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      01-05-2014, 11:54 AM   #1
PKizzle
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New Guy, sort of

Hey All,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I've spent a bit of time on the E90 forums, and have been lurking around the X3 forum these past few weeks since we started looking at an X3 28i for my wife.

We initially considered the Q5 2.0and the RX 350 as well. I would not have minded the Q5 at all, but was a little apprehensive that my wife may end up preferring the Lexus. I have an intense dislike for all things Lexus, but this turned out to be a non-concern as 5 minutes into the test drive she was like 'whoa...this thing drives just like my dad's minivan...I hate it!'. The look on the salesman's face was priceless.

Test driving the X3 pretty much clinched it. She was grinning the whole time. Her current car is an Infiniti EX35 and I was surprised that she seemed to think the X3 was even more fun to drive than the EX. We placed the order in mid-December and the status just changed to 'Production Started'. Our CA thinks we should be able to get the car by end of January. Will post pictures once we pick her up. Cannot wait.

This is our config,

Mineral Silver X3 28i
Mojave Leather Interior
Wave Wood trim
Premium Package
Lighting Package
Driver Assistance Package
Heated Seats
Satin Roof Rails

I am a long time BMW believer, but my wife has never expressed any interest in driving. So way to go BMW - you've made even an avowed 'I don't care about driving' girl pick a car based on how much fun it was to drive.
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      01-05-2014, 12:33 PM   #2
ianfp
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Congratulations on the car! I am not surprised she liked it as they are very nice to drive - even my 4 cylinder diesel!
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      01-05-2014, 07:18 PM   #3
pmeloche
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Congratulations on your purchase. You'll both like the car. I am surprised that your wife thought the RX350 drove like her dad's minivan. I once test drove an RX350 and it felt fine but not as good as the X5/X3.

Cheers.
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      01-06-2014, 03:17 PM   #4
PKizzle
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ianfp View Post
Congratulations on the car! I am not surprised she liked it as they are very nice to drive - even my 4 cylinder diesel!
Thank you. The 4 cylinder diesel is not even an option here. BMW needs to do a better job of bringing and marketing their diesels in the US. Such a shame.
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      01-06-2014, 03:23 PM   #5
PKizzle
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Originally Posted by pmeloche View Post
Congratulations on your purchase. You'll both like the car. I am surprised that your wife thought the RX350 drove like her dad's minivan. I once test drove an RX350 and it felt fine but not as good as the X5/X3.

Cheers.
She said she disliked how the RX steering felt so utterly disconnected to what was going on at the wheels. Apparently the loose steering made her feel like she was not in control of the car. And she didn't care for the staggering amount of body roll either. A lot of this could also be attributed to the fact that she's used to the way our EX35 drives and feels, a fun little car but with pathetic rear seat and hatch space.
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      01-20-2014, 08:52 PM   #6
PKizzle
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So, after a long month of waiting and daily checking of build status, we picked up our X3 this weekend and it has been a delight. The car is just perfect - stylish exterior, a truly beautiful interior with the Mojave and dark wood trim, the right size for our needs and simply amazing handling for such a high vehicle. If I weren't sitting so high up, I could be convinced that I was driving a 3-series. I was a little apprehensive after placing our order as to whether the 2.8 would be adequate, but this motor is a gem and with the 8-speed auto is just perfect for the X3 - plenty of power, torque-y, fuel efficient and with a nice snarl to it. I've been having a blast driving it.

And the icing on the cake - my wife who has never expressed any interest in driving has all of a sudden discovered that 'driving is fun' and that she wants to drive the X3 all the time. I may have however opened a can of worms by bringing her into the BMW family, because she now wants to learn to drive my 6MT 335is so 'we can switch cars every now and then'.

Needless to say, we are very happy with our purchase!

And now for your viewing pleasure...
Attached Images
   

Last edited by PKizzle; 01-20-2014 at 09:03 PM..
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      01-20-2014, 09:21 PM   #7
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Very nice! Enjoy!
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      01-20-2014, 09:38 PM   #8
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Very nice! Enjoy!
Thank you. Nice choice of cars, btw. Now why does that sound familiar...
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      01-21-2014, 02:35 AM   #9
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My wife also has previously had little interest in cars - a brief flirt with a drop head but otherwise no real cares.
The she had a week driving X5 & X6s - loved em but just to big for her...... so we tried an X1.... OK but not much space..... but once in the X3 its hard to get her out of it. Now we "share" the driving and we both love it.
Spent last to years thinking of places to go - just so we can drive there...Had a lot of fun with it and hope you do to0....Good Luck
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      01-21-2014, 09:33 AM   #10
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PKizzle, congrats on the new X3, Mojave is a beautiful color.
We had a 2010 RX450h and I thought the steering was about the same as the X3, the RX did have a bit more body roll, but I find the RX a bit more stable on the highway when it is windy out. Overall, you cannot go wrong with either SUV, but if a sporty SUV is what your wife is after, you cannot go wrong with the X3.
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      01-21-2014, 07:55 PM   #11
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Congrats it's a beauty.Enjoy PKizzle.
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      01-22-2014, 09:32 AM   #12
PKizzle
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plymjack, The X Men, Ziba - Appreciate the response. Thank you.

Only regret so far is not getting the rear window shades. I should have ordered the darn thing. We have a 9 month old who has to be in a carrier facing backwards and she is not a happy camper when the sun is in her face. We're just going to use one of those stick on shades for now. They look a bit cheesy and you cannot roll the window down, but will work as a temporary solution.

Any suggestions?
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      01-22-2014, 10:11 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKizzle View Post
plymjack, The X Men, Ziba - Appreciate the response. Thank you.

Only regret so far is not getting the rear window shades. I should have ordered the darn thing. We have a 9 month old who has to be in a carrier facing backwards and she is not a happy camper when the sun is in her face. We're just going to use one of those stick on shades for now. They look a bit cheesy and you cannot roll the window down, but will work as a temporary solution.

Any suggestions?
How about these:

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/895/BMW-SUN-VISORS
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      01-22-2014, 12:06 PM   #14
PKizzle
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Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
I looked at those, but the individual shades are not available for the F25. Only for the older generation.

The only option for the F25 is a full set of side, rear quarter and rear shades and the price on this is $ 532 uninstalled -http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/3240/BMW-SUN-BLIND, or around $800 installed at the dealer. Looks like this may involve removal of the door panel etc., and I don't want to take apart a brand new car. Plus it's way too much money for something that we'd use only a few times a year.

I am going to get the front side windows tinted and if the NC regulations permit it, I am going to see if I can get a darker tint installed over the rear privacy glass.

Last edited by PKizzle; 01-22-2014 at 12:15 PM..
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