[Radar314]

I really am enjoying my new X3 M40i. Truly an amazing vehicle.
The other day someone asked me what I was driving. I answered, “A BMW X3”. He replied, “ Kind of a basic SUV, but nice”. I do not consider this fully equiped BMW as basic. Then I thought that I should have added some more designation. What do you answer to the question? I though of things like X3M or just stick with X3. X3 M40i sounds a bit too much. A friend has always refered to his BMW as a 535i. He never forgets the “i”.
Maybe I should stop posting stuff and go out for a drive.

[MechX3M40i]

Depending on who's asking. For strangers and those whom I don't care talking to, "a blue car". For people I know, "X3" - With the option of telling them more if my friends are genuinely interested.

[HoustonEaDo]

You don't drive an X3M so definitely don't answer with that....

I wouldn't worry about trying to explain you drive a "fully equipped" X3 to anyone....If you like what you drive, don't worry about what other people think...you have a sweet ride and you know it

[Fenders]

I'd be curious what your questioner held as the criteria separating basic from not basic..knowing what THEY drive (or want to) could shed some light on that.

[Radar314]

He was driving a Kia Sorrento, I think. I never gave much thought to it, his ride, that is. I guess, thinking about this, I did not even know what the BMW M even stood for until October 19th. Also, never heard the term Launch Control till I joined the forum.

[snakehips]

Always just “an X3”. That’s all even my brother knows.

[Deliberate2]

....my wife crazy.

[Lux700]

You have to be into your cars to know the difference and to know what is what. Most people don’t have much idea and when they see an M3 (for example), it might as well be a 318d.

Some of my neighbours drive quite nice cars but it’s surprising how little they know about them.

Depends who’s asking... but for the most, I usually just say “A BMW”, “A Beemer”, or “A BMW SUV” and see where it goes from there... I did the same with my 335d xdrive Touring. You could give them the full nomenclature but most would probably just reply “oh”, so I keep it short. If I know that the person asking has a knowledge of cars I’ll elaborate but I don’t want to ‘show out’ as a car geek / petrol head to someone who isn’t. For example, my next door neighbour is a neurosurgeon and to him a car is just a conveyance, it’s not high on his list of what is important. My neighbour opposite is gynaecologist and he likes his cars, so it’s a different conversation altogether.

[GT500R]

X3 M40i

I just leave it at that and if anyone has any more interest or really wanted to know they ask what’s a M40i

[Tchgrif]

lol. typical. his insecurity about what he drives comes out in a passive aggressive little bitch comment on how your car is "basic". that's some Basic male macho BS

I would have said X3 you? then when he said basic I would have said "well we can't all drive sorento's"

[titomi]

Well, let's face the truth. X3 is basic in the world of SUV.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by titomi

Well, let's face the truth. X3 is basic in the world of SUV.

I hope there is a lot of sarcasm here since the world is dominated by RAV4, CRV, Rogue and whatever Hyundai has to offer... X3 is not as basic as someone would think vs the majority of these CuteUV...

My take for the 'basic' comment OP received? Sour grapes! I can smell their stink from a mile away, hence my suggestion to just say 'blue car' or whatever color car you have to cut them out right away.

[titomi]

No sarcasm there. X3 is not a SUV, it's not even officially called that, it's SAV. In reality it's far from a real SUV, although it can be good in certain light off-roading.

Nevertheless, my answer to such question as OP received would be "BMW X3".

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by titomi

No sarcasm there. X3 is not a SUV, it's not even officially called that, it's SAV. In reality it's far from a real SUV, although it can be good in certain light off-roading.

Nevertheless, my answer to such question as OP received would be "BMW X3".

Well, serious off road capability seem like a must for you before you can call anything SUV.

I have a RAV4 hybrid but I would not take it off-road, so maybe I should start calling it SAV also... :

I know a few owners of other luxury 'SAV' like X5, Q5 and SQ5, GLC/GLE, F-Pace etc and these vehicles should all be 'basic' since none of them take the car out off-roading, ever!

[Matt1002]

Here in the Netherlands people always say "oh, nice! that's a really great car!" when they hear I ordered an X3. I've seen only 1 G01 on the road here in 2 months probably because premium SUV prices are through the roof here because of emissions/gas guzzler tax (called BPM) on TOP of normal sales tax.

for example, a BASE X3 xDrive20i starts at approx 62.400 EUR (EUR38k for the car, approx EUR14k of emissions tax and 8k sales tax) which equals to about USD71.000. my 20i with options ended up being about 83K EUR (USD93K)

this is most probably why people here think an X3 is no "basic" SUV..

not to mention the M40i that starts at EUR 109k or 125k USD because of EUR32k / USD36K emissions! that's why you never see them here :P

[XXX3]

BOSS X3

[SROC3]

Up until this version of the X3 (G01).....I actually may have also just thought, "ahhh, X3? Oh that's a nice basic SUV." Not that there's anything bad at all about that thought process. Just a basic observation. For me, the G01 is the only reason I've ever considered getting an X3 to begin with - It's that much better than previous generations. It's also the only one I've never just thought of as a "girl car" as the lines are stouter and stronger.

[Radar314]

Great perspective Matt1002. Thanks for the explanation.
Amazing how everyone thinks of their rides. A wide range of opinions.

Right now I am thinking my answer to the question is: “BMW Crossover” or “White BMW”.

As I was doing an errand today, it occured to me that there is way too much power under my foot and I need to keep an eye on the speed limit sign in the HUD. The acceleration is almost scary.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by Matt1002

Here in the Netherlands people always say "oh, nice! that's a really great car!" when they hear I ordered an X3. I've seen only 1 G01 on the road here in 2 months probably because premium SUV prices are through the roof here because of emissions/gas guzzler tax (called BPM) on TOP of normal sales tax.

for example, a BASE X3 xDrive20i starts at approx 62.400 EUR (EUR38k for the car, approx EUR14k of emissions tax and 8k sales tax) which equals to about USD71.000. my 20i with options ended up being about 83K EUR (USD93K)

this is most probably why people here think an X3 is no "basic" SUV..

not to mention the M40i that starts at EUR 109k or 125k USD because of EUR32k / USD36K emissions! that's why you never see them here :P

I feel your pain about high car prices! I think you should be proud of yourself for being able to enjoy the fruit of your hard work, and get a 'premium' SUV like the X3. Wholeheartedly agree with you that there is nothing 'basic' about our BMWs. Enjoy the ride!

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by Radar314

Great perspective Matt1002. Thanks for the explanation.
Amazing how everyone thinks of their rides. A wide range of opinions.

Right now I am thinking my answer to the question is: “BMW Crossover” or “White BMW”.

As I was doing an errand today, it occured to me that there is way too much power under my foot and I need to keep an eye on the speed limit sign in the HUD. The acceleration is almost scary.

I'm with you about the scary acceleration. I found myself reaching triple digits several times and had to keep reminding myself to slow down.

You can set up a speed warning on the iDrive that whenever you reach that speed, the car will prompt you about it. Give it a try if you have not already.

Enjoy the ride!

[Radar314]

100% agree. I did set the speed warning at 80 mph since I drive on I95 here in south Florida. 70 mph feels good for me but it creeps up real fast.
Over the years I have had 60’s and 70’s muscle cars and three corvettes. This X3 seems more responsive due to the twin turbo, technology and transmission.

[DavidLE46/F36]

I usually just respond with an "M40". If they have any interest in cars they engage and we talk about it being an X3.