[StephanieDiane]

Hi all. I currently drive an M235 and love it, but I am thinking about moving into the X3. I have two large dogs and need the cargo space. I'm sure many of you drove cars prior to SUV/SAVs, but I'm curious if anyone gave up something particularly "sporty" when you made the transition. I am an "enthusiastic" driver and have only owned coupes. I did test drive the X3 35i and liked the vehicle - loved the space - but I am afraid on a day-to-day basis I would greatly miss my baby M.

Anyone that can weigh in, I'd appreciate.

[gullyg]

Nothing as quick as the M235 but I went from a Skoda Octavia vRS to a 20d X3 MSport in November and it's ok, if lacking a little of the "fizz".

The msport x3 actually corners really well although it's not got the same directness in steering etc.

Do wish I could have justified the 35d but the x3 isn't really a replacement for the vRS. I'm planning on getting a sporty car as a 2nd car at some point soon.

[nyalpine90]

go with X4 M40i

you will have performance and room for your dogs.

[335iAP]

I went from a tuned 335i to an X4 28i. I'm not going to pretend it isn't much slower. But here's the thing - I don't really care. "Slower than my old sports car" is not the same thing as "slow." I almost never got to use all that power anyway, and the 4 cylinder is surprisingly strong and very smooth. I get stuck in traffic a lot where I live, and it's kind of nice that the car isn't always straining to use the rest of its power. I added a tune to mine, which is more than enough power for me now, but if you're on the fence I don't think you'll miss much with the 35i.

[nickb3]

I moved from a F30 328i to the X3. The F30 was a more 'involving' drive, but the X3 in M Sport spec is still an enjoyable car to drive. I would like to have tested a M40i but it is not available in the UK. The 30d has good performance, and any loss in handling is more than made up for in practicality.

[02420X3]

Nice car, the M235. I worked one out a bit at the BMW Performance Driving School in Greer. You might like the handling of an X3 a bit better if you opt for a 35i with the Dynamic Handling Package (DHP), option ZDH. You're unlikely to find one to test drive on a dealer lot. An X3 is never going to be an M235, but DHP will get it a little closer.

[Alfisti]

Don't listen to anyone who says the X3 handles well, i mean it does for a 2 ton SUV but it's a 2 ton SUV. My Saab 9-3 wagon is renowned for being a shitty handler and it runs rings around our X3.

[pokerface]

see if you can get into a 3 series wagon instead then if you think you'll miss the handling.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by pokerface

see if you can get into a 3 series wagon instead then if you think you'll miss the handling.

Issue there is back seat room, with little kids the back seat is key. Would look at E class wagon first.

[StephanieDiane]

Thanks for all the advice. My old CA pointed out I'm an unusual person (thanks??) and would never be happy with an SAV as my daily driver. I'm going to stick with my M235 for now.

Thanks for all the input!

[SEI]

Dunno why people say all these I love my x3 35i to bits.. Put it in sport mode and it handles very very well. On the highways I love to bully brz and boxters. Do jb4 stage 2 + flash and wow!!! I prefer it to my 335i by far (check my garrage for previous cars)

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by SEI

Dunno why people say all these I love my x3 35i to bits.. Put it in sport mode and it handles very very well. On the highways I love to bully brz and boxters. Do jb4 stage 2 + flash and wow!!! I prefer it to my 335i by far (check my garrage for previous cars)

Wow. Just wow. You're such a hero.

[PX3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Don't listen to anyone who says the X3 handles well, i mean it does for a 2 ton SUV but it's a 2 ton SUV. My Saab 9-3 wagon is renowned for being a shitty handler and it runs rings around our X3.

That's hardly a comparison! The Saab is nothing like the X3, so how can you possibly compare the two?

[PX3]

Originally Posted by SEI

Dunno why people say all these I love my x3 35i to bits.. Put it in sport mode and it handles very very well. On the highways I love to bully brz and boxters. Do jb4 stage 2 + flash and wow!!! I prefer it to my 335i by far (check my garrage for previous cars)

I personally think the X3 is an extremely capable SUV and probably handles better than most cars (M Sport version).

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by PX3

That's hardly a comparison! The Saab is nothing like the X3, so how can you possibly compare the two?

That's my point!

