Has anyone had any experience with the interior bike rack? Will a road bike fit without removing the seat? I just ordered the X3 3.0 and think this could be a good option. Thanks...
We're all entitled to our own opinions. And I'm glad to see that my opinions where shared by the Edmunds reviewers.
Summary of my opinions:
1. X3 interior had too much cheap hard plastic which I predicted would not last because it would shrink in cold weather and expand in hot weather causing the fit and finish to go.
2. X3 interior was on the level of cars half the price, my specific example being the Ford Escape.
3. X3 interior was inferior to the 3-series car when I had expected it to be comparable.
When I voiced those opinions a few months back, bunch of people thought I was insane. Now let's look at the quotes from Edmunds reviewers which track my opinions nearly 100%:
". . . the materials used to execute the look are hardly the stuff of BMW legend. The dash can barely be called soft-touch material and even the center console plastics lack the kind of texture found in a 3 Series sedan. But the final nail in the coffin for me was the toggle switches for the dash-mounted navigation display. Unpainted and unlabeled, you can't help but stare at them and wonder what early '90s minivan they were pulled out of. It's a disturbing sight, and no matter how much I enjoyed driving the X3 (it's a sweet performer), I couldn't get over those dull gray eyesores staring me in the face."
"Materials quality is acceptable, but except for the leather upholstery, none of the surfaces looked or felt high-grade enough to be worthy of a 3 Series car. When I gingerly attempted to pull the cargo cover closed, I pulled out the whole flimsy unit."
Look KD, it's your cash and as long as you like the car and feel your money is wisely spent, I can respect that.
saugatak - I read the review and I don't agree with parts of it. They spend too much time talking about body roll (or lack thereof) and not enough time talking about utitily (except for the cross-members). They did not talk anything about winter driving ability (which I know something about cause I tried it).
You can quote the whole article, I simply disagree with their assessment. My expectations or values are not lower than anybody else's, I just disagree. (in fact I have very high expectations) Other people disagree with Edmunds assessment as well.
We'll leave it at that, or else we'll get into my assessment is better or worse than your assessment argument.
My dealer is asking $550 for an alarm install. I think it's too much. Can anyone remommend me a dealer with a better price in New Jersey or New York City area.
Circle BMW is selling the alarm kit for $206 but I'm not sure if this can be a do-it-yourself job. any thoughts?
go to any alarm dealer and they'll install a nice full featured alarm for $250 or so... just an example, there are tons of places on Queens Blvd and Northern Blvd.
"Materials quality is acceptable, but except for the leather upholstery, none of the surfaces looked or felt high-grade enough to be worthy of a 3 Series car. When I gingerly attempted to pull the cargo cover closed, I pulled out the whole flimsy unit."
Obviously the removable unit wasn't snapped into place properly by the last person to remove it. Pretty cheezy to write that up as a flaw. ...and I'm pretty sure it isn't a 3 series car. It's in the same price category, and is larger with more utility- shouldn't there be an expectation of giving up something to replace what you're getting for the same price?
Those Second Opinion reviews were some of the funniest things I've read in a while! That bit about the Nav buttons and the one you mentioned complaining about the cargo cover in particular had me laughing out loud. I wonder if his shoes keep falling off because he can't figure out how to tie them
Just popped in for a quick browse and see the same argument from 2 months ago!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion (and beauty is in the eye of the beholder). At the end of the day the market will determine the relative value of a car. All I know is that I had to wait 4 months (waiting list) for my last new car and paid full price for it. There are plenty of X3s in dealer lots and you can already get a decent discount.
My X3 has the panoramic sunroof. BMW has been attempting to stop a "howling/whistling" like noise that begins around 70/80 mph. I had to video tape the noise on the highway and play the tape for the service advisor. By that time, about 1 month after I owned it, on my third trip back to the dealership, I was informed that BMW had placed out a "service alert." BMW has created one-way values to place into air duct which are part of the front windshield and sunroof assembly. Does anyone has any information about this?
I purchased the BMW Alarm Kit from my dealer with my BMWCCA Discount for $206.00. I believe they charged me $200.00 to install and program the system. I would assume that if you purchased the BMW Alarm Kit you could install it yourself and then have them do the final programming required. I do not know the degree of difficulty in doing this installation however.
