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Hitless: BMW Gets "Death Penalty" From Search Engine (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
This was as of May 2005.
Xdrive is rear biased, but once slippage is detected, power will go where it can be used even if this means the majority of the power being directed to the front wheels.
Xdirve is a very good system, it is NOT like the RAV4 at all.
Xdrive works well with DSC and ABS and all the other TLA's that these modern AWD cars employ.
With the sport set up AND Servotronic ($250 MSRP) the X3 is more like a 3 series than any SAV/SUV has a right to be.
The X3 is in some ways a Swiss Army Knife of cars -- NOT THE SAK, but "a" very good one, indeed.
Get the stick shift, too, it totally changes the character of the car -- unfortunately the X3 with the auto uses an old design 5 speed that some folks have dubbed "slop-tronic," myself I call it "stutter-tronic," but some folks are not bothered by the lag and frequent up and down hunting for "the right gear."
Besides the mileage is much better with the stick and it is, oh, about 500 times more fun.
:surprise:
C'mon Mark, not all of us wnat to make like Mario Andretti --- at least not in an SUV. :P Although I agree I would wait for the 6-sp step, especially since it would come coupled with the 255HP 6.
The DSG and I can assume and hope the SMG from Audi and BMW respectively especially since they too will evolve into 7 speeds (more?) are probably the holy grail of the more or less current state of the art.
The previous Audi tip tronic and the 5 speed step tronic do have something that has been oft described with the suffix "lag."
I do not have an axe to grind with automatic transmissions generally speaking. These smart transmissions since about 1998 were pretty good ideas but somehow the first 6 or 7 years of their lives were fraught with programming issues that seemed to worsen as companies desired to make these transmissions contribute to improved fuel economy at the cost of "feeling" and control and confidence.
The X3 with the 5speed step tronic transmissions are less satisfying and I can only assume are a cause, even if slight, of some frustration as the transmission hunts for the right key or stutters from an all but total stop when slowing down.
The X3 with the upgraded step tronic and the 255HP 3.0 I6 ought to be a remarkable improvement and a huge draw for BMW customers and prospects.
We have a current tech X3 with all the toys (and the manual) and returned from another weekender to Pittsburgh from Cincinnati (round trip.) The car was again a major pleasure to drive.
Mario Andretti like driving is NOT the reason for wanting the stick, it is, rather: performance, control, safety and fun (which when combined are part of what Luxury SAV means.)
The current step tronic can't measure up to the stick.
I look for this objection (of mine and some other folks) to be pretty much mitigated completely with the new transmission and new I6.
On the other hand, if you don't mind the issues I have noticed and duly reported, you will most certainly thoroughly enjoy the X3. It is YOUR money.
Drive it like you live. :shades:
Have they been saying that for the last 50 years?
It is questionable if you can adequately do this in a car with one less pedal and no shifting, but that's another issue.
Hand held cell phones will be disallowed -- if not this year, then soon.
BMW's X3 offers an elegant solution and it is pure BMW -- an in armrest cradle that allows the phone to be used through the steering wheel controls, a directory that is displayed and it also uses the roof top antenna and the X3's battery for power.
It solves the drop out problem about 98%, the battery problem 99.999% and it is much safer to use whilst driving and allows you to shift your manual transmission -- of course you do have to wait until you hit the highway to drink your latte.
:surprise:
Sure its a dying art, but I am very pleased that BMW offers them in most of their lines!
Mark: Tomorrow you have to drive to Florida. Which Car do you take? The X or the A? Im flopping back and forth!
I learned my lease is up in Sept, not june As I thought.
The rumored redue of the X3 interior (modest Im sure) and the new engine for the 07' model year gives me the opportunity to move in that direction. I have to admit, the panoramic roof is appealing!
The X3 is a blast to drive, though.
Hmm, for that distance, I guess I'd go with the A6 since the sound system is better.
I just past 7K miles mark and.......yesterday morning I had to leave my X3 at dealer to fix major electronic system malfunction.
First I noticed that
Air Bag System Indicator came ON
Second
Navigation plus Radio are dead
Third
Transmission, Brake, Lights and DSC Indicators
are ON and OFF for irregular time periods.
Generally Dashboard Instrument Panel went Bannanas or South,
but I was able to drive my car to dealer.
I wander if Anybody else experience something simillar.
p.s.
waiting for phone call from my dealer
Looks like I'm about to bite the bullet and purchase my first BMW. Just made my last tuition payment for the kids, so now it's my turn.
I like the 2006 X3. Haven't driven it yet, but from what I read, that won't be an issue. Everyone seems to like it. One thing I find odd ..... there's no security system. Even the cheap Toyota's have a security system. My Jeep has a security system! Nobody wants to steal them. However, I would think a BMW would attract some attention and REQUIRE a security system. I realize the dealer can install one - but that's bogus. I'm a little concerned that I'm purchasing a stripped down X5. What I want is a smaller X5. Thoughts?
