Xoutpost.com - Yo, PNG/K...X3 Review?

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

Kevin,
Would be interested in reading your opins on your loaner X3;
specs & thoughts, when you get a chance. Thanks...
BR,md

Well, since my dealer has switched its entire loaner fleet over to X3's I have driven a few of them. I just had a 3.0 non-sport model. I don't know what's standard or optional so I'll just list the things I noticed. It had the panorama roof, xenons, Sirius radio, and Steptronic.

I must say that the 3.0 engine seems perfect for the X3. It was very peppy and never seemed to feel like it was straining. Unlike the X5 with the 3.0, when I'd merge onto the freeway or overtake someone, the engine would not wail like my X5 does. At freeway speeds, it cruised very comfortably. The braking was also very good. I attribute that to the lighter weight versus the X5. Steering and handling was good too. Rentals and loaners brake harder and corner better so to speak, so needless to say, I drove it aggressively. I did enjoy the 3.0 much better than the 2.5 which took a lot of coaxing to perform.

It is a very small little trucklette. I parked it beside some other small sized SUV's like a Chevy Envoy/Equinox and it was noticeably smaller. Compared to the X5 it does feel kind of down rent. The lack of quality has been oft discussed so I'll leave that alone. One thing I noticed that was bad was that the pano roof rattled quite a bit and this on a 5000 mile X3. I think the overall thing that would keep me from buying it is just the feel as compared to the X5. The looks are also, well, controversial.

I guess I can see why some people like it but being an X5 owner, once you've had the real thing, the X3 feels like a pretender. I'd almost rather get a 3er Touring than the X3.

Sorry if I offended any X3 folks. It's just not my cup of tea.