The sales numbers on the X3 are really not too bad. They are already very close to the Sales on the X5 which is considered a successful car for BMW. The April totals just released show 2302 X3 sold and 2530 X5 sold. BMW just increased production to meet increased demand.
I had to wait several months for my X3, but there are now some on the lot, but very few at my dealer. What car did you get that required 4 months and full sticker?
One of the reasons the interiors are not same in X3 and 325 is that BMW wants to give a more rugged all weather look to X3, after all it is a SAV and not a Sedan.
I agree with you that some of the items in X3 looks cheaper than that in 325 but cost need not be the reason behind it.
No offense but just because someone agrees with you does not mean you opinion is correct.
Also, from my experience BMW customer service is not the best.
Did you have some info about what parts are included in the kit and price? I have some discrepancies with the dealer in which parts are included on it. A bulletin posted on an unofficial BMW site shows another story.
There are a lot of die hard fans for and against every vehicle/manufacturer. Point is quoting one source is backup for an opinion doesn't forward the conversation.
You (at least I do) have to look at the broader picture and see how everything turns out in a some longer period of time, not something based on a (one) review.
As it turns out there are a lot of mixed reviews, some of the criticisms valid (IMO), some not (IMO). We all are entitled to our opinion, even if it does differ from the next guy, and I guess we are entitled to voice our opinions multiple times.
I bought my 2000 Porsche, Boxter S, the first year they came out. I had to call multiple dealers to find one that would take my deposit. The dealer in my neighborhood wanted $4,000 over the sticker price for the one he had in the show room. I finally ended up putting my name on a waiting list and eventually got one. But then again, that was almost at the peak of the boom and everyone flushed with cash! A bit of a different story now a days.
Thanks, I ran into a similar situation when I purchaced a Miata when it was just released. Most dealers were charging a premium over sticker for it, and it had long waiting lists. The Boxter is a BLAST to drive (my friend ownes one)I'm sure you're having fun on the twisties.
pay it you got no choice! someone does it wrong and will be screwed out of your warranty. i just bought one- cost me around $279 - havent installed it yet but it looks complicated at leat 4-5 pieces. good luck.
First, these car boards are terrific. Much as I like the looks of the Touregg(?), that board is enough to convince me that I would be taking too big a chance. I've also considered the Murano, Highlander, Explorer and Escape, and Forester turbo. What I can't figure out is, don't the reps for the cars look at these boards? You can't get an outside temp guage on any Highlander except the limited, but you can get it on the new solara convertible by Toyota. You can't get this guage on any Escape, but you can get it as an option on the Tribute (select the auto dimming mirror). Does this seem logical. Shouldn't car companies have picked up on complaints on the boards about the outside temp (non)availability on some cars? I think Saugatak is right. X3 interior is a pale imitation of the 325, and as someone wrote in, the leatherette now is supplemented with something that looks like a nylon wind breaker fabric. So, at this point if I choose the X3 2.5 I'll probably select basic black with gray leather, although the Edmunds used car info for the 200l 325Xi (my current car) indicates having a white color adds to resale value and black subtracts. That surprised me. Does anyone know if with the 2.5 you get the outside temp guage with the cruise control? option? Or do you have to get the on board computer option to get it?
I am trying to make a leasing decision for the quote below, can anyone suggest if it is a good deal:
X3, 3.0 with Xenon, Panaroma Roof, Automatic Sale price : $38200 (about 200$ over invoice)
Lease details: 39 Months, 15K mile/yr, 1550$ drive-off Money factor 230 and residual 59% net monthly instalment with tax: 560$ Is it a good deal ??? Also, I have a trade-in car, is it better to go with the offer above or pay them 15000$ of trade-in value upfront to cut my monthly payment thanks !
Keep your $15K in the bank. It is too risky to put that much down on a lease. If your car is totaled before the lease is up, that money could disappear.
