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Thanks in advance. I agree with you on this vehicle's positives, and will be buying one too!
For all those X3 supporters out there, the X3 detractors aren't saying that the X3 is a bad vehicle. Just that the X3 (especially the 3.0) was a bit richly priced at around $43k for a decently optioned X3.
If you can get $1.4k off before the ship date, I bet that if you are willing to wait a few months you'll be able to knoc a lot more off the price.
As it stands, I am not in the market for the X3 at $43k or even $41.6k, but if the X3 takes a hit such that it gets dragged down to $35k then I'll be interested.
and for the price?same reason why i buy nautica jeens were as i can buy it at walmart for 10 bucks (and that still not on sale:-0)and why some people choose the EVO over the G35. i also dont see why you cant bargain for a cheaper price. i mean the car doesnt have to sit on the lot for 1-3 mos before the dealers can sell them. making it easier and less expensive for the them to sell it. and they dont even have to maintain the car. in turn they can lower their price and attract more buyers.
What i did is i emailed all the dealers in nj and made them bid againts each other. everybody wants your business but in the end the strongest survives(wow!!! just like a movie)because they want a custumer not because they have a crappy car. after that were both happy.i got my x3 and he got my business.
and for me, the only one who got the 3.0, .....damn.................ALELUIA...
That's quite a reversal, Saugatak. I'm glad to see that you're coming around:).
I bought the 3.0 X3 and it topped out at $49,770. I originally wanted the X5 4.4 topped out, but I saved over $12,000 between similarly equipped vehicles. I like all the goodies:).
Saved $1,000 off MSRP, but after reading above, I plan on re-negotiating when the car comes in in February. Thanks for the info!!!
I said all along that the X3 did not have a quality interior befitting a car in the $43k price range. No dual zone climate, cheap plastics that rattle.
If you read my previous posts, I've been pretty consistent in saying that I like the X3 3.0 at $35k to $37k, but at $43k it's a rip.
Dual zone climate control? Sheesh. I *NEVER* use the dual features and I had it on two prior vehicles. The X3 that I tested did not have cheap plastics that rattle. The interior was very BMW, rode and handled was ver BMW like. The draw for me is the xdrive, which sounds like a cross between FT 4WD and other systems. The fact it can direct torque to one wheel is a plus.
I'm not sure why you aren't looking at the FX35. From everything you say, that sounds like it's the car for you.
This would therefore work against BMW offering many additional discounts, even if sales are slow in several months.
You lucky americans!
I think the X3 looks great with the sand interior, gray carpet and all, but the material quality of the interior is not up to VW/Audi standards. I love the interior of my Passat GLX 4 Motion wagon. But what the X3 3.0 does have is plenty of power, for a 4100 pound vehicle, decent gas mileage, adequate passenger and cargo room, a great AWD system, and BMW typical, awesome handling. Plus the moonroof is great.
Considering the other options available for me what other choice is there?
FX Twins-Ugly interior and exterior styling plus no local dealer here in Moline, IL
VW Touraeg-Wonderful interior, too heavy, poor gas mileage
Audi Allroad-Wonderful interior, nice performance, decent handling, rumors of turbo lag, questionable resale value with discontinuation after 04
2005 VW Passat Wagon-Awesome looks, nice powertrain choices, NOT available until at least spring 05.
Am I missing any other choices that are wagons or X3 sized sport utes with great handling and luxury oriented interior?
Give me your input guys? Happy New Year's
i am increasingly leaning towards becoming a spiritual monk.... scary. I think edmunds should ban me before i radicalize.. ;-) Hey KD, since you threw in the towel, you wanna join my monkhood?
ksso
today i'm the windshield
yesterday i was the bug
If you have a business, I've seen where the 3-row seating XC-90 qualifies under Act 179 per its CGVW to qualify for immediate 100% depreciation. Take the purchase price right off your income.
Also I don't know if you've seen the European Delivery section on the BMW website. You can get 7% off sticker by taking a European delivery. seems to be more than the dealer is offering you!
Thanks in advance.
