[city1991]

I'm looking at 2013 X3 28i and 35i. Each at a different dealership. Both are $33,900. The 28i has 15,000 miles, another year of warranty, less loaded and they'll give me an extra 1500 on my trade. The 35i has 28,000 miles on it, is much more loaded. Drove the 35i today. It has some giddyup. Won't be able to drive the 28i until next week.

Can anyone share their opinions of theirs?

Thanks

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by city1991

I'm looking at 2013 X3 28i and 35i. Each at a different dealership. Both are $33,900. The 28i has 15,000 miles, another year of warranty, less loaded and they'll give me an extra 1500 on my trade. The 35i has 28,000 miles on it, is much more loaded. Drove the 35i today. It has some giddyup. Won't be able to drive the 28i until next week.

Can anyone share their opinions of theirs?

Thanks

The 28i is good for everyday driving. But like all 4 cylinder turbos they run out of steam in the upper range. So as long as you're not drag racing or hauling too much cargo I think you'll be fine.

[Portimao318]

Hi,
I think too that the 28i will do just fine. It uses not so much gas as the 35i. And I would think that the 28i is cheaper in maintenance.
Also, this 28i has only 15.000 miles on it, which is a big plus (and the warranty is important!).
However, it depends how many miles per year you will be driving. If you dont drive very much, the 28.000 miles for the 35i wont be an issue.
And the 35i of course is a bit faster (how important is this for you?) and as you said, more loaded, which is good.

You did not tell us what colour the cars are (inside and outside) . This might also be a matter for the decision making. I mean, which car looks nicer to you (regardless of the engine it has) ?

Let us know how the testdrive with the 28i was for you.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by city1991

The 35i has 28,000 miles on it, is much more loaded.

What are the specific options that the 35i has that the 28i does not? The lack of certain options would be enough to rule out certain vehicles for me. For example, Xenon headlamps are a major upgrade for driving at night, but are not something you are likely to notice during a test drive. The HK audio option may be important to some music lovers. A rear view camera and PDC is important to me given the blind spots in the X3. My wife deems Comfort Access to be essential.

In my opinion, the 13,000 difference in miles is not necessarily a major difference. How the cars were driven and service history may be more important. A car that only has 15,000 miles after 3 years may also pose some concerns. I might favor a well-cared for, one owner car with 28,000 largely highway miles over a similarly equipped dealer demo, rental or leased vehicle with 15,000 miles. Check the Carfax and service history of each car. Also, check in iDrive how many miles the brakes are estimated to have remaining before service, as this may indicate how each car was driven. For example, I have a 2010 BMW with 53,000 miles that the iDrive indicates still has 37,000 miles before brake service is required on the original front and rear brakes, which suggests something about how the car has been driven.

The original warranty is likely to expire on each car due to time rather than mileage. It would be advantageous to get the Inspection 1 service done under no cost maintenance, so you might confirm this will be done.

I own a 35i X3 which I found much more enjoyable to drive on the highway, particularly when merging or passing, than the 28i. If the car has auto start stop, this particularly rough and irritating to me with the 28i engine. The fuel economy difference is about 1 mpg between the 28i and 35i, which is not a significant financial factor, perhaps $50 per year.

[MichiganMike]

One additional point to consider with regard to the auto start stop feature on the 2013 X3, unless re-coded the auto start stop needs to be shut off each time the car is started if this is the driver's preference. In 2014 BMW models, the auto start stop feature defaults to the previous user mode. Some drivers find the need to reset this very irritating on 2013 models. You might see if the dealer prior to delivery will program the X3 to default to the previous user mode of the auto start stop. See SIB 12 15 12

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-allo...startstop.html

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=729556

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690247

[RhoXS]

I have had my 2016 28i for almost four weeks now and that includes an almost 1500 mile road trip from Florida to Iowa. I also had a 2011 28i X3 so I have a good comparison between the six and four cylinder engines.

Although I like the car overall I think I made a huge mistake buying the 28i instead of the 35i. The four cylinder just does not have the muscle the six cylinder did. Unless it is in Sport mode it lugs momentarily when you give it gas. Since it defaults to a wimpy mode I forget to put it in Sport mode when I start it and constantly experience the poor acceleration and lugging feeling. Even in Sport mode the four just does not have the performance of the six. My new X3 just does not have the "heart" I would expect from a BMW and its performance is sad compared to my 28i 2011 X3. It also just does not have as satisfying sound as the six has. IMO BMW made a huge mistake going to the four as its performance sucks. It does get the job done, certainly, but not in the manner I have grown accustomed to from a BMW.

[city1991]

Originally Posted by RhoXS

I have had my 2016 28i for almost four weeks now and that includes an almost 1500 mile road trip from Florida to Iowa. I also had a 2011 28i X3 so I have a good comparison between the six and four cylinder engines.

