DECISION MADE ! DIESEL WINS (Help to decide : 2008 4.8 vs. 2011 3.5d)

[Meiac09]

Originally Posted by alexmish

Just came back from a test drive, side by side with my 4.8... I think I am sold, acceleration is great, maybe a bit lag first 0.5 second, but then the torque really kicks-in and pushes the car a lot.

I think I can live with that considering the savings on fuel.

Something else to consider (and this is my naive POV) that you don't have to deal with the Ethanol crap in your gas making your gas mileage go down even more.

Don't forget though, they de-contented Adaptive Drive from ZSP. I've driven E70's with and without, and I personally hate the ride (cornering) without... Factor in that extra cost if handling matters. Would you be getting a similarly equipped car?

[alexmish]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

Something else to consider (and this is my naive POV) that you don't have to deal with the Ethanol crap in your gas making your gas mileage go down even more.

Don't forget though, they de-contented Adaptive Drive from ZSP. I've driven E70's with and without, and I personally hate the ride (cornering) without... Factor in that extra cost if handling matters. Would you be getting a similarly equipped car?

Yes, I am aware of the adaptive drive missing from what used to be the sports package, and I am ordering it.

Here is what I am planning specs wise:

ZPP (Premium Package)
ZAP (Sports Activity Package)
ZCW (Cold Weather Package)
ZPS (Premium Sound Package)
ZRC (Rear Climate Package)
ZTP (Technology Package)

328 (Running Boards)
386 (Roof Rails)
2VA (Adaptive Drive) !!!!
300 (Space Saver Spare)
322 (Comfort Access)
456 (Multi Countour Seats)
496 (Heated Rear Seats)
5AC (Auto High Beams)

MSRP $70725

I am not loosing any options vs. what I have on my 4.8 right now, and am gaining Multi Countour Seats, Auto High Beams, new iDrive and Fuel Economy

I might also consider ventilated/active seats...

[alexmish]

Originally Posted by Bora20

Buy a box of latex gloves from WalMart for when you fuel up and buy the diesel. This isn't even a contest.

Full service here in NJ

[Bodaddy]

The diesel is awesome. Acceleration in DS is quick and low end torque packs a punch. Highway passing is a breeze, and like others have said its so quiet at speed. There is a diesel clatter at idle speed but it dissipates as soon as you accelerate pretty much. I'm also getting around 475 miles to a tank, and diesel is actually cheaper than premium where I live, so there is a huge benefit in terms of TCO. I'd definitely recommend the diesel, 7 months in and we love it!

[bigx5er]

I am not a fan of the diesel (one of the few on this board). I am picking up a 35i to replace mine Thursday

For me, the diesel clatter is too much at lower speeds for a BMW. I am into the sports car type of sound. We also had some issues hunting down fuel on our last trip. It wasn't a major deal, just inconvenient and when we did find it the gloves came out thanks to gunked up handles. At 75-80 the fuel economy was good, but not earth shattering versus my old 3.0i. In Minnesota there were folks running into issues with DEF this winter if they kept their X5s outside (and the low DEF warning is really obnoxious)

Before I get torched, this is just my opinion. I'm more of a car type of person and not into messing around. My diesel has been reliable and as others have noted, it is excellent at highway speeds.

Right now, diesel is 36 cents more than premium in Minnesota. It has been higher since I bought my diesel. So I'm really not seeing any savings on fuel over the 35i. I will note that diesel was cheaper than premium in some states during my last trip out west.

Good luck with your decision.

[alexmish]

Thanks bigx5er, much appreciated an honest opinion and review of your experience!

In my area in North/Central NJ, diesel seems to run about the same as premium, and somewhat easily available. I am going to try to see if I can find a web site listing all diesel-selling gas stations.

Some people did get the low DEF warning message, BUT DID ANYONE YET TO STALL/NOT ABLE TO START THE ENGINE due to this false positive error message? That is the real question!

[BGM]

Originally Posted by alexmish

Yes, I am aware of the adaptive drive missing from what used to be the sports package, and I am ordering it.

Here is what I am planning specs wise:

ZPP (Premium Package)
ZAP (Sports Activity Package)
ZCW (Cold Weather Package)
ZPS (Premium Sound Package)
ZRC (Rear Climate Package)
ZTP (Technology Package)

328 (Running Boards)
386 (Roof Rails)
2VA (Adaptive Drive) !!!!
300 (Space Saver Spare)
322 (Comfort Access)
456 (Multi Countour Seats)
496 (Heated Rear Seats)
5AC (Auto High Beams)

MSRP $70725

I am not loosing any options vs. what I have on my 4.8 right now, and am gaining Multi Countour Seats, Auto High Beams, new iDrive and Fuel Economy

I might also consider ventilated/active seats...

Geez I thought you said you couldn't afford a 3.5i or 5.0i ? At $70K you can afford both easily. A basic 5.0i equipped Prem/Tech/Sports/Climate package is probably like MSRP $68K. And a 3.5i is probably $5K less than that.

[alexmish]

Comparably equiped:

3.5i = $70.5K
3.5d = $70.7K - $4,500 ECO CREDIT which is applied as down-payment to the lease
5.0i = $77K

The ECO credit, together with fuel consumption of the diesel, made huge difference when compared TCO of the 2011 vs. TCO of 2008 4.8 for next 3 years. Essentially, they made leasing of 2011 more cost efficient than keeping 2008. For the 3.5i, it was the other way around. This is more physcological than anything else.

Other factors that were in favor of 3.5d:

For 3.5i or 5.0i, I'd want to go for M-Sport package. While MSRP did not change dramatically from non-M-sport setup, it would require me to deal with getting all-season secondary tire/wheel set. That is another $3K.

Essentially, the 3-year TCO by leasing of 3.5i was around $37K, and 3-year TCO of by leasing of 5.0i was around $42K. For the 3.5d, the same TCO is $32K. That is a huge difference!

[dmfelger]

This is why I bought a 35d
Vegas to LA 4/7/10

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1275453924

[MPowerFarmer]

Mileage is far beter with diesel. I average true 25mpg. Theres no way the 4.8 comes close, and I think the performance difference is minimal.