[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by EWL5

No buttons are somewhat mitigated if you still have the rotary controller. If we lose even that (like on the X1), then you can probably expect insurance premiums to go up!

Haha yea I’d not be in a bmw anymore if there wasn’t the idrive controller. My god that x1 center stack looks soooo cheap. Luckily the x3 and above are clearly keeping it.

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by hyde

Exactly. Now what they are going to tell us get a X2? And where is X2 M40?
Slab of screen is really annoying me more than it should, but it just does.
If they bring the dual round exhausts into m50i that will be nice.
Headlights don't look all that different than now, they definitely don't look like the new x5s.

They took away the I6 in the X1, they'll never put it back or add it to the X2. Quite unfortunate, both would be fun cars with a B58.

[bocabimmer]

I’m not worried about:

• The exterior styling
• Hybridized powertrains
• Handling (at least I’m assuming that BMW will continue to right the ship since the F series)

I am not on board with:

• “Modern” interior design language and materials
• Lack of buttons
• Lack of shifter

I swore I’d never buy a BMW that didn’t come with a manual transmission, a NA engine, and a hydraulic rack… look at me now. Part of the problem is that it’s the direction the entire industry is going so BMW by default is still the better of all the options.

That said, I’m still on track to keep my X3 for the foreseeable future so none of this is really a concern for me.

[Jen4BMW]

More than anything I am losing interest the more I learn. All this upsizing makes the X2 more attractive in the size/nimble department. The problem is the X2 feels cheap inside compared to my current M40i and no B58.

Boring still sums up my initial G45 impressions. I could see this new X3 catching the eye of KIA and Hyundai buyers looking for the BMW badge but for existing M40i owners I am just not seeing any big upgrades (yet).

I have no doubt the M50 will be well North of $70K too.

Predicted Disappointments:
No air option w/ Adaptive M
No 22 inch wheel option
Added size/bulk/weight
G45 Exterior shape is not much different than current model
Boring G45 2025 exterior color choices
Huge touch screen for added fingerprint collection
No buttons for climate/radio
Cheap little gear shift

Porsche must be ecstatic to see even more differentiation between their small, sporty, upscale Macan versus this big lumbering new X3.

I suspect I’ll be keeping my low mileage 2022 X3 M40i a while longer.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

I too am still on track for keeping my 2022 X3 M40i.

P.S. I bet we get a 3rd new grey color option (oh joy)

[nyalpine90]

steering wheel is nice. thats about it

[MADBMWX5MC]

They video is a bit hyped, but expected coming from a BMW rep.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by avi66

Having seen other models with the current interior design ethos, I can’t say I’m a fan.

I was looking at two brand new cars at my local BNW dealer, one had the older design interior, and one the newer curved screen etc.

To me the curved screen interior looked cheap by comparison, and something you might expect to find in a mass market Korean model.

And since pretty much all BMW models have identical interiors now you can probably safely based things off what other recent models looks like. It used to be there was some distinction between lower and higher end models (X1 to X7 for instance) but now they are mostly the same other than maybe for some better materials.

I keep hoping that with each new model they would finally have better integrated the iDrive screen like so many other brands have done, but it really seems no better than its first iteration - just a screen sticking up on some stilts.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i'd be very careful watching and reading any reviews from BMW BLOG lol... they don't exactly ever show faults in vehicles

Its likely going to cause some biased reviews when you are tied in so much with the brand that they give you test drives before the car has even been announced.

[snareman]

I'm actually looking forward to it being a little bit larger, looks like about an inch wider and longer. I like the increased road presence of the X5, but don't really need to spend X5 money or need X5 space.

I see they are furthering the M-ification of BMW with the quad tail pipes in the M-lite version. I suppose in the end only the BMW purists would care or know about this. The general public would just think it looks cool.

As I mentioned above, I keep hoping they would integrate the idrive screen better, but still no such luck.

I'd rather have an M1/M2 button over paddle shifters because switching between modes takes too much effort looking down at the center console to find the button.

It sounds like lots of ASD in the video. One of the nice things about iDrive7 and earlier is being able to code that worthless noise off. Its one of the first things I do as it just creates a fall reality in your head of what you think the car sounds like. Its completely worthless. Is there an option in iD9 to turn it off?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by snareman

I'm actually looking forward to it being a little bit larger, looks like about an inch wider and longer. I like the increased road presence of the X5, but don't really need to spend X5 money or need X5 space.

I see they are furthering the M-ification of BMW with the quad tail pipes in the M-lite version. I suppose in the end only the BMW purists would care or know about this. The general public would just think it looks cool.

As I mentioned above, I keep hoping they would integrate the idrive screen better, but still no such luck.

I'd rather have an M1/M2 button over paddle shifters because switching between modes takes too much effort looking down at the center console to find the button.