[scrammer]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Don't listen to anyone who says the X3 handles well, i mean it does for a 2 ton SUV but it's a 2 ton SUV. My Saab 9-3 wagon is renowned for being a shitty handler and it runs rings around our X3.

So true!

I am going to go buy a SAAB ... sadly I can't find a new one to purchase???

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by StephanieDiane

Hi all. I currently drive an M235 and love it, but I am thinking about moving into the X3. I have two large dogs and need the cargo space. I'm sure many of you drove cars prior to SUV/SAVs, but I'm curious if anyone gave up something particularly "sporty" when you made the transition. I am an "enthusiastic" driver and have only owned coupes. I did test drive the X3 35i and liked the vehicle - loved the space - but I am afraid on a day-to-day basis I would greatly miss my baby M.

Anyone that can weigh in, I'd appreciate.

Definitely find a dealer who has an X4 M40i and X3 35i (with and without Dynamic Handling pkg)

Check out some of my videos comparing against other cars with the N55 engine, tuned & lighter than our 4235lbs.

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

go with X4 M40i

you will have performance and room for your dogs.

[morphomeman]

I drive an M235 and my wife has an X3. They are both BMWs but totally different vehicles, due largely to geometry: the X3 sits much higher and has a completely different suspension set up. It is an SUV, not a sports coupe!
So there simply is no direct comparison. That said, the difference between the 4 and 6 cylinder engines is noticeable. So if you want that rush, get the 6 cylinder.
As for the X4, it is mostly cosmetic, in my opinion. Plus you lose some cargo room because of the fastback. So I would go for the X3 with the straight six if I had to give up my M235.

[Schmullis]

I traded my 9 month old M235i back to the BMW dealer for a 2016 X3 3.5i X drive. Same engine and transmission as the M235, tuned slightly different. From my experience the X3 is one of the "sportiest" SAVs out there. My reasoning? My wife wouldn't ride in the M235 "too small, felt like I was laying down, dash too close to my knees, etc.". Also, couldn't carry anything or anyone besides the front passenger.

Net: I've very pleased with the X3. Quiet, comfortable, don't have to crawl into it. would have loved to have kept the M235 also, if I could have afforded it.

It would have been nice if my X3 had the MSport adjustable suspension, but it doesn't. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the X3. Same gas mileage as the M235.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Schmullis

I traded my 9 month old M235i back to the BMW dealer for a 2016 X3 3.5i X drive. Same engine and transmission as the M235, tuned slightly different. From my experience the X3 is one of the "sportiest" SAVs out there. My reasoning? My wife wouldn't ride in the M235 "too small, felt like I was laying down, dash too close to my knees, etc.". Also, couldn't carry anything or anyone besides the front passenger.

Net: I've very pleased with the X3. Quiet, comfortable, don't have to crawl into it. would have loved to have kept the M235 also, if I could have afforded it.

It would have been nice if my X3 had the MSport adjustable suspension, but it doesn't. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the X3. Same gas mileage as the M235.

Agreed so many ppl dont know how well the X3/X4 "BMWs Sport Activity Vehicle/Coupe" handle. Everyone should try to take advantage of them at the BMW Drive events.

After owning an 14' X3 28i with M-Sport pkg I searched the whole country for one with 'DHP' Dynamic Handling pkg, after test driving back to back same day it was very noticeable the Adaptive Suspension in the DHP was the way to go.

After such an enjoyment of practicality in my X3, 22k miles later I ordered this X4 M40i and looking forward to the next 2018 X3 M40i + X3M (400hp+), 2019 X4M that are coming.

My friend mge92 has even taken his Fully Loaded 2013 X3 28 M-Sport to the track and even cross county to California while TheSMokingTire did a review on his X3.

[pookguy]

I went from a e92 M3 / FJ Cruiser to go to a single car. While I miss the V8, the 35i with a chip is stealthy fast, I can take it up to the mountains with AWD, and my dog is more comfortable. I can also out-run my friend's dinan tuned 535i just due to the lighter weight.

[Schmullis]

Originally Posted by pookguy

I went from a e92 M3 / FJ Cruiser to go to a single car. While I miss the V8, the 35i with a chip is stealthy fast, I can take it up to the mountains with AWD, and my dog is more comfortable. I can also out-run my friend's dinan tuned 535i just due to the lighter weight.

Which chip is in it?