So, I've been meaning to post this for awhile, just haven't gotten around to it until now...
Back in September, I completed my second BMW Euro Delivery in Munich (pre-Welt.) The first one was for my 650i in 2006, which went without a hitch. For my X3 delivery, however, I arrived in Munich to find that the car waiting for me had a different color interior than I had ordered, and the Sports Package had not been installed.
Well, after a few "oh 5h!t!" moments, we (BMW, my dealer back in the States, and I) realized that this was, in fact, a rare BMW multi-mistake. (Actually, this realization process is another story in itself, but I've left out the back-and-forth for brevity.) Ultimately, BMW promised to build a new X3 to my original order specs and ship it at a later date. However, since my original itinerary included extensive road travel through Germany, Switzerland (including the Alps,) and France, they let me drive the "wrong" car for the duration of my trip. Even though I would have preferred the car I ordered, I was pretty happy with the solution.
As noted, I had originally ordered the Sports Package and the X3 I would be driving in Europe didn't have it. To be honest, I'd really only ordered the Sports Package because I liked the wheels (I know, don't start...) I have an X5 without Sport, so I really didn't know what I might miss about not having it.
Well, my wife and I drove approx. 1200 miles through all sorts of conditions, including wet roads, ice, steep hills, and mud. The non-Sport X3 performed great through all of it, so much so that we had second thoughts about having to give back the "wrong" car at the end of the trip. The only exception was descending the Alps, where I found I that the car had the tendency to understeer on the downhill switchbacks. I also wasn't entirely thrilled with the road-feel, but my expectations hadn't been very high to begin with. Even so, I was beginning to wonder if I really wanted the Sports Package after all.
Fast forward three months, and the "correct" X3 arrives for us in the US. Correct color, heated wheel, and Sports Package. We knew we would like it, but....Wow, what a driving difference from the non-Sport version! I was truly surprised.
I live in a hilly area, and the stiffer suspension provides more confidence in the turns--and I really didn't notice any less comfort in the ride. Also, I hadn't appreciated how much more comfort and control the upgraded, thick padded steering wheel contributes. I always thought the M wheel was just a cosmetic upgrade, but it's much more than that. And the seats are better (I have "comfort" seats in my X5, but I prefer the "sports" seats in the X3.) Oh yeah, I like the wheels better, too.
So, for those of you on the fence on the Sports Package, I hope my experience gives you some useful insight. I've now got over 1200 miles in both versions and, while I would certainly be happy with either, the Sports Package is definitely worth it for me.
One final note....Too bad BMW won't be doing future X3 Euro Deliveries---In many ways, it is the perfect car for a tourist driving trip through Europe.
Back in September, I completed my second BMW Euro Delivery in Munich (pre-Welt.) The first one was for my 650i in 2006, which went without a hitch. For my X3 delivery, however, I arrived in Munich to find that the car waiting for me had a different color interior than I had ordered, and the Sports Package had not been installed.
Well, after a few "oh 5h!t!" moments, we (BMW, my dealer back in the States, and I) realized that this was, in fact, a rare BMW multi-mistake. (Actually, this realization process is another story in itself, but I've left out the back-and-forth for brevity.) Ultimately, BMW promised to build a new X3 to my original order specs and ship it at a later date. However, since my original itinerary included extensive road travel through Germany, Switzerland (including the Alps,) and France, they let me drive the "wrong" car for the duration of my trip. Even though I would have preferred the car I ordered, I was pretty happy with the solution.
As noted, I had originally ordered the Sports Package and the X3 I would be driving in Europe didn't have it. To be honest, I'd really only ordered the Sports Package because I liked the wheels (I know, don't start...) I have an X5 without Sport, so I really didn't know what I might miss about not having it.
Well, my wife and I drove approx. 1200 miles through all sorts of conditions, including wet roads, ice, steep hills, and mud. The non-Sport X3 performed great through all of it, so much so that we had second thoughts about having to give back the "wrong" car at the end of the trip. The only exception was descending the Alps, where I found I that the car had the tendency to understeer on the downhill switchbacks. I also wasn't entirely thrilled with the road-feel, but my expectations hadn't been very high to begin with. Even so, I was beginning to wonder if I really wanted the Sports Package after all.
Fast forward three months, and the "correct" X3 arrives for us in the US. Correct color, heated wheel, and Sports Package. We knew we would like it, but....Wow, what a driving difference from the non-Sport version! I was truly surprised.
I live in a hilly area, and the stiffer suspension provides more confidence in the turns--and I really didn't notice any less comfort in the ride. Also, I hadn't appreciated how much more comfort and control the upgraded, thick padded steering wheel contributes. I always thought the M wheel was just a cosmetic upgrade, but it's much more than that. And the seats are better (I have "comfort" seats in my X5, but I prefer the "sports" seats in the X3.) Oh yeah, I like the wheels better, too.
So, for those of you on the fence on the Sports Package, I hope my experience gives you some useful insight. I've now got over 1200 miles in both versions and, while I would certainly be happy with either, the Sports Package is definitely worth it for me.
One final note....Too bad BMW won't be doing future X3 Euro Deliveries---In many ways, it is the perfect car for a tourist driving trip through Europe.