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BMW X3

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 250 of 419

#2486 of 4186 Re: X3 [mpt1123] by markcincinnati

Feb 23, 2006 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: mpt1123 (Feb 23, 2006 5:57 pm)
The X5 is, in several aspects and respects, er, the smaller X5.
 
An issue with the current X3, X5 lineup is the somewhat perplexing size differential of several (many?) key metrics. In some respects the X5 is the smaller X3 then.
 
Now price and actual weight of the vehicles of course does suggest (accurately) that the X3 IS the smaller of the two.
 
The point in all that is to say, you give up little in terms of space between the two cars.
 
"Insider" information suggests the new X5 will be much bigger than the X3 (but the styling will be more X3 than the current X5.)
 
The 2006 X3 with the body color bumpers and the sport, premium and (assuming you live where it gets cold) winter packages is at once a quite capable SAV and gives up little if anything to a regular 3 series sedan.
 
The technology used by the Nav and sat radio system is highly functional and eschews the iDrive's er, quirks.
 
There is one small issue and it is mainly if you are buying the thing -- the options run up the price quickly.
 
Advanced headlights - yes
Servotronic - hell yes ($250 option)
Upgraded stereo - the base system is lame, so, yes
 
Premium and Sport - brings lots of nice stuff with it
 
Sat Nav and Radio - what once were vices are now virtues, at first an indulgence then a necessity.
 
Winter -- heated seats if you live where it gets cold.
 
We didn't get the privacy glass and we didn't realize it didn't come with Home Link -- kinda wish we did that now.
 
Didn't do power articulating mirror bodies -- don't miss it at all even at the full automatic car wash.
 
Did get the in arm rest phone cradle for the Sony T637 bluetooth phone -- oughta be a law requiring this unless you promise never to use a cell phone while driving.
 
Servotronic -- a powerful and cheap upgrade to the handling, did I say cheap ???? At $250 it would be a damn shame to get one of these without it.
 
You will probably have to order the car to get the $250 Servotronic option -- it is worth the 7 or 8 week wait.
 
If you don't get this thing with Servotronic -- don't ever drive one with it. It is, at first, a subtle difference -- then, at speed and over time the differences ARE anything but subtle.
 
The headlight upgrade too gives you Xenons and articulating headlights -- at first novel, then vital.
 
Some of the stuff I have suggested clearly could be written off to personal preference -- I will adamantly stick to the Xenons and the Servotronic as very worthwhile. Heck, get the free paint to save $475 if you must. Know also that the sport option gives you much better wheels and tires.
 
Finally, the auto trans in this iteration is old technology and only 5 speeds (plus they have the gall to charge YOU for it) -- the 6speed manual is FREE (well, no extra charge.) Shhh someone at BMW priced this backwards, so don't even bother with a $1200 old tech automatic.

#2487 of 4186 2007 News by timmboj

Feb 28, 2006 (6:04 am)

Anybody out there have any inside scoop as to what lies ahead for the 2007 X3 model?

#2488 of 4186 Re: 2007 News [timmboj] by markcincinnati

Feb 28, 2006 (6:11 am)

Replying to: timmboj (Feb 28, 2006 6:04 am)
Source -- BMW dealer:
 
Minor changes for MY 2007, refresh including new engine and transmission slated for MY 2008.
 
Dealers seem to know later than the rest of us.
 
I certainly hope the adoption of the 3.0 255HP engine isn't delayed until MY 2008.
 
I cannot imagine this being the case since the X5 "has" to be replaced sooner rather than later -- but who knows with sufficient financing from BMW financial, they X5 could soldier on, too, until MY 2008.
 
The dealers, to repeat, seem to be the last ones to know.

#2489 of 4186 Re: 2007 News by timmboj

Feb 28, 2006 (10:22 am)

Thanks Mark. I was kind of holding out for the new engine -- more for efficiency than horses. I'm hoping they'll offer it later this year on MY2006.
 
My fear is the moment I actually take delivery of an X3, design and feature content will improve and I'll be stuck. I waited too long in MY2005 wondering what the MY2006 would be like. I actually prefer MY2005 but I was too late. How many years does BMW continue with a product line before changing it? Isn't it like 5 or 6 years?

#2490 of 4186 Re: 2007 News [timmboj] by markcincinnati

Feb 28, 2006 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: timmboj (Feb 28, 2006 10:22 am)
Continuous improvements happen, er, continuously.
 
Do not hold your breath for the 3.0 255HP engine in MY or CY 2006, my best guess.
 
The X3 is "the new" body style -- third year is 2006.
 
Although the painted bumpers, etc, are a pleasant trim update, I had hoped for a new dash replacing the coarse grained current version.
 
The improvements are all the invisible ones for 2006 from what I can tell.
 
My wife is hoping the timing works for the 2008's and it should since she has a May 2005 '05 model.
 
We'll see.
 
If BMW is like some of the others the MY 2007 cars will be built commencing third quarter of 2006 and arrive here shortly thereafter.
 
My dealer says "no announcement" regarding the new 3.0 or 6spd steptronic or SMG has been made for MY 2007 though.
 
I am positive this is more of an issue with the X5 than any other reason.
 
It wouldn't do to have the 3.0 255 in the X3 when the X5 had the 3.0 225 HP. I read somewhere that BMW can't justify the running change on the X5 and will simply wait for the replacement X5 which is supposed to be more of a Q7 type vehicle with 3rd row rear seating.
 
Of course all the buzz about the turbo version of the 3.0 makes you wonder why we are piddling around and not getting these new technologies to market sooner.
 
I know, I know -- economics and marketing.
 
Same as it ever was.

#2491 of 4186 Re: 2007 News by timmboj

Feb 28, 2006 (2:23 pm)

Ack! 2008?! Hmmm.... I should probably do a two-year lease on the existing X3, then when the lease is up, I'll be in the market to buy the 2008MY. Of course, if my beater lasts that long I could just ease into the 2008 by end of MY2007. Interesting stuff for me to consider. Thanks Mark!

#2492 of 4186 Colors by ycnyc2

Mar 01, 2006 (9:40 pm)

I'm thinking of getting an 06 x3. out of curiosity, what color does everyone have? i'm leaning towards the silver gray or bluewater, only thing is i've never seen the blue water in person! can anyone who has it describe it? does it look like silver? thnx!

#2493 of 4186 Re: Colors [ycnyc2] by timmboj

Mar 02, 2006 (6:07 am)

Replying to: ycnyc2 (Mar 01, 2006 9:40 pm)
I've seen the blue. Looks good. Its light, but I don't think it'd be confused for silver. I'm partial to Highland Green, and I like the Silver-Gray as well.

#2494 of 4186 6-Speed On Lot by timmboj

Mar 02, 2006 (6:12 am)

Has anyone out there stumbled upon a 6-Speed X3 sitting on the lot? Maybe in bigger cities, or cities with more than one dealership in town. They all seem to be automatics where I come from. My problem is that I don't think I have a chance at getting a decent deal on a car thats not sitting on the lot or on one that I've got to order. And I don't want to settle for an automatic. I've never seen a 6-Speed X3 on the lot in my one-dealership town of Knoxville. Just wondering if anyone else out there has seen them.

#2495 of 4186 Re: 6-Speed On Lot [timmboj] by markcincinnati

Mar 03, 2006 (6:45 am)

Replying to: timmboj (Mar 02, 2006 6:12 am)
We ordered our 2005 3.0 X3 with virtually every possible option AND the 6spd.
 
The deal on ordered cars will be NOT one penny worse and according to the dealers (Audi and BMW) can more often than not be better than an inventoried item. Why? The profit margin on an ordered car CAN be better for at least one reason and sometimes more.
 
For example, regardless of the source of the money, the dealers borrow the money (even if it is from themselves) to finance the inventory they carry. This alone makes the "amount the dealer has into a car" likely to be higher and at the same selling price (as an ordered car) have a lower margin. An on lot car has "carrying costs" in it, sometimes substantial carrying costs (as a percentage of Net Profit, i.e.) Other costs may or may not contribute to the ordered car's attractiveness for the dealer -- but the trade off is the dealer, if only offering ordered cars, would loose the "instant gratification crowd" which is the vast majority of purchasers. Sign of the times, I guess. No patience to wait for the one the way YOU want it, so you "settle" for what's on the lot, telling yourself, often, that "well, at least I got the color I wanted," and puttering off, wishing you had one with heated seats or upgraded sound system or sat nav.
 
Damn. I hate when that happens.
 
 
 
In our fair city, there was ONE X3 3.0 w/a 6speed (a customer had ordered it and changed his mind) during our initial test drive. It was, other than Premium Pack and Sport Package pretty much a strippie.
 
We test drove the steptronic and felt like "running away" it was so crude (it constantly shifts up a gear, down a gear at the slightest grade change -- even with the 3.0.)
 
So, we configured the car -- and wanted both the stick and the secret weapon SERVOTRONIC ($250) steering -- 7 weeks later our car came in and the price that we had negotiated 7 weeks prior was "a better deal" than ANY car on the lot by almost $15 per month on a 36 month 45K mile lease with $250 (the cost of the Servotronic) down.
 
At just under $47,000 the X3 was $581 per month, including tax. We did add the in-arm-rest BMW brand phone mounting cradle and dealer sourced Kleen Wheels for a total additional out of pocket cost of ~ $450. We added these accessories within a month of purchase since the phone uses the car's battery and the car's roof top shark fin antenna for clearer, drop-out-free (and hands free) phoning with our tiny tiny Sony T637 Bluetooth phone.)
 
Ordering is often LESS money.
 
6speed manuals are almost never put in inventory -- and more's the pity, for once you drive an X3 3.0 with a stick you will swear you are driving a BMW 3 series -- it is just soooo good.
 
Servotronic, servotronic -- don't leave home without it.

Messages Page 250 of 419

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