Re: Why not X3?
Hi,sorry to TS for hijacking your tread as I cannot create a new thread. Just gotten my new X3 M-sport 35i last sat and wanted to do a short review about it..
It is M sport with Alpine White and red/brown interior with wood trim. I know some people find it werid but I loved the colour tone after seeing it in real life.
Having only driven only less 200km on it and when I got the vehicle,it had only 22km. Thus,I have only had a short time with it. Having driven the E90 320i pre-FL before this car,I can compare the huge difference in both cars.
Pros:
1) The engine!!!! The N55 engine is really a huge huge jump from the 320i's block(should be N42?) Coupled with the 8 speed gearbox the pick up is super smooth even without reving over 4.5k for the run in period.
2) The handling,espically the dynamic handling package. With comfort setting,the difference is huge even with koni FSD's on my E90. The car really glides over irregular surfaces with only minor bumps for deeper portholes. But at high speed you can really the floating of the car when the road is a bit 'wavy'. Have yet to try the sports mode as wanted to run in the supension first.
3) The space!! There is really a lot of space in the car. The E90 feels cramped due to the short roof. The rear seats are also quite comfy.
4) The panorama roof!!! Huge difference with the cover open. You won't feel the 'darkness' of the black headliner with the M-sport package. The only thing is closing of the cover takes quite a while due to the length. Contributes to the comy of the car with the vast amount of natural light.
5) The HIFI pro option. The sound from 16 speakers is a huge jump from the basic in the E90. Even before the running in the tuning of the equalizer, the sound is really really good. Espically with the surround sound on. I can feel the sub compared to the E90. The usage with USB is also very easy. Loved the sound. I have upgraded my sound system in the E90 to a 3 way quite high end system with tube amp and this system is comparable to it.
6) The M sport package. I really love the M sport steering wheel!!! The thickness and feel of it is really unbelievable. Love driving and turing the car with it. Only thing is the steering stitches at some corners are sticking out a bit,so a bit pricky. I also love the M sport body kit, thats why I choose Alpine White to get the M sport package,else wanted something different,wanted the colour Blue Water as I have yet to see an X3 on the road with this colour. But with the M sport package, I love the way the rear bumper is in piano black colour with the stainless steel exhaust. The body kit is the same as what epiworks posted with the rear bumpers in black. The first time I saw the M sports on the E90,I made up my mind on getting one for my car.
Cons:
1) The main thing I don't like about the car is the exhaust. When under acceleration with the engine reving to 3k plus,the exhaust note sounds 'droning' and like a taxi rattling. Even my friend asked me about it when I was going uphill and accelerating,he asked why my car sounds like no power. Not sure is it due to the closing of the exhaust valve.
2) The start/stop. It is not perfect,but sometimes I feel it is quite bad as a few times even after lifitng off the brake pedal,by the time the engine re-engages,the car is already jerking forward as the engine reved. This isn't good for the gearbox. The other complaint is the location of the button beside the engine's start/stop button. When seated at the driver's seat,both button's are blocked by the indicator stalk. Thus,i need to tilt my head towards the passanger's side to see if I the S/S is active or not. Another thing is the duration i find is quite short. In the end I feel it is countered by the amount of fuel to start the engine again.
3) The puny rims,18 inch M rims. Don't like the looks of it,but it came with the M sport package. The 19 inch they offered which is staggered I did not like the design and the price of 3.8k is really over for the design.
4) The super stiff chassis. Not that I don't like the way BMWs made the chassis so stiff the conering is super stable and planted,but when going over humps and some right turns,the doors will move and give off the creaking sound. It was very bad in my E90,now even new car,the sound is also there. Worst thing is in the E90 it was mainly the rear doors. Now with the X3,the front doors are also creaking!!!
5) Brakes,although adequete, I find the feel would not be that good when with a full load and stopping in a short time.
6) The servicing. BMW has now skipped the first few oil changes to 12k~15k depending on how I drive. Why skip the oil change during the run in period? The cost cutting is really bad,like with the S/S which i feel will burn out the starter motor quite fast.
Sorry for the long review but I am super excited about my new car!!!!
Once runned in and nearing the warranty,there will be a few changes made to the car..
Things to do:
1) Paint sealant(Was thinking of CSII ceramic coating)
2) Exhaust with quad pipes!! (So my car will look the same as epiworks picture
)
3) Rims,thinking of 20inch!!!
4) Brakes!!
5) Tuning!!
6) Infratint!! (Car came with free 3M solar flim,but having used infratint on 3 of my vehicles,I still prefer it for the heat rejection)
Lastly,thanks all who took time to read my post..
And sorry TS once again for hijacking your thread..
