BMW X3

tdono

Great Picture. How well did the SAV perform on the trails?

dabee

I'm looking for a first car for my 16 yr old daughter-- given that safety is my #1 priority, then reliability, I'm wondering if the X3 is a little overkill, and how it rates compared to the Mercedes C230 Kompressor sedan and the Audi A4 1.8 T. She will probably be doing mostly city driving, as opposed to highway. any thoughts?

daves1

Thanks for the information. I think I am going to get the dealer to put all season tires on the car, since it was misrepresented at time of purchase. I do not want to go through the hassle/expense of changing tires twice a year. Thanks again.

kdshapiro

I would think an X3 is a bit overkill. As far as safety goes, you can never be too safe, however, as we all know the injuries sustained (or not) in a crash sometimes have little to do with the vehicles safety record. In other words to a parent of a new driver....good luck.

Having said that there are a number of vehicles which I would buy my kids, however, the 1.8 or the C230 are not one of them. Most likely it will be a compact American car.

kohinahi

I am assuming that you have a very generous budget for your daughter. One consideration - the X3 is more expensive to insure than the other two.

kdshapiro is right! it's the age of the driver, lack of education and experience, and thrill of driving that makes them more susceptible or prone to accidents.....and giving them a powerful vehicle is only adding negatively to this equation.

BMW touts it's safety with diagonal cross-members, multi-stage airbags, DSC, DBC, etc. but all manfacturers in this price range will have some comparable safety mechanisms in place. Check safety ratings at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/

My wife drives like a 16 year old and I chose to get her the X3 2.5i automatic. I think the car is powered right for her. On "our" testing we found the braking to be better on the X3, liked the "All Wheel drive" (standard), and, the Dynamic Stability control (also standard on the C230). All seem to have some sort of "Panic Braking" which is a feature we appreciate.

One last thing, the BMW has about 15 more horse-power and is about 500-600 lbs heavier than the other two.

Best of Luck! Let me know if you're looking to adopt?!! ;o)

trader_tom

I have a love hate relationship with the black textured plastic trim on cars. I think the look of the painted surfaces improves the look of the vehicle in most colors. The downside, as others have pointed out, is that the finish on those painted surfaces can quickly look abused from scratches and bumps which are easy to acquire, but difficult to mend. The black textured pieces seem much more durable, hide the little flaws and scratched much better, and can accent certain colors such as white and black quite well. The problem I see with these plastic items is that they quickly become discolored from the sun and solvents such as wax and many types of cleaners. It is very difficult to wax around them without getting white marks into the grain of the plastic. They can be difficult to clean, and more difficult to keep looking clean. I think these pieces look aged prematurely, and are often unsightly. I have had them on several vehicles, and the only exception is the grey smooth plastic used by Chrysler on their minivans. It seems to be holding up well over time with regards to appearance.

I ordered my X3 in Jet Black specifically because I thought the bumpers blend nicely into the body. If I were given the choice, I would have preferred the painted bumpers in either the same color or a contrasting color. I still like the old school style with rubber bumper areas only, and the balance of the front, rear, and side lower panels remaining the same paint as the rest of the body. Many times you will see vehicles that used to have a clear plastic sheeting over the lower panels to protect the paint. The virtues and pitfalls of that combo is another topic.

Cheers,
Tom

trader_tom

There appears to be 8 speakers in the standard audio system of the X3. There is a grill in each of the four doors for a speaker, and one sub-woofer under each of the two front seats. According to the old BMW X3 intro site, the front door has a mid and high speaker behind each grill while the rear doors have just a mid. So 4(front)+2(rear)+2(under seats) = 8

The premium sound has a similar configuration with the addition of two tweeters in the rear doors for a total of 10.

I think that's right ;-)

Tom

kohinahi

I have a 2003 Honda Accord and it has just one deep scratch on the front painted bumper. From that angle the scratch becomes the focal point of display. I believe the same would be true for the X3.
For an "SUV" I prefer having a rugged look. If the bumpers on the X3 matched the body, it would look less rugged.

