The Motor Forum

franki68 · Petrolhead Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2379

Just 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.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

Picshtures?

franki68 · Petrolhead Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2379

Clunes · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

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)

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject:

clunes comments are mirrored by most what car owner reviews.

Nice but why buy one over a 5 series estate?
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Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

In general I agree - 5 Touring every time.

Clunes · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

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.

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

are we concluding it's a woman's car then

_________________
Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

franki68 · Petrolhead Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2379

Mark · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

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.

Mark · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Roadrunner · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject:

Frank Bullitt · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject:

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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Shame your mind don't shine like your possessions

Mark · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

franki68 · Petrolhead Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2379

Racing · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

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 · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:

The facelift made a big difference - I saw a new saloon today and it looked good, subject to usual colour/wheel caveats.