It would save you $34.50 in finance charges monthly, but I'd rather have it in the bank earning 4% and use it over the three years to help make your payment, if need be. Even if you use 1/36th of it each month on the lease, and the balance earns 4%, your loss is only $9.50 per month.. Not worth risking it for that.
somebody posted that the x3 is a cheap imititation of the 3 series... did anyone here saw the latest photos of the 2005 3 series? what does it look like? geez it looks like the x3!... anyway, had the x3 for 3 months now and all i can say is it just keeps getting better and better. the suspention is a lot softer now and the acceleration is awesome.
I too have noticed an improvement all around as it breaks in- I think I'm just now approaching 1000-miles.
And as I said before, the X3 shouldn't be directly compared to a 3-series- as you're bound to find shortcomings to compensate for all the extras you're getting for the same price.
I don't see any 3-series reviews saying "This car just doesn't have the cargo space, size, or rigidity of an X3". 'twouldn't make much sense.
Your points are well taken. I was disappointed with what they did to the leatherette, and the bare bones 2.5's dash. I need to look at the bigger picture.
Yes, you have to go with what is important to you, for myself I placed a much higher priority on the X3's handling and 4 wheel drive system than I did on the softness of the dash materials. After all, how often do I hug the dashboard? But that's just me, and you may have other priorities that will lead you to choose another vehicle. Ya gotta go with what makes you jolly.
I am very happy with the quality of materials on the interior and exterior of my X3. I have the leatherette, and find it very easy to clean, and very comfortable. I didn't go with leather on this one because of the rough usage I'll be putting it through with dog, bike and camping stuff. I find the interior just perfect for me it is tough enough and still looks good.
To answer CC42, just got back from my first road trip with our bikes on the interior rack. My bike is VERY small, it is a mtn bike, but I am only 5'3", and I needed to remove the seat. I very much doubt that a road bike will fit inside with the seat on. It is a very tight fit, but we did get his and her bikes inside. BUT the passenger seat needed to be moved up slightly to make it all work. I like the rack system, but I would imagine it might not work on the bigger bikes.
My wife and I have road bikes, and they fit fine. We do remove the bike seats, and yes, she can't have her seat in a deep reclining position. With her seat about 1/2 way back and the recline not too deep the bike fit fine.
Does anyone know if there is any way to program one of the buttons that is not used on the multi-function steering wheel to perform radio mode functions, i.e. switch from CD to FM to AM to Aux. It's annoying that BMW does not have it on the steering wheel, but it comes standard on my Honda Pilot....or did I miss something?
Hey gang, Does anyone have the Sport Package? I have not, yet, ordered my car - I want a tight ride, and am thus considering the Sport Pkg, but I don't want too harsh a ride. ulep, you say your suspension softened up - did it get too soft? Is it still tight? Are you wishing you got the Sport Pkg?
I hope to test drive with and without the Sport Pkg., but wanted to hear from anyone who already has one and from those who don't.
I have 3100 miles on a 3.0 6-speed with the sport package. The ride is stiff, but not uncomfortable compared the the M cars I'm used to - my comparison is to the E36 M3 (95) we traded for the car and my current E39 M5 (01). I chose the 18" wheels that come with the package rather than the Y spoke upgrade with performance rubber. Since I was buying the car for the added utility and to be able to get out of my garage during bad winter weather, I thought this tire/wheel combo would be my best compromise to get the greatest advantage in handling while retaining some all weather capability.
I'm very happy with the choice. Cornering and breaking are very similar to my M5. Tire noise is very low. The car has been free of defects and does not have signs of the creeks and rattles I have read about from one reviewer. It is comfortable for road trips.
I continue to be amazed at the criticism for its harsh ride that started with the Car and Driver review. This vehicle is aimed specifically at folks who want SAV/SUV utility but don't want to give up the handling of a sports car or sport sedan. It's exactly what I was waiting for, and BMW has exceeded my expectations. It might be coss-shopped with the Infinity FX, but I fail to understand how it can really be compared with most luxury SUVs such as the Toureg or Lexus 330.
juanchypr: I am sorry I do not have that information any more as the Hard Drive in my Laptop was destroyed about a month ago by a very bad virus and it had to be trashed. Sorry!
Shanster: I have an X3 3.0 Auto with the Sport Package and the Style 113 Wheels. My X3 came with the 235/50R-18 Bridgestone Turanza tires (“All Season Tires”). Please note that some X3s have been delivered with the Turanzas and some have been with the Pirelli Scorpions. The ride may be a little different with each of these. However neither of these tires will absorb much to provide a softer ride as they are a “Low-Profile” design. This is the natural trade off for improved handling.
