[TJNies]

Originally Posted by 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

So you can beat a diesel? Or a 4-cyl Mercedes? Congrats. Try against a comparable engine layout.

[Pinewood]

330i isn't a diesel :-)

[Fro]

You guys are killing me! lol. While it is counter-intuitive to the great speed debate, what about cargo capacity with the back seats up? I know the specs, but specs only tell me cubic feet.

[Pinewood]

Yes we went off on a tangent. Seats up can fit a labrador, or 3 mid size suitcases.
I have a wife and 2 teenage kids. We can get a weekends worth of luggage in there and leave the cabin area for just food and us.
Hooe that helps

[Fro]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

Yes we went off on a tangent. Seats up can fit a labrador, or 3 mid size suitcases.
I have a wife and 2 teenage kids. We can get a weekends worth of luggage in there and leave the cabin area for just food and us.
Hooe that helps

It certainly does!

[BatteryPowered]

Just had a kid and had to get something bigger as well. Switched to X3 28 from 135i.

X3 35 was not really an option, because my dealer does not have any in stock - exclusively 28. I custom-ordered my previous bimmers, but X3 I got off the lot to save some money (10-11% off MSRP to be exact, custom ordered would be 5-6% tops).

N20 has plenty of oomph, but it does run out of steam "up there", where I don't really plan to venture since it's a family hauler.

In short I don't miss N55. 28 is not a slow car by any measure, compared to typical players in this segment which are typically in 7-8s 0-60 time.

[F30ed]

Originally Posted by TJNies

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

Today I did exactly that - went to dealership to test 35 vs 28. After this thread I expected what is said and what is logical - 35i should jump out of the stop and fly like a bird, which would be totally in line with the specs. What I discovered - it is quite in reverse. Do not lough over me yet like I am saying some nonsense. I am not saying 35i was lagging like a semi-truck and 28i was like a Ferrari, no. But, to my personal feeling, 35 was stiffer (for the lack of better description, this is about ride, not suspension) on the ride especially in low speeds. 2.0 was sort of lighter, less resistant, easy roller and still having plenty of power to merge to hi-way up-hill passing others.

I am sure i6 would shine in the high RPMs giving plenty of torque, but on low speeds (Chicago), it felt like bricks are loaded in the trunk.... 28i made better impression in that respect.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by F30ed

But, to my personal feeling, 35 was stiffer (for the lack of better description, this is about ride, not suspension) on the ride especially in low speeds. 2.0 was sort of lighter, less resistant, easy roller and still having plenty of power to merge to hi-way up-hill passing others.

I am sure i6 would shine in the high RPMs giving plenty of torque, but on low speeds (Chicago), it felt like bricks are loaded in the trunk.... 28i made better impression in that respect.

You are without question entitled to your opinion, but I had a different experience. I have driven the X3 28i as a loaner and own a X3 35i. While the X3 28i is certainly responsive, the 35i in my experience was quicker to accelerate and smoother in operation.

The six cylinder version of the X3 is about 80 pounds heavier, but this is only about 2% of the curb weight so I doubt this accounts for the differences you observed.

Possibly during your test drive largely in the city the X3 35i was mostly coasting while the X3 28i was operating at a slightly higher rpm so more in its power band. In trying the sport display on my X3, it was interesting to note how low the HP and torque demands were at lower speeds on flat streets when not accelerating. My X3 35i often runs at about 1000 to 1200 RPM in city driving in the comfort setting, so rolling acceleration often begins just above the idle speed.

Also, while you did not say I suspect you were driving both versions of the X3 in the comfort setting. The X3 35i may be even more prone to coasting in comfort mode at low speeds. It would be interesting to know if your impression would have been different in the sport setting.

[F30ed]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

Also, while you did not say I suspect you were driving both versions of the X3 in the comfort setting. The X3 35i may be even more prone to coasting in comfort mode at low speeds. It would be interesting to know if your impression would have been different in the sport setting.

