As y'all know, I have been driving the crap out of my "new" 2005 X3 and spending a lot of time second-guessing and triple-guessing our choice and comparing it against everything else in the world. You folks know the drill, I'm guessing.

Anyway, I was lingering recently at my indy mechanic's (who also sells super clean BMWs) and took notice of a nice little 2005 330xi on the lot. Since I was waiting for some work on my 5, I asked my guy for a plate and took it for an extended ride around the same area that I have been running the X3 for these last few weeks of ownership.

First off, these two vehicles appear nearly identical inside. If you avert your eyes from the windows, thus preventing from gauging your relative altitude, it is very difficult to tell the difference between except for one obvious detail, the location of the window buttons. In the 3-series, per usual I guess, the window buttons are arranged on either side of the gear shift whereas the X3's are on the door.

Aside from that and the height, these vehicles were practically identical. Both had similar options including sport suspensions and six speed manual transmissions. Same year, same engine, of course, and I believe, the same version of BMW's Xdrive system. They even shared the same color wood trim. Upon closer examination, I think the leather(?) of the dashboard and doors was of superior quality in the 330xi compared with that of the X3. Seats were slightly more plush also. That said, I think I like the seats of the X3 better for their firmness and possibly more rugged leather.

Drive-wise, the 330xi is pretty near perfect, as far as a novice like myself can comprehend at least. It is sure-footed as a cat, corners like a dream and has slightly less thirst for the gas without any perceivable decline in performance. The gearing is slightly higher than the X3 allowing more range in lower gears and lower engine speeds around town. The engine is a perfectly trained caged tiger and the driver is the guy with the whip in hand.

In short, the 330xi was absolutely everything that I have come to expect from BMW vehicles. Sublime perfection multiplied.

So... what's the difference and which one do I like better?

Well, trying to set aside the natural Human tendency to justify and rationalize one's own plight for the best is not easy, but for me, I like the X3 better overall.

The difference is the X3's LACK of perfection, if that makes any sense at all. What I mean is this; the 330is is essentially the perfect tool for doing what it is designed to do, i.e. straddle the line between sportscar and snow car. So good is it that you are libel not even to notice that you have transitioned from a dry road to a snowy road (I admit I have never driven either of these in the snow, btw).

The X3 is as impractical as a bumble bee or a goose or something. I predict that it will be great as a snow car, to be sure. It is no less sure-footed than the 330xis nor is it any less of a cornering beast. It IS however, somewhat impractical in the same way that all enormous P/U's and SUV's are unless the are being used specifically for their special purpose, ie. large hauling.

I will admit to being a snow lover and anticipating a snowy ride in the same way I did sledding as a kid. I am also, I have now discovered an American SUV lover. I loved the bulletproof illusion that came from my old Jeep Cherokee (also a manual) and the high revs, head shaking and rough ride that I am getting from my impractical SUV are really making me smile in that inwardly pleased self-destructive way of Americans with their gas guzzlers.

Sadly, to me the very competent and perfect 330xi came across as pretty boring when compared to the X3. It is probably better for most purposes than the X3 unless you are in a band or something. But make mine an SUV!

If I want highway gobbling perfection, I will slide into the the 540i. The X3 is just more fun for general bombing around.

Cheers,
D