The new X3
- Thread starter Wadula
- Start date
No ppl just think 46K for an SUV©©![[eek]](/images/smilies/eek.png "EEK! [eek]")
If you r so dumb to pay an M3 money to get an SUV and not to go off-road even once¥as most of the SUVs spend their life¤, then just shoot yourself ASAP, save the world©©![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
I think that the ultimate off-road machines are the Land-Rovers¥just see what they r doing to them in Camel-Trophys, and they still survive¤, and military HUMMERS¥H1¤!!!
If you r so dumb to pay an M3 money to get an SUV and not to go off-road even once¥as most of the SUVs spend their life¤, then just shoot yourself ASAP, save the world©©
I think that the ultimate off-road machines are the Land-Rovers¥just see what they r doing to them in Camel-Trophys, and they still survive¤, and military HUMMERS¥H1¤!!!
well 46k is at pretty much decked out. and yes, that maybe a high price, but that's the price bracket for the likes of mdx, volvo's ?90, lex's rx330 etc. the base model may start under 30k, if the 325 base is any indication.
and for those looking for a more car like suv, which is what that class represents, i'd imagine x3 would prolly win the handling battle. besides, not everyone *gasp* appreciates the harsh ride, tight control of m3, and might opt for a cushy, and higher vantage point offered by a car in a similar price range.
and one last point, there maybe no place for the caynne turbo, but just like the 4.6i x5, there will be people that buy a 3ton suv, just to go real fast on the pavement, stupid? perhaps, but it's their money, and manufacs will make whatever will improve their bottom line.
and for those looking for a more car like suv, which is what that class represents, i'd imagine x3 would prolly win the handling battle. besides, not everyone *gasp* appreciates the harsh ride, tight control of m3, and might opt for a cushy, and higher vantage point offered by a car in a similar price range.
and one last point, there maybe no place for the caynne turbo, but just like the 4.6i x5, there will be people that buy a 3ton suv, just to go real fast on the pavement, stupid? perhaps, but it's their money, and manufacs will make whatever will improve their bottom line.
I test drove an X3 this week while I was out getting rubber floor mats for our 325 this winter. The dealer just got it in the night before, so I decided to check it out (I was the first to drive it!). The pictures don't do it justice. The front end is not overpowered by the plastic bumpers, and the lines are clean and distinctly BMW. The vehicle is larger than it looks in the pictures. Headroom is outstanding (with the H-U-G-E sunroof). Legroom for your right leg is tight due to the way the center console flares out. At 6'10" this was a big concern for me.
Performance was pretty good, and it does NOT handle like a SUV. It is like a 3-series. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's BETTER than a 3, but it is very fun to drive just like the 3! And the model I drove didn't have the sport package.
For 'large' folks like me who like the roominess of SUVs but long for the performance of a sports sedan, X3 is right on target. Thanks BMW!
Performance was pretty good, and it does NOT handle like a SUV. It is like a 3-series. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's BETTER than a 3, but it is very fun to drive just like the 3! And the model I drove didn't have the sport package.
For 'large' folks like me who like the roominess of SUVs but long for the performance of a sports sedan, X3 is right on target. Thanks BMW!
I will reserve comment until I test drive one. CCA members here in the Seattle area have been invited to preview one next week. I am going and will check it out. I have heard good things, as mentioned by dzervit. When you ask why make anything smaller than the current X5, then why make anything smaller than a 525? I will do a write up just after I test her!
Just got my January '04 issue of C&D... they didn't have may good things to say about the X3. They closed the article with "... if you still want an X3, perhaps it wasn't really a BMW you wanted after all". Ouch. They really focued on the harsh ride. I found this pretty surprising since I thought it rode very nicely. Perhaps if I had it for a few days my perception would change, but I doubt it. Its quicker than most other SUVs out there, pulls 0.88g's on the skidpad, and stops from 70-0 in > 160 feet. The only thing I agreed with in the article was about the steering being a little numb.
FYI - The issue also has the new 6 series and a 530i review in it.
FYI - The issue also has the new 6 series and a 530i review in it.
I can't see it competing with the Vibe or the Matrix - both are ½ the price of the X3 and marketed to college students or recent grads on the go. Folks looking at the Vibe or Matrix are not the same folks that are going to a BMW showroom to checkout the X3. I think it will going head to head with an FX35, RX330, Aviator, and the ML320 (to name a few).
it looks OK and I'm sure it will outperform it's competition. But I don't see the value of a SUV whose "Utility" is not better than that of a car and its "Sport" will lack the lower cneter of gravity and handling of a car. If I'm gonna have an SUV (and I do) give me 3 rows of seats and some towing capacity and some reasonable off road clearance. If I didn't need these things, a car would suit my needs better.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")