[Sabian]

As I wait ever so patiently for my X3 to arrive, and as days seem to stretch out to what seems like a weeks, I come home and read the forums and latest reviews etc.. at night. I read this review the other night and thought I'd share.

First off, I want to say, the one thing I really like about the X3's interior is the fact that it is simple, functional, and not trying to be too fancy or gaudy. I love the clean look of it and the fact they didn't over do it by trying to be too ornate and overly detailed like some other luxury cars. I'm not saying it's a perfect interior by any means, there is definately room for improvement but I like it better than some of the competitors.

I know you can't please everyone, and this review isn't all that bad, they sure seem to hate the interior though, but I beg to differ. Ha ha ha, the fisher-price canoe wood refernce cracks me up.

"SORRY-EXCUSE FOR A LUXURY INTERIOR

Not having had time to really soak-in the new exterior shape, I hopped aboard the redesigned sport ute to be greeted by perhaps the most disappointing car interior since the Chevy Camaro. With the exception of some Fisher Price-grade canoe wood trim, the X3’s cabin is drab and monotone... "

"...staring at the expanses of unappealing leather, a temporary bout of buyers remorse is likely to become something more chronic."

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...view-1560.html

[Want the thrill]

The model they drove didn't have the sport seats (or much else from what it sounds like) which I think make the interior so much better. I have no regrets!!

[Bimar]

they are definitely Audi fans.. what more can you expect..

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

The model they drove didn't have the sport seats (or much else from what it sounds like) which I think make the interior so much better. I have no regrets!!

They also recommend you DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES buy the Siena wood with the Black Nevada. N.O.

[Beyu]

Wow that was a harsh review.

Personally I don't have any buyer's remorse since it's not like I blindly bought the car and anyone who's recieved their X3 already shouldn't feel bad about their decision.

BMWs are known for being performance oriented cars and having very utilitarian interiors. It's very easy for a manufacturer to up the quality of the interiors, you simply use better materials but difficult to improve performance and handling while trying to balance fuel economy. I'll admit the X3's interior isn't quite up to par with some of it's competitors but it's not as bad as what the reviewer's saying. BMW could simply start with using better leather, you'd think since it's a rougher leather that it might be durable except this isn't the case. My stepdad's 2005 Sienna has smoother leather that my X3 and still looks new while mine is already starting to crease, it's pretty embarrassing that a 6 year old Toyota has a better interior than a new BMW.

The way that I see the X3 when compared with cars like the Q5 is this, X3 owners tell themselves that their interior doesn't matter because they'll just smoke every one of it's competitors and Q5 owners say that performance doesn't matter because they're enjoying the cushy interior.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by juddholland

They also recommend you DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES buy the Siena wood with the Black Nevada. N.O.

+1

[jacb1301]

Interesting Review...and I have read a lot of them over the last 4 months. I was completely sold on the Q5, was set to make the order...and then on an impulse pulled in to the BMW dealer to test the X3 before going forward with the Q5. And immediately it was the interior of the X3 that changed my mind, then after driving it, I was for the first time a BMW fan. That night I talked to my wife about it, she thought I was crazy...until she went to look at it with me the next weekend. That day we made our order and are pumped to have our X3 on the way. Our good friend just got his Q5 in a few weeks ago, and I still have no regrets after seeing his up close. The interior is very well made and open, exterior is slick...and it will look sick in the Alpine White with the M Sport package.

***
X3 28i Alpine White
Mojave Leather
M Sport Pkg
Prem pkg
Tech pkg
Conv pkg
Heated seats, steering wheel
Fold down rear

[Lotus7]

The autoguide.com review by Mr. Colum Wood is available to anyone on line at no cost. The old saying: "You get what you've paid for" certainly holds true here. Mr. Colum Wood is entitled to his opinion, and so are the 6000 people each month who purchase X3s at $40,000 to over $100,000 each in some countries) and are apparently happy with the interior. Who's opinion do you think matters more to BMW?

As for me, my personal review of Mr. Woods is: What kind of a name is "Colum"? I personally think it's a sorry excuse for a car reviewer's name. His parents should be recalled. And why is an obviously visually impaired person reviewing cars in the first place?