Given a choice for the same price, I would choose non-painted bumpers BUT would only choose colors that compliment the bumpers - namely Jet Black, White or a non-metallic Anthracite.

jeff33

Personally, I would buy her a Volvo coming in off lease. I believe that they are the safest cars on the road, and Volvo will give you the new car warranty for six years after the original leasing of the vehicle. Insurance costs will be much lower, she'll be safer, and if/when she proves her safe driving record, you can spring for the new car at that time. I haven't heard any flattering reliability reports about Audis or Mercedes. If you want safety and reliability, that would be my choice. Your other choices are surely overkill unless you have money to burn. Good Luck!

harplayr

I would also factor the vehicle's handling into the equation. Many times in an emergency situation, the car / suv that can handle better can avoid an accident.

kyfdx

A mid-90s Taurus.. you know, something she doesn't want to be seen in.. Hopefully, one that breaks down a lot, and that really sucks gas. Because, the more it sits, the less she drives. I'm sure your daughter is a wonderful girl and the light of your life, but have you seen 16-year-olds drive? The first car ought to not make you cry when it gets a dent in it.

regards,
kyfdx

alaskan_otter

I saw a video made by the Institute of Highway Safety (with the guy that's always on Dateline or 20/20) comparing the BMW to the Volvo as far as safety/handling issues. The BMW in loss-of-driving control appeared to handle slightly better than the Volvo. But those two brands were the best performers in the safety tests.

njdriver1

I'm rolling out of a 36 month lease on a 330i, and I've convinced myself the X3 is a good choice, for staying with BMW while getting something larger and AWD. But I'm going over some choices and wonder if anyone has an opinion on color combos- green/sand v. silver/gray? Has anyone listened to the upgraded sound system? Is it worth it? Xenon's? Privacy glass? And, of course, how much over invoice (or below MSRP)?

scotth6

I must be lucky, I have 6700 miles on my X3 3.0 which I bought Feb 27 and I have had 0 problems.
I have black with terracotta interior which is great because although the seats and some door trim are terracotta the carpet and most of the interior is black. I have the upgraded stereo and it sounds alot better in the X3 than in my M3. I have not had any sqeaking noises or wind noises as meantioned in some posts. I also have the sport suspension with Y spoke wheels and 18 inch rims and the ride is much smoother than my 2003 M3 with the same size wheels. My only minor complaint is gas milage around town which is about 16.5 to 17 but on the highway you can easily get 23 to 24. I would buy this vehicle again in a minute.

jimbob533

I thought I would like the green, but when I saw it in person, I was disappointed, extremely disappointed. I have alpine white w/beige interior and like it a lot. To my eye, the green destroys the lines of the vehicle, they seem to disappear. If I had it to do over, I would choose the blue water metallic (a truly handsome color). Color is such a personal choice that you're really on your own. I have the upgraded sound, and it's great. Don't know if it's worth the extra money because I can't compare it to the non-upgraded - never heard one play. However, I will state that the radio reception leaves a lot to be desired as far as clarity of sound. I had a great deal of static on any channel I chose, especially when in towns (I live in a rural area). I didn't have any trouble with the radio in the 3 series I had prior to the X3. I now have Sirius Radio and the CD changer and love the environment I am able to create with these options - totally free of static. I believe which radio to choose would depend on what other listening options you choose.

Xenons are a must for me. They light up the road so clearly, and because they are adaptive, night-driving is so much easier, brighter and safer. Is the privacy glass worth it? - I don't know - the tint is minimal. I can't help you on price because I ordered mine in January when the vehicle was still an unknown. It was a seller's market, and I paid way tooooo much. I do read that there are GREAT deals to be had now; there are a lot of these vehicles sitting on dealers' lots.

Be prepared for a harsher ride than you are accustomed to with the 330i (especially in town. On the highway, it is fine). Isn't the 3 series available with AWD in the xi?

P.S. Hope that you are one of the lucky ones who doesn't get a vehicle that creaks. It can be a real nightmare.

njdriver1

You're right, Jimbo, there is a 330xi, but I was looking for some more room in the car. I guess I'll need to add in my budget for extra massage treatments for the harsh ride - I hope its not worse than I'm used to (the 330 was low to the ground and pretty stiff).

