Did I saw anything about a "new" base Ferrari? I don't remember doing that. The last thing the O.P. said at the beginning of thie thread was "opinions please". My opinion is that I wouldn't lease a car for $1,000 a month. Do we really need every "Joe Blow" policing other peoples opinions in a thread where opinions were requested? Thanks for the math on the new F-car though.

ok so heres another question...how does that 4500 off thing work...is that something that comes right off the top or do I have to claim it on my tax return..lol that probably sounds sooo stupid but bare with me folks. Obviously I can afford either 700 or 1000 but I am having second thoughts about what I could use the extra 10 grand for.
re:fseth...I def asked for opinions so I didn't take your response negatively:D

So I have spec'd a 35d online and it comes out to 62,750. Below it says diesel credit -$1800...I thought it was -4500?

That's the tax credit from the Government, not the Eco Credit from BMW... it's in addition to the $4,500 from BMW. You claim the $1,800 tac credit when you file your 2010 tax return.

P.S. If you lease the vehicle, you do not get the $1,800 tax credit... it is only for the purchase, not lease, of an X35d.

Cool. :thumbup: I wasn't trying to be negative. Just throwing out my $0.02.

Do what makes you happy. After all, as your user names states, cars are your vice.

I must say after driving a 35d loaner for 4 days, and based on my mileage I do every year, I would choose it over the 4.8i/50i. I love my V8, and I'm sure the new 50i is wonderful, but if you can get over the 1-2 sec delay in acceleration, the 35d has more uuumph on the highway with less effort (thanks mr. torque.) It's maybe .05 sec slower 0-60??

Of'course, I would miss the rumble of the V8, and would have to get used to the clanking at idle....but GL with your choice. Hey's, its an X5, so it should be good no matter.

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

I just switched to 2011 35d from 2008 4.8... No regret whatsoever! Loving mpg, loving torque, you just need to learn how to drive diesel, it does wonders. There are moments when I truly think it is more powerful than my outgoing 4.8 (especially passing on the highway!). I was pricing 50 vs 35d, and diesel came out to be approx $8K cheaper for me for comparable set of options. That translated in approx $220 /month savings. My current lease payments are $890/mo for almost-fully-loaded diesel ($73K sticker price).

Wow. Did you put down anything on top of taxes? (if you don't mind me prying) Side note: what do you all think of the dealer telling me that the $2400 of excess mile charge they are eating equates to 2400 cost to them and aka 2400 off the msrp? Thanks for all the last minute help guys!

Probably not - best route would be to check the trade-in value at a few dealerships to see where it's currently at compared to your residual. The X5s seem to be holding their value fairly well, even with overage miles.

They don't have to pay the 2400 to BMW, they'll get it for market price.

No matter what deal you are trying to work, get these numbers from the dealer. For the new X5, MSRP, selling price, residual, and money factor.

Post those numbers and I can tell you if you are getting a decent deal on the lease. If you then need to eat anything of the lease, we can add those back in to the deal (but I would strongly recommend just writing out a check for them).

Leases are pretty straight forward. They only get messy when you shop payment amount instead of the other factors I listed.

One other option to consider is a six year loan through BMW at a lower interest rate (not sure if it is currently offered). I call that the build your own lease. Payment is usually close to a lease and I find it more flexible.