Time to enlarge the garage

[Dr Stig 2]

Hey guys,

I recently had an X3 as a loaner while the worked on my Z4.

30d with M Sport package.

I was so impressed, I bought one.

Apparently - everyone else is impressed as well, as there is a 5-6 month wait to get one.
Oh well, Christmas isnt that far away...

Pics - not of mine obviously, but it will look like this..
Carbon Black - Black leather.

[Alext]

Congrats Stig. Are the new ones significantly better than the old? What do you like about this one?

[persian54]

haha I guess giving people new cars as loaners paid off :P

Congrats.

I hated the old X3 so I really hope this one is significantly better

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Alext

Congrats Stig. Are the new ones significantly better than the old? What do you like about this one?

Originally Posted by persian54

haha I guess giving people new cars as loaners paid off :P

Congrats.

I hated the old X3 so I really hope this one is significantly better

The last X3 was the spawn of Satan (according to the dealer).

From my perspective, I would never have considered even test driving one - I hated the look, size and the perception of poor quality.

The new one is so far improved over the last they should have done a Z3 / Z4 job and called it the X4. (IMO)

The ride & handling is awesome.
My wife was test driving it, doing 100 in a 60 zone and not even aware of how fast she was going. (having too much fun).
She didn't realise it was a diesel.
The Diesel 30d has 190kW and 560Nm of torque.
Good for 6 litres / 100km and 0-100 kph in 6.2 seconds.
Best of both worlds. (but not at the same time of course - driving it real hard saw about 11 litres / 100km - still impressive)
Being so frugal on the diesel, it qualifies for the LCT discount! SCORE! (Luxury Car Tax - an evil embodiment of Australian revenue raising penalising anyone who spends more than $57K on a new car)

On top of that - you can add all the toys I have in the Z (sat nav, adaptive Xenons, Performance Control, DDC, HDD audio, M sports package) all for less than $100K (including a neat aftermarket DVD / Digital TV solution mounted in the rear headrests for the rug-rats.).

We have been looking for about a year, but this one was sooooo good on all the requirements I even bought it without trying to set a new Australian record for a discount.
And that is saying something. (but I did haggle - I had to)

It is not quite as good in interior fit out or in size as the X5, only slightly mind, but for AU$50K (US$53K) less with the same major features and better handling / economy / acceleration, it was a simple choice.

It will be a car I look forward to driving, compared to the cow-like Toyota Kluger (Highlander) we have now.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

The last X3 was the spawn of Satan (according to the dealer).

From my perspective, I would never have considered even test driving one - I hated the look, size and the perception of poor quality.

I don't take offense but I had an '06 X3 and really liked it. The ride was no worse than an '08 550i M Sport, and better than the Z4. It had a spartan interior but it was a tight solid, fun to drive little SAV. My X5 50i is in another league re performance but it cost double what I paid for the X3.

Plus I could put my bike upright in the back. You can't do that with the X5.

I have seen the new X3 but haven't driven one. It should be a great car.

[rmorin49]

If BMW ever gets smart and offers the X3 Diesel in the US, I will be one of the first to buy one to replace my wife's RX350. Now, if you want a diesel BMW in the US you have 2 choices, an X535d or a 335d. I have a 335d and absolutely love it. Enjoy your X3, it's a keeper.

[skier219]

The new X3 is great. I test drove one several weeks back, checkbook in hand, and was ready to buy until I discovered one big problem. Sadly, there is no drawbar trailer hitch available in the US yet, not even from traditional third party makers. I can't go without a hitch during summer here, so I am holding off. They say September, maybe...

I don't think we can get the diesel over here, at least not in the 2011 model year. I would be tempted to go for that if it were available.

[Z4Andy]

Great choice

Really interested in these but I might just go for the Evoque.

[Dr Stig 2]

Strange how the minds at BMW work.

They are all manufactured in the USA but you cannot get the 30d?

Over here we cannot order the 35i.

Here the 30d is the halo model - best performance, most included features, etc...

NOTE to X3 owners:
I dont know if the old X3 was good or bad - I never went close enough to one to find out. I just didn't like the look (a purely personal opinion), it was considered too small for my needs (baby stuff, prams, etc) and over here - rightly or wrongly, they had a reputation for poor build quality and cheap interior plastics.

A dealer I talked to hated them (which means they were hard to sell - I read into this that they needed big discounts in Oz)
The Aussie journalists did not rate them highly either - which might partly explain why they were only sold in only low volumes here.

The new F25 model looks pretty good - but IMO not as sexy as the X5.
It is almost as big as the old X5, and performance and handling wise - I cant fault it.

Peace.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Z4Andy

Great choice

Really interested in these but I might just go for the Evoque.

YEah - they look great.

PIty they wont release more details about a 5 door model - and engine choices.
All we hear in Oz is that they will start at $60K for a 2.0 litre diesel, and no word if they will get bigger engines and how much they will charge.

And they will only arrive late in 2011.
The LAnd Rover Drip feeding strategy has its downside - I decided not to wait to do a comparison.

but - yeah - one of the best looking SUV ever (IMO)

[Vintage]

Great choice - I have been driving my X3 35i around for two months now and love it; she is a rocket for a small SUV. Mine is Vermillion Red with Oyster interior and the 19" wheels.