Dilemma: 2011 50i M Sport Package or 2011 35D?
 

Price difference is $5k more for the 50i vs 35D.

The 50i is loaded w/ adaptive drive and a few more options (leather dash, heads up display, premium sound) than the 35D however has 20k more miles 35D.

The 35D is loaded but without adaptive drive.

I drive around 25k per year (60% hwy/40% city). Logical choice would be the 35D but wanted to know much difference is the MPG under real life driving? If the difference is only 3-4 mpg, the 50i is what my heart will choose.

i wouldnt even consider the 35d without adative drive but I drive much less than you so I can splurge on fun.

If your choice is between 35d and 50i (not 35i), then go with 50i.

The 35d should get about 6 mpg better than the 50 all around. Figuring how much you are going to drive, what % is stop and go and your local fuel prices, you will save about $1,500 per year with the 35d.

Thanks for the spread sheet. Everything says 35D is the smart choice but the heart is still saying 50i.

Yeah, it depends on what you want. I daily drive an e46 M3, so I find it a nice change of pace when we take my wife's 35d. It is very comfortable because it has 18 inch wheels and doesn't feature the sport package. I find that I am much more calm when driving it. Still has a decent amount of power though with all that torque, so it doesn't feel sluggish. However, I would imagine the 50 is a completely different beast.

As far as that info I posted, I got it from www.fueleconomy.gov.

Good luck with your search.

+1 for the 50i.

I'm a 35d owner and love it! But I will make the switch when I trade it in for the following reasons:

- I would like the additional pep sometimes.
- I want adaptive drive
- MPG doesn't matter to me because my X doesn't drive that much (I'm embarrassed to say how many km's are actually on it right now after 3 years).
- turbo lag ... grrr.
- I like the M Sport look, which wasn't available for the 35d when I bought.

how long do you plan on keeping it? May be a factor you're not considering as diesels generally last a whole lot longer.

Like FSETH, my 35d has 18's and no adaptive drive which I actually prefer the softer ride.

My onboard MPG on my 80mi round trip daily commute to work is 24 MPG.

Course... I don't feel the need to flog it all the time.

Question is... How much are you concerned about $1,500 a year?

Good points here. If you have another hotrod, the 35D might be a good choice - if it had AD the choice would be tougher. I wouldn't be without AD in the X5 - it is that good.

If you don't have a hotrod, the 50i is a pretty good one for also being an SUV! I have a 2011 501 with AD and it is a bit of a monster (I mean this in the very best way). And, have you heard a 50i? I mean, this baby's sound is intoxicating, which, wouldn't mean much if it didn't perform like it sounds, but it DOES!

All the best