Topic: BMW X3 28i vs 35i

[LBJGH]

I will likely order an X3 late this year or early next and I'm trying to get my head around a few things.
 
Originally I was interested in the RR Evoque but following my 2nd test drive in the RR I took an x3 28i out for a test drive.
 
I was immediately impressed with the overall X3 performance when compared to the RR so I started doing some research. My wife suggested that we splurge and go for the 35i since I was always complaining about my utilitarian 4cyl/auto Honda Accord and that car's 'barely sufficient' power.
 
Tonight I drove the turbo X3 35i and to be honest I was a little underwhelmed by the performance. The turbo motor has 60hp more and 80lb/ft more torque... but it certainly didn't feel like it. 
 
The first thing I noticed was the turbo car needed a bigger poke at the throttle to get it moving. Now I don't know if that was turbo lag I noticed or whether I was just driving the other car more aggressively. There was no doubt that at WOT the 35i was much quicker but it didn't feel as linear as the non turbo motor. It was almost as if I had to keep my foot into it more during regular driving to match the little motor (yes I know they have the same displacement).

According to the specs the 28i has 3.73 rear gears as opposed the the 3.39 in the 35i. Would the taller gears and absence of any turbo lag result in a more satisfying day-to-day driving experience? Who actually drives at WOT all the time?
 
One other thing I noticed was the exhaust note. The non-turbo car seemed to be louder (not a bad thing) than the turbo. The 28i had a neat growl where as the 35i had a very mutted tone. Is that because of the turbo?
 
I've booked another drive in the two cars back to back to confirm initial impressions.
 
I posted this same thread on a bimmer forum but I'm just getting a bunch of "buy the 35i it's better stuff". 

Anyone recently buy a 28i or 35i? 
 
Your thoughts?

[aquadorhj]

left over 2011? so you drove 3.0L inline six X28?   i hear the new 2.0T in the new x28 is really good...

as for your impression of the turbo 3.0L, it might be the throttle calibration BMW used for the automatic.
if you head over to insideline dot com, you can read all about the woes of the Edmunds long term bmw 5 series throttle, with same engine.

that 3.0L turbo mill is extremely powerful unit.  I know that the NA 3.0L is a great engine, but the raw push from the turbo mill is addicting in the 3 series.  so it just might be the throttle calibration.  have you tried the sport mode?

btw, what was the Evoque like to drive?  Top Gear tested it in the most recent season and said it was good..  you felt otherwise, obviously, but why? just curious.

[LBJGH]

I drove a 2012 28i and a 2011 35i.  The 2011 has the same specs as the 2012.

There is no doubt that the turbo motor has bags of power but no one drives with their foot mashed to the floor all the time.

Initial throttle response was very poor in the turbo almost like my sisters 2012 Hyundai Accent with eco button pressed... I'm not saying the power was the same just the response to throttle input. 

I did put the turbo in 'sport' mode using the transmission gate which increased rpm but it didn't do anything for initial throttle tip in.

The RR Evoque is a more attractive car IMO but the rear seat was a fair bit smaller.  I drove a Dynamic model first and thought I was going to loose all of my fillings! Then I drove the Pure model which rode much better.

The RR throttle response was similar to the 35i, i.e. limited power then BANG rush of turbo power.  The Ford sourced turbo 4 in the RR was actually pretty quick.

When I drove the 28i back to back with the RR the normally aspirated BMW seemed much more willing to rev from 0rpm all the way to redline.  The BMW also has an 8spd auto box compared the RR 6spd.

The driving dynamics and steering was much better in the X3 too.  The driving position in the RR seemed artificially high whereas you sat in the Bimmer.

[whaddaiknow]

Just a thought.
I you, like me, like to lug your engine in traffic, it would be more difficult to do with the turbo since below~1,700RPM when the turbo is not spooling, you are basically bogging the engine. The x28 will give you a smoother transition from 0 (or ~650RPM at idle to be more correct) to about 1,700RPM when the turbo spools up and thrusts you forward.
With an automatic, it would be more subtle but still very difficult to eliminate completely. So depending on the type of driving you do, one may win over the other. In traffic, I would imagine the x28 would be a smoother ride. On the highway, the x35 will give you seemless passing power. Power is good and addictive if you can use it. And if you can, GO FOR IT 

[mmret]

I thought the N54/55 had something like 80% of peak torque available at 1200RPM. With a torque converter helping things along, that is a lot of beef. So I would assume it has something to do with the throttle tip in.

