Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X3 (E83) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-01-2005, 06:23 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: X5world
Posts: 25
climrgrl is on a distinguished road
Thumbs up The Point of the X3

I've watched too many negative reviews of the X3 on TV, and after reading a somewhat negative review of the X3 on this very forum, I just had to write.

The reviews tend to go like this: the X3 is nice, handles well, fun to drive. But it doesn't handle quite as well as a 3-series and is not as capable off-road as the X5. So what is the point?

Well my friends, from my perspective, you've hit the point right on the head without even knowing it. There are many cars out there for people who want to have fun driving, but aren't interested in off-road ability. Similarly, there are plenty of cars out there for people who want some serious cargo capacity and off-road capability -- and even still have some luxury and style. However, what about the person who wants a little of each?

Typical spring and summer weekends for me consist of driving 4-6 hours to out-of-the-way places. About half of this time is spend on freeways, then it transitions to paved twisty mountain roads, and sometimes ends on rough dirt roads that are much nicer if you have some ground clearance. This is exactly the point of the X3. I don't need as much cargo capacity as the X5, and in fact, the X3 has higher ground clearance (according to bmwusa.com). I want something that performs closer to a wagon on the twisty mountain roads (which is sometimes the most fun part of the trip), gets a little better gas mileage than an X5, and is a bit less expensive. But I don't want to beat the crap out of a 3-series sedan or wagon, which has less ground clearance and not quite as much room for people + gear. The X3 is a perfect fit.

But that's just my perspective. What are yours, other X3-owners? Let's not bash other vehicles, but write about why you chose the X3 and what you think is the point.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 05-02-2005, 10:56 AM
rocketir's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 78
rocketir is on a distinguished road
All vehicles are a compromise, including the X5. It looks like you have something that fits you and are happy with it. Thats all that matters cause you are the one that has to make the payments.
Good luck.
Jesse
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-02-2005, 03:53 PM
Thunder22's Avatar
Wait... what?
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NY/NJ/LI
Posts: 11,160
Thunder22 is on a distinguished road
this is an age old situation... no one should buy a car because of what others think about it, except of course if it's poorly made or it's a ricer , you should buy a car because you like it, who cares what others think. I have an X5 4.4i, but my other car is an '04 Commemorative Edition Corvette with stripes down the middle. A lot of people don't like the stripes, and to them i say " when you're making the payments you can get one without the stripes"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-02-2005, 04:35 PM
motordavid's Avatar
RetiredBum & Semi-RenaissanceMan
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mtns of Western NC, & SW FLA
Posts: 16,816
motordavid will become famous soon enoughmotordavid will become famous soon enough
climrgirl: I'm w/you. I like the X3, I like the X5, I like most of the cars and m'cycles on mkt or on the road. If You like your X3, that's really all that should matter to you,imo. Pay lil'heed to those that dislike something you have, or rave about their situ too often. Drive the sucker and enjoy it. BR,md
__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page




Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-02-2005, 04:38 PM
SILENTx5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 950
SILENTx5 is on a distinguished road
its your money. buy whatever that suits you. nice write up.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-02-2005, 04:45 PM
Curious Joel's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: I-93
Posts: 2,715
Curious Joel is on a distinguished road
I like the X3, too. I think it's cool looking and I've driven them.. They handle great and I've driven them in some fairly deep snow and they do well. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the interior... It's kinda low-grade for a BMW.. But then of course if you're the outdoorsy type you don't want a luxury interior.. (I'm willing to bet most X3 owners aren't doing anything remotely outdoorsy with their car, but that's another story)... But overall I think it's a cool car and you should be happy with it. GL!
__________________
Curious Joel
2002 BMW X5 4.4i
retired
2003 BMW 330xi
retired

2007 BMW 335i Coupe
Montego Blue-Saddle Leather-Light Poplar Wood-Sport Package-Premium Package-Navigation w/iDrive-Comfort Access-Park Distance Control-Automatic w/Paddle Shifters-USB iPod link-Autobahnd clear bra
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-03-2005, 03:20 PM
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Victoria, BC and Portland, OR
Posts: 25
tpollard95124 is on a distinguished road
At one point in my earlier life I drove a Dodge Caravan. Heavily practical with kids and their soccer team with loads of room and really comfortable on my ailing back to drive. When that time past, I drove an M3 which was awesome to drive, but very uncomfortable on my back and totally impractical for more than 2 people.

Now, with a little bit of extra tuning, I have the best of both worlds. I love my X3.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-06-2005, 01:18 PM
mwbbmw's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 89
mwbbmw is on a distinguished road
I went to the dealership driving my '00 Z3 thinking I'd get an E46 3 series and thought I'd test the X3 just for kicks. I was sold from the moment I got in. The handling was phenomenal - no wheel hop from a trailing arm suspension - and that was the non-sport packaged version. I would think the Sport Package would make it ride a bit rough. The 2.5 does well on almost all roads except for a steep hill with curves it feels a bit sluggish. If I had to do it over again, I'd have gotten the 3.0 - perhaps when my lease is up in a little over a year!
__________________
MWBBMW
2006 X3 3.0i Highland Green Metallic, Sand Beige Montana Leather, Steptronic, Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Package, Privacy Glass, Xenon Headlights
2007 328i 6-speed, Black Sapphire Metallic, Sport package, Black Leatherette, Heated Seats, iPod & USB Adapter
If God had intended man to walk or fly, he would not have made BMWs!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-06-2005, 01:21 PM
UCrewX5's Avatar
co-founder
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hockeytown, USA
Posts: 9,740
UCrewX5 has disabled reputation
Quote:
Originally Posted by mwbbmw
I went to the dealership driving my '00 Z3 thinking I'd get an E46 3 series and thought I'd test the X3 just for kicks. I was sold from the moment I got in. The handling was phenomenal - no wheel hop from a trailing arm suspension - and that was the non-sport packaged version. I would think the Sport Package would make it ride a bit rough. The 2.5 does well on almost all roads except for a steep hill with curves it feels a bit sluggish. If I had to do it over again, I'd have gotten the 3.0 - perhaps when my lease is up in a little over a year!
Congrats on the X3, and :welcome: to X3world
__________________

Xoutpost.com - where you come for the information but stay for the friendships
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-06-2005, 02:18 PM
mwbbmw's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 89
mwbbmw is on a distinguished road
Much gratis. Pleasure to be here! Finally a place to hang out with X3 fans!
__________________
MWBBMW
2006 X3 3.0i Highland Green Metallic, Sand Beige Montana Leather, Steptronic, Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Package, Privacy Glass, Xenon Headlights
2007 328i 6-speed, Black Sapphire Metallic, Sport package, Black Leatherette, Heated Seats, iPod & USB Adapter
If God had intended man to walk or fly, he would not have made BMWs!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:02 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.