Choice of f15 x5 3.0d, 428i or 435i
Choice of f15 x5 3.0d, 428i or 435i
Author
Discussion

Theguy5

Original Poster:

201 posts

89 months

Tuesday 21st May 2019
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Struggling to know which to go for

428/435 I’m torn between economy or 6 cylinder. My current car is a 300c and I get average 24mpg, from what I’ve read the 435i would return similar so no saving there but huge increase in fun factor! So I’m wondering is the 428i as ‘fun’ as the 435i (including engine sound!)

As for the x5 I know it’s the opposite end of the spectrum but it would feed my desire for an suv and also give me a ton of room when I use it for work. So sacrificing fun for practicality (plus x5s are just cool).

My question about the x5 is reliability, is it a ‘ticking time bomb’ or are those just standard horror stories? I’d be owning it and it’s 2015 so no warranty. It’s described as a 3.0 40d, are these engines still prone to swirl flap failure and timing belt issues, it has 78k on it so I’m hoping the issues have been ironed out.

Any help appreciated!

rayyan171

1,298 posts

123 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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For the 4 series, you will be longing for the 6 cylinder if you get the 4 cylinder, as ultimately the real world economy won't be worlds apart, in the end they are two powerful petrol engines, and will be driven as so.

You are right about the X5 however, in that it is cool. F15 has no real issues, the 40d engine pulls alarmingly fast and makes the X5 an actually quick car that quite a few smaller BMW's can not match. Standard SUV issues e.g. suspension bags can be a thing but the F15 is still a young car so wouldn't worry about that. Engine is fine (EGR recall needs to be checked for) and other than that no real worries. X5's are generally reliable, small niggles yes but they never really have drivetrain issues.

Billy_Whizzzz

2,649 posts

173 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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X5. No brainer. If not, definitely not the 428

HM-2

12,467 posts

199 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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435i should get circa 30mpg in mixed driving.

Ralph S3

354 posts

283 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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My last few cars were all powerful coupe's including an e46 M3 and a M235i. I now have a 4.0d X5 which I absolutely adore. Its simply a great place to be and fast enough that you don't really miss the coupe's. That said, I should never have sold the M3 but that's another story.

Ralph

Theguy5

Original Poster:

201 posts

89 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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Excellent advice guys thanks!

I’d kind of changed my mind on the x5 last night and was concentrating on the coupe, however went to see the x5 today and there’s just something about them when you stand right next to it!

What I’m worried about with the 428i is it’s a 2015 so I’m worried if the timing belt issue will be there or if it was in time for the redesigned engine. I could ask the sales man of course but in reality I’d have no idea if he’s just fobbing me off.

HM-2

12,467 posts

199 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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N20s are chain cam aren't they?

rayyan171

1,298 posts

123 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
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HM-2 said:
N20s are chain cam aren't they?
Yes. Haven't got the utmost confidence in them, I know they are more reliable than past 4 cylinders from BMW but I have seen service bulletins regarding timing chains knocking about. Best research them before anything.

red997

1,304 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd May 2019
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we have the same X5
brilliant car
chose it over Cayenne (Had a Hybrid & Turbo previously)
Pulls like a train, yet is very relaxing to drive.
great kit, and quite stealthy

Theguy5

Original Poster:

201 posts

89 months

Thursday 23rd May 2019
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red997 said:
we have the same X5
brilliant car
chose it over Cayenne (Had a Hybrid & Turbo previously)
Pulls like a train, yet is very relaxing to drive.
great kit, and quite stealthy
How’s your mileage (mpg) been? I get 25-31 currently with mostly round town journeys. Think it will most likely be the same?

One thing putting me off the X5 is it would not be a ‘sensible’ buy haha, I don’t need a car that big and I will be doing mostly shorter journeys than they are built for. I just really like them!

rayyan171

1,298 posts

123 months

Thursday 23rd May 2019
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Theguy5 said:
How’s your mileage (mpg) been? I get 25-31 currently with mostly round town journeys. Think it will most likely be the same?

One thing putting me off the X5 is it would not be a ‘sensible’ buy haha, I don’t need a car that big and I will be doing mostly shorter journeys than they are built for. I just really like them!
How many miles do you do? We do 12K per year and no problems.

Theguy5

Original Poster:

201 posts

89 months

Friday 24th May 2019
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rayyan171 said:
Theguy5 said:
How’s your mileage (mpg) been? I get 25-31 currently with mostly round town journeys. Think it will most likely be the same?

One thing putting me off the X5 is it would not be a ‘sensible’ buy haha, I don’t need a car that big and I will be doing mostly shorter journeys than they are built for. I just really like them!
How many miles do you do? We do 12K per year and no problems.
I do the Same about 10-12k

red997

1,304 posts

239 months

Friday 24th May 2019
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sorry for the late reply - ave mpg is 31
95% of the time its on urban roads, not motorways

Theguy5

Original Poster:

201 posts

89 months

Friday 24th May 2019
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I can live with that, similar if not slightly better than what I have now. Also cheaper tax!