Thanks...
So, unless you are always going to be within hearing distance at all times (in the mall?, in a restaurant?), then the alarm is a pretty expensive extra.. I don't think it is needed...
When was the last time you got out of bed to investigate your neighbor's alarm going off? I just roll over..
regards,
kyfdx
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An issue with the current X3, X5 lineup is the somewhat perplexing size differential of several (many?) key metrics. In some respects the X5 is the smaller X3 then.
Now price and actual weight of the vehicles of course does suggest (accurately) that the X3 IS the smaller of the two.
The point in all that is to say, you give up little in terms of space between the two cars.
"Insider" information suggests the new X5 will be much bigger than the X3 (but the styling will be more X3 than the current X5.)
The 2006 X3 with the body color bumpers and the sport, premium and (assuming you live where it gets cold) winter packages is at once a quite capable SAV and gives up little if anything to a regular 3 series sedan.
The technology used by the Nav and sat radio system is highly functional and eschews the iDrive's er, quirks.
There is one small issue and it is mainly if you are buying the thing -- the options run up the price quickly.
Advanced headlights - yes
Servotronic - hell yes ($250 option)
Upgraded stereo - the base system is lame, so, yes
Premium and Sport - brings lots of nice stuff with it
Sat Nav and Radio - what once were vices are now virtues, at first an indulgence then a necessity.
Winter -- heated seats if you live where it gets cold.
We didn't get the privacy glass and we didn't realize it didn't come with Home Link -- kinda wish we did that now.
Didn't do power articulating mirror bodies -- don't miss it at all even at the full automatic car wash.
Did get the in arm rest phone cradle for the Sony T637 bluetooth phone -- oughta be a law requiring this unless you promise never to use a cell phone while driving.
Servotronic -- a powerful and cheap upgrade to the handling, did I say cheap ???? At $250 it would be a damn shame to get one of these without it.
You will probably have to order the car to get the $250 Servotronic option -- it is worth the 7 or 8 week wait.
If you don't get this thing with Servotronic -- don't ever drive one with it. It is, at first, a subtle difference -- then, at speed and over time the differences ARE anything but subtle.
The headlight upgrade too gives you Xenons and articulating headlights -- at first novel, then vital.
Some of the stuff I have suggested clearly could be written off to personal preference -- I will adamantly stick to the Xenons and the Servotronic as very worthwhile. Heck, get the free paint to save $475 if you must. Know also that the sport option gives you much better wheels and tires.
Finally, the auto trans in this iteration is old technology and only 5 speeds (plus they have the gall to charge YOU for it) -- the 6speed manual is FREE (well, no extra charge.) Shhh someone at BMW priced this backwards, so don't even bother with a $1200 old tech automatic.
Minor changes for MY 2007, refresh including new engine and transmission slated for MY 2008.
Dealers seem to know later than the rest of us.
I certainly hope the adoption of the 3.0 255HP engine isn't delayed until MY 2008.
I cannot imagine this being the case since the X5 "has" to be replaced sooner rather than later -- but who knows with sufficient financing from BMW financial, they X5 could soldier on, too, until MY 2008.
The dealers, to repeat, seem to be the last ones to know.
My fear is the moment I actually take delivery of an X3, design and feature content will improve and I'll be stuck. I waited too long in MY2005 wondering what the MY2006 would be like. I actually prefer MY2005 but I was too late. How many years does BMW continue with a product line before changing it? Isn't it like 5 or 6 years?
Do not hold your breath for the 3.0 255HP engine in MY or CY 2006, my best guess.
The X3 is "the new" body style -- third year is 2006.
Although the painted bumpers, etc, are a pleasant trim update, I had hoped for a new dash replacing the coarse grained current version.
The improvements are all the invisible ones for 2006 from what I can tell.
My wife is hoping the timing works for the 2008's and it should since she has a May 2005 '05 model.
We'll see.
If BMW is like some of the others the MY 2007 cars will be built commencing third quarter of 2006 and arrive here shortly thereafter.
My dealer says "no announcement" regarding the new 3.0 or 6spd steptronic or SMG has been made for MY 2007 though.
I am positive this is more of an issue with the X5 than any other reason.
It wouldn't do to have the 3.0 @ 255 in the X3 when the X5 had the 3.0 @ 225 HP. I read somewhere that BMW can't justify the running change on the X5 and will simply wait for the replacement X5 which is supposed to be more of a Q7 type vehicle with 3rd row rear seating.
Of course all the buzz about the turbo version of the 3.0 makes you wonder why we are piddling around and not getting these new technologies to market sooner.
I know, I know -- economics and marketing.
Same as it ever was. :shades:
The deal on ordered cars will be NOT one penny worse and according to the dealers (Audi and BMW) can more often than not be better than an inventoried item. Why? The profit margin on an ordered car CAN be better for at least one reason and sometimes more.