I need something that will fit me (6'4"), my surfboard, my kids, has a manual transimission, has AWD, and is fun to drive. I was very impressed with the room inside the X3. I can sit comfortably in the rear seat with the driver's seat set to me, and have more than enough head room in the front seat, even with the sunroof. In the X5 my head touches the roof and I cannot sit comfortably in the back seat. Go figure.....
Personally, I already have a performance car, and really would just be shopping for a good winter vehicle, and to do some towing and hauling. My wife drives a fullsize PU, which we use for the heavy jobs.
So I'd be looking for a moderate price, safe, and snow-capable vehicle. An X3 2.5 or a Subaru Legacy (I'd opt for the non-turbo Outback) would fill my needs.
I guess my philosophy is not to try to buy 1 vehicle that does everything, but to buy a few vehicles, each that does something very well. Currently own a Silverado X-cab 4wd, Subaru Impreza Outback, and a Firebird Formula.
BTW, I find the stock 310hp of my Firebird could use some improvement for a performance car. It is slightly lighter than the X3, and doesn't have the losses of an AWD system. That is why I've said here a couple of times that I would not opt for the 3.0 engine. Either way it is not going to make much difference, except in your wallet. The X3 in my mind is a moderately luxurious, safe, high-tech, all-season practical vehicle.
i am not the only one to complain about the cheap interior. look through this board. it's the one factor that is holding back a lot of prospective purchasers.
regarding dual-zone climate control, just because you don't use it doesn't mean i or other people don't use it.
i happen to like it very cold so it's very convenient for me to to blast the A/C up front when driving while my dad or wife (both of whom like it a lot hotter) sit in the back at a much higher temp.
frankly, i think the biggest problem bmw is having with the X3 is that if they make it too good, they'll undercut the X5. I happen to think that a $43k car should come standard with dual-zone climate control and a quality interior materials. But if they did that, who'd pay the extra for the X5?
Of all the $40k plus cars I have looked at, the X3 has by far the cheapest interior. I think we'll have to wait for a redesign of the X5 (my guess is BMW will make it bigger and more expensive) before they start putting in decent interior in the X3, or if X3 sales are not good BMW will also spruce up the interior.
Regarding the FX, I think it's a good car but I don't like driving Nissans because in my experience the VQ is a good, but dirty and fuelthirsty engine.
Seems a little vitriolic to me.
As far as everything else goes. It depends on your priorities. To me dual climate control is not a deal breaker as neither are the cupholders. If you don't want this car because of dual climate that's your priority in vehicles. As far as the interior goes, there are differing opinions. I have only had one vehicle with front/back climate controls. And to me that makes more of a difference than dual climate controls.
As far as undercutting the X5, that is neither here nor there as far as the car drives. If BMW is shortsighted and cannabilizes X5 sales with X3 sales, their bad.
Yes I do have legitmate criticisms of BMW, after all their cars suffer from compromises as others suffere from. It's just that the compromises are different.
for me, the X3 falls a little short at the MSRP price point. hopefully, the real market prices will go down where it meets my value/price point.
My wife is so blinded by the BMW badge, that she would be willing to let me buy another Miata if I would replace my WRX with the X3, and not the Legacy. My wife has a real image problem with Subaru's, though I'm currently on my 5th Suby wagon.
What compromises are you talking about? As far as I've seen, you have not said one critical word about any BMW vehicle.
It doesn't seat seven.
As anyone in the know knows, every BMW is priced at a premium. The market will decide whether that premium is justified or not. In the case of the X3, it seems as though $1,000-$1,800 is the market adjusted discount off MSRP.
If you haven't noticed yet, BMW rolled out a national, multi-faceted ad campaign in coordination with the BCS Bowl Games today. Saugatak, you may want to take the plunge now, as the market may adjust back upwards.
Saugatak, I took the liberty of building an X3 3.0 with metallic paint and leather interior with you in mind; $38,920. Take off $1,500 and you're at $37,420. Do it, Saugatak. Then we can change the tone of our correspondence!!!
Bottom line: The X3 is a true BMW with true BMW performance and great looks. They will sell every single X3 built, the pity complaints from cynics such as you will slowly dissipate, and I'll feel great and look good in the best looking small SUV around.
