New Arrival

Kiernan · 11-11-2016, 11:38 AM

Out with the old and in with the new. After over 4 years with my 20d M sport manual, picked up my new 30d M Sport automatic this morning.

All I can say is wow! I was concerned that getting the same again would take away some of the shine, but I was wrong. The new car is so different to the old one that this simply isn't the case.

Never had an auto before, but as everyone knows, the 8 speed box in these is fantastic. Combined with that lovely 6 cylinder diesel, it's so refined. The car certainly feels fast enough in a 'wafty' sort of way, but if you stick it in sport, it goes very nicely. Haven't really pushed the handling, but the variable dampers seem very good; the ride is much better than my old X3 which was on 19" wheels (the new ones are 20") with the standard sport set up, and in sport it seems nice and composed.

Still getting used to all the technology, but got most of the apps working. I've briefly tried Apple Carplay and it seems OK. but not really sure there's much need for it with the navigation and bluetooth etc. Oh well, I'm always a sucker for this sort of thing.

Enjoy the pics

Kugaman1 · 11-11-2016, 12:24 PM

Tidy car mate!
Similar spec to mine, but mines a 2ltr diesel.

I love the tech and think the ride on 20" wheels is more than acceptable, even without adaptive suspension!

Kugaman1 · 11-11-2016, 12:25 PM

Heres mine...

John.O. · 11-11-2016, 04:14 PM

Kiernan,

Looks great mate, nice colour combo. Oyster leather looks nice, wasn't an option for me, kids + Oyster leather isn't a good combo haha.

The car comes alive when you press the sports button, that 3L twin turbo feels and sounds the business.

Enjoy

ianfp · 11-11-2016, 04:50 PM

Congrats on the new car, it looks absolutely superb and the 20" wheels make all the difference.

Does it feel a lot softer than the 20D when in comfort mode? I am looking at pre-reg cars, but none of them have VDC. I want the 20" wheels, so the variable dampers I believe are essential.

Space grey looks great, but Kugaman1's looks great in Silver too.

Pinewood · 11-11-2016, 06:20 PM

Very nice and congratulations. The 3.0 engine really is superb. Enjoy

Kugaman1 · 11-11-2016, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianfp

Congrats on the new car, it looks absolutely superb and the 20" wheels make all the difference.

Does it feel a lot softer than the 20D when in comfort mode? I am looking at pre-reg cars, but none of them have VDC. I want the 20" wheels, so the variable dampers I believe are essential.

Space grey looks great, but Kugaman1's looks great in Silver too.

I would have loved VDC but very few UK cars have it, even with 20" wheels.

A few were advertised with VDC but when I phoned the dealerships, I found that was wrong.....

Anyway, test drove a demo with the M sport plus pack and found the ride to be perfectly acceptable, so I went for it and have not looked back!

The only future plan will be to change the RFTs for regular rubber, but thats a few years away touch wood!

plymjack · 11-12-2016, 12:49 AM

Looks fab.... a great set up.
Were still on our first and love it every time we get - 5 years old next May so will look around but cant see anything else replacing it except, like you another X3

hoho_leung · 11-12-2016, 01:30 AM

Very nice. We don't have 30d here in the U.S.

BillyBobby · 11-12-2016, 03:25 AM

Did your last car have standard suspension, or sport suspension?
Also, do you find the 20 inch wheels to be any noisier than the 19's?

nickb3 · 11-12-2016, 03:27 AM

Space grey and Oyster looks good. I would be very interested in your thoughts on VDC, probably the only spec regret I have. On local roads I find M Sport suspension a touch too unforgiving.

BillyBobby · 11-12-2016, 03:35 AM

I was going to spec VDC but a few dealers I spoke to before ordering the car said to me, independently from each other, that you didn't really need it if you stuck with 19 inch wheels and standard suspension. However, I'm guessing if you want 20 inch wheels and sports suspension then it would be a different story.

Peter_R · 11-12-2016, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickb3

On local roads I find M Sport suspension a touch too unforgiving.

That was my thoughts also for a long time. However, back in August I was unfortunate to get a puncture in my Run Flats and after taking advice from two BMW dealerships, I changed to the equivalent NON Run Flat tyres all round.

The difference was immediately apparent and the ride really is more forgiving and dare I say it, the car seems a lot easier to handle on our bad UK local b roads.

bailyhill · 11-12-2016, 06:11 AM

Hello

You lucky dogs out there that can get the 3 liter diesel. We only get the 2l in the states. I get 44 mpg us on the hiway in eco pro/63 mph down the hiway--its pretty unbelievable for a SUV. I love mine, but next time around, I hope BMW offers the "Big D" in the X3. Either that, or a plug in Hybrid diesel. I know the diesel does not need the torque, but I hate to give up the hiway mileage.