For example, regardless of the source of the money, the dealers borrow the money (even if it is from themselves) to finance the inventory they carry. This alone makes the "amount the dealer has into a car" likely to be higher and at the same selling price (as an ordered car) have a lower margin. An on lot car has "carrying costs" in it, sometimes substantial carrying costs (as a percentage of Net Profit, i.e.) Other costs may or may not contribute to the ordered car's attractiveness for the dealer -- but the trade off is the dealer, if only offering ordered cars, would loose the "instant gratification crowd" which is the vast majority of purchasers. :confuse: Sign of the times, I guess. No patience to wait for the one the way YOU want it, so you "settle" for what's on the lot, telling yourself, often, that "well, at least I got the color I wanted," and puttering off, wishing you had one with heated seats or upgraded sound system or sat nav.
Damn. I hate when that happens.
:surprise:
In our fair city, there was ONE X3 3.0 w/a 6speed (a customer had ordered it and changed his mind) during our initial test drive. It was, other than Premium Pack and Sport Package pretty much a strippie.
We test drove the steptronic and felt like "running away" it was so crude (it constantly shifts up a gear, down a gear at the slightest grade change -- even with the 3.0.)
So, we configured the car -- and wanted both the stick and the secret weapon SERVOTRONIC ($250) steering -- 7 weeks later our car came in and the price that we had negotiated 7 weeks prior was "a better deal" than ANY car on the lot by almost $15 per month on a 36 month 45K mile lease with $250 (the cost of the Servotronic) down.
At just under $47,000 the X3 was $581 per month, including tax. We did add the in-arm-rest BMW brand phone mounting cradle and dealer sourced Kleen Wheels for a total additional out of pocket cost of ~ $450. We added these accessories within a month of purchase since the phone uses the car's battery and the car's roof top shark fin antenna for clearer, drop-out-free (and hands free) phoning with our tiny tiny Sony T637 Bluetooth phone.)
Ordering is often LESS money.
6speed manuals are almost never put in inventory -- and more's the pity, for once you drive an X3 3.0 with a stick you will swear you are driving a BMW 3 series -- it is just soooo good.
Servotronic, servotronic -- don't leave home without it.
Good luck!
It took 7 weeks to come in.
If the timetable remains about the same, you probably have another 2 weeks or so to order a 2006. If you wait until May, my bet would be, however, that the car would probably be an '07.
The dealer should know the dates for the MY's.
We negotiated EVERYTHING when we ordered the car.
Down payment = $250
Term = 36 months
Miles = 45,000 total
Due @ delivery = sec dep + first mo payment ($581)
Ordered X3 3.0, 6sp.
Gloss Black
Teracotta Montana Leather
Premium Package
Sport Package
Cold Weather Package
Bi-Xenons / adaptive headlights
Upgraded Sound System
Sirius
Servotronic Steering (VERY IMPORTANT and $250.00 MSRP)
Satellite Navigation
Parktronic (F+R)
In arm-rest BMW Sony T637 phone cradle
Regrets: privacy glass not ordered; and, we assumed the car would come with HomeLink (it doesn't); also, the car does NOT come with folding power mirrors as do almost every other German car costing north of $46K.
We added dealer accessory called KleenWheels (about $110.00) and carpeted (came with the car) AND rubber BMW mats.
We love the car. Have 16,000+ miles on it. Has had two replacement sets of wiper blades and one oil/filter change.
I have read some of the reviews of some of the OTHER BMW's with the Servotronic steering -- I know what you mean.
Here is one immediate difference that you can feel:
The road feel improves with speed with the Servotronic steering. The degree of effort to turn the wheel at very low speeds (and when you have a stick shift you may turn the wheel from time to time with only one hand) decreases.
Servotronic as implemented in the X3 decreases the steering effort the slower the car goes, regardless of engine speed.
Conversely, the road feel and the effort required INCREASES along with road speed.
My Audi A6 (2005) has it, my previous Audi did not have it and it seemed overly boosted and isoltated from the road feel at speed. At the time, I was not unhappy with it.
We got the Servotronic X3 first -- and actually, as I recall at the suggestion of edmunds.
If you can drive an X3 with and without, I suspect you will notice the difference and like it.
Steve, Host
Of course, that could vary according to changes being made, etc...
I would say typically... that current model cars have to be ordered for July production..
Plenty of exceptions to that rule, though..
regards,
kyfdx
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At this point, I do believe you will still be able to order a 2006.
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
I was thinking this might also make its way to other lines, in particular the X3.
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I always advise folks to read manuals.
Execption: I almost always advise people to never read car manuals.
I share your frustration. Try figuring out where the clock change settings are on Audis MMI the first time.
Our X3 is a 2005.
There have been complaints of mold, especially after heavy a/c duty use. One thing that has been talked about is to run the fan without the a/c for a couple of minutes before the car is shut off.