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      06-13-2012, 01:38 PM   #1
trackpilot
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Performance differences of the 28i and the 35i

Other than the engine what other perfomance stuff is different?
Is the suspension more sporty? Bigger brakes? Bigger wheels and tires?Ect.....
Just trying to justify spending the $3k price difference.
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      06-13-2012, 02:27 PM   #2
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Base suspension is the same across the board I believe. In 2011 the 35i actually had larger brakes than that of the 28i. 13" vs 12.9". I took a quick glance at the BMWUSA site and it has the brake diameter of the 28i as TBD so not sure if this still holds true. I'm pretty sure the 28i has 17" wheels std vs 18" on the 35i.

The exhaust note on the 35i is simply wonderful IMHO. The N20 exhaust sounds is very unpleasant, especially at idle. However, the N20 just won an award for engine of the year in it's category so obviously exhaust note is very subjective and doesn't count towards performance really.

A plus for the 28i is that it has a f/r weight distribution closer to 50/50 than that of the 35i due to the lighter N20 motor. This can attribute to a slightly more balanced feel.
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      06-13-2012, 05:14 PM   #3
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Well i'm driving a '13 28i loaner right now. The car isn't that bad. But that's why i was wondering if the suspension or brakes are any better. This car has 18 inch wheels, but the 35i might have bigger tires. I'm not sure.
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      06-13-2012, 05:28 PM   #4
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I assume the tires will vary by country as Canadians use 245/50 R18 for both models.
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      06-13-2012, 06:33 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trackpilot View Post
Well i'm driving a '13 28i loaner right now. The car isn't that bad. But that's why i was wondering if the suspension or brakes are any better. This car has 18 inch wheels, but the 35i might have bigger tires. I'm not sure.
Suspension gets better if you add goodies to it like the dynamic handling package. Brakes I think are basically the same across the board, but when I was test driving SUVs the X3 had by far the best brake feel of any of them.
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      06-13-2012, 06:37 PM   #6
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Well if everything is the same other than the engine then i think i made my choice and will just go with the 28i. It's quick enough for what it is. Just don't let me test drive a 35i.
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      06-13-2012, 06:42 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trackpilot View Post
Well if everything is the same other than the engine then i think i made my choice and will just go with the 28i. It's quick enough for what it is. Just don't let me test drive a 35i.
35i has more power but gives almost the same or better mpg
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      06-13-2012, 07:38 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by April1 View Post
35i has more power but gives almost the same or better mpg
I think you get 2mpg poorer on the highway and city. If the x3 is like most other BMWs, the final drive ratio is probably shorter on the 28i. If that's the case, you should be spinning at a higher rpm at highway speeds for the 28i.

The 35i has an addictive engine. Broad and thick power band....worth the extra $$ on it's own IMO.

But if Iirc, some other core (to me) upgrades on the 35i include xenon lights, and the panorama roof (this doesn't qualify as a performance upgrade does it?)
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      06-13-2012, 10:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeeesteve View Post
But if Iirc, some other core (to me) upgrades on the 35i include xenon lights, and the panorama roof (this doesn't qualify as a performance upgrade does it?)
Yes but if you get premium pkg and convienence pkg on the 28i then you get those.
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      06-14-2012, 05:27 AM   #10
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I have had mine for about a year now and love the 35 M-Sport. The acceleration, exhaust note and the 1 0r 2 mpg are worth it to me. Either way you cant go wrong they are fabulous "SAV's" !

Last edited by turbotoy4me; 06-14-2012 at 09:21 PM..
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      06-14-2012, 06:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turbotoy4me View Post
I think the 35 adds the dual exhaust also.
The dual exhaust is standard on all 6-cylinder models, so will be standard on both the 28i and 35i IIRC
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      06-14-2012, 06:51 AM   #12
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The extra price, as mentioned, gives you the xenon and sunroof, as well as including the comfort access in the premium pkg (to keep the pkg price the same after dropping the sunroof to standard). Thus the "real" price difference is < $2K if you were going to get those options anyway.

The bottom line is the lower 0 to 60 time. You will probably get half the extra $ back on trade in as well, so if you like neck snapping, best in class acceleration, get the 3.5.
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      06-14-2012, 06:59 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeeesteve View Post
I think you get 2mpg poorer on the highway and city. If the x3 is like most other BMWs, the final drive ratio is probably shorter on the 28i. If that's the case, you should be spinning at a higher rpm at highway speeds for the 28i.
They both have the exact same final drive ration. Actually they use the exact same rations across all gears.
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      06-14-2012, 07:04 AM   #14
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If you are after MPG, check this out (didn't confirm manually as I did not top off the tank before departure). On a recent trip to our cabin in the foothills of the Smokies. Mostly all long up hills. Also did several WOT passes on 2 lane country roads. If I had to put money on it the N20 would get a little poorer MPG due to the elevation gains and working a bit harder.
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      06-15-2012, 12:07 PM   #15
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I've been wondering if the suspension is tuned a little differently on the 35i models. We very recently picked up a 35i after several test drives in the 28i. The 28i felt noticeably harsher over bumps than the 35i. Both were on 18's. I have no idea what the difference was that could cause this but the 35i definitely seemed to have better damping.

Our 35i is wearing Pirelli P7 tires - not sure what was on the 28i. Could that be the difference??
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      06-15-2012, 12:44 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XGoober View Post
I've been wondering if the suspension is tuned a little differently on the 35i models. We very recently picked up a 35i after several test drives in the 28i. The 28i felt noticeably harsher over bumps than the 35i. Both were on 18's. I have no idea what the difference was that could cause this but the 35i definitely seemed to have better damping.

Our 35i is wearing Pirelli P7 tires - not sure what was on the 28i. Could that be the difference??
Could be tires, or perhaps a bit more weight on the 35i?
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      06-15-2012, 03:38 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n55x3 View Post
They both have the exact same final drive ration. Actually they use the exact same rations across all gears.
Edit: did a quick google. Final drive on the 35i is 3.38 but on the 28i 3.72.

The individual gear ratios are the same.
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      06-15-2012, 04:42 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReturnZero View Post
Could be tires, or perhaps a bit more weight on the 35i?
Yup - whatever it is, I would definitely recommend that anyone considering the X3 should test drive both variants. The ride quality was a real problem for me on the 28i but the 35i does a very nice job in that regard.
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      06-16-2012, 06:28 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukeeesteve View Post
Edit: did a quick google. Final drive on the 35i is 3.38 but on the 28i 3.72.

The individual gear ratios are the same.
Yup, good catch. They both have the exact same gear ratios in the ZF tranny but the rear diff ratios are different like you mentioned. Obviously impacting the final drive ratio.
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      06-16-2012, 08:58 AM   #20
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That's old data.

The 35i and 28i have exactly the same gearing in the transmission and final drive for MY13.




Quote:
Originally Posted by n55x3 View Post
Yup, good catch. They both have the exact same gear ratios in the ZF tranny but the rear diff ratios are different like you mentioned. Obviously impacting the final drive ratio.
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      06-16-2012, 11:00 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
That's old data.

The 35i and 28i have exactly the same gearing in the transmission and final drive for MY13.
Good info.... there is so much conflicting info out there.
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      06-16-2012, 11:01 AM   #22
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The base model 35i has a slightly more chunky steering wheel and comes with ridges for your hands.

Paddle shifters and the "sport auto transmission" are included when adding SAP or M-Sport to a 35i but are unavailable on the 28i regardless of the added options.

While im not sure if this is still true for the 28i the old NA 3 liter had a single path exhaust exiting the twin pipes whereas the 35i has a dual path exhaust and a valve that controlsthe exhaust note.
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