motor

amanthapar · 06-09-2004, 11:29 AM

ae86_16v
well said..

i think the x3 looks like a goat, the x5 is stunning

Sir_GT · 06-09-2004, 05:15 PM

An X7 would've never made sense in the BMW philosophy...

Why isn't there an M7 in the first place, right?

Although I do agree that the X3 looks rather cheap for its asking price...

...one only needs to look at Audi for the blatant use of plastic bumbers.

ahmedgiyab · 06-09-2004, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Sir_GT

An X7 would've never made sense in the BMW philosophy...

Why isn't there an M7 in the first place, right?

Although I do agree that the X3 looks rather cheap for its asking price...

...one only needs to look at Audi for the blatant use of plastic bumbers.

The M7 really would be The Ultimate Driving Machine!!!

I hope they ever make it... :roll:

altedza · 06-10-2004, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Chaos in 1983!

I think it's horrible...that plastic bumber looks very cheap...but I do like the headlights...

Yah! Go X5. Mom has one :x

StanAE86 · 06-11-2004, 11:58 AM

I test drove one about a month ago for kicks. They're pretty nice. I hate those bumpers though, but I expect it was done so that they can "update" it later with painted bumpers. BMW did that with the E36 3 series. Those used to come with black bumpers and skirts and later, during updates, they came painted.

In any case, if I bought one, the first thing I'd do, before taking it home, was have the bumpers match-painted...they're just terrible.

The interior feels cheaper than the X5, which makes sence, price-wise. Hard plastic, a weird design with the interior door handles too. Seats are not the soft leather, if I remember right. Dealer stated that the X3 was designed to actually be used for outdoor sports stuff, versus the X5, where the people that buy them, don't use them for stuff like that. As always, good safety features in the X3.

In all, I'd probably take one if it suited what I needed it for -grocery and misc. stuff hauler.

schnell318 · 06-11-2004, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by ahmedgiyab

The M7 really would be The Ultimate Driving Machine!!!

I hope they ever make it... :roll:

It wouldn´t be the ultimate driving machine at all, it would be too big and heavy. I´m really glad they didn´t make it and I hope they never do. It makes me think of a shity Suburban :roll:

vraa · 06-14-2004, 06:34 AM

Ewwww!

X3 has too much plastic.
X5's are played out.

Sir_GT · 06-14-2004, 03:27 PM

Checked one out today (X3). It's alright, but too expensive for what is being offerend. The design is actually pretty conventional compared to the current crop, but I think they were trying too much to create a stir in the Freelander/Escape/Tribute/Rav4 market, to the point of actually looking like the competition.

Mers · 06-14-2004, 03:44 PM

Bangle's on a wild roller coaster ride...

I mean, think about it...first he comes up with the ultra cyborg killer limo 7-series...NOT good looking
Then, the Z4 sees the light...GORGEOUS, puts the Z3 in the garbage can for sure..
Then the 5-series...great reviews all round, and a Great ride...Looks GOOD
Then the 6-series appears, looking great...
Then the Horrible X3, with very little point...it's the same size as the X5..just...well..uglier..at least the X-Drive is good
But as this month's CAR magazine shows, it is a future play, to when BMW launches the bigger X5..there is a picture of a mule in there..looks like a lorry...
then we'll have the new ML competing with the X3, and the X5 alone again..

In the future we will see the 1 series...which I think looked good enough to be "the most important small car in 30 years"(CAR magazine, May)

As long as he doesn't freak out with the 3-series (If they let him design it, that is) i'd say he's had quite a good run...
plus the cars themselves drive great....

a hint: check CAR magazine's FRONT articles..they always have something to say on BMW...and the thing about making the X5 bigger is in there too..in the new issue...

