any BMW X3 experience?

[ifcar]

First, the footwell is too small, the center console is made of cheap plastics, the steering is decent for an SUV but I'd rather have an E91 or an E46 wagon instead, the ride is firm without being either comfortable or sporty (at least the sports package fixes one of those problems), the thing gets 17 mpg on average without so much as putting the pedal down, the interior is sparse unless you load it up, and the materials aren't up to par with other BMWs, it's expensive without any added benefit, it's ugly, dated, not particularly good at anything, not particularly quiet compared to other 3ers, the transmission is a little jerky in the auto models for a $40k vehicle (hence why not just get the 6-speed -- and the sport suspension just makes it better), and it's just overall a waster of a vehicle based on last generation parts with a last generation AWD system wrapped in a slightly newer wrapper built without the normal quality of a BMW.

Unless it has the wood inlays to hide the shitty dash, the sports suspension, the aluminum ///M door jambs, the deep Leguna Seca blue paint that doesn't look like it came from an Accent, and some semblance of sport to it, I don't see it being better than a V6 RAV4 for $15k more.

No stickshift RAV4.

[omicron]

No stickshift RAV4.

There'd be about three buyers who choose a manual X3 this year.

[ifcar]

There'd be about three buyers who choose a manual X3 this year.

This thread was started by someone who is considering an X3 with a stick.

[omicron]

This thread was started by someone who is considering an X3 with a stick.

Ah. It's wine time, you see. Sensible thoughts like reading the initial post aren't leaping into my brain at the moment.

[MrH]

I expected you to just let that go, shouldn't you know by now that it's basically bait?

  I wanted to see just how stupid of a response I'd get.  He didn't disappoint!

[the Teuton]

  I wanted to see just how stupid of a response I'd get.  He didn't disappoint!

Have you even driven an X3?

[Tave]

I had seat time in both a X3 and a 335 coupe this weekend. Back-to-back nonetheless. I still don't understand your hate hate hate hate hate.

[the Teuton]

I had seat time in both a X3 and a 335 coupe this weekend. Back-to-back nonetheless. I still don't understand your hate hate hate hate hate.

Do you think that X3 was worth $45k?

[MrH]

Have you even driven an X3?

155 mph on the Autobahn.

Next! 

[the Teuton]

155 mph on the Autobahn.

Next! 

It's still a piece of shit for the money.

I once got my Subaru up to almost 100 mph. It doesn't really prove anything.

[MrH]

It's still a piece of shit for the money.

I once got my Subaru up to almost 100 mph. It doesn't really prove anything.

Probably shouldn't call me out on it then...

I just like how your bitching consists of:  it's not a compact wagon, it's not as quiet as a compact car, it's too sporty, no wait, not sporty enough, better get the sport package and a 6-speed.

[the Teuton]

Probably shouldn't call me out on it then...

I just like how your bitching consists of:  it's not a compact wagon, it's not as quiet as a compact car, it's too sporty, no wait, not sporty enough, better get the sport package and a 6-speed.

It does nothing well, and it's generally a sparse bit of kit with a big price. It's a badgemobile in every sense of the word.

Oh yeah, the X3 tops out at 140 mph without a limiter.

[2o6]

Oh yeah, the X3 tops out at 140 mph without a limiter.

In the US.

[MrH]

It does nothing well, and it's generally a sparse bit of kit with a big price. It's a badgemobile in every sense of the word.

Oh yeah, the X3 tops out at 140 mph without a limiter.

You originally said it was a big piece of shit.  That's completely different than just not being class leading.

Oh, and you're looking at gasoline X3's.  I drove a diesel.

[the Teuton]

You originally said it was a big piece of shit.  That's completely different than just not being class leading.

Oh, and you're looking at gasoline X3's.  I drove a diesel.

I still think it is a piece of shit. On the record, I would happily take a Hyundai Santa Fe over one. I think the X3 is a useless vehicle -- and not just "not class-leading." It's obsolete in the marketplace.

