franki68
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x3Just picked it up,really pleased...it is so much smaller and nimbler than the volvo.
Downside..some of the interior quality is poor...poor plastics used for trim.
..not expecting much in the way of mpg as I found myself enjoying the engine quite a bit.
upside...good seats,no squeaks at all anywhere inside...handling is great for this type of car and steering/engine/gearbox are all BMW usual high standard.
All the switchgear is the same as inside a 3 or 5 series so it feels decent quality.
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Roadsterstu
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Picshtures?
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franki68
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| Roadsterstu wrote: | | Picshtures? |
My camera is broken and my samsung mobile which has a 8mp camera is so shit the shutter won't open.
I will stick some up when I get a new camera..or a new camera phone.
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Clunes
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Helen (my fiancee) has had one of these (the 2.5i rather than the 3.0) since launch and your summary is spot on.
Some of the plastics are v.poor considering the price point and relative modernity (my 2000 X reg 530 was miles better quality) but it does drive very well and, as you point out, has a typical BMW quality to the drive-train etc
How do you find the ride quality? It's not a big issue for me when I'm driving but it's poor as a passenger!
If Helen's is anything to go by the MPG will be very poor - but it largely depends on your driving style/conditions.
Hope the boot works out for you - it's fine for our big dog but that's about it (hence me having the estate for when we need to take more than the mutt out)
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gonnabuildabuggy
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clunes comments are mirrored by most what car owner reviews.
Nice but why buy one over a 5 series estate?
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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| gonnabuildabuggy wrote: | | Nice but why buy one over a 5 series estate? |
Very steep drive that gets slippery in winter IIRC.
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gonnabuildabuggy
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote: | | gonnabuildabuggy wrote: | | Nice but why buy one over a 5 series estate? |
Very steep drive that gets slippery in winter IIRC. |
sorry, i meant in general. Although the higher driving position is also a benefit.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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In general I agree - 5 Touring every time.
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Clunes
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The fairer comparison is X3 against the 3-series on which it is based (the boot in the X3 doesn't come close to the 5-series but isn't far off a 3)
The argument still stands i.e. the 3-estate offers almost everything the X3 does with other well documented advantages (performance, economy...)
However, it seems they are different enough to appeal to different buyers and I can understand this (even though it's not the choice I would personally make)
For many, the X3s smaller physical dimensions, raised ride/seating, easy boot access make it a more practical car in day to day usage and this is certainly true in Helens case (she finds my new Mondeo too big and much prefers the higher driving position of hers)
Come to think of it I don't know anyone with an X3 (or X5) who even considered a standard estate prior to purchase.
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gonnabuildabuggy
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are we concluding it's a woman's car then 
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franki68
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| gonnabuildabuggy wrote: | | are we concluding it's a woman's car then |
The ride is not too bad,ok it bobs up and down a bit on really bad roads,but never found it uncomfortable.It is a direct opposite to the xc90 which was very soft and comfortable,but made you seasick going round corners.
I would have bought an estate ,but my missus wanted 4 wheel drive and the only ones of a similar price was the subaru I tried,but that would have driven me mad (the seats squeaked so much ).So yep it is a womans car,good job I am secure enough in my sexuality for it not to bothe r me.
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Mark
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| Clunes wrote: | | Come to think of it I don't know anyone with an X3 (or X5) who even considered a standard estate prior to purchase. |
I’m not saying the X3 is a looker for one second, but I think another reason for that is that the E90 estate (and saloon) is very dull and nondescript when seen driving down the road. A nicely specced X3 looks ‘something’ – if that makes sense.
A neighbour has a 2.5 X3 Sport in a pale metallic blue with cream leather – she does lightly use the 4 wheel drive at the stables where her horses are - it’s not pretty but it’s smart and looks the money. I can’t imagine an E90 estate doing the same thing.
I do hope that BMW get back on the (looks) ball with the next 3 series. (saloon & estate, at least. I actually really like the current coupe)
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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I wonder if BMW will ever sell the 4WD versions of the 3 and 5 in the UK. Probably not - I'm sure it's the best market in Europe for MILF-mobiles.
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Mark
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote: | | MILF-mobiles. |
Very true - extremely rare to see a munter driving one around here.
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Roadrunner
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| franki68 wrote: | | The ride is not too bad,ok it bobs up and down a bit |
My recent experience of a 1-Series demonstrated how well BMWs do bobbing up and down. In fact, bobbing up and down seems to be a BMW speciality. Worth it for the engine though.
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gonnabuildabuggy
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| Mark wrote: | | I do hope that BMW get back on the (looks) ball with the next 3 series. (saloon & estate, at least. I actually really like the current coupe) |
+1 - odd how the coupe looks so right and the others are frankly pants.
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Frank Bullitt
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Strange - I was alongside a transporter full of 3er's today and thought they looked incredibly handsome, especially the two saloon SE's in non-metallic red.
Never really understood the deep vitriol against the X3 - can't see how it's much different from the genre; unlike the X5 which holds its money the X3 seems to be a decent used buy.
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Mark
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| Frank Bullitt wrote: | | Strange - I was alongside a transporter full of 3er's today and thought they looked incredibly handsome, especially the two saloon SE's in non-metallic red. |
The facelift did improve things a little.
I've loved the 3 series since I was a kid - the E30, E36 (owned two) and E46 all looked really good and classy to me but any E90 3XX i/d ES/SE all appear very dull I'm afraid (Sports are a little better but not much).
Roll on the next one.
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franki68
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| Frank Bullitt wrote: | Strange - I was alongside a transporter full of 3er's today and thought they looked incredibly handsome, especially the two saloon SE's in non-metallic red.
Never really understood the deep vitriol against the X3 - can't see how it's much different from the genre; unlike the X5 which holds its money the X3 seems to be a decent used buy. |
The x5 is the best onroad softroader ,whilst it doe s not have the cabin of a RRover on the road it is a far superior drive.It is still too big though.
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Racing
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I think it's unfair to say the 3er coupe is the only decent-looker of the range.
I've always rather liked the saloon and the touring, rear lights excepted, and the facelift sorted those.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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The facelift made a big difference - I saw a new saloon today and it looked good, subject to usual colour/wheel caveats.
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