[rogerxp]

After what seems an eternity of 'keeping my eye out' and quite some time negotiating on this specific replacement car for the wife I finally made the trip this morning to collect the new car.

Traded in the E90 330d as, even though my wife grew to like it, she always really wanted something a bit less 'blokey'. Thought it an opportunity to get something a) my wife preferred b) a bit bigger for future family expansion c) better spec d) less mileage.

This X3 is an absolute belter. I arrived home with exactly 29,000 miles on the clock, a 56 plate, 1 previous owner and certainly one of the best spec I've ever seen. Only negative is that it's caught in the £400 tax bracket (only bigger cc X3's registered between 09/06 & 09/07 got caught).

Spec is as follows -:

* Adaptive Headlights
* Automatic Gearbox
* Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
* Leather interior
* Loudspeaker system - BMW Business
* M Y-Spoke Style 191 M 8.5/9J X 19
* Media package
* Panoramic glass sunroof
* Seat heating. front
* Sun protection glass
* Windscreen with green shade band
* Xenon headlights

The drive home from Stratstone Derby was great. The 3.0d engine matches the X3 perfectly. OK, it'll never handle like the E90 did around the twisties, but it does a very impressive job nethertheless. The ride (on 19" RFT) is firm but still comfortable which I was very impressed by. Got a little more choppy when tootling around our village but still easily acceptable. Will see how it goes before making a decision on non-RFTs.

This is an automatic which I always swore I'd never get however a large vehicle like this was always my exception. It's got that very irritating 'delay' when pulling off and occassional confusion as to what gear I'm wanting but I'd always select an auto for this typre of car. Happy with it on the whole.

Other immediate reactions are -:

Upgraded Hifi - only upped by one level, but it sounds great; really impressed by it (not hard to wipe the floor with the standard set-up).
Sat Nav - the Sat Nav is even more fiddly than the one in the E90. The controller is just a large button which still rotates & depresses but doesn't have the eight directional controls. Makes it all quite fiddly so it's just there for occassional use. The stereo is controlled from the screen through so will have to get a basic grasp of it.
Panaranic Sunroof - is amazing, love it, such an expanse of glass (and light), fully opens for loads of fresh air or just tilts as normal. Glad I held out for a car with it. My Daughter is amazed by it - bring on the Blackpool Illuminations!!!
Adaptive Headlights - these are the ones that turn the corner as you turn. Only nipped out earlier but the way you see the xenon light beams shift around (down a straight road whilst quickly turning the wheel left & right) was just really strange. Can't quite see how useful it will actually be but maybe it'll prove itself in due course.

In summary, I'm really really pleased with the new car, feels rock solid (much better than my E90 which was really starting to squeek & rattle quite a lot), love all the toys, wife happy, Daughter loves it, and I think it also looks the business.

Here's a few piccies...

[flyfs6]

Congratulations on your purchase. The car looks like it has hardly been used and in great spec too.

[JonD]

Nice one Roger, I'm in the martket for a X3 for the other half also.

[singh182]

nice car.....dunno y, but the x3 dont do it for me...never liked them(the front puts me off)

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by flyfs6

Congratulations on your purchase. The car looks like it has hardly been used and in great spec too.

It is absolutely immaculate. Just noticed some wear on the drivers seat bolster but that's it.

Originally Posted by JonD

Nice one Roger, I'm in the martket for a X3 for the other half also.

You have to be patient, there seems to be very few around. Took me at least 12 months on & off to find this one.

Originally Posted by singh182

nice car.....dunno y, but the x3 dont do it for me...never liked them(the front puts me off)

It's a funny one the X3, a real divider. The early SE X3's (with black bumpers) were just horrible, the latest SE's are much nicer. It had to be an M Sport for me and also the 19" alloys. Not great looking from the rear views but I really like the rest.

[Irnbrukid]

Is that the X3 you ummd n aghd at for a while before or is it a new one to you, looks a nice tidy car with good spec.

X3's not for me though.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by Irnbrukid

Is that the X3 you ummd n aghd at for a while before or is it a new one to you, looks a nice tidy car with good spec.

X3's not for me though.

