07 X3 sport pkg

[Derek]

Has anyone had a chance to compare the 07 with and without the sport pkg??? I'm thinking about getting one for the wife but have only found a none sport so far. I had an 02 x5 with the sport pkg and felt it was great but i've heard the x3 is a little rough even without the sport pkg.......... thoughts????

[AzNMpower32]

We drove our '04 non-sport X3 to a Ultimate Driving Experience where BMW featured the '07 X3 on an auto-x track. My dad said the non-sport was "too soft" compared to our model and didn't feel as composed under hard driving.

You should test drive them back to back if possible. The suspensions were too firm in the first MY '04, but was softened in '05 and onwards. I recommend the sport package but if you're going to do mostly city driving, you need to decide your priorities. The X3 is firmer than the X5 no doubt.

[fiber46is]

I drove 07 sport with 19" wheels and 06 non sport. I think that 06 was stiff enough, there was a difference between those cars but it was smaller than I expected. Drive 06 ML and you see it even softer. If you don't drive the X3 on track or autocross, I think that non-sport is good choice.

[Derek]

We couldn't find a sport to drive but I was impressed enough with the non-sport so we bought it. Montego Blue with Grey Leather.

I've had a 745 sport and an x5 sport and felt those cars needed the sport package but the X3 seemend just fine without it.

[RastaGurl]

Originally Posted by Derek

We couldn't find a sport to drive but I was impressed enough with the non-sport so we bought it. Montego Blue with Grey Leather.

I've had a 745 sport and an x5 sport and felt those cars needed the sport package but the X3 seemend just fine without it.

Congratulations, and post pics when you pick up your new ride! Otherwise, :NOADD:

[Juanted]

Originally Posted by alpine rasta

Congratulations, and post pics when you pick up your new ride! Otherwise, :NOADD:

Congrats!

[Derek]

I'd love to get some pics if I could keep it clean and the wife out of it.

[Pauly]

Originally Posted by Derek

Has anyone had a chance to compare the 07 with and without the sport pkg??? I'm thinking about getting one for the wife but have only found a none sport so far. I had an 02 x5 with the sport pkg and felt it was great but i've heard the x3 is a little rough even without the sport pkg.......... thoughts????

I have driven both in the last 7 days as I am soon to make a decision myself.

Initially I found the non sports X3 a comfortable and firm ride, but it exhibited a bit of bounce at highway speeds that was a bit annoying, but I felt I could get used to it. The overall ride was impressive, although that might have had something to do with the Lexus RX 350 I just test drove as well!

The followup ride in the sports package X3 was noticeably different. The ride was firmer and less "cushy" - I was definitely more aware of the imperfections and bumps on the road surface with this package. On the highway the bounce was gone and it felt more planted.

After riding the sports package X3 I decide I did not want this suspension, although I really liked the sports seats as they are the most comfortable and I love the matching body trim color.

Well, I decided to test drive the non sports X3 one more time just to compare for one last time and surprise, all of a sudden it felt more bouncy all around than I remembered and I noticed the body roll much more this as well.

I am glad I did restest as I now have decided to go ahead and buy the sports package - I prefer the firmer ride and those sport seats are head and shoulders above the non sports seats.

If it ends up being to firm in the long run - I will just switch out the shocks and springs.

BB

[White05X3]

Originally Posted by Pauly

If it ends up being to firm in the long run - I will just switch out the shocks and springs.

BB

Switch them out to...??? Please use caution - as it stands today there is nothing available to soften the ride other than switching to the OEM non-sport shocks. I am told that is unreasonably expensive.

I have the sport and like it so by no means am I trying to talk you out of it. All I am saying is to beware of the fact that there is not broad aftermarket support for the X3.

[sum52]

What about the 18" non-sport optional wheels as a compromise... possibly better handling, less bouncy than the standard 17", but not as firm/harsh as the sport package w/19"? I'm actually torn between the 17" and 18" because I do a fair amount of mild "off-road" driving -- dirt/rutted roads, etc. Thoughts?