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      01-22-2013, 09:30 PM   #1
U235
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E70 X5 Diesel to F25 X3 35i - Rattles and Size

Hi all, I'm close to pulling the trigger on a 2013 X3 35i MSport, Convenience, Tech, Heated Seats, etc. etc.

Currently my wife drives my old 2009 X5 35D. We're looking to get into a newer car for a handful of reasons, and I'm hoping people can provide perspective to our situation.

1. Our warranty expires this Summer, and having 3 recalls in the last year and another CEL, I'm not comfortable owning the X5 without a warranty, so it's either pop down $4k, or get into a newer vehicle before the warranty expires.

2. Our X5D is missing a couple of features my wife really wants, most notably, rear backup camera and heated seats.

3. My wife would like something a little bit quicker and more responsive

Anyways, we're contemplating getting the X3 or a new X5 35i with SAV or MSport package.

We're getting a bit tired of the diesel, including the significant price premium it now commands. Also, it is quite loud at low speeds and can be a bit sluggish off the line at times.

Now to my main questions:

Q1: Our X5 is a rattle bucket. The armrests on the door and center consoles creek with any pressure on them. Also, under cornering, the whole body flexes and the plastic trim components squeak as the body flexes. The diesel motor at certain RPMs creates vibrations that can make certain components I've yet to track down rattle.

Today I test drove an X6 50i and it shares the same interior as our X5. It rattled even worse. It is truly unacceptable for a BMW to rattle this much.

On the bright side, my E90 M3, my buddies 135i and my other friend's E90 328i doesn't rattle, so this seems to be exclusive to the X5/X6 interior.

Can anyone comment on the plastic components of the X3 making all sorts of flexing/creaky noises?


2. Has anyone gone from an E70 to an X3. Any comments on size, especially the overall feeling of space in the front seat. The X5 does seem quite wide and you can sprawl out while driving. The X6 also was like this.

Finally, any comments on the trunk space. We have a 25 LB dog and a 45 LB dog that are usually quarantined to the trunk. I don't anticipate any problem here.

Thanks for the help!
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      01-22-2013, 09:55 PM   #2
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If you can wait till the end of this year, you might be interested in the new x5! But def go for a x3 its a wonderful car! The new diesels are better and you might be interested in the x3 when it lands in the usa with a diesel sometime this year.
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      01-22-2013, 09:57 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by mge.92 View Post
If you can wait till the end of this year, you might be interested in the new x5! But def go for a x3 its a wonderful car! The new diesels are better and you might be interested in the x3 when it lands in the usa with a diesel sometime this year.
Thanks, yeah waiting for the X5 might be an option, but diesel in the US is quite a bit more expensive and lacks the driving dynamics of its gas equivalent.
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      01-23-2013, 12:07 AM   #4
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If you use premium gas, you can normally find cheaper diesel pumps esp on the highway. It might not having the driving dynamics but you get efficiency and torque.
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      01-23-2013, 02:42 AM   #5
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I have had no "rattle and squeaks". Actually the body and interior feels unbelievable solid. I have driven the worst highway ever on Poland and there was no noise from the interior. I was amazed.

http://goo.gl/maps/j1fva

You could drive max 60km/h. All those seams were at least 10cm higher than road between the seams. So it was like driving on an sharply frozen windy ocean. Really really awful, do not use that road ever.


During normal driving, the only rattles come from dash, as the climate control changes its flap positions.

The only thing I am not sure is how your dogs would fit into the boot. Test drive?
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      01-23-2013, 02:53 AM   #6
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Well here in Europe diesel is the way for such vehicles. I did drive a 35i, 30d, 35d and finaly purchased the 35d. I don't thing you would find anyone saying the 35d is slow off the line

I would recommend in order of preference (if and when available in the US), the 35d, 30d, 35i, 20d, and 28i. IMO, the diesel is unmatched for in gear acceleration, torque, and economy.
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      01-23-2013, 07:58 AM   #7
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Well here in Europe diesel is the way for such vehicles. I did drive a 35i, 30d, 35d and finaly purchased the 35d. I don't thing you would find anyone saying the 35d is slow off the line

I would recommend in order of preference (if and when available in the US), the 35d, 30d, 35i, 20d, and 28i. IMO, the diesel is unmatched for in gear acceleration, torque, and economy.
The 35d feels fast at times, then at others it feels like it's in the wrong gear, it could be the transmission. The X5 is also heavier than the X3.

