BMW iX v iX3

Author
Discussion

Snatch1

Original Poster:

181 posts

88 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
I'm planning on getting a EV through the company lease scheme (not salary sacrafice). Was all set to get a Kia EV6 when an iX3 caught my eye (daily has been an X5 for the last 15 years, I've owned all 4 generations of it!).

I have an iX3 arriving next week for a 4 day demo. Really looking forward to seeing what it's like in the real world.

However, I just discovered that an iX is within budget and it's thrown the cat among the pigeons! I really didn't like the iX but it's grown on me significantly over the last few months (a friend recently got one) and I now really like it.

Here's the dilema, I can get an iX3 M Sport Pro with all the bells and whistles, or an entry level iX 40 Sport. I think I wouldn't even get electric seats in an entry level iX ?? my X5's have all been fully spec'd.

Whatcar seems to suggest the fully loaded iX3 would be the better option.

What do people think?

ruggedscotty

5,629 posts

210 months

Thursday 15th February
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fully loaded..

its the toys and whistles that maketh the car these days. the no options no frills will grow boring very quickly

SDK

895 posts

254 months

Thursday 15th February
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I have an iX40 M-Sport

Electric seats are standard in the iX - if you want memory function then you need to spec the comfort pack.
I looked at the iX3 but it's basically an X3 with the engine replaced with electric motors. The iX is ground up designed as an EV - so a flat floor front and rear, and generally more interior space for the wheel dimensions.

The wheels on the Sport version look a bit 'meh' and small though

iom_dave

42 posts

4 months

Thursday 15th February
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So, I decided to order an iX, the reasons are:

You can order the parking assistant plus for the 360 view as a stand alone package, I don't think the iX3 has that as an option.
Cabin is very spacious
It feels really modern inside.

Due to turn up in April, I guess I will find out then!

SDK

895 posts

254 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
The options added were:

- Parking Assistant Plus
- Heated steering wheel
- Sun protection glass
- Clear & bold controls
- Titan bronze exterior trim
- Individual 22” wheels

It comes with Driving Assistant Professional as standard - so adaptive cruise and lane change assistant. HUD is standard, as is the Harman/Kardon audio.

raspy

1,498 posts

95 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
Snatch1 said:
I'm planning on getting a EV through the company lease scheme (not salary sacrafice). Was all set to get a Kia EV6 when an iX3 caught my eye (daily has been an X5 for the last 15 years, I've owned all 4 generations of it!).

I have an iX3 arriving next week for a 4 day demo. Really looking forward to seeing what it's like in the real world.

However, I just discovered that an iX is within budget and it's thrown the cat among the pigeons! I really didn't like the iX but it's grown on me significantly over the last few months (a friend recently got one) and I now really like it.

Here's the dilema, I can get an iX3 M Sport Pro with all the bells and whistles, or an entry level iX 40 Sport. I think I wouldn't even get electric seats in an entry level iX ?? my X5's have all been fully spec'd.

Whatcar seems to suggest the fully loaded iX3 would be the better option.

What do people think?
Drive both, compare the features, and see what YOU think. Only you can decide which model suits you better.

Personally, I have had an iX40 (fully specced) for almost 18 months. Many will dismiss it simply because of looks, but it really is an extraordinary vehicle (that happens to be powered by electricity)

moonigan

2,144 posts

242 months

Thursday 15th February
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The iX3 M Sport Pro has every single option as standard other than laser lights. Been running one for 18 months and its a really good car.

raspy

1,498 posts

95 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
Snatch1 said:
I'm planning on getting a EV through the company lease scheme (not salary sacrafice). Was all set to get a Kia EV6 when an iX3 caught my eye (daily has been an X5 for the last 15 years, I've owned all 4 generations of it!).

I have an iX3 arriving next week for a 4 day demo. Really looking forward to seeing what it's like in the real world.

However, I just discovered that an iX is within budget and it's thrown the cat among the pigeons! I really didn't like the iX but it's grown on me significantly over the last few months (a friend recently got one) and I now really like it.

Here's the dilema, I can get an iX3 M Sport Pro with all the bells and whistles, or an entry level iX 40 Sport. I think I wouldn't even get electric seats in an entry level iX ?? my X5's have all been fully spec'd.

Whatcar seems to suggest the fully loaded iX3 would be the better option.

What do people think?
Drive both, compare the features, and see what YOU think. Only you can decide which model suits you better.

Personally, I have had an iX40 (fully specced) for almost 18 months. Many will dismiss it simply because of looks, but it really is an extraordinary vehicle (that happens to be powered by electricity)

EdR

90 posts

208 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
Might not be that important to you, however I believe that the iX3 is RWD whereas the iX is 4WD (something that wasn't obvious to me until I looked into the iX3 a bit more closely)

Up_North

228 posts

240 months

Thursday 15th February
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I was looking at both. The iX3 M Sport Pro is a pretty good car and incredibly well spec’ed and with it having the older iDrive, it has proper buttons for climate control. But as others have said it doesn’t feel as ‘special’ as the iX but think I’d want the iX50 for the increased range and that’s a tad out of my budget.

