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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 195 of 420

#1933 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [djocks] by markcincinnati

May 26, 2005 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: djocks (May 26, 2005 7:06 am)
I put a review of the X3 including comments about the "look" here about 10+ days ago.
 
In sum, I will tell you (all) that the X3 in stock trim ONLY looks dressed up in Jet Black or the pearlescent black color (which for $450 is virtually impossible to discern from a distance of 10 meters if both the black colored cars are side by side and clean -- my meaning, the pearl black is nice but it seems to me to be too subtle for the bucks).
 
Our $47,000 X3 3.0 is chock full of options:
 
Premium
Sport
Winter
Sat Nav
Parktronic
Sat Radio
Premium Audio
Xenon Headlights
Integrated Bluetooth phone (there's a better use of $450 than the black pearl paint)
Servotronic steering (a must have and it is only $250)
 
Our X3 as equipped above has the Terracotta leather interior and with the black paint and the gloss shadowline trim that comes with either Premium or Sport packages plus the bigger and dressier wheels and sport steering wheel. The look of this car is "almost" fully dressed for a black tie affair. The bumpers are flat black and the paint and trim is gloss black, but the contrast is so subtle it doesn't look as half baked as some of the other colors what with the rubber bumpers.
 
Painting the bumpers will be about $1200 USD (I had this treatment done to my 2003 Audi allroad and the bumpers were about this much and the fender flares were another $425 -- the X3 flares don't need to be dressed as they are nicely integrated IMHO.)
 
If you don't mind Jet Black and are willing to get the Premium and Sport packages, you will probably be about 95% OK with the dressed up look this combination imparts IMHO to every casual eye and probably 80% of the rest of the population would not notice the bumpers not being coated in Jet Black or Pearl Black paint -- and you can save your $1200 or $2500 for the body kit (which does look nice in blue and red, if you care).
 
The sport package does improve the look with the wheels alone.
 
This is a bit of a stretch to have an "imaginary" dress up via buying the thing in black in the first place. But that was the color my wife wanted in the first place. We drove a white one and you're correct it just looked a lot cheaper with the obviously unpainted bumpers.
 
All I am suggesting is to consider the look (if you can tolerate black paint) as described above, before you write off the X3 as the ugly duckling of the BMW bunch. The vehicle now at 1100 miles gets better every day (we have the stick shift which may mitigate your concerns about the extra 30HP somewhat too, since the 6spd manual version is noticeably more quick and nimble (and controllable) than the 5speed "a hunting we shall go" steptronic.)
 
Then there is the issue that if you MUST have an auto, the new version will come not only with the extra juice under the hood but with a 6speed auto or 6speed manual which should make both the shifters and the shiftless grin from ear to ear.
 
Of course the deals on the current crop -- even if custom ordered, built and shipped to the US -- hard to pass up.
 
Our $47K MSRP X3 with $250.00 down (long story) is $581/mo including tax fort 36 months 15,000 miles per year.
 
This thing drive VERY much like a new 2005.5 Audi A4 (which after 27 Audis in our garage is all I have to compare it to, not that I'm unsure it would compare favorably with other Bimmers.)
 
Great vehicle, great value, great fun.

#1934 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [markcincinnati] by bodble2

May 26, 2005 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 26, 2005 2:49 pm)
I know what you mean about the black paint blending in well with the black bumpers. But I have had 2 black cars before. What with the dirt, fingerprints, swirl marks, I said never again!.
 
I suspect the sweet deals on the X3 will not continue into next model year, whereas the deals for X5's will only get sweeter. That, I think, will be where the tough decision is -- whether to go for a vehicle on its way out but offers more bang for your buck. But if they don't stick the new 6 in the X5, then I would only consider an X5 4.4 if I go for an X5, and that would likely tip the scale in favour of a fully-loaded X3 3.0. (I hate to have to buy the stupid panoramic moonroof in order to get Premium Pack though. I think moonroofs are a waste of time and money, but especially on an SUV ).

