Test drove a couple of 2011 X5's today.

[santo]

After test driving a 2011 X5 35d and a 2011 X5 35i today (in Toronto), I am all but certain that I'll be getting a new 2010 X5 35d (which is on hold for me). While the front and rear bumpers look nice, the difference in price (about $6K) and the wait (about 6 weeks) is enough for me to go with the 2010.

There really is no difference other than the bumpers and the rear lights but there is the sport steering wheel which was a surprise (without the sports package). Not sure if this is an anomaly or if this is the way all X5s will come. Neither of them had the LED halo lights.

The 35i was very nice and smooth. It was plenty powerful and seemed equal to the 35d but it was a very limited test drive. With the difference in fuel economy and gas prices up here, I'm still going to go with the diesel.

If anyone knows of any other differences between 2010 and 2011 X5 35ds, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

[Daripper]

Good choice .

-DaRip

[rh71]

yeah probably not worth $6k for the facelifted changes since the diesel is the same.

[WhiteflashE90]

Strange, the 2011 x35d is $6k more than the 2010? In the states I'm getting a 2011 x35d for the same price as the '10 and with the eco credit. Must be a canada thing?

[santo]

Originally Posted by WhiteflashE90

Strange, the 2011 x35d is $6k more than the 2010? In the states I'm getting a 2011 x35d for the same price as the '10 and with the eco credit. Must be a canada thing?

Good question. There is a $4k incentive on 2010 only (to clear out inventory probably). Since Canada lost the rear view with top view camera option in 2010, this adds $500 to the 2011 package so there is only a $1.5k increase between 2010 and 2011 X5 35ds.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by santo

After test driving a 2011 X5 35d and a 2011 X5 35i today (in Toronto), I am all but certain that I'll be getting a new 2010 X5 35d (which is on hold for me).

How did the eight-speed gearbox feel?

[santo]

Originally Posted by Fraser

How did the eight-speed gearbox feel?

Silky smooth. Didn't get a chance to do any quick acceleration/deceleration tests but normal driving was good. I didn't focus much on the tach either as this was my first drive in an X5 ever. There was no perceivable turbo lag from a stand-still but again, I didn't get much over 60 km per hour. I would have loved to try it on the highway at least. I used to have a twin turbo Dodge Stealth so I know what turbos are like. If I didn't know it had the twin scroll turbo, I wouldn't have known it was a turbo.

I did drive the X5 35d on the highway (got an overnight test drive) and I can't complain one bit in how smooth it was. I did notice some minor turbo lag but the torque was welcome. My current '98 Land Rover Discovery provides a "white knuckle" experience when I try to merge onto the highway. Night and day.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by santo

]
I did drive the X5 35d on the highway (got an overnight test drive) and I can't complain one bit in how smooth it was.

So the overnight test drive was with the 2010 or the 2011?

[santo]

The 2011 35d I test drove earlier had the sport package and the 2011 X5 35i did not have the sports package. I found the suspension was a little too rough for my liking so I borrowed a 2010 X5 35d without the sports package overnight.

I know I want the 35d but I continue to flip-flop between the 2010 and the 2011. I do like the look of the 2011 better but I'm just not sure it's $6k better. My final decision is tomorrow morning.

[santo]

Well, just got back from the dealership and I ordered a 2011 X5 35d with Premium, Executive, Premium sound, Technology package and running boards. Not sure when delivery is but they're trying to change an existing order to move it up.

In the long run, I figured that the newer model year (with revised look) would be have a little more value in the long run since it would be in the 2011-2013(?) body style instead of the 2007-2010 body style even though the changes are minor; offsetting the extra money. I also wanted Rear view with Top view because I recently banged up my Discovery hitting a cement pillar while backing up. We got screwed in Canada with this option being removed in later 2010's so it was not available at all.

The wait should be interesting