[njlime]

I picked up the X3 one week ago today. The biggest negative so far is that the side mirrors are too small.
- The car is not quite as quick as my previous Volvo XC60 with T6 engine plus Polestar tune. However, I decided it is quick enough & decided not to get the M40i.
- I will wait until after taking a trip to comment on seat comfort but the Volvo seats were fantastic. They also incuded ventilation & massage. Ventilation was a not available on the Vernasca leather that I picked. I made the decision that ventilation was minimally effective but I will miss the massage feature.
- The HK Surround system isn't even close to the Bowers & Wilkins unit in the Volvo but is OK, especially since I listen slmost exclusively to SiriusXM & some of it is talk radio.
- Ride & handling are the real stars of this vehicle. It is a joy to drive.

[gphin]

Based on all your positive Volvo comments, have to be curious why you switched to the X3 instead of another Volvo?

[yojimbo]

Should've just get another Volvo if that's the case

[das boots]

Originally Posted by njlime

I picked up the X3 one week ago today. The biggest negative so far is that the side mirrors are too small.
- The car is not quite as quick as my previous Volvo XC60 with T6 engine plus Polestar tune. However, I decided it is quick enough & decided not to get the M40i.
- I will wait until after taking a trip to comment on seat comfort but the Volvo seats were fantastic. They also incuded ventilation & massage. Ventilation was a not available on the Vernasca leather that I picked. I made the decision that ventilation was minimally effective but I will miss the massage feature.
- The HK Surround system isn't even close to the Bowers & Wilkins unit in the Volvo but is OK, especially since I listen slmost exclusively to SiriusXM & some of it is talk radio.
- Ride & handling are the real stars of this vehicle. It is a joy to drive.

Did you do a deep test drive prior to purchase to compare with the Volvo?

[Oldgixxer]

Mirrors? That's a first

[njlime]

Didn't mean to make it sound as if I am not happy with the X3. I love the way it drives & handles. I certainly could have solved the difference in quickness by ordering the M40i & originally intended to do so, but decided that the X3.0i is quick enough. The Bowers & Wilkins stereo has a far superior sound to the HK in my opinion but I listen to SiriusXM & their compressed signal limits sound quality anyway. Also, I listen to quite a bit of talk radio, so sound quality is almost irrelevant. As for the seats, I have no complaints with the X3 but will have a better feel for how they compare after a long trip or two. The side mirrors seem small but I guess I will get used to them.
After several Volvos, I was ready for something different. The powertrain I had is no longer available. The only way to get over 300 hp like I had is to get the plug-in hybrid. At this point, I do not want to deal with an electric vehicle. Also, the local Volvo dealer no longer offers service loaners which is something I find important.

[gphin]

If you find the quickness not quick enough, you can always spend under $500 and install a Racechip or JB4 tune. Big difference on my 30i....guessing close to 300hp. Also have a 2" round spot mirror on drivers side mirror that helps lane vision. Welcome to the forum.

[brettl]

Welcome to the forum and your x3. You essentially hit the highlight reel of the x3 complaints- lots of people on this forum have commented on the HK and its poor performance for an upgraded stereo, the seats (takes people a bit to find the right spot) and the power delivery of the 30i - it should have a little more to it out of the box.
It’s the first I’ve heard of the mirrors…
But you hit the nail on the head, even the base model handles fairly well in comparison to the market and the size is perfect.
A couple curvy roads and the Volvo will be but a memory!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by njlime

I picked up the X3 one week ago today. The biggest negative so far is that the side mirrors are too small.
- The car is not quite as quick as my previous Volvo XC60 with T6 engine plus Polestar tune. However, I decided it is quick enough & decided not to get the M40i.
- I will wait until after taking a trip to comment on seat comfort but the Volvo seats were fantastic. They also incuded ventilation & massage. Ventilation was a not available on the Vernasca leather that I picked. I made the decision that ventilation was minimally effective but I will miss the massage feature.
- The HK Surround system isn't even close to the Bowers & Wilkins unit in the Volvo but is OK, especially since I listen slmost exclusively to SiriusXM & some of it is talk radio.
- Ride & handling are the real stars of this vehicle. It is a joy to drive.

The settings on the HK system (Logic 7, EQ etc) can make a significant difference to perceived audio quality. The settings are not optimised from the factory, so I’d suggest looking for guidance in this area as it may help.

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by njlime

Didn't mean to make it sound as if I am not happy with the X3. I love the way it drives & handles. I certainly could have solved the difference in quickness by ordering the M40i & originally intended to do so, but decided that the X3.0i is quick enough. The Bowers & Wilkins stereo has a far superior sound to the HK in my opinion but I listen to SiriusXM & their compressed signal limits sound quality anyway. Also, I listen to quite a bit of talk radio, so sound quality is almost irrelevant. As for the seats, I have no complaints with the X3 but will have a better feel for how they compare after a long trip or two. The side mirrors seem small but I guess I will get used to them.
After several Volvos, I was ready for something different. The powertrain I had is no longer available. The only way to get over 300 hp like I had is to get the plug-in hybrid. At this point, I do not want to deal with an electric vehicle. Also, the local Volvo dealer no longer offers service loaners which is something I find important.