#1935 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [bodble2] by robertv

May 26, 2005 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (May 26, 2005 4:13 pm)
Moonroofs are stupid? Can you please share your opinion on this in more detail? You're probably first person I've ever heard of that not only didn't like them but thought they were stupid. I think the moonroof in the X3 is it's best feature (with the exception of the "Six").

#1937 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [markcincinnati] by bodble2

May 26, 2005 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 26, 2005 2:49 pm)
mark, you seem to have bought every option including the kitchen sink, but I don't see the security alarm in your list of options. Did you get one? If not, why not. If you did, how do you like it? Can I ask you one thing in particular? Does it only beeps/flash light on the first push of the remote button? In other words, say, when you're unlocking, after the car is unlocked by the first push on the fob remote, the lights wouldn't flash and it doesn't beep no matter how many more times you push the unlock button?
 
Thanks.

#1938 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [bodble2] by markcincinnati

May 27, 2005 (5:09 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (May 26, 2005 7:18 pm)
One, no, two small pet peeves: regardless of the fact that we added almost $11,000 of options to this vehicle, we had "assumed" two things were "standard" that are not.
 
#1 Homelink
#2 Alarm system
 
Homelink is $425 for the PART plus some labor charge. Ouch. Get Servotronic for $250 and use your garage's small remote and live with it. But damn, at this price point and "class" no homelink? What were they thinking.
 
No alarm system. What you get is the equivalent of "the threat without the teeth" -- you get the appearance that you have an alarm (the red upsidedown gumball machine on the rearview mirror). Truth be told that is probably enough most of the time. Of course when we mentioned the lack of these items we were told they could be purchased. Yet the dealership told us that even if the car were to be violated that it would be unlikely it could be driven and since it came with On*star (aka BMW assist) that GPS tracking could find the car were it to be ripped off.
 
Believe it or not, I was more upset about the Homelink thing. For $36,000 (base) this remains, as noted, a small peeve.
 
Sorry I can't answer your question, otherwise.

#1939 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [markcincinnati] by haakon

May 27, 2005 (7:28 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 26, 2005 2:49 pm)
Mark,
 
Any news/update on your mileage experience w. the X3?

#1940 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [markcincinnati] by bodble2

May 27, 2005 (9:03 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 27, 2005 5:09 am)
I knew the alarm was not standard, but the lack of the Homelink I did not know. Yes, you're right, surprising, Lesser cars have them as standard.
 
But you mean the red gumball (or clown nose as others have affectionately referred to it as) flashes even if there is no alarm installed?
 
Actually, FWIW, the immobilizer would probably stop most thieves from driving your ride away. The alarm would help in maintaining possession of your digital camera, toll booth change, and stash of CDs.

#1941 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [bodble2] by mvs1

May 28, 2005 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (May 27, 2005 9:03 am)
To answer your original question pertaining to the Aero kit. One X3 at the NYC auto show was so equipped in Blue. And again only opinion, the car looked completely different, more aggressive, and gave it that finished look most people as stated by Mark above, wouldn't recognize. I personally wouldn't want one without the entire body cladding included being painted. If your considering leasing one equipped with an Aero I do not beleave the kit can be residualized., but another poster or dealer may need to confirm this. The new model among other changes I've been informed will have the body color trim. The only item I haven't been informed of is what extent the interior will be upgraded and if the styling will change slightly, more in line with the new 3 and 5, most call this ugly, I happen to find it appealing.
 
The standard alarm, does not protect the contents as you have stated. The transponder key would prohibit about 99.9% of car thieves from actually stealing this vehicle. Any alarm added aftermarket for security of contents, simply go to a reputable shop, not your dealer to pay double.

#1942 of 4185 Re: Looked yesterday and need some help [mvs1] by bodble2

May 29, 2005 (12:11 am)

Replying to: mvs1 (May 28, 2005 1:28 pm)
Thanks for the info. It would indeed be good news if the '06 X3 comes with the body-colored trim.
 
Problem with going with an aftermarket alarm is finding a good reputable installer. Most shops seem to hire kids that look like they're just out of high school.

Messages Page 195 of 420

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