[Fro]

Hi all,

I am new to the forums, but have been lurking for a bit. My wife and I are going to have our first kid in the coming year. So, it would seem that my Mustang GT, while a fun car, is not very practical for hauling around a kid and our 14 year old lab mix. In order to remedy this problem, I started looking at Audi's and BMW's. I think we have finally settled on a line, X3, but are going back and forth on which model, 28i or 35i. We both would prefer a 6 cylinder motor (we live out in Arizona and going up and down I17 quite a bit and have learned from past experience that you want as much oomph as possible out there (let alone to avoid the influx of crazy drivers moving into the state). That being said, we have a budget we would like to stay with.

I have identified two models that would serve our needs; the first: http://www.bmwoftucson.com/new/BMW/2...51fe59cc7e.htm

The second:
http://www.chapmanbmw.com/Phoenix-BM...5i-X460066.htm

Of the two, we prefer the second, but, as you may note, it is about 5 grand more. Now, I understand fully that the choice is ours. My hope is that those of you who have owned either might provide some advice on your thoughts on the 28i (AWD) vs 35i (AWD). That you might also speak generally about your experiences when it came to longevity and reliability of BMW. And lastly, what your experience is when it came to negotiations with your dealer (again, I realize that I might not get the same deal, but I appreciate any and all knowledge I can get).

Thanks for reading.

[Pinewood]

Go for the 35i. Nearly every guy that buys the 28i, then starts looking at ways to remap it or boost the power.
It depends on budget of course, but your coming from a Mustang, so i can't see you being happy with a lower powered car.

[MichiganMike]

My wife and I have two X3 35i SAVs. In my opinion the power delivery is upgraded and smoother with the 35i. The 35i also has Xenon lights and HK surround sound standard while these options do not appear to be included in the 28i you are considering.

If you search for threads on halogen lights in the X3 you will find many owners disappointed they did not purchase the Xenon lighting package. This is another reason to favor the 35i.

[02420X3]

Two thoughts -

1 - Go for the 35i. If it were me, I would not expect to pay sticker price. I would go to one of the sites that provides invoice pricing, determine the invoice price for the X3 in question, and start negotiating at about $1000 under invoice. If you settle for $500 or $1000 over invoice you'll be in a reasonable range, but some do better. Be sure that you understand the true value of your tradein too.

2 - Why lock yourself into buying off the lot? Go to the BMW USA website and play around with the Build tool. X3s are built in South Carolina. Sure, the dealer would like to move their inventory, but you can have one built exactly the way that you want it. X3s are built on an allocation basis - dealers are allocated 28i and 35i build slots. For US buyers, if the dealer has a build slot reasonably soon, then there is no major delay in getting the X3. That also gives you the opportunity to see which dealer will give you the best price on the exact vehicle that you want. Don't forget to ask about available build slots...

As to reliability, there is a popular school of thought that one should not own a BMW that is out of warranty.

[02420X3]

And what Mike said about Xenons!

[Fro]

Thanks for the responses so far. Keep 'em coming!

[Scandic24]

Regardless of choice of engine, I agree with with 02420X3: Build your own and get the bells and whistles you want.
I can recommend the Adaptive LED headlights, they are amazing.

[MichiganMike]

There are certainly advantages to building an X3 to your exact preferences as has been suggested. Ordering a new X3 will mean it is a 2017 model.

However, many BMW dealers are offering less of a discount on a 2017 model relative to a 2016 model. In addition, the 2017 model year reduces no-cost maintenance to 3 years or 36,000 miles with some additional exclusions, whereas the 2016 model year offers 4 years or 48,000 miles of no-cost maintenance. The warranty is 4 years on both the 2017 and 2016 X3.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/07/st...d-maintenance/

[Alfisti]

I just bought a 35i and am disappointed with the power. Have an X1 with the 2T and it feels livelier so cannot imagine the 2T in the X3.

[Alfisti]

Also how long are you keeping it? The X3 is due for replacement next year so if this is a 3 or 4 year thing i'd buy CPO, brand new they are crazy expensive.

[Tjalle]

Alfisti, you are sure to utilize engine and gearbox?

If manual - or AUTO with MAN- you should use 4000-6500 rpm for best response/acceleration. If "short" overtaking I always go to MAN and downshift to 4000/4500 - kick in next gear at 6500 rpm and you are home free.