[AJWilson]

+1

[mole7374]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The autoguide.com review by Mr. Colum Wood is available to anyone on line at no cost. The old saying: "You get what you've paid for" certainly holds true here. Mr. Colum Wood is entitled to his opinion, and so are the 6000 people each month who purchase X3s at $40,000 to over $100,000 each in some countries) and are apparently happy with the interior. Who's opinion do you think matters more to BMW?

As for me, my personal review of Mr. Woods is: What kind of a name is "Colum"? I personally think it's a sorry excuse for a car reviewer's name. His parents should be recalled. And why is an obviously visually impaired person reviewing cars in the first place?

+2...effin funny....

Yea that was harsh, but honestly there are probably 5-6 great reviews for every one, and like lotus said that 6K a month number really shows what matters...what did BMW sell in X3s in all of 2010 in the US..something like 5K? (I remember seeing that somewhere I think). Job done BMW...

ALso like WTT said, I think they lacked the sport seats too (which I know not eveyone likes...) however when I drove the Q5 and X3 back to back, the seats on the Q5 really stuck out as not being comfortable compared to the X

[vrrooom]

Prehaps the reviewer is new to the car business, as the 2011 X3 that I have is my 4th X3, and the interiors have vastly improved from my 2004. I also had the opportunity to drive a new X5 at the PDC when I picked up my X3 last month and the interior finish of the X3 is close to the X5. As for the Audi, they finished second, they did have a + on the X3 interior. But the handling with the adjustable suspension and power of the x3 clinched it for me as I also have a 335 which set the bar.

[jt2]

The author clearly has an axe to grind.

One has to look no further that the fact that he pans the X3 for gas mileage, yet the two class-mates of the X3 mentioned in the article do about the same (20/27 for the Q5 and 19/24 for the RDX vs. 19/26 for the X3) while yielding sluggish performance in comparison.

He goes on to imply that it has too much power, giving himself away as a complete wanker that should be writing for Consumer Reports or Appliance Monthly and not an automobile publication.

Other than that, loved the article.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by jt2

The author clearly has an axe to grind.

One has to look no further that the fact that he pans the X3 for gas mileage, yet the two class-mates of the X3 mentioned in the article do about the same (20/27 for the Q5 and 19/24 for the RDX vs. 19/26 for the X3) while yielding sluggish performance in comparison.

He goes on to imply that it has too much power, giving himself away as a complete wanker that should be writing for Consumer Reports or Appliance Monthly and not an automobile publication.

Other than that, loved the article.

+1 An excellent summary

[rs6655]

It's one persons opinion. Just because it's published doesn't make it worth more than anybody elses.

[torzeck]

I read this as well. Totally subjective and biased. I agree with others, he's just anti BMW or just doesn't get it and has zero taste.

[torzeck]

Originally Posted by juddholland

They also recommend you DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES buy the Siena wood with the Black Nevada. N.O.

I have the siena and the black nevada and I did waiver back and forth between it and the wave. Its not that bad. In some light it almost looks like real wood.

[Harplayr]

Very strange review.
This guy’s obviously not a “car guy” by any means. He’d be much more adept at reviewing home theater furniture. How he can turn the amazing performance into a quasi negative is beyond ridiculous. He just doesn’t get what BMW’s are all about.

To the question of buyer’s remorse?
I’ve had my F25 for a little over a week now. My only regret is not having enough time to drive it and waiting to hit the 1200 mile mark to open it up. It’s hands down the best car I’ve ever owned and that includes 3 previous BMWs.
It's a keeper.

[Beyu]

Originally Posted by torzeck

I have the siena and the black nevada and I did waiver back and forth between it and the wave. Its not that bad. In some light it almost looks like real wood.

Funny thing is it is real wood that's why critics are blasting BMW for not giving more/better trim options.

[rs6655]

Another thing worth pointing out is that BMW uses some of the finest leather in the world. The smooth leather that many cars use is top grain. BMW uses full grain.

[rs6655]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

Very strange review.
This guy’s obviously not a “car guy” by any means. He’d be much more adept at reviewing home theater furniture. How he can turn the amazing performance into a quasi negative is beyond ridiculous. He just doesn’t get what BMW’s are all about.

I have to agree.

Here is his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/columwood and Csaba Csere he is not.

[Radioactive]

He doesn't have very good taste in friends either.

[torzeck]

Originally Posted by Beyu

Funny thing is it is real wood that's why critics are blasting BMW for not giving more/better trim options.

Yeah, I know its real wood. I was just making fun of it.