Simonl Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Well after 18 months of glorious ownership i had to take off my hot hatch driving gloves today and part company with my beloved GTi. Sitting on the drive now is a lovely X3 which suits our lifestyle more now. I already dearly miss DSG, the BMW sequential 6 speeder is sweet, and not exactly slow, but nothing like as instant as the twin clutches. I had to drive 120 miles to swap the cars, at (of all dealerships)... Evesham!!! saw some pretty devastating scenes on the way there and rushed in and out in 10 minutes as i knew the only road in and out would be under water within the hour as the Avon was already lapping up at the kerb I passed a second hand dealership on the A44 where all you could see were aerials and roofbars!!! madness. I am amazed i actually managed to get the car, especailly after seeing the news this evening. Anyhow the X3 is rapid - nearly as fast as my GTi TBH. Sounds gorgeous (but then it is a BMW straight 6 diesel ) and has sh!t loads of toys like Nav, Bluetooth and Cruise. It's great being that wee bit higher too! It looks Ok for an X3, knowhere near as sharp or good looking as my GTi was, but being an M Sport, in Black, with BMW's 19's and Privacy glass, it looks pretty phat! Speaking of fat - the boot is enormous, it will swallow as many buggies and shopping bags as I can throw at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Funnily enough the X3 is a car I briefly considered before I decided on the GTI - Not diesel though! So let's see some pics please . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Does it have indicators? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Does it have indicators? [/ QUOTE ] I've been smacking my head against a wall since you posted this joke/remark/piece of sarcasm/wit in that other thread!!! i don't get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Sorry! It's a standing joke on cycle forums that BMW's don't have indicators.. No offence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Funnily enough the X3 is a car I briefly considered before I decided on the GTI - Not diesel though! So let's see some pics please . [/ QUOTE ] Oh how times have changed Red, My criteria has always been one of speed, looks, handling! then along comes a nipper and space finds it's way to the top of the list. I looked at loads of X5's but they felt dated TBH, New X5's were too spendy as well as too nickable, so wifey dragged me to look at an X3. Couldn't really get on with the outside (warming to it) but loved the inside (i've always loved BMW's interiors mind!) and then i drove it. The cabin was a very nice place to be, it was great being high up, the engine was an absolute peach and it handled better than any SUV i've driven to date... it's not much different in body roll terms to my old A3 Quattro - which for an SUV is remarkable! Nearly went down the touring route, but i just fancied a real change and have had a few saloon 3's before. I knew that as soon as i drove one off the forecourt i'd be thinking 'been here - done this' The only other car i was considering was a new ML 320cdi sport. I drove it twice but it just felt souless and quite frankly dull. They look gorgeous though so that's why I kept on going back. I have to say i must be jinxed with getting new cars. My first GTi was about to be delivered when we (the UK) had a petrol strike and had to be compounded for 2 weeks, my second was delivered under very tragic circumstances, and now this time of all the dealers in the whole of the UK, i had to pick the only one in an area where they're on a Severe flood alert and are being evacuated/airlifted out! Great timing huh!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Sorry! It's a standing joke on cycle forums that BMW's don't have indicators.. No offence [/ QUOTE ] No, i wasn't offended at all mate - I just didn't get it and was driving myself mad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekin_88 Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Sorry! It's a standing joke on cycle forums that BMW's don't have indicators.. No offence [/ QUOTE ] No, i wasn't offended at all mate - I just didn't get it and was driving myself mad! [/ QUOTE ] Please dont flame me, are you trying to say all BMW drivers are they do not use those flashy bit on the sides of cars to let us know thye will be turning? and BMW drivers think they own the road!!!! I am only kidding. have fun in the new car. hope you still visit us in the VW forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 A mate had an X3 diesel on evaluation for nissan only thing we could really fault it for was ride quality, and of cause that common badge on the front lol . You could really chuck it about at real insain speeds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Glad your pleased with your X3 Leman. As already said post some pics! I prefer the X3 to the X5 - much fresher design You'll need to apply for one of these now though I've got rather sedate 318i arriving hopefully next week (should have been delivered Friday but the stealer apparently 'forgot' about it! I guess I need to get one of these special licences too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] is that your pic TT?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 .... T_T used to be in an 1980's glamrock band - Knows how to wield an axe though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I can't get over how much power and torque this baby has! It really does go like a 747 on take off! The 3.0sd must be lethal! The best thing is though - It goes, and sounds like it should be giving me 10mpg.. but no matter how hard i push it, it won't dip below 33mpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 ...and another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 ...and don't you just love those Bavarian interiors! The Sat Nav screen pops up on the top/middle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Nice one! Looks very good in black and not unlike an expanded GTI !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 [ QUOTE ] .... T_T used to be in an 1980's glamrock band - Knows how to wield an axe though! [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Very nice That interior looks very comfortable and a nice place to be. From your pics it looks like solid black rather than metalic? Nice deep gloss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReflex Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I'm sorry ...but an X3 ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1MAC Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Hmmm - bits of that interior look great but there are a couple of shaky bits in there (cup holders & vents to name 2). Even though it's not my bag at all, sounds like you've found something you will enjoy (as much as is possible) - How long before you want 286bhp and genuine hot hatch frightening pace?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 [ QUOTE ] - How long before you want 286bhp and genuine hot hatch frightening pace?? [/ QUOTE ] TBH, it feels every bit as quick as my old A3 3.2 (250hp!) How many times have you struggled to shake off a 1.9TDI on a motorway!! After experiencing this kind of pace with this level of MPG, i think i will really struggle to go back to petrol, unless it's for a bit of weekend fun. I can't keep on driving the way i have been with the nipper too. The GTi used to tempt me more often than not to drive it like i stole it... something i knew i had to stop! Loving X drive, missing DSG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Looks very nice. I think black is the only colour to go for in an X3 which is a bit of a problem for me as I always say I will never buy a black car as it would break my heart trying to keep it looking good as I love clean shiny cars. Could you post me a picture of the boot with the tailgate open. I like you need to consider space for buggies etc etc and now boot space matters where before I never looked in the boot. My GTI is nearly 18 months old and has never had anything in the boot whereas the Honda CRV we use for family trips has been loaded to the roof several times and an X3 might be a good CRV replacement. Did you buy a new one or used, was looking recently at X3 prices for new cars and was astounded how expensive they have got. My local BMW dealer has a secondhand car exactly the same as yours for sale only think it doesn't have navigation, does look good but the guts of 30k! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The GTi used to tempt me more often than not to drive it like i stole it... something i knew i had to stop! [/ QUOTE ] ....I know just what you mean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 New - mine would have been worth just over £40k , but i picked mine up at just over a year old, with 15,000m and all the toys, for just over £27k. For once it wasn't me that felt the new pinch! The boot is massive mate.. to give you an idea an X5 has a capacity of 450 Litres, a 3 Series Touring 460 Litres, and an X3 has 480 Litres (that's up to the retractable plastic cover on all cars). It swallows everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I actually quite like the X3 in M Sport guise as it gets rid of those nasty plastic bumpers. A great choice but for me the 5 touring is just about the best car ive owned. The 2.0d also isint as slow as you would think, still pulls the big barge to 60 in 8.6 (Not meaning to steal the thread, but just so you can compare to your X3 ) You certainly pay for your BM's tho .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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