[bigsmoke08]

Hello board,

this is my first post... great stuff I've read so far. So here we go, I have been the proud owner of a '78 320i, '01 335i, '07 X3 and '09 X3, looking to get into a new lease for a '11 X3 (want to lease for lower payments, and figure I could buy a 3 year old new body style used in 3 years for less than the cost of payments to get there...)

Here's what I'm thinking

x3 28 (would love to wait for the N20, but have to take deliv by oct 31 for $1k discount)
premium
technology
cold weather
bmw apps
premium sound

was NOT going to do the

Sport Package
Dynamic package
Convenience package

Am I messing up here? Esp with the no sport?? I love to drive and have had sport in all my bmws prior to this, but just trying to save a bit of $$.

Does the reg sport package make a difference in the steering wheel and exterior trim as well as just the wheels? Are the seats that much difference?

Does someone have pics of the exterior trim and the difference in the wheels btw the 17s and the 18s?

I guess my question is are folks happy with the non sport seats, non sport steering wheel and smaller rims? pros/cons?

Also trying to pick up in SC...

thanks so much!

[Nahoa]

Sport seats are a must-have for me.

[kmarei]

Please please get the xenon lights
Car looks so cheap without them
Why not 35i?

[Want the thrill]

For me the sport package was a must. So was the power of the 35i! If you haven't driven them both.....do so before you commit to the 28i.

[Niva]

Originally Posted by bigsmoke08

Hello board,

this is my first post... great stuff I've read so far. So here we go, I have been the proud owner of a '78 320i, '01 335i, '07 X3 and '09 X3, looking to get into a new lease for a '11 X3 (want to lease for lower payments, and figure I could buy a 3 year old new body style used in 3 years for less than the cost of payments to get there...)

Here's what I'm thinking

x3 28 (would love to wait for the N20, but have to take deliv by oct 31 for $1k discount)
premium
technology
cold weather
bmw apps
premium sound

was NOT going to do the

Sport Package
Dynamic package
Convenience package

Am I messing up here? Esp with the no sport?? I love to drive and have had sport in all my bmws prior to this, but just trying to save a bit of $$.

Does the reg sport package make a difference in the steering wheel and exterior trim as well as just the wheels? Are the seats that much difference?

Does someone have pics of the exterior trim and the difference in the wheels btw the 17s and the 18s?

I guess my question is are folks happy with the non sport seats, non sport steering wheel and smaller rims? pros/cons?

Also trying to pick up in SC...

thanks so much!

If you are trying to stay in budget why don't you drop the packages and focus on the key features you need. For example if you go with heated front seats, navigation, leather, sunroof instead of the packages you should save enough to get the SA package. Do you really need heated rear seats, parking assist etc? 40/20/40 is nice but unless you ski with 4 adults not necessary.

[wayway409]

if i were you, i will get the 35i. many extras on the 28i are standard on the 35i...so you will save money and a better engine!

[128Guy]

I ordered a 2012 28i last week. I have been told by a dealer that it will come with the new 4 cylinder engine. I also called BMW Customer Service and asked; and they confirmed it.

If you go to the BMW "Build Your Own" website for the 2011 X3, you can see pictures of the exterior trim and the 18" wheel (style 307) that come with the Sports Activity Package.

It's my understanding that, unlike the Sports Package on my 128i, the X3's Sports Activity Package doesn't change the suspension on the X3 28i. The Sports Activity Package's 245/50R18 tires should improve the handling a bit over the standard 245/55R17 's. I say "should" because I haven't been able to actually drive one with the Sports Activity Package - only without.

For me, and my wife agrees, the sports seats are the main reason for getting the Sports Activity Package. I suggest you spend some time sitting in both types of seats yourself before you decide.

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Please please get the xenon lights
Car looks so cheap without them
Why not 35i?

Really? that's the first I'm hearing of that. What do you mean?

Do you have pics?

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by wayway409

if i were you, i will get the 35i. many extras on the 28i are standard on the 35i...so you will save money and a better engine!

I looked at that, but I still would have to get premium, technology, cold weather and sport, no?

Trying to be a bit frugal! (notice I said a bit)

And I feel like, if I want to drive it quickly (which will be a rarity bc there will 99% of the time be wife and kids in the car), a quick push to sport manumatic would be enough to get a quick thrill, no?

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by 128Guy

I ordered a 2012 28i last week. I have been told by a dealer that it will come with the new 4 cylinder engine. I also called BMW Customer Service and asked; and they confirmed it.

If you go to the BMW "Build Your Own" website for the 2011 X3, you can see pictures of the exterior trim and the 18" wheel (style 307) that come with the Sports Activity Package.

