Ask the Car People.SM


BMW X3

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

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 232 of 419

#2308 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [dinsmoor] by markcincinnati

Dec 16, 2005 (6:02 am)

Replying to: dinsmoor (Dec 15, 2005 6:03 pm)
At 12,000 miles on a 2005 X3 3.0, this car ties for being the most trouble free car we have ever had -- and although I am certain many will discount the car it tied with, I'll tell you that car is an Audi.
 
We have taken the X3 in to the dealer ONE time for an "issue" -- that is, after 6 months and winter coming on, we decided we wanted all new wiper blades. They were replaced, the car vacuumed and washed.
 
While we were in for this, we were offered a loaner car for pity's sake, free Starbuck's coffee and what appeared to be fresh, home made choc chip cookies.
 
In 12,000 miles, we have added 1/2 quart of oil since when checking the dip stick we noted the oil was down to the lower part of "normal" range. We asked the dealer about this and he told us to use Castrol Super Syn 0W-30 and only to use the pint.
 
Oh yea, once, while we were at Costco, we had all four tires checked and we added a pound of pressure all around. This was more a "while we're here," kind of thing, not due to any indication of need.
 
If all cars at 12K miles needed this much attention there would be almost nothing to complain about.
 
My only yellow flag is my own history -- I am from the school of thought that says even with modern oil, 10,000 miles between oil changes is enough.
 
Hey, its a 36 month lease, they (BMW) certainly want to resell the car and if they think the car will be fine with that freq of oil changes, who am I?
 
I cannot comment on the Honda, Toyota, Acura cars -- they may be better for all I know.
 
The X3 has been terrific.
 
I wish the dash board was of a finer grain -- of course that would only make it seem more lux than ours, so equipped with every BMW option imaginable (except auto trans) practically.
 
This car $581/mo w/MSRP=$47K replaced a $43K Audi TT that was $709 per month, same deal.
 
We get to keep that German driving experience, have room to haul stuff and a bargain to boot.
 
Another corner heard from.

#2309 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [div2] by driver100

Dec 17, 2005 (10:40 am)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 15, 2005 6:17 pm)
Re: BMWstinks....Excellent detective work, you should be on CSI. Our X3 has 12,000 miles (20,000 kms) without any problems.
Offhand, I can't think of any other car I would choose over an X3. For a combination of the nicest design, best handling, huge amount of space, best ergonomics, safety features, gas mileage, and probably a great trade in value which is why your lease rates are so low...what could be better?

#2310 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [driver100] by div2

Dec 17, 2005 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: driver100 (Dec 17, 2005 10:40 am)
Thanks! fwiw, my wife's CPO looks and performs as new with 16K on the clock-and it cost considerably less than anything remotely comparable from Japan or the US. Yeah, we've really got buyer's remorse...

#2311 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [driver100] by bodble2

Dec 19, 2005 (2:09 am)

Replying to: driver100 (Dec 17, 2005 10:40 am)
"can't think of any other car I would choose over an X3."
 
Umm...check out the new RAV4 V6. Almost the same dimensions and capacity as the X3. The X3 will be hard pressed to match it's straight ahead performance even with the 255hp motor. Yes, it is a little short on lux features compared to the X, but likely not by that much, since the X is no lux-mobile either. But the mechanical bits appear to be in place. OK, the x-drive is no doubt superior to the front-drive bias system on the Toyota.
But with the price difference....the Toyota is a pretty compelling option. So I'm thinking...reliability in exchange for some luxury, and you pocket the extra cash (which is enough to buy a Yaris for the son/daughter entering college). Not a bad deal. But of course, it is not a BMW, so if the snob appeal of the propeller badge and kidney grill is important...

#2312 of 4185 Rav4=X3 - $10K? by kdshapiro

Dec 19, 2005 (5:52 am)

"straight ahead performance even with the 255hp motor."
 
But there is a handling aspect to the X3 that will not be present in the Toyota. The X3 handles almost as well as a sedan.
 
A Rav4 is not a stripper version of an X3. One could say it's a compelling argument if one forgoes the luxury and handling of an X3. Using the same thoughts, one could always get a loaded Sante Fe over the Rav4, pocket the money and take the family on a vacation to Hawaii.
 
As far as reliability - it's a crap shoot either way.

#2313 of 4185 Re: Rav4=X3 - $10K? [kdshapiro] by div2

Dec 19, 2005 (9:08 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 19, 2005 5:52 am)
I doubt many X3 owners go to bed at night wondering if they should have bought a Rav4.

#2314 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [bodble2] by jrynn

Dec 19, 2005 (9:11 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (Dec 19, 2005 2:09 am)
with the price difference....the Toyota is a pretty compelling option. ... But of course, it is not a BMW, so if the snob appeal of the propeller badge and kidney grill is important...
 
Until Toyota can match the BMW driving experience -- and not just "straight ahead" acceleration -- there will be people who choose BMWs rather than Toyotas despite the "price difference."
 
You are awfully snide to suggest that it's solely a function of "the snob appeal of the propeller badge and kidney grill." That comment might more accurately describe why a buyer would choose a Lexus over a Toyota if you substituted "L" for "propeller badge and "Lexus grill" for "kidney grill."
 
(And even then, Lexus buyers could reasonably argue that there are qualitative differences that make the ES better than the Camry, the RX better than the Highlander, the GX better than the 4Runner, and the LX better than the Land Cruiser.)

#2316 of 4185 Re: What would you buy? [jrynn] by davidc1

Dec 19, 2005 (11:10 am)

Replying to: jrynn (Dec 19, 2005 9:11 am)
I think the handling, braking and power is there for the new RAV4 Sport, in addition to the perceived reliability. But it's still missing the manual transmission.

#2317 of 4185 Re: Rav4=X3 - $10K? [kdshapiro] by bodble2

Dec 19, 2005 (11:46 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 19, 2005 5:52 am)
I agree with the handling...but the trade-off may be a harsher ride for some folks.
 
The Sante Fe analogy is not really valid because the mechanical pedigree of the Fe is nowhere near that of the new RAV.

Messages Page 232 of 419

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement