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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: wmdavis1 (Jul 21, 2006 3:49 pm)  Legendary BMW 6-cylinder power BMW 6-cylinder engines are of the inline variety. This layout is rare these days as most vehicle makers use V-6s, primarily because their compactness suits tightly packaged front-wheel-drive cars  . An inline layout takes more space, but BMW favors it for its smoothness and sound. Indeed, the expert media consistently applaud the Bavarians for doing so. In an early drive of the X3, the German magazine Auto Bild alles allrad 1 noted of an X3 3.0i with automatic transmission that “Even when one doesn’t select the Sport mode, the smooth inline engine revs handily to its redline before the transmission shifts smoothly to the next gear.” The X3 engine is of BMW’s acclaimed M54 engine architecture, whose salient points include – • Aluminum block and cylinder head • Dual overhead camshafts/24 valves • Double VANOS 2 steplessly variable intake- and exhaust-valve timing • Dual resonance intake system. Previously, 2.5- and 3.0-liter engine versions powered the two X3 models; for ‘06 3.0-liter version continues in the X3 3.0i with 225 hp  5900 rpm and 214 lb-ft. 3500. It delivers a decidedly lively 0-60 time of 7.6 sec. with manual transmission, sec. with automatic. Again we turn to Edmunds.com for an objective assessment: “Even though the competition fields more powerful sixes, this engine, which BMW uses in its cars, continues to be a favorite of ours. It's smooth as silk, has a ripping exhaust note when you wind it out and performs like it's hiding 40 more horses under the hood.” 
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Replying to: wmdavis1 (Jul 21, 2006 3:49 pm) If you are practical minded the RAV4 is probably your better choice. Some people believe price for what you perceive to get means the lower priced vehicle is really the better value. What price do you put on; amazing feel of the road, all the power any normal human being needs, perfect ergonomics, tremendous engineering (the battery is in the rear to give perfect weight balance), I don't know if the X3 has taken the crash tests but I am pretty sure it is as safe as any car in it's segment (this seems to be a priority to European makes). And, if you do keep your car for 8 years I will bet the X3 will be a classic and will be worth much more than the RAV4, we are talking classic European designing that lasts - in fact 10 year old BMW's and Mercedes look better than most manufacturers new cars. In my case I had 2 Jeeps and I thought, why does anyone pay 50% more for a vehicle, aren't they all pretty much the same, get you from point A to point B? When I took the test drive I didn't want to give it back. I tested a few SUV's (and various rental cars), but why look further. It is the perfect vehicle, and a tremendous value. There are few vehicles that can combine the practicality, safety, style, engineering and pure enjoyment of driving, like an X3. As for mileage I get about 25 hwy and 20 city (premium fuel don't forget). Not as good as a Toyota, but excellent considering the size of the engine and the weight of the vehicle. 4 year warranty with service counts for something. Once again if you are an extremely practical person you won't be happy.....but if you want to really appreciate driving and engineering, then you have to go for a test drive!  The X3 showed me there is a whole different world out there.
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Replying to: driver100 (Jul 23, 2006 7:25 am) LOL. Let's be fair. If I *really* am practical minded, a RAV4 V6 is too expensive, there are other alterntatives for less money. /ot Let it be said this way. If money was no object I would rather have the BMW. The X3 handles like a sedan, the RAV4 handles like a truck compared to it.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jul 24, 2006 3:55 am) I mean between an X3 and RAV4 - IMO the RAV4 is being more practical. If you want to be even more practical, go with a Hyundai Tucson If you want some enjoyment in your life, and won't feel guilty about it....go with the X3.
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Replying to: driver100 (Jul 24, 2006 4:37 am) |
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jul 24, 2006 3:54 pm)  Well put....perfect!
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Replying to: driver100 (Jul 24, 2006 5:54 pm) Come to think of it, the RAV4 would be more like a Seiko. Save the Timex for the Tucson. 
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jul 24, 2006 3:54 pm) |
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Replying to: wmdavis1 (Jul 24, 2006 7:08 pm) Right now Im fixing up my sons 02' outback. Doing all the work myself, low miliage car and paint was neglected. 8 hours with Merzerna products and the thing is drippingly shiney! New Alpine stereo with iPod integration, blue tooth for phone, , subwoofer, new speakers, and I even drilled the metal and put a stock spoiler on it! new Triple treads make it nice. After years of Mercedes and Audis and not touching those cars Im having a blast tinkering with this car. The point, I'll have less than 14k in this (manual tranny to boot!) and the thing only has 50k on it. SOunds great, lots of toys and it looks really great! Drives nice and quiet, stereo is fun, and best of all I don't owe a dime on it. I'll drive it for 6 months and then planning on picking up a fresh x3 in munich in the spring and give sunny boy his ride. The point, oh yeah, its very capable car but its really no fun. I had my hondas and toyotas when thats what I could afford and then fell for nice german cars. This will be my first BMW and Im all about the drive train. Might still consider a 3 or 5 series. 36 month lease and say good "BUY" and get a new one! If repairs gonna bug you out then stay Japanese! RAV is nice choice. Just don't confuse these german cars as costing more and should be trouble free! The more you spend , the higher the sopistication and the more things can break! It happens. Im not trying to scare you but some people bug out over the cost. My wife drives a Sienna van and is very happy with it. She does not want to know about repair bills! Thats why I say with warranty cars! Hers just came off it but toyotas are not so bad with long term repair history. A well cared for BMW used might be a great value if bought right. If were looking for a good deal, I'd find an 05' with low milage for about 30k Still a better vehicle than the RAV, has a few good years left before the warranty runs . Its not an 07, but its not 45k either! Good luck! |
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Replying to: wmdavis1 (Jul 24, 2006 7:08 pm) You're on a X3 board! BMW owners are as partisan as they come! Try posing the same question on a Toyota board, and see what responses you get.
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