Anyone buy the 28i instead of the 35i?

[SharpAndCunning]

So I've been looking for a few months for a 2014/2015 X1 35i. And I've not been able to find one in a color combination it'd like, with under 35xmiles, that hasn't been in a accident(it seems 2 out of 5 of the 35xi have been cracked up!)

So I found the perfect car, except it's only the 28i. It's the sport edition, blue, with coral red interior, and it's all around perfect, except it lacks the punch of the 35xi. But it's perfect in every other way.

Have any of you decided on getting the 28 over the 35 and been happy about it? I don't want to wish I waited longer and maybe found as close to the perfect 35xi instead? Just thought it'd post a thread and see.

[Ja Gio]

I got the 28i primarily for 2 reasons: I greatly preferred the 8 spd transmission over the 6, and I have a rather long highway commute, so wanted the better gas mileage (if I baby it, I'm in low-mid 30s mpg). I had the Dinan stage 1 added at time of purchase, which really gives it some added zip (Dinan says they tested peak hp at 312). It's a 2013 Sport - had it 16 months and really enjoying it. I also added a trailer hitch, and about 6 weeks ago installed Bilstein B12 Kit - so much fun to drive! Once in a while I wish I had the 35i, but really - this was the better choice for me.

[themishmosh]

You will certainly find 28i owners who wish they had gotten the 35i, but I doubt you'll find the opposite. I test drove the 28i before ordering my 35i and it just seemed slow.

[bucketfoot]

No regrets whatsoever on getting a 28i.

As it is my daily driver, gas mileage was a factor to me and I much preferred the 8 speed transmission.

It's certainly not like the 4 banger is a slouch. You've pretty much got to go to an STi to find a small SUV/hatchback to match the performance.

[bucketfoot]

In the end only you can decide if you could be happy with the 28i. If you don't have a real "need" to buy one now, you may well be better off trying to find the perfect match.

Just remember, that can be much easier said than done especially one with low miles. There really were not very many of the E84s sold in the US. I don't think I've seen 2015 numbers, but I would definitely guess that the 2012-2015 total was less than 100K and I would expect that the vast majority were the 28i.

Ultimately you've got to decide what you are willing to compromise on (engine. price, model, features, etc).

[Njerts]

I test drove both and even though the 35i had a way better engine, I could not get past the transmission. Coming from a dual clutch, it felt dated.
This is the only BMW with that engine transmission combo, it is like they tried to get rid of old stock.
For a daily driver the 28i is more than most people need.
If the 35i had the 8 speed I would have had one.

[Njerts]

One more point, whatever you get, make sure it has HID lights.
You will definitely regret not getting it.

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by Ja Gio

I got the 28i primarily for 2 reasons: I greatly preferred the 8 spd transmission over the 6, and I have a rather long highway commute, so wanted the better gas mileage (if I baby it, I'm in low-mid 30s mpg). I had the Dinan stage 1 added at time of purchase, which really gives it some added zip (Dinan says they tested peak hp at 312). It's a 2013 Sport - had it 16 months and really enjoying it. I also added a trailer hitch, and about 6 weeks ago installed Bilstein B12 Kit - so much fun to drive! Once in a while I wish I had the 35i, but really - this was the better choice for me.

That's a really good point. for $1500 I can add the dinan and be pretty close to the 35i, and have the 8 speed transmission. It'd have to worry about warranty, etc, but otherwise It'd probably be happy. Hmmm... now I'm thinking....

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

No regrets whatsoever on getting a 28i.

As it is my daily driver, gas mileage was a factor to me and I much preferred the 8 speed transmission.

It's certainly not like the 4 banger is a slouch. You've pretty much got to go to an STi to find a small SUV/hatchback to match the performance.

I don't quite know about that. The ecoboost 2.0t is in the ballpark, as is the 2.0t that Hyundai makes(albeit hyundai's are big steaming piles, I own one, I know. And it's a Genesis, their flagship).

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

In the end only you can decide if you could be happy with the 28i. If you don't have a real "need" to buy one now, you may well be better off trying to find the perfect match.

Just remember, that can be much easier said than done especially one with low miles. There really were not very many of the E84s sold in the US. I don't think I've seen 2015 numbers, but I would definitely guess that the 2012-2015 total was less than 100K and I would expect that the vast majority were the 28i.

Ultimately you've got to decide what you are willing to compromise on (engine. price, model, features, etc).

If I could buy a new 2016/2017 35i, I would. I wish it'd driven a 35i back when they were still available new. But you're right, the right car will eventually come.

Originally Posted by Njerts

I test drove both and even though the 35i had a way better engine, I could not get past the transmission. Coming from a dual clutch, it felt dated.
This is the only BMW with that engine transmission combo, it is like they tried to get rid of old stock.
For a daily driver the 28i is more than most people need.
If the 35i had the 8 speed I would have had one.

I agree, the transmission is a bit odd. But the car really cranks. I'm not sure I can agree that the 28i is more than most people need. It's certainly not quick by todays standards. There are v6 camry's on the road faster. No offense to anyone with the 28i.

[Njerts]

Originally Posted by jpc647

I agree, the transmission is a bit odd. But the car really cranks. I'm not sure I can agree that the 28i is more than most people need. It's certainly not quick by todays standards. There are v6 camry's on the road faster. No offense to anyone with the 28i.

You are right there are a lot of cars and a few pickups faster than the 28i, but very few have the driveability of 240hp/260fp matched with a superb 8 speed.
It is really good at passing and going up steep mountain passes.

And I don't get offended by personal choice☺

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by Njerts

You are right there are a lot of cars and a few pickups faster than the 28i, but very few have the driveability of 240hp/260fp matched with a superb 8 speed.
It is really good at passing and going up steep mountain passes.

