[Llarry]

http://www.bmw.de/de/de/newvehicles/..._catalogue.pdf

[jo-e90]

I am not feeling the same old elephant skin dash materials again.

[AUDIandBMW]

It looks better in the brochure than in person... but thats how it is with most cars I guess

[dpratt34]

Originally Posted by jmikeh

I do like the Tobacco Leather with the contrast stitching though. I sure hope that makes its way across the pond...

Ditto. I'm looking forward to seeing the new X3 in person. It is on my short list for a new SUV, sorry - SAV, next spring.

[red-sauerkraut]

You are correct, you cannot fit a full size, or med sized mountain bike in there, unless you remove the front wheel, and it must go on its side.

Originally Posted by jmikeh

So, based on these photos, we are led to believe that the car has enough cargo capacity to hold either an oversized paper airplane or a moutain bike. I'll buy the former. The latter...not so sure.

[rmmcdaniel]

BMW had one of the new X3s in the Owner's Pavillion at the BMW Championship golf tournament in Chicago last weekend and I was impressed with the amount of usable space inside it. I'm 6' tall and after moving the front seats into the positions I would drive/ride in, I sat in the backseats and had plenty of legroom for a long journey. The cargo hold was also a lot bigger than expected.

The interior fit/finish was much improved as far as design and features, but the dash materials were not a major upgrade over the current 3 series (my '09 E90 M3 is the best reference I have). Not a huge disappointment given the price point and where it sits in the lineup, but obviously would have been nice to have materials closer to the new 5 series.

Overall I was impressed. We are debating b/w the new X3 or an X5 as a second vehicle and will definitely lean towards the X3 assuming the M-sport model looks as nice in person as it does in the photos.

[M3_WC]

M-sport only, otherwise not interested.

[Oulixes]

It takes a good photographer to make a truck look sexy.

[OnlyTruth]

Originally Posted by jo-e90

I am not feeling the same old elephant skin dash materials again.

Agree, it was acceptable on the previous body with a low budget price though

[SamS]

So how does the internet (Google homepage on Nav) on the X3 work? Will this feature come over to the US version?

[mm347]

M sport looks great! I like the heads up display and the new iDrive with Internet and Google maps. However, the dash still (just like in my e92) looks like a 3-4 year old designed it. BMW take a lesson from Audi, Acura, and others in interior dash design.

[1230vani]

I love the car and am likely to buy it. Will be pricey though if one wants M-package, heads-up, xenon (non - serial which is a crime), good music, navi, etc...

[vladberca]

It looks very good when is equiped with M pack!

[subman]

Where's the six-speed manual option?

[I335]

Originally Posted by subman

Where's the six-speed manual option?

It showed it with a manual near the end of the brochure. I really like this vehicle and if we can get some of those goodies here in the US (head up, around view, N55, 6spd manual, M-sport, etc.) it just may be my next vehicle. The only part I don't like much is the headlights, but they look better than the previous version...

[vrrooom]

only the 2.0 diesel is available with the 6 speed manual., the other diesel and both petrol cars come with the 8 speed automatic.

[mach330]

i'm not feeling the passenger side interior up front. that's a lot of plastic. other than that i think it looks great. i'm leaning towards the msport model as well. i just hope it comes out around march/april.