beware_phog
06-21-2004, 03:39 PM
I have recently returned from my ED trip where I drop 1497 miles on an 3.0 X3. Overall, my wife and I were very pleased with our purchase.
My other BMW is an '04 330Cic so that is my reference point.
We drove, slept, ate, slept and drove some more on the autobahn, in cities, on two-lane twisty roads and anything in between.
Driving--I've never had an SUV/SAV so sitting up higher took some getting used to. After a 100 miles or so I was able to get a better feel for the car and it takes a couple hundred miles for the tread to be broken in on tires.
Like you would expect (or perhaps maybe not), the car handles like my 330. I see it as a 3-series that sits higher. I didn't get the sport package due to some concern about rough ride (330 Cic does have it). After a few hundred miles, I didn't notice the height at all. I was in a BMW and could do all the things I always do in a BMW.
Acceleration was obviously not as quick as I was carrying an extra 1,000 pounds and luggage. However, as I got up to speed, driving fast (100 MPH+) was very comfortable. Driving twisty roads through the mountains was equally enjoyable. I used the steptronic most of the time pretty much to allow me to downshift quicker.
My wife sat in the back for a portion of the trip and neither of us noticed anything "rough" about the ride as others have mentioned. Perhaps due to the non-sport package or that they've toned it down at the factory. Whatever it is, the car/truck was fine.
All in all I loved it. I expected it to be a taller 3-series...and it was. (Whew!)
Interior--We had the black leather/dash. And although there were some who said the plastic and other items in the interior were cheap, I didn't think so. Seemed pretty similar to my 330. The doors "thudded" fine, the seats were very comfortable with lots of settings including lumbar support, and the steering wheel was your typical steering wheel.
The giant sun roof was great either all the way open or with multiple venting options.
We didn't have the NAV so the extra storage there is great and was perfect place for coins and cash to pay the endless number of tolls in France.
The pockets in the doors were plenty sturdy for water bottles, books, and other stuff. unlike others, I didn't find that part flimsy at all.
We got the basic radio and that was fine as we installed the aux-in. Cruising with an iPOD..nothing better. Really no complaints (complaining about the size of cup-holders doesn't count because if you want millions of cup-holders, buy a mini-van).
The hatchback didn't always seem to shut easily or lock regularly. I'll have the dealer look at that upon delivery. Everything else worked.
Other--Park Distance Control is fantastic....especially in European parking lots and garages that were designed for Mini's. Different beeps for front or back as well as directional. I know this is common in the US on most SUV's. Definitely would suggest it as a worthy although the option in expensive.
****
I'm happy and can't wait to get it to the States.
My other BMW is an '04 330Cic so that is my reference point.
We drove, slept, ate, slept and drove some more on the autobahn, in cities, on two-lane twisty roads and anything in between.
Driving--I've never had an SUV/SAV so sitting up higher took some getting used to. After a 100 miles or so I was able to get a better feel for the car and it takes a couple hundred miles for the tread to be broken in on tires.
Like you would expect (or perhaps maybe not), the car handles like my 330. I see it as a 3-series that sits higher. I didn't get the sport package due to some concern about rough ride (330 Cic does have it). After a few hundred miles, I didn't notice the height at all. I was in a BMW and could do all the things I always do in a BMW.
Acceleration was obviously not as quick as I was carrying an extra 1,000 pounds and luggage. However, as I got up to speed, driving fast (100 MPH+) was very comfortable. Driving twisty roads through the mountains was equally enjoyable. I used the steptronic most of the time pretty much to allow me to downshift quicker.
My wife sat in the back for a portion of the trip and neither of us noticed anything "rough" about the ride as others have mentioned. Perhaps due to the non-sport package or that they've toned it down at the factory. Whatever it is, the car/truck was fine.
All in all I loved it. I expected it to be a taller 3-series...and it was. (Whew!)
Interior--We had the black leather/dash. And although there were some who said the plastic and other items in the interior were cheap, I didn't think so. Seemed pretty similar to my 330. The doors "thudded" fine, the seats were very comfortable with lots of settings including lumbar support, and the steering wheel was your typical steering wheel.
The giant sun roof was great either all the way open or with multiple venting options.
We didn't have the NAV so the extra storage there is great and was perfect place for coins and cash to pay the endless number of tolls in France.
The pockets in the doors were plenty sturdy for water bottles, books, and other stuff. unlike others, I didn't find that part flimsy at all.
We got the basic radio and that was fine as we installed the aux-in. Cruising with an iPOD..nothing better. Really no complaints (complaining about the size of cup-holders doesn't count because if you want millions of cup-holders, buy a mini-van).
The hatchback didn't always seem to shut easily or lock regularly. I'll have the dealer look at that upon delivery. Everything else worked.
Other--Park Distance Control is fantastic....especially in European parking lots and garages that were designed for Mini's. Different beeps for front or back as well as directional. I know this is common in the US on most SUV's. Definitely would suggest it as a worthy although the option in expensive.
****
I'm happy and can't wait to get it to the States.