X3 M50i marks the spot
Discussion
So after just short 23,000 miles and 2 years stirling service the spot on the driveway for the F40 BMW M135i has been replaced a G45 BMW X3 M50i.
I wasn't actually looking to upgrade, I was on my second F40 M135i and had been really pleased with what a great all rounder the baby beamer had been. The only aspect it was lacking in was family duties (primarily for Mini-Exocet's leg space) however Home Commands Mini Countryman Cooper S is fairly practical. (We've covered 12,000 trouble free miles in it and I really must update the thread on that at some point!)
An out of the blue phone call from the New Car Sales Manager at BMW Reading followed by a couple emails got me into X3 M50i territory. A car up to that point i'd not thought to much about. A couple of plays the configurator and further emails cemented with a test drive resulted in them finding one in stock and with a fairly substantial discount and available in a couple of weeks.
First impressions; the shapes an evolution and while its not as pretty as the G01 (in my opinion) it's a great place to eat the miles whether they be motorway miles where i'm averaging high 30's on a long run or B-road blasts where the weight and size of thing disappear and that 3.0-litre B58 engine just sings.
Not seen any others out in the wild yet, so thought this might be of interest.
I wasn't actually looking to upgrade, I was on my second F40 M135i and had been really pleased with what a great all rounder the baby beamer had been. The only aspect it was lacking in was family duties (primarily for Mini-Exocet's leg space) however Home Commands Mini Countryman Cooper S is fairly practical. (We've covered 12,000 trouble free miles in it and I really must update the thread on that at some point!)
An out of the blue phone call from the New Car Sales Manager at BMW Reading followed by a couple emails got me into X3 M50i territory. A car up to that point i'd not thought to much about. A couple of plays the configurator and further emails cemented with a test drive resulted in them finding one in stock and with a fairly substantial discount and available in a couple of weeks.
First impressions; the shapes an evolution and while its not as pretty as the G01 (in my opinion) it's a great place to eat the miles whether they be motorway miles where i'm averaging high 30's on a long run or B-road blasts where the weight and size of thing disappear and that 3.0-litre B58 engine just sings.
Not seen any others out in the wild yet, so thought this might be of interest.
Luke. said:
Thanks. This is of much interest. Can I ask how substantial the discount was? I've already got an appointment booked at BMW tomorrow...
The whole deal made it a complete no-brainer, there's a lot of support on these I believe at the moment so all in with the part-ex it was circa 20% off. I probably wouldn't have chose Sapphire Black but the deal was a bit of a no brainer. Exocet_90 said:
Luke. said:
Thanks. This is of much interest. Can I ask how substantial the discount was? I've already got an appointment booked at BMW tomorrow...
The whole deal made it a complete no-brainer, there's a lot of support on these I believe at the moment so all in with the part-ex it was circa 20% off. I probably wouldn't have chose Sapphire Black but the deal was a bit of a no brainer. So just like that we are 1400 mile in just under a month of ownership and overall seriously impressed.
Things I love;
- The engine noise and feel. Cold starts put a smile on my face everytime!
- The going and stopping power.
- The looks, it's really grown on me although it is a b*stard to keep looking clean.
- Don't judge me, but the "iconic glow" is a bit of theatre especially at night or when you unlock the car.
Things I loathe;
- ADAC!
- There being just too many options for everything.
- The fact it doesn't save any of the previous settings (apart from seat and mirrors).
- Idrive has had a couple of resets - the onscreen buttons have flipped over to the passenger side.
Really happy with the aftercare from the supplying dealer and have purchased tyre insurance - £300 for 4 years cover seemed a no brainer.
Things I love;
- The engine noise and feel. Cold starts put a smile on my face everytime!
- The going and stopping power.
- The looks, it's really grown on me although it is a b*stard to keep looking clean.
- Don't judge me, but the "iconic glow" is a bit of theatre especially at night or when you unlock the car.
Things I loathe;
- ADAC!
- There being just too many options for everything.
- The fact it doesn't save any of the previous settings (apart from seat and mirrors).
- Idrive has had a couple of resets - the onscreen buttons have flipped over to the passenger side.
Really happy with the aftercare from the supplying dealer and have purchased tyre insurance - £300 for 4 years cover seemed a no brainer.
Really got to grips with the car over the last week. £82 (indicated 630 miles) to fill the tank. For my needs its ticking boxes and I'm yet to see another one out in the wild yet.
Two fairly long trips this week;
From the South Coast to Central London
- 41 MPG on the motorway at (or around) the speed limit, 19 MPG as soon as ULEZ zone arrived.
and then another trip later in the week from HQ to Gatwick and then onto Heathrow before returning.
- 39 MPG (Storm Benjamin and then wanting to press on and get home to do Mini Exocets bed time)
This morning a little early morning (and slightly raucous) drive along some country roads to do the annual 'pumpkin patch' walk and coffee
- 16 MPG averaged. The cold start and noise is addictive, it's so planted and really encourages you to press on especially with the raised driving position.
Playing with the iDrive system in the retail park this afternoon and discovered Disney Plus which kept said earlier referenced toddler quiet, don't ask me what the film is.
Two fairly long trips this week;
From the South Coast to Central London
- 41 MPG on the motorway at (or around) the speed limit, 19 MPG as soon as ULEZ zone arrived.
and then another trip later in the week from HQ to Gatwick and then onto Heathrow before returning.
- 39 MPG (Storm Benjamin and then wanting to press on and get home to do Mini Exocets bed time)
This morning a little early morning (and slightly raucous) drive along some country roads to do the annual 'pumpkin patch' walk and coffee
- 16 MPG averaged. The cold start and noise is addictive, it's so planted and really encourages you to press on especially with the raised driving position.
Playing with the iDrive system in the retail park this afternoon and discovered Disney Plus which kept said earlier referenced toddler quiet, don't ask me what the film is.
Edited by Exocet_90 on Saturday 25th October 18:47
on the radar these are, MRS400 has curvature of the spine so went to test one the other week whilst on route to the MILs, seats check out so were aiming for April/May i think just need to bolster the savings a little after having the patio done this week.
There was a lovely one on AT other week in Cardiff, Blue/cream leather ideal spec.
There was a lovely one on AT other week in Cardiff, Blue/cream leather ideal spec.
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