Review: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NY
Depends on what is your defenition of liking to drive. See, I love driving, and I love driving my LS400. Nothing like a nice, smooth, quiet cruise down the highway. Driving nirvana if you ask me.
Now don't get me wrong, being 28 I'm still fairly young to enjoy agressive drive once in a while, but for such purposes give me a real sports car, my favorite being S2000. Raise the RPMs and the engine keeps asking for more and more, manual tranny that becomes an extension of you, no body roll in twisties, precise steering combined with light weight and small size make the car very easy to handle. Driving nirvana if you ask me. But then of course, I also love cars with obsene amount of torque, my favorite being the good old Viper. Drive that beast, and then every car feels like a Geo Metro.
And then you have cars like GS, 3 series, and bunch of other "sport sedans" that are nowadays dollar a bucket. Unlike the LS or S2000, which are made with a specific purpose with no compromises, these sport sedans are pretty much confused, They are not here, not there, and don't particularly excel in anything. So technically you could say that 330 series outhandles Camry, but then Camry has better ride quality. All other things being about even, with Camry costing less and being a better value, which one is really the better car?
Now don't get me wrong, being 28 I'm still fairly young to enjoy agressive drive once in a while, but for such purposes give me a real sports car, my favorite being S2000. Raise the RPMs and the engine keeps asking for more and more, manual tranny that becomes an extension of you, no body roll in twisties, precise steering combined with light weight and small size make the car very easy to handle. Driving nirvana if you ask me. But then of course, I also love cars with obsene amount of torque, my favorite being the good old Viper. Drive that beast, and then every car feels like a Geo Metro.
And then you have cars like GS, 3 series, and bunch of other "sport sedans" that are nowadays dollar a bucket. Unlike the LS or S2000, which are made with a specific purpose with no compromises, these sport sedans are pretty much confused, They are not here, not there, and don't particularly excel in anything. So technically you could say that 330 series outhandles Camry, but then Camry has better ride quality. All other things being about even, with Camry costing less and being a better value, which one is really the better car?
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 513
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From: VA
Hence, I stepped into an Audi dealership today. My friend called me while I was in there, and asked where I was. I'm like "oh I'm at the Audi dealership." Him: "Wait what? Audi? That's pretty funny. I thought you liked BMWs"
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,460
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
BMW doesn't take notice though. Sales are way up; many like the more "aggressive" looks. I personally am one of those who feel they've been alienated.
Hence, I stepped into an Audi dealership today. My friend called me while I was in there, and asked where I was. I'm like "oh I'm at the Audi dealership." Him: "Wait what? Audi? That's pretty funny. I thought you liked BMWs"
Hence, I stepped into an Audi dealership today. My friend called me while I was in there, and asked where I was. I'm like "oh I'm at the Audi dealership." Him: "Wait what? Audi? That's pretty funny. I thought you liked BMWs"
Audi, however, IMO, has shot itself in the foot with the MMI and those oversized, Linda Lovelace grilles, just as BMW did with I-Drive and some of the Chris Bangle styling.
I actually like those grilles, and I love Audi's current styling. Their current line up is gorgeous, while BMW lineup is tacky, MB and Caddy lineups are too flashy and bling bling, and Lexus, well, the current Lexus lineup lacks styling whatsoever. Of course, the MMI and I-drive are terrible, but it's a big hit with I-pod generation, and eventually all car manufacturers are going to adapt it and shove it down our throats. I bet in 10 years from now even a Honda Civic will have this crap.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 513
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From: VA
Audis are rapidly starting to compete with BMWs as sport sedans, the main difference, of course, being BMW's still-superior power steering and road feel.
Audi, however, IMO, has shot itself in the foot with the MMI and those oversized, Linda Lovelace grilles, just as BMW did with I-Drive and some of the Chris Bangle styling.
Audi, however, IMO, has shot itself in the foot with the MMI and those oversized, Linda Lovelace grilles, just as BMW did with I-Drive and some of the Chris Bangle styling.
As for myself, I will probably always purchase a BMW for myself, albeit maybe pick up a late-model used version (I like the previous-gen BMWs far better). I DO use the capabilities and appreciate the balance and finesse of the BMWs, although I do try hard to keep it down to socially responsible levels. But that wide intersection left-turn into my neighborhood is awfully tempting though......if no-one's around I'll take that one at oh say, 50mph. (Lots of tire squeal and I don't want nasty stares from onlookers)
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I will NOT own a car with an MMI or I-Drive device, even if it means I have to drive a used car. I dislike them THAT much. There are some devices on cars I didn't care for at first, but gradually learned to accept (or even want) over the years. That will NOT happen with I-Drive.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Absolutely. it is one of the finest transmissions ever designed for versatility, efficiency, and smoothness, but time will tell with reliability....most of them don't have that many miles on them yet. Still, the DSG and the Quattro AWD are probably the two main reasons for buying an Audi.
I will NOT own a car with an MMI or I-Drive device, even if it means I have to drive a used car. I dislike them THAT much. There are some devices on cars I didn't care for at first, but gradually learned to accept (or even want) over the years. That will NOT happen with I-Drive.
To put this thread back on top, here is a vid of the X3 at one of the BMW ultimate drive events.. Marshall how did the 07 X3 feel in auto sport drive?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=s6MKh5POU-o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=s6MKh5POU-o
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 620
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From: Maryland
I hear you, I'm the same way. I will not even own a car with Navi system, unless the navi LCD screen is completely independent of radio and AC controls. There's nothing more annoying than having a huge bright LCD screen in the middle of dash while driving at night - it distracts from the road and makes your eyes tired.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 1
From: VA
Absolutely. it is one of the finest transmissions ever designed for versatility, efficiency, and smoothness, but time will tell with reliability....most of them don't have that many miles on them yet. Still, the DSG and the Quattro AWD are probably the two main reasons for buying an Audi.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,460
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
In SportDrive, shifts were a tiny bit more noticeable than full-automatic mode, which of course is more or less normal, but less harsh than with the SMT.....another source of owner complaints. The SMT, to my knowledge, is not offered with X3's, at least in the American market.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 1
From: VA
The one in the video is a 2006 model. It also has the sport package. Hence less roll and more engine sound. The N52 engine in the '07s does not sound like that at all. (It's quieter, higher-pitched whine at high rpms than the M54 engine.)
FYI: SMG is only available on the M cars at this point in the US. The '08 5-series does away with it in favor of manual, auto, and sport auto. SMG never has been on a SAV.
FYI: SMG is only available on the M cars at this point in the US. The '08 5-series does away with it in favor of manual, auto, and sport auto. SMG never has been on a SAV.