Hello-Potential New Owner/My Take on the X5d with a few questions

[JasonG]

X5d unloaded gas mileage is 19/26 or approx 22mpg combined (you stated 15 above)....
I dont see vibration as an issue at stop...may have been the particular used one you were driving (granted i also drive a Dodge Cummins so i could be a little less sensative)...noise not an issue at all with me or my wife.
Re Lag, takes a while to learn to drive a diesel...not an issue afterward...smooth progressivly more throttle avoids lag vs. instant throttle to the % you want...hard to explain, but i own two diesels and lag is not an issue
I think all configs will tow 4500w/o issue (V8, D or 11 6cyl - it's an inline 6 by the way...not v6)....
New D prices are pretty good when you take into account the $3500 Diesel Credit....try that in your cost calc if you havent
Any of them will kick the tar out of a pickup truck in day to day driving / fun...

Good luck, looks like you've done your homework, sure you will make a good choice.....

[bigx5er]

I've owned the E70 in the diesel, old six, and current 35i.

I love the 35i. Totally different vehicle than the 2010 normal six was. I also like the updated look and iDrive. All well worth it in my opinion. Put the 35i in the tranny sport mode and the thing is amazing.

I'm not a diesel guy, the idle rattle and lag didn't work for me. But the diesel is also a great option and I respect those who like it. Completely personal preference.

The new Jeep looks nice (as does the Explorer). I'm going to drive both soon (love driving new cars). Jeep scares me a bit being first year and a radical redesign. Still great to see competition to keep BMW honest.

[F150 Duke]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

I've owned the E70 in the diesel, old six, and current 35i.

I love the 35i. Totally different vehicle than the 2010 normal six was. I also like the updated look and iDrive. All well worth it in my opinion. Put the 35i in the tranny sport mode and the thing is amazing.

I'm not a diesel guy, the idle rattle and lag didn't work for me. But the diesel is also a great option and I respect those who like it. Completely personal preference.

The new Jeep looks nice (as does the Explorer). I'm going to drive both soon (love driving new cars). Jeep scares me a bit being first year and a radical redesign. Still great to see competition to keep BMW honest.

Agreed, the competition is best for all of us, owners, aspiring and the others. While the Jeep has all the features and more of the BMW for a significant sum less, sometimes the sum of the parts does not always equal the whole. Just have to figure out the personal preference and benefit of the whole.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

I'm not a diesel guy, the idle rattle and lag didn't work for me. But the diesel is also a great option and I respect those who like it. Completely personal preference.

Yeah, not for everyone for sure...and the new 35i has a very nice torque curve that closes the gap in city driving vs. the previous 6cyl....i just like torque/power w/o having to rev...the modern BMW gassers are excellent/much better in that regard...i would have considered the new 35i given the motor/8spd/perf/mileage...but with the pre new year deals on the diesel and being partial to them, didnt have much choice.

[Alan Smithee]

The new Jeep GC is a very nice vehicle. I test drove one before getting my X5d, and later had one as a rental. Very solid, German feel; clear evidence of partnership with Mercedes. And good value. But I've had Jeeps before, and I don't think they have come far from a reliability standpoint (not that BMWs are the most reliable).

A note on your experience with lag in the X5d. Be aware that it will start in 2nd gear if you are not in 'sport' mode, and not heavy on the throttle off the line. When it starts in 1st, there is no noticeable turbo lag.

That said, if you are looking for an SUV with German feel that can tow, also check out the new Touareg diesel. It has a much higher tow rating than the X5 (7,700lbs?), with comparable power and better fuel economy due to its more modern transmission (8 speed, I believe). Slightly more bang for the buck as well in terms of features in the price range you are looking for. That would be my choice over a used X5.

[F150 Duke]

I'll have to go back and try the sport mode...didn't see it on the 09 but must not have been paying attention.

I looked at the new Touareg and wow is that compelling. All the options, better fuel economy, higher towing and better price. It looks nice but I’m not completely enthralled with the style or look.

I found the gov site for the tax credits on diesels. It still lists the ’11 diesel but doesn’t have any notes saying it’s phased out. I think it is though.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=225054,00.html


I googled the X5 towing capabilities and basically the i6, Diesel and V8 all have a 6,000lb towing capacity. I’d be under that, but close with 5,000lbs. The new i6 would be a lot less capable then my current truck at towing, which stinks and means I’d have to take it a lot easier, but it’d have better gas mileage when not towing and not have some of the new nuances of the diesel that I’m not yet used to.

