X3 - too girlie?

[x5x3]

Been thinking of changing the 335d for a bit, was going to go for a 335i, but this snow is making me rethink.

I have the 19" RFTs and they make the car completely unusable in this weather (not entirely true, it is fine as long as the road is flat).

Now thinking of getting a 4x4 (i know it is obvious and a bit of a knee jerk reaction), been considering one for a while, nearly had an X5 a while ago and had a test drive of new disco 4 recently.

But neither of those will fit in the garage which is a must for me, the X3 will fit I think - just about.

I've read a few posts on here about the car and I have driven one (it left me a bit uninspired at the time) but theXDrive35d seems a bit inspiring.

Anyone on here got one and have any comments on generally living with it (both generally and in the snow )

[Neil.D]

I doubt the X3/5 will be any better in the snow. The tyres are geared towards road driving.

Best thing is to get some winter tyres for November to march. Im ordering some as I hear they will keep you mobile during winter/snow + ice.

[ShadownINja]

Any luxury 4x4 is girlie. If you can envision a WAG driving it, it's girlie. Get a Land Rover Defender! I saw 3 yesterday, two had snorkels.

[R6dug]

Neil.D said:

I doubt the X3/5 will be any better in the snow. The tyres are geared towards road driving.

Best thing is to get some winter tyres for November to march. Im ordering some as I hear they will keep you mobile during winter/snow + ice.

dunno my X3 has been brillant in the snow. But i have pirelli scorpian M+s tyres on at the moment

[M-J-B]

R6dug said:

Neil.D said:

I doubt the X3/5 will be any better in the snow. The tyres are geared towards road driving.

Best thing is to get some winter tyres for November to march. Im ordering some as I hear they will keep you mobile during winter/snow + ice.

dunno my X3 has been brillant in the snow. But i have pirelli scorpian M+s tyres on at the moment

My wife's 58 2.0D Sport has been absolutely fantastic in the snow. It's got me into and out of places that I never thought it would (we live in a very rural part of SE UK) - we changed her vert a few months ago as we are expecting our second child and it was the best move we ever did (along with the vert only losing £1.5k in 10 months and 10k miles due to 2nd hand values )

However, is it a girls car?.....without doubt - but who gives a st when it does what it does!

I have owned a 3.0D Sport and 4.iS X5 previously and whilst I've not had a chance to drive it in exactly the same weather conditions we've currently got, I can't remember those beasts handling similar conditions anywhere near like the X3.

My 535D will no doubt, stay exactly where it is for a few days more, even though it may have slightly more hp!

Long live the X3

[Speed addicted]

Neil.D said:

I doubt the X3/5 will be any better in the snow. The tyres are geared towards road driving.

Best thing is to get some winter tyres for November to march. Im ordering some as I hear they will keep you mobile during winter/snow + ice.

My X5 is on standard tyres which are part worn, so far I've towed 3 cars and a large van out of drifts. It's been great in the snow. However I don't think that the X3 is really much smaller than last generation (pre 2007) X5's.

I would suggest fitting snow tyres to the current car though, they transformed my 323 coupe from a sledge to something useful.

Edited by Speed addicted on Saturday 9th January 18:52

[Steve748]

Have you thought about putting some tyres on suitable for the winter conditions then you would be able to drive it better than you can at the moment?

[M-J-B]

If you did change you'd have to go for the 3.0D TT as I'm sure you'd get bored pretty quickly with a 2.0D. That said the new 2.0D is a fine engine, but just not quick

[x5x3]

thanks for replies all,

the Xdrive35d has 0-60 of 6 or so secs so nearly as quick as my 335d (in the dry ).

I'm not sure if I could get winter tyres as the rims are RFTs, plus it seems the tyres are just part of the problem.

and yes I do like the idea of a Defender (especially with a snorkel) - but that is going to be totally crap for a summer holiday in Italy.

at the moment - I have to use an even girlier (is that even a word?) car, the wife's Zafira, which of course is pretty easy to drive in this weather.

[Steve748]

Keep the 335d, junk the runflats and sell them on E90post.com and replace with PS2's or Conti3's proper tyres and get some cheap 18" or better 17" and put winter tyres on. All you need is a tyre repair kit if the worst happens.

