[bluesmachine]

I have test driven the x28 and decided that the size, ride quality and overall fun factor has been nearly 100% intending to purchase an F25 (America).

My dealer only has the x28 (in the western Massachusetts area) in stock and does not know when he will get a 35 to test drive. I checked my local dealers and no one within 90 minutes or so has the 35. Stock changes I know but right now, nearby dealer have the 28, but in my area at least - the 35 is tough to come by.

I really liked the 28 like I mentioned in a previous post - as I have been driving my 170 horsepower vw passat and honda minivan for around 8+ years now, but also plan on keeping the car for at least 5+ years and didnt want to sell my self short and only test drive one version.

I put ride quality near the top of the list of important things I look for in a car and that is why I would have never considered the previous version of the X3.

I thought the 17" wheels with the non-sport package (or what they call Dyn Hand Package) was perfect for me (again, others may differ in opinion).

QUESTION is: I know the 35 is obviously more money, and no one knows a budget better than the person spending the money, but what should I do about not being able to test drive the 35? Does anyone have experience in both these cars back to back in such areas as:
1. ride quality (17's vs 18's)

2. tire / road / engine noise

3. anything else? (for example i would get the package in the 28 for the interior wood package which i know comes standard in the 35.)

I am heading to florida for mlking weekend and will do my best to test a 35 down there, but anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[Bora20]

Get the 28i. Less complex, less options, less to go wrong 5+ years down the road.

[fedinand]

Do yourself a favor and test drive the x35. That is the only way you can make an informed decision..The ride on the X35 is very good - not rough at all.

[SMTM]

You HAVE to test drive both. That said, I had the exact question for my next car. I have a 135i lease that is getting turned in, and I feel that the power of the 28 and the ride of the 17 inch tires are perfect for me. The 18's absolutely ride firmer, though not as crazy firm as the 135's do.

I would figure that in new england the pavement is so torn to hell every winter that ride quality would be a real issue. The only thing that would be better than the 17's, would be to swap out the RFT's and get regular tires, but that seems like more money wasted.

The engines are as different as different could be. If you don't need/want the power, get the 28. It drives beautifully, as you have experienced. Be prepared for a totally different experience with the turbo engine. It is just that good.

Good luck with your decision.

[bluesmachine]

You are right about one thing for sure: the roads in new England are in fact shot to hell.

I will somehow test the 35. I am no real rush per se but do want to get the process going.

That being said, I am afraid I will love the increased power!

Also, I really need to test the 35
In new england and not just in a warm weather, smooth as glass road area.

[kmarei]

well now that it's built in the states you don't have to settle for what the dealer has in stock
i custom ordered one, i got the sparkling bronze, which you won't see on any dealer lot as its custom order ONLY.
and i built it the exact way i wanted
i built out both cars (28i and 35i) but then realized the difference was about 3400 (once you add xenon to the 28I)

and the 35i has better fuel economy and more power
so i got the 35i

ride is fine with the 18" wheels

[ayio]

Originally Posted by kmarei

well now that it's built in the states you don't have to settle for what the dealer has in stock
i custom ordered one, i got the sparkling bronze, which you won't see on any dealer lot as its custom order ONLY.
and i built it the exact way i wanted
i built out both cars (28i and 35i) but then realized the difference was about 3400 (once you add xenon to the 28I)

and the 35i has better fuel economy and more power
so i got the 35i

ride is fine with the 18" wheels

35i will be my choice as well
Do you happen to know whether rear wheels are wider than the front wheels in 35i? Is it by default or via the separate option?

[fedinand]

Originally Posted by ayio

35i will be my choice as well
Do you happen to know whether rear wheels are wider than the front wheels in 35i? Is it by default or via the separate option?

The wheels/tires are wider only with the 19 inch wheel option, otherwise they remain 245/50/18.

[ayio]

Got it! Thanks!

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by kmarei

well now that it's built in the states you don't have to settle for what the dealer has in stock
i custom ordered one, i got the sparkling bronze, which you won't see on any dealer lot as its custom order ONLY.
and i built it the exact way i wanted
i built out both cars (28i and 35i) but then realized the difference was about 3400 (once you add xenon to the 28I)

and the 35i has better fuel economy and more power
so i got the 35i

ride is fine with the 18" wheels

hi, can you post for us the bronze color of your car please in good sunlight if possible?

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by inamik75

hi, can you post for us the bronze color of your car please in good sunlight if possible?

i won't get my car till the middle of february
but here is a X5 with the same colour

[Nahoa]

Well, I ordered a 3.5 so you know what direction I'm thinking . . . .

Recommend considering the following from my own decision process (not sure it was a good one, but it was mine!):

-- in my experience lower powered engines produce more noise in the cabin and generally draw more attention to themselves as they're more taxed to get the job done

-- the price difference over the life of the car and the hours spent in it can come down to a small number in comparison to other costs like cable TV, phone, beer, etc. and suggest that it's worth it if it's something you enjoy

-- check me on this, but I think the 3.5 actually gets better mileage

-- I dig, and use, most of the options so equipping the 2.8 shrunk the cost difference quickly with regard to the 3.5

-- My first BMW was a 325i; I had no idea what BMW's were like and hadn't even test driven the car; for the life of that car I regretted not springing for the 330i because I enjoyed the 325i soooo much I was sure the 330i would have been even better and more than worth the price difference.

Nothing really concrete there, but those are some of the things I was thinking when choosing in case it helps.

[fedinand]

The fact that the turbo gets better mileage made it a no-brainer for me…and when Dinan comes up with a flash for it…I will be an even happier camper! I know there are other tuners out there, but I like the warranty and being honest with the SA.

[bluesmachine]

Actually, these are AWESOME arguments that I just had with a friend today. Granted not all exactly the same but many were very similar.

Good point about noise in the cabin - I will listen for that. Price difference is also true and especially the point you made about the how much you are in car over X number of years.

Just got to find a 3.5 to test drive!




Well, I ordered a 3.5 so you know what direction I'm thinking . . . .

Recommend considering the following from my own decision process (not sure it was a good one, but it was mine!):

-- in my experience lower powered engines produce more noise in the cabin and generally draw more attention to themselves as they're more taxed to get the job done

-- the price difference over the life of the car and the hours spent in it can come down to a small number in comparison to other costs like cable TV, phone, beer, etc. and suggest that it's worth it if it's something you enjoy

-- check me on this, but I think the 3.5 actually gets better mileage

-- I dig, and use, most of the options so equipping the 2.8 shrunk the cost difference quickly with regard to the 3.5

-- My first BMW was a 325i; I had no idea what BMW's were like and hadn't even test driven the car; for the life of that car I regretted not springing for the 330i because I enjoyed the 325i soooo much I was sure the 330i would have been even better and more than worth the price difference.

Nothing really concrete there, but those are some of the things I was thinking when choosing in case it helps.[/QUOTE]

[kmarei]

you rarely think i should have gotten the lesser option
but you often think i should have gotten the better option
never heard a 911 turbo owner say "man i wish i would have gotten the base carrera "