Saugatak, if you don't agree, I respect your opinion and preferences. If the X3 is out of reach for your budget, I respect that as well. Have fun in your Ford Escape.
well i guess i'm not gonna be the only one with an x3 3.0 this febuary :-(..."There have been a number of BMW's over the years I've never liked. Unlike some other people, I handle that by not buying them or wasting much time thinking about them." as quoted in one post.
me: isn't that true of any car model built, every one is sold? I've never noticed the car-crushing-units out back at the dealers, to get rid of the leftovers. :-) I believe they sell them all; someone even buys Yugos if the price is lowered enough.
I think the true test is "will the X3 factory run at capacity with demand > supply".
That's easy enough to do if your supply is one, at least four people want it on this board.
I think the true test is whether BMW meets it's budget goals. But that we'll never know.
Actually I took the statement figurativly and not literally. It is a basic tenet of our economy to manufacture more than the demand. After all, when is the last time you went into a supermarket to find almost every cupboard bare. Or went into a dealers lot to find no new cars because every one had been sold out. The last time it happened to me, is when I went to buy a Pinto after the gas tank fiasco.
Did not like. 1) Step in distance, I am 5 7 and felt a little like I needed to stretch to get over door sill and land on seat. 2) step out, far for me and wacked calf on lower sill every time, if I wore a suit or skirt to work everyday this would be a problem. 3) stability control,, drove in the wet snow today, this really can break you hard in sharp turn and skid, it works but i found it a little unnerving, guess you would get used to it, i am used to skidding around. I still almost drove it into a ditch today, really forced it, I would definitely put on winter tires if you live way north. 4. All floor carpets gray no matter what you interior color. I was told this today, could lessen a sand or terra cotta interior, not sure but i would rather matching carpets. 5. Sports package would be to stiff a ride, this SAv without sport was stiffer than my e36 with sports package. The reg. has a great BMW road feel would not want it any softer 5.) wood trim, saw a sand with lite wood, looked like cheap aftermarket stick on stuff, aluminum looks ok, plastic door release inside is acceptable, but don't like high position. Also think blinker handle is to high, also in X5 and rear wiper control weird. 6) loaded price, to close to x5 choices, although not a big fan of x5 anyway.7. big sun roof, not a fan of sun roofs get a convertible.
Likes 1) seats are comfortable but would love sports seats without package, 2) ride good accel. on 3.0 pretty quiet inside 3) strong braking , tight cornering, as expected 4)inside room more cockpit feel than x5, pretty good dead pedal position,,comfortable reach to controls, three level heated seats, lumbar control. 5. good driver visibility
7) get free model in mail when you order, do not really care but cool. free Sirius if you order early?
gonna get one.
ulep & tponchak, if the shoe fits, wear it.
tponchak, please read what i write with a little more care. the only thing i've criticized about the X3 is the interior materials and the price. i love BMW cars. if you read my posts, you'll see that i say time and again that nothing handles and drives like a BMW.
What hacks me off with BMW is all the self-inflicted damage they've done to their cars. I expect to pay in the $40k price range for a fully optioned out BMW. If you look at the 330, if you put some decent options on it it gets to $40k so I expected the X3 to be similar. What I did not expect was that the X3 would have the interior materials of BMW's upcoming 1-series.
When I pay $40+k for a BMW, I expect to get the quality of interior in a premium package 330, and that is not what the X3 offers. If you don't believe me, go sit in and drive a 330 premium package and you will notice an immediate difference.
tponchak said: "Saugatak, if you don't agree, I respect your opinion and preferences. If the X3 is out of reach for your budget, I respect that as well. Have fun in your Ford Escape."
OK dude. Looked at your profile and what are you driving? A Ford, LOL. If I were you tponchak, I'd think about what I was driving first before I made fun of someone else's car.
With regard to your jabs on my financial abilities to buy the X3, dude, there is kind of an unwritten rule (which you just broke) on these forums that you don't make fun of someone else's financial wherewithal. Hopefully you learn from this and don't do it again. Secondly, I have the money to buy any car I want (although I'd have to sell one of my buildings to buy a Maybach) so don't lose any sleep about my financial state.
