Does the X3 have that “special” feeling

T16ole · 12-13-2018, 12:05 PM

I took delivery of a well spec’d M40i back in September and I’ve enjoyed 5k miles in it since.

I Spent about £5.5k on options, including ACC, Pano Roof, Merino leather, M sport package etc.

My previous car was a 640d which most certainly received lots of
positive comments and, to me at least, felt special.

Which got me thinking does that feeling extend to my X3....

From behind the wheel it feels special to me, it’s a better car than the 640d in almost every area. It’s a car for any occasion.

I’ve also had lots of people asking, is that the new X5?

It’s fair to say BMW have certainly up’d their game from previous generations in terms of “specialness”.

My old man has a Cayenne S Diesel (the V8), that most certainly feels more expensive, but I suppose it is.

I’m very pleased with it anyway.

Does your X3 feel special to you?

D69GMB · 12-13-2018, 12:19 PM

I don't currently own one yet but had a 30d on test drive for a weekend which made up my mind that this would be my next car. I have never driven or owned a car of this type or size and wanted to be sure that I would be happy with the way it drove/ handled. I am currently in the negotiation stage of buying a 40d.
To answer your question, I think it is a very good car to drive and was very surprised how refined and how well it handled. I think "special " is all relevant to what you normally drive,my day to day vehicle is a Ford Transit Connect which is my own payed for with my money van so when I drive something like the x3 yes it feels special.I used to own a Z4M roadster and this was my daily driver and honestly it felt special every time I drove it.

verysideways · 12-13-2018, 12:28 PM

X3 M40i is both more cosseting and luxurious, and yet also better handling and more sporty than my previous 340i M Sport Touring.
It's much quieter and more comfortable, and yet also much more fun to drive when the mood takes me, and when i put it in sport it handles better and makes a better noise than the 340 did too.

I think most of this is down to the fact that the X3 M40i is an M Performance car, whereas my 340i was simply a normal 3 series with a gutsy engine.

You can certainly tell the G01 is a 5/7 series platform rather than 3 series based, but thanks to some M Performance trickery it handles much better than it should for the height and weight.

Definitely feels special, like my old E87 130i did.

Not as special as my 993 turbo, but that couldn't take my wife and kids and dog and bikes on the towbar for a day out

nvestr · 12-13-2018, 12:37 PM

I've never been much of a BMW guy, to be honest. My brother-in-law had a 2016 X5M that I put some miles on - it was enjoyable but did not feel overly special, especially relative to its cost. It was just ok for me. I had driven a 440i Xdrive when I was shopping for my Benz C43 AMG and was underwhelmed with the interior.

I did not have high expectations with the X3 and my original pre-judice was that X3's were SUV's for women (sorry! lol).

Everything changed when I took the M40i X3 out of the dealer's lot for a test drive. It did feel really special to me - a feeling I haven't gotten from other BMW's for whatever reason. Can't explain it. That is why I plan on orderering one for when my MB lease comes due in May.

ParadigmDawg · 12-13-2018, 01:02 PM

To me it's a fun car to zip around town in. Mine is tuned and is really quick so it's fun to race all the Mustangs, Camaros, Dodges, Audis, Benz, Vettes and other Bimmers. Honestly it's only been beat once and that was by a modded Shelby GT500.

The interior and it's fit and finish is nothing special and the seats kill my butt and legs. The cabin is noisy and just not refined. I hate the car on long trips.

So...to me its just a fun, in town car that runs good, looks good on the outside and sounds great.

djayash · 12-13-2018, 01:47 PM

I just picked up my X3 last weekend. I had purchased a brand new Benz last year and was really unhappy with it. Nothing luxurious or special abt it.

When I was test driving cars, BMW was not really in my list. I just happened to be next to a dealership and time to kill, so drove a X3. Loved it and bought one days later.

Love the interiors, technology and well pretty much everything so far. Special so far

teaston · 12-13-2018, 01:51 PM

Interior wise, compared to an F30 definitely! Compared to a G30 not so much, X3 needs the Merino to get close to the G30, but then of course a G30 with Merino/Nappa is another step up.

Drive wise, it’s certainly better than anything else I’ve driven with 4 seats, and also knowing you can go off road or wade half a metre of water makes you feel king of the road!

spangle1980 · 12-13-2018, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16ole

Does your X3 feel special to you?