I have had the X3 since the first week in March. I have about 3000 miles but I haven’t noticed that the ride has softened any yet. The ride is what I expected (and wanted) from a “Sport Package” tuned suspension, firm and flat in the corners with very little body roll. This is most noticeable in exit ramp speeds from Highways as cornering ability at higher speeds is very impressive for an SUV/SAV. I like the handling very much and for this I am willing to accept the (noticeable) firmer ride characteristics when you drive over a bump in the road that only hits on one side of the suspension.
In my opinion, the decision on choosing the Sport Package for the X3 should not be solely made upon the ride/handling characteristics. The appearance and comfort should also be part of the decision. The Black Shadowline exterior trim and the three-spoke steering wheel are very nice additions to the X3. The larger tires (18" vs. 17") contribute to a better/sportier look. However the greatest benefit of all may be the sport seats. These seats are the most comfortable seats I have had in any vehicle to date including previous cars with Recaros. I especially like the manual thigh support (like some Recaros have) for extra comfort.
I hope this assists you and others considering the Sport Package!!
I heard creaking noises coming from all four window areas at around 1100 miles on my 2004 X3 3.0. The noises would occur whenever I would roll over speedbumps or uneven surfaces.
I brought it to the dealer and they immediately knew of a fix for the problem which was to apply a thin film of lubricant on the rubber gaskets around the 4 windows. It was an easy 10 minute job that fixed the noises completely and the car sounds completely solid, like new, again.
I'm not sure if this is the same problem that x3lemon had described, but hopefully you didn't get a lemon, I would ask your dealer again because my dealer said that these noises were one of the posted BMW "service bulletins" (whatever that means).
I'm keep trying to get the best deal for the aero kit. My dealer in PR still waiting for some parts number and figuring out the total price for it. But I'm also contacting a dealer in NJ near my office to get it there and installed using another people.
Juanchypr: you could always try asking a BMW Parts Dept. to tell you exactly what parts are included in the "Complete Aerodynamic Kit" BMW Part number: 51 19 0 307 711. The MSRP is $2595.00 plus labor for paint work and installation.
Thanks m5x3 and mjmx3 for your responses - it gives me some more good info for making my decision. I actually wanted the heated steering wheel and that's not available on the sport wheel - maybe I can switch this out.
The car I drive now has a stiff ride (Saab) and I'm not looking for a soft luxury ride by any means. I liked the combination of tight handling(better than my Saab) and reasonable ride(better than my Saab) that the X3(no sport pkg) gave me on the test drive. Maybe I should just stick with that. (I'm not coming from driving an M3 or M5.)
Does anyone know exactly what servotronic steering does? experienced it being better or even workng? how is it different from regular conventional speed sensitive steering found in other vehicles?
I'm still trying to figure out how to hang up a coat on a hanger without using the "grab handle". There are these "notches" in the back and behind the back seat. Are they for a bar? Someone please explain what to do. I read the manual and it says be careful not to obstruct the driver's view with clothing, so there must be some way to hang things? Thanks!
New member posting to the board, and loving my new X3 now. I had experienced tremendous creaking noises from the uppermost window areas similar to posts by x3lemon and westcoastx3. I took the car to my dealership and I believe that having the shop foreman go on an extended drive helped him experience the scope of the problem, and helped them isolate the problem. They lubricated all the door/window seals BUT what they discovered to be the real problem was (and forgive me if I don't translate all the details right -- I'm reading from the service invoice) that there was a faulty general module causing erratic window functions. They mentioned that the window initialization functions and anti-trap functions were working improperly. After replacing the faulty general module, recoding according to "CIP" and reinitializing the windows, the creaking is now gone. It was well worth the couple of days the vehicle spent in the shop to have this corrected. Hope this information can help someone, if they have a similar problem.