Going silver/gray, with the whole shootin' match. Looking forward to it.

jimbob533

Good for you!! Going for the whole shootin' match makes the whole experience that much better. For some of the things you might not appreciate so much, there are all of the other things that you do. Indeed, the X3 is higher than the 330. That's one of the main reasons I switched. I didn't want to feel as though I was sliding down onto the ground every time I got into the car.

atlwoman

Dabee, save your money and get a used volvo sedan or something. Get something smaller and without a lot of umph. So many kids get killed here in Atlanta every year because they drive cars that are too big, too fast and they are too young. My son who is now 25 is probably the most car prone problem child in the world. Between accidents and tickets. Sheesh! He's been riding the bus for over a year now because of a DUI. Trust me on this one. A 16 year old girl doesn't need that kind of "independence" either. Good luck.

atlwoman

Good choice on the X3. Just bought mine a week ago and love it. Have you seen the sand leather (I'm assuming here). It's so pretty but so light. I almost got a blue with sand but have two grandkids and two big dogs and changed my mind. I went with the silver grey with black interior. I have the upgraded sound system, but don't really have an opinion on it though. I think the privacy glass helps with summer heat, but again, dont' know for sure. Haven't tested the Xenons either. give me a month and I'll let you know

kohinahi

The suspension was tuned around April 2004 to lessen the harshness...I drive my 03 Honda Accord which is pretty comfy on the suspension and I do not find my June '04 produced X3 much harsher......

njdriver1

Thanks, everybody. My major issues with the 330 were rear wheel drive and minimal rear seat/storage space. Being low to the ground didn't bother me, but my wife's back acted-up on occasion. It's good to hear they de-tuned the suspension (is that true, or perception?). Despite the X3's flaws, it's definitely got more storage and rear seat space, and an excellent AWD system.
I'll report back in a couple of weeks - the car is due to arrive at the VDC next week.

jed

I would second all previous messages re car for 16 year old. A good friend told me to not let my daughter drive anything truly nice for at least the first 6 months or a year. She was dead right. Takes them awhile and a few dents to get the hang of driving. I wanted our daughter to start out in an older Volvo or Mercedes but she hated them and ended up with an aged Mazda, graduating to a better car about 9 months later.

As for color discussions, I second the "personal choice" position. When I thought I would be ordering a car I was between Blue water with the basic black or Jet black with gray leather, though the BMW gray leather is a little lighter than I like. While mulling all this over (and thinking I might wait to see the Escape Hybrid) I saw a parked silver gray with black interior and really liked it. Then I saw the latter color combo at my dealer when we took another car in for service, and decided to jump on it. Having now seen more X3's I think if I were ordering a car I'd go for the blue water metallic with black since I don't have the mentality to keep a black car clean. But I am extremely pleased with the colors I have--just a little tired of seeing so many gray metallic cars on the road.
I really like the car. I was going to buy the liner for the rear but realized most times I'd need it, the back seats would be down...so it wouldn't be that useful. Turns out a 5X7 tarp from Ace Hardware when folded in half will take care of my problem, and when completely unfolded will pretty much cover the whole area in back of the front seats. Cost about $3 and it fits in the well space where the tire is (out of sight). Looks like those metal pieces in the rear would be perfect tie downs if carrying something you need to leave the back door open for (the closure ring for the door is the third part of that equation.
I hear the dreaded creak on slow, bumpy roads, and will probably ultimately ask the service people about it, but I do love this car. Rides like it is on rails. We're thinking we may need cross rails to carry a canoe, and the ones in the brochure look a little fat. Anyone buy them and think they look ok on the car? Anyone with other suggestions for cross rails?

x3r

Or you might want to consider having the best of both worlds. Opt for the Sports Package with style #113 18 inch wheels. IMHO these are the best looking wheels on offer...even appearing better that the Y-spoke wheels. They are the same size front and back. Mine came with Pirelli Scorpion All Season tires which I have already tested in the Sierras and which did quite well on their own. In case of deep snow storms, I noticed that the latest BMW X3 accessory catalog has RUD-matic "cross track" snow chains available for this size wheel/tire combination albiet at a pretty pricey $525. (Part no. 36 11 0 306 048)

2004 Black Saphire
3.0 i

http://www.designbivouac.net/X3_Gallery.html

kyfdx

Very nice X3! How much did it cost to upgrade to those tires/wheels? I wonder if you can opt for those as a "no-cost option" when getting the Sport Package? Otherwise, you are kind of paying twice for them, as most of the Sport package cost is for the 18" wheel/tire upgrade.

regards,
kyfdx

kohinahi

Just a plug for Meguiars new NXT wax. It's expensive (as much as Zymol) at $14 for a 18 fl oz bottle. BUT the wax is fantastic. I have a Black X3 and Zymol seems more abrasive and leaves a dull haze. NXT is awesome because you use one-half the quantity of Zymol, it goes on real easy, dries with a very light haze, leaves no residue and best of all is painless to remove. I did two cars over the weekend - the one with Zymol took about 2 hours while the one with NXT took about 50 minutes.

stever

I wonder how it compare to Zaino Car Polishes/Products--Your Experiences (Part 2)?