Ford Capri 2.8i · 06-19-2004, 06:57 AM

To be honest.....for me from the last year BMW has gone backwards in terms of design......for me they have taken many risks in order to get an alternative modern design instead to the classical shape that they have designed before, and the result of this change is not good for my eyes....for instance, from the last 4 cars that BMW have designed, only the new 5 series is ok for me, the rest of the cars are hideous(mostly the 7 series shape), in addition, there is a contrast between an atractive and quite classical design 4x4 BMW X5, and the ugly BMW X3 which is alongside of the X5 BMW in the posts below

s4racer · 06-19-2004, 12:05 PM

definately way too much exposed black plastic on the outside.

heyloo · 07-02-2004, 01:57 PM

I currently own the X3 3.0i..yes it still has the black bumpers. Unfortunately, I can't get the BMW Aeropackage because of my headlight washers.

I got 5100 miles on it, and I'm pretty satisfied...although I think I'd still prefer something like X5 4.4i or 4.8i (I don't think I'd want the X5 3.0i...I'd spend a few more grands to get the 4.x).

The ride, I think isn't that bad...it's smaller, yes, but not by too much. The X5 is bigger by a mere inch or so on all dimensions and a couple inches taller. X3 has larger cargo capacity, if it matters at all.

The one thing, other than the bumpers, that I don't like about my car is its interior. It has the clean BMW interior look, however, I would've wanted something a bit better. My dad has the new 530i and I could really feel the difference being in his car and mine. But, you know, you get used to it...and I'm beginning to like the clean-ness of it. However, when I get my next car, I'm going to make sure I get something that has better interior... *shrug*

Well, I like my X3..it's not the 'best' car, but certainly good for me.

Here are some pics of X3s in their new body kits:

BMW Aerokit

Hamann Kit

fabro_s · 07-02-2004, 03:16 PM

I think the x3 is nonsense, the plastic bumper reflects cheapness and I dont like tha from a BMW, I mean the 120d has better looks and looks classy, and I cant believe the x3 looks cheaper, but anyway I know its a good market for this type of SUVs

bmagni · 07-02-2004, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by StanAE86

I test drove one about a month ago for kicks. They're pretty nice. I hate those bumpers though, but I expect it was done so that they can "update" it later with painted bumpers. BMW did that with the E36 3 series. Those used to come with black bumpers and skirts and later, during updates, they came painted.

In any case, if I bought one, the first thing I'd do, before taking it home, was have the bumpers match-painted...they're just terrible.

actually u dont have to do it just ask for it and theyll do it for an extra charge

KaBlookie · 07-03-2004, 12:10 PM

I have driven several of those (as for the summer i'm working at a holding lot for a couple BMW dealers) and they're not really that bad...mind you i'd never buy one.

the X3 2.5 is, in my mind, a waste. It's really, really slow...like, slower than the 525i. Okay, the road I drive to deliver the cars to the dealership has, at one point, a part where it widens to two lanes for about 1/8 mile, which is where i always pass people. At this part, under heavy traffic I can usually pass 4 or 5 cars (more if im in a V8 BMW, Z4, or M3) but with the X3 2.5 I was kinda scared that I wouldnt be able to pass 3... The X5 3.0 has noticeably more pick-up than this thing.

the X3 3.0, however, is much much better. Of course any 330 is noticeably faster, but at least it's better than the 2.5. On that part of road mentioned above, I am able to pass cars at about the same rate as if I were in maybe a 325Ci, and it feels a bit faster than the X5 3.0.

As for how they drive...in my mind, they drive very similarly to a regular 325i with standard tires and no sports package, but lifted more off the ground...and a taaad bit more understeer. Initial handling response is good, and the feel through the steering wheel and brake pedal is good, typical 3-series kind of feel. So I don't think it's a complete failure, but in my mind they're still a waste, especially when you look at the price tag of a 3.0 with a couple options :shock: at one point, we had something like 8 X3s on our lot (we now have 3...the rest were taken to the dealership to sell), and maybe 4 or 5 of them had price tags in the mid-low-$40k range. geez.

I don't think that they're cheap at all though...in terms of build quality, features, interior trim/materials. It really does reflect its BMW-ness in the way it drives, the way it looks, and the overall quality of the whole package. They just could have styled the thing in a slightly more visually pleasing way.