How do you deal with extra height of X3?

JoeyO · 03-28-2012, 01:23 AM

Let me explain...I've driven sport sedans for my entire life and now am considering purchasing an X3. I've never owned an SUV before so I'm not used the extra height upon entry/exit into the cabin. I have short legs so my legs just barely touch the pavement when rotating when seated. They almost dangle.

It's an odd feeling for me and was wondering if it's something I will eventually get used to after taking ownership? I hope it does, because I like everything else about the X3. I rather get it instead of an F30 sedan. I would never drop the suspension. Thoughts?

Nahoa · 03-28-2012, 04:19 AM

I'd say you get used to it. In many cars my feet don't touch the pavement when rotating out, and that's the case here, too. They don't touch until I'm sliding/tipping a bit out of the seat. The sill is available to use as an intermediate step, if desired. It's not anything that's bothered me about the car over the year. I assume you've tried it so you know it's definitely higher than the sedans, but it's not as tall as some other SUVs you might have encountered. Coming fom a 330i.

Ural · 03-28-2012, 07:34 AM

You definitely get used to it. I am so used to tall vehicles that now I have a 320d loaner for 2 weeks and every time I get in I feel like I am falling down

stactum · 03-28-2012, 08:33 AM

I guess it's easier to get used to taller vehicle than to go to shorter.

My wife was absolutely convinced she wants a sports sedan after driving RAV4 for past 6 years and trying them out made her realize that she can't get used to falling in and sit low. So we ended up getting a great balance of sports and size/height in X3.

DavC5000 · 03-28-2012, 08:58 AM

stepping stool?

clivem2 · 03-28-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavC5000

stepping stool?

Just don't step in stool

terrytnt · 03-28-2012, 09:01 AM

I too am coming from a sedan - Lexus G400 and YES, it did take a little getting used to. I've had my 2012 X3 35i (M) for 2 months and I love it. I particular enjoy the sport mode/ DHP and handling characteristics... it's quite amazing that the X3 performs almost as agile as my sedan. But looks way more cool!

roundtree · 03-28-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ural

You definitely get used to it. I am so used to tall vehicles that now I have a 320d loaner for 2 weeks and every time I get in I feel like I am falling down

+1 Having switched to the X3 from small Honda in January, I'm loving the height. I used to have to "fold" into my car and invariably bang my knee on the dash in the process.

No such worries with my bimmer.

Beyu · 03-28-2012, 10:24 AM

Perhaps you could look into aftermarket or custom made running boards.

My dad put metal running boards/bars on his CR-V for my grandparents and I believe the CR-V is even shorter than the X3.

I've also seen some previous gen X3s with running boards and it looks great, not sure if they're from factory or aftermarket though.

raleedy · 03-28-2012, 05:53 PM

So much easier to climb into the car and fall out than the other way around!

April1 · 03-28-2012, 07:32 PM

I also switched from Sedan. I have back problem and I find X3 so convinient/ comfortable to enter/ exit without stressing my back. I luv it.

03-28-2012, 01:23 AM	#1
JoeyO Captain 208 Rep 814 Posts Drives: silver car Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	How do you deal with extra height of X3? Let me explain...I've driven sport sedans for my entire life and now am considering purchasing an X3. I've never owned an SUV before so I'm not used the extra height upon entry/exit into the cabin. I have short legs so my legs just barely touch the pavement when rotating when seated. They almost dangle. It's an odd feeling for me and was wondering if it's something I will eventually get used to after taking ownership? I hope it does, because I like everything else about the X3. I rather get it instead of an F30 sedan. I would never drop the suspension. Thoughts?
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03-28-2012, 04:19 AM	#2
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I'd say you get used to it. In many cars my feet don't touch the pavement when rotating out, and that's the case here, too. They don't touch until I'm sliding/tipping a bit out of the seat. The sill is available to use as an intermediate step, if desired. It's not anything that's bothered me about the car over the year. I assume you've tried it so you know it's definitely higher than the sedans, but it's not as tall as some other SUVs you might have encountered. Coming fom a 330i. __________________ Last edited by Nahoa; 03-28-2012 at 08:11 PM..
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03-28-2012, 07:34 AM	#3
Ural Private First Class 4 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 20d Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Istanbul,Turkey iTrader: (0)	You definitely get used to it. I am so used to tall vehicles that now I have a 320d loaner for 2 weeks and every time I get in I feel like I am falling down
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03-28-2012, 08:33 AM	#4
stactum Private 11 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 340i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sussex, WI USA iTrader: (0)	I guess it's easier to get used to taller vehicle than to go to shorter. My wife was absolutely convinced she wants a sports sedan after driving RAV4 for past 6 years and trying them out made her realize that she can't get used to falling in and sit low. So we ended up getting a great balance of sports and size/height in X3.
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03-28-2012, 08:58 AM	#5
DavC5000 Private 0 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2011 Bmw X3 28i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	stepping stool?
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03-28-2012, 09:01 AM	#7
terrytnt Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i M/DHP Carbon Black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Yardley, PA iTrader: (0)	I too am coming from a sedan - Lexus G400 and YES, it did take a little getting used to. I've had my 2012 X3 35i (M) for 2 months and I love it. I particular enjoy the sport mode/ DHP and handling characteristics... it's quite amazing that the X3 performs almost as agile as my sedan. But looks way more cool!
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03-28-2012, 10:24 AM	#9
Beyu Lieutenant 13 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Perhaps you could look into aftermarket or custom made running boards. My dad put metal running boards/bars on his CR-V for my grandparents and I believe the CR-V is even shorter than the X3. I've also seen some previous gen X3s with running boards and it looks great, not sure if they're from factory or aftermarket though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2012, 05:53 PM	#10
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	So much easier to climb into the car and fall out than the other way around!
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03-28-2012, 07:32 PM	#11
April1 Love All 170 Rep 740 Posts Drives: X3 28i 2011 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (2)	I also switched from Sedan. I have back problem and I find X3 so convinient/ comfortable to enter/ exit without stressing my back. I luv it.
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