We currently own a 323 station wagon but my wife wants more room. We are looking at the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander, the Nissan Murano and the BMW X3. We have owned four BMW’s in the past and the X3 is my sentimental favorite but Consumer Reports loves the non-BMW SUVs. I know they should be more reliable and offer more features for the dollar but they are so boring compared to the X3.

How have you found the reliability for the X3? Can you give me some reasons to buy the X3? Thank you.

I've had my X3 since March and have had no problems with it so far. I got a chance to try the X drive in the snow. I was just running the stock all-season pirellis it came with but still got a lot of traction. A big difference from the regular BMW all-wheel-drive system. However, if you're looking for something with more room, I'd suggest getting an X5 since the X3 will not be much larger than the 3 series wagon.

Compare gas mileage. Right now we get anywhere from 19-24 mpg, depending on where we are driving. It is a true pleasure to drive, especially on long road trips. It drives more like a car than an SUV. It's smaller than your typical SUV which means it will fit into tighter spots, or spots typically meant for a car.

Oh, and it's a BMW! :)

It seems you have your eyes set on an X3 anyways, since the MDX is a much larger car. However, I can tell you that the X3 is far from being friendly with gas milleage (don't believe what BMW tells you), especially the 3.0. I believe the Highlander will be the best with gas mileage out of the three you suggested.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. It's good to hear that you've still happy after driving the X3 for some months.

Do any of you have the navigation unit? I know the BMW units are not as good as the ones offered on the Japanese cars.

It seems you have your eyes set on an X3 anyways, since the MDX is a much larger car. However, I can tell you that the X3 is far from being friendly with gas milleage (don't believe what BMW tells you), especially the 3.0. I believe the Highlander will be the best with gas mileage out of the three you suggested.
Not personally familiar with the gas mileage in the 3.0, but from my experience (we've had our X3 since April) the X3 has impressed me with it's higher mpg gas consumption. We've tested it under many different conditions as well.

Around town we usually hang around 19-20 mpg. Cruising at a steady speed from 65 mph-85 mph we sustain anywhere from 24.7-22.5 mpg respectively. If we're in a hurry and on the autobahn, 120 mph usually gets us around 17 mpg.

Sorry mikekit, we use our laptop and a portable gps for navigation so I can't help you out with BMW's nav. :)

Not personally familiar with the gas mileage in the 3.0, but from my experience (we've had our X3 since April) the X3 has impressed me with it's higher mpg gas consumption. We've tested it under many different conditions as well.

Around town we usually hang around 19-20 mpg. Cruising at a steady speed from 65 mph-85 mph we sustain anywhere from 24.7-22.5 mpg respectively. If we're in a hurry and on the autobahn, 120 mph usually gets us around 17 mpg.

Sorry mikekit, we use our laptop and a portable gps for navigation so I can't help you out with BMW's nav. :)

Thanks Undertheradar for you comments. 120 mph? What's it like to drive an SUV at this speed?

I haven't seen the GPS for the X3 but I think the Garmin 2620 is going to be a better unit. It has a touch screen (BMW's dosen't) so address entry should be much easier.

I haven't seen the GPS for the X3 but I think the Garmin 2620 is going to be a better unit. It has a touch screen (BMW's dosen't) so address entry should be much easier.

We have the Garmin 2610. Much cheaper and I was concerned about the microdrive reliability in the 2620.

Unfortunately, Garmin's $100 rebate just expired on 1-15-2005.

Thanks Undertheradar for you comments. 120 mph? What's it like to drive an SUV at this speed?

I haven't seen the GPS for the X3 but I think the Garmin 2620 is going to be a better unit. It has a touch screen (BMW's dosen't) so address entry should be much easier.

Driving this particular SUV at 120 mph is just like driving my husbands '02 325i at 120. It's really a great ride! We used to have a X-Terra and the limiter would only let us get up to 97 mph but truly after about 75 mph she was done. There is little to no body roll in the X3, unlike other SUV's. It's very nimble and pretty quick (we have the manual transmission, 2.5 liter engine). We didn't get it so we could race it, but it's got get up and go, even in 5th gear. Some people complain that it's a bumpy ride; we have the sports suspension so we accept that and it really isn't bad at all, it is an SUV after all. Basically this car encompasses all that we were looking for: more room than a sedan, quality and craftmanship of a BMW, agility and speed and size (as the X3 fits quite well in the small spaces typically found in Europe.