[ifcar]

I still think it is a piece of shit. On the record, I would happily take a Hyundai Santa Fe over one. I think the X3 is a useless vehicle -- and not just "not class-leading." It's obsolete in the marketplace.

Ummmm....

I think it can be safely said that each one is good at a very different thing.

[the Teuton]

Ummmm....

I think it can be safely said that each one is good at a very different thing.

Should I have said Q5?

[SVT666]

The X3 isn't worth the dough they want for it.

[r0tor]

I think if VW sold the Tiguan with a torsen center diff I'd own one right now... ugh, in haldex i do not trust

[Raza]

I still think it is a piece of shit. On the record, I would happily take a Hyundai Santa Fe over one. I think the X3 is a useless vehicle -- and not just "not class-leading." It's obsolete in the marketplace.

We're talking about the X3, right, not the X6?

[the Teuton]

We're talking about the X3, right, not the X6?

The X6 is fun to drive. It's ugly and useless, but it is fun. The X3, however, doesn't have that much going for it in base form.

[SVT666]

I haven't driven one like Teuton has, but just sitting in it is enough to turn me off the price tag.

[Raza]

The X6 is fun to drive. It's ugly and useless, but it is fun. The X3, however, doesn't have that much going for it in base form.

You mean other than being significantly cheaper than an X5 and roughly the same size inside? 

And excuse me while I try to catch my breath here---are you saying a modern BMW has a cheap interior?  Oh no! 

[the Teuton]

You mean other than being significantly cheaper than an X5 and roughly the same size inside?

I believe that was only for the first generation X5. They made the current model a lot bigger. Still, the first gen feels very upscale compared to the X3.

And excuse me while I try to catch my breath here---are you saying a modern BMW has a cheap interior?  Oh no!  

When did they all get so bad? I mean anything with a base price over $45k really isn't  that bad, even with the "stripped" interiors, but the 1, 3, and X3 really aren't that good unless you load them up a little. And even then, the X3 is still mediocre in its class.

[Galaxy]

The interior is to cheap for the price (same with the X1) and the pre facelift models came with inexusable huge pieces of unpainted plastic.




Volvo XC 60?

[the Teuton]

The interior is to cheap for the price (same with the X1) and the pre facelift models came with inexusable huge pieces of unpainted plastic.




Volvo XC 60?

If he were buying new, an XC60, Q5, or something like that would be good. Since he isn't, I'm going to suggest a Lexus GX470.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271716191&dealer_id=69606&car_year=2004&rdm=1266352617499&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&model=GX_MODELSCLASS_SERIES&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=26&make=LEXUS&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18015&advanced=&end_year=2011&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=36&standard=false

[2o6]

If he were buying new, an XC60, Q5, or something like that would be good. Since he isn't, I'm going to suggest a Lexus GX470.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271716191&dealer_id=69606&car_year=2004&rdm=1266352617499&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&model=GX_MODELSCLASS_SERIES&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=26&make=LEXUS&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18015&advanced=&end_year=2011&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=36&standard=false

Infiniti EX?

[r0tor]

If he were buying new, an XC60, Q5, or something like that would be good. Since he isn't, I'm going to suggest a Lexus GX470.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271716191&dealer_id=69606&car_year=2004&rdm=1266352617499&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&model=GX_MODELSCLASS_SERIES&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=26&make=LEXUS&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18015&advanced=&end_year=2011&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=36&standard=false

oh hell no

[the Teuton]

oh hell no

You want a lux cute ute then? Honestly, the X3 blows.

[nickdrinkwater]

If he were buying new, an XC60, Q5, or something like that would be good. Since he isn't, I'm going to suggest a Lexus GX470.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271716191&dealer_id=69606&car_year=2004&rdm=1266352617499&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&model=GX_MODELSCLASS_SERIES&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=26&make=LEXUS&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18015&advanced=&end_year=2011&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=36&standard=false

Toyota rebadge alert!