The new X3's are nice also, but may be pretty cramped from what you are used to. Especially with your Sheps. If fuel economy is a concern, the X5 will give you better numbers than the X3 unless it is the 4cyl diesel. X5 is more substantial in every way IMO.

We have a 2016 X3 with the base engine, which is peppy but not as smooth as the six. A smaller but nimbler drive.

Thanks all for your thoughtful and helpful replies. Especially those of you with large dog experience in your cars!

If you can imagine this photo with two more GSD's on board, you can see why I'm a little skeptical about how we'd manage in an X3. Not hard to do for short trips, which is most of what we do for the rescue. But when we go on long road trips with these two guys and luggage, it could wind up being a little cozy.

I'm taking my car in to my dealership for an intermittent CEL this Thursday, and my Service Advisor has lined up '16 X3 for us to drive. We can't have dogs in the loaner, but I think this will be the extended test drive that will tell us if we can tolerate living with the smaller space.

Thanks again, everyone. I always appreciate being able to come to this forum to get answers!


https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...70&oe=579923A2

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...new-x3-me.html

That was my initial assessment of the X3. No thanks.

Thats too Funny, We have a similar setup, Yellow Lab and German Shepherd. The X3 is way too cramped for dogs of that size.

Thanks, bmrboi2... it sounds like you can relate. It's easy to have one lab and GSD, and when we have one more GSD it's pretty manageable. When we get to 4 it's a little tight no matter what size the dogs are.

I really thought the tobacco interior color was beautiful when I got this car. What was I thinking with black dogs? :doh:

Crash, Imagine my pain with a blonde lab and quasi blonde shep.

http://www.amazon.com/Pet-SUV-Cargo-...argo+Liner+Pet

Bought one of these. Been a lifesaver

The 3.5i with Sport Line and Sport Package is much better in all the areas you complained about (without the lane departure etc optioned on it). I really have never understood why BMW's service loaners are so lame; they should be vehicles I might want to trade into, not avoid. So if I come in with an M3, give me something comparable, newer and better, not an underpowered X3!

Yeah, I had a newer 2014 X3 loaner for 3 weeks and I was pleasantly surprised as well, decent amount of room, much more comfy ride than e70 but mainly due to susp. n tire diff. I'm on harsh Runflats n the sport pkg. w EDC. Had 2 child seats in the back, commuted 80+ miles a day...even stuffed a crate n barrel table with chairs in the back I had to return lol

My wife took her 2013 X5d for service, and the dealer gave her an X3 loaner. The X3's steering was extremely light - very un-BMW like, no feel. We both disliked it. I thought I was back in the 70's with over boosted steering in my dad's Plymouth wagon!