Let's just put it this way. I'm in love with my M40d. Every time I plant my foot down, or look at the interior, or just approach it. I love her :-)

LostX · 12-13-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangle1980

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16ole

Does your X3 feel special to you?

Let's just put it this way. I'm in love with my M40d. Every time I plant my foot down, or look at the interior, or just approach it. I love her :-)

Does she have a name?

SROC3 · 12-13-2018, 02:38 PM

This is a very good question to pose

It's actually why I have an X3 on order and not another M4 or "higher-number-leveled variant" from BMW. That fleeting test-drive I had as a loaner really made a big impression on me - it was a BASE model X3 with no options at all and it still left me wanting to go for random drives and make up errands. lol. Now I have a fully-optioned MSport 30i arriving in January

Lux700 · 12-13-2018, 05:34 PM

For what it is (SUV), it does feel special. Saying that, we need to remember it’s base architecture, so it should be fairly well sorted. So far, it feels solid, is refined and insulated, and makes effortless and deceptive speed. Again, for what it is, it’s excellent to drive, it handles very well, rides well, is quick (there aren’t that many cars on the road that are quicker), it’s spacious, looks good and is well equipped.

One more thing to remember is that we get used to and acclimatise to things, so the more we get used to it the more normal the experience of driving it will become. Maybe all of us owners should buy ourselves a scrappy old banger to drive around in for a few days of the week so that when we get back into our X3s we will appreciate them all over again!

I haven’t got a scrappy car to mooch around in, but funnily enough I still think my M40d is special.

Tex94 · 12-13-2018, 05:49 PM

I think my answer depends on who is judging the “special”. If it is me, the owner/driver, then absolutely yes. As others have said it is a fantastic ride with sneaky speed and handling and great infotainment and a step forward in luxury from prior x3s. Definitely special.

For others (assuming you are looking for external validation of your <<fill in the blank>>), then no. Yes, it looks nice but it doesn’t scream special. It looks like the next generation of the X3, a solid dependable, mid size SUV. I wouldn’t expect much if I did not drive it or if I hadn’t done any research on it. It doesn’t really stand out. But take them for a ride or let them take a turn behind the wheel and I think they would then think it special. I don’t expect to get random compliments on it like I did my Cayenne though. This time the speed and handling and excitement is for me.

Njerts · 12-13-2018, 10:53 PM

I get up for work everyday at 5:30am. When I struggle to get up I motivate myself with the thought that I get to drive my M40 to work.
To me it is very special.

Jayf30 · 12-14-2018, 01:24 AM

Very special to me.

I'm always getting compliments and folks asking about her. Today, I got a lot of satisfaction when a guy in an i8 drove past me while I was parked in my driveway and completely broke his neck to look at her lol

spangle1980 · 12-14-2018, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostX

Does she have a name?

Would you know it - NO!!! It is an illicit affair, full of passion and drive. We haven't gotten to the name stage yet . Maybe the relationship will evolve to first name terms, but for now the feeling is awesome ...

;-)

RichM50d · 12-14-2018, 01:59 AM

It’s special to me. The way it feels and drives is special. I like that it looks fairly normal, and slips under the radar, but always enjoy taking people out in it and seeing the look on their faces afterwards, when they get to experience how special it is!

Freezzr · 12-14-2018, 02:28 AM

I have a rather basic X3 (because cars overhere are mega-expensive) I'm sorry to say but I'd rather have my old 4-series GC... I think you really need M package and fast engine to have 'that special' feeling. It's not bad, but I'm not very enthousiastic, it also feels like the quality is behind of the 4-series.

mde83 · 12-14-2018, 08:11 AM

Every new car (or new to me used car) has felt "special" to me for a while. But eventually, again for me, that feeling fades a good bit...And then either my lease ends or I trade/sell the vehicle, etc. and get to experience "special" again.

Believe it or not, the most "special" feeling vehicle that I have owned...and the one in which that feeling has lasted the longest, is a lowly 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Its very basic transportation, not a lot of tech. Its 14 years old now...but more often than not, on nice days, I pick it to drive over my Dodge Challenger Scat Pack and my current BMW X3 35i. Probably because of the soft top and the ability to make it a convertible... And once it a while we go off road...