Also, at least in the X5, it is quite loud at slow speeds. It's just not as refined, and the additional MPG gain is negated by diesel costing 20% more than premium petrol. As such, the resale of diesel BMWs in the US is falling.
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      01-23-2013, 11:21 AM   #8
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My X3 is my first BMW - I'm pleased with it and would make the same purchase all over again.
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      01-23-2013, 03:03 PM   #9
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No rattles so far in my X3.
But the rubber seal around the sunroof squeaks like I'm riding in a rusty jalopy when it gets to around freezing temperature. I don't suspect that will be an issue for you in Texas though.
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      01-23-2013, 03:15 PM   #10
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My wife is looking into buying a new X3, it sure is troubling to hear all these issues with rattles.
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      01-23-2013, 05:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
My wife is looking into buying a new X3, it sure is troubling to hear all these issues with rattles.
From the posts above, rattling doesn't appear to be a problem. I don't have any rattles either. Wind noise, however, is a different story. That said, I love my X3.
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      01-23-2013, 06:56 PM   #12
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From the posts above, rattling doesn't appear to be a problem. I don't have any rattles either. Wind noise, however, is a different story. That said, I love my X3.
Wind noise is equally scary :/

I have a loaner 5 series hybrid today. Man is that thing pristinely quiet and way better assembled than my X5. It's hard not to just say F--- it to having an SUV and just go with 2 sedans.
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      01-23-2013, 09:56 PM   #13
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The X3's interior seems to be a gamble. I had one that was solid and quiet as a tomb. The one I have now is like unpopped popcorn kernels stuck in a bongo drum.
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      01-23-2013, 10:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juddholland View Post
The X3's interior seems to be a gamble. I had one that was solid and quiet as a tomb. The one I have now is like unpopped popcorn kernels stuck in a bongo drum.
Mine is absolutely quiet!! even with a roof rack!
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      01-24-2013, 04:10 AM   #15
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No complaints my end, in fact would go as far as saying new X3 is better than a X5 !!
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      01-24-2013, 07:56 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by U235 View Post
Wind noise is equally scary :/

I have a loaner 5 series hybrid today. Man is that thing pristinely quiet and way better assembled than my X5. It's hard not to just say F--- it to having an SUV and just go with 2 sedans.
Thats the situation I am in, my F10 is like tank, no rattles what so ever. It feels as solid as a Mercedes S-class. I would hate to trade it in for a X3 if it has rattling problems.
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      01-24-2013, 10:45 AM   #17
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Thats the situation I am in, my F10 is like tank, no rattles what so ever. It feels as solid as a Mercedes S-class. I would hate to trade it in for a X3 if it has rattling problems.
My wife also really liked the 5-series, but with dogs and bikes, it just doesn't make sense, so sticking with the X5.
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      01-24-2013, 10:57 AM   #18
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My 2013 doesn't have any appreciable wind noise, but there are squeaks that only started with low temperatures (i.e. below +5C).

The sunroof squeaks so badly over rough roads that BMW agreed to replace it after numerous failed attempts at a repair.

And there are many squeaks from plastic around the radio. These happen spontaneously as the car warms up, and also when I press a heater or radio button. Very annoying and unexpected for a $60k vehicle.
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      01-24-2013, 11:12 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crash Test View Post
My 2013 doesn't have any appreciable wind noise, but there are squeaks that only started with low temperatures (i.e. below +5C).

The sunroof squeaks so badly over rough roads that BMW agreed to replace it after numerous failed attempts at a repair.

And there are many squeaks from plastic around the radio. These happen spontaneously as the car warms up, and also when I press a heater or radio button. Very annoying and unexpected for a $60k vehicle.
This.
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      01-25-2013, 11:45 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crash Test View Post
My 2013 doesn't have any appreciable wind noise, but there are squeaks that only started with low temperatures (i.e. below +5C).

The sunroof squeaks so badly over rough roads that BMW agreed to replace it after numerous failed attempts at a repair.

And there are many squeaks from plastic around the radio. These happen spontaneously as the car warms up, and also when I press a heater or radio button. Very annoying and unexpected for a $60k vehicle.
Wow, sorry to hear that. Did the new sunroof fix the squeaking problem?
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      01-25-2013, 08:50 PM   #21
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I had the X5 35d before my m3 and before my x3 28i....I know, quite a littany of cars

I like the x3 size for scooting around town and in suburban, urban traffic it's great..Its just usually me in the vehicle, maybe my wife and once in a while two big labradors in the back too.

It's good, solid transportation with some nice bmw drive dna mixed in. The 28i is torquey, smooth and I really, really like the 8 speed transmission too.

So that said, I do miss the larger size of the X5 and overall my recall of the 5'er is that it's more luxurious too...For example, you cannot get the multicontour seats on the X3 - one of my fave options of all time.

If I was going x-country, towing, long rural trips more? I'd probably go the X5 route next time

They're both good vehicles, not one bad or good...But one is going to be a better fit for your budget and needs - that you'll have to figure out
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Last edited by midwest 340xi 6sp; 01-25-2013 at 09:26 PM..
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      01-26-2013, 07:48 PM   #22
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Have you ever thought about the new ML diesel? After my 08 MDX I test drove the X5 diesel and The new ML diesel ... I m surprise how quiet the ML is also the power and refine engine.. than the X5.. you don't really notice much is a diesel engine..

But end up we choose the X3 cause the smaller size.. and we bought a AWD sienna to carry people earlier .. so.

X3 size is good for going through traffic..
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