BMW X5 35i or 50i

[ravenheart]

Just to muddle this up a little more - in the December '10 issue of Consumer Reports the V8 X5's have average (~1%) predicted reliablity, while the 6 cylinder are 2nd from the bottom with a full black mark (-80%) - followed only by the Merc GL turbodiesel (-89%).

I dont know if CR can be trusted for those ratings - I just found it curious and worth mentioning.

[jcmd2003]

I was in your shoes; I looked carefully at both models. Similarly equipped, the difference between the 50i with sport pkg. and the 35i Sport Activity was about $8000.

I could have afforded either, but thought the 35i would be a smarter purchase with the initial savings and the long-term MPG savings. I bought the 35i and love it; it is fast, smooth, quiet, and has excellent handling. I like it better than anything else I've owned, to include Lexus, Acura, and an e46 M3.

But now I find myself wanting a performance upgrade ($1-2k) and eyeing the style 336 wheels ($3-4k if I can find a good deal), and realize I should have just went with the 50i in the first place.

[chrgosselin]

Originally Posted by jcmd2003

I was in your shoes; I looked carefully at both models. Similarly equipped, the difference between the 50i with sport pkg. and the 35i Sport Activity was about $8000.

I could have afforded either, but thought the 35i would be a smarter purchase with the initial savings and the long-term MPG savings. I bought the 35i and love it; it is fast, smooth, quiet, and has excellent handling. I like it better than anything else I've owned, to include Lexus, Acura, and an e46 M3.

But now I find myself wanting a performance upgrade ($1-2k) and eyeing the style 336 wheels ($3-4k if I can find a good deal), and realize I should have just went with the 50i in the first place.

That's exactly the situation I want to avoid. The 50i I'm looking at is only $10000 more than a similarly equipped 35i so I'm going to go for it. Now I just need to pick the interior/exterior colors. Also, I read that I should check if the vehicle was built before or after 10/10. What's the difference?