Finally washed the car. Photos and writeup. Warning MANY photos.

sard · 10-02-2011, 01:28 AM

Car: 2011 X3 35i | Order date: July 7, 2011. Delivery Date: Aug. 29, 2011.

Impressions:
I think everyone has already done a good job on describing what the X3 is like so I'll make this short.

Looks: Looks great. I didn't like the unpainted plastic on the non M-Sport hence why I got the M-Sport.

Driving: Sporty. DHP set to effect chassis does well in reducing body roll on turns. The engine does seem to cut power very faintly during gear shifts under light throttle acceleration which is annoying if you're paying attention to it. Resulting effect is as if you're on a rocking horse. The transmission seems average. Top down camera is cool to help park and make sure you're even with the lines or to avoid curb rash. The run flat tires doesn't seem fine to me.

Interior: Good. Business like. Typical BMW. Many complained the bottom bins are cheap plastic. They are. It doesn't bother me at all though. I don't like how the M-Sport steering wheel gets fatter at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Like others have said, there is some wind noise driving at speed. Noticeable if you don't have the radio on and are listening for it, otherwise it probably wont bother you too much. I like all the tech and gizmos in the iDrive. I got premium sound and it sounds pretty good...nothing spectacular. I like the fact the rear windows roll all the way down.

Performance: Acceleration is good. Lazy throttle is maddening at times. Improved a little by putting it in Sport Mode with drivetrain, but who wants to waste gas at $4.01 / gallon. It's only mildly remedied also. When making quick sharp turns you can hear a noise from the steering wheel. Sort of like felt rubbing on felt or something. Maybe it's the electric motor. I hate it. Brakes are as expected. I think I'm getting round 18 mpg. I'm at 600 miles so I haven't floored it yet.

Versatility: Perfect size for our needs which is planned at just 2 kids. Cargo space out back is nice with lots of hooks/compartments. I like the 40:20:40 split seats to put a long object such as snowboards down the middle yet have room for two in the back. Looking forward to the 4 wheel drive when I finally get a chance to go to the slopes in Mammoth. Looking into the Thule Aeroblade crossbars, snowboard, and surfboard rack.

Quality: A little disappointed. First my paint defect. Now this whistling noise I hear at 20-30 mph with M-Sport set to effect drivetrain. Minor glue strands on roof liner. Excess 'funk' that I had to clean off various places such as engine bay, door jambs, etc.. that yellowish crusty stuff, I think it's some sort of anti corrosion goo.

All these photos wont mean much to people who already have the car, but might be useful for those looking into purchasing.

Pop up indicator to signify fully locked position

JOHNBMWM5 · 10-02-2011, 02:55 AM

Very Very Nice.

Bustofa · 10-02-2011, 03:13 AM

Good looking car! Great pictures.

sfax · 10-02-2011, 04:35 AM

Fantastic photos. Looks stunning in AW under that blue sky. Good idea taking some functional photos too

Dukat · 10-02-2011, 07:04 AM

Looks great Sard, thanks for sharing.

washy · 10-02-2011, 07:11 AM

Wonderful photos of a cool car.

Powerrunner · 10-02-2011, 08:10 AM

This is a very nice set of photos. Thanks for sharing with everyone.

powertech83 · 10-02-2011, 08:12 AM

Nice pictures

mibmwx3 · 10-02-2011, 08:13 AM

Great pictures. Thank you for posting them. Your hood looks polished on the inside. Is the entire hood polished? If so, could you post a picture. Mine is dull. What is the pop-up indicator on? The cargo shade? Mine doesn't have this.

married w/X3 · 10-02-2011, 10:02 AM

Thank you Sard. Now I want to unwrap my cargo net and try some configurations.

sard · 10-02-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mibmwx3

Great pictures. Thank you for posting them. Your hood looks polished on the inside. Is the entire hood polished? If so, could you post a picture. Mine is dull. What is the pop-up indicator on? The cargo shade? Mine doesn't have this.

The inside of my hood is definitely not polished =) It's dull also.

