[CPoe]

Hi guys, I've just joined the forum, its big!! . I've owned a few BMWs over the years. Currently running an E46 330i Touring. Great car! But I previously owned an X5 and really find myself hankering after a 4x4 beemer again.

However, I always felt the X5 was a bit too big for us. I'm really thinking about an X3 now. 07 35ds are looking quite good value at the moment, can anyone advise on the following points.

1. What is the 'real world' mpg of a 3.0d or 35d?

2. Any comments on how the X3 really measures up the X5? The X5 was a great car to drive, I loved it, I'm hoping the X3 is the same just smaller??

3. I've heard of slightly lower build quality on the X3? Is it noticeable? I'm not a detail freak, I just love a BMW leather seat and good drive.

4. I'm thinking the 35d might be quite handy in the speed and handling department. Any info?

I hope this is not too much to ask guys! I'll be checking out the 3 series section of the forum too as that is my current motor.

Cheers all

In case you're interested pics of motors new and old.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Hi!

I'm new too, we currently have 20d and get around 40mpg just running about. One of our neighbours has the 3 litre and she gets about 30mpg which sounds about right.

Build quality is really good in ours. My grandfather had the X5 and I can't tell any difference. Everything seems very well put together and solid. Ours is a 2010 model, one of the last out the Austrian factory so they could have improved them (Doubt it though).

Handling wise it's fine, corners well and feels good to drive. (Wife complains the steering is a bit heavy). Haven't drove the X5 so I couldn't comment.

Speed wise ours is quite quick, so I would have thought the 3 litre would be pretty rapid.

[CPoe]

Hi mtmcgavock, thanks for the info. That seems pretty close to the BMW published figures! Usually they over do their MPG estimates. Seems like a 35d might be a goer for me.

Regarding build quality, I read that the main gripe was the materials used in the car, mainly the plastics on the interior and bumpers. But, they did a facelift in 2007 I think, I read that they upgraded the reported faults then, so your car being 2010 will be better, and probably even more improved since the 2007 facelift. (any more knowledgable members please put me right if this is incorrect!).

Did you have your car through the recent snow we had in the UK? How did the X3 manage with that? I hear that although people (mainly Range Rover owners) bang on about the BMW X range not being proper 4x4s, they actually perform very well in the snow. And lets face it, snow is more likely to be the obstacle for UK motorists, not a 1 in 4 muddy slope!

Ta

[rs6655]

I've owned a 2007 E90 3 series and my current 2009 E83 X3 (and an E12 5er). The build quality of my X3 is no different. There seems to be a lot of carryover comments from the early X3's and the LCI X3's are totally different.

As for the comparison between the X5. The only difference I can tell is size. If the front seat passengers are long legged then adults will find the back seats of the X3 short on leg room.

We chose the X3 because we are retired and wanted the utility of a high riding hatch back with all wheel drive but with good mileage numbers. My BC reads about 24+ mpg with about 70% of my driving city and I easily get 400 miles from a tank of gas. That being said I'm not out to impress anybody with my acceleration but I also run with the flow of traffic. I just passed the 59,000 mile mark and I've had zero problems.

[CPoe]

Hi rs6655, thanks for that. Do you have the 3.0 petrol you being in the US?. Oh I wish our petrol in the UK was as cheap as yours! we currently pay nearly $8US per US gallon. So I'm looking to buy a diesel version.

Its good to know the build quality is the same as other BMWs, in other words, high!. So it seems like I should go for a facelift model though to make sure.

Cheers!

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Regarding the materials used I can't tell any difference from the X5. All round I think the materials used are top quality, inside the car and out.

When it snowed ours was in the garage (Some idiot decided to put a nice big car door dint in the side, luckily I caught them) The garage gave us a M-Class to use, which was dreadful in the snow, got our X3 back just as the snow was disappearing and it was fine. Didn't wheel spin or skid unlike the merc.

If I was you i'd go for the facelift model, I know they did a few improvements and the bumpers on the SE look much better. Also after the facelift they upgraded all the engines in 2008 (Early) so it might be worth looking at them. The emissions are lower, therefore road tax is lower. I think they messed with the auto boxes too (Might be worth considering seeming your thinking of the 35d)

[rs6655]

Yes I have the petrol model and yes we are fortunate (spoiled). I spent 5 years with the US Army in Germany during the 80's and had it not been for fuel coupons it would have been quite a bit costlier. Had mine been available in diesel I would certainly gone that route. A pic of it is attached:

I think the facelift is the way to go.

Originally Posted by CPoe

Hi rs6655, thanks for that. Do you have the 3.0 petrol you being in the US?. Oh I wish our petrol in the UK was as cheap as yours! we currently pay nearly $8US per US gallon. So I'm looking to buy a diesel version.

Its good to know the build quality is the same as other BMWs, in other words, high!. So it seems like I should go for a facelift model though to make sure.

Cheers!

[CPoe]

That is a really nice example, the exact spec I'm after. Love the beige leather! A very nice x3!

[rs6655]

Originally Posted by CPoe

That is a really nice example, the exact spec I'm after. Love the beige leather! A very nice x3!

Thank you...

I really like the combo too but I can't take credit for it. I pick the car, we agree on options, and my wife of 33 years gets to pick the colors inside and out. It has the Poplar wood trim which she also picked.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by CPoe

Hi guys, I've just joined the forum, its big!! . I've owned a few BMWs over the years. Currently running an E46 330i Touring. Great car! But I previously owned an X5 and really find myself hankering after a 4x4 beemer again.

I too was going to get the new x3 (after driving the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD for 6 years as our Family Car), however after I lost two of my rear wheels (on my e89) to cracks and my strong feeling is the cause of it all is the RFT we decided not to get the x3. To bad BMW does not give Customers a choice as far as tires are concerned (we drove BMW's for over 20 years I think my Z4 will be my last new Bimmer).

We ordered the Mercedes C350 4MATIC fully loaded. We will pick up our new family car this weekend. Cant't wait.