[DonC]

Well, Ok then - one less X3 driver.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by sids911

@EvilGenius: Equipping the vehicle with tires that can't perform off-road limits the vehicle's performance in those conditions. It is, quite literally, where the rubber meets the road. The stock car, as is, isn't competent for off-roading. That's my point.

Others, fortunately we did carry survival gear, food, heating etc so our absolute downside was limited even thought it never came down to it. The X3 design forces me to make a trade-off between "pack camping gear or pack spare". I don't want to make that trade off. And yes, while the RFTs "did their job", it's not good enough - I expect more. Like being able to put a spare tire as my grandfather could decades back.

So next time I'm not going to offer BMW my premium SUV dollars. They'll get my sedan dollars though; but my SUV money will go to a manufacturer who gets the job done right from the start.

You should not blame the car just because you are not prepare for off roading.

[pokerface]

Don't really want to jump on the bashing, but this is what CR had to say about the new Range's SUV tires:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...ires/index.htm

[Bimar]

As most have said it's pretty limited to conditions as below
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469982

Interesting video of X3 in. South African Safari
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496845

However, Death Valley is a whole different can of worms!

[richard in NC]

I have driven the X3 (and the X5) on the BMW Performance Center "other roads course" several times. It is a capable vehicle within certain understandable limitations.

The course takes you through bumpy wash board trails, but be mindful of deep ruts. No problems with 1 or 2 wheels off the ground but watch for high centering. Then there is a 20" water trough. Just keep moving.

You then drive up and down steep climbs and are tipped sideways too. No issues here.

The X3 is on factory all season tires but the road surface uses smooth coble stones. No sharp rocks period.

I would say given proper tires and a spare, the X3 could surprise many off road. But on a serious trail, a beater jeep is probably the smart thing. At least less to worry about....

[sids911]

Originally Posted by UKMS

Without adding too much more to this thread ..... Can I just ask why you purchased the X3 in the first place ? As most of your criticisms seem to rest with issues that would be obvious to any prospective buyer.

MS

I bought it because I trusted BMW to engineer a well designed SUV. I was originally getting the X5 but wife was more comfortable in the X3 (she drives a 325 and 328) I've had very good experience with BMWs and Porsche's in the past, so it was trust.

And that I needed a car in short order and had no time amidst running two tech startups and starting a family. The RFT had come to my mind when talking to the sales guy, but I brushed it off as "well, they'll use a size that's freely available". Guess what? They didn't! It's a weird size that wasn't available (even in non-RFTs variants!) anywhere in the 200 mile radius along the California/Nevada border. Now that I've been burnt by it, next time I'm going with a reputed brand when it comes to SUVs.

Specifically for X3s, this is horrible because it's a great car in every other sub-system. Just the "no-spare" tire castrates an otherwise great engine, design, AWD etc.

@DonC: If you think a poorly designed product impacts just one sale then ... well, I don't have time to explain, so I'm going to leave your bubble unpopped.

@Richard in NC: Absolutely - this is a great design otherwise. I don't get it why they just didn't go all the way. The engine and traction was incredible on Titus (which, BTW, is worse than the pictures above). I just wish their design didn't mandate a tradeoff between "travel gear" or "spare"...

I think we've discussed everything there is here, so I'm going to leave this at that.

Happy driving to everyone. May you have miles of lovely roads and a tankful of gas (and a spare tire - you know, just in case ) !

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by sids911

I bought it because I trusted BMW to engineer a well designed SUV.

You know what happens when you assume something Always do your homework and do not assume anything.
The X3 is a well design SAV, but I don't think any SUV will come with OEM tires that is suited for serious off roading, well, maybe a Hummer . Any experience off road driver knows that an spare tire is a must. If you do not have room in the cargo area, you can always tie to the roof rack or put your camping gears on a roof rack carrier.

[tntsE90]

I have to agree with the OP on this one, why build a SUV if your not going to include a spare tire with it? If your building a SUV with AWD, at least include a spare tire or small black doughnut. I drive up to Reno or Tahoe in Nevada in the winter and I can't imagine getting a flat or blow out on these areas ......

Can't imagine it costing that much more or having a big influence on gas mileage to have a spare tire.

[JC135]

I'm pretty sure the target market for the x3 is not people who drive Jeep or people who love to go off roading with their vehicles. I got an X3 xdrive35i and I will never be taking it off road, in fact I'll probably be lowering it.

I'm surprised it faired as well as it did other than the tires, although the situation you were put in sounds terrible. A relatively costly lesson.

[clivem2]

I wonder which wheels the OP has. Even 18 inch wheels wouldn't leave room for wall height suitable for off roading. 17 inch should be ok but they don't fit all X3s.

[Scooter Pie]

you just need an 'off-road' wheel/tire set + 'off-road' spare...

this is how i run my track car on race day, so running your X3 with smaller rims with bigger offroad tires +spare should be the price you pay to play.

[djjohnr]

http://www.socalsupertrucks.com/hitc...x#.VAet0o2wI15

[nyalpine90]

your welcome


http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

[m_alnimah]

The X3 isn't a JEEP! It is made to help you in the rain or snow or dirt roads not hardcore off roading... So in that case the X3 doesn't need a spare... When you look at the X5 for example, it has a Spare because the X5 is made for Hardcore Off Roading...

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by m_alnimah

When you look at the X5 for example, it has a Spare because the X5 is made for Hardcore Off Roading...

[HighPlainsCruiser]

The X3 is meant for smooth gravel roads only, anything much beyond washboard is stretching it.