ISUK

wizmaster,

I think you are asking if the shift pattern on a RHD car is tha same as a LHD? It is exactly the same shift pattern.

EBMCS03

So its

135
246

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Mark-Yorkshire

Gav,
Your new X3 looks good.
I seriously considered a 2.0d X3 instead of my new 520 Sport but was nervous at committing when no demo diesels were available last November.What is the ride and handling like? Pros and cons re all aspects would be appreciated.
Mark-Yorkshire

Gav530d

Mark

We have only had the X3 for a week and I have not spent much time driving it, but first inpressions

1. Performance, quick enough to sixty, its a bit lacking at 80mph, a superchip will soon sort that.

2. Handling - Mines the sport so its got the firm suspension and 18s, ride it a quite firm but not bumpy. Handling and cornering is very good, not at all 4 x 4 like, more like a car. I've driven a lot of 4x4s, Freelanders, RAV4s, X Trail, ML, Range and Disco and the X3 handles nothing like these.

3. Build Quality - Is generally very good, seats are fine, dash is a bit plasticy, not in the same league as the 5, at ?32K it should be better, but overall a solid BMW.

4. Space - Front and rear head and legroom is very good, better than the 5 and the boot is massive, its bigger than the boot in the X5, nice loading height.

5. Ecomony - My wife is driving the X3 mostly school run and shopping, no motorway use and its averaging 32mpg which I think is pretty good.

6. Value for money - I'm leasing the car so depriciation is not an issue to me, but I think it will hold its value pretty well, I think the car is a bit expensive especially when you add a few extras, it could do with being about ?24K + extras.
The problem the X3 has is its got no competition with any other 4x4 of its size. This week it was compared to an Xtrail and a Jeep both cars cost around ?22K, and lets face it both these cars have about as much street cred as an old mans raincoat.

So to sum up, would I recommend an X3 to anyone?, the answer is YES.

Above all its still an BMW

Gavin

Mark-Yorkshire

Gav,
Thanks for the info.
I will have to blag a demo drive of one at my local dealers sometime.
Mark-Yorkshire

Flowerfred

We've had our X3 3.0i for a few months now. Still happy with it. Very practical and it handles superb.

Got to agree with ISUK on the Range Rover Sport though. Went to the Geneva car show last week and saw it and sat in it. It is very, very nice. A bit bling bling on the whole but beautiful nonetheless.

Gav530d

I would be prepared to bet that the Range Rover Sport with leather a a few nice bits on it will be well over ?40K, list price on cars like these is always a long way away from the final price. Take my 530d list price ?31K, when all the options added ?46K, although I do strongly feel the X3 should be ?4-5K cheaper.

I've been looking with great interest at the new Aston V8 Vantage, first rumours on price where ?65K, AM are now talking more like ?75K.

One question on the Range Rover sport is how big is it? Is it more X5 size.

Cheers


Gavin

ISUK

The Range Rover sport is certainly around the same size as the X5 but looks a whole lot more aggressive and sleek than it's larger Range Rover sibling. My point re the comparison was to illustrate that you could get a base spec RR Sport for X3 money and enjoy cast iron residuals instead of the "can't shift, won't shift, taking root on the showroom floor/storage compound X3" (words of a friend who has to sell these cars). You have got your X3 the best way possible with BMW taking the certain big hit on residuals. The RR is also a lot better looking, uses better quality materials on the interior and is bigger than the X3. It arguably has more prestige too on the road. This is going to be a tough fight for BMW. If Land Rover sort out the next generation Freelander then the X3 is going to be in big trouble caught between these two models IMHO.

?46k on a 530d?? Ouch!! You're going to take a bath come in trade in time on that one. My 530d is 18 months old, has 22k miles on the clock, is genuinely immaculate (bar the unavoidable stone chips), has a full set of new tyres and has nearly all the right options for resale. It cost just under ?41k list new and my trade in offer thus far is ?24k. Hate to think how much yours will have dropped. :'(

Gav530d

Mine was ?46K list, I bought it as a 4 month old demonstrator for ?37K