[cbobfoto]

My wife and I took delivery of our Space Gray 35i MSport a day before we departed for a holiday. Returned on Weds jet lagged, but very excited to get back home to vehicle. We've now had had a couple days to bond with it. It had its first wash this morning, so thought I'd snap a couple pix. Before taking delivery of vehicle, I had not seen many owner photos of a space gray Msport, so even though the sun was much too harsh for good photos I wanted to post anyway. Will post better images as time permits. A few initial impressions; LUSH ride, much more refined than our '07 X3 Sport! Very very comfortable and quiet, and a big step up from previous X3. Steering is much more boosted than older model, and frankly remincent of our old Toyota Highlander (a most boring daily driver). This is easily improved to a more traditional & precise "bmw feel" when switching to sport mode. As soft as it feels, it's still very accurate and we're already becoming more accustomed to it. I imagine we'll opt for normal mode for most city driving. Exhaust note; Definitely impish; sounds like a four cylinder engine. Perhaps thats the price we pay for better economy. The computer is registering 11.1 per gallon but we are in downtown Chicago with stop signs / lights seemingly every few hundred feet. I'm anxious to get it out on a road trip and reach the break-in period for more high revving fun. Premium stereo sounds thin and veiled, but assuming it requires much more burn-in. It is improving slowly day by day, much like my old Vandersteen 2CE speakers. Parking assist is very cool. I didn't realize there were cameras mounted under each side view mirror. It's initially very surreal to see a birds-eye view of the vehicle when assist is engaged. My wife actually looked up thru the sun roof to see if there was a camera hovering overhead! Very cool feature and very accurate. So aside from these complaints we are very very happy, and feel fortunate to have such a beautiful vehicle. If you're on the fence on a F25, I'd say definitely go for it! You won't be disappointed. The first accessories we'll purchase will be minimalist (rust free) license plate frames for front and back. I've looked at the Cruiser series / zinc frames on Amazon, which look good. If anyone has recs for these or others please feel free to post.

[Mondolemite]

Nice pics. What Chicago dealer did you use?

[cbobfoto]

We purchased from Enzo Costa at Patrick BMW, and couldn't be happier. We wanted to purchase more locally but decided to take a break from Perillo. We purchased our last X3 from them in 07, and we're generally were happy, even though they can be arrogant; They know they're the only dealer in the city, and don't hesitate to remind you of that. We had both Patrick and Perillo quote the vehicle, and prices were basically identical. Enzo ultimately booked the deal when he stated "we will do do all we can to "earn your business". What a refreshing concept!

[XenaBimmer]

Gorgeous! My wife and I are loving our space gray M sport as well! We just picked it up monday

[cbobfoto]

A new X3 & a Cayman = a nicely equipped garage!

[XenaBimmer]

Originally Posted by cbobfoto

A new X3 & a Cayman = a nicely equipped garage!

Thanks!
I'll be posting some "family photos" once I get both detailed Both cars are very similar colors, so it looks like they belong together

[Bustofa]

Looks great!

[TN_3]

Nice! Makes the wait for my Space Gray M-sport that much harder!

[Bimar]

Nice msport gray growing on me

[hsiaochinsan]

Congrats!
Did you order with DHP?

[Sabian]

First of all, Congrats, beautiful spec! and second..

Originally Posted by cbobfoto

... If you're on the fence on a F25, I'd say definitely go for it! You won't be disappointed...

Ditto! I was once on that fence way back when, but now I am so glad I finally went for it.

[cbobfoto]

Thanks,

Didn't order DHP: wasn't sure how much we'd really utilize in an SAV...

[Max1Factor]

Great pics. My favourite colour too. Just under 3 months of a 7month wait to go but sure it'll be worth it.

[hsiaochinsan]

Originally Posted by cbobfoto

Thanks,

Didn't order DHP: wasn't sure how much we'd really utilize in an SAV...

I was always wondering if M-sport would come with the DHP.

You have confirmed it for me then.

Thanks!

[Want the thrill]

Beautiful!!

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by cbobfoto

The first accessories we'll purchase will be minimalist (rust free) license plate frames for front and back. I've looked at the Cruiser series / zinc frames on Amazon, which look good. If anyone has recs for these or others please feel free to post.

Here is a picture on my Space Gray with black minimalist frames. I paid a little more than the Cruiser series. These are US made stainless steel with black powder coat. The Cruiser are black paint and probably will not holdup as well, especially the front plate in the Chicago winters. On the front plate I also order the clear plexiglass. I got tired of cleaning bugs off the plate! The premium sound will get better after a break-in period. I posted settings for the equalizer on this forum. Do a search. I read that you have Vandersteens 2's. My dad has a pair. Great speaker. You will never get that airy sound in the X3. Sorry.

[turbotoy4me]

Beautiful color combination. Agree with the other posts that are waiting for our Space Gray to begin production. Seeing this makes it that much more difficult to wait. Is this the Mojave Leather? Looks awesome!

[LEDZEP]

Very nice photos, and beautiful F25. Congrats!!! You should contribute some photos to the M Sport Photos thread here: http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522823

[cbobfoto]

Originally Posted by turbotoy4me

Beautiful color combination. Agree with the other posts that are waiting for our Space Gray to begin production. Seeing this makes it that much more difficult to wait. Is this the Mojave Leather? Looks awesome!

Yes, it is Mojave Leather. My last two BMW's had black and I wanted a change. Thought the Space Grey / Mohave provided a bit of an "Armani" vibe...!

[cbobfoto]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Very nice photos, and beautiful F25. Congrats!!! You should contribute some photos to the M Sport Photos thread here: http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522823

Thanks much! Will do....

[cbobfoto]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Here is a picture on my Space Gray with black minimalist frames. I paid a little more than the Cruiser series. These are US made stainless steel with black powder coat. The Cruiser are black paint and probably will not holdup as well, especially the front plate in the Chicago winters. On the front plate I also order the clear plexiglass. I got tried of cleaning bugs off the plate! The premium sound will get better after a break-in period. I posted settings for the equalizer on this forum. Do a search. I read that you have Vandersteens 2's. My dad has a pair. Great speaker. You will never get that airy sound in the X3. Sorry.

Sweet! Where'd you purchase the frame? I unloaded the Vandersteens many years ago. Have been rockin' B&W 803's since...

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by cbobfoto

Sweet! Where'd you purchase the frame? I unloaded the Vandersteens many years ago. Have been rockin' B&W 803's since...

I found one on ebay and the other I bought from here.
http://www.autoattire.com/stainless-...te-frames.html

Another great speaker! Thiel man myself. On the premium stereo I'm beginning to think that a weak midrange is the problem, not a bright tweeter. I'm replacing the standard audio speakers in my wife's E60 with the Bavarian Sound Works package. If they sound good I'll consider replacing the midrange in the X3 and adding sound damping to the doors and speaker. That should help the midrange clarity.