sevenup_guy

My wife and I were comparing the new X3 to the AudiQ5 over the weekend. I found the fit and finish of the BMW to be really flimsy. It seemed that they tried to cut corners with little items like the weather stripping and plastic feel of the dash and center console. The audi was meticulously put together and the richness of the materials was very apparent. But the only saving grace from the BMW was that it definity handled better than the Audi. I guess as long as BMW continue to make great handling suv and sedan, consumers will forgive it's shortcoming with the other stuff.

Bimmer32

Since when did the X3 ever not disappointing?

aretardedorange

+1 the X3 has always been a terrible "suv". Every time I see one on the road I see some stuck up "mom" driving around her base of the base X3. The interior of the 1G X3 was the similar/almost same to the E46 3 series.

The new one is just as bland and boring. I would suggest the GLK/Q5 over the X3 even the RX350/FX would be better choices.

Hotdocta

I think the new x3 is a great improvement. It doesn't look like a girl car anymore! Paired with the n55 engine it can be a beast. It actually drives a ton better than the old one as well! Not my favourite bmw, but i give them props for moving in the right direction. Just wait till x3 with m sport package comes out.

vkhong

I drove the 2011 BMW X3 and the 2011 Audi Q5 back-to-back at an X3 introduction event. The X3 handles better. The Q5 had more comfortable seats and ride and better appointed interior.

NYAWE60

I had a new 2011 X3 as a loaner for a week, I think I really got to "experience" it. I think the fit and finish is 10x better than the 1st gen X3. The interior is now comparable to that of an F10 5 series, thats a huge improvement. It was an X-Drive 30, while it wasn't the fastest thing it definitely had more than enough power and it handled great. Both the cargo and rear legroom were awesome. All in all, the Q5 does have a slightly nicer interior, but the X3 I think has the upper hand overall. The panoramic moonroof was also an awesome option on the X3.

vbcguy

I had a new X3 in 2007 and took it from Vancouver to Calgary for Christmas through the Rockies during a snow storm.
There was one point during the trip where the xDrive saved our lives. I was beside a semi coming down a hill and he started to slide into my lane. I had to drive through a merge lane at about highway speed that wasn't plowed - and all of this in a corner. I could feel the technology working and kept the car on the road.

On a side note, I had $6000 of paint chip damage after my trip due to gravel hitting the vehicle. What a trip that was! lol

It wasn't the best car I have ever driven, and aesthetically could have been a bit prettier - but it was definitely filled with the BMW magic.