[Cropwell]

Just coming up to 5 months since I took delivery of my X3 3.0dSE and thought it was time to take stock :

Likes

Handles and rides extremely well especially on rough terrain, I had a 335d coupe before and had a low expectation of a 4wd but was very surprised how good it is. I toyed with the idea of VDC but I am glad that I did not bother as the SE spec is a very good overall package. I ordered 17" wheels and run flats which improved the handling over the standard 16" wheels and smaller tyres on the demo car.

The driving position and visibility is good, sport seats were a good investment as they provide better support than the standard rather thin seats and look better.

Really enjoyed the panoramic sunroof especially in summer months!

Very practical and roomy car that is popular with passengers.

A practical size 4wd for parking in cities in the UK.

3.0d engine is good compromise for the car, found the 2.0d to be underpowered/harsh and the 3.5d too expensive. Has sufficient power to make overtaking safe on A/B roads.

Auto stop start, found this very strange at first but now find the fuel saving useful in traffic.

Dislikes

Poor quality of interior and leather and uninspiring interior design for a £40k car.

Rattles from rear compartment and boot cover

Heating and ventillation not as good as previous BMW's - been back to dealer twice - they said don't use auto controls. In recent cold weather noticed heater does not provide a great heat output and seems slow to warm up .

3.0d engine not that refined.

Wind noise from mirrors on motorways.

Electric steering is awful, no feel whatsoever and car becomes a block of concrete when disabled by auto-stop start.

Brakes could be a bit more responsive.



As with others on the forum I looked at the X3 or Evoque choice before choosing the X3. I think that I made the right choice as the BMW drives better, has more room, has better engines and better dealers. But... when I see an Evoque on the road it makes the X3 look like an ugly duckling in comparison.

The present X3 is a good car and a huge improvement on the previous model but it feels somehow not like the end product. With a bit more design flair and improved quality inside it could look and feel a great car.

[gareth3685]

Do you mean 18" over standard 17"?

[SR40X3]

I managed to cure the cargo cover rattles...easy 5 min job. Give me a shout if you want to know...

[DonC]

I'd like that information...

[Cropwell]

Yes meant 18" wheels

[rd450]

Originally Posted by SR40X3

I managed to cure the cargo cover rattles...easy 5 min job. Give me a shout if you want to know...

Can you please post how you did this ?

[SR40X3]

Method I used to cure cargo cover rattle:

The retractable cargo cover sits in a plastic housing each end which it clips into. There are steel pins into which the cover locates.

I used some small felt pads...they are actually the pads one places under the legs of a chair to allow it slide across hard surfaces easier, get them from B & Q - places like that.

I put a number of these around the housing and the cargo cover itself (where it sits in the housing) and around the steel pin onto which the cover locates. No real exact positions but just where it looked like the two surfaces met...you might see marks where they meet (ours did)...

Ours only rattled from the left side so only placed the pads there, none on the right and it cured it, quiet as a mouse and the cover still removes when needed but it feels "tight" now - like it won't rattle!

For those not in UK, B & Q is a DIY store.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I'm at about the 6 month mark on my petrol 28i....I would concur on the steering - very poor.

Makes me think better tires would improve it...This is a leased vehicle for me and I'll live with the Pirelli All Seasons for the next 30 months I guess.

Much as I love the N20, not sure I'll repeat on the X3...

She's a good, solid enough piece of ed transportation (which is why I leased it to begin with) but not enough sex and sizzle for me in the long-run

btw- I have managed to stay married to the same gal for the last 21 years so I don't bore that easily

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

I'm at about the 6 month mark on my petrol 28i....I would concur on the steering - very poor.

Makes me think better tires would improve it...This is a leased vehicle for me and I'll live with the Pirelli All Seasons for the next 30 months I guess.

Much as I love the N20, not sure I'll repeat on the X3...

She's a good, solid enough piece of ed transportation (which is why I leased it to begin with) but not enough sex and sizzle for me in the long-run

btw- I have managed to stay married to the same gal for the last 21 years so I don't bore that easily

Should have gone for the 35i if you wanted more of the sex and sizzle!

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

Should have gone for the 35i if you wanted more of the sex and sizzle!

Nah - I like the N20 just fine.....I'm talking Gran Coupe styling, sex and sizzle

[3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by SR40X3

Method I used to cure cargo cover rattle:

The retractable cargo cover sits in a plastic housing each end which it clips into. There are steel pins into which the cover locates.

I used some small felt pads...they are actually the pads one places under the legs of a chair to allow it slide across hard surfaces easier, get them from B & Q - places like that.

I put a number of these around the housing and the cargo cover itself (where it sits in the housing) and around the steel pin onto which the cover locates. No real exact positions but just where it looked like the two surfaces met...you might see marks where they meet (ours did)...

Ours only rattled from the left side so only placed the pads there, none on the right and it cured it, quiet as a mouse and the cover still removes when needed but it feels "tight" now - like it won't rattle!

For those not in UK, B & Q is a DIY store.

The same fix worked for me. A few felt pads paced on the wear points and one on each end of the cover and poof -- no more noise.