Any opinions re: X3 vs the following competitors?

[DrZ]

has bulked up and become an SUV. I like it. (But then I like the Z coupe a lot as well :-) )<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/drz/smalldakarlogo2.jpg"height="92" width="432">

[carbonragtop]

I'm sure it's a fine vehicle...

330RX for some intangible reason just one of those vehicles that seem to be driven predominantly by women--not exclusively of course--but vast majority I would wager...
same was true of the 1990's Volkswagen Cabrio..90% female drivers, uncanny I agree....just a demographic peculiarity, means absolutely nothing in terms of reflection on the person driving it, but it's just human nature to make a loose association/connotation based upon repetitive observations.

I love Roadfly for just these types of discussions!

[carbonragtop]

the feature I suppose I am mostly referring to (and I'm probably all wet here, car wheels are undeniably trending in that direction), but take one of the Copper metallic FX's w/20" chromes--very current stylistically I'll agree--imo there is a certain level of classic understatement necessary for a design to *age* well, e.g., Ferrari automobiles of the 1960's--and I think the FX, credit it for bold sculpturous curves and use of positive and negative space, exceeds this aesthetic
boundary the same way a Lincoln Navigator does or an AMC Matador did.

To each his/her own, of course. btw the 350Z is gorgeous..many more edges to compliment its curves than the FX.

..dug these up;
this was hot design 30 years ago:

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/carbonragtop/thunderbird%20ii.jpg">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/carbonragtop/AMC%20brochure.jpg">

[klmsearch]

I wear a blond wig and blouse and skirt; cause I never see men driving them (gee, this feels good!).

Larry, Albany, NY

94 740i (when driving, leather jacket, BMW hat, shades, and an Escort Passport.

[carbonragtop]

I miss those old E32 7 series'...my sister just sold hers last fall
(black/black 740i also '94) .
Did ya have to get the engine replaced..the NIkasil thing?

[klmsearch]

[58673877]

I have test-driven the Volvo XC90. It was one of the models that now top my list of "failures". The car was pathetic. I drove the T6 variant (twin-turbo 6-pot with 268hp). If I told you that a 1999 Audi A6 2.8 would outrun it, I would be right. It felt like a 175hp engine (as ni Buick Rendezvous LOL).

When you first give gas, it jumps, but as soon as you clear 3000RPM, suddenly there's no longer any power surge anymore. You wonder where those turbos went!

Also the transmission was not very smooth - it kicked twice. And the "manual" mode had about a 1 second shifting time (real slow).

The "HU" audio sounded quite out-of-balance, and the center channel speaker made the whole setup sound mono. The bass was unbalanced and non-existant at low volumes.

The interior was quite pathetic...anything that looks metal to you is really cheap plastic, which I was able to scratch using my fingernail.

To top it all off, this is a soccer-mom vehicle. There was ABSOLUTELY NO communication through the steering wheel. It was 100% power; I could steer with my pinky. Very dissapointing!

***

I also drove an Infiniti FX45. There are only 3 SUVs that I seriously respect and consider...

BMW X5 3.0i/4.4i/4.8is
Infiniti FX35/45
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited/Overland

The FX45 obviously will outgun the 35 variant. However, by numbers the FX35 should easily match a 330i or the like. The interior is beautiful, materials are great, Bose sound system thumps bass through your chest, and the sport package makes the FX drive stiffer than a BMW. THUMBS UP!
<img src="http://www.gergin.net/Oversized%20Rooster%20330i.jpg">

[ExJxC]

It drove like my grandmothers Buick Century. Accelerated slowly and breaks were mushy. Steering was the worst part with no on center feel and no road feed back; felt unsafe making fast turns. Girlfriends’ mother owned it and hated it so much she gave it to me to drive for a day. I was very happy to get back into my 91 525i with 152k after driving the Lexus. They also had problems with its reliability. Never drove the X3 but my Dad’s 94 Isuzu Rodeo handled better then the Rx300.

[ExJxC]

Downshifts all the time to accelerate and had a vary hard time keeping speed on the highway in the mountains on PA turnpike. Thank god its my girlfriends car and not mine. (2003 model)

[tucker74]

but it sounds like your problem is with Infiniti marketing and not the FX itself. Let's not confuse marketing with design and make gross generalizations. I think it's safe to say that most FXs (and Lincoln Navigators for that mattter) on the road aren't decked out in some loud color with 20" chrome wheels.

Sounds like you all are convinced the X3 is a classic. Otherwise, I'm not sure why the subject of timelessness was even brought up. I will readily agree that the FX will probably not age well 10-20 years from now. But then again what SUV will?

