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"Immediately staff members began to rave about the X3's quick responses; its substantial feeling on the road, which is unusual for such a small vehicle; and its gutsy inline-six engine"
Long-Term Test: 2005 BMW X3
Steve, Host
Option 1: MSRP on this is $30,300. With automatic trans, moonroof, heated front seats and privacy glass, plus all fees, suggested price is $34,470.
Option 2: MSRP is $30,300. With automatic trans, moonroof, foglights, xenon headlights, on-board computer, navigation system and privacy glass, plus all fees, suggested price is $37,205.
A few questions: 1. How much can I reasonably get each car for? 2. The 7% profit that is made on cars - is it from MSRP or suggested price?
(I'm trading in my old BMW for this, but will negotiate a separate price for that. Just want to know the facts on straight buying first.)
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
tidester, host
I think I have identified a small weakness in my X3. To update, my 3.0i is now 6 months old with 7800 miles. It has not been to the dealer since purchase, and has done most of everything I have asked it to do. However, the performance of the Pirelli STR tires in snow can be a bit troubling. Driving on snow covered roads seems to make the DSC work overtime. I don't mind this so much, but in deeper snow (>3") the tires pack up easily which makes the entire car shift sideways when launching. This can be a little nerveracking if you are trying to start off on a hill, or in places where deep shoulders are right next to the road.
It's not much of a problem really, but it could easily be cured by a set of snow tires. Has anyone purchased snow tires for their X3? What kind did you choose, and what wheels did you use? Also, are there any other other tire/wheel combinations that can be used without compromising the car or warranty?
Other than this, the tires are fabulous on dry and wet pavement. The X3 in general has been great, even while trailering for several hundred miles. Gas mileage is still pretty good. If I take it easy I average about 21, while if I drive it a little harder it drops to about 19. Since winter hit, mileage has dropped about 1 mpg on average.
No squeaks !!!! (mine is sans moonroof)
Thanks,
Tom
I have the sport package and it handles great. My wife thought we had run flat tires but it does not but she ran one when it was flat so $300 for a new Dunlop Sport 01.
Thanks!!!!
You can look up invoice prices here on Edmunds or on KBB.. Or, figure about $2000-$2500 off MSRP..
The better value is the 3.0 model... They have made automatic and moonroof standard without any corresponding increase in price...
Check out the X3-prices paid forum..
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I will be getting the the following dealer installed options: chrome exhaust tips, alarm, side running boards, european Nav DVD, roof railing cross pieces, and matching roof box. Anyone have any tips on taking delivery, a cheat sheet, list of the key coding options
Thanks
Kewilpee
I got my X3 3.0, no options last December.
Sorry for the long post. I am just too frustrated.
So far I noticed these quality issues:
1- Washers for rear and front wipers were switched. Washing rear window when wiping the front. I want to the dealer, and it was a matter of flipping two wires. But the fact the BMW did not check for such thing before shipping the vehicle is alarming.
2- When I roll up or down any window, another one opens at the same time. Ex. if I roll up the driver's window, the driver's window goes up, and the rear right passenger's window goes down. This is very alarming if this happened without me noticing. A car wash can end up as a nightmare if you coming in unaware that one of your windows is open.
3- I hear a cracking sound when pressing or releasing the brakes at low speed. The sales person told me that was because the car was new and it will go away when it breaks in, but it still has the same problem.
4- The remote keyless entry does not work all the time. I could not find a pattern. When I first bought the car, the dealer said it was because we were too close to their building, and said something about having special devices that are affecting it. I did not buy what he said, but I thought that the keys might not have been charged. It has been two months now, and both keys are well charged. And the problem still comes up every now and then. I could not detect a pattern to report it to the dealer yet.
5- After a car wash, it seems that water leaks inside the door. Even after the car dries out, if i roll down the windows and roll them back up, they come out wet.
Other than these issues, the car is fun to drive. The handling is awesome. It has been making 15.1 mpg in town roads. I do not speed or push the car hard when starting at traffic lights. Usually driving 40-45 mph. Average speed is 30mph.
Overall, I am very disappointed with BMW, I am not fan nor am I a foe for BMW. I was only looking for a good car. I was willing to pay a premium for that, but I don't think I got what I payed for.
These wiring issues are not too big a deal. But what I am afraid of is if I have a crash on the driver side. I do not want to right passenger airbags to deploy instead.
That was my first BMW, and it is could be my last.
Also any feedback or experience with the ipod interface.
On pricing I have seen $399 lease with $2500 down advertised for 3.0 with premium and cold weather package(Manhattan BMW which is corporate owned).I currently driving a 98 528 (original owner)and have not shopped for a car in quite some time and any help is greatly appreciated!!
Steve, Host
I bought my 05 2005 X3 3.0 in January and have had the best buying, driving, quality, engineering experience I have every had with any car. It is just outstanding!
I hope BMW makes this right with you. Don't give up on BMW...
I wouldn't have thought anything of it, except the garage attendant said they noticed the same problem on someone else's. Not a good vibration.
Here's the deal. This is probably an annoying sensor malfunction. BUT how am I supposed to be confident in other sensors that pertain to the advanced X-drive systems, the Hill descent system etc if something as innocuous as the air bag lights are screwing up already???!!!
I read where "fiddell" has had the same problem. What has been the solution so far?
The M3s are excellent in the snow, and their driving characteristics in all other conditions are also very good, especially considering that they are snow tires.
Responsiveness, dry and wet grip, resistance to hydroplaning: all excellent. Ride comfort: at least as good as the Pirellis. Highly recommended.
The black bumpers SCREAM cheapo.
tidester, host
I actually own a X3. After 1 year and 20,000 miles, it is a "Fact" that this has been the best built and most trouble free vehicle I have ever owned. This includes the "German Built" 325I that I traded in.
As the great Joe Friday would say...Just the facts mam.
Has anybody been able to drive @50mph with the moonroof open without the rattling?
Appreciate your help.
I have a X3 3.0 AT and following is a brief summary on fuel milage so far after ~3000 miles:
- 100% pure highway at ~65mph: 24.5mpg
- 80% hwy: 19 mpg
- 20% hwy: 15 mpg
This answer is just not acceptable. There must be a way to filter the interference? Anyone else with same problem?
Did contact BMWNA yesterday waiting for reply.
Appreciate any help.
New to this forum hope this goes to the right place.
Visit your dealer and tell them about your key problem and also tell them to look up BMW bulletin SI B 66 01 04 to cure the problem.[/quote]
This is from another board. I believe it involves changing the rear view mirror, and having the antenna for the remote there.
I have experienced occasional problems in very specific locations where the remote on the key doesn't work, however I was always able to manually lock/unlock the doors with the key.
I guess that's why people test drive cars--did your wife do that beforehand? There's no real problem with it, but compared to a Pathfinder or 3-series, I can see how the ride can seem a little hard, but it's just a characteristic of the design.
I've had two new cars delivered to me with tire pressures nearly 20 psi too high.
- Mark
- Mark
The roof is a major structural part of the car, that keeps the whole body together... Cutting that big of a hole, has to make it more likely to create problems...
That said, I wouldn't order either of those two cars without it.... I hear of lots of problems with the X3 sunroofs.. and, I'm not that surprised... Hope they can fix yours..
regards,
kyfdx
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