I think a lot of people opt for something like a garmin for an after factory nav. We have a small Dell laptop computer with Auto Route software. I suppose in order for you to decide about the BMW product you would need to see and play with one yourself. A local dealer may have one in another vehicle, if not in an X3 for you to check out.

Keep us updated!

We have both--the BMW factory nav on our 2004 X3 and the Toyota factory nav (Denso??) on our Prius. They have their own pros & cons. I actually don't like the touchscreen interface on the Prius: some entry via the screen, others by dedicated buttons, all without obvious logic. One thing that is better about the Prius unit is that the POI list has phone numbers for hotels & restaurants, which I miss on the BMW. Also, the Toyota GPS manual is much better than the one from BMW. The BMW split screen view is very good. BMW also gives you more route selection options.

I don't have the Nav option on mine either. However, with regard to the suspension, I was told by a BMW mech that they softened the shocks on the '05s since there were a lot of complaints on even the non-sports suspension being to stiff and bumpy, but I actually enjoy the cornering ability without roll on the 04s.

Basically this car encompasses all that we were looking for: more room than a sedan, quality and craftmanship of a BMW, agility and speed and size (as the X3 fits quite well in the small spaces typically found in Europe.

I would have to second what was said here. I just purchased an 05 X3 2.5i for my wife. I almost got her a 325 but decided on the X3 for similar reasons stated above. Those and the fact that you don't see too many X3s on the road either.

I can see what some people say about the ride being a little stiff. But to be honest, that is in true BMW sporty fashion. However, my daily driver is a Mini Cooper S (my auto-x/track car is in my sig) and my wife's previous daily driver is a 2000 Dodge Durango, so in comparison, the ride of the X3 is softer. In fact, my wife finds herself at speeds up to 75-80mph without even knowing it whereas in the Durango, you felt it when you were above 50 mph.

We have both--the BMW factory nav on our 2004 X3 and the Toyota factory nav (Denso??) on our Prius. They have their own pros & cons. I actually don't like the touchscreen interface on the Prius: some entry via the screen, others by dedicated buttons, all without obvious logic. One thing that is better about the Prius unit is that the POI list has phone numbers for hotels & restaurants, which I miss on the BMW. Also, the Toyota GPS manual is much better than the one from BMW. The BMW split screen view is very good. BMW also gives you more route selection options.

Thanks for the comparison between the Toyota and the BMW GPS units. I have a 2004 Acura TL with the navigation unit and there are several items I really like such as the size of the screen (I can read it without my glasses) the touch screen and the fact that its DVD based. I think Alpine made this unit for Acura and Honda. I tested the 2005 Toyota GPS and found it to have more features but a smaller screen and a less intuitive interface. You make a good point about lack of logic with regard to dedicated buttons and touch screen.

I can talk to my TL and say things like "Radio On" but isn't it easier to press the on button on the radio? When it comes down to it I really just want an easy way to enter an target address, have to GPS tell me when it's time to turn so I don't have to look at the GPS screen if the traffic is heavy and support for a split screen so I can get into the left or right lane several miles before my freeway exit.

We have the Garmin 2610. Much cheaper and I was concerned about the microdrive reliability in the 2620.

Unfortunately, Garmin's $100 rebate just expired on 1-15-2005.

I pulled out the old StreePilot III again today, which should be a step down from your unit, and am still amazed how good these Garmin units are. The StreetPilot rivals the navigation unit I have in my 2004 Acura TL for useful features.

Driving this particular SUV at 120 mph is just like driving my husbands '02 325i at 120. It's really a great ride! We used to have a X-Terra and the limiter would only let us get up to 97 mph but truly after about 75 mph she was done. There is little to no body roll in the X3, unlike other SUV's. It's very nimble and pretty quick (we have the manual transmission, 2.5 liter engine). We didn't get it so we could race it, but it's got get up and go, even in 5th gear. Some people complain that it's a bumpy ride; we have the sports suspension so we accept that and it really isn't bad at all, it is an SUV after all. Basically this car encompasses all that we were looking for: more room than a sedan, quality and craftmanship of a BMW, agility and speed and size (as the X3 fits quite well in the small spaces typically found in Europe.

