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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 204 of 420

#2023 of 4185 Re: Sport model: Bone Jarring? [bargamon1] by markcincinnati

Jul 15, 2005 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Jul 15, 2005 8:42 am)
My wife and I are NOT experts in ride quality. But we've had dozens of German cars over the past 30 years. We currently have three in our garage right now -- the X3 we have is a 3.0 Sport, Premium, Cold and a bunch of other options to crank this little puppy darn near into the Luxury Performance Sedan class of vehicles.
 
I can tell you that the 2003 TT coupe rides rougher and is fairly noisy.
 
My wife's 6spd manual X3 with the all season 18" wheels and tires that come with the sport package "normally" is very quiet, controlled over all kinds of surfaces and rides very well. It is somewhat firm. But, having said that, so is my new Audi A6 which has 245 x 40 x 18" tires and the NON sport suspension.
 
The ride quality of the X3 is, IMHO, a product of 2 things (well, maybe 3) -- the wheelbase and the stiffness of the X3's chassis (#3 could be spring rate, but of the three, I vote for the wheelbase and chassis stiffness as the main contributors.)
 
On a washboard road (and there are darn few of them) the ride is more choppy than on normally smooth roads (and there aren't too many of these either), but that would be true of almost any car unless it had a very long wheelbase and an active suspension.
 
You may or may not like a firm suspension -- the X3 is a BMW, a car based on the 3 series Bimmer.
 
In its normal guise, the X3 rides, IMHO, worse than the one with the sport package. I think it may be a combination of the seats, the upgrades that go with the Premium part of the deal, the minimal road noise and the precise turn in that goes with the Servotronic option.
 
Yes, the early early reviews of the 2004 X3 proclaimed it was too harsh -- but by May 2004 BMW had implemented an upgrade or change or whatever you want to call it that addressed the rock hard, near brittle feel of the first 6 month's worth of cars to come off the assembly line.
 
It is, based on our experience -- with THE largest volume BMW in Ohio -- difficult to find many examples of the X3 equipped with the combination of packages and options that seems to put this car in its absolute best light.
 
We have test driven X3 3.0's standard and sport (with both stick and auto), X3 2.5's with stick and auto but not with sport. We have driven cars with and without the Premium package and with and without the upgraded sound system, etc etc etc.
 
The BMW X3, with the above as a backdrop, is very sensitive to how it is configured. It is an absolute chameleon car/SAV.
 
I would go so far as to say this car can be luxurious/comfortable, sporty and utilitarian -- and you can make it be all three at the same time. In our experience with what is normally for sale at a dealer, the normal course is to "pick two" -- usually the one that seems to have been omitted from in-stock inventory is luxurious/comfortable.
 
That's our story and we're stickin' to it!

#2024 of 4185 Re: Sport model: Bone Jarring? [markcincinnati] by bargamon1

Jul 16, 2005 (7:25 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 15, 2005 5:47 pm)
IN many ways you describe our beloved Allroad!
 
I will add it to my list.
 
Did you ever consider the FX35 or the lack of a manual throw it out of contention?
 
Its not as refined, but its an unusual ride a few years ahead of its time.
 
Any expectatoins for 0-60 with new 255 hp engine? Should at leaset be sub 7 seconds!

#2025 of 4185 Sunroof by bargamon1

Jul 18, 2005 (7:10 am)

Does anyone really love the big sunroof??

#2026 of 4185 Re: Sunroof [bargamon1] by markcincinnati

Jul 18, 2005 (8:47 am)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Jul 18, 2005 7:10 am)
Count us as fans of the sunroof!

#2027 of 4185 Re: Sunroof [bargamon1] by mjpollack

Jul 18, 2005 (8:59 am)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Jul 18, 2005 7:10 am)
I would be happy with it, except that it has been incredibly problematic ever since I got the car (2004 X3 2.5i). It has leaked repeatedly, and the repair ATTEMPTS have always left something else wrong with it. It leaked, then it gurgled, then it rattled, then it leaked again, now it rattles again and the wind deflector binds. I have been fairly discouraged by the whole thing.... I don't expect that it is over either. In one year, the car has been in for repair about 12 times.
 
There are things that I like about it, but I can guarantee that when my lease is over, I will no longer be an X3 driver.

#2028 of 4185 Re: Sunroof [markcincinnati] by robertv

Jul 18, 2005 (9:08 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Jul 18, 2005 8:47 am)
I'm "iffy" on the sunroof. Yes it's huge and has several different positions you can put it in but I think it's more for the back seat people to enjoy. The sunroof seems to start pretty far back. Further back than my previous 2 vehicles that had sunroofs. I guess this is due to the aggressively sloped windshield. Add to this the fact that I am a pretty short guy (oh woe is me) and have to sit closer to the dash the sunroof almost starts right above my head. Well... not quite but it sure seems that way. For me, it's hard to notice when it's open unless the sun is shining directly on me. So I don't get to enjoy it as much as most people would.
 
That being said I would still get the sunroof if I had to purchase it all over again. It's one of the things that sets is apart from the competition. I have had zero problems with my X3 so far but I've only had it for 5 weeks. I'm hoping it stays that way.

#2029 of 4185 Sunroof by driver100

Jul 18, 2005 (4:31 pm)

I really like my sunroof and it is the first thing everyone notices when they get into my X3. (I agree with Robertv that it would be nice if it started closer to the windshield).
If I had the kind of problems some of you have experienced then I would certainly feel different about it.
I have only 9,000 miles in 10 months and I love driving my X3. I can't imagine another car that offers the safety, fun of driving, unique styling, comfort, reasonable gas mileage, engineering, and all at a fairly reasonable price (if you put the same options on an Explorer or Cherokee). Happy driving!

#2030 of 4185 Re: Sunroof [bargamon1] by bodble2

Jul 19, 2005 (11:42 am)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Jul 18, 2005 7:10 am)
Never cared much for sunroofs/moonroofs, big or small. Potential problems with leaks, rattles, etc as others have pointed out. And IMO they actually make the interior hotter. A pet peeve of mine is how many manufacturer force you to buy the thing by grouping it into an option package. Rented a Mustang convertible on the weekend just for fun. And IMO, if you really want open-air motoring, a convertible is the way to go.

#2032 of 4185 Baby Stroller fitting in X3 For those of you that travel with children in y by yetialan

Jul 20, 2005 (8:17 am)

For those of you that travel with children in your X3 I have a couple quick questions. I am looking to sign a 39 month lease and I am expecting our 1st child soon. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
1) With a car seat in the back from ages 1-3 is their room on either side of the car seat for two adults to sit comfortably (assuming the baby seat is in the middle rear seat)?
 
2) Does a stroller and baby stuff all fit in the back of the X3 from your experiences if the wife and I go away for a weekend (I know this depends on how much you pack but wanted opinions)?
 
3) Any other comments
 
I am also looking at M class, Jeep and X5 (X5 really does not seem that much bigger than X3 dimensions both interior and exterior!)
 
THANK YOU
 
THANK YOU

Messages Page 204 of 420

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