Ask the Car People.SM


BMW X3

4185 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 149 of 420

#1473 of 4185 Re: X3, FX, Cayenne S [designman] by clpurnell

Oct 11, 2004 (9:20 pm)

Replying to: designman (Oct 11, 2004 6:06 am)
Designman -
 
Nice well thought out post. I drove the X3 3.0 and indeed it is a nice vehicle. However I would like to point out the facts in the link you sent.
 
The FX35 is .2 quicker to 60. it does lose in the qtr mile by .1 to the X3. The FX35 sport (which I have) has the same breaking and wheel/tire combo as the FX45. So that would make it even in the skidpad and stop 6 feet longer than the X3. All in all the numbers are a wash. The X3 and FX are great performers for the Suv catgeory.
 
Here is where my knock of the X3 comes and pretty much holds true throughout the BMW line. For the price I paid for my FX 40.6k I have navi, dvd entertainment, 6-disc changer, bose stero, leather, sunroof, Xenons, Keyless Go, Intelligent cruise etc etc.
 
I feel combine the performance/features/technology/price the X3 gets beat. I feel that is why it is not the hit BMW expected and thus why they are lowering the price by 1500 for 2005. Also I prefer the style of the FX. It is different and makes a statement. The X3 with it's plastic body cladding and hard plastic interior looks cheap even though it is more expensive than the FX.
 
Honestly if the X3 offered more of the features the FX did and looked more like an X5 inside and out I feel it would have been the hit BMW expected. But this segment is tough and looking cheap and while not offering any "value" or significant performance advantage is why the X3 has not done so well.
 
Honestly I hope they get it right. Get rid of the plastic like toyota did on the 4 runner. Upgrade the interior like Nissan had to do with the altima. Then they will have a winner. I hope they do then I may have an alternative vehicle to consider when my FX lease is up.

#1474 of 4185 by alaskan_otter

Oct 12, 2004 (7:06 am)

This so-called "cheap" interior is perfect for people who want to use the X3 as an "activity" vehicle - hauling dogs and bikes around town. And for long weekend road trips, there is just no better ride in a car like this one. This is where you see the payoff in shelling out a bit more money for the engineering.

#1475 of 4185 Re: X3, FX, Cayenne S [clpurnell] by davidc1

Oct 12, 2004 (7:11 am)

Replying to: clpurnell (Oct 11, 2004 9:20 pm)
I would strongly agree that FX35 is much better value. Although I can't think of too many people buying BMWs using the value equation. '05 X3 will be priced lower, interior will be improved, exterior (front fenders) will be more streamlined, etc.. I am sure BMW sees what's wrong with the status quo.
 
As far as leasing is concerned though, X3 may actually beat the FX in value. We are talking zero down $450/mo for a loaded X3 3.0. I don't know that you can get an FX for less than $500. I could be dead wrong of course.

#1476 of 4185 Re: X3, FX, Cayenne S [clpurnell] by kyfdx HOST

Oct 12, 2004 (7:11 am)

Replying to: clpurnell (Oct 11, 2004 9:20 pm)
If you are going to compare the Japanese manufacturer's cars vs. BMW on price, BMW will always lose.. They just cost more, and they always have... and, I would bet that they always will..
 
If you consider another car to be the equal of the BMW, then it is always going to be a better value..
 
I rarely find that they are... usually, the BMW is more satisfying to drive.. if you can afford it, it is worth paying for, IMHO.
 
regards,
kyfdx

#1477 of 4185 Re: X3, FX, Cayenne S [kyfdx] by kdshapiro

Oct 12, 2004 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Oct 12, 2004 7:11 am)
Value is subjective. In essence it depends if your priority is on gadgets or driving. You pay more for a so-called equivalent vehicle, but it really isn't the same and I'm not even suggesting it is worth the price.
 
