[Convertible]

Originally Posted by PM3

Humm...the wife has one - worst bmw i have ever owned btw - not sure she will like it to be more masculine, and lets face it, despite beeing quite dinamic, i see more women driving one than any other suv...also its boot is pretty small as it is. Wont that coupe like shape make it smaller??
And theres too much going on in the engine cover...too many lines.

i just hope they fix the manual gearbox and engine - at least on the 2d - its too rough. My e46 has the same engine and its much much smoother. Also hope its not shorter, like the X1...its funny...my oldest son and his girlfriend went to Frankfurt to check it out and hate it cause it was too short had poor interior and a small boot...and they are close to 30...bmw´s target market for the X1!!

Funny, I think the opposite. I've been super pleased with my X3 3.0D M Sport, one of the best BMW's I've had. I'm selling my E90 330da M Sport as it wont be driven as there is X3 in the house.

[rs6655]

Originally Posted by Convertible

Funny, I think the opposite. I've been super pleased with my X3......... one of the best BMW's I've had.

Same here. Our daughter has an E90 328i and my wife and I like our 2009 X3 far better. Our biggest problem is that we can't stay out of it.

We're retired, love to travel, and after owning countless vehicles over the years, have found one that we believe is almost perfect. The only thing we wish it had, that we couldn't order, was 6FL.

We took delivery October '08 and have already put over 34,000 miles on it without one hiccup.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by Bora20

I agree 100%. As well, they should be selling the X1 here already, waiting on that is also hurting them as well.

I know they don't want to take sales away from the X3, but in my mind, they are taking sales away from the brand at the moment as potential X1 buyers are looking towards other manufacturers.

X3 buyers will be different from X1 buyers for sure.

I learned a long time ago that product offering is a way to get consumers to buy a certain product.

Case in point, a watch manufacturer will offer three watches in a display case. One for $400, one for $600, and one for $900. Most consumers don't want to buy a low end product, when given choice they pick the middle of the road. The manufacturer achieves its goal of selling more $600 watches. If the consumer had only one choice, studies show they would not purchase the $600 watch.

If you look at BMW, I believe a few things are evident.

1. The X1 is designed to sell more X3's.
2. The 1 series and M3 are designed to sell more 3 series.
3. The X5/6M are designed to convince buyers they costs tooo much so they settle for a regular X5/6 which still cost t0o much.
4. The 7 series exists to sell more 5 series.

BMW took a 5 series, cut two doors off and called it a 6 series and yet charge $12k more for the same car. How's that for understanding the consumer. They have the 6/M6 buyers convinced the car is really different.

[Bora20]

Sounds like they understand you pretty well...BMW took a X5, removed a seat, and gave it an unusable cargo area and called it a X6, yet charge more for it.

I am just playing I understand it, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

BMW took to long figuring out who would make the new X3, or if there would even be one at all! Now that they have that sorted out, they can continue, I just wish they would have figured it out earlier.

Release the pictures of it and build some excitement! We get to see test photos of other models, yet hardly anything on the X3.

[Harajuku]

I thought the new X3 design was going to be released in late 2010 as a 2011 model vehicle. Anyone think it will make it?

[BEMVE X3]

LUV IT! if it looks that aggressive in full production ill trade my 07 X3 ASAP.

[Mii]

Here is the high-res version. Source: Autoweek.nl

[ORIGIN M.]

^ Not bad... Thanks for posting the clearer shots!!!

I'm getting one of the 1st ones built regardless, but I have high hopes it will end up slightly better than what I'm seeing. The current model looks better in the rear... Looks a lot like the X1.

[Bora20]

I like it, but would prefer it it didn't have the black trim on the fenders like the X1. I guess we will have to wait and see, I hope it isn't too much longer.

oh yah, and allow me to buy a diesel over here in Canada. If I can get an X3 diesel, you will have my deposit right away.

[ORIGIN M.]

It is expected to to be launched prior to winter of this year. 3rd Quarter release will be the earliest we will see the car. This X-Car is going to be a hoot to own.... I cannot wait!!!

Originally Posted by Harajuku

I thought the new X3 design was going to be released in late 2010 as a 2011 model vehicle. Anyone think it will make it?

[Harajuku]

Originally Posted by Bora20

I like it, but would prefer it it didn't have the black trim on the fenders like the X1. I guess we will have to wait and see, I hope it isn't too much longer.

oh yah, and allow me to buy a diesel over here in Canada. If I can get an X3 diesel, you will have my deposit right away.

I agree with you about the looks of the black trip on the fenders but all the x series vehicles have it (x1/x3/x5/x6) so I doubt it will be dropped.

[Mii]

Originally Posted by SCOTT27

The AutoBild/AutoWeek interpretation is very close to the production car especially when you compare some spyshots and you can see the simularities allbeit disguised.

The BimmerPost rendering of the Performance X3 is like the actual aerokit of the design study. The rear quarter light " swooping hoffmesiter Kick" which first saw light of day in the first generation of X3 before lending itself to the X6 and X1 will now be an "X" design characteristic.
The X3 gets it as will the next generation X5.
It works on the X1 because of the gradient decrease of the roofline matches the sweeping upline of the glasshouse something that also makes the X3 better proportioned.

New X3 is a stunning car a perfect big brother for the X1 and a little brother to the X5.

Source: Motorauthority

[ORIGIN M.]

Lets hope to God it is the Blue car, if these are down to how close it might be.

Different headlight are in order, and neither of these two have them..!

[Bora20]

I foresee some slight tweaks to this, but overall I love it. The color is perfect too.