[Marion]

I am having a dilemma choosing between the BMW X3 and Lexus RX330 as well. I took the RX330 out for a test drive during a Canadian blizzard and had no sense of whether I had control or not - felt like floating rather than "feeling the road". I'm leaning toward the X3 even though it is a new model and maybe a bit of an unknown compared to the history and reputation of the Lexus.
By the way, the new VW is pronounced "Twaa-reg" not "Tour-egg".
Thanks for the useful information - pros and cons.
Marion

[Rex]

Marion,

I had a similar impression. I found the RX330 to be a quality suv, but I felt completely removed and isolated from the road. I had no idea if I was getting traction or not. From a passangers standpoint, I'm sure that it's a wonderfully comfortable ride, but from the drivers perspective it's improtant to be "connected" to the road.

Many publications like the floating isolation and have trashed the X3 on ride quality. For me it's a matter of safty! The more I'm connected to the road, the better I can judge my responce to adverse conditions.

[5erguy]

There are many reasons to buy either the X3 or the RX330. I actually had an X3 on order, but I bought the RX330 instead. I have to buy my vehicles and wanted a reliable suv that I could have after the warranty period with little or no repairs. I also plan on having a summer and winter vehicle.

X3
+ great all around driving vehcile
+ some great unique features, pano roof, htd wheel
- high repair costs after warranty expires

RX330
+/- better driving experience than most suvs/not the bmw exp. though
+ $5000. less than the bmw (no pano roof but a powered rear door)
+ better overall reliability after warranty period

After having driven the RX330(with 18" rims and Michelin MMXV4) now for awhile, I am surprised at how tossable it is versus other suvs out there. It's not a BMW but it is a very nice reliable vehicle for the money. My guess is that with a lowering kit and Scorpion tires, it would be a great ride. The nice thing about the RX is that I don't worry about driving through car washes in the winter or everyday wear and tear like I did with my BMW.

[Rex]

"The nice thing about the RX is that I don't worry about driving through car washes in the winter or everyday wear and tear like I did with my BMW"

Why would you worry about washing a X3?

[N Booky]

MDX:
This car is very good value for the money.
Honda engine tends to rev high in order to get more power (like riding a bike).
Drives like an SUV.

FX35:
Very good car, handling should be close to X3.
The design is a bit too exceptional. Infiniti designs change quite often and the current "cool" design may become "weird" in the next few years.

RX330:
A well balanced car, the most luxury interior in the list.
Handling not as good as FX or X3.
Drives like an SUV.

Nissan Murano:
FX35 minus power. The exterior design may look better in the long run compare to FX.

XC90:
Volvo cars are quite boring (sorry).
Handling should not be as good as FX or X3.

X3:
Best among the list in terms of handling, power is competitive. Drives like a sedan.
My wife first drive the car today and she likes it more than the 3.2CL Type S (her daily car) - the brake is more responsive, and the gas pedal response and steering are more accurate.)
The ride is not as good as the RX.

Which car to choose actually depends alot on which kind of driver your wife is.

[5erguy]

I think I have always been more obsessive about my BMWs than any other car brand I've owned. Even "touchless" car washes leave minute scratches all over the car. I could not stand to have my paint destroyed like that. Even in freezing cold weather, if my car needed to be washed I would take it to a pull in bay and wash it by hand. I would also hand wash my rims every week. I just don't feel like I have to be that extreme with the Lexus. I was going to buy the metallic black on the X3 just so that the scratches over time wouldn't show as much.

[klmsearch]

that the Lexus (and perhaps ALL Japanese cars) are more reliable than European cars.

BTW, I read in the April 04 issue of European Car that ...

"The ADAC (the German equivalent of AAA) has been carrying out a quarterly survey measuring the performance of all brands represented on the German market. The latest poll included a measure of customer SATISFACTION for the first time and, oh woe of woes, the domestic contingent was found desperately wanting.

"Of 33 brands included in the survey, the TOP SEVEN when it came to customer satisfaction were - surprise, surprise - JAPANESE. However, for a country where Japanese brands hold only 10% of the market, the result was nothing more than a kick in the proverbials for the home team. Placed EIGHTH, Porsche was the top rated local, WITH BMW AT 11TH. However, the real ticking off was reserved for Audi, VW and Mercedes, which came in 26th, 31st and 32nd, respectively. Oh, dear me."



Oh, dear me is right! Guess ya just gotta love European cars for reasons other than "satisfaction".

Larry, Albany, NY
94 740i

[rexdiamond]

Thanks,

I was beginning to worry. I wash my BMWs regulary in the car wash, but don't examine the paint for the minute scratches it causes. Without my glasses, I can't see them anyways.

I hope you didn't take offence about my comments regarding the RX330, it's a fine suv. My sister-in-law has one and is very happy with it. I just prefer the handling of the X3, and since it will be my but in the drivers seat for several thousand hours, I went with the one that gave me the greatest pleasure.

[jinks]

[5erguy]

Rex,
No offense taken. If I had one car to drive that had to haul it would have been the X3. I would put up with problems and repairs along the way. With now going to 2 cars, I can still have a bmw, just not my daily driver that I beat on.