Steve, Host

harplayr

>>The suspension was tuned around April 2004 to
>>lessen the harshness

I have not heard about this. Do you have any details. Can this be done on X3s that were produced before April?

kohinahi

I'm sorrry I can't find the exact article....I came across it while conducting my research. It was a road test conducted by a reputable, not very famous, car magazine.

Even Edmunds Full Road Test at http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw/x3/100374221/roadtestarticle.- - html?articleId=101736 admits to the knowledge of the suspension being re-calibrated to reduce the firm ride:

"It should be noted that our vehicle was an early-production unit, and we've been informed by a BMW rep that the X3's suspension has since been recalibrated (on non-Sport versions) so as to be more compliant over sharp impacts."

This review was written on 04/29/04...that kinda' validates the re-calibration around April 2004.

alaskan_otter

My dealership provides free car washes for the first 4 years/50,000 miles.

If I wanted to wash the X3 at home, what are some good tips to maintaining the finish? I saw the post about wax, but what about soaps? Thanks

tdono

I have read in early post about re-turning X3 suspension. "To be not so Harsh". I have noticed just about everyone has stated it rides in town to harsh. Can this re-turning of suspension really be done?? Is there a TECH release to BMW to do this procedure? If anyone knows more please reply.

njdriver1

For anyone with the BMW Sirius option, did you have to spend the $350 +/- for satellite if the car came with the upgraded hifi and satellite prep? I don't want to start paying for dealer installed options that are redundant, especially if I'm not committed to satellite radio yet.

daves1

What type of tires are on the 18" rims? No idea where you drive, but if they are the sports type tread, any problems in ice/snow? I am going to take delivery this week, and want to be sure the dealer has his facts correct.

kyfdx

I was looking at the BMWUSA.com site.. If you opt for the Sport package, you get 18" wheels with all-season tires.. All wheels and tires are the same size..

However, there is a separate option for the 18" Y-spoke wheels.. these are staggered, wider in the back than the front, and come with summer-only performance tires. I believe these are what you want to avoid, if you have winter driving issues.

Drop over onto that site, and build-your-own X3, and you'll see what I mean.

regards,
kyfdx

jeff33

Yes, I paid the $350. That included a 15 month subscription. My X3 was made before the modulator was available. It was prewired. I am very pleased with the reception and the wide range of Public Radio, BBC, World Radio Network, and other news channels. The music is as good as expected. I am so happy to avoid commercials on the music channels, but if you are not sold on satellite, it does make you think.

jane3

to those with complaints of creaks, leaks, etc...did you all get your cars early in the year? I am looking at the X3 and just wondering if some these are 'early' off-line problems that may be tweaked by now.
  I've also read just as many postive posts about X3 experience. I currently have an 2002 325xi, and I love it. My lease is up, and the smallness of hte X3 vs X5, and the extra cargo space, and the 'sportyness' of the X3 have attracted my attention to it.

designman

I took an X3 service loaner last week and much to my surprise absolutely loved the ride. What critics term "harsh" I see as sporty. Steering, handling and brakes are impeccable. For utility I much prefer wagons but having driven this I am now seriously considering it. I was wondering which other vehicles you X3 owners have cross-shopped and why you chose the X3.

kdshapiro

"What critics term "harsh" I see as sporty."

That was exactly my take. You can't have it both ways, a spongey/soft ride does not inspire confidence in a BMW.

kyfdx

It is supposed to be the "BMW" of SUVs.. A BMW first and an SUV second.. I don't want it to ride like a pickup truck, but I sure don't mind it riding like my Sport package 325i.

designman

I drove both the 2.5 and 3.0. They offered me the 3.0 as the loaner but I chose the 2.5 instead after the test drive. The reason is because the 2.5 felt tighter to me. Since BMW publishes only a 22 lb. weight difference, I’m wondering if they only de-tuned the 3.0 suspension after the criticisms about harshness. The suspension on the 2.5 actually felt like the sport suspension of the 5-series. I’ve driven more than enough SUVs and this thing is in a league of its own when it comes to handling. And this includes having driven the Cayenne S.