"X3 falls short as upscale SUV"
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosconsumer/0401/01/g01-22763.htm
I'm sorry you didn't appreciate the irony of my final comment. Your comparison of the X3 interior to the Ford Escape was one of the funniest things I've heard in this forum.
You're right. We own a Ford F-150. Fortunately, owning a Ford makes me even more qualified to ridicule your amateur opinion.
As a matter-of-fact, Saugatak, my mother-in-law does indeed own a 330i with premium package, sport package, and just about every other option (minus navigation). Except for a thin sliver of wood along the front passenger dash, the 330i has no other material advantage over the X3 similarly equipped. That's a fact from someone(me) who's driven that car at least up to San Francisco and back (from L.A.). My father-in-law has a Z4 with premium package. NO advantage over the X3.
It's great to have a truck in the family. I plan on keeping it upon delivery of the X3, to go along with my wife's TL.
Saugatak, again, LOVE the X3!!! Love it more the more cynics like you spend your valuable time talking about it.
So, let's talk about your options, Saugatak. Sell a building and buy the Maybach, give in and buy the X3, or have fun in the Ford Escape. Decisions, decisions, decisions......
By the way, how much did you get your MDX for:)???
Hopefully, I can read more posts on what deals people are getting. Also, let there be more room on this post to share in our excitement for what is a great car/suv. Thanks MJMX3, ULEP, AND KDSHAPIRO. If I left anyone out, please drop me a line.
Peace out...
Still has xDrive, still the 3.0, and still a lot of standard features. Not my choice, but a good choice.
Did anyone see the X3 TV ad yesterday? It was pretty cool and unique.
Add "DOCT" to the list. Another satisfied X3 buyer!!!
The X3 on the other hand is really nice looking. Being slightly shorter then the X5 allowed BMW to adapt it's shape very nicely. The fit, finish and ride are right on par with my 330i.
saugatak is doing the same thing in this forum that he is accusing me of in other forums. In the 5 series forum, he said the E60 looks like the a Pontiac Grand Am. Tells me I've sold my soul to BMW (let's not get too personal here). BMW will find their way with or without our input.
OK saugatak you wanted them - here are some legitimate criticisms about the 3-er.
1. I was expecting a ML class stereo with 12 speakers.
2. cupholders and center console are obnoxious.
3. wish the placement of the window controls were on the door, like every other car.
4. climate control is anti-intuitive, and even after a year and a half I still hit the wrong button (what were they thinking)
5. need cupholders in the back seat.
6. sun flaps don't belie the quality of vehicle.
7. panel that holds the moonroof actuator is chinsy.
8. should have included the sport seats as standard.
9. leather is tough (although extremely durable, so it's a double edged sword)
10. And my final legit criticism of BMW, they should offer SC or turbos as options.
Hope the list is good enough and meets your definition of legitimate criticisms.
anyway, anyone who can give me more info on this?
With regard to your statement that the interior of the X3 is as good as the interior of a 3-series, I have to say I am quite puzzled. 3-series have soft touch, high quality plastic. The X3 I looked at had hard, hollow plastic with points sticking out of it. There was absolutely no give to it at all. The build quality was excellent (plastic was fitted together well) but you can't escape the basic laws of physics, and when it gets cold hard plastic contracts and when it gets hot hard plastic expands. When that happens enough times, the fit goes and then you get rattles.
In any case, if hard, prickly hollow plastic works for you, then I'm happy for you. Also, I'd ask you to go back earlier to this thread and see my review of the X3 after I first drove it. You'll notice that on the whole I liked the X3 a lot (handling is superb, looks good on the outside and nice use of interior space, but didn't appreciate the quality of interior materials for price paid and thought it was little underpowered).
Somebody on this board said that BMW rushed out some pre-production demo models with inferior materials so that their dealers could demo the car. Hopefully that is true and they put the 3-series interior in the X3.
With regards to my MDX, I recently purchased a 2003 MDX Base with less than 8k miles on it, perfect condition, for $28k.
i saw the aerokit and it looked awesome.. Does anybody here seen it?.I need some inputs on this.. if you havent seen it yet. i email to anybony who wants to...
