XSeries-forum

The Mrs wants a smaller car and an obvious candidate is the X3. It would have to the 30d or 35d to keep me sane.

Has anyone else made the move and can tell me the differences between the cars in terms of the way they drive, refinement, ride, handling, performance etc.

I briefly drove an X3 a while back and I didn't notice any major differences in the way it drove to the X5.

I prefer looks of the E70 to the F25 but the F25 is IMO very capable and with plenty of carrying space.....go test drive some in different engine sizes though personally speaking a well driven 2.0d with 8 speed auto is mode than adequate for most folk wanting to make sensible progress  on uk roads

+1 on trying out the 20d. I had the same engine in the F10 520d and unless you really need to overtake in very limited areas, I really didn't find it wanting. As much as I love the 40d in my X6, I very rarely need or use the power that's on tap.

Don

Much more refinement with the 6 pot engines though, the 2.0d are a bit more agricultural.

[quote="Don Coffey"]
+1 on trying out the 20d. I had the same engine in the F10 520d and unless you really need to overtake in very limited areas, I really didn't find it wanting. As much as I love the 40d in my X6, I very rarely need or use the power that's on tap.

Don
[/quote]

Couldn't have put it better myself. Exactly the same experience.

I have the F10 at the moment as a loaner and a 40d in the workshop.
The 2.0 is surprisingly powerful.

I had the X3 for a few days when mine was in for warranty work. I'd posted comments so check back in my posts if you like.

Some things were very good but others not so. The door felt flimsy by comparison and the non split tailgate was a pain. Small things but stuff that would irritate me day to day. In fact my daughter who is 5' struggled to get to shut the tailgate so depending on your wife's height, worth checking.

To save you time  here you go:

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... ic.php?t=8

Looks like you and I shared comments at the time.

Thanks X Box and everyone else, looks like I still have the same problem now (with the Mrs!).

I never expected so many positive comments about the 20d so I won't rule that out, although I suspect we'll end up keeping the X5. It's only when you sit in and drive other cars that you remember the reason why you bought it in the first place.

Although I rarely use the performance from the 30d, I would miss it if it was gone, but I can see how the 20d would work because the X3 is quite a bit lighter than the X5.

I may be controversial and a tad yobbish, but an X3 is not a 5 and I think you'll always be looking at the 5 with longing eyes.
Think of it like having a black and white tv, picture is good, size is good, everything is good.....but it's missing something.  Stay with the 5.......

(Please don't condemn me for this as I do know there are many reasons to look for a change, but the feel good factor is high on my list!)

I agree, and having just looked at an X3 in the Dealership it just doesn't quite meet the standards I got used to with my E53 and it falls short compared to the X6.  It's good, just not good enough in my book - and I wasn't expecting to find that.

Richard

[quote="leosayer"]
Thanks X Box and everyone else, looks like I still have the same problem now (with the Mrs!).

I never expected so many positive comments about the 20d so I won't rule that out, although I suspect we'll end up keeping the X5. It's only when you sit in and drive other cars that you remember the reason why you bought it in the first place.

Although I rarely use the performance from the 30d, I would miss it if it was gone, but I can see how the 20d would work because the X3 is quite a bit lighter than the X5.
[/quote]

simple, get a new mrs, then get the car you want!

I've already got the car I want...something rear engined which I've owned for 7 years.

The X5 is the family runabout and it certainly wasn't the wife's first choice - far from it. She doesn't like the split tailgate, doesn't like the size and doesn't like BMW's. Her ideal would have the Volvo XC60 but the room in the back is poor - we frequently carry passengers.

I really insisted on the X5 because, as Flog said, it has the feel good factor and it ticked so many boxes in terms of price, spec, space, handling, power, refinement, driving position, looks etc. 

I had a short test in an X3 35i and I have to say that, based on an admittedly short time in the car, it was very nice.  Plenty of poke and inside also good.  My previous X5 was a 2004 E53 facelift and it felt nicer inside than that.  I wasn't in the market for one though so didn't really explore in that much detail.  But, if your wife thinks the X5 is too big I think the new X3 is well worth a look. 
Just my 2p worth.
Peter T

[quote="davyk31"]
Much more refinement with the 6 pot engines though, the 2.0d are a bit more agricultural.
[/quote]

Have you driven a 2.0d F25 ?

I only ask as having driven one myself I would Not class the engine as agricultural. I am not a fan of diesels and have never owned one but I have driven a few. I would be 1st to say if it was tractor like and IMHO it simply isn't , especially when mated to the superb 8 speed auto.... And I am not a big fan of autos either.

[quote="AW8"] And I am not a big fan of autos either.
[/quote]
Nor me, but these days there seems to be less of an option......  Bring back 'stick shifts'...

Richard