Which would you choose? - X5d vs X5 50i

[MPowerFarmer]

I get 22mpg in my 35d and I drive about 30k miles a year so that definitely counts for something. It is true youre lucky if youll get 14mpg with the V8.

[Kloogy]

Personally, I cannot stand driving a vehicle that is not loaded with options. Therefore , according to your choices, I would get the X5D. A similarly loaded 50i will put you damn near X5M Territory. It's sad to see base model luxury vehicles. Makes me think the person could barely afford it.

[MartyX5]

I'd go with a diesel. In Europe we get the 40d, which unfortunately you don't have in the US. It is by far the best option for Europe with those crazy fuel pri es. I had a 4.8 and got 12-13 mpg for city driving. I get 18 mpg for my 40d.
Acceleration is better on v8 if you rev it up, otherwise its quite comparable.

Still you US guys are lucky. Here I have to pay USD 6.65 per gallon of premium diesel/gas and had to cough up 130k USD for my X

[blondboinsd]

Originally Posted by Jordo

Questions......

Why are these the only two to pick from?
I would think with the 50i you would look forward to driving it. (proformance, seat of the pants feel)

@ JCL...
You said "Based strictly on the two builds you list, I would get the 50i because it doesn't have the third row, and doesn't have the Tech package."
^ Huh? I thought the tech package is where its at. No? Please fill me in.

@blondboinsd

You said " Coming from someone who currently drives the V8 model I would chose the 35d ANY DAY. Not only is it far more equipped I would assume it also has a higher resale value in the future "

^ Now i'm really confused. Because you said you drive the V8 you would choose a 35D all day long. Isnt the 35D a smaller motor then a 50D? Please explain that. You no longer enjoy whip lash acceleration?

Thanks for the help, and now to contribute....

From what I know (and I guess thats not too much) I would want the 50i with all of the options that the 50D has..... if thats possible.

Whip lash acceleration? Ok It's not THAT fast. I chose my 4.8i because I thought the 3.0si was underpowered for how heavy the car is. The 35d feels just as fast as the 4.8i due to it's torque

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Jordo

@ JCL...
You said "Based strictly on the two builds you list, I would get the 50i because it doesn't have the third row, and doesn't have the Tech package."
^ Huh? I thought the tech package is where its at. No? Please fill me in.

I consider the tech package a set of nuisance features that detract from the overall vehicle. It has Nav (no use for it); cameras (I have three mirrors, thanks); voice integration (not interested) and BMW tele-services. The car already has service reminders, why do I need the dealer calling me to remind me to read the message on the dash? I can see the benefits to having Nav in a rental car in a new city. At home, in my personal car, no thanks.

I fully understand that some like it, and that is great for them. Given two identical vehicles, with and without tech package, I would personally take the one without it (at the same price). Buying digital technology from BMW can be an exercise in frustration, since it will always be out of date/obsolete. The multi-year design and build cycles dictate that. Just ask all the people who still have a holder in their BMW armrest for a Motorola cell phone that hasn't been sold in years.

3rd row sacrifices luggage space, in exchange for a seat only good for smallish children (and only if you don't want to bring much luggage along with you; in my experience small children often result in additional luggage). If I honestly needed to carry 7 people I would get a real van, an Expedition Max, or a Suburban.

[GoVols!]

Originally Posted by Kloogy

Personally, I cannot stand driving a vehicle that is not loaded with options. Therefore , according to your choices, I would get the X5D. A similarly loaded 50i will put you damn near X5M Territory. It's sad to see base model luxury vehicles. Makes me think the person could barely afford it.

Or maybe those buyers didnt see the need for a bunch of showy gadgets that are expensive to repair and just wanted the car itself. I personally see no difference between the $2,000 BMW nav and a $200 Garmin other than the Garmin works better and I have added $$$ in my pocket to spend on a ski trip.

Cameras to help parking? I've been parking just fine for years. Why do I need a camera just because BMW offers one? Maybe in Manhattan it could come in handy, but I might parallel park once a month. Maybe.

It's all personal choice, so if you like the goodies and are willing to pay for them, good for you. Don't assume that all of us with other personal preferences couldnt afford the car though. We just value other things more than fancy gadgets.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by JCL

I consider the tech package a set of nuisance features that detract from the overall vehicle. It has Nav (no use for it); cameras (I have three mirrors, thanks); voice integration (not interested) and BMW tele-services. The car already has service reminders, why do I need the dealer calling me to remind me to read the message on the dash? I can see the benefits to having Nav in a rental car in a new city. At home, in my personal car, no thanks.

I fully understand that some like it, and that is great for them. Given two identical vehicles, with and without tech package, I would personally take the one without it (at the same price). Buying digital technology from BMW can be an exercise in frustration, since it will always be out of date/obsolete. The multi-year design and build cycles dictate that. Just ask all the people who still have a holder in their BMW armrest for a Motorola cell phone that hasn't been sold in years.

3rd row sacrifices luggage space, in exchange for a seat only good for smallish children (and only if you don't want to bring much luggage along with you; in my experience small children often result in additional luggage). If I honestly needed to carry 7 people I would get a real van, an Expedition Max, or a Suburban.

If you don't select tech or standalone Nav you get that goofy small screen with the extra large bezel. Just doesn't look right.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by apw2607

If you don't select tech or standalone Nav you get that goofy small screen with the extra large bezel. Just doesn't look right.

So I should choose the model with the nicer bezel? Does it make the car drive better? Screen size is irrelevant for those of us who just set up the temperature controls once, and occasionally reset the service indicators and TPMS on it.