BMW's X3 falls short as upscale SUV

[NFS4]

http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=12624

 

[Dunbar]

The early reviews of the X3 have been negative, I believe Car and Driver said the ride quality felt like the axles were welded to the frame. Which reminds me of the early reviews of the X5, sure didn't hurt sales though...

 

[lowfatbaconboy]

that thing looks fugly
it looks like a large toy car

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: lowfatbaconboy
that thing looks fugly
it looks like a large toy car

i'll be more than happy if i get one

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: lowfatbaconboy
that thing looks fugly
it looks like a large toy car

i'll be more than happy if i get one

i wouldn't take it if you gave it to me. why take the resonably nice AWD 3 series wagon and mess it up like that?

 

[Imdmn04]

Well what the hell do you expect, it's targeted to people who cant afford an X5 and its a station wagon.

 

[LAUST]

Wagons > SUV's

Sure I can see the room being very useful of both of these vehicles, but people don't use SUV's for offroad anyway so whats the point? Bigger vehicles are harder to drive anyway so lets keep the sheep in as small a vehicle as possible please

I would dance a jig if they would pass a law that required a harder driving test for vehicles over 4000lbs and make people take it every 2 years, I would also take the test happily.

 

[Chadder007]

I saw it in person and checked it out a few days ago. I liked it.....though didn't drive it. They were closing. Looked better in person like the Z4 and 7 series. (5 series sucks IMO)
As for its competitors, I have driven the Freelander and was rather impressed. But not with some of its interior styling and lack of height adjustment for the seating. But the ride was great and the engine had a strong feel to it.
The VW Toureg was VERY nice inside and the parts quality and finish were supurb but man....with its hefty weight it was a freaking SLUG in performance even with the V8 under the hood. (It weights over 5000lbs)

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
The VW Toureg was VERY nice inside and the parts quality and finish were supurb but man....with its hefty weight it was a freaking SLUG in performance even with the V8 under the hood. (It weights over 5000lbs)

Amen to that. It's stupid slow (I know, I have one). I don't know why they even bother with a v6.

 

[GTaudiophile]

When people find out it's not even made by BMW, it won't have a chance.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
When people find out it's not even made by BMW, it won't have a chance.

Its a BMW....just assembled at another plant. Kinda like the Z4s and X5s are made here in the US. I do wish they would have gone with less black plastic on the bumpers though. BMW Parts bin, BMW Engines, BMW standards of assembly.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
When people find out it's not even made by BMW, it won't have a chance.

Who is it made by?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
When people find out it's not even made by BMW, it won't have a chance.

Who is it made by?

From an old news story:

Munich. The BMW Group and SFT (Steyr-Daimler-Puch Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG), Graz (Austria), a subsidiary of Magna Group, have signed a cooperation agreement covering the development and manufacture of the new BMW "X3" Sports Activity Vehicle. The detailed vehicle concept worked out by engineers from the BMW Group was forwarded to Magna Steyr Engineering for series development. Production will be taken over by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz. The relevant contract was signed yesterday in Munich.