F15 50i Recommendations

[Goodfella10]

Is there anything you would recommend a future owner does now that you wish you had done before purchasing the V8?

Would you have purchased an extended warranty?
Would you have chosen the V6 instead? Why (other than gas)?
How much have you spent on maintenance since owning the vehicle?


I'm new here and browsing for answers, but would love to hear from current owners.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

RUN.

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

RUN.

Would you elaborate? I read about issues with the past V8s but heard that they refined them in the F15's. Is this not the case?

Thanks!

[Meehow]

I have a tuned 35i which is a STRAIGHT 6 - not a V. (sacrilege)

~400hp with a tune, does everything very well, plenty of power (I two 2 jet-skis I tow)

[alphaod]

Owned since new. Currently at around 55k.

Most things fixed in warranty, highest costs were tires, 5000 mile oil changed (factory maintenance was every 10k so I was paying every other 5000 miles. Cost $20 for filter on Amazon, $70 in OE BMW oil. I did buy spark plugs and paid for a transmission fluid change. I also paid for X5M filters and a set of crankcase ventilation hoses (common repair on earlier model N63TU motors).

Here’s my Fuelly summary:


I missed the first thousand miles or so, and I missed a couple fill ups. I drive pretty hard and fast.

[alphaod]

My advice would be to buy the X5M since you’ll want more speed and power.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by Goodfella10

Would you elaborate? I read about issues with the past V8s but heard that they refined them in the F15's. Is this not the case?

Thanks!

V6. You said freaking V6.

Or at least google before posting.

[bmwx1sq]

I love my 50i, and I debated on a 35i. Honestly I couldn't be happier. It's fast enough for me. The most important thing was insurance cost. The 50i was $20 more a month then the 35i. The x5m was double the 35i.

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

V6. You said freaking V6.

Or at least google before posting.

Read before replying, I'm asking questions in regards to the V8 ( i did ask "Would you have chosen the V6 instead?".

Your reply of "RUN" was fairly vague, are you saying run from the V8?

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Goodfella10

Read before replying, I'm asking questions in regards to the V8 ( i did ask "Would you have chosen the V6 instead?".

Your reply of "RUN" was fairly vague, are you saying run from the V8?

They are saying that BMW does not make a V configuration 6 cylinder engine. Only inline 6.... Basically they are being picky here.

I have the 35i and at the time of my purchase I was contemplating between the 35i and 50i. I was thinking of getting the V8 but after I added my options that I wanted on the car the value of the X5 was in the X5M territory.. then I thought, why not just get the X5M? I had a budget that I didn't want to exceed so I chose the 35i.

With that said, it looks like you are looking for a used X5? If that is the case it all depends on how much warranty is left on the car and if you plan to get extended warranty. If I was in the market for a used X5, then I would most definitely get the 50i over the 35i but it also depends on the car with certain options you are able to find. For instance, I can't live without the following must haves for me.. Msport line, M Suspension at a minimum, Dynamic Handling Package, LED lights, Surround view, comfort seats just to name a few.

[MizikeTSK]

I bought my CPO 15 50i a little over a year ago. Did not buy extended warranty (expensive for 50i if you find someone who will cover) but opted for extended maint since the brake job alone will more than pay for it. I originally was going to buy a 35i and tune it but test drove the 50i and never regretted it. I did have some warranty work done only because I nit picked every little thing that I felt was off or have read about plus I have a good relationship with my SA and a Shop Foreman. I took it in with a laundry list of items to look at right before original warranty expired and plan on doing the same right before CPO expires. I haven't paid anything on maint yet but will start doing oil changes every 5k after my next scheduled oil change. My local Euro mechanic will do the oil changes for around $100 which I don't mind to keep myself clean.

[Maverik259]

50i or die all day everyday. You won't regret or wonder what if.

[BimmerTy]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

50i or die all day everyday. You won't regret or wonder what if.

[Silververtu]

Test driving a 50i will seal your deal

[Teufelshund]

I would've liked to have gotten a "heads-up" regarding likely (if not certain) oil consumption. It wouldn't have been a deal breaker but it would've been nice to be mentally prepared to be adding a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.

So here's your "heads-up":
If you didn't already know, you'll likely (if not certainly) be prompted to add a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.
And yes, that includes the N63TU.

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by alphaod

Owned since new. Currently at around 55k.

Most things fixed in warranty, highest costs were tires, 5000 mile oil changed (factory maintenance was every 10k so I was paying every other 5000 miles. Cost $20 for filter on Amazon, $70 in OE BMW oil. I did buy spark plugs and paid for a transmission fluid change. I also paid for X5M filters and a set of crankcase ventilation hoses (common repair on earlier model N63TU motors).

Here’s my Fuelly summary:
Attachment 2042627

I missed the first thousand miles or so, and I missed a couple fill ups. I drive pretty hard and fast.

This is great insight Thanks! It would be great if we could pool all these numbers and maybe compare them (get some better in real life insight) if other members are logging their data?

