Has anyone downsized to and X3 or considered it?

[Crash513]

The lease on my 2011 X5 3.5d is coming up soon, and we're considering downsizing. My wife and I work volunteer with a German Shepherd rescue, so we have our two big dogs and often at least one or two more foster dogs.

We looked at several new X3's at our local dealer over the weekend, and liked what we saw. We think we can get by with the reduced interior space, but I'm convinced yet. I think we'll notice the reduced headroom with the dogs since my current X5 has third row seats and the cargo area folds pretty much flat. But I don't think that would be a showstopper. The big difference to me appears to be that the rear cargo area is quite a bit narrower. I'm wondering if anyone has looked at X3's in this light, or has actually downsized to one, or perhaps owned one previously. Oh, and we're thinking Diesel again, so I'm especially interested in observations from anyone who owns or has owned the X3 XDrive2.8d and how it compares to it's big brother.

Any insights are much appreciated! Thanks all..

[Ozer]

Hmm i personally dont like the style and how smaller they are but no i didnt look.
One other thing to consider is if you will miss the acceleration of the diesel vs the x3.

[jfoj]

Drove an X3 once, it was probably at least one chassis before the current ones. I did not like the cramped feel in the drivers seat, never even did open the rear doors or look at the cargo compartment.

Depending on how big you are, you may not like the feel of the X3 drivers/passenger seat area.

Suggest you at least test drive one, even if it is from the Used Car Dept where you might be able to keep it for a few hours to test out.

[14thbmw]

We just bought a 2016 3.5 xdrive X3 or whatever they call it. Dimensions are very close to the e53 X5 we have but of course it is a little less powerful than the 4.8is. It is very smooth, drives great and has plenty of room for our lab - but we don't have your commitment to dogs. I owned a 2004 X3 (first year) back in the day and it did real well for us. I have no reservations about the X3 if it fits your needs.

[gregg3gs]

NEVER!!!

This is what will happen to you if you get one

[jdg857]

We have the 2012 X5 Diesel as well as an 2011 X3 2.8. The inside dimensions of the X5 are just right for the four of us where the X3 is a bit cramped. The X3 is great for zipping around town, but for any longer journeys we're in the X5. The X3 has lighter steering and is a little easier to get around Santa Fe.

[dalecan]

I went the opposite way. I had an X3 but it was a bit cramped for our female Alaskan malamute, she's about 100lb, and we upgraded to an E70 X5. She has much more Room. The only downside to the X5 was the higher tailgate. We had to get a ramp for her access.

[Asudevil]

I currently am driving a brand new X3 loaner while my X5 is in the shop and I personally can't wait to get my E70 back. However, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised by the pep that lil suv has as well as being blown away by the electronics (in comparison to our 09'). It made me MOST definitely want to retrofit the new electronics into our dash.

[JGard]

Originally Posted by Asudevil

I currently am driving a brand new X3 loaner while my X5 is in the shop and I personally can't wait to get my E70 back. However, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised by the pep that lil suv has as well as being blown away by the electronics (in comparison to our 09'). It made me MOST definitely want to retrofit the new electronics into our dash.

I'm not going to really help the thread, but the point you make is how I feel every time I take my E70 in for service. I get whatever the latest 3 series sedan they have is. One of the last times I also took an i3 for a test drive. And no matter how nice all the tech is (and I'm a sucker for nice tech), I'm so much happier to get back into my E70 once the service is done. There's just something about this car...it's so great to drive

[jfoj]

I am not seeing 2 large breed dogs happy in the back of an X3, much less 3 or 4.

Maybe I am missing something, but I have a 80 lb Silver Lab that is either in her crate in the rear of the X5 which means 1/2 of the rear seat is down or I have her in the rear seat that I put a custom cover on to protect the seats.

I am very much like JGard, it took me a while to get familiar with my E70, but I do not like driving much else. My wife has an E46 convertible that I do drive and while it is fun, it is not something I would want drive 1100 miles straight like I have done in my E70. And on the 1100 mile trip, I averaged 75 MPH for the entire 1100 miles!