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      12-05-2011, 08:48 PM   #1
sal501
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X3 handling and drive

335 coupe is my first BMW and have owned it for past 4 years. Wife is looking for a car, and was wondering if new X3 can be made to handle close to a sedan, with some options? We are going to need a bigger car due to family needs, however I absolutely despise floaty cars. I sat with a friend in his Audi Q5 and it felt bloaty and floaty.

Can X3 owners please advise from past experience if what I am looking for is even possible?

Thank you

Last edited by sal501; 12-05-2011 at 10:32 PM..
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      12-05-2011, 09:43 PM   #2
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X3 handles much better than the Q5, period. steering on the Q5 is as you describe - like a boat.

You are coming from a 335 coupe - I would say you should definitely order 35i sport or M-sport and dynamic handling package (DHP). will give you the best handling possible from an X3. The X3 is taller than a 3 series so it definitely doesn't have quite the handling characteristics of a 335 coupe - but it handles very well, especially in sport mode on an X3 w/ Variable Damper Control - which is the suspension feature of the DHP package. its alot of fun to drive...

your 335 is 4 years old so its probably an N54 engine - both the current 335 and X3 have the newer N55 twin scroll turbo - its alot of fun.

if your prior ride was say a larger american or japanese SUV, i would say you may be able to skip DHP, but coming from a 335, you want it....
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      12-05-2011, 10:31 PM   #3
sal501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greg2step View Post
X3 handles much better than the Q5, period. steering on the Q5 is as you describe - like a boat.

You are coming from a 335 coupe - I would say you should definitely order 35i sport or M-sport and dynamic handling package (DHP). will give you the best handling possible from an X3. The X3 is taller than a 3 series so it definitely doesn't have quite the handling characteristics of a 335 coupe - but it handles very well, especially in sport mode on an X3 w/ Variable Damper Control - which is the suspension feature of the DHP package. its alot of fun to drive...

your 335 is 4 years old so its probably an N54 engine - both the current 335 and X3 have the newer N55 twin scroll turbo - its alot of fun.

if your prior ride was say a larger american or japanese SUV, i would say you may be able to skip DHP, but coming from a 335, you want it....
Thank you Sir for the helpful information.
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      12-05-2011, 10:40 PM   #4
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I have an X3 35i with the damper option. It handles brilliantly for an SUV and goes like hell. There is no other SUV that will give you as close to a sports car feel than the X3...

With that said, I get to drive my friends 325i with the sport package from time to time and while it is significantly faster is no where near as balanced, controlled, and confident as a 3 series. I feel like I can take exit ramps on ramps at any speed I want in that 3 series... It is so well balanced!
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      12-05-2011, 11:17 PM   #5
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I have a 35i w MSport and DHP. The X3, in this configuration, is a very capable handler for a non-car. For me it is a great combo of fun with practicality. I don't think I would be as enthused if I had got the 28i as I originally thought I might.

Among others, I recently had an M3 sedan, great fun but not so good in winter, and not very practical.

I am happy with my X3 MSport w DHP.
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      12-05-2011, 11:25 PM   #6
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San Diego doesn't have BMW dealerships?
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      12-06-2011, 03:17 AM   #7
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I've swapped a 335 vert for an X3 UK spec MSport, ie with Sport Suspension, not available in the US - so get DHP...

The handling of the X3 is very good but it's taken me a while to get used to twisty roads where I must approach bends slower than in the 335. As good as the X3 is (and it is) it simply wont drive around on rails like a 335. Anything handling not as well as the X3 (ie a Q5) would be a massive disappointment for you. Over-inflate the tyres a little, I found this made a significant difference to the feel of the car and strangely improved the ride. I'm enjoying the lack of bang-crash over bumps vs my 335.
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      12-06-2011, 04:38 AM   #8
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I come from a series of 3 sedans and a Mini Cooper S (sort of in the same category due to manufacture and the sporty ride/handling). We had to sell the last 3ers when assigned overseas along with the Toyota 4Runner we picked up along the way for dogs/utility/snow.

Coming back three cars was not the thing to do and we noticed the X3 update. So I ended up with the X3 and have been very pleased. We're both fairly focused and sporty drivers so I had been skeptical. The biggest difference I notice is in tight alternating turns like a slalom test drive -- doesn't happen often, but the 3er sedan would steal my X3's lunch money. On straight accelerations and more tame turns and twisty roads I've been blown away by how much fun this is to drive. It's sort of a stealth zippy car -- doesn't look it when compared to something like a 3er coupe (though I like the sporty style of the X3 very much), but it gets up and goes.

The visibility is different. It's nice to be up a little and see, but it does change the driving feel and take a little getting used to. In the 3er sedans I felt like I was sort of "in line" with the engine, hanging on to a rocket sled and aiming it through the turns with my butt on the ground (that's a good thing, can only imagine something even more powerful than a 3er!). That driving position and feel just doesn't seem to be achievable on the X3 -- not that it's bad at all, I very much like it, just different.

As suggested above, if you're accustomed to sportier driving I'd strongly recommend the 35i if it's in your budget. For me, the acceleration, particularly the 25-70 type, is mind blowing for an SUV. I literally giggle watching the traffic fall behind coming out of a stop light and enjoying a clear buffer in traffic! I like the Sport setting. It reduces lean in corners notably and helps keep things in the sedan direction.

Had a 335i loaner for a few days. Enjoyed having the firmer steering and that low driving position back again, but have to say that after three days I was ready to have the comforts, conveniences, and gadgets of my X3 back. I figure I need one of each . . .
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      12-06-2011, 09:44 AM   #9
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Thank you all for the feedback. I will go test drive a 35i hopefully with the DHP option as many of you have recommended. to the bimmer community.
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      12-06-2011, 07:56 PM   #10
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You may or may not be able to find an X3 w/ DHP on the dealer lot - i could not, went for it on some advice around here - you can probably find one with either Sport Activity pkg or MSport pkg which gives you sport mode transmission - you still need DHP for Variable Damper and Variable Speed Steering. I use sport mode/chassis almost all the time now.

Nahoa's comments on acceleration say it all, thats going to be the same on any 35i.
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