35 or 50? Another NewB thread

[v.ru]

I know this is probably an age-old question. Sorry if it has been discussed.

I'm looking to lease an X6 in the next few months, and since I am pretty spoiled with the options on my current ride, I'll want a well-loaded vehicle. So far, I'm finding that the difference between a well-equipped "35" and comparable "50" is about 2-3 grand - that is, in the configurations that I'm getting on bmwusa.com. And if the difference is only about 50-60 bucks a month, maybe it makes sense to already get the bigger engine?

My other option is a diesel X5, that I'd chip, but I do like X6 better in terms of looks.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

[alistairg]

I had the x6 35 before my current x6 50. It's actually a tough call

50i PROS:
- Sounds incredible
- Serious go

50i CONS:
- Sh***y gas mileage. Averaging 12mpg now vs 16-17 then (admittedly only got 800 miles on new one, so still running in)
- Not convinced handling is quite as surefooted, as the weight balance is different. With a load in the trunk or rear passengers tho it's a wash.

I prefer the 50i, and always (ever so slightly) regretted not getting it last time, but either is an incredibly fun car to drive, unique, and fairly practical to boot.

[v.ru]

Adding to my confusion, I see I suppose, the only way to really know is to test both, but does the 35i have real "balls" when it comes to power?

[barbja]

I had a 2011 x5 35d and traded it for a 2012 x6 35i.

I pretty much hated driving the 35d. I had come out of a 7yo x5 e53. The 35d drove too danged big by comparison. Highway driving was excellent, but 80% of my driving is in town where the 35d less than shines.

Driving my x6 is awesome in almost every way compared to both my old e53 and e70. My passengers prefer the x6 too. I have only two complaints: I hit my head almost every time I get into the car (and I'm only 5'4") and the rear window fills only about half the rear view mirror. I've learned to more than accommodate for the rear window by relying more on the side mirrors. I've had a whole lot less 'close calls' than I have in years.

Does the 35i have balls? Certainly not if you compare it to the 50i. I'm an ultra aggressive driver and I would obviously prefer the 50i, but I learned how to drive on a manual xmission over 30 years ago. Using sport mode and/or manual, I can make that car fly. Just using your foot in regular mode, it's a little lack-luster at slow speed.

Why didn't I get a 50i? I'm just too lazy to purposefully put myself into a position to have to fill up my gas tank after only 250 miles. When i drive a full tank out in town in my 35i, i only get 14-16mpg (aggressive driver + Lots of short trips and stop lights = BAD gas mileage -- I got only 18-20 in town with my 35d) what do you think I'd get out of a 50i? 10?? Put a 35 gal gas tank on that puppy and I'm there!

[doug_999]

Was faced with the same dilemma (well not the diesel part since we can't get that here in the states). Was pretty set on the 3.5 - car feels light and moves nicely.

Then, I started a 50i up. Thought it had an aftermarket exhaust it sounded so good. Turns out that's stock - the pure V8 sound upon starting an accelerating.

I agree, the 35 felt more nimble. I agree the 35 used less gas. I agree the 35 was more than enough power for this car.

However. in the end, the sound and the serious torque that comes out of the V8 was just too much to pass up.

[v.ru]

Still selling my car. Went to the dealership to kick some tires and I must agree with barbja - that rear window on the X6 is essentially non-existent. Very poor visibility through the interior rear-view mirror. I'd imagine, without a back up camera, this car is un-parkable on NYC streets

Like any red-blooded American, I love me some V8 sound. But it's not a key selling point to me - I'd rather be a little more frugal and save some $$. I'm pretty much decided that once I sell my current car, I'll shoot for the 35i. I've found one decent deal on a 2009 35i with the N54, but I have some concerns regarding the fuel pump - especially, since the car is on the West Coast and needs to be driven here. Last thing I want is for it to fail mid-trip.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, everybody! Now, how do I go about getting me some of those flower-power 20's?

[alistairg]

The 35i is an awesome car. I had the N54 engine in my last two (a 335i and my last X6) and never had the slightest issue with the fuel pump.

BMW have now worked out what was causing the problem, so even if you did have an issue - it can be fixed without major hassle. They've also (I'm sure I got letters on both cars!) extended the warranty on the pump issue to 7 years.

