BMW X3

Just some random thoughts. I always admired Toyotas and Hondas for their reliability, OK styling, and general favorable impression left by owners.
My wifes Mercedes C Class was rear ended at a stop light and now we have a 2006 Honda Civic loaner for a few days...with about 100 miles on it.
My positive impressions are;
Fair amount of get up and go,
Solid feeling,
Design is clean and not offensive,
My negative impressions are;
Direct steering, you turn the wheel 2 inches to turn a corner,
No hood, feels like driving a bus or a van. Windshield is so far forward and so sloped, you are detached from the road ahead,
Seating position is never great - steering wheel isn't right.
The big digital speedometer is right at the top of the dash and the numbers constantly changing is very distracting. I find that as I come to a stop the numbers are still falling - and I watch it to see if it gets to zero,
The dash is on two tiers and it looks a little bit like you are seeing double,
Rear vision is poor with big head rests and lots of metal in the rear quarters,
No feel of the road and not much fun to drive.
This is a car I have always admired mostly from reading reviews, surveys and owners comments. I think I would be disappointed in a RAV4 or Acura RD-X.
Now if I just needed basic transportation or was on a budget I would consider these cars, but I have been spoiled with my X3.

Replies to this message:
• div2 (Aug 10, 2006 11:19 am)
  • driver100 (Aug 10, 2006 3:58 pm)
    • invaliduser (Aug 11, 2006 7:37 am) and 4 more...

Replying to: driver100 (Aug 10, 2006 7:10 am)

Replies to this message:
• driver100 (Aug 10, 2006 3:58 pm)
  • invaliduser (Aug 11, 2006 7:37 am)
    • driver100 (Aug 11, 2006 11:13 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: div2 (Aug 10, 2006 11:19 am)

I'll probably wind up with an E36 or E46
Nothing wrong with those, or the GTI. The GTI should be sensational and the E36 or 46 are nicer than most new cars out there today....I actually prefer the 36 to almost any new car. I prefer the simple squared off styling and the big windows to the current models. Oh well, that's progress.....

Replies to this message:
• invaliduser (Aug 11, 2006 7:37 am)
  • driver100 (Aug 11, 2006 11:13 am)

Replying to: driver100 (Aug 10, 2006 3:58 pm)

Replies to this message:
• driver100 (Aug 11, 2006 11:13 am)

Replying to: invaliduser (Aug 11, 2006 7:37 am)

If anyone is looking for an 05 X3 3.0 with manual
 
That sounds tempting.....if I was in the market. My 2004 2.5 is automatic and has just over 20,000 miles on it. I am only doing about 10,000 miles a year so it might last 10 years.
By the way, I sometimes wish I had a manual, but usually I prefer the automatic, easier to talk on the cell and juggle the coffee while looking for another radio station.
 
IMHO that X3 is worth every penny!

Replying to: div2 (Aug 03, 2006 7:00 am)

I just got my black sapphire X3 with premium pack, heated seats, PDC, HID, Serv steering, and privacy glass yesterday. I drove for about 70 miles and the darn "service engine soon" light comes on! Has anyone else in this forum experience this within the first day or the week of ownership? Any insights on the seriousness of this problem?
 
Thanks a bunch.
 
Jupiter415

Replies to this message:
• div2 (Aug 13, 2006 7:25 am)
• markcincinnati (Aug 13, 2006 12:38 pm)

Replying to: jupiter415 (Aug 13, 2006 6:45 am)

Replying to: jupiter415 (Aug 13, 2006 6:45 am)