Comments on BMW X3's???

gt350mike · 01-28-2009, 10:30 AM

My wife is considering trading her 03 325 for a 06 or 07 X3 so I'd like to know if anyone has owned (or knew someone) an X3. We've had great service out of our 325 and I almost had her talked into a 530, but she wants a mini-SUV. I wanted her to get the 530 because the ride has the right about of feedback from the road, but doesn't wear you down on a road-trip like the 325.

mattdavis11 · 01-28-2009, 10:32 AM

Do they have the water cooled alternator like the x5? If so, I would pass.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-28-2009, 11:19 AM

Have you driven one? Reviews always stated that they were very rough riding.

304065 · 01-28-2009, 11:27 AM

FYI Matt, the water cooled alternator never appeared on the 3,0, only on the V8s.

Carrerax · 01-28-2009, 11:33 AM

I have had many BMW's over the years. I love my X5. I did have a loaner X3 several years ago and I really didnt like it. It just felt really cheap inside.

VaSteve · 01-28-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrerax

I have had many BMW's over the years. I love my X5. I did have a loaner X3 several years ago and I really didnt like it. It just felt really cheap inside.

I think the first ones were really cheap. The newer version supposedly has the same amount of room as an older X5.

Carrerax · 01-28-2009, 03:33 PM

I dont know how to post a you tube video but this pretty good review from Top Gear on the X3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUroF7AuFVo

Carrerax · 01-28-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I think the first ones were really cheap. The newer version supposedly has the same amount of room as an older X5.

Not disputing the size just the build quality. An X5 does not have an impressive amount of cargo room. That is why I had to buy a van.....

Dottore · 01-28-2009, 03:55 PM

The new X3's (2008 model year and newer) are much nicer than the old ones. Better suspension, better interior, better fit and finish all around. Very nice car actually.

You might also look at the new small VW SUV if you're interested in the X3. In Germany the small VW SUV outsells the X3 by a huge margin, and gets excellent reviews.

MOMO3.2 · 01-28-2009, 09:29 PM

We just returned our 2006 BMW X3 3.0 after leasing it for 39 months. It was my wife's, but I logged at least 1/2 the miles in it. We loved every day of ownership. The X3 really captures the essence of those cars that established BMW as an icon (2002's and 320i's). They are a no nonsense (no-frills) driver's machine. The ride is rough compared to a damn Lexus, but X3's have superb handling for an SAV. The size is just right. The 3.0 motor is amazing in every way and it returned great gas mileage. Some people just don't get what BMW was aiming for with the X3. I do!

The X3 was easily the best family car we have EVER owned by a huge margin. The only reason we returned it was family cost cutting measures. I would say X3's are way under rated. And, (not to be rude but) most X5 owners have no clue how BMW established themselves in the states. It sure as heck was not with behemoth, over stuffed, cushy, status vehicles. It was with practical, honest, sporty, driver's machines. Just like the X3!

Mike

LeRoux Strydom · 01-29-2009, 03:15 AM

My wife has been driving her X3 with the 3.0 six for 3.5 years now, done 67000 km or so (40k miles?). We had some minor complaints about the interior quality at the start, all fixed by BMW under warranty. These were really minor things like the rubberized covering on the steering wheel and window switches peeling off. What car in this price class does not have excessive amounts of plastic in the interior? However, it is rattle-free, and the interior stands up very well to the abuse handed out by the poor car being a mom's taxi to 3 kids.

We had zero mechanical complaints, and never a hiccup of any kind - 100% reliable.

The car is dynamically excellent, and I love driving it. It drives almost as well as my old 530i (RIP) did. The ride is firm, certainly not floppy, but not harsh either. In fact, I think it has a better ride than my new X5 (maybe the run-flat tyres on the X5 plays a role here).

My wife will keep the X3 for a long time still.

daepp · 01-29-2009, 08:29 AM

A buddy of mine is a top exec at BMW NA. He can drive any car he wants - 2 cars at a time (one for spouse). I think they keep them for about 6 months. They keep going back to the X3.

tangerine911S · 01-29-2009, 12:48 PM

No experience but when they first came out I read some reviews. They all pretty much said "this car sucks really bad"

gt350mike · 01-29-2009, 02:30 PM

Heading to the dealership tonight to take our first test drive on an 07. I will see if they have any 08's in stock for comparison. I'm still leaning towards a 5 Series because I know we're going to make several trips to D.C. over the next four years (my son has been offered a wrestling scholarhip at American U).

It goes w/out saying but Thanks for all the feedback!

Nine17 · Nine17's Garage

I bought a CPO '06 X3 with 15K mi for my wife in October. So far it's a superb car, one of the most practical I have ever owned. There's some cheap plastic in the interior but on our late-production '06 the suspension tuning is beautiful, classic BMW. Our X3 also has great suspension articulation and steering damping on dirt roads. The car is very roomy (the same interior volumes as the 1000 pound heavier Toureg or Cayenne). My main complaint is that the rear seat is a little on the hard side (the fronts are terrific). No rattles, even with that big Pope-mobile sunroof. The great price, great financing, and great warranty sealed the deal.

dd74 · 01-29-2009, 08:20 PM

A couple we know leases one. The wife can't stand it. Says it gets lousy mileage for what's billed as a higher mpg SUV, and the ride is atrocious.

We test drove one, but that was about it. As I recall, it had a firm ride. But then, I have Bilstein sport shocks on my 911 - everything rides soft IMO.

LeRoux Strydom · 01-29-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangerine911S

No experience but when they first came out I read some reviews. They all pretty much said "this car sucks really bad"

Yet you feel qualified to offer an opinion?

Maybe you should actually drive an X3 or read more current reviews before commenting.

glewis80SC · glewis80SC's Garage

X3 ride is too harsh, if doing it I would go with the X5 much better set up. We had one for three years, loved it . Lots of room and not a lick of mech. problems

Dottore · 01-30-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glewis80SC

X3 ride is too harsh, if doing it I would go with the X5 much better set up. We had one for three years, loved it . Lots of room and not a lick of mech. problems

Apples and oranges.

The new X3 is very well sorted, and has a very lean and minimalist feel about it. It almost feels like a 330 or 335 coupe—not an SUV. It's a great small SUV for those who like a lighter more car-like feel.

The X5 feels much richer and more bloated than the X3. There is nothing lean and minimalist about it. It is large German luxo-barge.

LeRoux Strydom · 01-31-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Apples and oranges.

The new X3 is very well sorted, and has a very lean and minimalist feel about it. It almost feels like a 330 or 335 coupe—not an SUV. It's a great small SUV for those who like a lighter more car-like feel.

The X5 feels much richer and more bloated than the X3. There is nothing lean and minimalist about it. It is large German luxo-barge.

I have both the X3 and X5, albeit the new E70 X5. The ride is very similar, in fact, I would say the ride in the new E70 X5 is harsher than the X3, due to the use of run-flat tyres. I am told that replacement with regular tyres improves the ride significantly, but I can't do that since my car is the 7-seater with no spare wheel. On bad roads the X5 ride is uncompromising, on good roads it is excellent.

In most respects, you are correct. The X3 is smaller and more nimble, and feels like a car. The X5 is LARGE.

The drive dynamics of both are excellent however, like BMW's should be.