I have over 3600 miles on my X3 3.0 with sport package and Y spoke low profile wheels with Dunlop Sport 01 tires. I wanted the X3 because I wanted something lighter and more responsive than the X5 3.0 I had. I have two M3's and the ride is less firm than a M3 but a lot firmer than the X5 and a 330cic with sport package I owned. I love the handling and the brakes are truly outstanding, I have twice had the X3 up to 120 on the interstate and it really brakes and handles great maybe better than a 325i. I did have a problem getting a replacement tire because none were available in Columbia, S.C. One other thing that is nice about the sport package on the X3 verses an M3 is that the rims are high enough up from the road and set back enough as to not get scraped easily on a curb which is a big problem with M3's. I think it would be very hard to scrape up these wheels. I have had no squeaks or rattles and have more miles on my X3 than anyone else who has responded. I have had no problems with my X3 and I had many with my X5 although none were serious. I have not had any problem with the sunroof making noises at 70-80 as someone else mentioned, I guess I'm lucky. I got 23 miles per gallon on my second long trip at 85 miles per hour, I'm sure I could get 24-25 if I went the speed limit but then I wouldn't need an X3 I could drive a Subaru. One nice feature I am really starting to appreciate that I originally thought was stupid is the mesh door storage verses hard plastic. In my M3 I can never find what is tucked behind the plastic since I can't see it but everything is easy to find behind the mesh because you can obviously see it.
Thank you westcoastx3! I will take my X3 in this week to see if your fix finally corrects the excessive creaking I have been experiencing around both front doors for the past few months. Lubricating the seals is an okay band-aid solution, but the effects wear off quickly. Who wants to lube their doors every other week?? I have 5k miles and have taken my X3 to the dealer 3x already to try to correct the creaking problem. My dealer wrote up a pink sheet about 2 months ago(something BMW uses to identify new problems), but I had not heard that there may be a permanent solution. My fingers are crossed........................
On another front, has anyone experienced a gurgling noise emitting from under the hood after rainfall or a car wash? Mine makes a gurgling noise that sounds a little like a horse-drawn carriage over a cobblestone street. At first, I thought it may be related to the AC, but the noise occurs whether or not AC is on. For $40k+, I am not enjoying the quaint experience of feeling like I've been transported back to the 1800s every time it rains.
As long as it is not raining, there are no bumps in the road and I don't have to make a turn, the X3 is awesome.
Well, I finally ordered my X3 and I can't wait to get it! They say it is going to take 9 weeks to get it from the factory . (I customized it pretty well - Bluewater Metallic with Terracotta interior and almost all of the options - yikes!)
I have 8000 mi on my X3 2.5 and have a transmission quirk. I drive over 100 mi/day, often in slow traffic. The car bucks 3 times at around 28-30 mph when letting off the gas and coasting. It does not happen all the time but often enough. It's as if the transmission is searching and can't decide on a gear. Dealer ran diagnostic but nothing abnormal showed up. As usual, dealer could not replicate the problem but apparently BMW has noticed this on test vehicles, however there is no bulletin yet. Has anyone else experienced this? I am still waiting for my Sirius satellite module 3 months after taking delivery. Hard to believe they sell something but can't deliver for so long. I heard XM produces a module adaptable to pre-wired BMW's--has anyone looked into this? I also have a very annoying rattle that seems to be coming from behind the air vents in the center console whenever I go over a bump, something they will probably never find!
I am new to this board, and was interested to see that the same issue that I am having with my new X3 2.5 has been discussed here. How unfortunate that the first person to bring this up was treated so badly by a number of posters.
Uneven secondary roads or bumpy roadways that cause flexing or vibration of the vehicle results in creaking noises inside my X3 2.5 that sound like the doors are rattling. It seems to come from the door pillars and windows. Cracking of the rear windows seemed to help with the noise. In an attempt to rectify the problem, my dealer put gummi pflege (a BMW product) on the seals. They also put a strip of 1/2" plastic clear tape on the top of the rear-door jams where the rubber door seals make contact with the vehicle. This service was just completed. The problem still exists, but to a lesser degree. This can certainly not be meant as a permanent BMW fix for such an expensive vehicle. The tape looks terrible because it collects dirt at the edges. The dealer has told me that this was also a problem on the 5 series back in '96 until BMW came out with a redesigned seal.