The pop up indicator tabs are on both the seat (left and right sections) and the removable trunk cargo shade/ ceiling net assembly (left and right side). The red tab disappears when it's fully in the closed position.

sard · 10-02-2011, 10:46 AM

Thank you everybody for the compliments

Want the thrill · 10-02-2011, 12:48 PM

Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing

flash3 · 10-02-2011, 12:52 PM

What did you use to wash/detail the car?

BIMMER UK 76 · 10-02-2011, 01:43 PM

These photos are better than the original bmw marketing shots - Awsome

What camera did you use?

sard · 10-02-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

What did you use to wash/detail the car?

Not to be a smart ass, but soap and water. Also a vacuum lol. Chemical Guys car wash soap. After washing the car I realized how unprotected the paint is. Next wash will be clay bar and sealant and possibly wax on top.

sard · 10-02-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIMMER UK 76

These photos are better than the original bmw marketing shots - Awsome

What camera did you use?

Thanks! It's a Nikon D700. Just ambient light. Was too tired to bust out the strobes.

flash3 · 10-02-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sard

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

What did you use to wash/detail the car?

Not to be a smart ass, but soap and water. Also a vacuum lol.

Lol! I meant the products - wax, soap type etc

jacb1301 · 10-02-2011, 02:14 PM

Very nice!

sard · 10-02-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

Quote:

Originally Posted by sard

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

What did you use to wash/detail the car?

Not to be a smart ass, but soap and water. Also a vacuum lol.

Lol! I meant the products - wax, soap type etc

Just Chemical Guys Citrus wash and gloss. It's just a basic car wash with a little gloss mixed in. Just dried and vacuumed that's all. Sure is a lot more work washing an SUV

I've always owned small cars.

sfax · 10-02-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sard

Just Chemical Guys Citrus wash and gloss. It's just a basic car wash with a little gloss mixed in. Just dried and vacuumed that's all. Sure is a lot more work washing an SUV

I've always owned small cars.

+1 agree on the extra work. First time I've needed to stand on a chair to wash a car's roof too!

