Is the X3 right for me?

Right now I have an E46 330i and a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep is modified with all kinds of off road accessories but I never go off road anymore. I really only use the Jeep when the roads are bad or if I am trying to keep my car clean. My Jeep is an 01 and my BMW is an 02 both have low miles though. I've been thinking about going down to one vehicle but I want something fun to drive on the road and something that will not leave me stranded when the weather gets bad. We also have a Flex so I don't necessarily need something big but its got to have 4 doors. We both prefer to drive a stick and the Flex is a slush-box so its got to have 3 pedals. I don't want a big drop in power compared to my 330i so I'll have to get the biggest engine possible.


Can the X3 be fun? Does it go good in the snow? I have been considering a Porsche Cayenne but am still more comfortable with BMW's reliability

Lotsa fun. Best all-rounder vehicle I've ever tried. Handles well, good power, carries a load, can even do some light off-road. Haven't tried it in snow, though. Fairly reliable, but maintenance can be expensive, but you probably know that already.

Manual transmissions are hard to find though, good luck!

I think the last X3 stick was '10 -- but they are rare. If you have to drive a stick, the Cayenne base (and GTS) come with sticks -- but are probably even more rare than the manual X3. The base (2wd) Tiguan comes with a stick as does the Subie Forester and Outback and there are probably more of those around than the others. Since you already have a BMW then you probably already have your maintenance/repair indy on hand. That really is the biggest drawback to a BMW, the lack of availability of parts and good service in some areas. What about a manual, king cab pickup? Very useful things to have -- much more useful in fact than an X3 and certainly cheaper to run and maintain. The Nissan Frontier, Toyota, Chev/GMC, Ford and Dodge all make nice mid-size trucks and all, I believe, can be had with sticks in at least some configurations.

Originally Posted by 01tj

I don't want a big drop in power compared to my 330i so I'll have to get the biggest engine possible.

Can the X3 be fun? Does it go good in the snow?

LCI X3's (2007-2010) have the 260 hp base X5 engine. No other engine is available.





X3's do quite well in the snow:

I just sold my xterra (was a 4x4, but had no lockers) and bought an 07 x3 with a manual transmission. Car is blast. First thing I did when I got it home (to Flagstaff, from Bismarck) was take it out onto the dirt roads...which were a tad muddy. Plenty of traction, ample ground clearance. Would have no problem taking it offroad for mild to moderate adventures. As far as snow, we just had a little bit today, but traction was very good with primacy mxv4s. get one.

Add in: very stable in heavy rain.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

I think the last X3 stick was '10 -- but they are rare. If you have to drive a stick, the Cayenne base (and GTS) come with sticks -- but are probably even more rare than the manual X3. The base (2wd) Tiguan comes with a stick as does the Subie Forester and Outback and there are probably more of those around than the others. Since you already have a BMW then you probably already have your maintenance/repair indy on hand. That really is the biggest drawback to a BMW, the lack of availability of parts and good service in some areas. What about a manual, king cab pickup? Very useful things to have -- much more useful in fact than an X3 and certainly cheaper to run and maintain. The Nissan Frontier, Toyota, Chev/GMC, Ford and Dodge all make nice mid-size trucks and all, I believe, can be had with sticks in at least some configurations.

There is a local guy that specializes in European vehicles but I have a Bentley service manual and have done all my own services. I guess I had Bobby Rahaul change the diff fluid when they did the tail light re-call and they did it free of charge. I get my parts on-line and haven't had any trouble finding anything yet.

I've thought about a 4 door truck but it seems like 6-speeds are rarer in those than in the X3. You can get a Dakota, Frontier, and Tacoma with 4 doors and 3 pedals but options are limited and and some of them were only available for a few model years. Ford doesn't make a 4 door ranger and the Chevy is only available with the 4cyl. If I get a truck I'm keeping my car. I've also thought about getting an older X3 (04's and 05's seem to be fairly cheap) and keeping my car.

Virtually nothing else will be as much fun to drive, excellent dry, wet, snow handling and adequate power as the X3. Parts are everywhere and good indy shops as well. Our 2005 3.0i has 125,000 reliable miles and still drives like a dream.

Any of you guys come from an E46?

Originally Posted by 01tj

Any of you guys come from an E46?

While I do not come from an e46, I do have an ///M Rdstr and drive my wife's e39 occassionally. While I prefer the performance of the Rdstr, I really enjoy and have a good deal of fun driving the X3. We've had snow on the ground since Dec 26 (really rare for us) and have had freezing rain (first time in 30 years for this area) along with new snow several times since. Besides heading to the hills for some skiing this is the most snow I've experienced with the vehicle. Still loads of fun, great traction and then some performance in the curves too.

It's probably not necessary with a stick but does the X3 have hill decent assist?

Originally Posted by 01tj

It's probably not necessary with a stick but does the X3 have hill decent assist?

I can't say for some of the previous years, but from the '07 on I can say that it does, yes.

My 2004 automatic has hill descent.

Originally Posted by ghpup

I can't say for some of the previous years, but from the '07 on I can say that it does, yes.

Looking at autotrader it does appear that all or at least most of them do have it. I've always just put my vehicles in 1st and let them creep down but it's nice to know there's a backup

Originally Posted by 01tj

Any of you guys come from an E46?

Use to own a 325Ci from 2007 to 2010.

Originally Posted by 01tj

Any of you guys come from an E46?

I traded in my 68k mile '03 325i 5MT for my 58k mile '08 E83; while I miss the handling and quickness of the E46 (despite less HP on paper), the E83 is so much more useful. We just got hit with winter storm Nemo, and the E83 performed exceptionally. I was amazed how sure-footed it is driving back upstate from Long Island on partially plowed/melted/refrozen roads. My '97 Jetta and '84 GMC S15 are stick, and for the longest time refused an automatic... but driving from upstate NY to LI and back every weekend through NYC traffic, I am happy with my choice in going with the automatic; I'm ok with being lazy. In mixed driving, I usually get 22-23 mpg; on highway-only runs, I break 25 mpg. I'm not looking forward to the obligatory waterpump/t-stat change on the N52, but cooling system overhauls seem to be SOP for BMWs, but I do have the 6 year/100k mile warranty and maintenance program as I bought it certified used from a local BMW dealer.

_sl_