X5 35i vs X5 35d

[EmPower]

We are about to pull the trigger on an X5. While I would like the 35d; my wife does not want to wait another 3 (maybe 4) months for the truck to arrive.

Is the 35i a sound decision? I have owned a 335i in the past and had nothing but problems with it. 4 fuel pumps, other things breaking and luckily the warranty took care of it. My question is, how reliable are the N55 motors? Do people still get limp modes due to the fuel pumps?

Another thing I spoke to my SA and he said that i could use 89 octane gas with the 35i. Is that true?

[ND40oz]

Yeah, it says the minimum required is 89 octane, but I wouldn't use it if you have the option of 91 or 93. If you're that worried about mileage and gas prices I'd just wait for the 35d.

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

Yeah, it says the minimum required is 89 octane, but I wouldn't use it if you have the option of 91 or 93. If you're that worried about mileage and gas prices I'd just wait for the 35d.

Its not as much being worried about mileage and gas as it is worrying about the N55. After my N54 tribulations and hearing about people's issues with N55s; I am a little afraid

[chrisny]

Leasing or buying? To me, the extra cost of the diesel outweighs the mpg savings unless you're keeping it long term or for a lot of miles, or unless you need the diesel for towing.

[AndreyATC]

Diesel = less trips to gas stations
That adds convenience besides savings
Price difference is minimal and might give it edge in savings over 35i
If i went with 6-cyl it would be 35d, otherwise 50i
I wouldnt even consider N55 for a truck

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Diesel = less trips to gas stations
That adds convenience besides savings
Price difference is minimal and might give it edge in savings over 35i
If i went with 6-cyl it would be 35d, otherwise 50i
I wouldnt even consider N55 for a truck

My wife has a 2013 35i and I've had a 2011 35d. Her gas motor is smoother and sounds a lot sportier than my 35d ever did..

For me, if I was to get an f'15? I'd probably opt for the gas burner even though i loved the torque on the diesel. Does the f15 diesel have the 8 speed tranny? If it didn't, that would be a deal breaker for me.

[rmastale]

The N55 in my F10 is simply awesome. The N55 in my new F15 is even better so far.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

My wife has a 2013 35i and I've had a 2011 35d. Her gas motor is smoother and sounds a lot sportier than my 35d ever did..

For me, if I was to get an f'15? I'd probably opt for the gas burner even though i loved the torque on the diesel. Does the f15 diesel have the 8 speed tranny? If it didn't, that would be a deal breaker for me.

It's a new diesel engine and new-to-diesel 8-speed tranny
It's completely different drivetrain compared to E70 X5
I'm actually torn between 35d and 50i
35i was never even considered
To me, i either wanna go economical, save on payments and gas with 35d or get monster V8 with crazy power and have fun
35i does not offer the punch of 50i and it's not nearly as good on gas as 35d

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by EmPower

Its not as much being worried about mileage and gas as it is worrying about the N55. After my N54 tribulations and hearing about people's issues with N55s; I am a little afraid

What issues are you hearing about the N55?

[AEC]

I drove the E70 35i and 35d back-to-back when trying to decide which engine I'd get for my F15. While I understand the diesel engine and transmission have been improved for 2014, here are my observations:

1. The gasoline engine was much smoother and the free-revving nature of the gas engine made it feel much sportier than the diesel if you want to wind it out. The gas engine is very smooth and refined around town but sounds great when you open it up.
2. Although the diesel engine was by far the best diesel I had ever driven, make no mistake, it still sounds (and smells) like a diesel. Definite diesel clattering at idle and under load inside the cabin. I much prefer the sound of the gas engine.
3. I don't really buy in the "economical" arguments for the diesel. Setting the side the issue of saving a few hundred bucks a year when purchasing a $70k vehicle as being "economical", the diesel costs more than the gas engine and diesel fuel cost more per gallon than premium gas. In the Northeast and Midwest, diesel fuel gets more expensive in the winter making it much more expensive than premium gas. I think you would need to have to drive much more than the average person to see any meaningful savings from driving the diesel.
4. As far as the diesel being more convenient because you have to fill the tank less, you have to balance that with the inconvenience of relative difficulty in finding a gas station that has a diesel pump. Many if not most suburban gas stations in my area don't sell diesel.

IMO, part of the appeal of the diesel comes from the fact that it is less common in the US than gas engines and that it is more popular in Europe. Some people like to have something that is different from everyone else. I get that. I think it's important for people to drive both and then make a decision.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by AEC

3. I don't really buy in the "economical" arguments for the diesel. Setting the side the issue of saving a few hundred bucks a year when purchasing a $70k vehicle as being "economical", the diesel costs more than the gas engine and diesel fuel cost more per gallon than premium gas. In the Northeast and Midwest, diesel fuel gets more expensive in the winter making it much more expensive than premium gas. I think you would need to have to drive much more than the average person to see any meaningful savings from driving the diesel.
4. As far as the diesel being more convenient because you have to fill the tank less, you have to balance that with the inconvenience of relative difficulty in finding a gas station that has a diesel pump.

^ this.

Same point I made, unless you drive more than average or keep the car for at least 5 years, you're not getting any cost savings. I like diesels, don't get me wrong. I see the appeal of the added torque, but you can't look at a few mpg improvement in a vacuum. Add the cost of that fuel and the additional cost of the car compared to the 35i. That takes time to recoup. That's why I asked if the OP was leasing or buying. To me, a diesel doesn't make sense on a lease.