The visibility is really not as bad as you'd think. Parking with those giant mirrors is easy enough, and the camera plus PDC makes it really easy. I find parking my M3 more difficult

[v.ru]

Well, the car I'm looking at right now has the camera, so it's no biggie. If it doesn't pan out - like, if I can't sell mine in time, or something - I'll probably still pursue a car with an N54 engine. Maybe N55, if I'm leasing new. I'm not really afraid of the HPFP issue - I know about the warranty extension, the recall, and the new design of HPFP. My only concern right now is that the car I'm looking at is on the West Coast, and I'd have to get it driven over to NY - I don't want my buddy, who will be driving it, to get stuck in the middle of nowhere, and have to spend a week in some small town, where the dealer would have to be waiting for parts, or smth. I'm considering just having it shipped on a truck (though my friend is admittedly excited about the opportunity to drive it, of course - it would be his 3rd x-country trek, so he has some experience).

Anyway, thanks for the advice, y'all!

[Pex5]

I was shocked by a comparison test drive I took yesterday.

X6s, 2012 35 vs 2012 50.

Took out the 6 first. Strong motor keeps pulling as it revs (quickly compared to the V8). Although its clear the 50 has more midrange torque, the 6 felt fun to rev, whereas the V8 felt criminal doing so. 1st b/c you can just feel the world's fossil fuel deposits shrinking and secondly the car just piles on speed (very convenient for autobahn passing - but overkill at anything under 90).

Engine mapping has retarded timing between shifts for many years in luxury cars, but unshifting the 8 speed using the paddles in the V8 requires that you lift a touch or else the sound/feeling is like a large caliber shell being fired into the air. Just was not working for me.

The biggest issue though is lag. The 6 has almost none and the 8 has aplenty by 2012 standards. I got back into our 4.8 X5 and the throttle felt razor sharp compared to the 5.0. The ttV8 is excellent for mid range push. What surprised me is that it stunk 0-10 mph. That initial neck snap isn't there. The pedal goes down...pause...then power.

I'm not saying the 8 was bad, I was just expecting it to be superior to the 6 in all ways and its not. The 6 feels more sophisticated, whereas the V8 is the class bully. The 6 is for a woman, the 8 is for a dude.

After the fluctuating gas bills over the last 3 years, I was actually happy that the wife preferred the 6.

Now we have to decide whether to take one out of inventory to utilize these killer deals, or put an order in since her lease is up in March.

Regards,
DRP

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Pex5

I was shocked by a comparison test drive I took yesterday.

X6s, 2012 35 vs 2012 50.

Took out the 6 first. Strong motor keeps pulling as it revs (quickly compared to the V8). Although its clear the 50 has more midrange torque, the 6 felt fun to rev, whereas the V8 felt criminal doing so. 1st b/c you can just feel the world's fossil fuel deposits shrinking and secondly the car just piles on speed (very convenient for autobahn passing - but overkill at anything under 90).

Engine mapping has retarded timing between shifts for many years in luxury cars, but unshifting the 8 speed using the paddles in the V8 requires that you lift a touch or else the sound/feeling is like a large caliber shell being fired into the air. Just was not working for me.

The biggest issue though is lag. The 6 has almost none and the 8 has aplenty by 2012 standards. I got back into our 4.8 X5 and the throttle felt razor sharp compared to the 5.0. The ttV8 is excellent for mid range push. What surprised me is that it stunk 0-10 mph. That initial neck snap isn't there. The pedal goes down...pause...then power.

I'm not saying the 8 was bad, I was just expecting it to be superior to the 6 in all ways and its not. The 6 feels more sophisticated, whereas the V8 is the class bully. The 6 is for a woman, the 8 is for a dude.

After the fluctuating gas bills over the last 3 years, I was actually happy that the wife preferred the 6.

Now we have to decide whether to take one out of inventory to utilize these killer deals, or put an order in since her lease is up in March.

Regards,
DRP

Weird - I had the exact same experience. In fact, one of the challenges I have with my 50 is that it is hard to get it off the line smooth - it GOES unless you totally feather the throttle (the 2010 and earlier with the 6 speed auto do not have this issue IMHO).

I thought the 6 was nice - but it was no rocket. The 50 however is scary fast.

I do however notice lag occasionally - that tends to be when I'm in a higher gear and then slowing down and need to go. But never off the line. I would suggest you go test drive them again... wait come to think of it, don't - you might just end up spending more cash than you need to.

In all seriousness however, I didn't get the 8 for the power, I got it for the sound.