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BMW X3

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

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 183 of 419

#1819 of 4185 X3 for 2005 by markcincinnati

Apr 14, 2005 (12:34 pm)

Call us obsessive complusive and fussy test drivers (my wife and me) -- but we did indeed test the X3 extensively over more than one visit to the dealer and we tested both manual and automatics, sport and non sport equipped versions (we ONLY tested 3.0 engine versions, however).
 
We could not believe the difference between the stick and auto -- two completely different cars, with the stick the car drove like, well, a BMW. With the auto, left in auto mode, the transmission could never seem to stay in any one gear for more than 5 seconds without either up or down shifting -- once we got to the Interstate this behavior pretty much went away. My friend with an X5 3.0 exclusively drives his in manu-matic mode to prevent the hunting behavior.
 
Ultimately, we had the choice down to a new A4 3.2 or the BMW X3 3.0 -- equipped as she wanted each "car" the price came out to be Audi 3.2 $44K and BMW X3 3.0 $46K.
 
The Bimmer lease with no up fronts (OK, $250 "down") was $581 per month for 36 months 15K miles per year, the Audi was $684 same terms.
 
The BMW as ordered:
 
Jet Black Gloss
Terracotta Leather
Premium Package
Sport Package
Winter Package
Upgraded Sound System
Servotronic
F+R Parktronic
Sat Nav
Sirius Sat Radio
(Bluetooth and BMW Tele-Assist were part of a package).
 
We were able to drive an X3 3.0 with premium, sport, winter with a sitck shift and were impressed how close it felt to the A4 in terms of handling. The 18" wheels and tires on the X3 (with the sport suspension and sport seats) may have improved the ride and handling to offset the "SAV" nature of the Bimmer sufficiently.
 
Frankly, I think it was the stick shift that my wife was drawn to and the lack of a stick in the Audi that pushed her away. Of course there was that little matter of the Audi being $103 per month more for a car that cost $2000 MSRP less.
 
Funny, we have been playing "spot the X3" for about 3 weeks and have found NONE with the sport package (tell tale sign, the 18" wheels and the fancier trim bits) -- we assume they must be 2004's since the 2004 was criticized for being too stiff, so much so that BMW revamped the suspension in May after only being on the market for five months.
 
Drive one of these guys with the sport set up and a manual -- if the deals are still on for this thing, you will be grinning all the time you are behind the wheel.

#1820 of 4185 Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? by bhitchcock

Apr 16, 2005 (6:43 pm)

I know BMW recommends 91 octane gas for the 3.0L, but with gas going up and up, has anyone used 89 or 87 octane with any success?

#1821 of 4185 bhitchcock by nyccarguy

Apr 16, 2005 (8:00 pm)

a few things about premium gas in BMWs:
 
BMW engineers are smart people, they say to use premium gas, then use it. They're not in Kahootz with the oil companies.
 
If you don't use premuim gas, the car's knock sensors will detect a lower grade of gas being used and therefore reduce power output. If that is the case, then save some cash and go for the 2.5i. You will notice the car's acceleration leaning toward the sluggish side and the fuel economy dwindle.
 
You're spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $40K for an X3 3.0i, is the extra $.20 per gallon going to kill you? It is like the people who run out and spend $5K extra on an Accord Hybrid so they cdan save a few cents per gallon at the pump.

#1822 of 4185 Re: Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? [bhitchcock] by kyfdx HOST

Apr 17, 2005 (9:14 am)

Replying to: bhitchcock (Apr 16, 2005 6:43 pm)
Use premium...

#1823 of 4185 Re: Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? [bhitchcock] by motorcity3

Apr 18, 2005 (7:19 am)

Replying to: bhitchcock (Apr 16, 2005 6:43 pm)
Personally, I don't think that there is nothing wrong with using mid-grade or regular gas. I also agree, as has been posted, that you will lose power with the lower grade gas. BMW engineers recommend premium for a reason and I trust what they say. Especially BMW engineers. However, you will not be causing any damage to your engine if that is what you are asking.

#1824 of 4185 Re: Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? [motorcity3] by markcincinnati

Apr 18, 2005 (8:48 am)

Replying to: motorcity3 (Apr 18, 2005 7:19 am)
All true, all true -- but there are multiple essays, here and elsewhere, that demonstrate that is costs MORE MONEY to use regular when the car is designed for premium.
 
The phrase used is false economy.
 
The X3 3.0's on our dealer's lots range in price from $37 to $47K -- 1000 gallons per year, that is $200 annually.
 
I certainly understand wanting to pay less -- heck I applaud that. But the heck of it is it will not save money to use lower grade gas. It may even cost more.
 
What is for certain is that the engine will perform with less vigor, shall we say.
 
You will attempt to compensate for this loss of power by depressing the go pedal a bit further.
 
Tough it out, you can afford it. Indeed, you cannot afford not to use Prem.

#1825 of 4185 Re: Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? [markcincinnati] by beemcity

Apr 19, 2005 (8:47 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 18, 2005 8:48 am)
Just use premium folks. You've spent this much on the car, why not give it the proper fuel to get it to perform like you expected. I've experimented with putting mid grade, regular and premium. Hands down I can notice the difference when I put premium gas in it, it just feels and drives better - like a BMW should.

#1826 of 4185 Re: Which gas to use in the X3 3.0L? [beemcity] by bhitchcock

Apr 19, 2005 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: beemcity (Apr 19, 2005 8:47 am)
Thank you, just what I was looking for, someone who had tried it and good advice.
 
Bill

#1827 of 4185 X3 audio-text? by x3for3

Apr 19, 2005 (7:48 pm)

Anybody knows what " audio-text " is?
 
Is this the same as cd-text ? Is the cd supposed to show song title and artist when playing? I have tried doing this but screen only showed track number.
 
Can someone tell me how this is done or how this works? Or a program needed?
 
Thanks

Messages Page 183 of 419

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