50i vs 35i? Extra HP worth the engine bomb?

[macmac80210]

Hey all,

Just sold my '08 X5 4.4i and I'm about to purchase a '12 model.

Do any of you have experience with the xDrive 50i engine problems? How are they after 50k miles? I'm looking at a 50i with 52k. I would probably take out an extended warranty (either with BMW or a 3rd party), and I know the 50i can be a time bomb.

I loved my V8 x5, the sound of the engine and just how quick it was. But reliability was less than stellar. I know the 50i can be pretty bad too, so do any of you have thoughts on how much the extra horsepower is worth compared the 3.5i model?

Did any of you have trouble choosing between the v8 and the v6? I know the service bulletin needs to be done on the '12 50i models, but other things like valve stem seals, etc, also tend to go. There are a bunch of documented issues but I just wanted to see if any of you were over 50k miles and about when the trouble starts with these things?

Thanks for any input!

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by macmac80210

Hey all,

Just sold my '08 X5 4.4i and I'm about to purchase a '12 model.

Do any of you have experience with the xDrive 50i engine problem? How are they after 50k miles? I'm looking at a 50i with 52k. I would probably take out an extended warranty (either with BMW or a 3rd party), and I know the 50i can be a time bomb.

I loved my V8 x5, the sound of the engine and just how quick it was. But reliability was less than stellar. I know the 50i can be pretty bad too, so do any of you have thoughts on how much the extra horsepower is worth compared the 3.5i model?

Did any of you have trouble choosing between the v8 and the v6? I know the service bulletin needs to be done on the '12 50i models, but other things like valve stem seals, etc, also tend to go. There are a bunch of documented issues but I just wanted to see if any of you were over 50k miles and about when the trouble starts with these things?

Thanks for any input!

You can learn to change your own injectors and save thousands while spending thousands...
Make sure your warranty is going to cover what you need it to (including seals/gaskets), otherwise do the smart thing.

[ard]

What warranty will you buy that gives you any decent coverage!?!?!?!

A '12 will be out of warranty NOW, unless someone else already extended it. Virtually ALL warranties you can buy for cars now out of warranty are ether crap or $6500. Or both.

You just sold your 08. DO NOT kid yourself, you will drive this '12 for 9-10 years, which likely means 3-4 years without a warrany. just way too much risk unless you have an engine hoist in your shop. so to speak.

[Nanniepoo]

Today I learned there are BMWs with V6's.

[boostedX5SAV]

The 35i is almost, if not, just as quick as the 4.4 based on the numbers posted from various magazines.
4.4i
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 18.5 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 29.6 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 15.4 sec @ 92 mph
Top speed (governed): 127 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.77 g

35i
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 18.8 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 7.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 92 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr's est): 130 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 159 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.87 g

[absentmathis]

There are certainly positives to the 35i but to suggest that it’s nearly or just as quick as the 50i is ludacris. The 50i is way faster. I know the above are magazine numbers and are subject to test conditions, but neither of those appear correct from what I’ve seen.

[boostedX5SAV]

Originally Posted by absentmathis

There are certainly positives to the 35i but to suggest that it’s nearly or just as quick as the 50i is ludacris. The 50i is way faster. I know the above are magazine numbers and are subject to test conditions, but neither of those appear correct from what I’ve seen.

I did not say 50i. The 50i is definitely faster than both the 35i or the 4.4i. But I'm looking at the 4.4i NA from 2008 that the OP had and he said was very fast. The 35i 3.0 turbo is just as quick as the 4.4i NA on paper. I have no experience with the 4.4i NA though, but my 35i is pretty darn quick. If the OP is happy with 4.4i performance and wants lower maintenance, the 35i can match 4.4i performance while being cheaper than the 50i to maintain.

[macmac80210]

Originally Posted by boostedX5SAV

I did not say 50i. The 50i is definitely faster than both the 35i or the 4.4i. But I'm looking at the 4.4i NA from 2008 that the OP had and he said was very fast. The 35i 3.0 turbo is just as quick as the 4.4i NA on paper. I have no experience with the 4.4i NA though, but my 35i is pretty darn quick. If the OP is happy with 4.4i performance and wants lower maintenance, the 35i can match 4.4i performance while being cheaper than the 50i to maintain.

I think it's true that the 35i (with the turbo) is about as quick 0-60 as the 4.4i N62 engine. The difference is the engine sound, and there's just something unbeatable about the V8 sound on the e70. I deleted the resonators on my old car, and it was unbelievable. The V6 is quick, but the V8 is just too pretty sounding. I had an old e53 at one point and briefly traded for a comparable 5 series, and I missed the V8 sound immediately. Turbos aside, the V8 is really just nice sounding and had to give up once you've grown accustomed to it!