You are 100% right, it was comfort mode. We already have 328, and both of us driving it in comfort 90% of time. "Sport" is good if need to pass-by quick on some rural road, but in the city with 35 mph speedlimit and stops every 200 feet sport is way uncomfortable.
I tested X3 with the approach that it is heavier, thus i-6 would suit it better. I was sure about that and even started researching future purchase assuming X3 will be 35i. But as always in life I check options just to make sure and not to be sorry, and this time I was surprised. You might be right, 28i has to be in higher RPMs to keep up, and exactly that brings sense of life and lightness at lower speeds. We live in city, so 28i feel a better match. Quite probably if tested in rural area, 35i would win by a big margin ...

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

For everyday, in traffic type driving, I thought the N20 was light, nimble and responsive - but only in sport mode.

If I was doing a lot of highway cruising? I would have acquired an X3 35i instead.

The 6 pot sounds nicer too. But I never regretted the 28i and you can look at my sig for what I've driven and what I drive as context.

My wife recently acquired an X4 28i after driving an E70 35i for many years. She much prefers the 28i - feels its peppier and lighter in town.

[Alfisti]

Our X3 was just delivered and i drove it again after the test drive and my impression remains the same, i am JUST NOT FEELING 300HP and 300 ft lb of torque, not anywhere near it.

Our previous X1 withthe 2T felt much faster and even my dang 9-3 with a 220HP 2T feels faster.

Very disappointed in the engine.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

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

Yeah it does but now it's holding gears way too long and i don't need all that noise.

Between the X1 and the X3 i am shocked how agricultural the engines and gearboxes are. Saabs 2T, Audi's 2T and Merc's V6 are far smoother and refined, no contest.

[exon]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Our X3 was just delivered and i drove it again after the test drive and my impression remains the same, i am JUST NOT FEELING 300HP and 300 ft lb of torque, not anywhere near it.

Our previous X1 withthe 2T felt much faster and even my dang 9-3 with a 220HP 2T feels faster.

Very disappointed in the engine.

It is not the engine, it is the drivetrain programing.

The 35i is very fast & smooth if you drive it in manual mode and fully explore the power of the 35i, or sports mode, or when you are really into the gas pedal.

But under normal mode, the throttle is calibrated to be very insensitive while the transmission is quite sporty.

So you end up with a situation like this:

At light gas pedal, the engine just don't make much power due to the insensitive throttle programing. (it is probably in a very high gear too).

Once you tip-in more, the engine start to make power but transmission also decides to downshift at the same time. So you get a pause then it jerks forward with big acceleration.

And there is nothing in between "too slow" and "too fast". It is a abrupt jump.

Sometimes it is so dumb that the engine waits around 2500 to 3000 due to the insensitive throttle not allowing it to rev up more. But the transmssion does not immediately upshift because it tries to be sporty... then you got a reving N55 but not much accleration.

X5 35i feels similar. But 535i seem to be tuned with much more care.

[Jordster]

I bought the 28i because $5k seemed pretty high for an engine upgrade (and the marketing in Canada is different, so it doesn't even include the Xenons AFAIK).

I am very happy with performance. In Comfort, you need to give some throttle, but you get a juicy, flat torque curve at any speed. I can merge onto the highway without breaking 2,500 RPM. In Sport, it's extremely responsive at any speed, and works well with the transmission programming and turbocharger to deliver pretty instant power and a decent amount of it.

According to Motor Trend, the LCI 28i X3 can do 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. That's fast enough for me for a CUV.

When I hear people complain it's slow, I'm guessing they just haven't got used to the throttle yet. My wife drives a 2010 Mazda3 2.5L. It's NOT a fast car (0-60 in about 8 seconds) but the throttle is very sensitive so it FEELS very fast at anything less than 50% throttle. The X3 28i on the other hand feels slow until you give it some gas.

I'll admit that if money were not a thing I'd take the 35i (obviously) but between the much higher vehicle cost and increase in fuel use, the 28i was the vehicle for me. 14 months of driving it and I have no regrets.

[Pinewood]

A 28i LCI can do 0-60 in 6 seconds!????

My LCI 3.0d does it in 5.9 seconds!

Are you sure you haven't confused mph with kph :-)

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I agree with this...Sport mode (and sport shift) vs comfort modes make a significant difference in a BMW. The ONLY TIME I drive in comfort mode is when cruising on the highway long distances. Plus the motor will smooth out over break-in too.

Originally Posted by exon

It is not the engine, it is the drivetrain programing.

