[535MSport]

Took delivery of a 2013 X3 28i yesterday. M Sport Pkg, Prem Pkg, Dynamic Handling (you really really need this one), Prem Stereo, HUD, Cold Weather, Xenons. We also have an 06 M Sport X3 so I have a good base for comparison. This vehicle is what a BMW should be. It is absolutely great and baaaaaaaad. Handling is awesome and the ride quality even in the sportiest mode is 100x better than on the 06. You have a firm well connected ride without the extreme harshness of prior models. Plus the M Sport aero kit is beautiful.

My initial reaction is based on limited driving at this point. But, the tip in and jerkiness many of the BMW transmissions experience does not seem to be present. Shifts are firm and smooth in either mode.

The Start/Stop function is weird. I don't like the shudder that you feel when it restarts. I think I am just to old school to accept this technology but hey, its here to stay so I guess I better get used to it. You can turn it off by either hitting the button by the start/stop button, or by moving the shift lever to the left, sport position. Another way which I have not seen mentioned here is to turn the steering wheel ever so slightly to the right or left in which case the vehicle will restart. This is pretty neat in that you can keep you foot on the brake and restart the vehicle in anticipation of a rapid jump start for whatever reason. Honestly the engine starts right up from the time you remove your foot from the brake until when you are actually pressing the accelerator. It functions way better than I thought. Still- it bothers me but that's me.

The interior room is bigger than the 06 X3. It is actually on par with the original X5. The front is a bit wider, the rear seat larger and the boot, it seems about the same. The steering wheel on the M Sport is HUGE. Not in diameter but in thickness. You can kind of get an idea from one of the pictures below. Some may not like it, I do. The stitching on the Montana leather is a nice addition. The front door handles (interior) are in a weird place, way forward in the upper corner, right by the tweeter speaker. You actually have to pull the lever and push the door open with your elbow. Just struck us as kind of odd. The HUD, nice but I think after a week or so it's coolness factor will wear off. It might be more useful with Nav which we opted not to get. We decided on performance features instead of an ultra expensive and inferior nav system.

And speaking of performance options if you have to beg borrow and steal (well not steal) you really really need to get the Dynamic Handling Package which is the variable sport steering option. It makes this thing drive like a true sports car and the way the pre electronic steering BMW's used to handle. This is one must have option. It is worth 2x what it cost.

Now for the bad. The engine sounds, how should I put it, just plain funky. Standing behind it when it starts it is really really weird sounding. It has a deep throaty idle with a weird diesel like sound. I will try and post a sound clip later on this week. I mean it really sounds strange. But, the power is there, the engine does not sound like it is struggling ever. We are in the break in period and haven't hammered it yet but the power is there all the time. The engine really seems to do what it does well. When you open the hood you will be shocked how small the engine is. You could almost fit another one of them in the space behind the radiator and the front of the engine. I was shocked at first glance.

Enough dribble here it is-

[XenaBimmer]

Looks good! How were you able to get the 19" 35i M sport wheels as opposed to the 18"s that normally come w/ the 28i M sport?

[nonagon]

I'm glad BMW changed to the 19s for the 2013 28i MSports...so much better.

Originally Posted by XenaBimmer

Looks good! How were you able to get the 19" 35i M sport wheels as opposed to the 18"s that normally come w/ the 28i M sport?

The 18" M Sports Package wheels are no longer available for the X3 28i, the 2013 models now come with the 19" M Sports Package wheels.

Congrats OP! M Sports looks good!

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by beemer3

The 18" M Sports Package wheels are no longer available for the X3 28i, the 2013 models now come with the 19" M Sports Package wheels.

Congrats OP! M Sports looks good!

Dang, to bad BMW didn't make this change from the start!! Although it did "force" me to upgrade to the 20" M6 style wheels ;-)

[torzeck]

Super nice.
Are you in the US?
If so, how'd you get the black grill?

[535MSport]

The 19's fill the wheel wells a bit better but the wells are still a little larger than necessary I think, from a cosmetic viewpoint. I guess the added ride height of a Sport Utility just lead to this end result.

[535MSport]

Originally Posted by torzeck

Super nice.
Are you in the US?
If so, how'd you get the black grill?

Yes, we are in the US. Perhaps this comes with the shadow line trim that is part of the M Sport pkg.

[KingX]

Originally Posted by torzeck

Super nice.
Are you in the US?
If so, how'd you get the black grill?

For MY2013 they changed all the 28i model versions to black in the US.

[KingX]

Congrats. Looks good.

I find it weird that you got the HUD and MSport stuff but no Tech hence no Navi. Thought the point of the HUD would really be the Navi IMO.

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by KingX

For MY2013 they changed all the 28i model versions to black in the US.

It's easy. 6cylinder engines get the titan grilles, 4cylinders get the black.

The new 28i is a 4cylinder...

[535MSport]

Originally Posted by KingX

Congrats. Looks good.

I find it weird that you got the HUD and MSport stuff but no Tech hence no Navi. Thought the point of the HUD would really be the Navi IMO.

It is odd, don't waste your $ on HUD unless you have NAV. Spend the money on the Dynamic Handling, you won't regret it.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by F10ster

It is odd, don't waste your $ on HUD unless you have NAV. Spend the money on the Dynamic Handling, you won't regret it.

Why did you get the HUD if you don't have the Nav? Seems pointless? Congrats on your new ride. Looks great.

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by KingX

For MY2013 they changed all the 28i model versions to black in the US.

Like it, as a 35i guy, might need to add to the mod list. Carbon black with the M 310 20 inch wheels...it's pretty stealth sans the current chrome grille.

[torzeck]

Originally Posted by F10ster

Yes, we are in the US. Perhaps this comes with the shadow line trim that is part of the M Sport pkg.

Cool.They haven't changed the grill on the US website- it still builds with the titanium grill. I prefer the black.

[KingX]

Originally Posted by torzeck

Cool.They haven't changed the grill on the US website- it still builds with the titanium grill. I prefer the black.

Yeah it's weird. I think most people like the black above the silver yet it went to the 4 cylinder and not the 6.

BUT after looking at pics of the black grille on the black colored X3s I kinda prefer the silver.

On white, silver, gray etc. well basically all other colors besides the black I think the black gille looks better.

[roundtree]

Originally Posted by KingX

Yeah it's weird. I think most people like the black above the silver yet it went to the 4 cylinder and not the 6.

BUT after looking at pics of the black grille on the black colored X3s I kinda prefer the silver.

On white, silver, gray etc. well basically all other colors besides the black I think the black gille looks better.

I felt the same way until I saw my Sparkling Bronze with titanium. Definitely wouldn't be happy with the black grille.

[BSM328xi]

Great choice in colors!! We get ours on Friday!!!

[bigblackwolf]

Originally Posted by F10ster

I will try and post a sound clip later on this week. I mean it really sounds strange.

Congratulations, and excellent report. Looking forward to the soundtrack. Any possibility owners with a 4-cyl and 6-cyl can get together to make a soundtrack comparing the two engine versions?

[MetaX]

Hey did they go back to the matte black trim on the central vents and headlight control cluster? I thought that they moved to piano black across the board...

[535MSport]

Originally Posted by MetaX

Hey did they go back to the matte black trim on the central vents and headlight control cluster? I thought that they moved to piano black across the board...

Perhaps if you get a different trim pkg it comes with a gloss black.

[jsbos]

BMW has been using black or titanium grills on different trims of the same models for years. 3 series, X5 for example