I don't know if flimsy is the word I'd use to describe it, but I know what you're talking about. The E46 is very well built. I don't get the same secure feeling that I had in the X5, though. The X5 just felt so safe... The 330xi just doesnt feel as good. It's too small for my taste. When I went from the X5 to the 3, I didn't like it... The way I feel now is that I love my 3er, but it can't hold a candle to the X5. I feel about the X5 the same way you do, Juan. Every time I drove it, I'd get out and still be amazed that the car (SAV, whatever) could drive sooo well, make you feel so safe, etc. I don't feel that way about the 3. Don't get me wrong.. I love it, but it's just not the same.

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I think the E46 3-series feels more "nimble" than the X5. By no means is the E46 a light car anymore.....My E30 325i weighed about 2800 lbs, our current E46 M3 weighs a whopping 3400 lbs. Granted, a 2001 X5 3.0i weights about 4600 lbs., so you comparing two different weight class vehicle. The problem with Mercedes is that they make their steering on the numb side and their cars not as nimble. I am always amazed how they can make a SLK, C-class and even a CLK feel like your "lumbering" like an S-class. Heck even BMW 7-series are more nimble than your Mercedes S-class.

I have to disagree with Josh re: E36 vs. E46. First of all, I am a big fan of the 3-series and most the BMW line. The E36 had door panels falling off and a 10 year old E36 3-series seemed to fall apart faster than my E30 (Josh never owned a car longer 1.5322467 years

The material they use on the dash is much better than our previous E36. The E36 has problems with the rear subframe literally ripping itself off (even with street driving only). The E46 is an improvement over the E36.

The steering on the 2001 X5 3.0i is very stiff and little assist. The E46 M3 is a little on the light side.

Anyhow, those loaner cars get so abused, the alignment is probably off.

Nevertheless, I do "feel" safer in our X5 especially in SoCal where everyone drives a SUV or Truck in our area and drive them like sports cars on the freeway

I had one of my friends (who is a big time Porsche fan) drive our M3 and he absoluetly loved it....he stated that our M3 felt more stable than his 993 at 110 mph....I told him, wait till he test drives the X5 at those speeds.

Anyhow, you are not flaming anyone, just make a point that the 3-series feels like a lighter car than the X5.

BTW, the new E90 feels more like a 5-series now (more heft). Juan, you should test drive one of those.

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I don't think "flimsy" is a proper characterization. I own both and the feeling I get in my 3 is of nimbleness, agility and responsiveness, not flimsiness. That said, I can understand how you could perceive the 3 to feel less formidable than the X5 because conversely the first time I drove my X5, I thought it felt chunky, heavy and unresponsive. As time has passed, however, I don't feel that way about my X5 at all. I began to recognize that they are two different types of cars that should not be compared. You must compare the cars with other cars in their categories. That is the true test.

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2000 Oxford Green X5 4.4
2002 Titanium Silver 325i Sport

The X5 had to grow on me initially after driving many E46. They both feel.....different, from each other.

ah, another previous 4runner owner. i too came from a 4runner; however, i installed a TRD supercharger and TRD exhaust in mine.

I got back in a 3 the other day and I felt the same thing...Like it just wasnt built like an X...Having said that, I STILL to this day do not like the sound of closing the doors on an X as opposed to the "thunk" I got with my E46...But the security you feel when driving the X is second to none of course....The 4-5 star ratings dont hurt either...

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Been there...Done that