First Drive in an 35d
 

I finally got to the BMW dealership today to try a new E70 x35d.

I was extremely impressed with this diesel vehicle. As I said to the dealer, driving this vehicle is like cheating the system. It has great low end performance - better than the 3.0 and it just seemed to move forward with less effort than the 4.8 in city driving. All of this while getting great fuel mileage - better than bothe the 3.0 which has less power and the 4.8 which has similar performance. My 1/2 hour trip in the city with a fairly light foot yielded about 11L/100KM on this new vehicle.

I found the acceleration to be a bit surreal. The first time I stepped lightly on the accelerator pedal, I wasn't prepared for how quickly the vehicle moved forward. I didn't notice any turbo lag.

I didn't find perfection though. I found the ride a bit harsh with the standard wheel size and suspension. Also, a disappointment in an otherwise perfect engine was an annoying vibration sound at idle. I think it would bother me in slow stop and go traffic (Maybe I should turn the radio up??). Has any one else noticed this? Other than at idle, the engine is perfect. I don't know why anyone would pick the 4.8 unless higher speed performance was of interest (it isn't to me).

I'm wondering if the harsh ride (much stiffer than a 3.0si I drove a year or two ago) has to do with the run flats. If so, can alternate tires be fitted? Is there room for a spare in the storage compartment below the floor of the cargo area?

grover

I've got 21" runflats, plus a space-saver spare since I didn't take the third row seat option. I don't find the ride harsh but not having driven an earlier model I have nothing to compare against.

Mine doesn't have any vibration at idle, but it is noticeably noisier idling than a petrol from outside, or if you have your windows down - which I rarely do

I wouldn't say there is a vibration exactly (the engine is smooth), but there is a buzzing kind of sound in the car that disappears as soon as you step on the gas. The faint clatter at idle is a different sound. It doesn't bother me.

As for the tires, I'd consider changing to non run flats but only if I can have a space saver spare. There didn't seem to be any place to attach a spare in the under floor storage area. How is yours secured?

I can't recall, I think it might be with a centre screw type thing - it's in there from the factory though, all good and proper.

Were you looking at a model with the third row of seats maybe? I know you can't have the space saver if you take that option.

It didn't have 3rd row seats although the brochure says they are available. Does your vehicle have the 35d engine (twin turbo)?

I have a 3.0sd in the UK, 5 seater, the space saver goes in the well under the hatch on the boot / cargo floor. £140 from my dealer with jack, wheal brace etc etc.

yep, 3.0 twin turbo diesel

I have 35d and don't have any buzzing or vibration from the engine.
From the outside the engine does have a slight distinct diesel sound but much softer than the traditional trucks. It is hardly noticeable between the petroleum engine and evn even less noticeable inside.

I think because of the adblue system in the back, there is no spare tire.
at less that is the case if you have a 3rd row seats. You should check with your dealer.

You can go non-RFT, lot of tire selection, check tirerack.com
Just carry tire sealant and a air compressor package(Green Slime sealant stuff).

Thanks hhm,

I'll have to check another vehicle. Actually, besides the optioned cost of the vehicle (eek), the only things that bothered me was the stiffness of the ride on some surfaces and the sound at idle (that vibration "drone" sound at idle). If you haven't noticed it, maybe it was just the vehicle I drove. I'll have to check another. As for general noise, I agree it is almost as quiet as a gas engine, except for a slight muted clatter, which didn't bother me at all. I think the ride issue can be dealt with by changing out the run flats as long is there is a way to keep going after a puncture.

grover

I don't have any vibration either. My car rode much better with Michelin tires. My car came in with damaged wheels from the factory. The dealer swapped out my wheels and tires last Weds. Now I have Bridgestone tires that ride stiffer and have a lot more road noise. They only had one 3.0i with the sport package, so I wasn't able to get Michelin tires again. They also didn't want to swap my tires from my damaged wheels. I will wear these tires out and go back to Michelin's. What brand tires did the demo have? Also, did it have the sport package? Mine has the sport package and I don't think it's that rough.

Craig