And I don't get offended by personal choice☺

Well maybe I'll go ahead and look at it. I'll take it for a nice ride and see.

To be honest, I really didn't think the 6 speed in the 35i was bad. Is the 8 speed better, well yeah, in most circumstances. Except the 8 speed does tend to shift a lot... Which can be good and bad.

[PrematureApex]

Not sure why you're hung up on accident history. Professionally repaired, a "cracked" 3.0 is going to drive exactly 0% differently than new to you. Priced accordingly for documented repairs...no reason to sway.

As it's been said...depends where your priorities lie. The 8 speed is better. But if you're an enthusiast, who will modify for power, the N55 is a neat little platform. It's a fun little sleeper, and arguably the last good chassis offered by BMW.

[Njerts]

Originally Posted by jpc647

To be honest, I really didn't think the 6 speed in the 35i was bad. Is the 8 speed better, well yeah, in most circumstances. Except the 8 speed does tend to shift a lot... Which can be good and bad.

I agree the 6 speed is not that bad. Just for a 2014/5 I expected more.

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Not sure why you're hung up on accident history. Professionally repaired, a "cracked" 3.0 is going to drive exactly 0% differently than new to you. Priced accordingly for documented repairs...no reason to sway.

As it's been said...depends where your priorities lie. The 8 speed is better. But if you're an enthusiast, who will modify for power, the N55 is a neat little platform. It's a fun little sleeper, and arguably the last good chassis offered by BMW.

Because they don't have any records of the repair. Not to say it wasn't professionally repaired, but I don't know that it was. I wouldn't be able to tell if there was damage buried beneath, and that's not something I feel comfortable getting involved in. If it was a steal, it'd go look at it, but it's priced in line with other cars that haven't been wrecked. But I agree, if the selling dealership made the repairs and had documentation, It'd consider it.

I don't think I'll be modifying the 35i. Besides an exhaust maybe for a little growl. It was plenty fast. If I end up with the 28, it'd probably end up having to add the Dinan system, and an exhaust.

[0w40X1]

I'm a less is more kind of guy.

I ordered s28i with only M Sport for the add-on with no regrets.

Notice I don't have the X, but that adds weight, drag, and they have some bearing troubles.

I can't even imagine needing more power, and if I lived around snow (even in Texas panhandle) I'd just get extra wheels with snow tires which would work better than X with all season (no season).

I even drove it up to 120 mph at Circuit of the Americas.

[0w40X1]

Seems like the worst average MPG or hwy with wind and AC is 23mpg for both on my X1 s28i.

My scangauge showed that I once got 42mpg for 70 miles at 70 mph.

Wind was behind me and no AC.

Very smooth, quick, quiet car.

[bosstones]

I actually wanted the 6 over the 8 and chose the 35 over the 28 after driving both. Had to special order mine to get what I wanted since there surprisingly 35's in the area (i.e. the entire Chicagoland area).

[vstolpner]

I'm very happy with our 28xi and with how much travel we do over weekends the added gas mileage is a blast.

As for comparing to rivals - we test drove the Forester 2.0XT and despite having nearly identical engine power ratings the thing was SLOW. I mean I cannot understate the slowness of that vehicle. I know someone with a 535i and when I floored it on our X1 he was shocked it wasn't the N55 version. Plus you can always go with a JB4 or the Dinan Sport option - no need to spend the huge $$ on the Stage 1.

+1 for 28i
+1 for HID's (really huge difference)
+1 for tuning if you need the added power (I don't)
+1 for 8-speed gearbox (with auto start/stop)

Also keep in mind that the mileage on the cars isn't going to decrease and the longer you wait less likely you will be to find a low-mileage model. We ended up going with a lower-mileage model that didn't have everything we wanted (like color), but I have no regrets about getting it as it means we've been enjoying driving it that much longer.

[rtowell]

No regrets on the 28i. My other car is an E39 M5 and I do not find the 28i to be disappointing. The transmission is awesome as long as you leave it is sport mode.

It's plenty quick, gets excellent mileage and is very versatile. I drove the 35i before making my final decision and the difference in transmissions sealed the deal.

[bvanlieu]

As a X1 3.0T owner I would not look down upon the 2.0T at all. BMW under rates it and the 3.0 while being silky smooth is not so great with the fuel: one must drive it in boring mode to get 25-26 HWY

I would not buy a 2.0T new: I think the price of it is just a bit obnoxious in principle but BMW is a profit machine. On the used market which is how I tend to consume our cars (Got the X1 with 24K on the clock for a nice discount) if its outfitted how you like it its a good vehicle with plenty of oomph.

Part of my reason for looking only for the 3.0T was a bit illogical: as a car guy I6's are a dying breed and I really wanted that under the hood compared to a I-4 that has no personality. Illogical in that it makes less fiscal sense but the heart wants what the heart wants

- b

[bratwurst1]

I bought my car on a whim and did not even know two versions existed. So I call that an uniformed choice to buy the 28i. That said, I really like it. Though my Dinan sport tuner was just ordered which should increase the enjoyment even more.

[mcdanielvzw]

The 35i with a JB4 just zooms. I never even considered (or drove) the 28i, coming from a manual 4 cyl that just hesitated, I wanted the power to be there from GO. I had a 2016 28i as a loaner when I was having maintenance done, and I didn't regret my choice at all.

[kiloTHREE]

I came from a 2.0T VW, I loved the engine size/economy so much I stuck with the 2.0 instead of the 3.0. Much easier to work on in the engine bay, better transmission (kind of). My only regret is not holding out for a manual/rwd only.