What do you think of the new BMW X3?

R

rstype

New member
In pictures, a stock X3 looks pretty bad with the non-integrated Hofmeister kink, overdone front bumper, and strange proportions. But I saw one up close today, and I think it looks pretty good. The strange details don't stand out in person. What do you think?



Here's a Mystic Blue one with some body add-ons (they really help):
 

Attachments

  • hose (small).jpg
    hose (small).jpg
    29.1 KB · Views: 1,491
Hmm, does anyone else dislike how low the door handles are on the new 5 and X3? It's an attempt to make the hood line seem lower, but IMO, all it does is ruin that tightly-wrapped look of a 3-series.
 
The design does look better than the new 5 and 7 but the body kit makes it even more attractive :bounce
 
what is wrong with BMW now? They think just because BMW has a good name, and much prestige they can make a car ugly and still expect people to buy it. (i.e. the Z4, Z8, and the new concept Z9)
 
adrianko43 said:
what is wrong with BMW now? They think just because BMW has a good name, and much prestige they can make a car ugly and still expect people to buy it. (i.e. the Z4, Z8, and the new concept Z9)
Click to expand...



That's why people buy it only because of the name :). Just like last generations MB E-class (yuck :down), who likes a car like that anyway.
 
C-MDX said:
That's why people buy it only because of the name :). Just like last generations MB E-class (yuck :down), who likes a car like that anyway.
Click to expand...



I still think BMW makes the best naturally-aspirated engines in the world.. M-Benz and Audi match or beat BMW's performance by turbo or super-charging their vehicles.



The steering/*feel* of the car when you drive it is unsurpassed also IMHO.
 
The biggest problem I have with BMW right now is some of their styling and their seemingly blind devotion to the i-drive system. Styling comes and goes. I have always admired BMW (and Mercedes) for sticking to a formula that works. Mercedes went through a time (first version of CLK class cars) where I really did not like their styling. They have since “messaged� the look to a much more pleasing look.



BMW seems to be going through this problem right now. The 7 series has grown on me (except for that hideously huge rear end). However, I am very disappointed in the 5 series. I have always regarded the 5 series as the best looking BMW (the 7 was always so big it was difficult to deal with). However the 5 seem to sterile and too 7ish.



Styling is subjective and new designs grow on me so only time will tell. HOWEVER, i-drive is complete crap!!!!! I don’t want to have to access the computer to change the channel of the radio or to change the temperature of the climate control system. It takes way to much attention to do anything in the car. For being the “Ultimate Driving Machine� the i-drive takes away from the driving experience. I can’t believe they carried over this cumbersome overly teched piece of equipment into the 5 series. The driving gods are going to strike BMW down if this appears in the M5. I am also not a huge fan of the assisted steering system that seems to be making its way into all the cars. The feel is strange.



Don’t get me wrong BMW seems to be able to still get the performance you would expect. However, they seem to be losing the “soul� of the car. They are becoming more and more like appliances for speeds instead of the “Ultimate Driving Machine�. It seems the Germans are forgetting what made them the car manufacturers they are. Mercedes quality is way down, as is some of BMW’s. BMW is losing the “sport� feel to its cars. Porsche has watercooled and GTized (as in Grand Touring) the 911
sad-smiley-040.gif
and built a truck :angry For now they are all making good profits (well accept for MB) but can the maintain it as the core buyers for their products become disenchanted with these changes?
 
What Brian said!



Why can't we choose the options we want rather than having them shoved down our throats.



New cars inspire me to buy an older car and rebuild it, maybe it's time to start investing in restoration company stocks.:D



Regarding the X3, it looks pretty good. Not exactly my taste but not bad.
 
As much as I like the thought of an affordable BMW SUV, the X3 is not appealing to me. The styling is a little odd. I actually like some of the new BMW designs, but the X3 isn't pretty. They should've put in the same headlights from the 3 series, it would've made the front end much more pleasant. The cheap plastic bumpers also don't belong on a car in this price range. The interior on the other hand is nice looking and clean.



Just my opinion.
 
Some second-hand info--pick up the new C&D. These guys eat and sleep the spinning propeller but ripped both the 530i and the X3 apart. Bet993--styling is subjective, but boy-HOWDY did they ruin the understated muscularity of the 5!



I have yet to see or hear anyone who likes the i-Drive system; perhaps BMW is going the Pete-Repeat route by including it in the new 5.



Jacko is the King of Pop.

Jacko is the King of Pop.

Jacko is the King of Pop.

--eventually, you accept that Jacko is the King of Pop.



As many cars as BMW puts this in, I refuse to think of it as anything but dookie.



2 pennies.
 
BMW has become (well, I suppose they've always been to some degree) very arrogant about their styling and iDrive. I've read quotes in various publications (Automotive News, AutoWeek, etc) from Bangle and BMW Germany to the effect of (paraphrasing):



"Journalists and drivers aren't stylists - they have no concept of styling so they shouldn't criticize it" (Bangle)



"iDrive is staying whether you like it or not. Once trained on its functions, most people seem to like it." (CEO)





These attitudes of "you don't know anything, we know everything," is what really honks my horn. As a previous owner of a BMW, I can say that while it was a decent car, it wasn't unequivocally "the ultimate driving machine."



But alas, we can all complain about the styling and the quirky, stupid things they do and it's not going to matter. They've got their consumers voices set to "mute" and will continue to do whatever they want to, b/c those same consumers believe that "there's nothing better than BMW." :rolleyes:



Now to answer the first question - I haven't decided if I like the X3 or not yet...it's "ok," but I find myself having to qualify too many comments with "I'm getting used to it," or "Well, I suppose it's ok."
 
geekysteve said:


"Journalists and drivers aren't stylists - they have no concept of styling so they shouldn't criticize it" (Bangle)



"iDrive is staying whether you like it or not. Once trained on its functions, most people seem to like it." (CEO)
Click to expand...



I too have read interviews with the Bangle team, and I find them awfully arrogant. Bangle is going to single-handedly destroy the entire BMW line. BMW has always had elegant, understated designs, and now we've all got to suffer because one man has the "I don't care if you're right, we'll do it my way," attitude. It boggles my mind. That said, in regard to the X3, I think as Bangle designs go, it's not bad. There isn't any one part (like the 7's rearend, or the 5's "angry" headlights), that really turn me against it. I just hope the E46 3-series stays around long enough for me to get my hands on one. When Bangle finishes off the 3, it'll be the last straw. :mad:
 
Sat in an X3 yesterday and a new 545 6 spd. The X3 was nice on the inside and I was commenting that, it's not that bad. That was until I saw the $43,000 sticker and said, no way. The 545 was nice. I thought the interior looked sharp with the central cluster- minus speedo and tach. Wood trim never does it for me, but I'm sure it would appeal more to the target buyer. Forgot to look at the sticker, but I am sure it wasn't cheap. The tranny felt real nice, but long shifts. Maybe I am just used to a short shift, but the throw felt significantly longer than say even the new M3's.
 
I don't like it that much.:down



First of all, BMW doesn't even build it, they gave the job over to some other company in Germany, they just provide the engine+wheels!:rolleyes:



Secondly, motor trend doesn't like it either. It doesn't ride like a BMW should at all. They said the ride was overly harsh. Plus, it has less interior room than my PT Cruiser!



I was excited after hearing about it 6 months ago, but not anymore after knowing all this. Sad, it could've been a big winner for BMW if they put any effort into it!:nono



That's my view!:wavey
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top