Latest x3 35dmsport
Discussion
Not sure you will get many replies, so will give you my impressions of my X3 30D - the 35D will obviously be more powerful, but the overall impressions are much the same: the 30D engine is perfectly matched with the 8 speed auto, the drive with (optional) EDC is great (from very comfortable in Normal, to tight but still comfortable in Sport) and if you choose one with Pro Nav, Xenon (adaptive) and rear view camera or Top View, you have a very practical car, where most if not all of the drawbacks of a SUV are simply eradicated. Still a wide car (5 series wide) but 3 series length, which for me was a benefit.
Only problem with mine has been wind noise from passenger side, which will be (hopefully) fixed by BMW under warranty, but look out for it on the test drive as this problem apparently s a bit hit and miss with the F25 X3 (misaligned windows seals most likely culprit).
Only problem with mine has been wind noise from passenger side, which will be (hopefully) fixed by BMW under warranty, but look out for it on the test drive as this problem apparently s a bit hit and miss with the F25 X3 (misaligned windows seals most likely culprit).
Tea Pot One said:
Wills2 said:
I have a 335d xdrive, nice car quite nippy to 70-80mph.
Only quite nippy ? 0-62 in 4.8 is the same as my Z4 35iS ! I think the performance on paper is amazing ... is it just so smooth it doesn't feel that impressive ?The difference to 62 is only 0.3sec but difference higher up is night and day, there is only so much a trick transmission/AWD and a big peak torque figure can do.
Don't get me wrong it's a good car and the effortless grunt is lovely but the headline 0-62 is a bit misleading.
Wills2 said:
Yes the numbers are impressive, but if you look a little deeper the touring only has 177hp/tonne vs. my old M3 at 250hp/tonne.
The difference to 62 is only 0.3sec but difference higher up is night and day, there is only so much a trick transmission/AWD and a big peak torque figure can do.
Don't get me wrong it's a good car and the effortless grunt is lovely but the headline 0-62 is a bit misleading.
I agree with the above but I think it's a case of being realistic and going in with your eyes open. I'm not suggesting you didn't but there have been posts on other threads that have tried to imply the F31 335d's some sort of 911 purely because of the 0-60 time but that's just nonsense in my view; the F31 is a relatively big and heavy machine and frankly it's no sports car even if it will get to 60 in under 5 seconds! However, it does have an effortless, relaxing, way of going and even though I'm still in the running-in phase mine seems more than capable of holding its own with most other cars without needing anything like full throttle; it also appears to do that whilst returning over 40mpg and the package as a whole is actually exceeding my expectations at the moment. So my initial view would be it's a very good car but just don't expect it to be a sports car - it's not and don't listen to those who suggest it is or you'll end-up disappointed IMO!The difference to 62 is only 0.3sec but difference higher up is night and day, there is only so much a trick transmission/AWD and a big peak torque figure can do.
Don't get me wrong it's a good car and the effortless grunt is lovely but the headline 0-62 is a bit misleading.
Edited by JNW1 on Wednesday 1st October 07:41
JNW1 said:
Wills2 said:
Yes the numbers are impressive, but if you look a little deeper the touring only has 177hp/tonne vs. my old M3 at 250hp/tonne.
The difference to 62 is only 0.3sec but difference higher up is night and day, there is only so much a trick transmission/AWD and a big peak torque figure can do.
Don't get me wrong it's a good car and the effortless grunt is lovely but the headline 0-62 is a bit misleading.
I agree with the above but I think it's a case of being realistic and going in with your eyes open. I'm not suggesting you didn't but there have been posts on other threads that have tried to imply the F31 335d's some sort of 911 purely because of the 0-60 time but that's just nonsense in my view; the F31 is a relatively big and heavy machine and frankly it's no sports car even if it will get to 60 in under 5 seconds! However, it does have an effortless, relaxing, way of going and even though I'm still in the running-in phase mine seems more than capable of holding its own with most other cars without needing anything like full throttle; it also appears to do that whilst returning over 40mpg and the package as a whole is actually exceeding my expectations at the moment. So my initial view would be it's a very good car but just don't expect it to be a sports car - it's not and don't listen to those who suggest it is or you'll end-up disappointed IMO!The difference to 62 is only 0.3sec but difference higher up is night and day, there is only so much a trick transmission/AWD and a big peak torque figure can do.
Don't get me wrong it's a good car and the effortless grunt is lovely but the headline 0-62 is a bit misleading.
Edited by JNW1 on Wednesday 1st October 07:41
Wills2 said:
What do you think the pros and cons are between the x3 and touring?
Pro: Space - the X3 gives the impression of being a much bigger car inside due to the headroom, but it retains the agility of a small SUV.Con: The 335 handles better. I would say however that ground clearance comes into it too - the M-Sport is really quite low. I've driven on Scottish single track roads where a touring has tried to keep up (closed roads) and couldn't due to bumping it's sump off the road.
Ranger 6 said:
Pro: Space - the X3 gives the impression of being a much bigger car inside due to the headroom, but it retains the agility of a small SUV.
Con: The 335 handles better. I would say however that ground clearance comes into it too - the M-Sport is really quite low. I've driven on Scottish single track roads where a touring has tried to keep up (closed roads) and couldn't due to bumping it's sump off the road.
Suppose it's horses for courses; for normal road use I'd expect the F31 to be the better drive but if you're on the equivalent of farm tracks and/or want to go off-road I can see that the extra ground clearance becomes important. F31 X-Drives (which is all 335d's) have a slightly raised ride height compared to the RWD versions but they still don't offer the ground clearance of something like an X3. Con: The 335 handles better. I would say however that ground clearance comes into it too - the M-Sport is really quite low. I've driven on Scottish single track roads where a touring has tried to keep up (closed roads) and couldn't due to bumping it's sump off the road.
i suppose the X3, gives you the SUV elevated driving position and in the real world because of this the performance may seem more impressive than the saloon, plus you have the added practicality. I have an E93 M3 at the moment and love it, you always feel that sense of occasion when going anywhere, however I won't be doing any track days, so when looking at the real world performance of a 335d it probably has all the performance I will ever need, but uses half the fuel. What neither car has though is that special feeling you get from owning an M car.
For my next car I would seriously consider the 435d/335d/x3 35d, but will need to have a test drive first.
For my next car I would seriously consider the 435d/335d/x3 35d, but will need to have a test drive first.
akeithj said:
i suppose the X3, gives you the SUV elevated driving position and in the real world because of this the performance may seem more impressive than the saloon, plus you have the added practicality. I have an E93 M3 at the moment and love it, you always feel that sense of occasion when going anywhere, however I won't be doing any track days, so when looking at the real world performance of a 335d it probably has all the performance I will ever need, but uses half the fuel. What neither car has though is that special feeling you get from owning an M car.
For my next car I would seriously consider the 435d/335d/x3 35d, but will need to have a test drive first.
All depends on what you want/need from a car; my experience so far suggests the 335d is an excellent daily driver but you're right, it doesn't feel special like an M-car. For my next car I would seriously consider the 435d/335d/x3 35d, but will need to have a test drive first.
JNW1 said:
Suppose it's horses for courses; for normal road use I'd expect the F31 to be the better drive but if you're on the equivalent of farm tracks and/or want to go off-road...
You're right - it is horses for courses. I prefer the extra space of the X3 because of fitting in the family and all the kit when we go on holiday and accept the handling compromise over the 335.I would point out that the Scottish roads I mentioned are normal tarmac roads, just quite bumpy and with a pronounced crown, you can't go quickly on those without extra clearance.
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