When we first got the Z4, I could not help but notice how lazy the throttle tip in was compared to the TSX. It actually felt slower off the line (although obviously it is much faster in reality). Took a few months to get used to it but now my brain adjusts to the car I'm driving. Similarly, the GLK has a stiff tip in. Feels like (and is) a very heavy car. But give it the beans and the power is there.

The TSX is the opposite. Quick tip in, but giving it the beans results in...lots of noise mostly. So perhaps a faster tip in is compensating for an overall weaker engine?

The N52 is sweet though.

[sidman]

I drove both the X3 28i and 35i as well as the X1.

I too like the X3 28i. More than enough power, nice tight handling. I found the 35i, like you, not as smooth when driving . I like the fact it comes with Xenons and a nicer steering wheel. The price difference is enough for me to sway towards the 28i. I liked the X1 too...beautiful engine, gobs of power and handling like a 3 series. Interior isnt as nice though. I'm waiting for the new 3 series before i pull the trigger.

[initial_D]

If you don't need (really want) the extra power the Turbo offers, the 28i is a better choice. Have driven various BMWs with the turbo / NA setup, the NA I6 are ultra smooth, and have more than adequate power.

Prefer the Turbo engine myself.

[Julie]

I've yet to test drive the X3, but what you describe doesn't parallel my experience in the 3-series at all.  The difference in power is pretty noticeable going from the -28i to the -35i.  There is no real lag in my 335i, although there was slight throttle input lag when I first bought it.  After the engine loosened up, it became significantly more responsive and there is no real lag anymore either.

The 328i's motor was notably more willing to rev, and sounded terrific (I was test-driving a well-broken in 328i).

One thing though.  The X3 28i has the new 8 speed I believe.  THAT is a much better transmission than the old GM-sourced auto tranny for the -28i motors (the -35i motors got the better performing ZF auto tranny).

My 2 cents:
- If you like the -28i better, get it!  More fuel efficient.  Proven, reliable motor.  Can't go wrong IMO.  Especially if you notice a difference with the -35i that you don't like.  I am a bit surprised through.  The -35i's significantly more noticeable torque at low RPMs should really make a difference.    

EDITED to add:  However, if you test drive again, come to the same conclusion, then the -28i's the one for you.  BMW's naturally aspirated engines are fun.   

[ovr50]

To the OP - it just depends on what you want, and how you drive. Both X3s are fine vehicles. The 28i with the proven N52 engine is a capable machine and is enough for many buyers. Be aware that the next year's 28i will have the N20, 4 cyl turbo engine, and the N52 will be gone.

For me, the 35i was the one to get because:
- I was coming from an M3 sedan, and I like the power, whether I use it or not
- I wanted the MSport pkg for the sport seats, the 19" wheels, the thicker steering wheel, and the looks of it. I far prefer the look of the MSport to the regular X3; particularly in front and rear views. You CANNOT get the MSport with the 28i in Canada. I wanted the DHP for suspension adjustment, and you cannot get that on the 28i either.
- the N55 twin-scroll turbo engine develops 300lb/ft of torque at about 1400rpm - VERY useful in town for quick acceleration for merging, passing and other (??!!) less mature actions. The power and torque of the N55 engine is sweet on the hiway as well.
- the 35i comes with more standard features than does the 28i (I cannot recall all of them right now, but the BMW website and brochures give the comparisons).
- both engines are sweet sounding, and I find it a bit funny you cannot hear the gnarlier sound of the N55 over the N52. The exhaust system of the 35i (but not the 28i) has a cutout for pronounced sounds, especially on start-up.

I drove both the 28i and the 35i extensively before ordering, in fact, I drove the 28i more and longer as I originally thought it may do me. In fact, I am glad I opted for the more expensive 35i with MSport and DHP. It is a great combo of fun to drive and practicality.

You say the Bimmer forum was giving you bad advice - not so, unless you have already made up your mind to go 28i. Which may be fine for you, but for me, 35i all the way. Both are better SAVs than most others in the segment, especially in the driving dynamics dept.
Good luck.

[LBJGH]

I didn't say the other forum gave bad advice just that there was virtually no debate about the performance of the two cars.

I re-tested the cars back to back and now have a better understanding of what I was feeling.

The 28i has 3.73 gearing wereas the 35i has 3.39 gearing.  The turbo was definelty faster 3-8th gears but I believe the 28i was equal or quicker off the line in the first two gears.  At speeds above 60km/h the 35i had much more power and was more satisfying. 

I also drove the Volvo X60 T6 and that car was almost as quick as the 35i ant its suspension was somewhere betwen the BMW and Audi Q5.