Many of us have found that dialing in the seat position is key to seat comfort. At least in my case, I had to adjust my seating position a fair amount to get it right. You can find several active threads on the subject if you want help.

[bouchy]

Why didn't he go Volvo? Volvo is finished. They (will) switch to EV completely.
Some points of author's review are valid - BW audio is available in X3 as well. edit: used to be...
Ventilation is a musthave, I am quite surprised that is was not available for leather seats. I had a memo that even though Sensatec seats seem to be more comfortable, seat ventilation was available only with leather seats. So, maybe not.

[Leem40i]

You made a good choice. Volvo has had declining sales for years and now they are selling out to electric which will seal their fate.

As far as the HK sound system it's crap. Never have I owned a car with such a bad sound system that cost extra. The whole way it's designed is confusing. If you fade the sound to the front the 2 door speakers, the pillar tweeters, and the center channel play.
Fade the sound to the rear and the only thing that plays is the rear surround speakers and the subwoofers in the floor. I discovered that the rear door speakers only play with the front speakers and at a much lower level. It's basically a front speaker system with all rear speakers serving as fill in and surround.
I ended up buying a Bimmertech Alpha One amp that transformed the system into awesome.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Come back and give an update. Recommend after a long trip.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Why didn't he go Volvo? Volvo is finished. They (will) switch to EV completely.
Some points of author's review are valid - BW audio is available in X3 as well. edit: used to be...
Ventilation is a musthave, I am quite surprised that is was not available for leather seats. I had a memo that even though Sensatec seats seem to be more comfortable, seat ventilation was available only with leather seats. So, maybe not.

When I ordered my '24 ventilated seats were available in black vernasca only.

[Leem40i]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Why didn't he go Volvo? Volvo is finished. They (will) switch to EV completely.
Some points of author's review are valid - BW audio is available in X3 as well. edit: used to be...
Ventilation is a musthave, I am quite surprised that is was not available for leather seats. I had a memo that even though Sensatec seats seem to be more comfortable, seat ventilation was available only with leather seats. So, maybe not.

The ventilated seats in these cars are crap. Most people who get them think they're getting the cooled seats like other cars have where they actually send air conditioning to the seats. Not so would bmw. All it does is blow air and it does it poorly. On top of that when you get the ventilated seat option the seats are harder. Even the salesman said to not get it unless you absolutely have to have it.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

The ventilated seats in these cars are crap. Most people who get them think they're getting the cooled seats like other cars have where they actually send air conditioning to the seats. Not so would bmw. All it does is blow air and it does it poorly. On top of that when you get the ventilated seat option the seats are harder. Even the salesman said to not get it unless you absolutely have to have it.

Honestly, I like the ventilated seats in my 23 m40i. Not quite as good as my spouse's 22 Q5 but keeps me comfortable in hot weather and they pass the "sweaty back" test. I used to hate getting out of a car with the AC set at 68 in the summertime with my shirt sticking to my back from sweating in the seat. Maybe if I lived in a climate where I had to deal with strings of 100 degF days I'd feel different, but even on the 90+ deg days we've had here I've had no problems.

[IAmSpeed]

1 week sounds way too quick to give a comprehensive review.

[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by IAmSpeed

1 week sounds way too quick to give a comprehensive review.

Yeah, for sure, it took me 2 months to fully understand all the settings on this car. Add in the break-in miles before you can flog it and fully observe the X3's dynamics takes time too. Then you have the tire pressure (depending on your local roads) to play with and that's more seat time.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

Honestly, I like the ventilated seats in my 23 m40i. Not quite as good as my spouse's 22 Q5 but keeps me comfortable in hot weather and they pass the "sweaty back" test. I used to hate getting out of a car with the AC set at 68 in the summertime with my shirt sticking to my back from sweating in the seat. Maybe if I lived in a climate where I had to deal with strings of 100 degF days I'd feel different, but even on the 90+ deg days we've had here I've had no problems.

I ordered them in our '24 as well as our '19 before that. They're fine for us but i would recommend if you can, to try them before buying/leasing an X3 with them. The key is to understand they are ventilated and not cooled or air conditioned or whatever. We turn the ventilation on low along with the heaters. It makes for nice even heating.

[bouchy]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

The ventilated seats in these cars are crap.

In the X5, they are cooled. People misread ventilated x cooled, but there is difference. I know what it's like to have dark interior. Ventilation helps me not to sit on hot seat, let alone leather.

[arRod1981]

Originally Posted by bouchy

In the X5, they are cooled. People misread ventilated x cooled, but there is difference. I know what it's like to have dark interior. Ventilation helps me not to sit on hot seat, let alone leather.

They are not cooled in the X5. They are ventilated only as well.

[GloppyGlop]

Originally Posted by njlime

- The HK Surround system isn't even close to the Bowers & Wilkins unit in the Volvo but is OK, especially since I listen slmost exclusively to SiriusXM & some of it is talk radio.

I'm not an audiophile but I appreciate tight sound. I didn't think it was sloppy but it didn't pop like i thought it would. I dont have the patience or judgement to tweak the eq settings myself but found a few threads on the forum with recommended settings i mirrored. They were farther off from center than i anticipated. I recommend finding some baseline settings online for your car to try. I felt it made a pretty significant difference.