We've had our 35d since Feb 2009. We really like it. We have 23000 miles on it and average about 26mpg city and highway combined. It has plenty of power and ours is "nicely equipped". The only problem was the dealer learning how to refill the diesel exhaust fluid correctly. I think they have that figured out now.:D The diesel is so smooth and no smell or soot. It also is quiet and does not clatter. The only time it sounds like a diesel is when it's cold. Once it warms up you hardly know its diesel. You really notice the massive torque when you step on the accelerator. Most of the time you can keep it under 2000rpm and enjoy the smooth economical ride.

I sold my 04 4.8is and got a 2010 35d. I was a little worried I was going to miss the power of the 4.8. I haven't missed the car 1 day. I absolutely love the 35d, I was having so much fun driving it, I didn't drive my M5 for 2 months!
I have over 5k miles in 2 months and love the range the car gives me.

OP - looks like you've got your answer. 11,000 miles on my '09, and I too love it. I'm in Wisconsin and no dead battery, no tough cold starts, no issues with my urea reservoir (which had it's scheduled 10K fill last month) and I'm also getting about 22 MPG with city driving using winter blends (was getting 28-29 last fall with "normal" diesel). I loved my previous 330 ZHP and miss it but don't regret the trade - this X5 is a definite step up. Great cruiser, luxurious, can haul a boat and kids, TONS of torque and power, and still sporty enough that I have no qualms throwing it hard through the turns. Plus you'd get the new iDrive...

P.S. - order it for pick up at the Performance Center in SC like me and others here and you'll REALLY see what an X5d can do...

9 months so far with no problems. Lots of power, good mileage, and very well behaved on snow and ice (with winter tires). No question about, I would do it again.

Still deciding ... reliability issues with my 35d. Ask me again when replacement comes in a few weeks. We pay big dollars here in Aus so its a big investment (e.g. $>100k USD).. and when things go wrong you start to question the 'investment' ...esp when you have a lemon that has to be replaced .. just bad luck as 99.9% of people wouldnt get the plethora of problems that I've had ... fingers crossed for next one...

also - after driving new 5 series you certainly notice just how bumpy and heavy an X5 is .... something I will consider ..but ride height and xDrive safety sealed it more for us ..now if only the 5GT was cheaper !! even though it looks like the robot had a bad day with 5GT ...

on a positive note - my wife loves the X5 ..and originally she didnt like the look of it and hated the interior ..now she's very happy to do the school runs ...we even had our first mall carpark door-ding ceremony by some *uckwit shitbox driver a few weeks back ..now we use valet :)

Well, we are newbies with only 350 miles so far, but we are loving it. It's a beautiful, comfortable machine.

2009 bought in 2/09, with 13k mi, and I wouldn't want anything else. I absolutely love the diesel. I was hoping that the new 5-series would get a diesel as well so I can pick one up for the wifey...Hopefully they will add it soon.....

I'm coming up on 2000 miles and I'm totally in love with this car.

Remember most people who post on forums post because they're having a problem. People without problems do not post. For every person with an issue there are hundreds enjoying their vehicles issue-free.

Remember, your head is not just a hat rack. :)

Went from a 4.8 to a 3.5d. The 3.5d drives like the 4.8 but the mileage is so much better. The updated electronics are also nice. The sound of the engine is different but a small price to pay.

My 4.8 had adaptive drive. I didn't use it much so I didn't get it for the 3.5d. I have noticed that the 3.5d is less firm. It still drives great and I am still not convinced that adaptive drive is worth $3500; however, even in normal (not sport mode), there seems to be a difference when you get the adaptive drive option.

Space gray and saddle is beautiful - but I am biased.

As almost everyone has said, its got lots of power and more torque than the petrols which is great. Low fuel consumption relatively speaking however for me, despite all the above, I still prefer the smoothness (eg. less vibrations) of a petrol engine. That is not to say I won't buy another 35d.