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2007 BMW X3

76 messages,  Last post on Apr 27, 2007 at 11:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3

Messages Page 2 of 8

#6 of 76 Question???? by driver100

Oct 09, 2006 (7:19 am)

I have had my 2004 X3 for just over 2 years, I have about 25,000 miles on it, and I really like it a lot. Love the handling, the room inside, the styling, the driving position with big windows, the safety features, and much more.
 
I am wondering if I would buy another one. I am getting a little older each year, and I am wondering if I wouldn't prefer a little more luxury and a smoother ride next time. Thinking along the idea of a BMW 3 or 5 estate wagon. I need the room of a wagon so I think I would go that route. Probably better gas mileage too.
 
I am not totally decided about this yet and I'd have to try a few cars out. Maybe the RDX would be more suitable. I think I would also like to try an Audi 4 probably in a wagon. (my wife has a MB C Class wagon and it is a really nice car, and she prefers it to the X3, but I prefer the X3 to the MB)
 
Any thoughts?????

#7 of 76 Re: Question???? [driver100] by markcincinnati

Oct 09, 2006 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: driver100 (Oct 09, 2006 7:19 am)
Try driving the new X3 -- it is much smoother, a bit quieter and overall even more comfortable, even WITH the sport suspension.
 
The new interior is a move upscale, too.
 
The new 6 speed auto is a smooooooooooth dream come true when hooked to the new 260HP engine.

#8 of 76 BMW .vs. other mfrs, and body creaks by kurtamaxxxguy

Oct 22, 2006 (12:51 pm)

The X3 is interesting, but it seems there is less support offered by the importer, and more reliance on dealers for resolution than with other brands. This seems to be a trend with most Euro importers, btw.
  
Do BMW owners find that to be true, or am I misreading the posts?
 
Also, have any 2007 owners run across the body panel creaking that cropped up in the X3's 2006 forums?

#9 of 76 Just wondering... by bodble2

Nov 04, 2006 (9:04 am)

how many X3 owners or potential owners have, or would not hesitate to buy, an X3 with the leatherette interior? We have it in our Mini, and to me, it's a fabulous, low-maintenance, durable material, that would really work well in an SUV, or SAV, or a vehicle with any utilitarian function. With a leather interior, I cringe everytime my kids jump in with their rain-soaked jackets and gears. The only stigma, I suppose, is having, essentially, a vinyl interior in such an upscale vehicle.

#10 of 76 Leather v. leatherette by jrynn

Nov 04, 2006 (5:28 pm)

I wanted to go with leatherette, but in the '06 X3's, the leatherette was AWFUL compared to the 3 series leatherette. (I think because production is outsourced to Magna-Steyr, there are a number of respects in which the quality of materials in the X3 lags behind the sedans -- leatherette being one, the dashboard instrumentation being another.)
 
Anyway, the '06 X3 leatherette had shiny accents that looked and felt like nylon fabric and were an absolute 'no go' for my spouse. Total cr*p.
 
If, on the other hand, we were looking now and discovered that the '07 X3 now has leatherette of the same quality as in the 3 series -- which is nearly indistinguishable in appearance from leather -- we would choose it for exactly the sorts of reasons bobdle identified. With two kids and two dogs to haul around, a low maintenance material that handles water better than leather is perfect.
 
And I had a great experience with the leatherette in my 91 3 series convertible. It was aesthetically unappealing by current standards, but for a car I took to the beach and routinely got into while still damp and sandy -- and for a car I once left the top down on overnight through a thunderstorm -- it held up great.
 
All that said, we are quite pleased with the Montana leather interior we wound up with in our '06 X3. Non-parents and non-dogowners might be surprised at how quickly the cheerios and fur pile up, but the X3 leather has been remarkably durable, easy to clean, and resistant to abuse.

#11 of 76 Re: Leather v. leatherette [jrynn] by bodble2

Nov 06, 2006 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: jrynn (Nov 04, 2006 5:28 pm)
"...that the '07 X3 now has leatherette of the same quality as in the 3 series..."
 
Is this a confirmed fact?
 
BTW, is the leather seats on the X3 only for the seating surfaces, and the rest of it still the leatherette?

#12 of 76 Re: Leather v. leatherette [bodble2] by jrynn

Nov 06, 2006 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 06, 2006 2:33 pm)
Ummm...did you miss the big "IF" at the beginning of that sentence?
 
My spouse and I looked at '06 X3's. The leatherette then in the X3 was DISTINCTLY inferior to the leatherette in the 3-series. Because it was so cr*ppy, with shiny "nylon" accents, we DIDN'T consider it.
 
What I then said was that IF we were currently in the market now that the '07
X3's are out and learned that BMW has put the superior 3-series leatherette in the X3, we would consider buying it.
 
But we were in the market last December, not this November, and it's not something we lose any sleep over. I suppose next month when I take the X3 in for service, I might spend a moment in the showroom looking at BMW's newer models, but it's not a priority.

#13 of 76 Re: Leather v. leatherette [jrynn] by bodble2

Nov 06, 2006 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: jrynn (Nov 06, 2006 3:29 pm)
I saw the IF. I just wasn't sure if you were referring to if the '07 has the superior leatherette, or if you were in the market now.
 
So I guess the answer to my previous question is "no" -- it has not been confirmed that the '07 now has the upgraded leatherette.

#14 of 76 Re: Leather v. leatherette [bodble2] by shikem

Nov 07, 2006 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Nov 06, 2006 3:38 pm)
The 07 most definitely has nicer leatherette.
The sensitec material on the sides is gone.

#15 of 76 Re: Leather v. leatherette [shikem] by bodble2

Nov 07, 2006 (6:50 pm)

Replying to: shikem (Nov 07, 2006 2:37 pm)
"The sensitec material on the sides is gone."
 
Thank God!

Messages Page 2 of 8

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