[greg2step]

after 2 weeks of serious deliberation I have chosen the X3 over the Q5

I have my specs mostly lined out - I have decided on the 35i despite really being able to live with the 28i... only live once

Deep Sea Blue
Chestnut leather
alumunium brush trim
technology
premium
convenience
cold weather
upgraded sound sytem
sirius

thats pretty much what I want - i'm stuck on SAP or not, and if i get SAP should I get DHP to go with? By opting for the 35i over the 28i and the Audi 2.0T - i'm spending about as much as I care too.

SAP - I want the sport mode and the paddle shifters, i don't want the seats, take or leave the trim - would prefer to stay in 18" tires

DHP - want the steering more than the rear bias

my current car is a 328xi sportwagon - i think the x3 35i is a worthy replacement - just need to make a few decisions and place an order for sept build hopefully.

[XRP]

M Sport???????

[colson79]

If you are ordering for September you will probably have to go with a 2012. I plan on ordering soon as well but I am holding out for the 2012's. You might want to check 2012 price and package sticky on the top of this forum as the packages have changed for 2012. I'm going to order mine pretty loaded and the pricing comes out better for me on a 2012. I was going to get the same packages as you are but I decided to add the SAP package. I want the paddled shifters and the seats, plus with the 2012's they added the 19" rims to the SAP package.

[walendvay]

I have a 2.8 with SAP and DHP.

With SAP, I love the support of the seats! I felt like I slid side to side in the standard seats. My wife likes the chrome and the steering wheel is sporty! I opted against the M package as I like the black plastic below the doors, as it won't show road grime.

I don't have paddle shifters as I have the 2.8. However, I can do the same thing with the gear shift lever.

DHP really firms up the suspension for twisty roads. It also firms up the steering wheel. Personally, I have sport mode set to just tweak the chassis and not the transmission shifting as sport+ will do both and turn off DSC.

DHC was a last minute add and I am so glad I did!! It makes a difference!

Good luck!

[tagz]

I chose 35i with SAP... I simply love the wheels... they r really really good looking.. I did not go for DHP as I am a daily city driver with occasional road-trips...

[BruceOmega]

When we were configuring the order for our new 35i, I put the Sport Activity Package on the list of options primarily for the sport seats with their thigh support, and the thicker steering wheel. I missed having these on our previous '06 X3 after having them on my sedan. I also wanted to try the sport automatic transmission but that was more of a secondary reason.

For the DHP option, I decided to include that in our options unless I discovered an overwhelmingly compelling reason not to get it. In my mind, the combination of SAP and DHP was the equivalent of the old "sport package" for better handling, only now with a better ability to cope with less than smooth roads.

From a financial perspective, the delta increase in cost for DHP, if you're already getting SAP, is a small percentage of the purchase price and I did not want to have regrets later.

I can't comment on how a 35i with both SAP and DHP compares to one with just SAP, or with neither.

I can comment that when I put our 35i in Sport setting with the rocker switch, and move the gear shift lever left to the S mode, it handles extremely well for a vehicle of this type, and is very responsive, while still having a compliant ride- much better than our non sport '06 X3.

Thanks
Bruce

[tagz]

Originally Posted by BruceOmega

When we were configuring the order for our new 35i, I put the Sport Activity Package on the list of options primarily for the sport seats with their thigh support, and the thicker steering wheel. I missed having these on our previous '06 X3 after having them on my sedan. I also wanted to try the sport automatic transmission but that was more of a secondary reason.

For the DHP option, I decided to include that in our options unless I discovered an overwhelmingly compelling reason not to get it. In my mind, the combination of SAP and DHP was the equivalent of the old "sport package" for better handling, only now with a better ability to cope with less than smooth roads.

From a financial perspective, the delta increase in cost for DHP, if you're already getting SAP, is a small percentage of the purchase price and I did not want to have regrets later.

I can't comment on how a 35i with both SAP and DHP compares to one with just SAP, or with neither.

I can comment that when I put our 35i in Sport setting with the rocker switch, and move the gear shift lever left to the S mode, it handles extremely well for a vehicle of this type, and is very responsive, while still having a compliant ride- much better than our non sport '06 X3.

Thanks
Bruce

It also depends on what roads you drive... I have a 35i with SAP but NO DHP. Its only been a few days with my new car, but I do not miss DHP. Time will tell!

[Le Chef]

I order a 35 with SAP and DHP. I looked at the M Sport package but it's really all codpiece and no performance gain - a bit like a spoiler on a Civic - so saved my money.