Assuming this is a problem with the door seals, one might expect the dealer to change the door seals. They would not, indicating that the problem would still exist until the seals were redesigned. I find it interesting that the X3 3.0 that I drove as a loaner while mine was in the shop did not have the problem. Anyone else who has this problem, please let your dealers and BMW USA know. BMW USA told me that they had not heard of this problem. A redesign comes about only when a number of customers register their complaints.
I have read the post regarding a faulty general module causing erratic window functions and will certainly explore this. However, my dealer did not mention this, nor did they mention a service bulletin. Perhaps if they had, the problem would have been eliminated.
Thanks for the help from those of you who are experiencing this problem. Once again, please contact BMW USA, as I did yesterday, and register your problem with them.
Comments
Summary of my opinions:
1. X3 interior had too much cheap hard plastic which I predicted would not last because it would shrink in cold weather and expand in hot weather causing the fit and finish to go.
2. X3 interior was on the level of cars half the price, my specific example being the Ford Escape.
3. X3 interior was inferior to the 3-series car when I had expected it to be comparable.
When I voiced those opinions a few months back, bunch of people thought I was insane. Now let's look at the quotes from Edmunds reviewers which track my opinions nearly 100%:
". . . the materials used to execute the look are hardly the stuff of BMW legend. The dash can barely be called soft-touch material and even the center console plastics lack the kind of texture found in a 3 Series sedan. But the final nail in the coffin for me was the toggle switches for the dash-mounted navigation display. Unpainted and unlabeled, you can't help but stare at them and wonder what early '90s minivan they were pulled out of. It's a disturbing sight, and no matter how much I enjoyed driving the X3 (it's a sweet performer), I couldn't get over those dull gray eyesores staring me in the face."
"Materials quality is acceptable, but except for the leather upholstery, none of the surfaces looked or felt high-grade enough to be worthy of a 3 Series car. When I gingerly attempted to pull the cargo cover closed, I pulled out the whole flimsy unit."
Look KD, it's your cash and as long as you like the car and feel your money is wisely spent, I can respect that.
You can quote the whole article, I simply disagree with their assessment. My expectations or values are not lower than anybody else's, I just disagree. (in fact I have very high expectations) Other people disagree with Edmunds assessment as well.
We'll leave it at that, or else we'll get into my assessment is better or worse than your assessment argument.
Circle BMW is selling the alarm kit for $206 but I'm not sure if this can be a do-it-yourself job. any thoughts?
Obviously the removable unit wasn't snapped into place properly by the last person to remove it. Pretty cheezy to write that up as a flaw. ...and I'm pretty sure it isn't a 3 series car. It's in the same price category, and is larger with more utility- shouldn't there be an expectation of giving up something to replace what you're getting for the same price?
Just think....These people claim to be EXPERTS.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion (and beauty is in the eye of the beholder). At the end of the day the market will determine the relative value of a car. All I know is that I had to wait 4 months (waiting list) for my last new car and paid full price for it. There are plenty of X3s in dealer lots and you can already get a decent discount.
MJMX3
MJMX3
I had to wait several months for my X3, but there are now some on the lot, but very few at my dealer. What car did you get that required 4 months and full sticker?
I agree with you that some of the items in X3 looks cheaper than that in 325 but cost need not be the reason behind it.
No offense but just because someone agrees with you does not mean you opinion is correct.
Also, from my experience BMW customer service is not the best.
Did you have some info about what parts are included in the kit and price? I have some discrepancies with the dealer in which parts are included on it. A bulletin posted on an unofficial BMW site shows another story.
Thanks in advance.
it's just that when i voiced my opinions (and i thought my criticism was valid) the most vociferous of the X3 defenders suggested i was off my rocker.
You (at least I do) have to look at the broader picture and see how everything turns out in a some longer period of time, not something based on a (one) review.
As it turns out there are a lot of mixed reviews, some of the criticisms valid (IMO), some not (IMO). We all are entitled to our opinion, even if it does differ from the next guy, and I guess we are entitled to voice our opinions multiple times.
Good luck with your X3. It's a nice looking SAV.
What I can't figure out is, don't the reps for the cars look at these boards? You can't get an outside temp guage on any Highlander except the limited, but you can get it on the new solara convertible by Toyota. You can't get this guage on any Escape, but you can get it as an option on the Tribute (select the auto dimming mirror). Does this seem logical. Shouldn't car companies have picked up on complaints on the boards about the outside temp (non)availability on some cars?