I think a lot of people opt for something like a garmin for an after factory nav. We have a small Dell laptop computer with Auto Route software. I suppose in order for you to decide about the BMW product you would need to see and play with one yourself. A local dealer may have one in another vehicle, if not in an X3 for you to check out.

Keep us updated!

WOW! What a ringing endorsement for the X3. Thanks for your comments. I think you may have talked us into an X3. I'll let you know.

I would have to second what was said here. I just purchased an 05 X3 2.5i for my wife. I almost got her a 325 but decided on the X3 for similar reasons stated above. Those and the fact that you don't see too many X3s on the road either.

I can see what some people say about the ride being a little stiff. But to be honest, that is in true BMW sporty fashion. However, my daily driver is a Mini Cooper S (my auto-x/track car is in my sig) and my wife's previous daily driver is a 2000 Dodge Durango, so in comparison, the ride of the X3 is softer. In fact, my wife finds herself at speeds up to 75-80mph without even knowing it whereas in the Durango, you felt it when you were above 50 mph.

I had a Ford Taurus years ago and at 70 mph you could hear the bolts flying off it.

How much do you like your Mini Cooper S?

How much do you like your Mini Cooper S?
Lets just say that my wife doesn't always like to ride with me, especially going on/coming off highways and on winding roads, but my 2 1/2 year old son loves every minute of it :) .

But then I find myself driving her X3 like the Mini sometimes, and the X3 does it quite well :devillook !

But then I find myself driving her X3 like the Mini sometimes, and the X3 does it quite well :devillook !

It's great to hear how well everyone likes the handling of the X3 even when comparing it to a Cooper. I can't find any rollover data on the X3 but after hearing the positive remaks made here I would guess it's only slightly worse than a sedan (12%-15%).

We currently own a 323 station wagon but my wife wants more room. We are looking at the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander, the Nissan Murano and the BMW X3. We have owned four BMW’s in the past and the X3 is my sentimental favorite but Consumer Reports loves the non-BMW SUVs. I know they should be more reliable and offer more features for the dollar but they are so boring compared to the X3.

How have you found the reliability for the X3? Can you give me some reasons to buy the X3? Thank you.

Small world. I live in Orange Park. Anyway, I owned the first 323 wagon sold in Jacksonville (bought it sight unseen; ordered it on the first day orders were taken in Dec. 1999), it was totaled, and bought a 2002 325it to replace it. Back problems forced me to look for a car that's easier to get in an out of. Tom Bush (Mark F.) made me a ridiculous deal on a leftover '04, and they helped me get out of my lease 6 months early, all for the same monthly.

I love the X3. The only complaint this far is the ubiquitous door creaking, which was a problem in the '04s that I'm having fixed next week. (It's apparently a problem with how the rubber is coated.) My gas mileage: First fillup, 23.2 mpg. The current tank reads 20.8, but I've been using this tank to open it up a bit.

I'm not big into Bluetooth (my Sprint phone has voice dialing), and I don't have an iPod, so all I wanted was the Premium package and a 6-speed. I'd have probably chosen White/Terracotta if I could have, but Black Sapphire/Sand looks good to me.

I looked at the Murano at the car show last year, my neighbor has an MDX, and Tom Bush had an FX45 on the lot. All really nice cars. (I looked at the X5, too, but it's too expensive and the X3 has more room.) But the one thing I love about the X3 is that it just plain drives. In fact, it drives in some ways nicer than my 325it. X-Drive is great in the rain.

Good luck.

Mike

Small world. I live in Orange Park. Anyway, I owned the first 323 wagon sold in Jacksonville (bought it sight unseen; ordered it on the first day orders were taken in Dec. 1999), it was totaled, and bought a 2002 325it to replace it. Back problems forced me to look for a car that's easier to get in an out of. Tom Bush (Mark F.) made me a ridiculous deal on a leftover '04, and they helped me get out of my lease 6 months early, all for the same monthly.

I looked at the Murano at the car show last year, my neighbor has an MDX, and Tom Bush had an FX45 on the lot. All really nice cars. (I looked at the X5, too, but it's too expensive and the X3 has more room.) But the one thing I love about the X3 is that it just plain drives. In fact, it drives in some ways nicer than my 325it. X-Drive is great in the rain.

Good luck.

