Anyway..
 

Any of you guys ordered a 2011?

The past...
 

I would argue that all the range are great to drive in 2010 (well perhaps not the X3...) but there were some real shockers in the past - just look back to the E36 Compact, and things like those slow revving "eta" cars such as the E30 325e. There are many skeletons in BMW's back catalog...

Ordered an Alpine White 50i Sport (Innovation) in April. Advised it would be July delivery but not sure if dealer is speaking with forked tongue.

My first BMW! :thumbup:

To me these are both BMWs. One may be special and the other a mass-market car but they are both BMWs nevertheless. My missus had 2002 E46 320i (ie. a 2.2-litre six) which was a sweet car to drive which was reliable to a tee and cheap to run ... and still is, as a mate of mine bought it for his missus and I keep up to date with it.

The only reason why BMW can make the special stuff like M3s or X5Ms is that they make lots of big-selling money makers. You can't make cream without milk!

The X3 is much maligned in the press but I had a X3 20d for a week or so a while but and though it was great. No ride quality concerns (always an issue with the press), decent performance and unbelievable economy (7.5 litres/100km). Personally, I don't like the look of the X3 compared to the E53, but its performance/economy balance makes a compelling argument.

Funny thing you also mentioned the E36 Compact as that also attracted much criticism in the press. My wife had one (her first BMW) and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the way it drove, or its reliability. It even had a good resale. Bought it as a low-km second-hand, had it for two years and sold it for the same money.

A mate just orderred his second E70, arrives mid sept 2010. I am going to order another X5 sport in April or May next year for Sept 2011 delievery. Still hoping they will do a hybrid diesel/electric by then.

Would be nice to see a diesel hybrid. Must be a better idea to start with an economical engine (ie turbodiesel) than a thirstier petrol engine and then add the hybrid drivetrain to that. None of the petrol hybrid 4WDs seem to be setting the world on fire given you can have the same or better economy with a td without all the extra complications, space compromises etc you get with a hybrid.

i suggest you arrange a test drive prior to making this statement...the E83 X3 is definitely underrated, very tight, quick handling and very spacious interior - as much space as the old E53.

we have been impressed with our X3 since the day we got it which was almost 3 years ago now. the 3.0si has an exceptional strong peformance without the extra bulk of a X5 :)

I need the space of a X5, I take to much gear up the beach to the beach house each weekend, specially if the whole family comes. There no road access, by the time you have 4 people onboard, 2 eski's plus food, you need levelride so the a..e is not dragging on the ground.

Its a 1 and a half hour trip from Brisbane to the ferry, then another 25 mins to and up the beach, I would run a X3 into ground with 600km a week that I do. This is my 3rd E70 X5 since the middle of 2007, I get about 12 - 18 months out of one and move them on when they hit 30,000k.

Good work mate, look forward to your photos and impressions!