About to pull the trigger, am I shooting myself in the foot?

richardew · 07-27-2011, 08:28 AM

I'm new to the X3 forum. My 335XI lease is up next month. Dealer has a loaded X3 35i: Space Grey/Oyster, M sport, convenience, premium, cold weather, tech, smartphone, BMW apps. $2500 off list. Decent trade in $ on my '03 FX45. I'm impressed by the size of the X3 along with 26 mpg highway. 0-60 of 5.5 (C&D) is sweet. It's been love at first site. What is the downside?
TIA
rich

Harplayr · 07-27-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardew

I'm new to the X3 forum. My 335XI lease is up next month. Dealer has a loaded X3 35i: Space Grey/Oyster, M sport, convenience, premium, cold weather, tech, smartphone, BMW apps. $2500 off list. Decent trade in $ on my '03 FX45. I'm impressed by the size of the X3 along with 26 mpg highway. 0-60 of 5.5 (C&D) is sweet. It's been love at first site. What is the downside?
TIA
rich

Aside from a small hit in handling when compared to the 335, I don’t see much of a downside.
If I did, I wouldn’t have purchased a X3.

Nahoa · 07-27-2011, 10:05 PM

As above, unless you really want the 335, no downside. Some upsides if you're into the newer gadgets. Straight line, you won't notice a speed difference unless you have one of those laggy feet. Some difference in the curves, of course, but much less than I expected.

Le Chef · 07-27-2011, 10:11 PM

You're missing a few choice option packages - like SAP and DHP which will make a world of difference to the handling of the X3 and bring it closer to feeling like your 335Xi. Frankly without those options I wouldn't buy an X3 - a Q5 or SRX or a Tiguan would do just fine if you;re not interested in better handling.

Nahoa · 07-27-2011, 10:14 PM

Ooh, I wasn't being specific enough. +1 to Le Chef's comments.

fedinand · 07-27-2011, 11:15 PM

Traded in a 335xi for the X3 - if your 335 didn't have a tune, your won't miss much..maybe a bit of handling. If your 335 was tuned you will give up some performance, depending on the tune. I was expecting at least a gas mileage hit, and haven't seen it. Passing power is very similar to a stock 335xi. I always said that if BMW brought over a 335xi as a wagon, I would have been first in line - the X3 is as close as I can get to a 335xi wagon. If you need/want the versatility of the X3, and your are considering the 3 series, there really isn't a downside aside from a bit of performance...

colton_matthias · 07-27-2011, 11:48 PM

I guess I don't like how the steering is a LOT lighter than my 2009 335i xDrive, which seem to have a lot more feel.

As well, for me, the gas pedal seems not to be as connected as my 335, maybe less sensitive?? don't know how to explain...

fedinand · 07-28-2011, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colton_matthias

I guess I don't like how the steering is a LOT lighter than my 2009 335i xDrive, which seem to have a lot more feel.

As well, for me, the gas pedal seems not to be as connected as my 335, maybe less sensitive?? don't know how to explain...

I agree with both points, but have solved them for me with the DHP. Sport and Sport+ totally change the steering feel and throttle responsiveness for me...I know everyone says this, but it does dramatically change the personality of the X3. That is one advantage it has over the 335...there wasn't a way to change the cars dynamics based on how I wanted to drive on that particular drive..like there is with the X3. I automatically put it into sport when I get in the car...and I configured sport with only the suspension/chassis change so I don't take a hit on gas mileage...and leave sport+ for when I want to play a bit.

richardew · 07-28-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

You're missing a few choice option packages - like SAP and DHP which will make a world of difference to the handling of the X3 and bring it closer to feeling like your 335Xi.

Chef. You need to check your recipes. The x3 has the M sport package, which has the SAP, DHP features plus some additional body stuff.

I appreciate the input.

Le Chef · 07-28-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardew

Chef. You need to check your recipes. The x3 has the M sport package, which has the SAP, DHP features plus some additional body stuff.

I appreciate the input.

Check this forum for posts on this and the BMW website.

richardew · 07-28-2011, 09:05 AM

Are you saying that the M sport package doesn't have the DHP and SAV features? The car I'm looking at has the normal, sport, sport+ settings on the console, paddle shifters, sport seats. Now I'm confused.

Le Chef · 07-28-2011, 12:54 PM

Judd Holland has written the primer on what options come with what. Search his posts an you will find a thread that shows what you get with M-Sport and what you still have to add. It's not quite as straightforward as it first looks...

richardew · 07-29-2011, 06:14 PM

I stand corrected chef. DHP + SAP do not equal M sport. I may order instead of taking one off of the lot.

