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SUVs BMW X3 & X5 BMW X3
3287 messages, Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 24, 2005 4:23 pm) We have a 2005 X3 with Premium, Cold, Sport packages (plus a bunch of other options.) The car is Jet Black gloss with the Terracotta "Montana" leather sport seats. Further we have the optional higher-zoot sound system, Sirius and it is all in the 3.0 6spd manual chassis. OK, so what? Well, we were in to have the phone cradle and kleen wheels installed and they offered us the use of a 2005 2.5 (auto) "base everything" model. The car was red with the vanilla colored plastic seats. We felt like we had moved from the Trump Tower to the "projects" the interior look and feel were so stark in comparison with what we were used to. We basically said "ewww!" The designers of the X3 did so many things right -- but one of the things they didn't do was pick great "leatherette." And, the material of the dash with the coarse grained look is, IMHO, out of character with the rest of the vehicle (at least as we have ours equipped.) Obviously, these observations and opinions are subjective to the max. But it is our considered opinion that there is a huge difference between the regular plastic seats and the Montana leather (and, as noted, we have the sport seats, too.) Your opinion, however, is the one that matters. Question -- how long do you plan to keep the car? And, if you plan to buy the car with some thought of getting rid of it before it dies completely, the used car with leather probably will have at the very least a higher "subjective" retained value than the non-leather equipped version. 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 25, 2005 6:25 am) |
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Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 24, 2005 4:23 pm) I really like my X3 and I don't think there is anything like it. But the new Consumers Reports guide says the X3 and X5 have just reached an average repair rate, while many Japanese models have above average ratings. It makes me wonder how long I will want to hold on to my X3 if it starts having big problems. The money for leather might be better spent on a Lexus that will be trouble free for a much longer time.
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 26, 2005 12:51 pm)
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Replying to: div2 (Nov 26, 2005 1:39 pm) Only the Infiniti M35X seems to offer anything that reminds me of the "joy of driving" with which the German's seem to have been able to imbue their cars. Maybe the Infiniti has both the "Q" in the fun to drive dept and the reliability dept. I dunno. The X3, that my wife just let me drive from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh is a remarkable vehicle to spend 4 hours driving. This little (?) dude flies, is comfortable, responsive and so equipped with the upgraded sound system entertaining on several fronts. I have NOT owned a Lexus or any other Toyota car. I am not meaning to dis them. I have rented both Toyotas and Lexus cars and always found them "silent" and well-built (no rattles or other annoying problems so many rentals have.) Even the GS's tho don't feel the same connectivity to the art and science of driving as even the most pedestrian, stripped X3 2.5. But, that is MY OPINION. Dear BMW, Please make your cars more reliable (not that we have had ANY problems with either one we have had), but don't make them boring. For an example of boring, you have but to look at most of your American and Japanese competition. Regards, A Loyal (so far) German car fan (and his wife.) |
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I recall driving my Uncles LS430 and it was amazing. The car did everything almost to perfection. Comfortable, quiet, and the Mark Levinson was amazing. What a bore it was to drive. It a better Caddy, or at least a few years ago. No doubt its a fine car. Its for people who don't like to drive. In that, it washes out the road, noise, and is very peaceful. Perhaps very pleasent for the passengers, but I like the feel of moving. Just personal preference. My Sienna Limited minivan is perfect for the job its intended to do. Reliable, durable (I hope!) and very comfortable. Almost lexus like in its appointments. No lexus for me. Thank you though for building nice cars for other people. Infiniti are poser cars. They simulate performance and feel, but don't quite get it.
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Replying to: bargamon1 (Nov 27, 2005 8:18 pm)
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Replying to: div2 (Nov 28, 2005 8:05 am) I dug up an old review of the car and they said "made for people who don't like to drive" and as much as I did not want to hear it, its was true. Lexus makes a fine auto for the majority of the american market that wants to isolate the world. The Blvd cruisers of our youth were the envy and status symbol to announce who has arrived! Lexus does what they do perhaps the best on the planet for the money! That being the LS. I hate the RX!! A total fashion car! No way on my list. Im considering the X3, FX35 (poser I know!), 3.4 A4 manual, A6 Avant, and maybe the ML350. Used to have a ML320 and liked it alot. I want Manual Tranny so its likely the audi vs. Bmw. Wish the audi Q 5 was available! Mark in Cincy: Question, if the mrs walked out and said you can take your pick of either cars, which one would it be? You have my top two picks and have been down my road. This coming out of a manual allroad myself. I posed this to you before, but now you have lived with both now for some time, I wonder if its changed? |
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The Audi has voice recognition for many of the functions that I consider important -- this alone then means the Audi has what I want as a safety feature. If the X3 had voice command and the decision would be painfully difficult. I love the X3 -- in many ways it is more "fun" but it needs just a couple of Lux touches to round it out. I think next year, it will have these touches.
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Nov 29, 2005 5:31 am) Never would have guessed! Outside of the gagetry, just the driving experience. Do you miss the manual tranny? Is the X quick enough? What makes it fun vs. Comfortable?
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