BMW X3

footplate1, Sep 17, 6:29am
I am hoping not to excite the usual anti-BMW mob with this.Does anyone own one of these vehicles and have any negatives!I have been looking for a 2007 onwards to replace my 2004 M330.From the reviews - not necessarily neutral - they seem a good machine.But I have only heard positives but not too many.

I would prefer the X5 but my wife is scared of the size.

Actually, I would prefer a fully-optioned military Hummer, for shopping at Eastern Bays supermarkets but no room to park one at home.Sigh.

vtecintegra, Sep 17, 6:33am
Build quality seems inferior to their other products (at least in the first generation)

I'd go an sit in one and see how much of a downgrade it'd be from your current car in that regard

incar., Sep 17, 7:20am
i dont own one but check for oil leaks, only 1 out of the several i inspected was dry, N.Z new are actually the worst. get it inspected by someone who can carry out full diagnostic scanning as they have hidden faults, overall not bad just the normal electrical faults and oil leaks

clark20, Sep 17, 11:38am
Check the specs the X3 is not that much smaller than the X5

footplate1, Sep 17, 8:09pm
I agree with you.Sadly, H-i-d has become gun shy!

footplate1, Sep 17, 8:12pm
Once I am in my M330, I love it on the open road.Sits well, corners like a dream and has the guts for the hills.But I seem to have developed a chronic sore back and so.If I tell you that my favourite town car is my wife's 94 Escudo with 250k on the clock, you will see what a come down I am contemplating!
The reviews for the pre 2007 X3 strongly suggest not to go older than that year.

serf407, Sep 18, 11:18am
Do I read your messages correctly in that you wife wants a BMW X3 to drive and she want you to sell your BMW m330 to make parking space and you getthe Escudo with 250k on odo to drive !

elect70, Sep 19, 3:27am
You trading in the M orselling private !Auto or manual!

geedubu, Sep 19, 3:38am
Good thought, but if you want to save 15-20,000 over that, go for the latest Toyota Harrier you can get.Same car, big savings for the badge!I see there is a Hybrid powered Harrier on TME pretty cheap.If you are looking for back comfort I can tell you they are definitely the most comfortable SUV (go OK too)

phillip.weston, Sep 19, 4:17am
OP wants a BMW, not a Toyota.

serf407, Sep 19, 4:33am
Footplate have you considered preparing the m330 for the BMW racing series or as a track day car and storing the car at a preparation place/ their storage place !
The older hybrids are drawing ever closer to the evil day when their battery packs need replacing and you would run the BMW X3 for a year for the cost of a battery pack.
I suggested the petrol RX 350 non hybrid as a lookover/tyrekick and notas a purchase so you purchase a X3 from a knowledge point of view
of what your options were and have no consmer remorse.

offrd1, Sep 19, 8:47am
Not much use off road

footplate1, Sep 20, 2:08am
Ha!No, I want to sell the M330 and buy an X5.(scrapping the Escudo) but she is gun shy about the size of the X5.The X3 is a domestic compromise.She parks her Swift in the garage - I can't park the M330 as the underside catches on the lip in the approach to the garage.

serf407, Sep 20, 11:54am
You could put airbag suspension in the m330 to raise the car body height and then lower it back down for the road.
http://www.westcoasthoppers.co.nz/ http://youtu.be/54vT9CP0Zcw(e46 bagged) http://youtu.be/hciHMlRrcUI(e46 bagged2) Dakar BMW X3http://youtu.be/uqPRwm-C_8I