[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by x3g01

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.

This is really well said and I could not agree more.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by 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.

In the world where absolutes are not even on the horizon, BMW is still a better option than what’s being offered by other car manufacturers. I had plenty of opportunities to replace my F36 and won’t for now. It’s the better “slightly dated” BMW option with buttons.

[vincechase]

I mean I like the stance lowkey lol. Looks type thiccc

[Adler11th]

What killed in me in new 5 is over reliance on touch screen. Now even bottom seat extension goes through the screen. I usually set and forget it, until I’m on long drive, then I will readjust based on build up pressure in my legs. Air vents control just blows up on entire screen, so I really had to reach if I want to add/remove air on top. Interior design really relies on that light bar, and as we can see in x3 it’s going to be more pedestrian version. Seems like we still don’t get double wishbone suspension, and will rely on stiffness to keep car flat in the corners(?). Initially not that impressed with the car, but reserve my verdict till I see it at the dealer.

PS what I didn’t like in current gen is comfort on the rear, seats are surprisingly flat and I had multiple friends complaining about back pain on longer drives, which I confirmed by trying it out, had to use pillow for lower back. Also seemed like isolation on the rear wasn’t that great and I could feel cold air coming from somewhere from outside. Hopefully they address it in new gen.

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

In the world where absolutes are not even on the horizon, BMW is still a better option than what’s being offered by other car manufacturers. I had plenty of opportunities to replace my F36 and won’t for now. It’s the better “slightly dated” BMW option with buttons.

I have to agree with you. It’s just sad that it seems BMW relies on us to settle on what they have and the other manufacturers don’t . But as the other manufacturers continue to take away amenities, BMW also takes away. But keeps just enough to stay ahead of the competition . Sad .

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by x3g01

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.

The Macan is going electric and is completely new. You left out the Tesla model Y which has blown up this segment. Our model Y is bulletproof outside of its rattles and failed motor etc (no big deal!) but is extremely competent for the daily and came with 10k free SC miles - real, usable miles with SC calc 60% of miles charged as deducted from balance - so this has saved us some $. I wouldn’t buy an ICE X3 but would consider an iX3 or a Macan EV.

[Eric500]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The Macan is going electric and is completely new. You left out the Tesla model Y which has blown up this segment. Our model Y is bulletproof outside of its rattles and failed motor etc (no big deal!) but is extremely competent for the daily and came with 10k free SC miles - real, usable miles with SC calc 60% of miles charged as deducted from balance - so this has saved us some $. I wouldn’t buy an ICE X3 but would consider an iX3 or a Macan EV.

Let me grab some popcorn

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The Macan is going electric and is completely new. You left out the Tesla model Y which has blown up this segment. Our model Y is bulletproof outside of its rattles and failed motor etc (no big deal!) but is extremely competent for the daily and came with 10k free SC miles - real, usable miles with SC calc 60% of miles charged as deducted from balance - so this has saved us some $. I wouldn’t buy an ICE X3 but would consider an iX3 or a Macan EV.

Let's keep EVs out of the discussion. Car makers can't say "HYBRID" fast enough!

[Xtabi]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

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?

The BMW rep was playing with the sensitivity to demonstrate the vast differences in how they can tune the steering feel using their new hardware and software. At one point he even said something to the effect of (of course we won’t be making this setting available in the production vehicle).

The rep was just demonstrating the work they put into the starting. I believe there was also a picture of a slide that had minor details of the steering (along wi try other improvements (like a reduction of the drag coefficient)).

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

Is it larger to hit 6001lbs GVWR for tax benefits here in US?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Let's keep EVs out of the discussion. Car makers can't say "HYBRID" fast enough!

Except BMW! No hybrid or electric X3 in the US…. Yet. The iX is far more expensive, and the X5 PHEV is a different vehicle altogether

[x3g01]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The Macan is going electric and is completely new. You left out the Tesla model Y which has blown up this segment. Our model Y is bulletproof outside of its rattles and failed motor etc (no big deal!) but is extremely competent for the daily and came with 10k free SC miles - real, usable miles with SC calc 60% of miles charged as deducted from balance - so this has saved us some $. I wouldn’t buy an ICE X3 but would consider an iX3 or a Macan EV.