[SJCFlyer]

Originally Posted by F150 Duke

I'll have to go back and try the sport mode...didn't see it on the 09 but must not have been paying attention.

I looked at the new Touareg and wow is that compelling. All the options, better fuel economy, higher towing and better price. It looks nice but I’m not completely enthralled with the style or look.

Again, remember new model "1st Year" syndrome applies too.

[F150 Duke]

Originally Posted by SJCFlyer

Again, remember new model "1st Year" syndrome applies too.

Good point, I am also going to go back to the towing threads and read for someone who might have a 6 and ask about their experiences.


The Jeep customer service and dealer experience is also something I'm weighting. That is a big nusiance on my F150 and my wife's Nissan Altima. Just not up to spec with luxury brands (service loaner, etc). I had two Infiniti vehicles before these and the dealer experience was always fantastic.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by F150 Duke

I googled the X5 towing capabilities and basically the i6, Diesel and V8 all have a 6,000lb towing capacity. I’d be under that, but close with 5,000lbs. The new i6 would be a lot less capable then my current truck at towing, which stinks and means I’d have to take it a lot easier, but it’d have better gas mileage when not towing and not have some of the new nuances of the diesel that I’m not yet used to.

The BMW towing limits are due to the chassis, and not the engine power. The X5 doesn't have a frame, it is a unibody, so that is the limiting factor. There used to be a difference due to transmissions as well (5 speed auto had a lower towing limit on the 3.0) but that is gone now with the new transmissions.

I haven't towed with an E70. I did tow quite a bit with an E53 (3.0, 225 hp), and still tow with an E83 (3.0si, 260 hp). I also have a 535 with essentially the same engine as the 35i, but I haven't towed with it.

I don't think there is any concern over towing with the 35i. It will tow better than the naturally aspirated V8 used to, due to the increased torque at low rpm. 5000 lbs is not pushing it, I towed 4000-4500 lbs with the E53 3.0 at 225 hp, and it was fine. It depends on how many mountain passes you are pulling the trailer over, but for local boat launching I don't see a downside with 225 hp, and you would have 300 hp plus a much better torque curve.

Friends and family with Ford, GM and Dodge diesel pickups, particularly the most recent models, get used to that kind of acceleration when towing. Yes, it will be different with the X5, but towing shouldn't be a drag racing activity anyway. Just my $0.02.

[F150 Duke]

Originally Posted by JCL

The BMW towing limits are due to the chassis, and not the engine power. The X5 doesn't have a frame, it is a unibody, so that is the limiting factor. There used to be a difference due to transmissions as well (5 speed auto had a lower towing limit on the 3.0) but that is gone now with the new transmissions.

I haven't towed with an E70. I did tow quite a bit with an E53 (3.0, 225 hp), and still tow with an E83 (3.0si, 260 hp). I also have a 535 with essentially the same engine as the 35i, but I haven't towed with it.

I don't think there is any concern over towing with the 35i. It will tow better than the naturally aspirated V8 used to, due to the increased torque at low rpm. 5000 lbs is not pushing it, I towed 4000-4500 lbs with the E53 3.0 at 225 hp, and it was fine. It depends on how many mountain passes you are pulling the trailer over, but for local boat launching I don't see a downside with 225 hp, and you would have 300 hp plus a much better torque curve.

Friends and family with Ford, GM and Dodge diesel pickups, particularly the most recent models, get used to that kind of acceleration when towing. Yes, it will be different with the X5, but towing shouldn't be a drag racing activity anyway. Just my $0.02.

Yeah I just finished about 15 more threads on towing and feeling better. I'm now leaning towards a new i6 or diesel. I'm leaning more towards the diesel since there is the $3,500 eco credit. $3,500 in the pocket would be nice, plus it has more torque. I priced one out the way I wanted (prem, tech, ipod connection, cold weather, prem sound, comfort access, heated rear seats, roof rails, running boards, auto high beams, all weather floor mats) and got a negotiated price of $56,295 after the eco credit. Not too shabby.