For $20k, you get a 200HP v6 with pretty decent gas mileage and good use of interior space. I was also surprised how well it handled. I haven't driven Fords in quite a while but when test driving the Escape and Explorer, I was quite impressed. I understand that Escapes had some quality control problems but they have now been fixed.
I'm not saying that the interior materials in the Escape were the greatest, but they were what I expected in a $20k car. Quite frankly, I thought the Escape was a great value at $20k.
I was planning to get an Escape when I moved to CA in April but when I got the opportunity to get an MDX for way undermarket, I had to take it.
By my value system, I'd rather have a Ford Escape instead of the X3 in its current configuration and use the extra $23k to put a down payment on another condo or building, but I know that everyone's value judgment differs and it's your money to spend how you please.
Ulep, please post what information you get from your dealer on this kit.
Congratulations to all that have ordered this great car!!! Please continue to share information on your purchase, delivery, modifications (Aero Kit, CD-Changer, BMW Alarm etc.) experiences so we can all learn as much as possible.
Thanks,
MJM
I'll be posting my inputs on the kit as soon as i get in contact with bmw. but i doubt they will give a chance to deal since it's an accesory. hope for the best guys!!!
I agree with you on this. See my post on the near entry level luxo sedans. I was seriously thinking about an X3, until I had a run-in with a loaded Accord v6. They are nice. FWD-torque steer and all, but I save $12+K that I can use to finanance some other endeavour. Actually if I got a Hyundia I could save $33K to put toward something else.
The Ford Escape is nice for what it is. I test drove it. Also nice and reliable is a Rav4, CRV, Hyundai SUV etc. All reliable vehicles that if you bought them instead of a 760i, you could save $100+K invest it and have a nice little egg nest when you retire.
But no matter how you stretch it, saugatak, the X3 interior is not Ford Escape like. I think you open yourself up for comments, when that comparison is made. But if it is your opinion, it is your opinion. The interior is just fine, on par with my 3 series, the styling is first rate and the xdrive is interesting. All in all a nice vehicle, let's see how the market reacts.
Right now the vehicles I'd put in that comparision are the redesigned 2005 Subaru Outback wagon, the 250-hp V-6 powered Saturn Vue, the Jaguar X-type (be nice if the Estate wagon comes to the U.S.), and the X-3 (2.5).
They all have compromises; I'd have to see what value you get from each.
Saugatak, I visited the X3 at the L.A. Auto Show this weekend. I closely inspected the plastic on the dash and all throughout the interior. I pushed, prodded, ran my hand over it, looked extremely close, etc. The plastic was definitely soft touch. There was ample give. And yes, the plastic does have a texture to it. A nice touch in my opinion.
You could be right, Saugatak, about the pre-production demos getting a different treatment. I didn't inspect the demos' interior as thoroughly as I did at the auto show.
Saugatak, please see kdshapiro's comments above. Owner of a 3 series agreeing with me on my 3 series/X3 interior comparison. Also, your Ford Escape comparison's ARE ridiculous, just as kdshapiro suggests and I've been saying all along.
Saugatak says "i'd rather have a Ford Escape instead of the X3 in its current configuration."
Ok, that's fine. I can accept that. I also have no doubt that your comments on the Escape are fairly accurate. Just a suggestion, Saugatak, maybe you should be spending more time in the Ford Escape forum and posting your valuable insights about the Escape in said forum.
I ordered PDC, so I may not be able to participate. Bummer:(.
I saw the X3 at the L.A. Auto Show this weekend. The optional "Y" spoke rims are AWESOME looking and should add a bit to the performance. Ride quality may suffer, but I just love the look too much.
Anyone know how many miles I can expect with those rims and high performance tires? I'm a little worried.
i was driving this morning when i passed by a bmw dealership. i cant just help it. i just have to turn around and look at the x3 one more time. the plastic bumpers made the car look really sporty in a very nice way. it looked so handsome because it was wider than any suvs in its class and lower than most suv. and then add those 235 wheels....ahhh..i love this car. for ME, it looks better than the x5.