:eeps:
Looks like starting Monday, I'll be getting to know the X3 quite well.
Looks like starting Monday, I'll be getting to know the X3 quite well.
I don't know if this was a shot at me or did it just happen to be posted right after mine, but for the record, I spent over 1.5 hours closely observing both cars. The opinions I wrote before were just that...my OPINIONS.mrbelk said:People take shots at them without experiencing the vehicles first-hand, or they provide unfair comparisons to support their claims.
-MrB
It wasn't a shot at you, since when I started posting my message, yours wasn't up yet. But you have to admit that there are loads of people out there who have just hopped up onto the bandwagon because it's in vogue.asnpcwiz said:I don't know if this was a shot at me or did it just happen to be posted right after mine, but for the record, I spent over 1.5 hours closely observing both cars. The opinions I wrote before were just that...my OPINIONS.
Um, okay, I cant do up the X3, but I can de-option the X5. Here's a photo of my wife's stripper X5 (aka the kid hauler). No premium package, no sumptious leather, no nice wood trim. IMO, it's still a much richer/more elagant look than the X3.mrbelk said:As to the comments on the interior: I personally think that the X3 interior befits it's image. The materials aren't cheap; their texture is just a little more "rugged."
The pictures shown as a "comparison" are pretty well biased towards the X5, too. The X3 pictured has gray leather with the metallic trim on a gray background with poor lighting, whereas the X5 has nice, sumptuous beige leather and the nice light-wood trim, with good lighting. Given those two images, it's obvious that the X5 interior would look nicer. Replace the X3 pic with one that has wood trim and a rich leather color (like the Terra Cotta, or Sand Beige), and the differences will become much less pronounced and more representative of what one would expect to see in two cars that are in different "strata" of the BMW food-chain.
-MrB
What was her price (MSRP)?Scott ZHP said:Um, okay, I cant do up the X3, but I can de-option the X5. Here's a photo of my wife's stripper X5 (aka the kid hauler). No premium package, no sumptious leather, no nice wood trim. IMO, it's still a much richer/more elagant look than the X3.
Oh hell, I don't remember. Oh wait... I have a spreadsheet somewhere...Emission said:What was her price (MSRP)?
That's it for me. Plopping crap in the back and driving on a beach.Kaz said:The x3 does admittedly have far more cargo room. Passenger room isn't that different, though it's differently configured.
So do I (err, so does she).Emission said:The X5 holds baby/carseats better - and I have two of those in the back.
That just goes to show you what I've been saying. X3 vs. X5 is purely subjective. I also took a spin in the X5 and many other SUV's out there before buying the X3. In my opinion the X3 had much better handling than the X5 and the others I tested. It felt the closest to the 325 that I was trading in. The X5 had a more "refined" ride and was smoother, but I felt that it had more lean, less road feel, and wouldn't grip and corner as well. To me the X3 had the superior ride, to you the X5 did. Neither one of us is wrong; it's just a matter of taste. Bottom line is that we both got what we wanted, and seem to be happy with our respective choices. We both won. :thumbup:asnpcwiz said:And harplayr, after have driven both cars the X3 and X5 right after each other, IMHO, the X5 is a better drive. Although I haven't driven the X3 with Servotronic steering, I think the X5 has a better feel over all. A feel that suits me better.
Very nice ride. Enjoy. I love the X3, but then, I love all Bimmers.SARAFIL said:Here are a few pics I snapped quickly. I'll post some better ones when it stops raining and I can clean it up a bit.
SARAFIL said:A few more...
One question I have for people is related to comparison pricing. I see a lot of comparison between the pricing of the X3 v. X5 relative to what you get. As a 3 series driver, my perspective is more the price comparison between the X3 and my current 325xi. With the same options (premium, leather, cold weather, automatic), the pricing is very close and the extra space in the X3 and the X drive justify the additional cost. Is my logic flawed?mrbelk said:The pictures shown as a "comparison" are pretty well biased towards the X5, too. The X3 pictured has gray leather with the metallic trim on a gray background with poor lighting, whereas the X5 has nice, sumptuous beige leather and the nice light-wood trim, with good lighting. Given those two images, it's obvious that the X5 interior would look nicer. Replace the X3 pic with one that has wood trim and a rich leather color (like the Terra Cotta, or Sand Beige), and the differences will become much less pronounced and more representative of what one would expect to see in two cars that are in different "strata" of the BMW food-chain.
I would say yes, but there are some people who prefer the wagon over the X3.Northern Song said:One question I have for people is related to comparison pricing. I see a lot of comparison between the pricing of the X3 v. X5 relative to what you get. As a 3 series driver, my perspective is more the price comparison between the X3 and my current 325xi. With the same options (premium, leather, cold weather, automatic), the pricing is very close and the extra space in the X3 and the X drive justify the additional cost. Is my logic flawed?
LeucX3 said:I would say yes, but there are some people who prefer the wagon over the X3.
Explains why many of the X3 2.5s we saw on dealer lots had Steptronic and metalic paint as the only options. One local dealer had about a dozen with Black Sensatec.SARAFIL said:We also got sticker shock when some normally-equipped X3 2.5's showed up with window stickers near $40,000. We knew the prices, but didn't think they'd get that expensive with only things like Leather, Auto, Premium, and Cold Weather Packages.
I think you are right on the money with this observation... Take the 325xi, equip an X3 with similar options, add a little bump for new model and X-drive, and there is your pricing. I really doubt the X5 pricing had anything to do with it. None of you were really expecting it to be the same price or less than a 3-series, were you?Northern Song said:I noticed the bias in the two photos immediately. For a better comparison, here's an X3 interior along the lines of what you're talking about. It's probably not up to the X5, but it's certainly no disgrace.
http://www.germancarfans.com/photos...view/photo/photo/1126/size/regular/bmw/1.html
One question I have for people is related to comparison pricing. I see a lot of comparison between the pricing of the X3 v. X5 relative to what you get. As a 3 series driver, my perspective is more the price comparison between the X3 and my current 325xi. With the same options (premium, leather, cold weather, automatic), the pricing is very close and the extra space in the X3 and the X drive justify the additional cost. Is my logic flawed?
I dunno...there were a lot of $40-42K X3 2.5s on my dealer's lot when i got mine. Yes, it doesn't make sense and that's when the trunk money or incentives or whatever they want to call them came about.kyfdx said:Our '03 325i MSRP was $38,145... They have '04 X3 2.5s on the lot at my dealer that MSRP for $39K-$40K that are similarly equipped.. Sure, you can add a lot of crap to jack up the price to $45K (PDC? folding mirrors? It isn't a Peterbilt, for chrissakes), but you won't see one on the lot that way. Like all BMWs, it is expensive, but pretty much as cheap as BMW can make it... I wouldn't tout it as a 'value' player, but it is nearly as cheap as the 3-series.
regards,
kyfdx
Interesting to note that BMW currently has no incentives on the X3 (but they go have very good lease programs and financing), but we've managed to virtually sell out of them in the past month or so. This is very interesting because when the car was released, we were flooded with them, and everyone predicted it would flop.LeucX3 said:I dunno...there were a lot of $40-42K X3 2.5s on my dealer's lot when i got mine. Yes, it doesn't make sense and that's when the trunk money or incentives or whatever they want to call them came about.