[SamS]

Hi guys,

My wife and I test drove an '11 Xdrive28i today. We were both really impressed! We're not in a big hurry to get a new X3, but you know once you test drive it, it kinda eats away at you.

So, I think we will wait until after March '12, when the MY2012 finishes up. It seems logical that the '13 X3s beginning in March/April 2012 will have the N20. The N20 is very appealing to me, as the added fuel economy and torque should be noticeable over the N52.

Do we have any idea what the mpg city/hwy might turn out to be? I know the XDrive will drag it down from the numbers the N20 gets in other vehicles.

The N52 is 19/25mpg IIRC.

Also, we like the Oyster Nevada leather interior with black floors/carpets. When I configure a '12 online, it shows the floors/carpet color to match the seats. Is this just a mistake?

[Want the thrill]

You clicked on "sand beige" and not Oyster when you were building online. If you click on the Oyster option, the interior changes to black. If you go with sand beige, the interior changes everything to sand beige.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

You clicked on "sand beige" and not Oyster when you were building online. If you click on the Oyster option, the interior changes to black. If you go with sand beige, the interior changes everything to sand beige.

Ah, you're right! Oyster is a must, then. We really like the dark carpets (we have a small child).

[Lotus7]

BMW has been claiming the N20 (via media journalists - for what that's worth) will test about 12% better on the city cycle and possibly 10% better on the highway, so expect to see an EPA rating of 21/28.

The EPA ratings for the 35i (19/26) seem to be pretty accurate. I'm seeing a consistent 18-19 for city driving and 27 to 28.5 for steady 65 mph,warm weather, flat road highway driving. Higher speeds, more passing, downshifting, etc. never reduces the highway mileage below 25 mpg using Shell V-Power 93 octane, 10% ethanol (not the best for mileage).

[midlifecrisis]

I'm guessing that the N20 will put this vehicle's actual highway mileage at over 30 mpg - if you take it easy and stay out of the turbo. I think Lotus' estimate of EPA numbers is pretty good.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I'm guessing that the N20 will put this vehicle's actual highway mileage at over 30 mpg - if you take it easy and stay out of the turbo. ...

Sounds entirely plausible. If a N55 can do 28.5 mpg, then eliminating 1/3rd of the internal friction (piston rings, cam & lifters. and misc. small parts) for a car of the same weight, frontal area, Cd, and tire rolling resistance) should be able to achieve 30 mph. IF you stay away from the throttle kick-down switch and the turbo. Of course, what BMW driver drives like that?

In the real world, if you drive it in a way that will keep up with a 35i, you will most likely get the same fuel mileage as a 35i.

[SamS]

I guess that sounds about right, although I was hoping for 32-34 hwy and at least 25mpg in the city. It is a modern 4 cylinder, after all!

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by SamS

I guess that sounds about right, although I was hoping for 32-34 hwy and at least 25mpg in the city. It is a modern 4 cylinder, after all!

That's probably asking a little too much. After all, we're talking about a two ton AWD vehicle here.

[SamS]

Yeah, good point. If it can gain 3mpg city/hwy vs. the N52, I would be happy.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by SamS

I guess that sounds about right, although I was hoping for 32-34 hwy and at least 25mpg in the city. It is a modern 4 cylinder, after all!

BUT, the N55 is also a modern 6cyl with all the bells and whistles and the X3 weighs 2-tons plus and has the frontal area of a small garage door.

My X3 35i gives better fuel efficiency than (2) of my previous vehicles (an Audi A4 and a Subaru Legacy GT turbo), both of which were 800 lbs lighter and much more aerodynamic. I'm amazed and impressed.

32-34 mpg is easy to achieve, all you have to do is ALWAYS drive downhill with a tailwind.

[TSM330i]

My wife and I ordered an X3 2.8 for her last week.
We went with the NA 3.0 rather than waiting for the N20 for several reasons.

1. N52 tried and true, tested and proven to be reliable (wife put 75K on her 325xi in 6 years with no issues at all.)
2. Tubo maintenance on N20
3. HPFP issues. Has BMW fixed them? I know quite a few friends of mine who have had issues, some of them several times. Just a headache we didn't want to deal with.

So in the end, we went with the what we viewed as the more reliable engine. We tend to keep cars a long time. The only reason we're trading her car is due to the release of the new 3 and the value of her car going down. Otherwise, we would have kept it.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by AW325xi

My wife and I ordered an X3 2.8 for her last week.
We went with the NA 3.0 rather than waiting for the N20 for several reasons.

1. N52 tried and true, tested and proven to be reliable (wife put 75K on her 325xi in 6 years with no issues at all.)
2. Tubo maintenance on N20
3. HPFP issues. Has BMW fixed them? I know quite a few friends of mine who have had issues, some of them several times. Just a headache we didn't want to deal with.

So in the end, we went with the what we viewed as the more reliable engine. We tend to keep cars a long time. The only reason we're trading her car is due to the release of the new 3 and the value of her car going down. Otherwise, we would have kept it.

Not to mention that an inline "6" is always dynamically smoother than any inline "4", with or without rotating balance shafts, plus the fact that you can actually BUY a N52 X3 today. Sounds like the right decision for your family.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by AW325xi

My wife and I ordered an X3 2.8 for her last week.
We went with the NA 3.0 rather than waiting for the N20 for several reasons.

1. N52 tried and true, tested and proven to be reliable (wife put 75K on her 325xi in 6 years with no issues at all.)
2. Tubo maintenance on N20
3. HPFP issues. Has BMW fixed them? I know quite a few friends of mine who have had issues, some of them several times. Just a headache we didn't want to deal with.

So in the end, we went with the what we viewed as the more reliable engine. We tend to keep cars a long time. The only reason we're trading her car is due to the release of the new 3 and the value of her car going down. Otherwise, we would have kept it.

All good points.

N52 is definitely tried and true, and certainly smooth. But, it's 8 years old. I'm often tempted by the latest and greatest in engine tech. However, the S65 in my M3 kinda goes against that

Yes, HPFP problems could rise up. However that doesn't stop anyone from getting the N55 in the 35i. Hopefully BMW will continue to improve in this area.

I think we'll wait for ~6 months for the '13 to debut, and see if there's more feedback for the N20. We're not in a real hurry, and there is a even a decent chance my wife might prefer a redesigned '12 Honda CR-V. She's not nearly as car-crazy as I am, and a CR-V would appeal to her because it is significantly cheaper.