X3 35d MSport - better than an E Class?
Discussion
Wife's E Class is going back in May so got the default choice of the new E Class estate (all wheel drive, 200bhp, great spec, safe bet)
Left field choice, turns out BMW are discounting the 335d engines in the 3,4 and X3. So could get a 320bhp family wagon for same price, albeit not as well spec'd as BMW are tight.
The X3 will be more fun to drive ....but day-to-day what are they like? Any known issues or complaints?
My other car is an M4 so I'm familiar with BMW and like the service I receive from my local dealer.
My spec would be:
Pro Nav
Harmon Kardon
Pan Roof
360 Camera
Dog guard
thinking of not getting the MSport Plus and deselecting the MSport suspension to get the softer ride!
Left field choice, turns out BMW are discounting the 335d engines in the 3,4 and X3. So could get a 320bhp family wagon for same price, albeit not as well spec'd as BMW are tight.
The X3 will be more fun to drive ....but day-to-day what are they like? Any known issues or complaints?
My other car is an M4 so I'm familiar with BMW and like the service I receive from my local dealer.
My spec would be:
Pro Nav
Harmon Kardon
Pan Roof
360 Camera
Dog guard
thinking of not getting the MSport Plus and deselecting the MSport suspension to get the softer ride!
I want all wheel drive. But not too bothered is if its estate or SUV format, just want space for bike and dog. Although the ride height of the X3 appeals.
BMW 5 touring XDrive arrives too late so thats off the table. Merc GLE we don't like. Land Rover Disco Sport and FType are £££ once you've spec'd them.
I'm not after a 'proper' 4x4 or I'd get a Range Rover. I just need it to cope with snow, steep valley roads and the occasional muddy field.
BMW 5 touring XDrive arrives too late so thats off the table. Merc GLE we don't like. Land Rover Disco Sport and FType are £££ once you've spec'd them.
I'm not after a 'proper' 4x4 or I'd get a Range Rover. I just need it to cope with snow, steep valley roads and the occasional muddy field.
I drove an F25 30d M Sport once and thought it rode very nicely and felt much more car-like than the E70 X5 I was driving at the time. The 35d is an underrated thing in my opinion given that the comparably performing but much less subtle SQ5's are everywhere. I too would avoid the larger wheels of the Sport Plus pack but probably keep the M Sport suspension or spec adaptive incase the standard suspension rolls too much.
I bought a new X3 35d in October 2016.
It is a phenomenal car. I have the msport on 20" wheels and I do not find it too hard a ride.
In the past I had a W212 e-class 350 cdi saloon. That was also a great car, but the X3 is so much more nimble, and faster. The in-line 6 engine is a lot smoother that the Mercedes V6 was. I haven't tried the latest 4 cylinder Mercedes so I can't comment.
The sat-nav in the X3 is superior IMHO, as is the HK sound system.
One thing I think you should check is whether the X3 is long enough for your needs. I think it is shorter than the Merc so make sure the loadspace with the back seats down is long enough for your needs.
Also bear in mind the cost of tyres on 20" wheels. I had a gash in my tyre wall at less than 3k mile and a like for like new tyre was £260. I was glad I had bought tyre/wheel insurance.
It is a phenomenal car. I have the msport on 20" wheels and I do not find it too hard a ride.
In the past I had a W212 e-class 350 cdi saloon. That was also a great car, but the X3 is so much more nimble, and faster. The in-line 6 engine is a lot smoother that the Mercedes V6 was. I haven't tried the latest 4 cylinder Mercedes so I can't comment.
The sat-nav in the X3 is superior IMHO, as is the HK sound system.
One thing I think you should check is whether the X3 is long enough for your needs. I think it is shorter than the Merc so make sure the loadspace with the back seats down is long enough for your needs.
Also bear in mind the cost of tyres on 20" wheels. I had a gash in my tyre wall at less than 3k mile and a like for like new tyre was £260. I was glad I had bought tyre/wheel insurance.
That was one of my concerns about the e class being new tech. But its the wife's car and she's not into all that stuff, and I'd prefer a more entertaining car to drive rather than a wifi hotspot.