Mako · 07-29-2011, 08:20 PM

The sport setting on the m sport will effect the steering and throttle response just not the suspension settings, you need the other option for that.

07-27-2011, 08:28 AM	#1
richardew Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2011 x335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: suburban Phila iTrader: (0)	About to pull the trigger, am I shooting myself in the foot? I'm new to the X3 forum. My 335XI lease is up next month. Dealer has a loaded X3 35i: Space Grey/Oyster, M sport, convenience, premium, cold weather, tech, smartphone, BMW apps. $2500 off list. Decent trade in $ on my '03 FX45. I'm impressed by the size of the X3 along with 26 mpg highway. 0-60 of 5.5 (C&D) is sweet. It's been love at first site. What is the downside? TIA rich __________________ Rich '96 911 C4 Cab (276,000 1 owner smiles) '11 X3 35i Black Sapphire/Beige,SAP, CP, CWP, DHP, PREM, TECH, Sat radio, Hi Fi, BMW apps, smartphone, 19" w/mixed performance tires.
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07-27-2011, 10:05 PM	#3
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	As above, unless you really want the 335, no downside. Some upsides if you're into the newer gadgets. Straight line, you won't notice a speed difference unless you have one of those laggy feet. Some difference in the curves, of course, but much less than I expected. __________________
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07-27-2011, 10:11 PM	#4
Le Chef Banned 16 Rep 412 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	You're missing a few choice option packages - like SAP and DHP which will make a world of difference to the handling of the X3 and bring it closer to feeling like your 335Xi. Frankly without those options I wouldn't buy an X3 - a Q5 or SRX or a Tiguan would do just fine if you;re not interested in better handling.
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07-27-2011, 10:14 PM	#5
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Ooh, I wasn't being specific enough. +1 to Le Chef's comments. __________________
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07-27-2011, 11:15 PM	#6
fedinand Major 74 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: '11 X3, '11 GTI Join Date: May 2007 Location: MN iTrader: (6)	Traded in a 335xi for the X3 - if your 335 didn't have a tune, your won't miss much..maybe a bit of handling. If your 335 was tuned you will give up some performance, depending on the tune. I was expecting at least a gas mileage hit, and haven't seen it. Passing power is very similar to a stock 335xi. I always said that if BMW brought over a 335xi as a wagon, I would have been first in line - the X3 is as close as I can get to a 335xi wagon. If you need/want the versatility of the X3, and your are considering the 3 series, there really isn't a downside aside from a bit of performance... __________________ The X3 The GTI The Birds The Dogs
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07-27-2011, 11:48 PM	#7
colton_matthias Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I guess I don't like how the steering is a LOT lighter than my 2009 335i xDrive, which seem to have a lot more feel. As well, for me, the gas pedal seems not to be as connected as my 335, maybe less sensitive?? don't know how to explain...
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07-28-2011, 09:05 AM	#11
richardew Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2011 x335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: suburban Phila iTrader: (0)	Are you saying that the M sport package doesn't have the DHP and SAV features? The car I'm looking at has the normal, sport, sport+ settings on the console, paddle shifters, sport seats. Now I'm confused. __________________ Rich '96 911 C4 Cab (276,000 1 owner smiles) '11 X3 35i Black Sapphire/Beige,SAP, CP, CWP, DHP, PREM, TECH, Sat radio, Hi Fi, BMW apps, smartphone, 19" w/mixed performance tires.
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07-28-2011, 12:54 PM	#12
Le Chef Banned 16 Rep 412 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Judd Holland has written the primer on what options come with what. Search his posts an you will find a thread that shows what you get with M-Sport and what you still have to add. It's not quite as straightforward as it first looks...
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07-29-2011, 06:14 PM	#13
richardew Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2011 x335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: suburban Phila iTrader: (0)	I stand corrected chef. DHP + SAP do not equal M sport. I may order instead of taking one off of the lot. __________________ Rich '96 911 C4 Cab (276,000 1 owner smiles) '11 X3 35i Black Sapphire/Beige,SAP, CP, CWP, DHP, PREM, TECH, Sat radio, Hi Fi, BMW apps, smartphone, 19" w/mixed performance tires.
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07-29-2011, 08:20 PM	#14
Mako (Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC 1548 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: '23 M3 comp Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	The sport setting on the m sport will effect the steering and throttle response just not the suspension settings, you need the other option for that.
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