[theboss]

I bought one for my wife back in the summer... yes its a bit girly but thats half the appeal if you go for the 35d

In terms of snow performance we have a steep drive which is paved at the top and a nightmare to ascend when covered in snow/ice. We keep it cleared and gritted but once or twice we've been caught out when returning home after/during snowfall. The X3 has been considerably better than both our FWD and RWD cars (albeit all fitted with summer tyres) and we have used it confidently in some pretty slippy conditions where my E39 would have got nowhere. Before next winter I will cetainly be sourcing a used pair of 17/18's with some winter/M+S tyres fitted.

Edited by theboss on Sunday 10th January 13:52

[theboss]

R6dug said:

Neil.D said:

I doubt the X3/5 will be any better in the snow. The tyres are geared towards road driving.

Best thing is to get some winter tyres for November to march. Im ordering some as I hear they will keep you mobile during winter/snow + ice.

dunno my X3 has been brillant in the snow. But i have pirelli scorpian M+s tyres on at the moment

What rims have you got those on? Our X3 has the 19's hence my comment a moment ago about sourcing some used smaller rims for winter use. I see you're in Shropshire too - we're in Brignorth.

[kingofherts]

It's not that it's not girlie (which it is), to me it's the terrible build quality, rubbishy plastics and all together horrible driving experience.

Having driven quite a few, they are my least favourite beemer.

Just my opinion though.

[Lost soul]

x5x3 said:

Been thinking of changing the 335d for a bit, was going to go for a 335i, but this snow is making me rethink.

its not as if the snow is staying for ever is it , and the next winter like this will be in 6-7 years time

[x5x3]

Lost soul said:

x5x3 said:

Been thinking of changing the 335d for a bit, was going to go for a 335i, but this snow is making me rethink.

its not as if the snow is staying for ever is it , and the next winter like this will be in 6-7 years time

you might be right - I do hope so!

[M-J-B]

kingofherts said:

It's not that it's not girlie (which it is), to me it's the terrible build quality, rubbishy plastics and all together horrible driving experience.

Having driven quite a few, they are my least favourite beemer.

Just my opinion though.

The facelift cars are much better than the early X3's.

Ours seems well built with materials to match my 5 Series and it drives through snow which my 5 series won't!

[8Tech]

My X5 is brilliant in the snow and that is with 20" road tyres. It may not be as good off-road as a Defender, but what is? It runs circles round all the road cars I have seen so far and has been the only car so far capable of climbing a local frozen uphill road. My friend lives at the top of this housing estate and was snowed in for a week with his 8 1/2 month pregnant misses. I thought I would try and get as far up as poss to see if they needed anything as the road was so bad all the residents cars were strewn everywhere or stuck at the bottom.
I drove straight to the top!!! I was very impressed and so was all his neighbours.
Too many people see the X5 as a Chelsea tractor but it's better than they think, and mine is a 4.4i petrol.
Who's laughing now?
But to answer the OP's question........yes the X3 IS a bit girlie but you can do some perms and highlights on the way home but my biggest critisism is its too plastic, and you can get a proper car, an X5 for the same sort of money if you go a year or 2 older.

Edited by 8Tech on Sunday 10th January 21:16

Edited by 8Tech on Sunday 10th January 21:33

[x5x3]

8Tech said:

But to answer the OP's question........yes the X3 IS a bit girlie but you can do some perms and highlights on the way home but my biggest critisism is its too plastic, and you can get a proper car, an X5 for the same sort of money if you go a year or 2 older.

I do like the X5 and have driven one, but it will not fit in my garage and that is a must have for me.

[StuB]

Had an early X3 3.0 petrol, drove it into Tignes during a white out, no chains needed on the Dunlop standard 18" summer tyres, no problem at all with traction/grip.

You'll also find the X3's smaller external width a boon in Italy as well (actually, I notice they are popular out there).

I actually found the dry handling quite fun, but very understeery (safe) on limit. Adopted a slow in, fast out philosophy.

Depreciation was the biggest shock for me - truly horrendous (thanks Clarkson).

35d (DMS'd) has got to be the way to go IMO if you do go 4x4.

[3ftandclean]

If we're being honest, it is a school run type car. I'd stick with what you've got as the thaw's on it's way ( allegedly )