Which would you choose? - X5d vs X5 50i

[F150 Duke]

I'm going to test drive the 50i next weekend with my wife. My parents are looking at a 35i now so I'm fine to stall a bit and see if we can work a two car deal at $500 over invoice on both.

The tempting thing about the diesel for me is the fuel savings vs the 50i. Using the Gov calculator....

50i- Avg 16 MPG over tank/15,000 miles per year/$3.60 per gallon on prem

35d- Ave 22 MPG over tank/15,000 miles per year/$3.79 per gallon on diesel


It gave me a cost savings in the neighborhood of $668 per year. While I know that's not a huge sum in the big scheme of things, it definitely helps.


The plus to the V8 is it's a gas engine which we are used to. Don't have to worry about getting annoyed by any diesel sounds or potential troubles in the frozen north of MN.

[midwest x6]

Originally Posted by F150 Duke

I'm going to test drive the 50i next weekend with my wife. My parents are looking at a 35i now so I'm fine to stall a bit and see if we can work a two car deal at $500 over invoice on both.

The tempting thing about the diesel for me is the fuel savings vs the 50i. Using the Gov calculator....

50i- Avg 16 MPG over tank/15,000 miles per year/$3.60 per gallon on prem

35d- Ave 22 MPG over tank/15,000 miles per year/$3.79 per gallon on diesel


It gave me a cost savings in the neighborhood of $668 per year. While I know that's not a huge sum in the big scheme of things, it definitely helps.


The plus to the V8 is it's a gas engine which we are used to. Don't have to worry about getting annoyed by any diesel sounds or potential troubles in the frozen north of MN.

Jason -- As you know, I've owned both the TTV8 and now the Diesel...I will tell you this, the V8 is intoxicating power and has a damn nice audio-trak...

The Diesel smell? NONE and the torque curve provides wonderful everyday driving experience..425lb ft of torque at low rpm is a wonderful thing.

So why did I switch?

1). X6 vs X5: I like the X5 better for ED Driving.

2). Finances: Kid going to college this fall and BMW worked a great deal for me to get out of the X6 and into the 5'er..Which freed-up a bunch of $$ per month for us. Add to that the @ pump frequency and cost...

It's terrific filling-up every two weeks+ vs every 7-10 days.My diesel is getting just under 22mpg...This is just after break-in and during cold MN winter. My X6 TTV8? 14mpg (avg across city/hwy).

Diesel gas yesterday - $3.99 gal vs $3.76 premium gasoline

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a BMW V8. Hell, I've owned 550, 540 and X6 with em --

But with a kid coming up on college, gas within spitting distance of $4.00/gal, ED driving experience etc..The 5'er diesel was perfect for me - may not be for you?

My next v8? In an M3 someday!

Good luck - they are both great powerplants and I'm sure you'll pick the right one for you and your family..

[Richard in NC]

What I noticed more than the low RPM torque in the 335d was the nice power around 3-4K RPMs. When you need to move out, that's where the engine lives.

The TTV8 also has gobs of low RPM torque, and it needs it because the 8 speed auto lives in the 1200-1500 RPM range when poking along. But I could tell the diesel had a bit more down there. The V8 wants to be 1500+ and the 8 spd auto, obliges and readily downshifts a gear with light throttle. If you are in stupid traffic that can't decide how fast to go, the auto hunts a bit but the shifting is so smooth, I don't consider it a problem and on a grade it will stay dropped a gear.

I was just thinking the 6 speed in the diesel is a disadvantage but it doesn't need it because the RPM range isn't as great as in the TT V8 or 3.0 TT.