I am taking delivery of my m40i tomorrow. And for a while, mostly the first 6 months, but to a lesser extent for a year or two, it will feel like a treat whenever I drive it. But knowing me, in the last year of my 3 year lease, I will be looking forward t that next "special" experience in the next vehicle.

I am 53yo and have had close to 70 vehicles in my life... no I don't equate cars to women...never been that lucky...or unlucky depending on your frame of mind...

SROC3 · 12-14-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mde83

no I don't equate cars to women...never been that lucky...or unlucky depending on your frame of mind...

IM_ALL_IN · 12-14-2018, 03:57 PM

Feels special to me. All the tech + handling/looks/power make me think I'm driving a beast every time I start her up. The seats could be plusher, but they are fine for the most part. Great car, best I've owned and I love feeling its fire after a long day at work. Some dude in a rav 4 just tried to beat me off the light haha...gotta love knowing that only the rarest cars are faster.

Lux700 · 12-14-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex94

I think my answer depends on who is judging the “special”. If it is me, the owner/driver, then absolutely yes. As others have said it is a fantastic ride with sneaky speed and handling and great infotainment and a step forward in luxury from prior x3s. Definitely special.

For others (assuming you are looking for external validation of your <<fill in the blank>>), then no. Yes, it looks nice but it doesn’t scream special. It looks like the next generation of the X3, a solid dependable, mid size SUV. I wouldn’t expect much if I did not drive it or if I hadn’t done any research on it. It doesn’t really stand out. But take them for a ride or let them take a turn behind the wheel and I think they would then think it special. I don’t expect to get random compliments on it like I did my Cayenne though. This time the speed and handling and excitement is for me.

Glad I said ‘for what it is’. Depends what you are used to!

XXX3 · 12-14-2018, 06:48 PM

It’s faster, and more fun to drive than the 1968 Roadrunner I bought when I returned home from the Vietnam war...now that’s pretty special.