jed

We have a 2001 325xi but when we bought it I really wanted the 325 xi wagon, and was outvoted . The x3 is better yet, in my opinion, as the total carrying capacity is about 14 cubic feet more (if I remember the figures correctly: 71 vs 57), and you sit a little higher. I was at first put off by the interior, but as others on this board have pointed out, that's not what the x3 is about. If you get the x3 2.5 the weight will make it slower that the xi, but I have automatic and it's still fine for me.
We've experienced the creak on slow bumpy roads and will probably check with BMW service on this eventually. On a relatively smooth highway I don't hear it and to me the car handles as well if not better than the 325. I really like it a lot. I think ours was built in March, and we bought it in June.
In response to designman, we looked at Murano, Pilot, Suburu, and considered Toureg. The latter had an interior to die for, in my opinion, but Volkswagen seems to be having notable quality issues. The murano was truly interesting, but again the reviews seemed to suggest possible rigidity (lack thereof) problems, and it was hard to see out the back for me. The pilot seemed the most car for the money, but didn't provide much excitement. The suburb FX was definitely exciting but in the end I was drawn back to the x3, but if I hadn't seen the one on the lot that was pretty much all I would have ordered, I might have waited to see the Escape hybrid. We've also looked at in the past the RX330. Interior was terrific but didn't drive all that well. Good luck with your car hunting!

kohinahi

Does anybody have an experience or opinion on the X3 hood protector. Just to clarify, this is the Acrylic Shield attached to the leading edge of the hood to protect against bugs and rocks. The leading edge is most susceptible to rock damage and this seems like a good idea. Any comments on looks or functionality??

Thanks.

kohinahi

Does anybody have detailed installation instruction for the BMW AUX cable? The instructions that came with the cable cover only the X5 and 5-Series.

Any help appreciated!!

Thanks.

tfd7

Jane3-(and anyone else out there with similar issues).
I have an X-3, 3.0, delivered in May. I have had nothing but PROBLEMS. The creaks come from the front drivers side door. It has been in for Service for this problem three (3) times and they are unable to fix it. They performed service based on a bulletin from BMW and still problems.

They are making me wait a month until the "BMW Field Engineer" can squeeze me into his/her busy schedule. Talk about frustrating.

This is my third BMW. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you look at some of the Japanese products out there. They tend to have fewer issues. GOOD LUCK
TFD7

cville

I just got my X-3 back from the dealer today. They worked on the "creaking" per the BMW bulletin as well as the moonroof/windshield "howling" which happens above 82mph. I asked them to retune my suspension as mentioned by several posters. My ride is quite harsh. The service manager claimed that he talked to BMW and that they denied that they have any "fix" for the harsh ride, ie no "retuning". I am disappointed. As you can see, I have all the problems that everyone has been posting about.

mjmx3

What was the fix for the moonroof/windshield "howling" which happens above 82mph?

kohinahi

I don't think anyone mentioned a "fix" for the issue. What was said was that changes in production were incorporated around April 2004. Also, these changes were not to be implemented in X3's with factory installed sport packages.

The change could be "retuning" or even new-shocks. I'm sure if you take it to a custom store they'd let you know if the shocks can be adjusted.

I'm sorry about all the people having issues with the harsh ride. I've been driving my X3 in between my Honda Accord for the last 3 weeks. I notice that the ride is stiffer, but I don't "feel" it to be uncomfortable or very extraordinary for a small SUV/truck.

3 series BMW (non-sports package) drive stiffer than most in it's class....and I think this is related to performance. Tighter the suspension, greater the handling.

cville

Just to be clear, my "howling" was an incredible noise that began at exactly 82 mph and in my case appeared to come from the top of the passenger side windshield, not the moonroof. The invoice says "bulletin apply RTV around windshield seal". That's all it says. I don't drive 82 every day, just on trips, so I have no idea if it will work. I'll just have to wait until I next do some traveling, which may not be for some weeks.

accordfreak

I'm trying to decide if I should take advantage of the left overs. Any one have ideas about what's new in the '05 MY? Want to also compare this to the X5

rubytuesday1

This will be a long post.
1. I am considering moving to canada and I wanted some advice should I buy my x3 in the states and then bring it up to canada or should I wait to buy it in canada?
2. Right now in canada you can save about 5k off of sticker but they dont have the navigation system that I really want in the 04 or I could wait for the 05.
3. Are there any good after market nav systems that I can buy and how much would it be? Does it fit nicely with the x3 or will it ruin the experience?
4. This is my first car and I would appreciate some help from people who have more knowledge than I do about this topic. Thanks.

richz

I was told by a BMW dealer that there are no x3s with nav system's in the entire U.S. so if you wanted one you'd have to order the 05.