sluggish X3

[tonymey]

Next week I'm taking my 3.0 X3 (4500 miles on it) in for a check up because I keep reading in the forum that this SAV is fast and has plenty of pickup. I just don't feel or see this. I find mine slow and sluggish. It has no pickup, the transmission (auto) does not know what to do when I press down on it and I feel that I'm standing still. I just got back from a 3 week trip to Spain (I live in Germany) and rented a BMW Touring 2.0 diesel. I had this car fully loaded and it felt much more powerful at all speeds than my X3 :dunno:

[Rob V]

Strange. Keep us posted on what they tell you. I think my X3 is quick at all speeds with the exception of starting from a dead stop. Beyond that I have no complaints about it's power and I haven't really opened it up yet. I'm still in the break in period. That being said, I'm also realistic about the fact that it's a 4,000lb SUV/SAV. It's certainly not sports car quick but it's as quick as it needs to be.

Also, remember that diesel engines will feel much more "torquey" than our petrol versions. But in the end I believe that the petrol versions are faster overall.

[tromar1]

Definately have yours checked out. Mine is quick. I damn near drag race with mine...unofficially of course. I just went to NYC twice this past week and opened it up on the NJ turnpike.

Got a little scared after hitting 115 mph. But it changed lanes rather quickly and was very responsive. If it wasn't, i wouldn't be driving it since May 04.

[vontech]

The only thing I find is slow is using the manual shift mode of the Steptronic transmission, I get a significant delay before it shifts. I previously owned a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse that performed the same function like a bullet!

I know that this is probably heresy, but that's my finding.

Anyone else have a comment on this (not meaning to hijack this thread ... really)?

Tom

[jtmililani808]

When a friend of mine purchased an '04 3.0i, I had a chance to drive it for a few hours. My friend asked how it was and I replied it doesn't have any power. My impression of the X3 was not very good until I was decided to purchase either an '06 325i or an '05 X3 Sport. After driving the '05 X3 demo, I was amazed. The difference between my friend's X3 and the demo one actually felt like the factory put the 2.5L motor in my friend's X3 by accident. I ended up getting the 3 series, but every time I see an X3 with the sport package, I get the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. If your X3 is a steptronic, perhaps you should take it to the dealer and clear the memory.

[ChiefCrazyTalk]

The only thing I find is slow is using the manual shift mode of the Steptronic transmission, I get a significant delay before it shifts. I previously owned a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse that performed the same function like a bullet!

I know that this is probably heresy, but that's my finding.

Anyone else have a comment on this (not meaning to hijack this thread ... really)?

Tom
I had the same feeling during the test drive. I drove the new VW Jetta the same week, and the manual shift mode on that car seemed a lot faster - there was a noticable delay on the X3.

[Steveo8998]

When a friend of mine purchased an '04 3.0i, I had a chance to drive it for a few hours. My friend asked how it was and I replied it doesn't have any power. My impression of the X3 was not very good until I was decided to purchase either an '06 325i or an '05 X3 Sport. After driving the '05 X3 demo, I was amazed. The difference between my friend's X3 and the demo one actually felt like the factory put the 2.5L motor in my friend's X3 by accident. I ended up getting the 3 series, but every time I see an X3 with the sport package, I get the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. If your X3 is a steptronic, perhaps you should take it to the dealer and clear the memory.

Heh i too had the same decision between a 3.0i X3 or the new 325i. I went with the X3 though, and also get the same "grass in greener on the other side" syndrome when ever i see the new 3 series... lol its like you cant ever win. I go to pick up my X3 on thursday though so im Excited!!

[jtmililani808]

Steveo, congrats on your new X3. I bet your monthly payment is waaaaaay better due to the give away leasing money factor rates. Make sure you post your pics! Enjoy!

[Bobak]

If your X3 is a steptronic, perhaps you should take it to the dealer and clear the memory.

What do you mean by clear the memory?

[sespicer]

I am having many problems with my 3 month-old x3: keyless entry only works some of the time, transmission is jerky, doesn't change gears properly, rough breaking, warning lights coming on like crazy. It's like it's possessed, and I am pissed.

Anyone know what would cause this?

I'm freaked I have a lemon on my hands, and it's the only car I have...

[ChiefCrazyTalk]

I am having many problems with my 3 month-old x3: keyless entry only works some of the time, transmission is jerky, doesn't change gears properly, rough breaking, warning lights coming on like crazy. It's like it's possessed, and I am pissed.

Anyone know what would cause this?

I'm freaked I have a lemon on my hands, and it's the only car I have...
I hate to state the obvious, but - what does the dealer say about all this? At least your car is still under warrenty! Some states even have "Lemon Laws" that state if a dealer cannot fix a problem within x number of visits they have to give you a new car or refund your money.

[stangmatt66]

I am having many problems with my 3 month-old x3: keyless entry only works some of the time, transmission is jerky, doesn't change gears properly, rough breaking, warning lights coming on like crazy. It's like it's possessed, and I am pissed.

Anyone know what would cause this?

I'm freaked I have a lemon on my hands, and it's the only car I have...

Sespicer, Ensure that you have all those problems documented by the dealership. Take it back as many times as needed so you can declare it as a lemon.

[sespicer]

How is a car deemed a "lemon", legally?

[ChiefCrazyTalk]

How is a car deemed a "lemon", legally?
It varies by state - here is a link with a good summary:

http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon2.html

[14U2NV]

try this:
shift
lift your foot of the gas pedal very briefly
step on it again

I found the shift time to improve greatly

[tromar1]

To be considered a lemon, it has to be a major problem (motor-train, transmission, etc), and it has to be back 3 times for the same major issue. Not minor issues like keyless entry and jerky!!! It has to be a documented problem.

It helps if the model had a recall. The lawyers have techs who are very capable to read the repair record to determine if it qualifies. I should know...I won a lemon lawsuit against BMW for my 2000 323i about two years ago. Best free money i ever had.

[JG]

Next week I'm taking my 3.0 X3 (4500 miles on it) in for a check up because I keep reading in the forum that this SAV is fast and has plenty of pickup. I just don't feel or see this. I find mine slow and sluggish. It has no pickup, the transmission (auto) does not know what to do when I press down on it and I feel that I'm standing still. I just got back from a 3 week trip to Spain (I live in Germany) and rented a BMW Touring 2.0 diesel. I had this car fully loaded and it felt much more powerful at all speeds than my X3 :dunno:

I understand the vehicle adapts somewhat to your style of driving.

What I found at first - after being used to a much inferior vehicle (including just about launching myself through the X3 windshield the first time I braked out of the dealers lot)

.....was that the throttle seemed to be relatively sensitive compared to most. So I tended to be very subtle and light on the throttle. If you use that type of technique when accelerating - you may find things sluggish in certain gears.

After a while I realized that in those conditions - I just blip the throttle - or power it to the floor, and you will have plenty of power.

I found that the X3 prefers to be driven (shall we say) rambunctiously :angel:

So don't be afraid to stomp on the gas! I was far too conservative at first.

Of course you might also have some other genuine technical issues.

I would go back to your dealer and ask to test another vehicle to see if it feels the same.

[tonymey]

Beleive me I have no problems putting the "pedal to the metal" in this car. That said I only drive it when the wife needs it to be wash or to filled up. My daily driver is the 740i which has no problems with power, it goes and keeps on going. I talked to the BMW dealer and he wants to plug it in to the compter to see if anything is wrong. As soon as I can get it away from the wife I get it there. :D Maybe I'm expecting too much from this sav, I know it 2 tons but I just don't feel the power. I post with the results from the BMW dealer.