I think Saugatak is right. X3 interior is a pale imitation of the 325, and as someone wrote in, the leatherette now is supplemented with something that looks like a nylon wind breaker fabric. So, at this point if I choose the X3 2.5 I'll probably select basic black with gray leather, although the Edmunds used car info for the 200l 325Xi (my current car) indicates having a white color adds to resale value and black subtracts. That surprised me.
Does anyone know if with the 2.5 you get the outside temp guage with the cruise control? option? Or do you have to get the on board computer option to get it?
X3, 3.0 with Xenon, Panaroma Roof, Automatic
Sale price : $38200 (about 200$ over invoice)
Lease details:
39 Months, 15K mile/yr, 1550$ drive-off
Money factor 230 and residual 59%
net monthly instalment with tax: 560$
Is it a good deal ???
Also, I have a trade-in car, is it better to go with the offer above or pay them 15000$ of trade-in value upfront to cut my monthly payment
thanks !
It would save you $34.50 in finance charges monthly, but I'd rather have it in the bank earning 4% and use it over the three years to help make your payment, if need be. Even if you use 1/36th of it each month on the lease, and the balance earns 4%, your loss is only $9.50 per month.. Not worth risking it for that.
regards,
kyfdx
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anyway, had the x3 for 3 months now and all i can say is it just keeps getting better and better. the suspention is a lot softer now and the acceleration is awesome.
And as I said before, the X3 shouldn't be directly compared to a 3-series- as you're bound to find shortcomings to compensate for all the extras you're getting for the same price.
I don't see any 3-series reviews saying "This car just doesn't have the cargo space, size, or rigidity of an X3". 'twouldn't make much sense.
I am very happy with the quality of materials on the interior and exterior of my X3. I have the leatherette, and find it very easy to clean, and very comfortable. I didn't go with leather on this one because of the rough usage I'll be putting it through with dog, bike and camping stuff. I find the interior just perfect for me it is tough enough and still looks good.
Does anyone have the Sport Package? I have not, yet, ordered my car - I want a tight ride, and am thus considering the Sport Pkg, but I don't want too harsh a ride. ulep, you say your suspension softened up - did it get too soft? Is it still tight? Are you wishing you got the Sport Pkg?
I hope to test drive with and without the Sport Pkg., but wanted to hear from anyone who already has one and from those who don't.
Thanks
I'm very happy with the choice. Cornering and breaking are very similar to my M5. Tire noise is very low. The car has been free of defects and does not have signs of the creeks and rattles I have read about from one reviewer. It is comfortable for road trips.
I continue to be amazed at the criticism for its harsh ride that started with the Car and Driver review. This vehicle is aimed specifically at folks who want SAV/SUV utility but don't want to give up the handling of a sports car or sport sedan. It's exactly what I was waiting for, and BMW has exceeded my expectations. It might be coss-shopped with the Infinity FX, but I fail to understand how it can really be compared with most luxury SUVs such as the Toureg or Lexus 330.
MJMX3
I have had the X3 since the first week in March. I have about 3000 miles but I haven’t noticed that the ride has softened any yet. The ride is what I expected (and wanted) from a “Sport Package” tuned suspension, firm and flat in the corners with very little body roll. This is most noticeable in exit ramp speeds from Highways as cornering ability at higher speeds is very impressive for an SUV/SAV. I like the handling very much and for this I am willing to accept the (noticeable) firmer ride characteristics when you drive over a bump in the road that only hits on one side of the suspension.
In my opinion, the decision on choosing the Sport Package for the X3 should not be solely made upon the ride/handling characteristics. The appearance and comfort should also be part of the decision. The Black Shadowline exterior trim and the three-spoke steering wheel are very nice additions to the X3. The larger tires (18" vs. 17") contribute to a better/sportier look. However the greatest benefit of all may be the sport seats. These seats are the most comfortable seats I have had in any vehicle to date including previous cars with Recaros. I especially like the manual thigh support (like some Recaros have) for extra comfort.
I hope this assists you and others considering the Sport Package!!