[Alfisti]

Yeah that's my issue with it, power is there but compared to the 2T and the X1 combo ya gotta wring it's neck.

At least when i press the pedal the car moves, the X1 bakes a cake then decides to get going with all 240HP at once. Chronic throttle lag.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I just bought a 35i and am disappointed with the power. Have an X1 with the 2T and it feels livelier so cannot imagine the 2T in the X3.

You might want to have your X3 35i checked or perhaps you need to reset the transmission programming or your internal speed sensors. Looking at Car & Driver's test results for the 2015 X3 35i compared to the 2013 X1 28i and 2016 X1 28i, the X3 is 10% to 15% quicker to speed in virtually every acceleration test. This is a significant difference in IMHO.

0-30 mph X3 35i 1.8 sec '13 X1 28i 2.0 sec '16 X1 2.4 sec
0-40 mph 2.8 sec 3.2 sec 3.4 sec
0-50 mph 3.9 sec 4.4 sec 4.8 sec
0-60 mph 5.3 sec 6.0 sec 6.4 sec
5-60 mph 6.1 sec 6.8 sec 7.2 sec
30-50 mph 3.0 sec 3.4 sec 3.4 sec
50-70 mph 3.8 sec 4.0 sec 4.5 sec

[Alfisti]

Yeah i suspect it's the power band that makes it feel different. Ya gotta stomp the gas pedal.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Yeah i suspect it's the power band that makes it feel different. Ya gotta stomp the gas pedal.

Are you driving your X3 in Sport or Comfort settings? If you are in the Comfort setting, the Sport setting may improve the responsiveness.

[exon]

I have 35i too. Pricing-wise it is a very good deal as you got many extras as standard (esp xenon lights and pano sunroof, i believe the steering wheel is upgraded over the 28i too.)

Power-wise it is a more complex story, 35i is noticeably more powerful at speed, so if you find yourself often revving at 3500rpm+ on highway, definitely go for the 35i. Stock 28i will start to run out of breath at that RPM.

But at local driving, 28i feels lighter on its feet. More revvy and less lazy than the bigger 35i. 35i can feel slightly lumpy at low speed, esp. on partial throttle/partial boost situation. 28i also feels less nose heavy.

35i have a more audible exhaust note in the cabin, but it is a smooth buzzing inline 6 sound. The 28i sound is very quiet at cruising, with a slightly more coarse but lower pitched sound (less sporty, more laid back) under acceleration. 28i can sound a bit like diesel when cold though.

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by Scandic24

Regardless of choice of engine, I agree with with 02420X3: Build your own and get the bells and whistles you want.
I can recommend the Adaptive LED headlights, they are amazing.

Yeah agreed, they are amazing. I even have passengers with poor night vision saying they can see clearly when in my vehicle

[TJNies]

I definitely agree about needing xenons, but disagree that the 28i is slow. It feels nicely balanced, and plenty quick.

If you want sports car acceleration and handling get a sedan. The extra weight and distribution of the weight mean any SUV is at a huge disadvantage.

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by TJNies

I definitely agree about needing xenons, but disagree that the 28i is slow. It feels nicely balanced, and plenty quick.

If you want sports car acceleration and handling get a sedan. The extra weight and distribution of the weight mean any SUV is at a huge disadvantage.

So wrong mate. I regularly trounce so called "sports sedans" and they ain't happy :-)

[Fro]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

There are certainly advantages to building an X3 to your exact preferences as has been suggested. Ordering a new X3 will mean it is a 2017 model.

However, many BMW dealers are offering less of a discount on a 2017 model relative to a 2016 model. In addition, the 2017 model year reduces no-cost maintenance to 3 years or 36,000 miles with some additional exclusions, whereas the 2016 model year offers 4 years or 48,000 miles of no-cost maintenance. The warranty is 4 years on both the 2017 and 2016 X3.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/07/st...d-maintenance/

Very good points. I had heard about the warranty shift/reduction on the 2017. I definitely hear you on getting a better discount on a 2016.

[TJNies]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

So wrong mate. I regularly trounce so called "sports sedans" and they ain't happy :-)

I guess it depends on your choice of "adversaries". There's any number of sport sedans (and even built by BMW) that will leave you in their dust. Except off-road...

[Pinewood]

Well if i can regularly mix it with 330i, 330d and merc c320's i would say it's not as slow as you think it is