Great to hear that you’re enjoying your Model Y. To be clear though I was referring to the lack of updates to the ICE Macan S/GTS as these cars belong to the same segment as the X3 M50/GLC43 etc. and are still on sale. Many people actively considering the new X3 M50 aren’t going to be cross-shopping a Macan EV or Model Y, as well-designed as those cars are. There are still many in the market for a compact SUV not ready to make the EV transition because of various practical reasons or personal preferences, which is exactly why BMW is launching the new G45 X3 and Neue Klasse iX3 in parallel.

[Montaver]

The part in the Car article where the engineers said it was developed during the COVID aggressive cost cutting alongside the 5 series, is interesting confirmation that these newer models have been sliced back to the bone.

[internalaudit]

I wonder if the electronic rear differential on the M50 is now standard or if that is the M Sport Differential (torque vectoring) the author was talking about. Wish it was available on the M30 haha though highly doubtful.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ototype-drive/

We take to the track one last time in the M50 xDrive before hitting the open road in the slower but more frugal PHEV. The outer loop of the pan-flat single-track Miramas handling section is mainly second-, third-, and fourth-gear turf. Devoid of runoff areas, the ancient sun-bleached tarmac dotted with a few freshly surfaced sections here and there leaves zero room for error. Only at the very end of the vast site, where a small off-road section is tucked away behind unkempt shrubbery, does the course go up and down a couple of times before curling back past the old pig farm and a block of stables. Instead of leaving all systems in Sport, we switch the steering into Comfort, and DSC Off is only one more nudge away. This gives us a bit of extra drama at the exit of the slow corners and also allows a more playful attitude through the long 70-mph bends where the electronic rear diff permits a broader scope of sidesteps.

[Cvaggelis95]

[QUOTE=Bimmerforlife;31073122]
Did you also notice the rear headrests are now fixed, they don’t go down.


Same goes for my 2010 E90.
The headrests' position is fixed!

[dgarageua]

Headlights

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

I have to agree with you. It’s just sad that it seems BMW relies on us to settle on what they have and the other manufacturers don’t . But as the other manufacturers continue to take away amenities, BMW also takes away. But keeps just enough to stay ahead of the competition . Sad .

You were feeling cold air coming from the vents hidden unthreatening each end of the rear bumper

Weird you could feel the draft come from that area but it’s obvious you were feeling it

[Jen4BMW]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Whoever at BMW decides on exterior color options seriously needs therapy and a lifetime prescription for Prozac because nobody who isn’t suffering from hard core depression could possibly obsess over the color grey like they do.

[Blackfield]

Hi,

I have been out of BMW world since I sold my F80, now X3 M50 is high on my list.

Reading all of the replies on this thread remind us that there is NO single car that can satisfy everyone, ranging from wanting EV, bigger, smaller, older style, more upscale, etc.

It really depends on what your priorities, use case, etc.

I plan to trade my 992 with an suv, gasp!
Love to car, however, priorities change.

I looked at current X5, I rule it out after learning the G45. X5 is bigger, yet, the second row leg room is average. It seems that the majority of the space goes to the trunk.

Cayenne is 20K+ more than X5 the way I configure it, per trim. I just can't get over the delta.

Macan is an awesome compact SUV, the best really - if you do not need people on the second row. For family with kids, think twice before you get one.

In our case, I think X3 M50 can be the suv that we are looking for, can't wait for the next X3 M, unfortunately.

[Jason]

Another first drive review:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ototype-drive/

[Jen4BMW]

The end of the C&D review sums up what we’re likely getting with the new M50.

The X5 gets air and is still better and the Macan with or without air still whoops on the X3 in the handling department.

Adding insult to injury Porsche hasn’t done a thing to improve the Macan’s handling prowess in half a decade.

I predict the new G45 will feel a lot like the current 2025 X5 40i with adaptive M. Good but not brilliant. I guess we’ll see for ourselves soon enough.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

Whoever at BMW decides on exterior color options seriously needs therapy and a lifetime prescription for Prozac because nobody who isn’t suffering from hard core depression could possibly obsess over the color grey like they do.

I don't disagree and I would never buy a gray or silver car again but it is the most popular selling color in the country I think.