Originally Posted by Kzang

They are saying that BMW does not make a V configuration 6 cylinder engine. Only inline 6.... Basically they are being picky here.

I have the 35i and at the time of my purchase I was contemplating between the 35i and 50i. I was thinking of getting the V8 but after I added my options that I wanted on the car the value of the X5 was in the X5M territory.. then I thought, why not just get the X5M? I had a budget that I didn't want to exceed so I chose the 35i.

With that said, it looks like you are looking for a used X5? If that is the case it all depends on how much warranty is left on the car and if you plan to get extended warranty. If I was in the market for a used X5, then I would most definitely get the 50i over the 35i but it also depends on the car with certain options you are able to find. For instance, I can't live without the following must haves for me.. Msport line, M Suspension at a minimum, Dynamic Handling Package, LED lights, Surround view, comfort seats just to name a few.

Thanks for the info, so the correct terminology would be i6 and V8?

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Test driving a 50i will seal your deal

I drove an X6 50i for a while and absolutely loved it. However, it wasn't my car so I wasn't dealing with the maintenance. I believe the X6 was "chipped with a z chip". Not sure what a Z chip is but I'm exposing myself to the BMW world, so rest assure ill have more insight in the future.

Originally Posted by Teufelshund

I would've liked to have gotten a "heads-up" regarding likely (if not certain) oil consumption. It wouldn't have been a deal breaker but it would've been nice to be mentally prepared to be adding a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.

So here's your "heads-up":
If you didn't already know, you'll likely (if not certainly) be prompted to add a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.
And yes, that includes the N63TU.

If its just oil consumption, I can definitely deal with this

Thanks, everyone for the great info! Please keep it coming.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Test driving a 50i will seal your deal

I concur!
I test drove a 35i, and felt meh, not feeling it. (though, in it's defense, it did not have the MPPK).
Then a month or two later, there was a CPO 50i on the dealer lot, so I test drove it and the rest is history!

[BimmerTy]

Originally Posted by Teufelshund

I would've liked to have gotten a "heads-up" regarding likely (if not certain) oil consumption. It wouldn't have been a deal breaker but it would've been nice to be mentally prepared to be adding a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.

So here's your "heads-up":
If you didn't already know, you'll likely (if not certainly) be prompted to add a couple quarts of oil every few thousand miles.
And yes, that includes the N63TU.

I don't see this being a big deal at all. I stop by my dealer when I get the add oil alert and they top off my oil and other fluids if necessary. All for free. My SA added 3 quarts last time (had been 7K miles since last service). They run it through the car wash sometimes too!

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by BimmerTy

I don't see this being a big deal at all. I stop by my dealer when I get the add oil alert and they top off my oil and other fluids if necessary. All for free. My SA added 3 quarts last time (had been 7K miles since last service). They run it through the car wash sometimes too!

Don't let them put it through the car wash. It's convenient, but your paint will take a beating.

[geedup35]

When looking for mine, I didn't want to consider the 35i even though it can produce a decent about of power with the MPPK but nothing compared to feeling you get from the 50i's torque.

Maintenance wise, the 50i will eventually be a money pit if you don't have a good warranty. I purchased mine about 10 months ago with an aftermarket warrantee sold to me BMW of South Austin. (The warrantee is underwritten by Autoguard)

My CPO expires today actually, and within the 10 months that I have had the vehicle here's what's been done. (Mileage: Purchased @ 39,000 - Current @ 45,000) Items with pricing next to them were covered by the "aftermarket" warranty and not the CPO warranty.

• Engine Mounts due to slight vibration @ idle ~ $1550.00 (Parts $300 Labor $1250)
• 2 x Thrust Arm Bushing replacement (Split and leaking) ~ $650 (Parts $150 Labor $500)
• Alignment ~ $250
• Oil Pan gasket ~ Covered by CPO
• Evaporator Box (Due to center vent Stratification flaps jamming) ~ Covered by CPO
• 2 x Vent Pipe that caused a misfire ~ Covered by CPO
• 2 x Rear Airbag/Spring replacement due to slight leaks ~ Covered by CPO
• Wheel repair for 1 wheel my wife curbed ~ $150

Total out of pocket for me so far: $100.00 for the deductible vs about $2500 that wouldn't have been covered by CPO. So with about 5 years and/or 55,000 miles left on the aftermarket warranty, i think it was well worth the ~$3500 for the aftermarket. As long as it pays out at least $1000 over the next 5 years, it was well worth it.

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Test driving a 50i will seal your deal

That's what did it for me when I originally was looking at a 35i, shoots it didn't even take my wife a minute behind the wheel to be sold.

[jch1511]

50i, end of story. No chip or other things needed. Used 50i is a great value for enjoyment and performance.

I have been driving BMW 40i/50i V8s for the last twenty years since the e32 days, some of them to 150k miles, never had any horror stories, just standard maintenance stuff: boot covers, cps,expansion tanks, radiators, etc.

The 50i and ZF trannny make a perfect match.

BTW, all high end European autos require more maintenance regardless engine size.