XSeries-forum

Well I posted in my original thread and it's mentioned in the sticky from Haywoon too about the niggles I needed to get sorted under warranty. Finally getting that done now and am currently using a 62 plate 2.0d M Sport X3 as a courtsey car.

After 6 weeks or so in the X5 I can't believe an X3 feels small and low down  )

Nice car though, although (imho) the X5 feels more solid and the materials inside/finish have the edge.

'My' X3 is white with cream leather and silver trim which does have a element of footballer's wife about it too - much to the satisfaction of a number of my friends who have thoroughly enjoyed pointing that out!

The main thing that has caught my attention is the latest (I think?) Idrive - I love the screen display but take it that is a firmware thing and not a possible upgrade on my X5.

I'll try and grab a couple of pics to post of it when I can.

In the meantime I must admit I look forward to getting mine back.

Well my X5 is back with me! The jobs are done so I now have vents with the 'paddle' lever bits in the rear. The fuel cap opens first time and the best bit of all is the tailgate no longer rattles! The jobs were done by wednesday evening but a driver could only bring my car back saturday first thing.

The technician said it sounded like I was driving with the boot open all the time and I can see why. Are the joy of silence.

As promised a couple of pics of the X3 (I will linl a thread to this in the X3 forum too as I will post a few bits and bobs I felt, having had it since tuesday.

A quickly grabbed pic when I met up with the driver to swap cars:



Also here is the interior - the colour scheme I was not too keen on if honest:



So what did I like / dislike:

Firstly, I wasn't overly keen on the colour scheme, in particular inside but that is personal preference so I'll leave that there.

I like the look of all the 'X' cars and so thought this M Sport version looked good. It did seem small after a few weeks in the X5 which came as a shock to me as it isn't a small car! It's amazing how quickly you get used to things I guess.

The 'new car' smell was still there with only 1600 miles on the clock and added to the 'fresh feel' was the lovely steering wheel and, of course, as I mentioned before the up to date iDrive screen.

The engine seemed very 'perky' with good low down pull and far lively and punchy then the 2 litre d I had previously in my old E91 320d Touring. From what I can see there isn't loads of bhp or torque more than what I had driven around with for 2 years but it 'felt' far more, even though I'd imagine the X3 was heavier. I do, however, still find stop/start technology disconcerting and can't imgaine it being that good for a turbo either come to that!

I (personally) didn't think the car needed or was the right type of car for paddle shifter's but they were fun to play with a few times and were ergonomically very good. The ride/handling were exactly what I'd expect and they left a good impression.

I was also impressed with the look of the newer iDrive screen but prefer the less cluttered look of the older style, without all the buttons round the controller. The 'overview' picture on the screen when the pdc is engaged wasn't as clear though, again imho.

The materials seem that little bit better in the X5 though, even though mine is a '58' plate compared to this X3 on a '62'.

The boot size was ample, although the fully opening (ie non split) tailgate was heavy to close and hard to reach for my youngest child. The doors however felt very light to shut - I kept slamming them to hard ::)

I am pleased to have my X back but this left me with that double underlined feeling that I made the right choice of going for an X car for my families and my needs and that the X5 was spot on for us.

Thanks for following all my waffle - hope there was something of vague interest in there for you!

X Box 

Nice write up X Box  that spec is very UAE  surprised to see one in that combo TBH. Yes the new screen is great. Mrs chompers new car has the 8.8" screen which looks very good compared to my Business nav screen on the e61, perspective view is also rather nice too. Glad you have your 'X' back and sorted and even nicer that feel your purchase was spot on 

That looks horrible

The engine seemed very 'perky' with good low down pull and far lively and punchy then the 2 litre d I had previously in my old E91 320d Touring. From what I can see there isn't loads of bhp or torque more than what I had driven around with for 2 years but it 'felt' far more, even though I'd imagine the X3 was heavier. I do, however, still find stop/start technology disconcerting and can't imgaine it being that good for a turbo either come to that!

I (personally) didn't think the car needed or was the right type of car for paddle shifter's but they were fun to play with a few times and were ergonomically very good. The ride/handling were exactly what I'd expect and they left a good impression.

BMW diesels have always work well with an auto box. I have a 520d auto touring (177 bhp) and is very pleasant to drive. Mrs Chompers new 3er has the 184 bhp engine with manual and to be honest it doesn't feel as quick I that combo. Clearly the 6 cylinder diesels are the pick  ::)

Very true about suiting the auto. I have had 4 BMW diesels and 3 have been auto.

Is the 184 bhp a 320d? If so, my first one was an E46 330d which was manual but had that same bhp. How things have progressed.

They got little bump up to 204bhp for the last year or so.  Ours is one of those and it does go........loads a torque

That would make more sense. I looked on BMW auc site and thought it was 177, which wasn't massively different to our old touring with 163 bhp.

LCi e93/4 got uprated to 184bhp in 2010. As you say it is quite amazing how these engines have moved on. The original e46 320d started at 139bhp back in 98/99 (same engine detuned also fitted to the Freelander)
e46 330d started around 196 bhp IIRC and as R. states got a little lift to 204 bhp then to 218 bhp for early e9X cars up to 231 for LCi e9X and is now at 245bhp for current showroom 30d cars. I could go on but think you'll all be asleep now  )

With such a high frequency of changes its useful to pause for breath & look at the chronology.

That said don't expect a lucrative income from after dinner speaking, (at least on this subject) 

[quote="AW8"]
With such a high frequency of changes its useful to pause for breath & look at the chronology.

That said don't expect a lucrative income from after dinner speaking, (at least on this subject) 
[/quote]

I'd be grateful of any income at the moment  )

Want to know what a real internet diesel bore is?
E46 320d started as 136 bhp, then went common rail so 150bhp.

The 330d E46 was 184 bhp but later went to 204 however it also went from 2926cc to 2993cc.

The E39 started as 184 bhp then up to 193. It only hit 218 in the E60.

All off the top of my head worryingly enough.

[quote="X Box"]
Want to know what a real internet diesel bore is?
E46 320d started as 136 bhp, then went common rail so 150bhp.

The 330d E46 was 184 bhp but later went to 204 however it also went from 2926cc to 2993cc.

The E39 started as 184 bhp then up to 193. It only hit 218 in the E60.

All off the top of my head worryingly enough.
[/quote]

So was mine  :-[ looks like you have a better head than me  )

Or I am just sadder  :-[

[quote="X Box"]
Or I am just sadder  :-[
[/quote]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the 20d 115bhp (316d), 143bhp (318d)  163bhp (320dED Car) variants then theres the 123d TT 204 bhp soon to be 218 bhp  )