Yes, it's the one I bought previously, then bailed when I found out about the higher rate of tax.

How stupid is this from Stratstones though, I bought the car then backed-out, I told them if they went halfs on the tax for one year (i.e. £200) I'd have it. They said no and I walked. ONE WEEK LATER, they reduced the car by £1,000 and I bought it. Dealer loses £800 from being stubborn and presumable knowing another price drop was imminent. The sales guy (who was on my side) told me about a guy who travelled from Bradford to see a 5 series. Guy made an offer £800 under sticker price but ended up increasing it to £79 under (to a round hundred). Sales Manager said to hold out for sticker price as the punter wouldn't walk for the sake of £79. Punter walked . Car was reduced by £800 a few days later and sold - dealer once again lost £700 by being stubborn.

[Silver Shadow]

Looks great..

My sister has an X5 and it is a very capable car. It does feel strangely special looking down on other drivers in traffic!!!

(I'll probably get a brick through my window tonight by a member of Greenpeace cos I like 4x4's!!!)

[peterg1965]

Nice one Roger, looks great and I have always had a soft spot for the X3, and nearly bought one about 3/4 years ago. That is some spec, and glad you got the deal you wanted. One down, one to go, any interest in the RX8?

I am very glad to see there is someone else out there who changes their cars as often as me!

[Snooky]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Nice one Roger, looks great and I have always had a soft spot for the X3, and nearly bought one about 3/4 years ago. That is some spec, and glad you got the deal you wanted. One down, one to go, any interest in the RX8?

I am very glad to see there is someone else out there who changes their cars as often as me!

C'mon Peter! You know that you are among many frequently car-changing friends on here!!

Roger, that is as nice an X3 as I have ever seen. Best of luck with it.

[matt@stratford]

Nice car, I had one a while back.

One thing to look out for is the drains for the sunroof can get blocked, if they do you get a swimming pool in your car!!

[chrisbin]

Nice...................for an X3!!

[335DPOWER]

Dont normally likey them but that looks imac i do quite like it to be fair.
Great spec thatyou would be pushed to find one as good without specing it new.

[Mr.N]

Congratulations Roger, nice looking motor and I'm glad you and your girls are happy with it

[MEGA]

Downgrade. Sorry mate. I know the X3 is a bit of a marmite car.. but E90 down to X3? Definite downgrade for me

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

any interest in the RX8?

Not a squeak yet but it's only in Pistonheads and only been in a few days. I'll probably lose patience and trade-in if I can only find a 'decent' replacement at a dealer priced right .

Originally Posted by matt@stratford

One thing to look out for is the drains for the sunroof can get blocked, if they do you get a swimming pool in your car!!

Thanks for the top-tip Matt; I'll watch out for that.

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Nice...................for an X3!!

Quite

Originally Posted by Mr.N

Congratulations Roger, nice looking motor and I'm glad you and your girls are happy with it

Girls well chuffed thanks mate which is a good job well done . My Daughter's face was hilarious stood on the armrest between the seats with her head out of the sunroof (parked on the drive ). Now we keep hearing 'magic roof open' shouted from the back and, as you know, it was drizzling all day today in Stockport so her demands were left unanswered.

Originally Posted by MEGA

Downgrade. Sorry mate. I know the X3 is a bit of a marmite car.. but E90 down to X3? Definite downgrade for me

Downgrade?? Who mentioned it being an upgrade??? Just a side-step really. You're right in respect of a downgrade of outright speed & handling but it's certainly an upgrade in respect of practicality, comfort & luxury (spec) which, luckily, is what I required . Oh, plus it was more expensive but reduced my finance payments .

[willhollin]

Nice motor Roger!

How much did you get for the 330d if you don't mind me asking?

[rogerxp]

Trade-in was £14k. 06 plate, manual, 2 owners, 54k on the clock (leather, nav, folding mirrors, split/fold rear seats). Flogged the Falkens privately and needed brake fluid immediately and micro-filter in April which helped to accept the trade-in figure.

If I knew it was going to take so long to physically get this car I'd have tried to sell it privately. Not too sure what I'd have got for it.

What do you think of that price - low, OK, good??