[dmicah]

The G45 seems to be attempting to address my biggest gripe: steering feel. Looks like it's going to be a great car.

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by avi66

If that’s your priority buy a Lexus or Volvo.

I’d like to have a BMW with a better stereo.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

I’d like to have a BMW with a better stereo.

There are models within the BMW range with different audio systems.

Maybe your better is my terrible, as the perception of "better" is often due to acquired taste, and varies from person to person.

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by avi66

There are models within the BMW range with different audio systems.

Maybe your better is my terrible, as the perception of "better" is often due to acquired taste, and varies from person to person.

Any idea of potential interest rates for the new X3? I suspect we won’t get anywhere near the last one.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Keefy

Any idea of potential interest rates for the new X3? I suspect we won’t get anywhere near the last one.

Don’t see 2.9% from BMW anytime soon in the UK. I think the current X3 is 4.9%, but the X1 is 7.9%.

Best guess, anywhere between 3.9% & 7.9%, although if the BoE cuts rates maybe towards the lower end of that.

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by avi66

There are models within the BMW range with different audio systems.

Maybe your better is my terrible, as the perception of "better" is often due to acquired taste, and varies from person to person.

The last car I owned with a reasonably decent stock stereo was my B5 S4.

The HK stereo in my M40i is the next best. It is a significant improvement over the HK in my former F31. That one was a disappointment. If you view the M40i stereo as “terrible,” that is also a comment on just how bad stereos are in so many other cars.

I gather there are better stereos in certain BMWs, but those are bigger than interest me, and/or are available only in other markets.

I’m not going to buy a car just for its stereo, but I’d like to have the option to have a good one in the car I want. Going aftermarket, as I did decades ago, is more of a challenge in modern cars.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

The last car I owned with a reasonably decent stock stereo was my B5 S4.

The HK stereo in my M40i is the next best. It is a significant improvement over the HK in my former F31. That one was a disappointment. If you view the M40i stereo as “terrible,” that is also a comment on just how bad stereos are in so many other cars.

I gather there are better stereos in certain BMWs, but those are bigger than interest me, and/or are available only in other markets.

I’m not going to buy a car just for its stereo, but I’d like to have the option to have a good one in the car I want. Going aftermarket, as I did decades ago, is more of a challenge in modern cars.

the X5 is kind of the sweet spot in the SUV lineup from others i've talked to. it gets things like nappa leather, air suspension, better hk stereo with a sub, bowers stereo option, massage seats, etc. things some other x3 sized competitors actually get. The x7 is really just an upsized x5 and retains a similar interior quality, the x3 is where the drop off in quality happens.

but yeah the x5/x6 are just far too big imo.

[Equilibrandt]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

the X5 is kind of the sweet spot in the SUV lineup from others i've talked to. it gets things like nappa leather, air suspension, better hk stereo with a sub, bowers stereo option, massage seats, etc. things some other x3 sized competitors actually get. The x7 is really just an upsized x5 and retains a similar interior quality, the x3 is where the drop off in quality happens.

but yeah the x5/x6 are just far too big imo.

My sentiment, too. I was cross shopping a similar price point between the X3 M40i and X5 xDrive40i. When looking at the benefits of the X5, the interior and tech are overwhelmingly positive. But if you hop over to the forums, even though they share the B58, it's hammered in over and over that the X5 just feels way bigger, less precise, and less sporty.

Guess that's the see-saw effect: am I willing to give up interior quality and creature features for a sportier/smaller SUV.

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

the X5 is kind of the sweet spot in the SUV lineup from others i've talked to. it gets things like nappa leather, air suspension, better hk stereo with a sub, bowers stereo option, massage seats, etc. things some other x3 sized competitors actually get. The x7 is really just an upsized x5 and retains a similar interior quality, the x3 is where the drop off in quality happens.

but yeah the x5/x6 are just far too big imo.

I briefly considered the X5. But it really is bigger than I’d prefer. I might have gone for the hybrid, except that reliability reports scared me away, plus it’s not available with adaptive suspension.