12-13-2018, 12:05 PM	#1
T16ole Private First Class 92 Rep 145 Posts Drives: M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Wales iTrader: (0)	Does the X3 have that “special” feeling I took delivery of a well spec’d M40i back in September and I’ve enjoyed 5k miles in it since. I Spent about £5.5k on options, including ACC, Pano Roof, Merino leather, M sport package etc. My previous car was a 640d which most certainly received lots of positive comments and, to me at least, felt special. Which got me thinking does that feeling extend to my X3.... From behind the wheel it feels special to me, it’s a better car than the 640d in almost every area. It’s a car for any occasion. I’ve also had lots of people asking, is that the new X5? It’s fair to say BMW have certainly up’d their game from previous generations in terms of “specialness”. My old man has a Cayenne S Diesel (the V8), that most certainly feels more expensive, but I suppose it is. I’m very pleased with it anyway. Does your X3 feel special to you?
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12-13-2018, 12:19 PM	#2
D69GMB Lieutenant Colonel 463 Rep 1,570 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Ayrshire iTrader: (0)	I don't currently own one yet but had a 30d on test drive for a weekend which made up my mind that this would be my next car. I have never driven or owned a car of this type or size and wanted to be sure that I would be happy with the way it drove/ handled. I am currently in the negotiation stage of buying a 40d. To answer your question, I think it is a very good car to drive and was very surprised how refined and how well it handled. I think "special " is all relevant to what you normally drive,my day to day vehicle is a Ford Transit Connect which is my own payed for with my money van so when I drive something like the x3 yes it feels special.I used to own a Z4M roadster and this was my daily driver and honestly it felt special every time I drove it.
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12-13-2018, 12:28 PM	#3
verysideways Lateral grip estimator 957 Rep 1,390 Posts Drives: i4, M2 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cotswolds, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 Individual [7.83] 2010 Porsche 997.2 ... [0.00] 2002 Morgan Aero 8 [0.00]	X3 M40i is both more cosseting and luxurious, and yet also better handling and more sporty than my previous 340i M Sport Touring. It's much quieter and more comfortable, and yet also much more fun to drive when the mood takes me, and when i put it in sport it handles better and makes a better noise than the 340 did too. I think most of this is down to the fact that the X3 M40i is an M Performance car, whereas my 340i was simply a normal 3 series with a gutsy engine. You can certainly tell the G01 is a 5/7 series platform rather than 3 series based, but thanks to some M Performance trickery it handles much better than it should for the height and weight. Definitely feels special, like my old E87 130i did. Not as special as my 993 turbo, but that couldn't take my wife and kids and dog and bikes on the towbar for a day out __________________ '20 BMW M2 '23 BWM i4 Mora '10 Porsche 997 '02 Morgan Aero 8 http://petrolhead.tours
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12-13-2018, 12:37 PM	#4
nvestr First Lieutenant 151 Rep 301 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 Volvo XC90 T6 ... [0.00]	I've never been much of a BMW guy, to be honest. My brother-in-law had a 2016 X5M that I put some miles on - it was enjoyable but did not feel overly special, especially relative to its cost. It was just ok for me. I had driven a 440i Xdrive when I was shopping for my Benz C43 AMG and was underwhelmed with the interior. I did not have high expectations with the X3 and my original pre-judice was that X3's were SUV's for women (sorry! lol). Everything changed when I took the M40i X3 out of the dealer's lot for a test drive. It did feel really special to me - a feeling I haven't gotten from other BMW's for whatever reason. Can't explain it. That is why I plan on orderering one for when my MB lease comes due in May.
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12-13-2018, 01:02 PM	#5
ParadigmDawg Captain 610 Rep 893 Posts Drives: 2019 AMG GLC63s Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fort Worth, Texas iTrader: (0)	To me it's a fun car to zip around town in. Mine is tuned and is really quick so it's fun to race all the Mustangs, Camaros, Dodges, Audis, Benz, Vettes and other Bimmers. Honestly it's only been beat once and that was by a modded Shelby GT500. The interior and it's fit and finish is nothing special and the seats kill my butt and legs. The cabin is noisy and just not refined. I hate the car on long trips. So...to me its just a fun, in town car that runs good, looks good on the outside and sounds great. Last edited by ParadigmDawg; 12-13-2018 at 01:34 PM..
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12-13-2018, 01:47 PM	#6
djayash Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I just picked up my X3 last weekend. I had purchased a brand new Benz last year and was really unhappy with it. Nothing luxurious or special abt it. When I was test driving cars, BMW was not really in my list. I just happened to be next to a dealership and time to kill, so drove a X3. Loved it and bought one days later. Love the interiors, technology and well pretty much everything so far. Special so far
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12-13-2018, 01:51 PM	#7
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	Interior wise, compared to an F30 definitely! Compared to a G30 not so much, X3 needs the Merino to get close to the G30, but then of course a G30 with Merino/Nappa is another step up. Drive wise, it’s certainly better than anything else I’ve driven with 4 seats, and also knowing you can go off road or wade half a metre of water makes you feel king of the road!
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12-13-2018, 02:38 PM	#10
SROC3 The limit of adhesion is my home. 1702 Rep 3,778 Posts Drives: Like a Boss. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: three.one.zero iTrader: (1)	This is a very good question to pose It's actually why I have an X3 on order and not another M4 or "higher-number-leveled variant" from BMW. That fleeting test-drive I had as a loaner really made a big impression on me - it was a BASE model X3 with no options at all and it still left me wanting to go for random drives and make up errands. lol. Now I have a fully-optioned MSport 30i arriving in January __________________ 2019 X3 xDrive30i Glacier Silver \| Cognac w/ Fine Cove \| MSport \| Premium \| Dynamic Handling PKG \| Drive Assist \| HK w/ Bavsound Upgrade \|