It sounds like lots of ASD in the video. One of the nice things about iDrive7 and earlier is being able to code that worthless noise off. Its one of the first things I do as it just creates a fall reality in your head of what you think the car sounds like. Its completely worthless. Is there an option in iD9 to turn it off?

the x5 is larger yet offers 0 interior advantage outside of cargo space lol... its a terrible use of space

[snareman]

Originally Posted by ASAP

the x5 is larger yet offers 0 interior advantage outside of cargo space lol... its a terrible use of space

I know, it really doesn't have much more interior space. I just like the increased outside size appearance. Although truth be told, my also several year X3 owning friend and I will see an X vehicle and debate what number it is and with some frequency are wrong.

[Eric500]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Looks to be a page out of the 5 series design and not the x5 lci. I guess bc this is a whole new model series where the x5 is not. What worries me is the complaints about 5 series interior material quality. You can see similar side door buttons - I believe there is a ton of hard plastics etc in the new 5. The center console being all piano black / plastic and disconnected really does not have a high quality look to me..: bmw seems to be trying to make things look flashy with more lighting and coloring to wow the consumer and distract from the shit material they used inside. (We are not stupid on this forum)

That being said - if they really focused on drive quality, comfort and steering this much and make large improvements there then this can still be a great choice.

Agreed and sadly Mercedes has been doing this the past couple years as well

[corbinwilliams]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

It looks bigger or am I imaging it?
I also don’t like flush door handles, when it’s wet they slip out of your hands when you open, very annoying.

Did you also notice the rear headrests are now fixed, they don’t go down.

I agree with you, the flush door handles are not as intuitive as the original BMW door handles and they aren’t as satisfying to grab onto. There’s a reason the original door handles lasted as long as they did. This is just another example of “If it’s not broken don’t fix it”

[spuntyb]

Thing is ginormous. Here’s to hoping they fixed the ride stiffness and turbo lag of the M variant at least!

[Bimmerfun82]

What advantage does BMW derive by hiding the design at this point? Just show us the car. Marketing department is out of control with all these previews… honestly I have no interest in an X3 but would be very interested in the iX3 which they are converting to the NK … at least here in the states the iX3 is unavailable while the Y is flying off the shelves.

[EWL5]

Based on the current gen's debut, I'd say we get the "reveal" and more information in 2 months (June).

[Fabs///M]

Originally Posted by EWL5

If I wanted a bigger car, I would’ve gone X5!

But the X5 cost quite a bit more!!!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Fabs///M

But the X5 cost quite a bit more!!!

You are assuming I got an X3 because it was cheaper.

My other car is a GLS450 so I don't need a "big" car!

[x3g01]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Looks to be a page out of the 5 series design and not the x5 lci. I guess bc this is a whole new model series where the x5 is not. What worries me is the complaints about 5 series interior material quality. You can see similar side door buttons - I believe there is a ton of hard plastics etc in the new 5. The center console being all piano black / plastic and disconnected really does not have a high quality look to me..: bmw seems to be trying to make things look flashy with more lighting and coloring to wow the consumer and distract from the shit material they used inside. (We are not stupid on this forum)

That being said - if they really focused on drive quality, comfort and steering this much and make large improvements there then this can still be a great choice.

Most likely, looking at recent new BMW releases, the following decontenting will happen:
No map pockets on back of front seats
No door sill labels
No comfort access on rear doors
No ambient lighting strips on rear doors
Plus the other material-related cheapening for the stalks/window controls/plastics that cars like the 5 Series have seen.

It’s sad because between around 2018 - 2022 this segment had multiple great options like the then-new Audi SQ5, the GLC43 with a V6, Macan S/GTS and the X3 M40i. Now the GLC43 has a compromised hybrid 4-cylinder setup, the SQ5 and Macan are still soldiering on unchanged and feel dated, and we get a new X3 M50 with a lot of cost-cutting throughout. So even looking outside of the BMW world, it’s becoming harder and harder to find a good option for a fast compact luxury SUV with good daily usability, tech, and build quality.

[Fabs///M]

Originally Posted by EWL5

You are assuming I got an X3 because it was cheaper.

My other car is a GLS450 so I don't need a "big" car!

I’m not assuming that. What I mean is that even if I needed a bigger suv like the x5 I couldn’t afford it. So x3 would have to be. Actually I ended up buying the new X1. Even the X3 is out of my budget 🤷‍♂️

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i'd be very careful watching and reading any reviews from BMW BLOG lol... they don't exactly ever show faults in vehicles

Horatiu did complain about the steering numbness / dead dead center feel and uncomfortableness (maybe steering wheel was resistant or pushing back hard at him) driving the first one or two km until Sport + was selected and then he was totally fine with the steering.

Not really sure that was all about though. If steering was so bad in one mode, what did all the improvement in suspension, new EPS, and kinematics bring to the table?