I just hit 10,000 miles on my 2017 X3, and I thought I'd give my perspective of the vehicle for any potential X3 buyers out there. Bimmerpost has always been super helpful to me in all aspects of owning/leasing a BMW, so I write this with hopes that someone within this venerable community of enthusiasts may benefit.
For starters, I never really considered buying an X3 (and by buy, I mean lease) until the last minute. I was previously in a 328d (which was slow, but torquey, and awesome on fuel) and my intention throughout that lease was to order a 435i manual. However, when I fell back into motocross and found myself only able to ride when a friend with a truck could give me a lift, I started considering new alternatives. After quickly exhausting efforts to find a truck that was comfortable, economical, and fun to drive, I happily found myself again looking at BMWs. It came down to a minimally equipped X5 35i and a fairly loaded x3 35i, both of which would need to be ordered. Admittedly, I wanted the X5 more because of the broad silhouette, and more plush interior finishes. I also for whatever reason (and I mean no disrespect by this) considered the X3 pretty feminine. Maybe because I see mostly women driving them, or maybe the nature of a smaller SUV (SAV, sorry) is inherently girlish to me. However, this idea quickly vanished when I discovered the difference in the monthly payment was roughly $230, obviously favoring the X3.
That said, I provided my deposit and my CA submitted the order. Astonishingly, about 12 days later, he called to tell me it was at the dealership ready for delivery.
So here we are, 10,000 miles later, 4 paragraphs in, and still everything to explain: Let me cut to the chase...
Here's a photo the day after I picked it up:
The 35i vs 28i debate
My fiancé has a 28i X3. You might be thinking, "Why wouldn't you get your 435i and use your girl's X3 to transport the dirt bike?" Well, if you're on this forum, you're probably a BMW enthusiast. And if you're a BMW enthusiast, you probably don't like other people driving your car... especially people covered in dirt and pulling a motorbike. She's no different, and I respect that.
The point is, I've had plenty of seat time in both her 28i and my 35i, and as you may or may not expect, there's a significant difference. Her 28i is no slouch. My guess is that it offers more than enough power for most people. The N20 pulls the 2 ton truck pretty well for a four banger, despite sounds reminiscent of diesel clatter. At highway speeds this sound tapers off and the truck almost feels electric. And as expected, it's better on fuel than my 35i, averaging around 25 mpg to my 20 mpg with similar daily driving routes.
If all you have ever driven was a 28i, you might be perfectly satisfied with this capable SAV. But, have a go in a 35i and you'll quickly realize it's a different animal. Despite the many complaints made about the sounds of the N55, I enjoy it. It has a wonderful grumble, especially at cooler temps or at a cold start. And for a 2 ton truck, it pulls like a bat out of hell. I'm not saying it's an M car by any means, but it's heaps faster than my 328d, and I often (and accidentally) find myself in the triple digits when merging on the highway.
So if you're can't decide between the two, here's my take:
If power is at all a concern, and you intend to drive it like a car, the 35i is a no brainer. If you're on a budget, cut back on a few lux options and just go for it.
Likewise, if you're on a budget, but favor all the bells and whistles, the 28i will be plenty. Plus, you'll get the added benefit of increased fuel economy. But just know, that if my budget was super tight, I would pick a stripper 35i over a loaded 28i. But that's just me
Handling
For the every day commuter car enthusiast, this thing drives much like a 3 series. I'm not saying by any means this is a track weapon, there is still body roll and a bit of understeer on these "high performance summer" run flats. But when it comes to highway merging, spirited cornering around jug handles (I'm a Jersey guy), and overall driver experience, it's a pleasure. My only gripe is about the brakes. I feel like they've pulled them directly from the 3 series, and for a truck this size, they could use a bit more surface area. Not a huge complaint - you'll eventually learn to be more cautious.
Carbon Black/Oyster Nevada Leather
This is the color combo I ordered, and I'm very satisfied with it.
Carbon Black is a pretty interesting color. The best way to describe it would be if you mixed Tanzanite Blue and Black Sapphire Metallic. Most of the time it appears black. However, in the headlights of other vehicles, under parking lot lights, or at certain angles viewed on a sunny day, it is a wonderful, deep blue. For the most part, it's an understated color when compared to colors like Laguna Seca Blue and Austin Yellow, but I've received numerous compliments from total strangers.
I picked Oyster Nevada for the contrast. It's an off white - nothing too exciting. However, I just want to note that it is not as difficult to keep clean as you might expect. A good leather cleaner will eliminate any blue denim remnants pretty quickly. I think I've only had to wipe down my driver seat twice now.
Apple Car Play
I'm an Apply guy, so I ticked the box for this $350 option thinking it would sync well. It doesn't, and I consider this a total waste of money. iDrive currently gives you two options to sync your phone - via the iDrive system or via Apple Car Play. Therefore, when utilizing Apply Car Play, you miss out on any benefits the iDrive system may have, and vice versa. I've deactivated my Apply Car Play because I think the iDrive system does a better job syncing contacts, music maps, etc., with other components of the vehicle.
If you're considering this option, I suggest passing on it until Apple/BMW figure out a better way to integrate it.
Aftermarket Parts
I haven't done much and probably won't do much considering this is a leased vehicle. However, there are a few items both cosmetic and utilitarian that I've added...
Black Grills - stock grilles are chrome & satin grey. I ordered gloss black grilles off ebay. They came from Taiwan, but they look and feel legit. Plus, they were only $90 instead of something like $200 for the OEM from BMW.
All Weather Floor Mats - I went OEM for these. Between surfing, snowboarding, and riding the dirt bike, these are a must.
Tint & Lamin-X - I had the front windows tinted to match the rear. They're not very dark, maybe around 50%. This is for the best though - I must have been pulled over a dozen times on Long Beach Island in my 328 for the 30% window tint. I also had the headlights, fog lights, tailights, third brake light, and rear reflectors tinted with Lamin-X. For the headlights and fog lights, I went with the light tint, and for the rears I went with Gunsmoke. I think it really makes the vehicle look more aggressive, and I'm happy with how it turned out.
ECS Wheel Spacers - I wanted the wheels almost flush. I have the staggered 20" wheels, and I added 12.5mm spacers to the front and 17.5mm to the rear. I went with ECS because they came packaged with the extended lugs. I'm very happy and have had no issues. Just make sure everything is clean when installing.
US Millworks Plate Mount - Unfortunately, for us New Jerseyans, we're required to run a front plate. I don't like drilling into the bumper, and I like the offset look a tow hook plate mount. It took a couple tries to avoid the parking sensors, but I now have it in a pretty good spot.
Draw-Tite Trailer hitch - So when I inquired about an OEM trailer hitch at my dealership, they quoted me $1,500. They literally laughed when they quoted me this because they understood how ridiculous of a price it was. Even with a discount, they couldn't get the price within reason. I passed on that, which they understood, and went to a reputable trailer place near me. They installed a Class III Draw-Tite hitch for I think around $300. I considered the Hidden Hitch, but I didn't want to install it. The Draw-Tite hitch is visible, but I wouldn't say it's an eye sore. I kind of like that you can see it because it hints that I use my SUV like an SUV (sorry again, SAV... so stupid).
Burger Tuning Stage I Tune - I haven't done this yet, but will shortly. I wanted to get through the first service period before buying & installing. Once I do, I'll report back and let you know my thoughts.
In Closing
Again, I hope this helps anyone making decisions regarding the F25 X3. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to give me a shout. Always happy to discuss BMWs with a fellow enthusiast...
Best,
Austin