[BruceOmega]

Originally Posted by tagz

It also depends on what roads you drive... I have a 35i with SAP but NO DHP. Its only been a few days with my new car, but I do not miss DHP. Time will tell!

I agree it depends on the roads you drive and your driving style.

What would really be helpful would be to have access to two 35i's with SAP, one with DHP and one without DHP, for back to back test drives. That was impossible for me to find when I was shopping.

In my own case, I wanted an adjustable suspension, whether I adjust it with the rocker switch or it dynamically adjusts itself to the road conditions, and that requires DHP.

Thanks
Bruce

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

I order a 35 with SAP and DHP. I looked at the M Sport package but it's really all codpiece and no performance gain - a bit like a spoiler on a Civic - so saved my money.

Thank GOD somebody agrees with me on this.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by juddholland

Thank GOD somebody agrees with me on this.

Are we forgettign PC here (performance control)?

I took an M SPort 30d for a drive - I was impressed with its cornering ability under power.

The sales manager took it on a lap of an industrial estate and I followed in my Z4.

On a steep uphill corner, he was powering away (in a 190kW diesel) while I was sliding out the rear wheels on my 250kW (and 250kg lighter) Z4.

I dont doubt the value of PC in the powerful models inthe X3 range. Simply brilliant.
I even paid $5K more than I would normally have haggled because I think the car and handling is that good with the PC.

[Beyu]

Originally Posted by greg2step

SAP - I want the sport mode and the paddle shifters, i don't want the seats, take or leave the trim - would prefer to stay in 18" tires

DHP - want the steering more than the rear bias

Everyone else already summed it up very well so there's not much for me to add.

Please don't take this the wrong way but I find you a strange fellow; the items that you don't really care about that are included in the SAP & DHP are usually the main ones that people want and the ones that you do want are usually the ones that most people don't care about. This isn't meant to be mean or rude in any way, it's just my observation.

[Nahoa]

If you haven't already, try the sport seats. Huge improvent in my opinion.

How is your 328xi sport wagon equipped? (Love the wagons, btw.). W/o the sport package I considered them fairly soft and the steering loose. If tha suits you, might not be happy with the SAP w/o DHP to soften things up a bit at least sometimes..

[sard]

I love the way the SUV looks with the M Sport package, as to why I chose it. The DHP was a very LAST minute decision right before the car went into production. I basically tossed $1300 for the ability to stiffen up the chassis. I kept going back and forth in my head if it's really worth it. So is it really worth it? I don't know yet until I have the car, but for peace of mind that I can stiffen it up, it's worth it to me. The two X3's I've driven on test drives did not have DHP and I found it to roll a bit on turns. Keep in mind I'm normally driving a 2008 M3 with 30 series tires and dropped really low on coilovers. I also have never owned a SUV, just small coupes.

[lhsa]

Codpiece or not, m-sport completes the exterior look. can't stand the black, rough plastic bits along the bottom on stock X3's. that's why i chose m-sport.

[Nahoa]

The M sport offers the same chassis as the SAP. No difference.

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by lhsa

Codpiece or not, m-sport completes the exterior look. can't stand the black, rough plastic bits along the bottom on stock X3's. that's why i chose m-sport.

That's the way, if you like the look, get it. Not fir me, but great for you!

[greg2step]

thanks for the advice - well except who called me strange

leaning towars SAP - trying to find one to sit in so i can feel the seats before i sign on the dotted line. my client advisor suggested I sit in a 3 series w/ sport seats to get a feel - are they close enough?

DHP may not happen, just can't let this X3 get any more pricy.

so anyone wanna buy a 2008 328xi sportwagon?

[greg2step]

M sport is def not happening either - just a matter of money same as DHP

[Nahoa]

Very close if not exactly the same seats. Recommend driving, not just sitting

[greg2step]

also as for model year - i'm being told the september slots are 2011 - the transistion should happen sometime in early oct. probably looking at a 2011, but if it ends up a 2012 i don't mind.

[Le Chef]

Originally Posted by lhsa

Codpiece or not, m-sport completes the exterior look. can't stand the black, rough plastic bits along the bottom on stock X3's. that's why i chose m-sport.

Also running board uv strip lights will be an exclusive M-Sport option. And I think the M-Sport also comes with a velvet lined Viagra pouch for the front passenger door pocket. Whatever floats your boat!