BMW X3
 

I am looking in picking up a BMW X3 for the wife between a 05 to 07 is there anything that I should know?? like transmission problems etc...

We have an X3, definitely take it for a test drive though

Ride is horrible, I don't mind a sportier ride, but make sure your wife approves.
Transmission is again not so great for city driving, doesn't react fast enough in D, so not so great for stop and go and passing, you can use sport if you like which is a bit better, and the manual mode isn't bad.

So far has been reliable, mine is an 07 which means that first 4 years of servicing etc is all included and free :)
Over 35k on ours and no light bulbs and the only thing that went wrong was the transmission programming, the transmission itself is fine, but one time we had to bring it in and reflash? the computer cos it wouldn't shift or something, don't remember, but it was just a software thing, the hardware itself is probably built to last

It is a great drivers crossover IMO but there are some prices you have to pay, practicality and space isn't bad for something of it's size, and buy a set of snow tires and you're good to go :thumbsup:

I think you should shop around though, there are much cheaper and mundane crossovers out there that your wife may like better.

BTW The only reason we got it was because of the killer lease rate for a 39 month lease :thumbsup:

X3 is due for a replacement this fall.. so might want to wait for price to fall.

i think you should get a 07+ Lexus RX350 for your wife

Wait for the X1.

I don't know if the RX350's have improved, but upon driving my aunt's RX330, I thought the driving experience wasn't the greatest. What I mean is the feedback for the steering wheel is minimal. Maybe I just like the feel of the steering of my Celica, but everything just feels super light and floaty on the RX330.

It's a Lexus, u'r not suppose to feel anything. It's a made to get u from point A to point B with the minimal hassle.

man, I love bimmers, but the first gen X3 is a let down...the interior is so plastic, handles lousy.....I think my RDX is a better car 1 for 1....forget about the price difference....

^handles lousy? are you kidding me, thats the only thing thats decent! :haha:
RDX is a tad smaller though, but the price difference means the X3 new is more $ than an MDX

how much is a X3??

The base price for my dad's MDX is 53k.

No it's not.. With cash purchase, you can get it for $42k..:rolleyes:

8k off on the new MDX's if not more...

Although the 39 month lease on the lease for the X3 is cheaper than an RDX so...

back to back the RDX out handles the X3....heck, my stock RDX handles probably as well as my modded 550i.

most lexus ive driven have a very light steering wheel feedback. i wasnt used to it being so light, but i actually like it. the ride is pretty good.

my family just recently purchased a 2007 RX350 for $24,900USD, fully loaded with all options. only 16500 miles on it.

^is your RDX on performance tires?
But either way the X3 doesn't have "lousy handling" even though the RDX is better

^ No way! That's dirt cheap for a 2007 RX.

seriously, my cousin bought it for us right from the auction where dealership takes the car to sell. before the vehcile came up all the warrenty work was done, which was almost $8,000. but it was well worth it, its a very nice car with lots of room. not really digging the new rx350, its too small.

The X3 is the worst handling BMW...X5 handles better....my RDX has A/S Michelin Pilots....

probably the new X5 handles better yeah but not the first gen X5, and I agree, it is the worst handling BMW but that's like calling the gallardo weak because it's the weakest lambo, It wouldn't be fair to tell the op it has "lousy handling" fact of the matter is, the X3 will outhandle something like a Rav4 or Freelander,

Although IMO the styling of the X3 is not for me...

get MDX/RDX/even RX330-350



X3/X5 3.0 engine is hella weak


260hp with 220 pounds of torque

220 torque towing anywhere from a 1550-1800kg car thats AWD is just not that much

You'd be surprised how well an X5 goes with that engine at almost 5000lbs...
Numbers don't do it justice, drive an X5 back to back with an RX350 and you'll know what i mean

Hi ilvtofu thanks for your input...

To sum it all up, i've had the x3 for 2 years and I don't recommend you buying one, simply because there's nothing that great about it...

I only got it cos the lease was incredibly cheap.

^ did you even have input on getting the X3? lol