And as someone else said, the iX3 is RWD only, if that’s important to you.

oop north

1,596 posts

129 months

Thursday 15th February
quotequote all
Hadn’t spotted an Up-North here before!

Anyway, happy with my iX50 after nearly 11 months. Been to Edinburgh a few times (370 miles round trip needing only 20 mins charging), been to Newquay (360 miles in a day), Aberystwyth (330 miles in a day without needing to recharge). Don’t like the stupid-shaped steering wheel and the boot that’s too small for the size of the car but acres of cabin space, quiet and comfortable

Snatch1

Original Poster:

181 posts

88 months

Friday 16th February
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Looks like a pretty even split based onthe replies, maybe slightly in favour of the iX. I've asked the lease company if I can borrow an iX, waiting to hear back from them. I'll drive both and then make a decision.


curvature

391 posts

75 months

Friday 16th February
quotequote all
I picked up an iX3 M Sport at the end of December and have done just over 3000 miles.

What do I like about it -

Looks like a regular X3, we also have an X3 M40d.
Good size and shape boot. I looked at an EV6 and the boot is very shallow.
Very quiet and smooth to drive with ample performance. Not the quickest EV but the torque is instant.
I have averaged 3.0 miles per kW overall and yesterday on a cross country return trip of 55 miles achieved 4.2 miles per kW although it had warmed up outside to 17C.
A 200 mile return trip in sub-freezing temps gave 200 miles with 50 miles left to play with.

What don't I like -

Nothing, it is a genuinely nice car and makes the M40d feel like a tractor.

I chose the M Sport over the Pro as I wanted a tow-bar for my cycle carrier and none of the Pro's had that option. It also came with Lazer Lights.

Be careful with wheel size. On the iX3 the M Sport has 19" and the Pro has 20", if you are bothered about range the 19's give better range.

To get the best out of them you do need to use the different driving modes. B in town and some smaller twisty roads and then on motorways I use EcoPro in D with the generative braking mode switched off as this allows it to freewheel.

Snatch1

Original Poster:

181 posts

88 months

Saturday 17th February
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Great summary Curvature. Thx

sahajesh

368 posts

154 months

Sunday 18th February
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What I don’t like about the iX3:

Heating (air not seat) is inconsistent (and I don’t mean Eco Pro mode).

Vernasca leather is horrible (the X3 has the option for Merino, I think?).

It’s a low-rent interior compared to the iX. Even the 3 series looks better and has nicer leather options.

On the plus side, it’s fairly well-specced tech-wise as it’s pretty much built to a config, so not really too much you can add anyway.

I’m looking forward to my SalSac ending.

I got this for a reason - cut costs and it’s excellent in that regard.

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Sunday 18th February
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Really like our ix3, had it for 8 months and 7,000 miles, company car. It replaced a much loved i3s. Handling, range, efficiecy, interior space are all good. It's not an exciting car in anyway, but it just works very well as an A-B car for commuting and general family usage.

The ix40 wasn't an option on my scheme. I actually prefer the more 'unique' looks of the ix, the interior is more modern, and it provides 4 wheel drive. But that seems to be where the benefits end, as it offers less real world range, less efficient, and the boot space is the same despite the car being 20cm longer.

Snatch1

Original Poster:

181 posts

88 months

Tuesday 20th February
quotequote all
I was due to have an iX3 delivered Thursday on loan for the weekend. I was told today that bmw have suspended all loans of iX3’s. No idea why. Frustrating as I have an iX for a few days end of next week and was going to place an order for which ever we preferred.

I need to get on and order a car and really wanted to compare the 2. Currently my thinking is I might see if my local dealer can let me test drive an iX3. I’m happy to be upfront and say it’ll be a company lease but that might mean they won’t arrange a test drive

Failing that, if we like the iX I’ll order one

TheDrownedApe

1,036 posts

57 months

Tuesday 20th February
quotequote all
Jesus Christ, you're considering that ix grille? The ix3 is bad enough but just NO. 2 colleagues are BMW fanbois and most others in the office snigger often about their choices.

Try literally any other brand but if you are desperate for another BMW get the ix3


Luke.

11,002 posts

251 months

Tuesday 20th February
quotequote all
TheDrownedApe said:
Jesus Christ, you're considering that ix grille? The ix3 is bad enough but just NO. 2 colleagues are BMW fanbois and most others in the office snigger often about their choices.

Try literally any other brand but if you are desperate for another BMW get the ix3
It's just a grill. Have a word with yourself.

Snatch1

Original Poster:

181 posts

88 months

Tuesday 20th February
quotequote all
Crikey! You ok Hon? 😂

When I first saw the iX I couldn’t believe anyone at BMW could’ve signed it off. I would say the best thing about being in an iX was the fact you couldn’t see it whilst you were in it. I’ve mellowed and actually over the last couple of months I’ve done a u-turn and I now like the way it looks. It’s different and bit futuristic.

Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we all liked the same things…