[Paul_R_Canada]

Howdy All, my first post and i've been enjoying much on the forum for a couple weeks.

So im looking to move from my current riide (4 runner) to an xdrive based bmw, i dont need offroad, i do need some space for tools and occaisional large box, reliability, some towing (3500 lb max) for a utility trailer and fuel economy - the runners killing my wallet..

Ive frankly just discovered bmw cars, my last mcycle was an adventure but i had never considered bmw for a daily driver thinking they were just to small or too expensive, but ive been nicely surprised and its now top of my list. Took out. The mercedes GLK its nice but small and handling night and day from the beemer.

My wife and i went and drove a 2015 x3 diesel, its a great unit, i didnt get to see or drive a 3 series touring and im wondering whos driven them and opinions on space and one vs the other - what are the major differences in your opinion? Price wise they are close enough to be equal, touring is better on fuel in diesel by a bit, not enough to sway a decision.

Thanks, looking forward to hearing some thoughts.. Cheers

[Peter_R]

As we say in the UK in my opinion it is a no brainer. If you were comparing, it would like comparing apples to pears.

I have recently sold a 2012 F31 (Touring) 320d Sport and purchased a late 2013 F25 X3 xDrive Msport 30d.

Several things come to mind.

The seating position is low down and the visibility is not that good with the 3 series touring. In contrast, with the X3 you sit higher and have far better visibility all round. This makes for a more relaxed and ultimately a safer driving experience.

The boot (trunk) is far more useable on the X3. It swallows up more luggage and you can carry taller items because the height between the floor and the roof is far greater.

Naturally this subjective, so others will have a different view.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

As we say in the UK in my opinion it is a no brainer. If you were comparing, it would like comparing apples to pears.

I have recently sold a 2012 F31 (Touring) 320d Sport and purchased a late 2013 F25 X3 xDrive Msport 30d.

Several things come to mind.

The seating position is low down and the visibility is not that good with the 3 series touring. In contrast, with the X3 you sit higher and have far better visibility all round. This makes for a more relaxed and ultimately a safer driving experience.

The boot (trunk) is far more useable on the X3. It swallows up more luggage and you can carry taller items because the height between the floor and the roof is far greater.

Naturally this subjective, so others will have a different view.

Thanks Peter, looking at pics (all ihave to compare) i was thinking the "boot " (hey my parents were from the UK ) looked smaller and shorter, the ride height was not something id thought of, i do like tall in the saddle.

Do you find much handling difference ? I found the X3 was tight and confident on the road at speed and in corners, sporty..

[BeeMdblU]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

As we say in the UK in my opinion it is a no brainer. If you were comparing, it would like comparing apples to pears.

I have recently sold a 2012 F31 (Touring) 320d Sport and purchased a late 2013 F25 X3 xDrive Msport 30d.

Several things come to mind.

The seating position is low down and the visibility is not that good with the 3 series touring. In contrast, with the X3 you sit higher and have far better visibility all round. This makes for a more relaxed and ultimately a safer driving experience.

The boot (trunk) is far more useable on the X3. It swallows up more luggage and you can carry taller items because the height between the floor and the roof is far greater.

Naturally this subjective, so others will have a different view.

gotta agree, I have an f30 sedan and my wife an F25, I'm more comfortable in the X3 and I'm not a big guy, besides the boot, more leg and shoulder space

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by BeeMdblU

gotta agree, I have an f30 sedan and my wife an F25, I'm more comfortable in the X3 and I'm not a big guy, besides the boot, more leg and shoulder space

Thats interesting i wasnt seeing the touring as less shoulder/leg room, i am a tad large at 6'3 with l-o-n-g legs so thats a big deal.. We wont even go into foot size...

I can see the X3 definately has more of what im after, thanks..

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Paul_R_Canada

Do you find much handling difference ? I found the X3 was tight and confident on the road at speed and in corners, sporty..

If anything, the 3 series touring Sport (not M sport) was a little bit softer and if anything drifted out more (understeer) on roundabouts and on tight corners. Not too much though, but noticeable. In contrast, the X3 is tighter and holds the line, but please remember mine is the 3.0 litre diesel (258bhp) MSport, and has all the driver aids that corrects any driver mistakes and is very sure footed and fills you with confidence.

[brissim]

Three years ago when we got our X3 30d we did briefly consider the 3 series wagon (or touring as BMW likes to call it). In the end it was a bit of a no-brainer because in the Australian market the 6-cylinder 30d diesel was not available in the 3-series wagon which (again in the Aussie market) is limited to RWD only - no xdrive 3 series sedans or wagons.

But even without consideration of the engines, we favoured the SUV simply because for much the same amount of money you got more real-life elbow and shoulder room and more luggage volume. Also for us - who do a far bit of long distance country driving - the fuel tank on the X3 is about 10% bigger than the wagon (67l vs 60l - at least for Aussie-spec BMWs).

I trust you're asking the same question over at the F31 forums.

