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BMW X3

4187 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 3:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 218 of 420

#2164 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [bargamon1] by markcincinnati

Sep 06, 2005 (8:07 am)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Sep 06, 2005 6:23 am)
My dealer in Cincinnati is The BMW Store (catchy huh?)
 
The owner, my wife and I have known each other forever. Unlike many dealers, this gentlemen is actually an advisor to BMW AG. He travels to Munich regularly to attend and teach other dealers around the world how to (essentially) become ISO certified. His dealership was the second or third US dealer to become so certified.
 
The point is, he seems (via what he says and how he acts) almost like a BMW insider rather than "merely" a BMW retailer.
 
His personal daily driver (although he has many personal cars) is a 2005 X3 3.0 stick shift that has "virtually every possible option" on it. He seems to "wax poetic" about two cars, his 1997 hot rod 3 series BMW and his X3.
 
We asked him about the "next" X3 (and X5 for that matter.)
 
He responded:
 
The X3 body style is "the newer of the two SAV's, and the X3 body style will carry on and the X5 will adopt the X3 look."
 
"Moreover, the X3 will get the 255HP 3.0 (the engine in the new 3 and 5 series -- as will the X5.)"
 
The X3's with a build date (at least I think he said BUILD not availability date) in early 2006 will offer customers a choice of two 3.0 engines (just like the BMW 3 and 5 series do), a 6speed Steptronic and a 6 speed manual (under consideration is the SMG). The bumpers will no longer be "unpainted" but will come painted in body color. I assume this means the X5's painted parts (on the current model) will be imitated on the X3.
 
Additional options (in due course) will be offered -- but I am unclear if i-Drive is one of them, but it does seem logical. Of course we wondered if the dashboard would be upgraded from the course grained look to the more granular, finer grained look that is in the rest of the BMW line -- again no clear answer here.
 
Major changes?
 
He claimed none until the refresh for the 2008 model year.
 
IMHO, the 255HP 3.0 engine and the Steptronic at 6 speeds are pretty major -- but I understand the answer, since the 255HP engine is more of a running change (as it was in the 5 series.)
 
Now, is this an authoritative answer? Yes, no, but. Yes, this guy is an atypical dealer, no he is NOT a BMW employee or official despite the fact that he is more of an insider than many dealers seem to be. But, what he says does track somewhat with the buzz here there and everywhere.
 
Clear as mud, I know.
 
This would appear to mean, you can order your new X3 for a January production and it will be "upgraded."

#2165 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [markcincinnati] by bargamon1

Sep 06, 2005 (8:17 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 06, 2005 8:07 am)
as always, your the man!
 
I do hope the dash and the doors get some ugrade touches.
 
While i dig the rugged approach, this model does not reek of being a rock climbing-hose it down interior. The seats dictate the interor and they are fine, but seem out of place in the rugged interior.
 
Perhaps two levels of trim would be available. At 35k or about, its just fine and a good value. At north of 45k, it needs some touches. Sounds like most folks are pretty happy with it as it is, but thats usually par for the course.
 
Im looking forward to drivng the new motor! Yes, that is a big upgrade!

#2166 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [bargamon1] by markcincinnati

Sep 07, 2005 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Sep 06, 2005 8:17 pm)
Please understand while I believe I was accurate and I was quoting someone I assume to be "on top of the next," there is still a chance that my dealer is mostly right, somewhat right or right but not timely, etc.
 
If you can order what you want, you know it is real.
 
I believe the X3 is due in January. . .but that is my best guess.

#2167 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [markcincinnati] by bargamon1

Sep 07, 2005 (8:21 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 07, 2005 2:43 pm)
Whats this? A lawyer's waiver of liability incase your wrong?
 
Don't worry about it, I understood you perfectly.
 
You said your dealer is on the planning commitee and was 200% certain about the changes!

#2168 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [markcincinnati] by timmboj

Sep 08, 2005 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 06, 2005 8:07 am)
Thanks for the news Mark.
 
If I'm understanding you correctly, I could order a new 2006 X3 now and get the current 225 HP. Or if I wait to order one in January 2006 I will have the option to order a 2006 X3 with 255 horses. Correct?
 
Do you know when BMW will release official photos and specs on the 2006 X3? Since they're starting production mid September I would think there would be some concrete info for consumers out there somewhere.