CanadianDriver · 10-02-2011, 03:58 PM

uh-may-zing!
thanks for sharing

10-02-2011, 01:28 AM	#1
sard Major 235 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	Finally washed the car. Photos and writeup. Warning MANY photos. Car: 2011 X3 35i \| Order date: July 7, 2011. Delivery Date: Aug. 29, 2011. Impressions: I think everyone has already done a good job on describing what the X3 is like so I'll make this short. Looks: Looks great. I didn't like the unpainted plastic on the non M-Sport hence why I got the M-Sport. Driving: Sporty. DHP set to effect chassis does well in reducing body roll on turns. The engine does seem to cut power very faintly during gear shifts under light throttle acceleration which is annoying if you're paying attention to it. Resulting effect is as if you're on a rocking horse. The transmission seems average. Top down camera is cool to help park and make sure you're even with the lines or to avoid curb rash. The run flat tires doesn't seem fine to me. Interior: Good. Business like. Typical BMW. Many complained the bottom bins are cheap plastic. They are. It doesn't bother me at all though. I don't like how the M-Sport steering wheel gets fatter at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Like others have said, there is some wind noise driving at speed. Noticeable if you don't have the radio on and are listening for it, otherwise it probably wont bother you too much. I like all the tech and gizmos in the iDrive. I got premium sound and it sounds pretty good...nothing spectacular. I like the fact the rear windows roll all the way down. Performance: Acceleration is good. Lazy throttle is maddening at times. Improved a little by putting it in Sport Mode with drivetrain, but who wants to waste gas at $4.01 / gallon. It's only mildly remedied also. When making quick sharp turns you can hear a noise from the steering wheel. Sort of like felt rubbing on felt or something. Maybe it's the electric motor. I hate it. Brakes are as expected. I think I'm getting round 18 mpg. I'm at 600 miles so I haven't floored it yet. Versatility: Perfect size for our needs which is planned at just 2 kids. Cargo space out back is nice with lots of hooks/compartments. I like the 40:20:40 split seats to put a long object such as snowboards down the middle yet have room for two in the back. Looking forward to the 4 wheel drive when I finally get a chance to go to the slopes in Mammoth. Looking into the Thule Aeroblade crossbars, snowboard, and surfboard rack. Quality: A little disappointed. First my paint defect. Now this whistling noise I hear at 20-30 mph with M-Sport set to effect drivetrain. Minor glue strands on roof liner. Excess 'funk' that I had to clean off various places such as engine bay, door jambs, etc.. that yellowish crusty stuff, I think it's some sort of anti corrosion goo. All these photos wont mean much to people who already have the car, but might be useful for those looking into purchasing. Pop up indicator to signify fully locked position __________________ E92 M3 - DCT - 20" BBS LM-R - KW Clubsport - Akrapovic Exhaust - Powerchip Tune - Arkym Aero Kit - HID Halo Last edited by sard; 10-02-2011 at 04:46 PM..
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10-02-2011, 02:55 AM	#2
JOHNBMWM5 Live for today tomorrow never comes 1989 Rep 9,498 Posts Drives: 2022 LCI Marina Bay Blue/ Smok Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Very Very Nice. __________________ Live for now, life is too short. 2021 LCI M5 Marina Bay Blue/ Smoked White Leather
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10-02-2011, 03:13 AM	#3
Bustofa Lieutenant 7 Rep 470 Posts Drives: F25 X3 XDrive20D SE Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Washington, UK iTrader: (0)	Good looking car! Great pictures.
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10-02-2011, 04:35 AM	#4
sfax Brigadier General 91 Rep 3,855 Posts Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Fantastic photos. Looks stunning in AW under that blue sky. Good idea taking some functional photos too __________________ F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package \| dynamic package \| climate package \| 309s \| xline \| xenons \| electric seats \| folding mirrors \| business speakers
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10-02-2011, 07:04 AM	#5
Dukat First Lieutenant 25 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Looks great Sard, thanks for sharing. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Mineral Silver \| Oyster \| Wave Wood Packages \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Dynamic Handling \| Premium \| Technology \| Premium Sound
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10-02-2011, 07:11 AM	#6
washy Captain 225 Rep 752 Posts Drives: M2c/S1000RR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Wonderful photos of a cool car. __________________ '17 S1000RR , '19 M2 Competition HS
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10-02-2011, 08:10 AM	#7
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	This is a very nice set of photos. Thanks for sharing with everyone.
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10-02-2011, 08:12 AM	#8
powertech83 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 208 Posts Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	Nice pictures
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10-02-2011, 08:13 AM	#9
mibmwx3 Private First Class 10 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Great pictures. Thank you for posting them. Your hood looks polished on the inside. Is the entire hood polished? If so, could you post a picture. Mine is dull. What is the pop-up indicator on? The cargo shade? Mine doesn't have this.
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10-02-2011, 10:02 AM	#10
married w/X3 1st time BMW owner 0 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey X3 28i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Thank you Sard. Now I want to unwrap my cargo net and try some configurations.
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10-02-2011, 10:46 AM	#12
sard Major 235 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	Thank you everybody for the compliments __________________ E92 M3 - DCT - 20" BBS LM-R - KW Clubsport - Akrapovic Exhaust - Powerchip Tune - Arkym Aero Kit - HID Halo
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10-02-2011, 12:48 PM	#13
Want the thrill Lieutenant Colonel 330 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M40i, retired ‘11 X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MI iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 X4M40i [10.00]	Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing
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10-02-2011, 12:52 PM	#14
flash3 Captain 68 Rep 654 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	What did you use to wash/detail the car?
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10-02-2011, 01:43 PM	#15
BIMMER UK 76 Major 50 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	These photos are better than the original bmw marketing shots - Awsome What camera did you use? __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps
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10-02-2011, 02:14 PM	#19
jacb1301 Private First Class 13 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d AW-Tobacco Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Very nice! __________________ Drives: 2012 X5 35d/Alpine White/Tobacco/Dark Bamboo/Premium PKG/Sports Activity PKG/Premium Audio PKG/Running Boards
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10-02-2011, 03:58 PM	#22
CanadianDriver Captain 99 Rep 614 Posts Drives: P3D- Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	uh-may-zing! thanks for sharing
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