Just picked up our "new" 2005 X3 3.0i

[Drum]

What a cool little vehicle!
I really like the drive and even the ride, despite the fact that it is the dreaded and much maligned "Sport" suspension. It is certainly a "rougher" ride than the Passat wagon it replaces or my 540i/6, but it is a good deal less head-tossing than my 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo was. I must admit to a certain self-destructive joy in an SUV's jolting ride and so I am probably not a normal consumer in that respect. However, the stiff ride seems to really pay off in those long curving highway on ramps and while hugging the twisty back roads in our neck.

Alas, within three hours of delivery, some daffy broad from NJ had managed to rear end us in her Honda whatzit. Seemed to go basically under the rear bumper of the X3. Dinged one of my shocks with the muffler and knocked the muffler off of it's hanger. Aside from some shredded plastic (the spare tire holder is damaged but usable) and possibly a bent exhaust, the X3 seems to have weathered the bump fairly well.

Unlike the Honda which suffered two broken headlights, a stoved in hood and probably a damaged engine. It would not start after the collision and I had to drive the little lass who hit me to a gas station to arrange for a tow. All the while she is riding in the X she is saying, "Wow, this is a really nice car!" My response, semi-tongue in cheek... "It surely was."



For those who are curious, ours is a 3.0i with all the bells and whistles except for navigation in highland green. We picked it up as a lease return at a local auto auction for just over $19k. It has 32k miles and is (or was) immaculate as a CPO.

Any other X3 Sport fans out there?

Cheers,
D

PS: If anyone wants to see, I can post some pics, but I am waiting for the pollen to stop falling so I can give her a good bath. That, plus the "repairs" ought to be done before I expose her on the web.