Topic: First Drive: 2018 BMW X3

[lebowski]

A Maser or F-Type deserve to have loud exhausts. They are sports cars. A glorified baby stroller doesn't deserve it, and just sounds idiotic with it on.

If you have a kid, embrace being a parent. Don't try and put a race exhaust and wing on your minivan.

Cool. You're entitled to your opinion; I'm glad the boys at Affalterbach don't share it 

[johngenx]

I see X3s all over the place.  They've completely replaced the 3-series as the BMW of choice for clueless drivers that want a Roundel, but think Roundel is a type of doughnut.  Not saying some auto enthusiasts aren't buying them, or enjoying them, but in the last couple of years I've noticed that if a BMW is going to not signal and cut me off and make a left turn from the wrong lane, etc, odds are it's an X3 and then the next usual suspect is an X5.

They must be making BMW a ton of money.

[ChaosphereIX]

A Maser or F-Type deserve to have loud exhausts. They are sports cars. A glorified baby stroller doesn't deserve it, and just sounds idiotic with it on.

If you have a kid, embrace being a parent. Don't try and put a race exhaust and wing on your minivan.

Cool. You're entitled to your opinion; I'm glad the boys at Affalterbach don't share it 

they like money, and those sporty SUV things make a ton of money

also from the pic you posted, you seem to agree with me - that is a sport wagon...which I wholeheartedly endorse to be sporty and have a nice exhaust

An SUV....no.

[tortoise]

Chaos, have you driven an X3?

I've only spent time behind the wheel of a first Gen and they handle way better than they should.  I'd say they're even fun on a back road.

IMO, they don't feel much different than a car.

Not sure if the new ones have kept that spirit alive.

Obviously I prefer wagons but these aren't the ponderous beasts you're making them out to be.

[lebowski]

they like money, and those sporty SUV things make a ton of money

also from the pic you posted, you seem to agree with me - that is a sport wagon...which I wholeheartedly endorse to be sporty and have a nice exhaust


An SUV....no.

Yes, I agree, sport wagons are the best, but the point is many of these high-end sport-SUV's give up very little in dynamics and purpose to a seemingly more acceptable sport wagon, to the point where lamenting the loud exhaust on one but not on the other is...inconsistent.

[ChaosphereIX]

Chaos, have you driven an X3?

I've only spent time behind the wheel of a first Gen and they handle way better than they should.  I'd say they're even fun on a back road.

IMO, they don't feel much different than a car.

Not sure if the new ones have kept that spirit alive.

Obviously I prefer wagons but these aren't the ponderous beasts you're making them out to be.

I have been driven in one before. Felt like any other SUV to be honest. Wasn't being driven in anger, mind you, as it was doing SUV things: Home Depot trip. I do remember the seats being rather uncomfortable though.

Meh, my hatred of these things is well documented. Minds won't change. Good on you if you like them, you are padding the coffers so the manufacturers can keep making proper sports cars. An essential service.

But a loud exhaust on them, I think we can all agree, is a little idiotic.

[sailor723]

I see X3s all over the place.  They've completely replaced the 3-series as the BMW of choice for clueless drivers that want a Roundel, but think Roundel is a type of doughnut.  Not saying some auto enthusiasts aren't buying them, or enjoying them, but in the last couple of years I've noticed that if a BMW is going to not signal and cut me off and make a left turn from the wrong lane, etc, odds are it's an X3 and then the next usual suspect is an X5.

They must be making BMW a ton of money.

Careful there! 

[JacobBlack]

No.
Length is front to back, height is ground to roof top. Longer, and shorter, means it's length has increased and it's height has decreased.

Ummm.. Shorter is the opposite of longer.

The word you're after is lower.

That would mean its ground clearance has reduced.

[rrocket]

That would mean its ground clearance has reduced.

Not necessarily...depending how one uses the word "lower".

As an example....ground clearance on Car A is 5" and it has a roof height of 70", but the new model of the same car still has 5" of ground clearance but now has a 69" roof height.  It hasn't lost any ground clearance, yet the overall height is indeed lower...because the height was lost on the cabin.

[EV-Light]

A Maser or F-Type deserve to have loud exhausts. They are sports cars. A glorified baby stroller doesn't deserve it, and just sounds idiotic with it on.

If you have a kid, embrace being a parent. Don't try and put a race exhaust and wing on your minivan.

Cool. You're entitled to your opinion; I'm glad the boys at Affalterbach don't share it 

That wouldn’t even get up my driveway....let’s also not ignore the fact that it doesn’t have enough clearance to get you out of some tougher unplowed streets in the winter!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrocket]

That wouldn’t even get up my driveway....let’s also not ignore the fact that it doesn’t have enough clearance to get you out of some tougher unplowed streets in the winter!

That one has been lowered.

And they also come with AWD now.

You'd be fine in most situations.

[JacobBlack]

That would mean its ground clearance has reduced.

Not necessarily...depending how one uses the word "lower".

As an example....ground clearance on Car A is 5" and it has a roof height of 70", but the new model of the same car still has 5" of ground clearance but now has a 69" roof height.  It hasn't lost any ground clearance, yet the overall height is indeed lower...because the height was lost on the cabin.

As soon as you say "Not necessarily...depending how one uses the word.." you also invalidate all the chirping in this thread about how we've used the word. Thanks for vindicating my point, bud.

[ChaosphereIX]

That wouldn’t even get up my driveway....let’s also not ignore the fact that it doesn’t have enough clearance to get you out of some tougher unplowed streets in the winter!

That one has been lowered.

And they also come with AWD now.

You'd be fine in most situations.

agreed, or just leave it lowered and let that beautiful engine's torque make YOU the plow for your street 

With good winters, never got stuck in my FWD Saab, even on snowy streets. That AWD Merc would be a monster in the winter.

[EV-Light]

That wouldn’t even get up my driveway....let’s also not ignore the fact that it doesn’t have enough clearance to get you out of some tougher unplowed streets in the winter!

That one has been lowered.

And they also come with AWD now.

You'd be fine in most situations.

agreed, or just leave it lowered and let that beautiful engine's torque make YOU the plow for your street 

Yeah sure, perhaps if it makes down the driveway LOL



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrocket]

That wouldn’t even get up my driveway....let’s also not ignore the fact that it doesn’t have enough clearance to get you out of some tougher unplowed streets in the winter!

It would have no issue down my driveway...

That one has been lowered.

And they also come with AWD now.

You'd be fine in most situations.

agreed, or just leave it lowered and let that beautiful engine's torque make YOU the plow for your street 

Yeah sure, perhaps if it makes down the driveway LOL



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would work perfectly on my driveway...

[ChaosphereIX]

 

[EV-Light]

Sure it will!

https://youtu.be/p-sTWF5M7HA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrocket]

Sure it will!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know it will.  If my Supra's extremely low hanging dump/cut-out tube can make it...anything can!!  (look just to the left of the front wheel)



My exhaust was REALLY low too!  (the bend just beyond the carbon can)

[ChaosphereIX]

yeah that AMG is too low for me, but one at regular height...you are golden

and not all of us have laneways like this...


mine can accommodate my Alfa just fine, and that thing is low with its headers and exhaust etc. [similar situation to rrocket's Supra]

[dirtyjeffer]

yeah that AMG is too low for me, but one at regular height...you are golden

and not all of us have laneways like this...


mine can accommodate my Alfa just fine, and that thing is low with its headers and exhaust etc. [similar situation to rrocket's Supra]

LOL...what's up with that driveway...builder too cheap to properly grade the property?