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      01-20-2012, 10:31 AM   #1
Markap
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Hi, I will be purchasing an X3 within the next couple weeks. I've not decided which model to buy and hence, how much I want to spend. I'm considering:
2010 X3 3.0 or 2011/2012 X 2.8 or 3.5 I don't think the 3.0D is available here in the US.

So, Who's owned both a Gen 1 and Gen 2 X3, how do they compare? For the X3 3.8 owners, are you completely happy with your choice or do you pine for the 3.5? Is the extra cost really justified by the extra HP or is power delivery an issue with the turbo?

So many choices? This will be my 4th BMW and the first with 4 wheels....
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      01-20-2012, 10:39 AM   #2
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Read the posts. Gen 1 and Gen 2 are night and day. I drove Gen 1, but didn't own.

Re the difference. You need to drive them. If you're a spirited driver, and more so if you also happen to commute in NoVa, then the extra HP is a winner. I'd be surprised if you'd be happy selecting the distinctly lesser acceleration of the 28i after driving 4 BMW bikes. The 35i isn't gonna match your bikes, still, but it gives you the option to get out and away from the other cagers and get a little freedom. It's not that some of the other cars couldn't keep up, it's just that they don't and this one gets out and away easily and happily. Makes me smile.

The 3.5 gets better gas mileage in that kind of traffic adding a bonus to enjoying the HP. In addition, the 3.5 gets better mileage in Sport Mode on my NoVa commute. There are few things I can say I like about that commute and that's one of them!
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      01-20-2012, 10:45 AM   #3
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Sounds like you haven't even gone for any test drives yet. Start there.

Although, chances are, if you don't order very soon you'll be looking at the turbo 4 instead of the 2.8.
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      01-20-2012, 11:05 AM   #4
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Re the difference. You need to drive them. If you're a spirited driver, and more so if you also happen to commute in NoVa, then the extra HP is a winner.
Really? I find the "extra" horsepower in my 135 is completely wasted here in nova (specifically alexandria / arlington / dc). There is always traffic and the 55 limit is a joke. Now once you get out of the city it's a different story. Unfortunately that doesn't happen often enough.
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      01-20-2012, 11:10 AM   #5
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I'd say both are probably true. The open road and some higher speeds are clearly fun and let you use these cars in another way. I'm coming in from farther out, so the commute probably has a different character. In the traffic that surges from 0 to 45 to 30 to 65 to 20 and back up to 70 I use the hp and torque of this car a lot. Through the stoplight sections if I can get near the front it's easy to clear out of the pack and avoid their horseshit driving for a bit.
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      01-20-2012, 11:16 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
Hi, I will be purchasing an X3 within the next couple weeks. I've not decided which model to buy and hence, how much I want to spend. I'm considering:
2010 X3 3.0 or 2011/2012 X 2.8 or 3.5 I don't think the 3.0D is available here in the US.

So, Who's owned both a Gen 1 and Gen 2 X3, how do they compare? For the X3 3.8 owners, are you completely happy with your choice or do you pine for the 3.5? Is the extra cost really justified by the extra HP or is power delivery an issue with the turbo?

So many choices? This will be my 4th BMW and the first with 4 wheels....
I owned a 2004 and a 2010 X3 and currently own a 2011 X3.
As the previous poster said the first generation and F25 are night and day.
Aside from all the upgraded electronics and more modern interior the biggest difference I’ve noticed is in ride quality.

The first gen X3 was tuned for a much harsher ride. It did very poorly on concrete roads with bad expansion joints and you feel every expansion joint. On the positive side handling and road feel are excellent.

The new generation X3 has a much more compliant ride and glides over those same roads that used to jostle me with the first gen X3. The trade-off is that road feel suffers a bit in comparison and I feel a tad more isolated.

