[The X Men]

We just pick up our 13 X3 35i and I notice that the X3 tends to drift at high wind condition when driven over 75 MPH or so. Compare to our last 2 SUV, the Q5 and the Lexus RX450h, the X3 is a bit more unpredictable at high wind. Since it is a BMW, I expected it to be very stable at high speed, I must say I am a bit disappointed. I don't think its the electric steering since our Lexus had electric steering as well and did not behave like the X3 at high wind. The Lexus' suspension was also softer than the X3, so I don't think that is the problem either. I am thinking it must be the aerodynamics of the X3 that is causing the problem.

Anybody else notice this behavior?

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[Rogerbu]

No, sorry.
I have been impressed by my X3's stability in high winds. Better than the previous Toyota saloon I had.

I run with my tyres inflated 2 lb over the recommended. I feel that the ride is better and the consumption inproves.

[The X Men]

My tires are +2 PSI as well. Do you have DHP? That might be the difference.

[woodchuck1]

I also noticed more sensitivity to cross winds that I expected, and I'm also coming from a Lexus RX. We don't often have high winds here so I wouldn't call it objectionable, but certainly noticeable. I have DHP.

[plymjack]

I think its more the height that is what you are noticing. All vehicles will respond to cross winds, and the higher they are the more it will be noticeable. We had a large MPV in the pass and it was just as noticeable.

[The X Men]

The Q5 is the same height as the X3 and the Rx350 is an inch taller and in my opinion, they both handle the crosswind better at high speed.

[Booty]

Aerodynamics of a shoe box probably doesn't help!

[The X Men]

The BMW X3 does post the highest drag coefficient out of the 3 cars, X3=0.34, Q5 and RX350=0.33. I would not think an additional 0.01 in drag coefficient would make that much difference.

[JLed79]

I completely agree. The wife's car is a '13 X3. I have an e70 X5 sport package with ginormous tires on it. Her car is all over the road in crosswind. Mine doesn't move. Mine is taller too. I would kinda doubt the tire width would make much of a difference, but I don't know what else it could be.

[02420X3]

On this weekend's 200 mile excursion I was "nudged" by the wind more than once. I don't know whether or not it truly helped, or if it was just a false perception on my part, but while passing over one particularly high bridge I kicked in Sport Mode with DHP. I noticed that the pickup truck in front of me moved around a lot in the wind, while I moved around a little. Not exactly a scientific study, but I now have an excuse to run in Sport Mode on that stretch of road...

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

On this weekend's 200 mile excursion I was "nudged" by the wind more than once. I don't know whether or not it truly helped, or if it was just a false perception on my part, but while passing over one particularly high bridge I kicked in Sport Mode with DHP. I noticed that the pickup truck in front of me moved around a lot in the wind, while I moved around a little. Not exactly a scientific study, but I now have an excuse to run in Sport Mode on that stretch of road...

Yesterday, the Boston area had wind gust of up to 40 MPH, we had a hard time keeping the X3 in lane at 80 mph. At 65 mph, it was much better. Unfortunately, I do not have the DHP option, its starting to sound like the suspension is too soft and the car is getting lifted by the wind.

[Dechy]

Well, compared to my Honda Fit, the X3 handles the winds like a champ heh. My old Rainier though wouldn't move whateover in high winds... and that thing was a friggin brick.

[UKMS]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Yesterday, the Boston area had wind gust of up to 40 MPH, we had a hard time keeping the X3 in lane at 80 mph. At 65 mph, it was much better. Unfortunately, I do not have the DHP option, its starting to sound like the suspension is too soft and the car is getting lifted by the wind.

There are so many other factors that can affect what happens to a vehicle when driving in wind rather than just the wind speed ...... other vehicles that are near you, the terrain, wind direction etc etc etc. One thing that springs to mind here is the vehicle speed ..... i have to say im not surprised you had difficulty keeping it in lane at 80mph driving in gusty conditions .... maybe Im old fashioned but I was always taught to slow down in adverse weather

MS

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by ukstevens

i have to say im not surprised you had difficulty keeping it in lane at 80mph driving in gusty conditions .... maybe Im old fashioned but I was always taught to slow down in adverse weather

MS

Well, we did slow down to about 65 MPH, then everybody else just pass us at a higher speed
I guess my point is that other SUV in this class such as RX350, Q5, ML350 or Range Rover do not exhibit this behavior to the extend of the X3 at high speed in windy conditions.

[woodchuck1]

I do think there's a cross wind stability issue with the X3, and I'll bet it's related to those ridiculous run flat tires. It's just a hunch, but almost every tire attribute is compromised for those stiff sidewalls. I, for one, am looking forward to the day they wear out, and from what I've heard that won't take too long.

[DonC]

My M-Sport X3 3.5i is much more stable than my 954Runner was. I also use the "sport" mode in cross winds.

[nyalpine90]

seriously who drives that fast on a windy day, some people have no common sense.

drive a tank

[The X Men]

Going to have the front wheel alignment check tomorrow, I will let you guys know the result.

[rhubarb]

I think the car is pretty stable in high winds and also feels very planted in wet weather.

[liverman]

Originally Posted by The X Men

We just pick up our 13 X3 35i and I notice that the X3 tends to drift at high wind condition when driven over 75 MPH or so. Compare to our last 2 SUV, the Q5 and the Lexus RX450h, the X3 is a bit more unpredictable at high wind. Since it is a BMW, I expected it to be very stable at high speed, I must say I am a bit disappointed. I don't think its the electric steering since our Lexus had electric steering as well and did not behave like the X3 at high wind. The Lexus' suspension was also softer than the X3, so I don't think that is the problem either. I am thinking it must be the aerodynamics of the X3 that is causing the problem.

Anybody else notice this behavior?

I drove my E83 X3 egularly in high winds (cross winds) along the front range in Colorado - 40 mph is a "normal" high wind event. Gusts in the hurricane force (65+) range are "high"

Yes the vehicle would get rocked when a gust hit or when I pulled out of a road cut or onto a bridge. It did not wander all over the road. I will note that 85 mph is about the max I drive here. That's 10 over the limit and CSP is particular about enforcing the limits here. I have no desire to rack up points or $$ by driving too fast. So I may not be testing in the same speed class as you are.

I do not expect my '14 F25 to be worse than my old E83. If I thought the X3 was squirrelly in high winds, I would not buy one here in Colorado.

I have not driven a lot of other SUVs, so I cannot compare it to the Audi or Lexus or Merc or Porsche.

[E92LNGCGY]

Yes I have that same issue in high wind situation. The car needs constant correction. I also have DHP, maybe better tires are needed? The M-Sport Goodyears are horrible.

[fwmcb]

My X3 28i has Pirellis and have been driving it for the 3 days that I have had it through heavy winds with no issue. Mind you it is a bit more susceptible to wind gusts than my 1 series was.