The 35i is very fast & smooth if you drive it in manual mode and fully explore the power of the 35i, or sports mode, or when you are really into the gas pedal.

But under normal mode, the throttle is calibrated to be very insensitive while the transmission is quite sporty.

So you end up with a situation like this:

At light gas pedal, the engine just don't make much power due to the insensitive throttle programing. (it is probably in a very high gear too).

Once you tip-in more, the engine start to make power but transmission also decides to downshift at the same time. So you get a pause then it jerks forward with big acceleration.

And there is nothing in between "too slow" and "too fast". It is a abrupt jump.

Sometimes it is so dumb that the engine waits around 2500 to 3000 due to the insensitive throttle not allowing it to rev up more. But the transmssion does not immediately upshift because it tries to be sporty... then you got a reving N55 but not much accleration.

X5 35i feels similar. But 535i seem to be tuned with much more care.

[Jordster]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

A 28i LCI can do 0-60 in 6 seconds!????

My LCI 3.0d does it in 5.9 seconds!

Are you sure you haven't confused mph with kph :-)

I'm sure.. Link. 6.0 is not hard to believe given that the engine actually puts out close to 270hp, and the 328i can do it in 5.4 secs with the same engine. I wish I could have bought a 30d but BMW only sends the crappy diesel to this side of the pond.

http://www.motortrend.ca/en/car-revi...8i-first-test/

[Alfisti]

Problem with sport mode is it holds a gear for way too long and is too aggressive for tootling around. I'd like the faster response and quicker changes without holding until 5000rpm.

Drove the car this weekend for quite a while, power is there but yeah, you gotta hammer it to get her going.

[Jordster]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Problem with sport mode is it holds a gear for way too long and is too aggressive for tootling around. I'd like the faster response and quicker changes without holding until 5000rpm.

Drove the car this weekend for quite a while, power is there but yeah, you gotta hammer it to get her going.

I've gotten really good at turning back and forth from Comfort to Sport without taking my eyes off the road for this exact reason. Sport is great for power, and remarkably improves the steering feel and on-throttle handling, but it holds gears so long. My answer is to switch back and forth. Not often - maybe once or twice a day - but it's always there when I need it.

[rohan_b79]

The xdrive28i is a budget choice, its for those who just want the badge but not the feeling of a BMW.
I have driven the 2T in a X3, and it just felt like a better handling Mazda, the engine lacked serious punch and I wasn't confident in passing maneuvers.

I drive a X3 xdrive35i, and once you get used to the power and torque, you just can't go back. I have driven the 528i it was plain awful, the only BMW I would buy this engine is in a 328i or a x1 or a 228i. These are all lighter cars and the engine is good enough for them. But it just doesnt cut the mustard in a X# and imagine spending top dollar fro the prestige of the badge but then getting passed by toyota RAV 4's. Some time agao a V6 Rav$ driver gave nme quite a good chase even with my 300hp/300lb-ft engine. I rest my case.

Get the 35i, bite the $5K bullet, you wont regret it. Oh and for cargo space just go check it out for yourself and take 21-22" carry-on bag to test for reference.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Maybe for you it is, for others it's not.

Wife has the N20 in her 2016 X4 and she loves it - more peppy than her X5 35i E70 for sure. Not a real BMW? Couldn't agree less again.

The new generation of 4's are light years ahead of the 4 pots of yesteryear.

With counter-balancing and other technologies employed, they've become smooth and peppy. Now of course that depends on the vehicle too. I drove the 528i and agree the N20 is a dreadful choice for that chassis. It's a fine pairing in an X3 or X4 - never on an X5.

Like everything else in life it's a personal choice of attributes one desires including engine vs budget. For some, less hp and torque isn't a game changer (says the guys who drives the M235i instead of the 228i lol!)

Originally Posted by rohan_b79

The xdrive28i is a budget choice, its for those who just want the badge but not the feeling of a BMW.

[F30ed]

Originally Posted by rohan_b79

but then getting passed by toyota RAV 4's.

Do you get offended when some lower class car passes you by? Does it hurt you feelings when Rav 4 drives faster? No offence mister, but that is clear indication of personal insecurities. Not everyone byes bimmer to satisfy the need to demonstrate "macho appearance".