Plus you could spend all the time waiting for the new models, need a good car now. .....although I'm waiting for the new M5 which I think might be 2018 now 😢
Thanks for all the info though.
Plus you could spend all the time waiting for the new models, need a good car now. .....although I'm waiting for the new M5 which I think might be 2018 now 😢
Thanks for all the info though.
We purchased an X3 35d last Oct (due to growing family) and currently very pleased with it. The engine is mighty and a bit of a giggle given what the car is meant to be. Feels genuinely quick, even after an M135i and Z4mc. If you want something practical (the higher load deck is also surprisingly useful), great to live with every day, but have a bit of wild side, the 35D won't disappoint. MPG is mid 30's with 40+ on a run.
Would agree with your choice of options. In terms of suspension, we got ours on a deal with the m+ pack (so 20inc wheels) and no adaptive suspension, but once I test drove it i found ride still softer than the z4mc and M135i (in comfort on its adaptive suspension) so depends what you are use too. I personally couldn't go any softer otherwise i would probably get car sick. The best option if you want a comfy ride is to get the m+ pack and then get the adaptive suspension to get the best of both worlds (would have been my preferred choice).
Would agree with your choice of options. In terms of suspension, we got ours on a deal with the m+ pack (so 20inc wheels) and no adaptive suspension, but once I test drove it i found ride still softer than the z4mc and M135i (in comfort on its adaptive suspension) so depends what you are use too. I personally couldn't go any softer otherwise i would probably get car sick. The best option if you want a comfy ride is to get the m+ pack and then get the adaptive suspension to get the best of both worlds (would have been my preferred choice).
mls678 said:
Interested in one of these as the wife wants one with baby on the way.
Can anyone share details of the sort of finance deal they achieved if so?
Thanks
BMW are giving these away! X335d MSport for £499/month and no deposit!Can anyone share details of the sort of finance deal they achieved if so?
Thanks
try getting the bigger engined Disco Sport and F-Pace for that money.
...ok BMW are tight with options, so you may want to spend more to get pan roof for the kids etc. Ballpark every £1k of extras will add £25/per month, or just pay it upfront as deposit. i'll happy give you details the sales guy I use. Pretty sure he owes me the pool M2 for a weekend anyway :-)
Output Flange said:
You mention bike and dog. Part of the reason I have an E Class over a 4x4 is my dog wouldn't be able to get herself into the boot of a 4x4.
And talking of boots, the E Class boot is miles bigger than the X3.
Just a couple of practical considerations for you.
Yes our current EClass will take my bike, all my tri gear, plus the dog, plus the baby and all her stuff. Going to have to take both wheels off this season to get the bike in I think.And talking of boots, the E Class boot is miles bigger than the X3.
Just a couple of practical considerations for you.
I have just picked up a 2017 f25 x3 3.0d with the m sport plus pack and 20" wheels. It has m sport suspension deleted and the ride is very good in my opinion. The 20" wheels look great too. I would recommend the panoramic sun roof, it makes the cabin very light and airy. Very pleased with the car so far.
Lozw86 said:
I have just picked up a 2017 f25 x3 3.0d with the m sport plus pack and 20" wheels. It has m sport suspension deleted and the ride is very good in my opinion. The 20" wheels look great too. I would recommend the panoramic sun roof, it makes the cabin very light and airy. Very pleased with the car so far.
I ended up doing the same as you and deleting the MSport suspension, so thats good to hear you are pleased with it. Going to use the X3 as a test bed to see if I replace my M4 with an M5 or maybe some SUV thing, RRS/X5M etc.
PinkFatBunny said:
Going to use the X3 as a test bed to see if I replace my M4 with an M5 or maybe some SUV thing, RRS/X5M etc.
Wife and I currently running 435d (mine) and X3 35d. Both purchased new beginning of 2015 and now around 40k on each so had plenty of time to compare and I prefer the X3, to extent that I'll be replacing for,an suv (RR Sport or X5) next time. Wife also loves the X3 so either replacing with the new model or similar.
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