Both are fine cars. Test drive both, and see what you like best.
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      01-20-2012, 11:33 AM   #7
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I had a 2007 X3 3.0si and have a 2012 35i. Between those was a 2008 135i. As had been said, the old X3 and the F25 are quite different. The new one is more refined and more impressive in every way. If there is one downside it is the steering feel is not quite as connected, and there are a lot more electronics which makes it a feel like a bit less of a pure driver's car and make it more modern and convenient to own. Don't get me wrong, the 35i is faster than the 1st gen and is a sporty ride, and the steering is quite good with DHP in Sport mode. The F25 has better suspension and a much nicer interior too. Power tailgate is useful as are the cameras. And as a fellow Northern Virginian, I'd still recommend the 35i with DHP, despite the traffic, especially if you are a spirited driver.
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      01-20-2012, 12:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
Hi, I will be purchasing an X3 within the next couple weeks. I've not decided which model to buy and hence, how much I want to spend. I'm considering:
2010 X3 3.0 or 2011/2012 X 2.8 or 3.5 I don't think the 3.0D is available here in the US.

So, Who's owned both a Gen 1 and Gen 2 X3, how do they compare? For the X3 3.8 owners, are you completely happy with your choice or do you pine for the 3.5? Is the extra cost really justified by the extra HP or is power delivery an issue with the turbo?

So many choices? This will be my 4th BMW and the first with 4 wheels....
Welcome to X3 family! I never driven a Gen1 X3, so I can't comment about it. Even though current X3 28i makes 20hp less than prev 3.0i, it's quicker than older X3 in all the ways.

I test drove both 35i and 28i...both have ample power for get-up and go traffic or a quicker 60-80mph passing...only difference will be 35i does that in 1 or 2 secs quicker than 28i. 35i is better all rounder except for $6K premium...I chose 28i since it's pretty much quick for any kind of driving. Sometimes i feel 28i is under-rated and drives like it has 20-30 more hp under the hood. It has a good growl after 3000rpm.

I personally recommend 28i..unless you like the extra turbo pull.
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      01-20-2012, 09:34 PM   #9
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I had a 2005 X3 with the sports suspension and then an 325xi (e90) and now
an x3 35i.

I liked my x3 as it provided a ton of feedback and handled great. That said is was a little harsh. It also was spartan compared to the 3 series . The new x3 is more complete, like the 3 series but it's taller. I agree with the comments
that it's a little more isolated- it's just that much more refined.
The steering on the new one is not quite as communicative as the old one and the e90.

If I had to pull the trigger right now, I'd go for the 35i motor. If the 35i is not happening for you, then I'd wait to drive the 4 cylinder turbo before I'd invest in the 28i.Better mileage and lots of torque. Just my .02 cents. Good luck.
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      01-21-2012, 03:42 AM   #10
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Bear in mind that xenon headlights, which are an absolute must IMO, are standard on the 35i but $900 on the 28i. Also check other options that you want and that are included or cheaper on the 35i than on the 28i. I'm guessing things like alloy upgrades may be cheaper/included
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      01-21-2012, 12:41 PM   #11
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Thanks for the feedback. Since I'm planning to wait for my March bonus check before buying, I'll probably wait to see the new turbo 4. I do need to see if it will have the "guts" to pull a small utility trailer with either a bike or yard trash in it. For those in North VA. do you have a prefererence between the Sterling and Fairfax dealers?
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      01-21-2012, 08:01 PM   #12
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My two cents for purchasing any car. Negotiate with a dealer at below INVOICE, cut the MSRP BS out right away. Consumer reports has a service that provides actual dealer costs, including options for a small fee.
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      01-21-2012, 08:08 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markap View Post
Thanks for the feedback. Since I'm planning to wait for my March bonus check before buying, I'll probably wait to see the new turbo 4. I do need to see if it will have the "guts" to pull a small utility trailer with either a bike or yard trash in it. For those in North VA. do you have a prefererence between the Sterling and Fairfax dealers?
Sales experience -- Fairfax was better. Service experience -- Sterling was better.
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