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12-13-2018, 05:34 PM	#11
Lux700 Captain 551 Rep 980 Posts Drives: X3 M40d - Black Sapphire Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The forest of Epping iTrader: (0)	For what it is (SUV), it does feel special. Saying that, we need to remember it’s base architecture, so it should be fairly well sorted. So far, it feels solid, is refined and insulated, and makes effortless and deceptive speed. Again, for what it is, it’s excellent to drive, it handles very well, rides well, is quick (there aren’t that many cars on the road that are quicker), it’s spacious, looks good and is well equipped. One more thing to remember is that we get used to and acclimatise to things, so the more we get used to it the more normal the experience of driving it will become. Maybe all of us owners should buy ourselves a scrappy old banger to drive around in for a few days of the week so that when we get back into our X3s we will appreciate them all over again! I haven’t got a scrappy car to mooch around in, but funnily enough I still think my M40d is special.
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12-13-2018, 05:49 PM	#12
Tex94 Private First Class 79 Rep 111 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i, Carbon Black Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I think my answer depends on who is judging the “special”. If it is me, the owner/driver, then absolutely yes. As others have said it is a fantastic ride with sneaky speed and handling and great infotainment and a step forward in luxury from prior x3s. Definitely special. For others (assuming you are looking for external validation of your <<fill in the blank>>), then no. Yes, it looks nice but it doesn’t scream special. It looks like the next generation of the X3, a solid dependable, mid size SUV. I wouldn’t expect much if I did not drive it or if I hadn’t done any research on it. It doesn’t really stand out. But take them for a ride or let them take a turn behind the wheel and I think they would then think it special. I don’t expect to get random compliments on it like I did my Cayenne though. This time the speed and handling and excitement is for me.
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12-13-2018, 10:53 PM	#13
Njerts Lieutenant 125 Rep 545 Posts Drives: x3 m40i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Vancouver,BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I get up for work everyday at 5:30am. When I struggle to get up I motivate myself with the thought that I get to drive my M40 to work. To me it is very special.
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12-14-2018, 01:24 AM	#14
Jayf30 Lieutenant 633 Rep 568 Posts Drives: '18 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Cogn Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	Very special to me. I'm always getting compliments and folks asking about her. Today, I got a lot of satisfaction when a guy in an i8 drove past me while I was parked in my driveway and completely broke his neck to look at her lol __________________ 18 X3 M40i/ Dark Graphite/ Cognac/ MP ECU Stage 2.5
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12-14-2018, 01:59 AM	#16
RichM50d Lieutenant 332 Rep 528 Posts Drives: ‘22 8 Series Gran Coupe Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	It’s special to me. The way it feels and drives is special. I like that it looks fairly normal, and slips under the radar, but always enjoy taking people out in it and seeing the look on their faces afterwards, when they get to experience how special it is!
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12-14-2018, 02:28 AM	#17
Freezzr Private 24 Rep 71 Posts Drives: BMW 4-series Gran Coupe Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: NL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 4 GC [0.00]	I have a rather basic X3 (because cars overhere are mega-expensive) I'm sorry to say but I'd rather have my old 4-series GC... I think you really need M package and fast engine to have 'that special' feeling. It's not bad, but I'm not very enthousiastic, it also feels like the quality is behind of the 4-series.
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12-14-2018, 08:11 AM	#18
mde83 Private 57 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 m40i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Every new car (or new to me used car) has felt "special" to me for a while. But eventually, again for me, that feeling fades a good bit...And then either my lease ends or I trade/sell the vehicle, etc. and get to experience "special" again. Believe it or not, the most "special" feeling vehicle that I have owned...and the one in which that feeling has lasted the longest, is a lowly 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Its very basic transportation, not a lot of tech. Its 14 years old now...but more often than not, on nice days, I pick it to drive over my Dodge Challenger Scat Pack and my current BMW X3 35i. Probably because of the soft top and the ability to make it a convertible... And once it a while we go off road... I am taking delivery of my m40i tomorrow. And for a while, mostly the first 6 months, but to a lesser extent for a year or two, it will feel like a treat whenever I drive it. But knowing me, in the last year of my 3 year lease, I will be looking forward t that next "special" experience in the next vehicle. I am 53yo and have had close to 70 vehicles in my life... no I don't equate cars to women...never been that lucky...or unlucky depending on your frame of mind...
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12-14-2018, 03:57 PM	#20
IM_ALL_IN Private First Class 57 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Feels special to me. All the tech + handling/looks/power make me think I'm driving a beast every time I start her up. The seats could be plusher, but they are fine for the most part. Great car, best I've owned and I love feeling its fire after a long day at work. Some dude in a rav 4 just tried to beat me off the light haha...gotta love knowing that only the rarest cars are faster.
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12-14-2018, 06:48 PM	#22
XXX3 Second Lieutenant 155 Rep 230 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	It’s faster, and more fun to drive than the 1968 Roadrunner I bought when I returned home from the Vietnam war...now that’s pretty special. __________________ 2018 GO1 X3 M40i Alpine White 2018 Acura RDX Tech Pearl White 2016 Tundra TRD Pro (sold) 2013 Boss 302 Race Red (sold)
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