MJMX3
I brought it to the dealer and they immediately knew of a fix for the problem which was to apply a thin film of lubricant on the rubber gaskets around the 4 windows. It was an easy 10 minute job that fixed the noises completely and the car sounds completely solid, like new, again.
I'm not sure if this is the same problem that x3lemon had described, but hopefully you didn't get a lemon, I would ask your dealer again because my dealer said that these noises were one of the posted BMW "service bulletins" (whatever that means).
I'm keep trying to get the best deal for the aero kit. My dealer in PR still waiting for some parts number and figuring out the total price for it. But I'm also contacting a dealer in NJ near my office to get it there and installed using another people.
Thanks
MJMX3
I actually wanted the heated steering wheel and that's not available on the sport wheel - maybe I can switch this out.
The car I drive now has a stiff ride (Saab) and I'm not looking for a soft luxury ride by any means. I liked the combination of tight handling(better than my Saab) and reasonable ride(better than my Saab) that the X3(no sport pkg) gave me on the test drive. Maybe I should just stick with that. (I'm not coming from driving an M3 or M5.)
There is a ton of stuff in the trunk under carpet. Can someone explain what are all these tools and how to use, in case, I ever have to.
Thx
I have had no squeaks or rattles and have more miles on my X3 than anyone else who has responded. I have had no problems with my X3 and I had many with my X5 although none were serious. I have not had any problem with the sunroof making noises at 70-80 as someone else mentioned, I guess I'm lucky. I got 23 miles per gallon on my second long trip at 85 miles per hour, I'm sure I could get 24-25 if I went the speed limit but then I wouldn't need an X3 I could drive a Subaru. One nice feature I am really starting to appreciate that I originally thought was stupid is the mesh door storage verses hard plastic. In my M3 I can never find what is tucked behind the plastic since I can't see it but everything is easy to find behind the mesh because you can obviously see it.
On another front, has anyone experienced a gurgling noise emitting from under the hood after rainfall or a car wash? Mine makes a gurgling noise that sounds a little like a horse-drawn carriage over a cobblestone street. At first, I thought it may be related to the AC, but the noise occurs whether or not AC is on. For $40k+, I am not enjoying the quaint experience of feeling like I've been transported back to the 1800s every time it rains.
As long as it is not raining, there are no bumps in the road and I don't have to make a turn, the X3 is awesome.
(I just hope my current car lasts long enough!)
I am still waiting for my Sirius satellite module 3 months after taking delivery. Hard to believe they sell something but can't deliver for so long. I heard XM produces a module adaptable to pre-wired BMW's--has anyone looked into this?
I also have a very annoying rattle that seems to be coming from behind the air vents in the center console whenever I go over a bump, something they will probably never find!
Uneven secondary roads or bumpy roadways that cause flexing or vibration of the vehicle results in creaking noises inside my X3 2.5 that sound like the doors are rattling. It seems to come from the door pillars and windows. Cracking of the rear windows seemed to help with the noise. In an attempt to rectify the problem, my dealer put gummi pflege (a BMW product) on the seals. They also put a strip of 1/2" plastic clear tape on the top of the rear-door jams where the rubber door seals make contact with the vehicle. This service was just completed. The problem still exists, but to a lesser degree. This can certainly not be meant as a permanent BMW fix for such an expensive vehicle. The tape looks terrible because it collects dirt at the edges. The dealer has told me that this was also a problem on the 5 series back in '96 until BMW came out with a redesigned seal.
Assuming this is a problem with the door seals, one might expect the dealer to change the door seals. They would not, indicating that the problem would still exist until the seals were redesigned. I find it interesting that the X3 3.0 that I drove as a loaner while mine was in the shop did not have the problem. Anyone else who has this problem, please let your dealers and BMW USA know. BMW USA told me that they had not heard of this problem. A redesign comes about only when a number of customers register their complaints.
I have read the post regarding a faulty general module causing erratic window functions and will certainly explore this. However, my dealer did not mention this, nor did they mention a service bulletin. Perhaps if they had, the problem would have been eliminated.
Thanks for the help from those of you who are experiencing this problem. Once again, please contact BMW USA, as I did yesterday, and register your problem with them.
Any further comments will be greatly appreciated.