[iDrive-E90]

On paper, having an X3 as the second car seems to give the best of both worlds when planning to go places where ground clearance and AWD might be important, or for lugging bigger "stuff" around.

Do any of you have experiences that might help?

I tried a search of our forum on "X3" and got this:

Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search : x3

I just don't know how to spell "x3" in more than 2 letters

Thanks

[txusa03]

I like the x3, i got to drive it as a loaner car. BUt I would not buy it, SUV is not for me.

[spitfire6000]

I have heard nothing but bad things from people with X3s. I was actually considering getting an x3 when i was shopping for my E90, and even the dealer convinced me not to get it (although it was more expensive).

Its basically the same thing as a E46 3 series (same platform) except the interior looks like crap compared to other bimmers, the handling is nice but the ride quality is strait up garbage. The styling is probably the worst out of all bmws i think.

In fact, i beleive the x3 is the crappiest of all bmws that they make. Its made inside of the US, its the 2nd cheapest model, and im not sure if im right on this, but i heard that it has the most number of defects out of all bmws.

Save yourself the cash, you can get a much better car for the same money. Look at the infiniti FX35...its faster, handles just as well, has 0 out of factory problems, and comes with way more standard features.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by iDrive-E90

On paper, having an X3 as the second car seems to give the best of both worlds when planning to go places where ground clearance and AWD might be important, or for lugging bigger "stuff" around.

Do any of you have experiences that might help?

I tried a search of our forum on "X3" and got this:

Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search : x3

I just don't know how to spell "x3" in more than 2 letters

Thanks

Sorry for the cross-sell, but bimmerfest has a forum dedicated to the X3. I have one (wife's car) - we love it; there were some early production rattling sounds (we had them) and overall the critique I can have for it is that the interior is not as luxurious as the 3 series (old or Neuer 3er) or the X5 for that matter, BUT, it is great for snow, confortable, handles great in a smaller package than the X5 and actually has more interior room in the back including cargo. We are happy with our X3, because my wife thinks she has a 4x4 and I know that in fact we are driving wagon with a bit more ground cleareance (I am personnally not a great fan of trucks but can live with cross-overs like the X3).

[LEDZEP]

I also had the same thought. A co-worker has an X3 and loves it. We test drove a couple, but my wife doesn't like SUV/SAV's. So we got the E91, and she loves that. Same (if not more) cargo space and x drive, but drives just like the E90 and is gorgeous.

[BellasBmw]

Because my dealership gives out X3's as loaners, i could never really buy it. The x3's are cute, but the interior is horrible. For a bmw, i expected a lot nicer. I think your better off purchasing a diff style. Even loaded the X3 interior is still lacking.

[chris]

negative on the X3! it is way too small for an SUV.

[Mark]

I've heard mostly bad things about the X3, build quality, etc. just do not seem to be up to par to the price you pay. For a mini-SUV I'd look towards a toyota/honda, my friend just got a RAV4 and even tho he looks a little fruity in it, he does say its a good car.

[scottz5]

I hate it!

[r3amir]

I was totally un-impressed or should I say, I was rather depressed with the loaner X3 I got

I will never recommend you to buy it, alot of money for a very small SUV.

There are many better SUVs out there in the same price range.

[afocoryw20]

I don't know what all the negative feedback is about the X3. I have one and love it. My interior is nice: grey leather,with aluminum. There are even some things that i like more than the e90xi I own. It handles great in the snow or whatever.It has a panoramic sun roof like the e91. It fits 4 6foot guys with no problem. As Bimmerista said it has more head room and cargo space than the X5 so I don't know where everyone says it's too small????? Later on tonight I will post some pics of it on this thread and you be the judge of the interior. To each is own but I would definelty test drive it at least 2 times before you make a decision. I test drove the Touregg,MDX,Envoy,and a few others and decided on the X3.

[underDAWG]

I thought X3 is made in Turkey, not U.S.

[mrbelk]

My wife and I took European Delivery this past April of an X3 3.0 to replace her VW Passat and to be a stablemate for my 545. I don't know where all of the criticism comes from.

It's a terrific handling vehicle that feels just as solid as my 2001 330 and my 2004 545. My wife loves the higher driving position for visibility. What sealed the deal for us was when we did the Ultimate Driving Experience where we actually got some "track time" around an autocross course in an X3. My wife came away completely sold on it.

It has just as much (maybe even more) interior room as an X5 or VW Tuareg; has the awesome panoramic moonroof; has the same power/weight ratio of the X5 4.4 (which costs $55k); etc. etc.

I will agree that the interior materials used in the first model year were sub-par, but the leather, plasticsm, and trim in our 2005 model are on par with every other BMW interior I've been in. The fit and finish are first rate; typical of BMW.

To the person that said that the X3 is built in the US: the X3 is actually manufactured in Graz, Austria, by a company named "Magna Steyr." The build the Merc G-wagon, the Euro-version of the Cherokee, and some of the Saab AWB vehicles. BMW decided to use them as a partner because BMW couldn't build enough organic capacity within their internal production network.

As to the defects: we've had ours for 6 months and 6500 miles with not one defect.

Anyway, I think the X3 gets a bit of a bad rap. I really like it. It's a wonderful little "trucklet."

-MrB

[squirtdad]

x3 is made in Austria

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by squirtdad

x3 is made in Austria

Correct and to add: it assembled by a sub-contractor Magna Steyr (a subsidiary of a Canadian company) for BMW on a special, dedicated, assembly line.

[rs1985]

I would wait for the MLX

[roburado]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

Correct and to add: it assembled by a sub-contractor Magna Steyr (a subsidiary of a Canadian company) for BMW on a special, dedicated, assembly line.

Really? I thought they were an Austrian company.

[Bimmerista]

A good one by all accounts, but will not drive as well as the X3 and what's up with the stalk-mounted gear shift anyway (I remember when American manufacturers were laughed at for doing it). I have also read that that the electronic shifter (which in fact only allows you to push button the think into D or reverse etc.) can, inadvertantly, be pushed while driving into neutral or worse, reverse - -not a good thing.

The strength of the new ML series seems to be interior fit, finish and room, but I think it is too big for something that is strictly a 5 seater. And the price starts at 53 large (Canadian), which is actually quite a bit more than the X3.

Did I mention it does not drive as good as the X3

[chazmtb]

Get an X5...BMW are giving massive incentives for them. I believe 4 grand. Negotiate from invoice like invoice - 4grand plus 1grand for dealer profit, ect.
Build quality is much better than the X3.
I get 18 in city and 24 to 26 on cruise highway for my 03 X5 3.0.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by roburado

Really? I thought they were an Austrian company.

Correct we both are - Magna Steyr is an Austrian company, which Magna International (Canadian) purchased from Mercedes Benz, ooups DaimlerChrysler a few years back.

[spitfire6000]

Originally Posted by chazmtb

Get an X5...BMW are giving massive incentives for them. I believe 4 grand. Negotiate from invoice like invoice - 4grand plus 1grand for dealer profit, ect.
Build quality is much better than the X3.
I get 18 in city and 24 to 26 on cruise highway for my 03 X5 3.0.

ditto i have a 03 X5 3.0 as well, and its simply an amazing car. Almost handles like a 5 series but has one of BMW's largest interiors, not to mention is extremely stable in extreme weather.

[iDrive-E90]

This discussion is VERY helpful, everybody. I thank you all.

How would you feel about buying a used X3 - or used X5?
Were there bad years?
Anything nasty to watch out for?
What mileage would you stay below?