[MetaX]

Yeah I gotta say that the X3 can hold a pretty decent payload. Once I had to go pick up 6 dining chairs and thought I'd have to do it in 2-3 trips but made it in one. Part of it had to do with the dimensions of the chairs and tetris skills but impressive nonetheless.

[sfiermon]

I heavily considered this and actually put an order in for the 3er wagon. However, I cancelled it and ordered a X3 M Sport instead. Reasons - rear leg room with my kids, cargo room especially with SKI equipment and other sports equipment, much better sight lines all around, and higher position which meant (to me) better ability in deeper snow.

[mlytle]

they are two very different cars aimed at different markets. the 3 series is a drivers car, the X series are kinda generic SUV's for those that want to be up high and carry more stuff and don't care about handling.

we have one of each. actually have 4 different 3 series, a 2002 and an X3x28i.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by sfiermon

I heavily considered this and actually put an order in for the 3er wagon. However, I cancelled it and ordered a X3 M Sport instead. Reasons - rear leg room with my kids, cargo room especially with SKI equipment and other sports equipment, much better sight lines all around, and higher position which meant (to me) better ability in deeper snow.

My thinking too at this point..

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by mlytle

they are two very different cars aimed at different markets. the 3 series is a drivers car, the X series are kinda generic SUV's for those that want to be up high and carry more stuff and don't care about handling.

we have one of each. actually have 4 different 3 series, a 2002 and an X3x28i.

Hmm ill need a bigger garage, and maybe a new wife

[bmkman]

The X3 feels more spacious but I think the Touring is more fun to drive. (admittedly I only driven the 5 touring) Tough decision.

[Jordster]

Originally Posted by mlytle

the X series are kinda generic SUV's for those that want to be up high and carry more stuff and don't care about handling.

Well, if you compare it to any other CUV at the same price, even without DHP, it's a handling DREAM.

Have you driven a Q5 or Acura RDX? Or going down a notch, a RAV4, Forrester XT or CRV? The X3 is a sports car compared to these others ...

Obviously it's not going to compete with a car built on a similar platform for the handling title, but saying it's a car for those who don't care about handling is flat out wrong. If I didn't care about handling, I would have bought the RDX and saved $8k.

[mlytle]

Originally Posted by Jordster

Well, if you compare it to any other CUV at the same price, even without DHP, it's a handling DREAM.

Have you driven a Q5 or Acura RDX? Or going down a notch, a RAV4, Forrester XT or CRV? The X3 is a sports car compared to these others ...

Obviously it's not going to compete with a car built on a similar platform for the handling title, but saying it's a car for those who don't care about handling is flat out wrong. If I didn't care about handling, I would have bought the RDX and saved $8k.

LOL...that was precisely my point. thread is about comparing an SUV to a car. an SUV ( whoever makes it) has higher CG, is heavier, bigger, and softer. all make for poor handling relative to a car like a 3 series. calling an suv a sports car is putting lipstick on a pig.... they ain't sports cars, no matter how big the wheels are or how many M badges and fancy plastic body bits are tacked on.

different tools for different jobs.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by pokerface

One thing though, the X3 has the aerodynamics of a barn so fuel economy is quite a bit worse than the equivalent sedan.

I agree on the gas models but the x3 2015 diesel is a sipper....

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Paul_R_Canada

I agree on the gas models but the x3 2015 diesel is a sipper....

With the diesel models it's interesting that the fuel economy decreases only marginally as you progress through the range:

18D 150hp
20D 190hp (28D in the US)
30D 258hp
35D 313hp

Real world economy seems surprisingly close for all the above, unless of course you hammer the more powerful engines.

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by clivem2

With the diesel models it's interesting that the fuel economy decreases only marginally as you progress through the range:

18D 150hp
20D 190hp (28D in the US)
30D 258hp
35D 313hp

Real world economy seems surprisingly close for all the above, unless of course you hammer the more powerful engines.

Yes it is, the X5 diesel gets (in my opinion) great MPG, now if i could stuff a 35d in an X3.... instant sprinter

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Paul_R_Canada

Yes it is, the X5 diesel gets (in my opinion) great MPG, now if i could stuff a 35d in an X3.... instant sprinter

It is available in the UK. Marginally quicker than my UK X3 xDrive30d M Sport.

[Jordster]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

It is available in the UK. Marginally quicker than my UK X3 xDrive30d M Sport.

I wish we could get a 30d in Canada!!

I test drove the 28d and it was lethargic. I drove the Audi Q5 TDI (3.0 V6) and it was an absolute BEAST! Too bad the rest of the car handled like a boat...

[clivem2]

The 35D is great. I had the 30D before which is still very good indeed. The twin turbo 35D adds a little performance but for me the important benefits are improved response due to the small first turbo and the way it keeps pulling at higher revs due to the second larger turbo. It's not a monumental difference over the 30D, just icing on the already great cake. Actually the remapped gearshifts in sport are probably as important, I suspect these came with the LCI and will be present on all engines, except the manual.

[Andy_o]

Originally Posted by clivem2

The 35D is great. I had the 30D before which is still very good indeed. The twin turbo 35D adds a little performance but for me the important benefits are improved response due to the small first turbo and the way it keeps pulling at higher revs due to the second larger turbo. It's not a monumental difference over the 30D, just icing on the already great cake. Actually the remapped gearshifts in sport are probably as important, I suspect these came with the LCI and will be present on all engines, except the manual.

