Considering year end x5 purchase
 

Can you get a better deal on the gas or diesel version? What's the best lease deal someone has seen? How much in total discounts?

Diesel has $3800 Diesel Credit + $2500 BMW Credit + elgible for $1800 Tax Credit....gasser only the $2500 BMW Credit...so all things being equal, diesel is pretty tuff to beat....i'd get the car you like regardless of credits.....i got lucky i knew i wanted the diesel.

I get the sense that Diesels are in shorter supply- given the discounts and the fact that the 1800 tax credit ends in 6 days.... all diesels are getting snapped up.

I think the consensus is that the diesel will retain resale value better.

But surely you would not make an engine decision on the basis of a few 100 dollars....

I don't see how diesel could retain it's value more. This is not an F350 or a Dodge Cummins. It's a Sport SUV. A majority of americans still shy away from diesel, due to it's lack of availability in some areas. I've owned diesel trucks for years, and had no intention on looking at a Diesel X5. But the incentives have lured a lot of people to them. Those incentives alone can bring a buyer from a lower price range, right in to X5 territory.

Article just published last week (either LA Times or WSJ-can't recall) showing that the X5-35d was #2 in holding its reasale value comparing over 100 models. Honda's CRV was #1.

Out of curiosity, why not? I mean as you said it's not a 250/2500...e.g. noise, smoke, vibration....it's very refined & smooth and get's the best mileage (granted the 11 35i/8spd came close to closing the gap)...and it's still sporty performance wise....for the 5k vehicle weight the torque curve is very nice for daily driving.

I've driven a few E92's with the N55. Love the motor. I test drove the diesel and it was surely a lot quieter than the big trucks. My sales guy was pushing me to purchase it, but I was dead set on the N55. Maybe next time I'll dive into the BMW diesel world.

I got the BMW Holiday cash ($2500), $3500 Eco Credit and they discounted the 35d about $1000.00. Everyone keeps talking about this $1800 Diesel tax credit. Just make sure you know this is NOT if you lease the car!!! The dealership told me it did not matter, lease or buy. My accountant and his partner confirmed that the $1800 credit is only for a PURCHASE.

BMW in general has pretty great resale value. The worst traditonally are Land Rover, Lincoln and most GM models!

I'm surely not an accountant, but this is the IRS Page and to my non accounting professional eye's it looks legit for a lease.

Qualified Advanced Lean-Burn Technology Vehicles

As I agree with your statement I also feel that most Americans think of diesels as NON-PROFORMANCE. And X5 owners are looking for sport. Not better mpg's. IMO.