Clear Skies

Kiernan · 11-12-2016, 07:48 AM

Cheers guys, thanks for the compliments.

In response to the comments on the VDC, I'd say that the suspension feels more supple in comfort mode that my old 20d on the standard sport suspension, but the handling still feel almost as direct. In sport mode it's noticeably harder, probably as stiff as my old car and the handling is more surefooted - that may also be down to the variable sport steering which I didn't have before.

The one thing I would say is that VDC isn't a 'must have' feature like the press always says. Sure, it's nicer, but I never had any issues with my old car on the 19" wheels and sports suspension. Sure it could be a bit jiggly on very bad roads, but it rarely got uncomfortable and the pay off was superb handling for an SUV. I've not driven another X3 on 20" wheels with the sports set up, but my brothers wife has one which I've been in and it seemed no worse than my old car from the passengers seat.

Really love the 3.0d in this though. It almost sounds nice (for a diesel;-)) and it's got plenty of grunt when you want it. Don't think it's going to be as good on fuel as my old 20d, (does any really like ecopro mode?) but I knew that when I ordered the car. It's worth a few mpg shortfall for the sound on its own.

The jury's still out on Apple Carplay though.....

Crassus · 11-12-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_R

That was my thoughts also for a long time. However, back in August I was unfortunate to get a puncture in my Run Flats and after taking advice from two BMW dealerships, I changed to the equivalent NON Run Flat tyres all round.

The difference was immediately apparent and the ride really is more forgiving and dare I say it, the car seems a lot easier to handle on our bad UK local b roads.

From what I guaged on bimmerpost, non runflats have a greater impact on ride quality than VDC.

Northandy · 11-12-2016, 02:32 PM

Very nice... but I would say that as similar spec to mine!

Pinewood · 11-14-2016, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crassus

From what I guaged on bimmerpost, non runflats have a greater impact on ride quality than VDC.

Yes normal rubber gives a very compliant ride. I changed mine over on the E60- 530d M Sport and the comfort levels increased, road noise decreased.

It will be same for the X3 next spring when the summer wheels go back on.