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by macmac80210

I think it's true that the 35i (with the turbo) is about as quick 0-60 as the 4.4i N62 engine. The difference is the engine sound, and there's just something unbeatable about the V8 sound on the e70. I deleted the resonators on my old car, and it was unbelievable. The V6 is quick, but the V8 is just too pretty sounding. I had an old e53 at one point and briefly traded for a comparable 5 series, and I missed the V8 sound immediately. Turbos aside, the V8 is really just nice sounding and had to give up once you've grown accustomed to it!

Let's get a few things straight here. There are not now, nor were there ever, V6 BMWs. The BMW sixes are Straight sixes.

Second, there was NO 4.4i in 2008. You would have to have a 2006 (or earlier) E53 to have a 4.4i. The E70 was introduced in 2008, and the V8 model was initially a 4.8i. The 50iX models DO use a turboed 4.4L but that comes later.

Third; there's no replacement for displacement. The E70 X5 is a heavy car; I had my 2008 V8 4.8i on a scale recently and it was 5,400lbs, including me and a full tank of gas, (I'm 190lbs). Not sure how much lighter the 3.5i is, but it must still be in the 4,900-5,000lbs range. The only way to really answer your question is to drive both cars; the 5.0i will be much more fun. You will also have bigger gas bills and maintenance costs. A V8 X5 is perhaps one of the WORST vehicles you can buy in terms of maintenance; but is also one of the best driving SUVs you can buy.

Finally, there's the issue of towing. If you plan to tow anything more than 2,000lbs for more than a VERY short distance, you must buy the V8.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Let's get a few things straight here. There are not now, nor were there ever, V6 BMWs. The BMW sixes are Straight sixes.

Second, there was NO 4.4i in 2008. You would have to have a 2006 (or earlier) E53 to have a 4.4i. The E70 was introduced in 2008, and the V8 model was initially a 4.8i. The 50iX models DO use a turboed 4.4L but that comes later.

Third; there's no replacement for displacement. The E70 X5 is a heavy car; I had my 2008 V8 4.8i on a scale recently and it was 5,400lbs, including me and a full tank of gas, (I'm 190lbs). Not sure how much lighter the 3.5i is, but it must still be in the 4,900-5,000lbs range. The only way to really answer your question is to drive both cars; the 5.0i will be much more fun. You will also have bigger gas bills and maintenance costs. A V8 X5 is perhaps one of the WORST vehicles you can buy in terms of maintenance; but is also one of the best driving SUVs you can buy.

Finally, there's the issue of towing. If you plan to tow anything more than 2,000lbs for more than a VERY short distance, you must buy the V8.

Originally Posted by Skyline

Gearing is more responsible for this closeness of 0-60 than the similarity of power figures; the '08 4.8i is still a good bit more powerful than the '12 3.5i, and the 5.0iX is even quicker than the 4.8i by a similar margin. Try flooring both from 65mph and see the difference. In many situations while driving, the 6 will need to downshift and you will need more aggressive use of the throttle to get the job done. The 3.5i is still no slouch.

Another issue to keep in mind is the tendency to get loaded cars with a 6cyl is rare. If you're looking for a "loaded" car with all the expensive options, like comfort seats with A/C, sport package with upgraded wheels, full technology package with the top stereo options, etc; you will find very few 6cyl cars equipped like that, it's a needle in a haystack. Yet you'll find plenty of loaded V8 cars.

+1 - agree with all of this

To mammac80210 - I have a 2012 50i w/ 55K miles. With this vehicle I like to differentiate reliability & cost of ownership, though they reside in each other's orbit. Mine has been very reliable overall, but the few times repairs have come up, they're expensive. I always ask my SA, would it be less if I had a 35i, and it's almost always a 'yes.' I've been told most things on the N63 4.4L V8 are difficult to access vs. the N55 I6 in the 35i, therefore increasing labor costs. Thats not the only reason, just an example.

I'm currently having the valve guide seals ($9K at dealer) and upper oil pan gasket ($3K at dealer) replaced, however it's all being good-willed by BMW, even though my CPO had just expired (long story). I'm fortunate that BMW is stepping up here, however these repairs spooked me out, so I just purchased an aftermarket warranty - 3 years/24K miles, for $2550. The warranty came highly recommended from fellow X5 owners. I figure in 3 years, I'll be ready to move on.

Regarding the 35i vs. 50i and what you've posted, sounds like you need a 50i They're both great vehicles, I drove several 35i's back in the day, but once I drove a 50i I knew, for me, it was the motor I wanted. Power/performance ranks ahead of reliability for me, so that's the route I went. Stock vs. stock you get +100HP and +150TQ, and the sound is awesome.

I'd also read up on packaging/options and get familiar with a BMW VIN decoder if you aren't already. These vehicle came equipped a million different ways. There's certain stuff I consider must-haves, and don't believe any X5 ad that says 'loaded' or 'fully loaded' - I've still never seen one with every available package/option and I've decoded 100's of E70's. And 'Skyline' above is correct, even though 50i's are not as common as 35i's, you'll find them with better packaging/options on average. Heavily optioned 35's are not that common.

Good luck!