Please help with Sport Pkg. choice.....

[rickp]

I have SP and really like it. I love the grippy steering wheel and it handles pretty darn good for a SUV. Feels solid at 100+ although I would never do that ;-)

[LVGirl]

X Sport = harsh ? Not IMO .... (of course my "ex" before the "X" was a Jeep GC ... talk about a rough, hard ride)!

I love my Sport X

[JackDar]

I recently ordered and received an '06 X3 with the sport package and the six speed. With over 1600 miles on it now I can tell you that my wife and I both love it.

As it turns out, there was a week between when I turned in my previous car at the end of its lease and when the X3 would arrive. My dealer (Joe Corvaia - Ottos BMW, West Chester, PA) allowed me to drive one of their loaners 'til mine arrived. It was an '06 X3 automatic with no sport package. It convinced me of three things: 1) not having driven an automatic as a daily driver for many years, even with the manumatic I much prefer the manual transmission, 2) I too had read the posts from others about the "harsh ride" of the sport package. I can tell you it is not significantly more harsh than the non-sport model, and it is worth it in terms of improved handling, better seats, much better wheels and tires - and the color match side sills, and 3) the loaner had that Terra Cotta leather package with black dash and carpet. Although it looks interesting at first, you grow tired of it pretty quick (IMHO).

The X3 is my wife's daily driver. Mine in a G35 Coupe 6MT. Having had sporty cars for most of my driving history - and never having had an SUV (excuse me SAV), I was leary of the drivability of any vehicle that weighed over 4,000 pounds and only had 225 horsepower to motivate it. I can tell you BMW did a fine job in making the car feel both lighter than it is and faster than you would think a car of this weight with this size engine could move.

The only disappointments I have with the car are: 1) the layout of the dash and the materials used. It needs a major freshening - especially to keep pace with other luxury models both European and Japanese. and 2) I am used to a slightly heavier feeling clutch and shift action, the X3 feels very light and almost delicate. The steering wheel alone is worth the price of the sports package...especially versus the non-sport model.

Overall on a scale of 1 - 5, I would rate this car a solid 4.5.

Hope that helps.

Jack Darnell
2006 X3 White with Black Leather
Sport and Premium Packages,
Xenon Lights and Servotronic Steering
Privacy Glass, Satellite Radio Prep, Rear Seat Airbags

[SimpleMind]

JackDar, et al, very thoughtful comments.

Ok, although I don't consider myself an "enthusiast" I guess by sheer reading and posting on a site like this at least puts me in the "interest" catagory, and I will opt for the ZSP. I'm not sure about the servotronic, but it probably wouldn't hurt to have it also.

I too like the Terracotta, it's different and looks great w/ silver grey, but I might tire of it over time (although I have the grey interior on my 3 series, I'm tired of it also...maybe just bored).

The light clutch feel would be a blessing for me as I developed a little patella tendonitis years ago diving a 325E with a moderate stiff clutch. I was driving in a lot of stop and go traffic at the time.

Any other "must haves" ?

[donald_duck]

Originally Posted by SimpleMind

.....Any other "must haves" ?

Winter package. Cargo net, cargo tray, foldable mirrors (they are just so cool), self dimming mirror, tire pressure monitor and fuzzy dice for the decoration + pine three shaped air freshner

Sorry, I couldn't help myself for the last two...