Tony

[Portimao318]

well, the X3 offers more room, and has an elevated driver position, which I like.
I feel safer in a car when sitting higher, and the view over traffic is better.
The 3 series should be faster and might be better in handling corners, for it will have a lower weight-point (can you say this in english?). The 3 series obviously uses less fuel, cause it has a better Cw coefficient and a lower weight.

Than, very important is the looks of car. What do you think looks better, the 3 series or the X3 . Nobody can answer this for you.

[Andy_o]

They are both very good cars ...

The 3 MSport xdrive will do most of what the X3 will do, but you drop down into one and step up into the other

That is a personal preference .. I considered both


What swung it for me was simple supply/demand and residual values

Here in the UK the 3 series is everywhere where you stand more chance of standing in rocking horse poo than seeing an X3

They are comparably priced

You can have a factory order 3 in a few weeks ... Wheras the X3 ... Oh don't get me started on that

So as a private buyer it was a no brainer as to where to put my money

[zzz]

Well, if you post this kind of question in X3 forum where people are mostly driving X3, expect a biased opinion

Coming from even bigger thing F11 (5 series Touring), I really like the agility, handling and height of X3 more. F11 always felt slow, long and heavy compared to this one, but I expect that 3 series touring will be lighter as well.

Fuel economy probably can't be beaten with 5 and 3 series, if that's what's important to you. I have a company fuel card, so I don't really care.

[Jordster]

I considered both and ordered the X3.

Personally, I had a slight preference for the lower centre of gravity on the 3, which to me made it a sportier drive. That was trumped though by the 50% larger cargo area in the X3. I need a family vehicle and the X3 was just a far more practical choice. The other thing is I have heavy 2 year old and another on the way, and taller doors make it much easier to get kids into car seats.

[clivem2]

It all depends on your needs and preferences. I has three 3 Series before my two X3s. The 3's are very low compared to most cars, that's part of what makes them handle so well. I'd had enough stooping down to get into the car and wanted a change. Unlike the X5 I find I just step into the X3. With the X5 I have a climb up. Go with your heart, you're the one that will have to live with your decision.

[ND40oz]

The F31 is only available in the US with the N20 and prices out the same as the F25 with the N55. That made it a non-starter when we were shopping. The real competitor is the F34 and if you don't mind giving up boot space and gaining rear leg room, then it may be a better buy even though comparably equipped it costs more.

We'll have to see if the 3er LCI brings some new features to the range.

[exon]

X3 definitely has more room. Length wise both x3 and 3 series are fine (for me), but for the driver space X3 is wider. Since you are coming from a Toyota, you will probably find all BMWs have very wide & bulging tranmissional tunnel eating into driver/passenger legroom, especially in the footwell where the pedals are at. X3 feels better than 3 series in this regard.

But if you are into driving, then 3 series beats X3 hands down. More agile, lighter on its feet (comparing base suspension to base suspension). X3 has pretty firm suspensions to control body roll, but there is no denying how much more weight is being transferred side to side compared to a 3 series. If you go with X3 you need to order the adaptive shocks....

BTW, X3 does feel more agile than F10 (pre-LCI), but that is probably saying more about the F10 instead of the X3...

[Northandy]

We've one of each on order, my x3 3.0d m sport is about 2 and a bit months away and in 4 weeks her 320d x drive m sport touring will be here.

[pokerface]

One thing though, the X3 has the aerodynamics of a barn so fuel economy is quite a bit worse than the equivalent sedan.

[MartinHattingh]

Originally Posted by pokerface

One thing though, the X3 has the aerodynamics of a barn so fuel economy is quite a bit worse than the equivalent sedan.

That, and the accompanying wind noise and susceptibility to cross-winds.

The 3 will be much more stable at high speed. Heck, even my F20 was substantially more sure-footed at highway cruising speed than my F25 is....

[Paul_R_Canada]

Thanks, lots of good info. Space is a premium, leg shoulder and storage and the x3 has the 3 beat on all three. I love to drive, but its a work and fun car so i have to do both, practical and fun.. Over the toyota the X3 is a sports car ��

Fuel wise the diesel to deisel comparison the 3 wagon is better, but not huge, the x3 is thrifty in town in the diesel, i cant complain.

Thansk to everyone for thoughts and opinions, great info..

[MetaX]

Have you considered the new 4 series GT? Seems to be a great mix of fun-to-drive, looks, and utility. I'd say that aside from the M3 & M4, it is the best 3 or 4 series variant that BMW currently offers.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by MetaX

Have you considered the new 4 series GT? Seems to be a great mix of fun-to-drive, looks, and utility. I'd say that aside from the M3 & M4, it is the best 3 or 4 series variant that BMW currently offers.

There is no 4 Series GT, there's the 3 Series GT, which is the F34 and the 4 Series GC, which is the F36. The F34 is the long wheel base hatch, whereas the F36 is the 4 door coupe.

[MetaX]

Whoops...I meant the 4 series Gran Coupe...

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by MetaX

Whoops...I meant the 4 series Gran Coupe...

Hey MetaX, the Gran Coupe is a nice looker but i need carry space for tools and occaisiomal large boxes, a level slide in and foot activated hatch is important, but if someone gave me one i wouldn't say no