Funnily enough I have exactly the same thoughts on my 23d engine in the X1 .. It just fills in the gaps from the 20d engine and provides really linear power delivery ... It just pulls and pulls

Wish the new 25d was available in the X3 ... Hope the 20d in the X3 doesn't disappoint .. Unfortunately Couldn't stretch to the 35d

[Portimao318]

In my country you can buy the X3 also as 18d, 20d, 30d and 35d.
With petrol engine as 20i and 35i.

The already powerful 35 d, can be tuned by Hartge from 313 up to 362 hp and 730 Nm torque. Topspeed will go up from 244 kmh to 250 kmh. Acceleration from 0-200kmh improves from 27 sec to just 21,4 sec. Hartge claims the engine will be 0,5 liter/100km more fuel efficient.

http://www.hartge.de/UploadPDF/F25%2...2011350313.pdf

[Paul_R_Canada]

Originally Posted by Endre2

In my country you can buy the X3 also as 18d, 20d, 30d and 35d.
With petrol engine as 20i and 35i.

The already powerful 35 d, can be tuned by Hartge from 313 up to 362 hp and 730 Nm torque. Topspeed will go up from 244 kmh to 250 kmh. Acceleration from 0-200kmh improves from 27 sec to just 21,4 sec. Hartge claims the engine will be 0,5 liter/100km more fuel efficient.

http://www.hartge.de/UploadPDF/F25%2...2011350313.pdf

Lets see, in Canada i could drive 250km/h 😍 once - immediately followed by jail time and loss of car which would be auctioned to fund the local cops next christmas party .... Hey might be worth it

But seriously it is always nice to have those extra ponies under the hood with no huge mpg hit.. And when i feel i pay too much for gas i just think of the poor sods in the UK and per litre costs there, feels like its on sale here....

[nonagon]

Originally Posted by mlytle

they are two very different cars aimed at different markets. the 3 series is a drivers car, the X series are kinda generic SUV's for those that want to be up high and carry more stuff and don't care about handling.

we have one of each. actually have 4 different 3 series, a 2002 and an X3x28i.

Hmm. My guess is your X3 fits that description. However, I do care about handling (and practicality). I'd say the X3, when spec'd out (i.e. with M Sport, 35i, Dynamic Handling Package) does handle well and is a lot of fun to drive. Maybe not a "proper" driver's car, but for what it is, it's damn close. People don't realize what a beast she can be. Pressing the Sport button makes me drive much too fast.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by nonagon

Hmm. My guess is your X3 fits that description. However, I do care about handling (and practicality). I'd say the X3, when spec'd out (i.e. with M Sport, 35i, Dynamic Handling Package) does handle well and is a lot of fun to drive. Maybe not a "proper" driver's car, but for what it is, it's damn close. People don't realize what a beast she can be. Pressing the Sport button makes me drive much too fast.

I agree, with the UK specified 3.0d and M sport set up it is a good compromise. In fact after owning a F31 320d Sport, my X3 feels just as dynamic.

[P1Fanatic]

Does the m-sport suspension lower the ride height or just fit stiffer springs? Just my m-sport has the suspension deletion option and its a very smooth ride on 19's with runflats.

Admittedly I did come from a MK2 Focus RS on 235/35/19's and eibach springs. But even so with all the talk of hard rides on RFT's I was expecting a lot worse. Guess its just what you are used to.

Thanks
Simon

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by P1Fanatic

Does the m-sport suspension lower the ride height or just fit stiffer springs? Just my m-sport has the suspension deletion option and its a very smooth ride on 19's with runflats.

Admittedly I did come from a MK2 Focus RS on 235/35/19's and eibach springs. But even so with all the talk of hard rides on RFT's I was expecting a lot worse. Guess its just what you are used to.

Thanks
Simon

I have had two different 3 series since 2007 (the e91 325d MSport and a F31 320d Sport), followed my F25 X3 xDrive30d M Sport. To try to get this in perspective, the e91 325d was a hard ride. Shockingly hard! The F31 320 was a revelation (far softer) after that.

In my view this X3 is a good compromise, because there is a roundabout on the A40 between Burford and Witney, where I would hit the accelerator hard when exiting and found the e91 325d M Sport, took it in its stride,whereas the softer F31 320d Sport drifted out and did not feel as sure footed. In contrast the X3 feels sure footed and not soft.

I find the X3 M Sport a bit like a Bouncy Castle , when driven over back roads between Oxford and Woodstock. The 3 series never gave this impression.

I cannot compare ride heights between suspension delete models and non delete models, but I would suspect it would be difficult to see. The ride is quite hard on bad surfaces on my M Sport and takes some getting used to. Mine is on 19 inch staggered set up. I am waiting for some 18 inch wheels with winter tyres, so I will be able to carry out a test. All cars had/have RFTs.

[P1Fanatic]

Oops I meant to put that as a seperate thread. Fat fingers as on my phone.

Same setup here i.e. 19's staggered (245's front and 275's rear). So far I find it nice and soft. Not sure if that is just doen to my own comparisons or there is a noticeable diff between m-sport and non. Other threads I have read elsewhere have suggested very little in it (ride wise).