#2169 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [bargamon1] by sponge_worthy

Sep 08, 2005 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: bargamon1 (Sep 07, 2005 8:21 pm)
I thought he said his dealer was the X3 Product Manager...
 
Seriously, thanks for the info Mark...I wonder if they'd consider bringing the X3 3.0d here now, with gas at its current prices, I would definietly consider a diesel.

#2170 of 4187 Flat tire by blackeye800

Sep 08, 2005 (8:20 pm)

Had an incident last saturday while returning from Toronto which I thought I would share with folks on this board and ask for suggestions. Heard a noise like the tail pipe falling off on the highway and after some time noticed the flat tire warning on the display. Contacted BMW assist and got the wheel changed. On returning home, checked the tire and did not notice any nails but found an area of rupture in the groove between the treads. BMW service repaired it yesterday and put it on the vehicle but the flat tire warning light has come on again.
My questions are - why did we hear a loud noise and is it okay to have a flat tire without a nail or sharp object in the tire. Should I report it to NHTSA. As for the warning light, will ask BMW service to have a look at it soon. Thank you for any suggestions.

#2171 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [timmboj] by burgermac

Sep 09, 2005 (8:58 am)

Replying to: timmboj (Sep 08, 2005 3:04 pm)
Thought I'd add my 2 cents...
 
BMWUSA.COM appears to have photos of the '06 X3. They only offer a 3.0 engine, but it's the 225HP version, not the new 3.0 from the 3/5 series (255HP).
 
Also, the photos indicate that there has been no revision to the interior, but the exterior has much less black plastic body cladding. Instead, the cladding is now body color, probably exactly like the aftermarket body color cladding upgrade offered on prior model year cars. IMHO, it still looks aftermarket... a little bit like a prop car from "The Fast & The Furious" Hey- can't fault them for trying to make it sporty/more appealing.
 
The current X5, I think, maintains the right balance of body color and black plastic trim. The old X3 probably had too much black plastic, the new one- too little. I am a current X3 owner ('05 3.0 model) and love it. Think it's a great car and, to be honest, the black body cladding sort of becomes invisible after awhile.

#2172 of 4187 Re: 2006my?? [sponge_worthy] by idagorn

Sep 09, 2005 (11:35 am)

Replying to: sponge_worthy (Sep 08, 2005 4:40 pm)
Hi!
you're quite right about considering a diesel 3.0 X3 if you can get one in North America; here in France no one would dream of buying a non diesel 4x4 gas guzzler; I've been driving a 204HP 3.0d for over a year, getting more than 30mpg and fantastic torque at low revs; the noise is perhaps just a little higher at tick over than on the gas version, but as soon as you are off it is very difficult to tell it's a diesel!
the only problem I've had so far- '25000miles- is the creaking of door seals or window guides, but that is not specific to diesel apparently
black bumpers do not bother me; in fact I think they look OK and they do not scratch as easily as painted ones
hope this helps...and again if you can GO DIESEL, you won't regret it!

#2173 of 4187 The X3 AT THIS TIME. . . by markcincinnati

Sep 09, 2005 (1:34 pm)

. . .for 2006 will offer the 3.0 225HP engine. No 2.5 engine designated X3 for 2006 is being offered (here at least -- here being the US.)
 
The MY 2006 production MAY actually start in September, I thought any change that would include the engine (which is what I personally would wait for if I could) won't happen until calendar year 2006.
 
Full body paint, 6spd steptronic and 255 HP 3.0 engine and perhaps options and minor other changes are all that my dealer says are likely until the next big change (the X5 will, however, get the X3 look.)
 
I interpret all this as a bit of truth, a bit of speculation and consider the source (which means I basically believe him.) I was with an Audi product manager once in Ingolstadt who told me what was coming and when -- well, when it finally came, there were changes that obviously must have been decided upon after the manager shared them with our group (this was during January -- and the production actually began in July, so I can understand that a lot of tweaks can happen in 6 months.)
 
There is NO economy to be gained by keeping the 3.0 225HP engine much longer, considering the new 3.0 is both more effective and more efficient and ultimately must cost about the same (or less) to produce as the old 3.0 version.
 
Perhaps, at this juncture, BMW doesn't want to upstage the X5 with the 3.0 engine at 225HP with an X3 with a 3.0 255HP engine. And, it would certainly be understandable for BMW to NOT adapt the 255HP engine to the X5 since that body style is in its final chapter.

Messages Page 218 of 420

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