Although I like the car overall I think I made a huge mistake buying the 28i instead of the 35i. The four cylinder just does not have the muscle the six cylinder did. Unless it is in Sport mode it lugs momentarily when you give it gas. Since it defaults to a wimpy mode I forget to put it in Sport mode when I start it and constantly experience the poor acceleration and lugging feeling. Even in Sport mode the four just does not have the performance of the six. My new X3 just does not have the "heart" I would expect from a BMW and its performance is sad compared to my 28i 2011 X3. It also just does not have as satisfying sound as the six has. IMO BMW made a huge mistake going to the four as its performance sucks. It does get the job done, certainly, but not in the manner I have grown accustomed to from a BMW.

Thank you, that helps a lot. I've yet to drive the 28i, but the 35i I drove had the power and more options. I may also decide to keep my E92 instead.

[mge92]

35I over 28i anyday. The 28i is a great engine but it lacks the power.

[city1991]

I did it! Traded my 328i xdrive coupe for a 2013 X3 28i. Would have gotten the 35i from the other dealership but they were dicks.

[TJNies]

Originally Posted by city1991

I did it! Traded my 328i xdrive coupe for a 2013 X3 28i. Would have gotten the 35i from the other dealership but they were dicks.

I think you will enjoy it. While you don't have as much power, the 4 cylinder is plenty quick. Gets pretty fair gas mileage too for an SUV.

[BigJake]

Its funny, I have the 28i and I find it pretty quick for me. I guess as long as I don't try the 35i I'll be ok...

[city1991]

Originally Posted by BigJake

Its funny, I have the 28i and I find it pretty quick for me. I guess as long as I don't try the 35i I'll be ok...

I do like the 28i, just wasn't as loaded as the 35i. But I'll never give business to a crappy dealership.

[Amber]

Originally Posted by city1991

I'm looking at 2013 X3 28i and 35i. Each at a different dealership. Both are $33,900. The 28i has 15,000 miles, another year of warranty, less loaded and they'll give me an extra 1500 on my trade. The 35i has 28,000 miles on it, is much more loaded. Drove the 35i today. It has some giddyup. Won't be able to drive the 28i until next week.

Can anyone share their opinions of theirs?

Thanks

Go for the 35i you won't regret that decision. 28i is just to much of a pussy.

[city1991]

Originally Posted by Amber

Go for the 35i you won't regret that decision. 28i is just to much of a pussy.

Pussy isn't a bad thing ?

[Pinewood]

Depends on if you want a tame pussy or a growling one that excites you ;-)

[city1991]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

Depends on if you want a tame pussy or a growling one that excites you ;-)

LOL right on

[wings516]

First and foremost, I would never consider buying anything but a 6cyl BMW Post 1993.

I personally have a 90mile round trip drive for work every day. Maybe wasn't the smartest choice to get a bigger engine on mostly highway, but I am averaging about 24mpg combined with my "spirited" driving habits on the backcountry twisties.

I went with the 35i. Every time I get a 28i loaner car when I take it in for service I am quickly reminded why I went with the 35i.

To me, it is a night and day difference and I would keep my 2011 35i if somebody offered me a flat trade on a 2016 28i.


Warranty is a big deal as is with any car... How long do you plan on keeping it? How much do you drive? I drive about 24k miles a year so a 10k difference makes no difference to me and the loadout of the vehicle means more for making that long drive more comfortable.

Also keep in mind that if you ever wanted a quick power boost, the 35i will run you right around the 400's with about $350 invested. Something you won't get from the 28i.

[honeybadgerch]

For me, using the vehicle as a daily driver in a country where fuel prices are high, and road taxes are significant, I opted for the 20d when ordering my X3. Sure it's fun to have a bit more power, but for my daily needs, fairly restrictive speed limits, fuel and taxes, the lower powered model suits my real life needs much better.

This isn't saying I wouldn't look at a CPO M2 in a couple of years as a "fun time car".

[ChicagoNorthShore]

I have a 28i and drive like a maniac (bad habit) and I LOVE the 28i. Super super impressed, whether going 30mph, 70 mph, or even 100+mph. Only complaint could be when you are trying to cross traffic and you need instant power, the turbos do take a little bit to spool, but it is similar to the 35i since that also has turbos. Do not get the 28i on the basis of gas milage though, I get about 17 mpg...

[RhoXS]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNorthShore

Do not get the 28i on the basis of gas milage though, I get about 17 mpg...

I agree. I had a 2011 28i with the normally aspirated six. My 2016 28i certainly does not perform better with respect to economy but it certainly is a lot wimpier than the my 2011 six. Have to wonder what is the point of going to the six if it is not more economical other than maybe cheaper production costs.

[city1991]

Originally Posted by RhoXS

I agree. I had a 2011 28i with the normally aspirated six. My 2016 28i certainly does not perform better with respect to economy but it certainly is a lot wimpier than the my 2011 six. Have to wonder what is the point of going to the six if it is not more economical other than maybe cheaper production costs.

Yeah I really like the naturally aspirated motors from BMW. Too bad they have phased then out.

[Pinewood]

We are still lucky enough in the UK to have a 6 cyclinder diesel, but would have liked the choice of petrol versions as offered in NA.
The 3rd gen will be offered in petrol & diesel versions, due to ever tightening emission controls.