X3 2.5 more fun to drive than X3 3.0??

[kurichan]

Please don't flame me: I'm not, nor will I ever be an X3 owner. However, in the process of getting all the troubles sorted out with my 330i ZHP, I've been given stripped X3 2.5 w/16" wheels and now a decked out X3 3.0 w/17" wheels loaner.

While the 2.5 needs a bit of winding out to get it going, it really zips and was almost fun to drive. The 3.0 somehow feels heavy, almost sluggish to me. Is it my imagination? Thoughts?

[harplayr]

Please don't flame me: I'm not, nor will I ever be an X3 owner. However, in the process of getting all the troubles sorted out with my 330i ZHP, I've been given stripped X3 2.5 w/16" wheels and now a decked out X3 3.0 w/17" wheels loaner.

While the 2.5 needs a bit of winding out to get it going, it really zips and was almost fun to drive. The 3.0 somehow feels heavy, almost sluggish to me. Is it my imagination? Thoughts?I enjoyed both, however the 2.5 had enough power for me, and I used the extra $$$ for more options. You can't go wrong either way.

[kyfdx]

Please don't flame me: I'm not, nor will I ever be an X3 owner. However, in the process of getting all the troubles sorted out with my 330i ZHP, I've been given stripped X3 2.5 w/16" wheels and now a decked out X3 3.0 w/17" wheels loaner.

While the 2.5 needs a bit of winding out to get it going, it really zips and was almost fun to drive. The 3.0 somehow feels heavy, almost sluggish to me. Is it my imagination? Thoughts?

I think all X3 come with 17" wheels standard..

[LeucX3]

I think all X3 come with 17" wheels standard..
And with 18s on the SP. Might be more imagined difference than anything else. I think over the long haul the 3.0 will be zippier (and i only say this because that's what i have :D ). I drove just about all combinations when i got mine and to be quite honest, over short test drives i couldn't tell much difference even with or without SP.

But i knew over the long term that i wouldn't be happy with non SP or w/out 3.0, but that's just me. My previous car was a 330Ci, so i'd be going down in power.

[ProcyonB]

Please don't flame me: I'm not, nor will I ever be an X3 owner. However, in the process of getting all the troubles sorted out with my 330i ZHP, I've been given stripped X3 2.5 w/16" wheels and now a decked out X3 3.0 w/17" wheels loaner.

While the 2.5 needs a bit of winding out to get it going, it really zips and was almost fun to drive. The 3.0 somehow feels heavy, almost sluggish to me. Is it my imagination? Thoughts?

:dunno: I am just wondering how you got one with 16" wheels?

[kurichan]

:dunno: I am just wondering how you got one with 16" wheels?Maybe I was wrong about the wheels... They LOOKED small.

Another question: the 3.0 I am in now has 6000+ miles on it. There are serious creaking noises coming from what seems to be the A pillar/roof area. Is this chassis flex or just the door seals? It sounds horrible...

[LeucX3]

Another question: the 3.0 I am in now has 6000+ miles on it. There are serious creaking noises coming from what seems to be the A pillar/roof area. Is this chassis flex or just the door seals? It sounds horrible...
It's the door seals. Check this thread out:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66374

[SARAFIL]

I'm not overly enthusiastic about the 2.5. Every time I drive one under any load or up any grade, it just feels like it is running out of steam. A 325iA is "slow". A 325xitA is "slower". An X3 2.5iA "just doesn't have enough oomph". With a stick, the picture is brighter, but an X3 2.5i stick still isn't anything to get excited about.

In comparison, an X3 3.0 doesn't *feel* like it is much faster, but it really is. I drive an X3 3.0 regularly, and it has plenty of power, and you can certainly feel the difference.

[bhatnsa]

I am glad I ordered X3 3.0i (automatic, premium, cold weather, servotronic, xenon, PDC, nav, privacy glass, pre-wired for sirius)..at one point thought of 2.5i to save some money on..hoping that the price diff between 2.5i and 3.0i not to be large for 05....anxiously waiting to get some more info on the pricing though..

[kyfdx]

I'm not overly enthusiastic about the 2.5. Every time I drive one under any load or up any grade, it just feels like it is running out of steam. A 325iA is "slow". A 325xitA is "slower". An X3 2.5iA "just doesn't have enough oomph". With a stick, the picture is brighter, but an X3 2.5i stick still isn't anything to get excited about.

In comparison, an X3 3.0 doesn't *feel* like it is much faster, but it really is. I drive an X3 3.0 regularly, and it has plenty of power, and you can certainly feel the difference.

I agree.. I like the 2.5 engine, but extra weight just kills it.. and the automatic doesn't help either...

However, I drove a Z4 2.5 steptronic last year, and it felt pretty zippy.. I think I could be very happy with that and a manual shift... No need for the 3.0 there (unless you are giving it to me).

[LeucX3]

I don't think BMW would put the 2.5 in the X3 if it were grossly underpowered, so no one should freak out about that too much.

It's just that most of us here have lead foots, so we always want more more more. Personally i think a ZHP X3 would be damn nice.