Friend owns an Acura TL and extolls the virtue of the DVD and bluetooth. It just so happens they are two things I could care less about. To him, it was a deal-clincher, to me I wouldn't spend a plugged nickel on it. I'd rather put the money toward that silk-like road feel.

#1478 of 4185 Re: Under-whelmed by X3 [jane3] by jed

Oct 12, 2004 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: jane3 (Oct 09, 2004 8:05 am)
Jane 3:
When we bought our 2001 325xi, I really wanted the small wagon but was outvoted by my husband. The X3 holds more than the 325xi wagon (and if Edmunds is accurate, more than the FX35). I can carry three golf bags with carts but have to fold down half the back seat to do so. Carrying two bags and carts with all the seats up is no problem.
The handling, general feel of the X3, and braking seem as good as the 2001 325xi, and the seating position and vision seem, if anything, better to me. I like the interior of the 325 better (both cars have black vynyl) but I have adapted. If interior was my chief concern I would have opted for the Touareg, which holds about the same as the X3 for total capacity (71 cubic feet).
I wanted a car that you could fold the back seat down easily and close to flat, which the X3 does. Our X3 has little in the way of add ons, just steptronic and special paint, and I'm happy with that.
In your shoes I might opt for the 3.0 since the price difference is less dramatic for '05, but I have no complaints with the 2.5, which we drive to the mountains on a regular basis, getting about 22 mpg (less in town driving. I wasn't sure what to make of the moon roof (have one in the 325) when we test drove the X3, particularly since we may carry a canoe sometimes, so didn't get this option though I generally have in the past.
Don't know what to say about suitcases. Hope this helps and good luck car hunting.

#1479 of 4185 Kydfx, Kdshapiro etc. by clpurnell

Oct 12, 2004 (5:28 pm)

I guess you guys will never get it. The FX is the equal of the X3 on the road no question. The interior is superior (has been the BMW knock on the G35 vs 3 series) and it is priced lower.
 
BMW's are nice vehicles I really like the 5 and 7 series however I will not spend more just because it says BMW on the tail especially when I can get more of what I want.
 
The lease argument is valid BMW resduals and money factors have been better than the FX thus my interest and my even being on this board. However you guys should realize that BMW like every manufacturer makes hits and misses and the original X3 at it's price point was a miss.

#1480 of 4185 by pjo1966

Oct 12, 2004 (7:31 pm)

I have a question... has anyone experienced a grinding of the brakes on the X3? I was speaking with someone who just bought one and he complained about this. The reason I ask is because that is a problem I've been having with my Infiniti FX35 for the past year. They claim to have just fixed it with a new warranty repair. If the X3 has the same problem I'm going to have to find another replacement for my FX35. My experience has been vastly different from clpurnell's. While I agree that the interior is superior, I am not blown away by the quality. The worst thing is the customer support. They repeatedly take the side of the dealers in case of any dispute. They have been consistently rude and less than helpful. It was a mistake for me to leave BMW and I will most likely be going back soon providing the grinding brakes are not present.

#1481 of 4185 BMW vs. Infiniti by davidc1

Oct 12, 2004 (9:15 pm)

I appreciate both posts from purnell and 66. I did drive the FX35 and found the ride and handling on par with X3. And I believe you'll get more for your money with the FX. But I did think that FX design could get old after a few years and the cargo space didn't appear as usable as X3. Just my opinion. As far as the dealer service is concerned, I do think Infiniti wins hands down. BMW is not bad, above average in fact. It's just not where Lexus/Infiniti is. I lease my cars and quite often (last two times) BMWs made more sense. But if I was buying, there would be so many more choices for around $40K.

#1482 of 4185 by pjo1966

Oct 12, 2004 (10:03 pm)

I guess dealer service all depends on the dealer you go to. I've had some really bad experiences with mine. I was told at 5000 miles that my brakes were 50% gone, but I still had 60% use left in them. I still don't know how that works. My former service guy was really condescending. I never had a problem with either of the BMW dealers I used for service.

Messages Page 149 of 420

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement