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      11-01-2017, 10:35 AM   #1
Milhaus
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BMW North America Launch Event X3 First Drive in Steamboat Springs, CO

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Hey guys...I got invited to the BMW North America Launch event in Steamboat Springs, CO. We were one of the first, if not the first non-press/ordinary folk allowed to drive the new X3.

We took the X3 30i up a wintery mountain course and were also able to drive the 30i and M40i on the streets of Steamboat Springs.

Both cars are a welcomed upgrade with the M40i being completely sensational and defying physics that an SUV can perform so well. I was pretty blown away.

I put together a little video of the weekend. No pro journalist here.

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      11-01-2017, 04:44 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milhaus View Post
Hey guys...I got invited to the BMW North America Launch event in Steamboat Springs, CO. We were one of the first, if not the first non-press/ordinary folk allowed to drive the new X3.

We took the X3 30i up a wintery mountain course and were also able to drive the 30i and M40i on the streets of Steamboat Springs.

Both cars are a welcomed upgrade with the M40i being completely sensational and defying physics that an SUV can perform so well. I was pretty blown away.

I put together a little video of the weekend. No pro journalist here.


Thanks for putting together this video and sharing. I'd planned to buy an X5 but this X3 M40 looks really good. Your video swayed me even more. I think I'll have to drive both and decide. I'm so confused now.
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      11-01-2017, 04:56 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
Thanks for putting together this video and sharing. I'd planned to buy an X5 but this X3 M40 looks really good. Your video swayed me even more. I think I'll have to drive both and decide. I'm so confused now.

Sorry I confused you. The X5 was on MY list as well and this new X3 M40i was a real eye opener. One of the best cars/SUVs I've driven in a long long time.

The intro section of audio on my video is the actual exhaust tone from the X3. It may have some artificial enhancements going on in car, but outside the car as others were driving it the sound was equally impressive. Not loud...just GOOOOD!
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      11-01-2017, 05:46 PM   #4
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Thank you for sharing, Milhaus. And your comment during the video indicating having an M3 and a daily hauler can indeed come true with the X3 M40i. I have been using our 2nd Gen X3s routinely as our pick-up, and many Sub-contractors who see me pull up are amazed at the stuff I pull out of the back. If I had a nickel for everytime one said, "you need a pickup...". Well, actually for most anything I have needed to carry I don't.

What I do hope BMW will produce, which will make this G01 even more potent in the market place by attracting those that need the hauling of large and oftentimes dirty objects, is a 'heavy duty extensible cargo tray'. I 'wished' for that in the List, and hopefully Mgmt will understand the utility which that would bring to the table for many of us who no longer need a performance and a utility vehicle when we can have both in one. Thanks again, and good luck on your buying decision.
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      11-01-2017, 08:59 PM   #5
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I had a cargo liner for my E70 X5 that had a fold down rubber mat to protect the rear bumper. Later in my 335 GT I have used a cargo liner. The GT has good capacity, although the fastback design limits the height of what one can load. The length is impressive. 8 foot boards fit in with ease.



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      11-02-2017, 01:36 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
Thank you for sharing, Milhaus. And your comment during the video indicating having an M3 and a daily hauler can indeed come true with the X3 M40i. I have been using our 2nd Gen X3s routinely as our pick-up, and many Sub-contractors who see me pull up are amazed at the stuff I pull out of the back. If I had a nickel for everytime one said, "you need a pickup...". Well, actually for most anything I have needed to carry I don't.

What I do hope BMW will produce, which will make this G01 even more potent in the market place by attracting those that need the hauling of large and oftentimes dirty objects, is a 'heavy duty extensible cargo tray'. I 'wished' for that in the List, and hopefully Mgmt will understand the utility which that would bring to the table for many of us who no longer need a performance and a utility vehicle when we can have both in one. Thanks again, and good luck on your buying decision.
Ha! I remodeled my house using my 335i coupe for bags of mortar / grout mix , long 2x4s up to the radio, ladders, etc. I kept thinking I wanted a truck, but in the end, the X3 can haul more than 16 bags of mulch, and pretty much what you shared. I used moving blankets or 4mil plastic to save the carpeted area as you did.
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      11-02-2017, 06:19 PM   #7
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Looks like fun. I want to trade in my old X3!
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      11-02-2017, 08:45 PM   #8
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Looks like fun. I want to trade in my old X3!
I love the old X3's but this new one is pretty special!!
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      11-03-2017, 08:36 AM   #9
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If I had a nickel for everytime one said, "you need a pickup...".
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Oh yes... But sometimes X3 could be really big. Here is my previous X3.
4 people were onboard also.
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      11-03-2017, 12:38 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
Thanks for putting together this video and sharing. I'd planned to buy an X5 but this X3 M40 looks really good. Your video swayed me even more. I think I'll have to drive both and decide. I'm so confused now.
No need to be confused. You just need to ask yourself whats most important to you and what do you need from an SAV. Drive both if you haven't before you decide. I went from an E60 5 series to an F30 3 series to the current X5. While I loved the sound of the F30 engine, the speed and responsiveness, It just seemed a bit harsh of a drive sometimes and was a bit cramped compared to the 5. So I went to the X5 and it gives me the room I want, and is a more comfortable and compliant ride. Most important it has those superb multi contour seats which really help with back fatigue on long drives. Its not as fast off the line as the 335i or 535i but I can live with that.

So whats important to you and what can you compromise on?
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      11-03-2017, 12:58 PM   #11
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Nice video. I was there that weekend also and posted lots of pictures on this thread:
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1432572
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      11-03-2017, 03:07 PM   #12
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Nice video. I was there that weekend also and posted lots of pictures on this thread:
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1432572
Great shots! I think you captured some really great shots. Also, I think that was a really wonderful Launch Event. They did a great job.
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      11-03-2017, 04:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darksilkx1 View Post
No need to be confused. You just need to ask yourself whats most important to you and what do you need from an SAV. Drive both if you haven't before you decide. I went from an E60 5 series to an F30 3 series to the current X5. While I loved the sound of the F30 engine, the speed and responsiveness, It just seemed a bit harsh of a drive sometimes and was a bit cramped compared to the 5. So I went to the X5 and it gives me the room I want, and is a more comfortable and compliant ride. Most important it has those superb multi contour seats which really help with back fatigue on long drives. Its not as fast off the line as the 335i or 535i but I can live with that.

So whats important to you and what can you compromise on?
I have an X5 now with Multi Contour seats which as you say are superb and I'm looking at the new X3 M40i. I don't need the size of the X5 but those seats are amazing.
I sat in the new X3 today (not an M40i but the same seats) and liked the car but the seats are not in the same league, decisions, decisions.
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      11-03-2017, 06:55 PM   #14
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I have an X5 now with Multi Contour seats which as you say are superb and I'm looking at the new X3 M40i. I don't need the size of the X5 but those seats are amazing.
I sat in the new X3 today (not an M40i but the same seats) and liked the car but the seats are not in the same league, decisions, decisions.
I loved those seats on my X5 too. In fact it kept me from getting an X5M.

I sat in an X3 this week - with ventilated seats. There is not much to the side bolsters. Apparently the non-ventilated seats fare better.
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      11-03-2017, 09:41 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darksilkx1 View Post
No need to be confused. You just need to ask yourself whats most important to you and what do you need from an SAV. Drive both if you haven't before you decide. I went from an E60 5 series to an F30 3 series to the current X5. While I loved the sound of the F30 engine, the speed and responsiveness, It just seemed a bit harsh of a drive sometimes and was a bit cramped compared to the 5. So I went to the X5 and it gives me the room I want, and is a more comfortable and compliant ride. Most important it has those superb multi contour seats which really help with back fatigue on long drives. Its not as fast off the line as the 335i or 535i but I can live with that.

So whats important to you and what can you compromise on?
Well, that's great advice. My confusion is that I was set on buying an X5 after renting one for a week on Maui. My wife and I said to ourselves, we must have that car. Then the new X3 comes out. We don't "need" the extra space of the X5, but the larger, more comfortable attributes of the X5 are compelling. On the other hand, the new X3 m40i looks pretty amazing and is way less expensive when similarly configured.

We will test drive both again. It will be my wife's car and I would be happy with whichever choice she makes. I'm totally on the fence on this one.
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      11-06-2017, 04:47 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
Thank you for sharing, Milhaus. And your comment during the video indicating having an M3 and a daily hauler can indeed come true with the X3 M40i. I have been using our 2nd Gen X3s routinely as our pick-up, and many Sub-contractors who see me pull up are amazed at the stuff I pull out of the back. If I had a nickel for everytime one said, "you need a pickup...". Well, actually for most anything I have needed to carry I don't.

What I do hope BMW will produce, which will make this G01 even more potent in the market place by attracting those that need the hauling of large and oftentimes dirty objects, is a 'heavy duty extensible cargo tray'. I 'wished' for that in the List, and hopefully Mgmt will understand the utility which that would bring to the table for many of us who no longer need a performance and a utility vehicle when we can have both in one. Thanks again, and good luck on your buying decision.
I have a Old Suv just for this- almost same items! Love those tall grasses!
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      11-06-2017, 04:01 PM   #17
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I loved those seats on my X5 too. In fact it kept me from getting an X5M.

I sat in an X3 this week - with ventilated seats. There is not much to the side bolsters. Apparently the non-ventilated seats fare better.
I think the difference is the side bolsters are not adjustable on the ventilated seats.
It's a smaller seat than the X5's multi contour seats with fewer adjustments, have to give them the wife test since this would be mainly her car.

Funny re. the X5M, I understand, the seats are that good.
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      11-06-2017, 04:08 PM   #18
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Funny re. the X5M, I understand, the seats are that good.
If LazyBoy sold them I would buy a pair - one for the family room and one for my workshop!
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      11-07-2017, 12:50 PM   #19
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If LazyBoy sold them I would buy a pair - one for the family room and one for my workshop!
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      11-20-2017, 08:29 PM   #20
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If LazyBoy sold them I would buy a pair - one for the family room and one for my workshop!
The Contour seats are the BEST!!! It should be STANDARD equipment!
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