M3 to X3

[mattchubb]

Just wanted to get your thoughts on what other people would do.....

I've recently sold my M3 as we've got a 3 week old baby, and the wife has decided that she wants to run around in an X3.... I've used all my powers of persuasion to try and change her mind away from an X3 but she is sticking to what she wants!

We went out in a 2.0D which was fine, but it wasn't ever going to make me think that it would be at all fun to drive... So we've seen 2 black x3's one is a 3 litre petrol with 33k, and the other is a 3.0D with 80k, pretty much the same spec and price.

Would you go for the diesel or petrol? On paper the diesel is pretty much the best bet, as it is got similar performance and better mpg.... the only thing putting me off the diesel is the high miles??

Also does anyone know if you can replace the plastic on the steering wheel on an X3??? (The high mileage one has some where on the steering wheel which has rubbed off the black)

Any comments would be great

[Fox-]

Get the petrol one unless you do big miles.

[oktapod]

Isn't the X3 meant to be a bit crap on-road, and a bit useless off? Every review I read when it came out slated it... the X5 seems a better choice, surely?

[mattchubb]

yep pretty much! oh i cant wait!

doesn't seem to matter about all the bad reviews it has got..... there are a couple of good points apparently... but in the wifes eyes it doesnt matter... its what she wants

[ShadownINja]

You could test her and ask, "What about the Honda CRV?" If she squirms about it with weak excuses when the real reason is that it is a Honda, you should buy another M3.

[MitchT]

Why do people with babies default to the belief that a prerequisite of transporting one foot tall human beings is a vehicle which's only redeeming feature is above average head room?

[OllieWinchester]

Perhaps because the M3 has no doors on the back, making it a bit of a nightmare to put a baby in and out of its seat? Agree with your sentiments though, seems a bit daft to have to get a vastly bigger car just because you want to transport a little one. Wouldn't a 3 series saloon be a better bet? OP, whats that on the back of your head? Oh, its just a big thumbrint.....

Only joking of course....

Edited by OllieWinchester on Sunday 22 March 15:32

[oktapod]

To be fair, if the M3 is anything like the 330Ci, there is plenty of room to get a baby seat in and a fairly large toddler in too. The coupé doors are much bigger than those on the standard saloon as far as I can tell, which gives better access than it would have from the front on the saloon. Of course, you wouldn't do it that way anyway (on account of having back doors). The X3 doesn't look particularly roomy in the back from what I've seen, so my recommendation to you (if I may be so bold) is a 4-door saloon along the lines of the M3 - yes, the M5 Touring*.

john

• this is what I'd buy if six numbers lined up in my favour...

[Trixman]

I ran an X3 for quite some time, had a company where it was all bmw company cars and I got landed with that for around 3 months. I cannot begin to describe how utterly crap it is to drive. I couldn't wait to hand the keys back and get into the 320d I was supposed to get originally. It works quite well, decent enough space (although not significantly more than the 3 series inside, and the boot around the same as the estate)... but it drove me nuts. That was one of the very first ones released, not sure if they've improved since.

I'd definitely recommend an X5 instead, much better to drive and a bit more space.

[Bernie-the-bolt]

My wife wanted an X3 and we have a 3 year old.

I told her she was being stupid and went and bought her a 320d M Sport convertible. She has decided since she was in fact being stupid and men are always correct.

This week, she has been like a dog with two dicks in the warmer weather, having the top down as often as possible, we are also drving to the South of France in a couple of months for a break and we'll be in the vert

4 doors....X3.....not neccessary IMO.

[996 sps]

Do not get an X3!

[okgo]

996 sps said:

Do not get an X3!

+1 plus you would get similar economy from a proper 4x4, the 3ltr engine is very un economical in the X3.

[djohnson]

Why go for the X3 when X5s can be had so cheaply now?

[RVVUNM]

I used to work for BMW and the X3 was always deemed the punishment car, poor sales "get the keys to the x3". Get an X5, far better car.

[clan]

We traded in our family car e46 320d for a X3 2.0d just before Christmas and so far it has been okay, my wife didn't want anything as big as an X5 so the X3 it was. If I remember correctly the boot and rear passenger space are actually bigger than the X5, certainly it is a lot better than the e46. Ride is a bit harsh so thank goodness we didn't go for the sport model. Not sure about going from a M3 to a X3 as I've always had my own car for spirited drives.

Edited by clan on Monday 23 March 12:20

[mattchubb]

thanks for all your comments!

yeah have to agree with the comment that the X5 is just too big, and the boot was really high to get stuff into - also our pram didnt really fit into the x5 boot... but it went in the x3?? very bizarre!

went for a 3 litre diesel with 30k on the clock... but decent spec etc...

Haven't got it yet.. picking it up on Friday or Thursday hopefully.

[spydersingh]

mattchubb said:

thanks for all your comments!

yeah have to agree with the comment that the X5 is just too big, and the boot was really high to get stuff into - also our pram didnt really fit into the x5 boot... but it went in the x3?? very bizarre!

went for a 3 litre diesel with 30k on the clock... but decent spec etc...

Haven't got it yet.. picking it up on Friday or Thursday hopefully.

What pram have you gone for? Our Bugaboo fits quite neatly into the X5 boot.

With all due respect, we had the same dilemma re: X3 and X5. IMHO, X3 interior is very cheap and the looks are incoherent externally. The second hand specs are either pauper or prince, nothing really inbetween. Re: X5 size, let the missus take one on a test drive and she'll be hooked! Again I had the same issue ie "its too big etc" but get one with parking sensors and you're sorted. The prices of late X5 models has really bottomed out so just get yourself in one! If that doesn't convince you, imagine how pissed of you shall be everytime you look at that god awful cheap dash with that wierd cubby hole in the dash as the first owner was too cheap to buy the built in sat nav..........

[bazking69]

M3 to X3. You WILL be bitterly disappointed.