[EmPower]

Thanks for the feedback guys. As I mentioned earlier; the N54/ 55 have been notorious with some issue or another. I have read and experienced way too many 'limp' modes for my liking. Even to this day owners of F30 335i's are experiencing limp modes. My question is have these motors gotten more reliable over time, or are these issues more the exception than the norm?

[AEC]

Originally Posted by EmPower

Thanks for the feedback guys. As I mentioned earlier; the N54/ 55 have been notorious with some issue or another. I have read and experienced way too many 'limp' modes for my liking. Even to this day owners of F30 335i's are experiencing limp modes. My question is have these motors gotten more reliable over time, or are these issues more the exception than the norm?

I am aware that there were widespread issues with the N54 (especially the HPFP problem), but I haven't heard of any widespread problems with the N55. Since BMW uses the N55 in almost every model line it sells, I'm sure we would know it if there were major problems.

FWIW, I just sold my 335i coupe with the N54 motor. I never had a single issue with the car. The engine performed flawlessly for 4.5 years of ownership.

[ND40oz]

Definitely the exception, the N54s could have issues with the HPFP, injectors and wastegate all of which have been updated throughout the years to fix issues. I haven't heard of any of the same issues with the N55, other then an occasional problem here and there which you can have with any vehicle.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by chrisny

^ this.

Same point I made, unless you drive more than average or keep the car for at least 5 years, you're not getting any cost savings. I like diesels, don't get me wrong. I see the appeal of the added torque, but you can't look at a few mpg improvement in a vacuum. Add the cost of that fuel and the additional cost of the car compared to the 35i. That takes time to recoup. That's why I asked if the OP was leasing or buying. To me, a diesel doesn't make sense on a lease.

35i vs 35d lease is a wash
Price difference between these two is $1,500, which is roughly $18/mo on 12k/36k
So you are paying ~$250 more /year for diesel, but saving ~$400 on gas
See this link for approximate comparo between the two (i used F10)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....34173&id=34171

Also, in my area, diesel is on every gas station and it's cheaper than premium
I just hate filling up every 350 miles, plus it's out of the way, so i need extra trip just to get there and put gas in my car
BTW, I can drive to Miami with just one stop to fill up in 35d


P.S. Side question
35d is running lower rpm on a highway cruising, does it make the car more quiet?

[AEC]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Also, in my area, diesel is on every gas station and it's cheaper than premium

Not sure where you live, but as far as I can tell, diesel costs more than premium almost everywhere in the USA.

Source: eia.gov

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

35i vs 35d lease is a wash
Price difference between these two is $1,500, which is roughly $18/mo on 12k/36k
So you are paying ~$250 more /year for diesel, but saving ~$400 on gas
See this link for approximate comparo between the two (i used F10)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....34173&id=34171

Also, in my area, diesel is on every gas station and it's cheaper than premium
I just hate filling up every 350 miles, plus it's out of the way, so i need extra trip just to get there and put gas in my car
BTW, I can drive to Miami with just one stop to fill up in 35d


P.S. Side question
35d is running lower rpm on a highway cruising, does it make the car more quiet?

I can't be certain for this model, since I never considered the diesel, but take a look at the options too, not just the base price difference. On the E70 at least, a base diesel was more expensive than a premium, and came with less options to start. Again, that may not be the case on the F15, but I would be surprised if it isn't.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by chrisny

I can't be certain for this model, since I never considered the diesel, but take a look at the options too, not just the base price difference. On the E70 at least, a base diesel was more expensive than a premium, and came with less options to start. Again, that may not be the case on the F15, but I would be surprised if it isn't.

I think they are the same this time around
Same standard features and options/packages
Try building it on the website
Now we can do that
It's probably the reason for missing Eco credit

[BMWinGE]

the reviews of the diesel have been very positive, not just for MPG, but for performance as well. I've also heard diesel resale values were better but I have not confirmed that.

[SCBMW02]

I am in same quandry. Have 2010 35d and love the torque and the mpg. A little annoying with the hesitation when first accelerating, but overall very happy with it. I don't push it hard most of the time and I get around 21.5 mpg around town and anywhere from 25.5 - over 28 mpg on the hwy depending on how fast I go, cruise control or not and whether roads are hilly or flat. Finding diesel has been no real problem, at least on interstate travel.

Thing is, my mpg rating is 19-26 and the new 35i rating is 18-27. Don't yet know what the new diesel mpg figures will be, I assume better? But how much better? Where I live diesel is 40 cents more per gallon than premium. That means about $11 more to fill diesel. If I got 2 mpg better than gas that is about 45 more miles per tank which would cost me about $5 more in gas to
go same distance. For the same cost I can go about 45-50 more miles with gas. Of course that is more fuel stops. Vehicle cost to buy is a little more for diesel. 35i is quicker to 60 if that is important. Still not sure what I will do, suppose wait and see what the actual diesel mpg numbers are, but the improved mpg with the 35i makes a strong argument to go back to gas!

[AEC]

To me, the gas engine is much more responsive and fun to drive than the diesel. I can't understand why someone would spend so much on a vehicle and then pick a powertrain based on an expected savings of $100 a year.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by AEC

To me, the gas engine is much more responsive and fun to drive than the diesel. I can't understand why someone would spend so much on a vehicle and then pick a powertrain based on an expected savings of $100 a year.

This may be the best point yet. I just priced out a US diesel vs gas per the exact specs I ordered in a 35i and price is in fact exactly the 1500 difference in base price. I don't know how the lease programs compare, but your point holds true regardless. Cost difference is minimal however you slice it, so it comes back to the standard answer, drive them both and decide for yourself which better suits your needs and desires....