It's my understanding that, unlike the Sports Package on my 128i, the X3's Sports Activity Package doesn't change the suspension on the X3 28i. The Sports Activity Package's 245/50R18 tires should improve the handling a bit over the standard 245/55R17 's. I say "should" because I haven't been able to actually drive one with the Sports Activity Package - only without.

For me, and my wife agrees, the sports seats are the main reason for getting the Sports Activity Package. I suggest you spend some time sitting in both types of seats yourself before you decide.

I heard no way on the 4 cylinder for 2012. Only in Europe. N20 engine N/A in US until 2013 model year

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by Niva

If you are trying to stay in budget why don't you drop the packages and focus on the key features you need. For example if you go with heated front seats, navigation, leather, sunroof instead of the packages you should save enough to get the SA package. Do you really need heated rear seats, parking assist etc? 40/20/40 is nice but unless you ski with 4 adults not necessary.

This is a great idea, but here's my thinking

for premium: need the storage compartments, sounds silly I know! I've heard they are much better for a family that loves to eat and drink in car! And garage door opener

for tech: don't care about sensors, want bmw assist

and as for the split seats, what about those trips to Ikea?

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by bigsmoke08

Hello board,

this is my first post... great stuff I've read so far. So here we go, I have been the proud owner of a '78 320i, '01 335i, '07 X3 and '09 X3, looking to get into a new lease for a '11 X3 (want to lease for lower payments, and figure I could buy a 3 year old new body style used in 3 years for less than the cost of payments to get there...)

Here's what I'm thinking

x3 28 (would love to wait for the N20, but have to take deliv by oct 31 for $1k discount)
premium
technology
cold weather
bmw apps
premium sound

was NOT going to do the

Sport Package
Dynamic package
Convenience package

Am I messing up here? Esp with the no sport?? I love to drive and have had sport in all my bmws prior to this, but just trying to save a bit of $$.

Does the reg sport package make a difference in the steering wheel and exterior trim as well as just the wheels? Are the seats that much difference?

Does someone have pics of the exterior trim and the difference in the wheels btw the 17s and the 18s?

I guess my question is are folks happy with the non sport seats, non sport steering wheel and smaller rims? pros/cons?

Also trying to pick up in SC...

thanks so much!

So here's my invoice price w/o sport is

$42,805. Dealer will give me sales price of $43,305.

pretty good?

[128Guy]

Originally Posted by bigsmoke08

I heard no way on the 4 cylinder for 2012. Only in Europe. N20 engine N/A in US until 2013 model year

The reports that I've seen of "no N20 for the 2012 X3" are based on dealers drawing that conclusion simply because they haven't heard otherwise - not because they have been explicitly told by BMW "no N20 for the 2012 X3". Hopefully, we'll get official confirmation one way or the other pretty soon.

[mexxdude]

Participate in the Team USA event and you will get $1000 coupon good towards the purchase price. Also, find out if you are eligible for the customer loyalty program (e.g. if you are a current BMW owner, etc.) because that will give you another $1000 off the purpose price. Now you can get the 35i... hehe

[ando]

i have a x3 35i without the sports package and enjoy greatly. My decision rested on my personal preference for black window trim. I would have enjoyed a x3 sport package with shadowline exterior trim like the cars and then had the sports seats but i do not regret the standard seats with leather option and I like the looks of the standard 18 inch wheels on the 35i.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by bigsmoke08

Really? that's the first I'm hearing of that. What do you mean?

Do you have pics?

Standard lights on th X3 are regular light bulbs
The xenon gives you the 2 white rings around the and much better illumination from the upgraded xenon bulbs
Here is a pic
The middle 2 are xenon, the top and bottom are the yellowy regular bulbs

[bigsmoke08]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Standard lights on th X3 are regular light bulbs
The xenon gives you the 2 white rings around the and much better illumination from the upgraded xenon bulbs
Here is a pic
The middle 2 are xenon, the top and bottom are the yellowy regular bulbs

wow! I never noticed that difference before! it's a shame the xenon's don't come with the premium package! An extra $1k?

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by bigsmoke08

wow! I never noticed that difference before! it's a shame the xenon's don't come with the premium package! An extra $1k?

Well $900 but you also get the adaptive headlights included
So when you are taking a corner, the Headlights swivel with the steering wheel
So your lights illuminate the road, not the straight path ahead

Xenon comes free with the 35i

That's what I did when I ordered my wife's x3
I specced out a 28i to match the standard stuff on the 35i
Realized the difference wasn't so much
Especially with the better fuel consumption of the 35i
It made sense to get the bigger engine
Keep in mind the 28i engine is dying soon
The 35i will still be in production for a few more years