11-11-2016, 11:38 AM	#1
Kiernan Private First Class 17 Rep 103 Posts Drives: X3M Competition/911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Yorkshire, England iTrader: (0)	New Arrival - X3 30d M Sport Out with the old and in with the new. After over 4 years with my 20d M sport manual, picked up my new 30d M Sport automatic this morning. All I can say is wow! I was concerned that getting the same again would take away some of the shine, but I was wrong. The new car is so different to the old one that this simply isn't the case. Never had an auto before, but as everyone knows, the 8 speed box in these is fantastic. Combined with that lovely 6 cylinder diesel, it's so refined. The car certainly feels fast enough in a 'wafty' sort of way, but if you stick it in sport, it goes very nicely. Haven't really pushed the handling, but the variable dampers seem very good; the ride is much better than my old X3 which was on 19" wheels (the new ones are 20") with the standard sport set up, and in sport it seems nice and composed. Still getting used to all the technology, but got most of the apps working. I've briefly tried Apple Carplay and it seems OK. but not really sure there's much need for it with the navigation and bluetooth etc. Oh well, I'm always a sucker for this sort of thing. Enjoy the pics __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and 2019 BMW X3M Competition
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11-11-2016, 12:24 PM	#2
Kugaman1 Private 18 Rep 66 Posts Drives: X3 m sport plus Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	Tidy car mate! Similar spec to mine, but mines a 2ltr diesel. I love the tech and think the ride on 20" wheels is more than acceptable, even without adaptive suspension!
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11-11-2016, 12:25 PM	#3
Kugaman1 Private 18 Rep 66 Posts Drives: X3 m sport plus Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	Heres mine... Attached Images
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11-11-2016, 04:14 PM	#4
John.O. New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X3 30d M Sport+ Carbon Black Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Kiernan, Looks great mate, nice colour combo. Oyster leather looks nice, wasn't an option for me, kids + Oyster leather isn't a good combo haha. The car comes alive when you press the sports button, that 3L twin turbo feels and sounds the business. Enjoy
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11-11-2016, 04:50 PM	#5
ianfp Lieutenant 144 Rep 560 Posts Drives: X5 40D M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Congrats on the new car, it looks absolutely superb and the 20" wheels make all the difference. Does it feel a lot softer than the 20D when in comfort mode? I am looking at pre-reg cars, but none of them have VDC. I want the 20" wheels, so the variable dampers I believe are essential. Space grey looks great, but Kugaman1's looks great in Silver too.
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11-11-2016, 06:20 PM	#6
Pinewood First Lieutenant 45 Rep 363 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30d M sport LCI Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Very nice and congratulations. The 3.0 engine really is superb. Enjoy __________________ 2014 X3 30d Lci M Sport in Black Sapphire. Pro Nav, Black Leather,Adaptive Xenons, Extended Storage, Lighting Package, 19" Staggered (622M) summer wheels, 17" style 304 winter alloys
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11-12-2016, 12:49 AM	#8
plymjack Nuclear Chief of the Watch 120 Rep 637 Posts Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D, i3 BEV Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK iTrader: (0)	Looks fab.... a great set up. Were still on our first and love it every time we get - 5 years old next May so will look around but cant see anything else replacing it except, like you another X3 __________________ BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3
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11-12-2016, 01:30 AM	#9
hoho_leung Private 8 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X3 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Very nice. We don't have 30d here in the U.S.
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11-12-2016, 03:25 AM	#10
BillyBobby New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: F25 30d Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Did your last car have standard suspension, or sport suspension? Also, do you find the 20 inch wheels to be any noisier than the 19's?
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11-12-2016, 03:27 AM	#11
nickb3 Private First Class 36 Rep 175 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: S Wales iTrader: (0)	Space grey and Oyster looks good. I would be very interested in your thoughts on VDC, probably the only spec regret I have. On local roads I find M Sport suspension a touch too unforgiving.
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11-12-2016, 03:35 AM	#12
BillyBobby New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: F25 30d Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I was going to spec VDC but a few dealers I spoke to before ordering the car said to me, independently from each other, that you didn't really need it if you stuck with 19 inch wheels and standard suspension. However, I'm guessing if you want 20 inch wheels and sports suspension then it would be a different story.
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11-12-2016, 06:11 AM	#14
bailyhill Private First Class 70 Rep 168 Posts Drives: '20 X3 30e Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NorthEast iTrader: (0)	X3 3.0 D Hello You lucky dogs out there that can get the 3 liter diesel. We only get the 2l in the states. I get 44 mpg us on the hiway in eco pro/63 mph down the hiway--its pretty unbelievable for a SUV. I love mine, but next time around, I hope BMW offers the "Big D" in the X3. Either that, or a plug in Hybrid diesel. I know the diesel does not need the torque, but I hate to give up the hiway mileage. Clear Skies __________________ Current: "17 i3 REX; X3 30e History: '67 911S, '72 MB 280 SE 4.5; '74 2002, E21 ('78 320i, E28 ('85 535i) , E36 ('90 325i), 6 Volvos; '14 ForTwo eDrive; '15 i3 REX, F31--'15 328 D Sportwagen; F25 LCI '16 X3 D
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11-12-2016, 07:48 AM	#15
Kiernan Private First Class 17 Rep 103 Posts Drives: X3M Competition/911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Yorkshire, England iTrader: (0)	Cheers guys, thanks for the compliments. In response to the comments on the VDC, I'd say that the suspension feels more supple in comfort mode that my old 20d on the standard sport suspension, but the handling still feel almost as direct. In sport mode it's noticeably harder, probably as stiff as my old car and the handling is more surefooted - that may also be down to the variable sport steering which I didn't have before. The one thing I would say is that VDC isn't a 'must have' feature like the press always says. Sure, it's nicer, but I never had any issues with my old car on the 19" wheels and sports suspension. Sure it could be a bit jiggly on very bad roads, but it rarely got uncomfortable and the pay off was superb handling for an SUV. I've not driven another X3 on 20" wheels with the sports set up, but my brothers wife has one which I've been in and it seemed no worse than my old car from the passengers seat. Really love the 3.0d in this though. It almost sounds nice (for a diesel;-)) and it's got plenty of grunt when you want it. Don't think it's going to be as good on fuel as my old 20d, (does any really like ecopro mode?) but I knew that when I ordered the car. It's worth a few mpg shortfall for the sound on its own. The jury's still out on Apple Carplay though..... __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and 2019 BMW X3M Competition
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11-12-2016, 02:32 PM	#17
Northandy Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 245 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Stockton on tees iTrader: (0)	Very nice... but I would say that as similar spec to mine!
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