Mike

Yes, small world. I bought my TL at Orange Park Acura. Good point about the X3 “just plain drives”. My TL beats a 325 in many ways in that it has nice gadgets and is large and comfortable but I sure miss the superb handling that the BMW offers. It’s good to hear the X3 follows the same tradition as the BMW sedans.

Did you test drive the Murano? Was it in the running against the X3 in any way?

had a murano as a loaner car as well as an x3 2.5 sports pkg from the same dealer. the murano feels like you are driving a boat due to the large/deep dashboard. it has a decent ride, nothing spectacular. power was good. the x3 just felt awesome. the sport pkg maybe a little rough depending on how bad your streets are, but its pretty tolerable. my wife really wants one now.

what is the big difference between x-drive and the regular AWD that BMW has? Doesn't it just come down to driving ablility and tires?

Yes, small world. I bought my TL at Orange Park Acura. Good point about the X3 “just plain drives”. My TL beats a 325 in many ways in that it has nice gadgets and is large and comfortable but I sure miss the superb handling that the BMW offers. It’s good to hear the X3 follows the same tradition as the BMW sedans.

Did you test drive the Murano? Was it in the running against the X3 in any way?

Nope. Sat in one at the car show and didn't care for the driving position. After surviving the crash in my 323it, I've got somewhat of a loyalty to BMW.

Nope. Sat in one at the car show and didn't care for the driving position. After surviving the crash in my 323it, I've got somewhat of a loyalty to BMW.

If you don't mind me asking, how bad was the crash? Was it front or side impact? Were you hurt?

what is the big difference between x-drive and the regular AWD that BMW has? Doesn't it just come down to driving ablility and tires?
I'm not really sure if this is the correct answer, but X-drive is actually a power shift from rear to front when it's needed. The X drive system constantly monitors the driving and sensors are able to pick up if there is a need for distribution of power to the other wheels. Basically what I gather is that the car drives as a rear wheel drive until all wheel drive is necessary to facilitate controlled driving under unstable driving conditions.

I can tell you that we just recently took the X3 up into the mountains of Switzerland and were able to put the xDrive, HDC and DSC to work for us as our chalet was located on a mountainside that was not regularly cleared of snow and ice. We had the factory all season tires and our first descent on this hill was scary; there was a little slipping that we mostly associate with having non winter tires. The HDC was the perfect tool for navigating the narrow ice/snow road and she handled beautifully. We still ended up investing in some winter tires and rims and just this last weekend we were in the mountains again here in Germany and everything worked great. I felt very safe and secure driving on slick surfaces and unsalted driveways and I give credit to BMW technology as well as the winter tires!

If you don't mind me asking, how bad was the crash? Was it front or side impact? Were you hurt?

Woman in a minivan ran a red light at 50 mph, hit me in the front quarter panel and pushed me head-on into a light pole. Car was totaled. Really totaled. Broke two vertebrae in my back, which didn't heal correctly; ergo, the X3.

Could have been worse. Junk yard folks looked at the car and asked, "was the driver killed?" TGFBMW!

I've had my X3 since March and have had no problems with it so far. I got a chance to try the X drive in the snow. I was just running the stock all-season pirellis it came with but still got a lot of traction. A big difference from the regular BMW all-wheel-drive system. However, if you're looking for something with more room, I'd suggest getting an X5 since the X3 will not be much larger than the 3 series wagon.

:devillook You'll actually find that the X3 is larger inside than the X5. If you want a BMW just get it. No need to justify it.

I have a Toyota Highlander and I'm just about to order an X3. Don't get me wrong, the Toyota Highlander is a fine car for what it is. It has plenty of cargo room, roomy back seats, and drives more like a car than a truck since it's based on a Camry chassy. But it's not very exciting. I rarely use every inch of cargo space the Highlander affords me, and I want something that's fun to drive. I go camping in the Sierras a lot, so much time is spent on highways and twisty roads getting up to the mountains. I want to have as much fun getting there as I do when I'm there. So I'm buying an X3. The gas mileage is pretty much the same between the two -- my Highlander (2WD) gets around 20 mpg in the city, and 22-24 mpg on the highway. Maybe the X3 has a little worse city mileage, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little in that area. The standard interior options in the BMW are much nicer than the Toyota, it has more acceleration, less body roll, more ground clearance, and actually comes with a manual transmission! I'm pretty much sold on it.
:alright