KatanaPilot
11-08-2003, 06:59 PM
Just got back from the New England Auto Show. I was quite surprised to see a X3 on display.
First the face-lifted X5. The car they had there was a 3.0 with 6-speed and sports package. I did not like the face-lift based on pictures, but I actually thought the car looked good in person. The new sport steering wheel also looks better in person. This is the same 3-spoke steering wheel in X3 pictures. The 6-speed shifter is short and light; it feels very good.
They did not let us sit in the X3, but the Herb Chambers salesman was eager to make a sale. He of course said they will have cars available for sale in 2 weeks, and doesn't know anything about pricing. (sad that we all know more than the salesman do) The side profile and the back of the car looks really good, but the front is just, well, weird. The transition from the hood to the grille is rounded and smooth; it looks like someone blunted its nose and squished the BMW trademark grille. The grille is black, but it is not a thin strip of plastic. It is more like a triangle - wider toward the engine. I do not like the front at all. As for the umpainted bumpers, I don't know what BMW is thinking. Look at the xActivity; it had painted bumpers and I personally think the xActivity looks much better. Unpainted bumpers belong to base trim CRVs. Even CRV owners complain about their unpainted bumpers.
They also had a new 5 there; it looks good in person. The show is on for another day; if you are in the area go check out the X5, X3, and 5 in person.
First the face-lifted X5. The car they had there was a 3.0 with 6-speed and sports package. I did not like the face-lift based on pictures, but I actually thought the car looked good in person. The new sport steering wheel also looks better in person. This is the same 3-spoke steering wheel in X3 pictures. The 6-speed shifter is short and light; it feels very good.
They did not let us sit in the X3, but the Herb Chambers salesman was eager to make a sale. He of course said they will have cars available for sale in 2 weeks, and doesn't know anything about pricing. (sad that we all know more than the salesman do) The side profile and the back of the car looks really good, but the front is just, well, weird. The transition from the hood to the grille is rounded and smooth; it looks like someone blunted its nose and squished the BMW trademark grille. The grille is black, but it is not a thin strip of plastic. It is more like a triangle - wider toward the engine. I do not like the front at all. As for the umpainted bumpers, I don't know what BMW is thinking. Look at the xActivity; it had painted bumpers and I personally think the xActivity looks much better. Unpainted bumpers belong to base trim CRVs. Even CRV owners complain about their unpainted bumpers.
They also had a new 5 there; it looks good in person. The show is on for another day; if you are in the area go check out the X5, X3, and 5 in person.