

I also do some light towing 3,500 lbs Sea Ray to the lake about 20 minutes away.

Here's the kicker: My cars are maintained to a T because I want to drive the car into the ground (until it dies) and being that I have a kid on the way, a V8 and the Diesel are out (as diesel is a PITA to get in my town a with a kid on the way my days impersonating Mario Andretti on local roads will be on hold for the next several years : ) That said I love the handling of the X5s and feel way safer in them than something like a Jeep or an MDX.

So to start the debate...if I want to take my soon "new to me" e70 over 200K (and don't want to go bankrupt doing it) and tow occasionally would you guys say go with the naturally aspirated 2010 or Twin-Turbo 2012?

[5Xtheproblems]

Go with the 3.0. That is a great engine with few issues reported so far. Just my 2 cents.

[SeanC]

Only V8s have valley pans.

I'd go with the newer model. No adaptive drive means cheaper suspension maintenance (adaptive drive struts costs $800 each). Twin turbo will come in handy when you're towing.

[glenwyatt]

If you don't want to wrench as much I'd go with the 3.0. The 3.5 is obviously more powerful and tunable in the future of you want to increase performance and be like Lewis Hamilton.

[bmrboi2]

Definitely the 3.0 vs the 3.5 Its easy to work on and gets the job done. The one you are looking at however seems a bit pricey.

[smassey321]

Get the 2012 for the 8 speed transmission. Both engines will have similar issues.

[byM5]

Vote for 3.5 for extra power and 8 speed

[basilray]

2012 should have Combox, for native bluetooth music streaming as well. This may/may not be a factor to consider.

I know, when compared to adaptive drive or other vehicle functions, BT streaming is trivial. But hey...it's 2017...it's a near necessity.

[imalabil]

I went from an E53 to my current 2009 E70 N52. In my case power was not really a desire, since it is driven by my daughter much of the time. I like the relative reliability of the unblown 6. I've done the oil filter adapter (and cooler) gaskets and a belt tensioner on the "new" X5, but other than that it has been OK. I find it unbelievable that BMW STILL can't make a 6 that doesn't leak oil here, but at least it was easier to fix than on the E53.
If I want quick I drive the G8.

[Longj582]

Thanks all - yeah the 2010 would definitely need to come down in price for me to move on it. The low miles are attractive and that color isn't my favorite (living in Seattle it look more dirty than clean most of the time being that it's a black/blue color). I'd have to buy it right.

I like that it's NA for sure as for me, my old e53 was rock solid as long as I was proactive. It's not "sellable" yet by the dealership due to the Takata airbag recall.

Regardless I did drive it and am still trying to make up my mind. That 2012 drove incredible though - man oh man was it great : )

I think I'm going to get a PPI on the 2010 in the meantime at a nice Indy just to see where it stands.