[mockngbrd]

I had a chance to see the new X3 yesterday. Visually unless you go for the Msport that gives more depth and breaks up the design with more shapes, the monolithic slab panels of the base model feels a little bit like a smeg fridge. That said, I'm sure some ppl will like the cleaner aesthetic and how different it looks from before, just to set it apart.

One thing I was quite surprised though was the interior and the amount of hard plastics being used compared with previous generation cars. It is really really obvious, so much hard plastics almost everywhere it feels like a big cost cutting exercise. Door handles, ac vents, the touch panel controls for the vents on the doors, the window switches and window switch surrounds, the door cards, the center console, etc... All hard plastics without any soft touch coating or textures. This bit I feel will hurt sales the most.

[MassBimmer]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

learning today that there’s a segment of the population that prefers runflats. incredible stuff happening in the X3 forums…

I thought this exact thing. It wasn’t long ago that funflats were the devil . My how things have changed

[EWL5]

I forgot to mention that the article failed to even touch on the "Big Brother" interior camera. How many new owners didn't opt out of data collection, I wonder?

[boughtG80@22]

Encourage everyone to check out the new X3 30i at the dealership when you go. The door panel plastic is abhorrent. Reminds me of GM/Chrysler plastic from the 2010’s

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I forgot to mention that the article failed to even touch on the "Big Brother" interior camera. How many new owners didn't opt out of data collection, I wonder?

For what it's worth: the G45 isn't the first BMW model with the interior camera, and in the US it's disabled by default until you explicitly enable the privacy setting specifically for it.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

For what it's worth: the G45 isn't the first BMW model with the interior camera, and in the US it's disabled by default until you explicitly enable the privacy setting specifically for it.

That's not what Mark said in the Savage Geese video as he explicitly called it out. You may want to doublecheck your privacy settings!

Start at the 4:55 mark!

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by EWL5

That's not what Mark said in the Savage Geese video as he explicitly called it out. You may want to doublecheck your privacy settings!

This is not clear to me in the video.

When he scrolls through the options of the car the option for the interior camera was turned off and he turns it on.

Also this is a demonstrator car and not his own. Data privacy settings are connected to the User account. So it's not clear if the account was set to factory defaults prior handing out the car for the review.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

This is not clear to me in the video.

When he scrolls through the options of the car the option for the interior camera was turned off and he turns it on.

Also this is a demonstrator car and not his own. Data privacy settings are connected to the User account. So it's not clear if the account was set to factory defaults prior handing out the car for the review.

Very good points. Long story short, you are responsible for your own data privacy!

[hyde]

Patiently will be waiting for LCI.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by mockngbrd

I had a chance to see the new X3 yesterday. Visually unless you go for the Msport that gives more depth and breaks up the design with more shapes, the monolithic slab panels of the base model feels a little bit like a smeg fridge. That said, I'm sure some ppl will like the cleaner aesthetic and how different it looks from before, just to set it apart.

One thing I was quite surprised though was the interior and the amount of hard plastics being used compared with previous generation cars. It is really really obvious, so much hard plastics almost everywhere it feels like a big cost cutting exercise. Door handles, ac vents, the touch panel controls for the vents on the doors, the window switches and window switch surrounds, the door cards, the center console, etc... All hard plastics without any soft touch coating or textures. This bit I feel will hurt sales the most.

it IS in fact a deliberate cost cutting exercise because BMW (and others) have no choice. The majority of customers will lease the new X3. The reluctance to accept visual imperfections is overridden by the fixed lease term and the finality of the car being returned, "it's not mine after all".

So the only option remaining includes making the car less expensive, reducing the capitalized cost, and creating a monthly payment that consumers can still afford.

The wish for M8 quality interior in an X3 remains unattainable for the time being.

[internalaudit]

I don't think the G45 M50 is ugly, I just think it's the worst designed among the four generations, both inside and out. I'm sure it drives the best though since in North America, M Sport Differential is not standard and most of the prototype and press releases spoke about kinematics and updates to the the steering rack.

I did play around with the Canadian configurator and truth to be told, getting the M50 would be $5-6,000 CAD cheaper than getting a similar spec'ed M40i.

I definitely don't regret going for a 2023 CPO M40i but at least I know when the time comes we have to look for another SUV, a used M50 will be a strong contender since I think just having driving assistance is all we need. Maybe it will depreciate faster because it's not the most elegant looking X3 haha.

When I was looking for a 2022-2024 M40i with M Sport Differential in May, I think I only found two out of the three dozen M40is I had inquired about.

[DCyser]

The M50 sport differential works great. I tested mine by double-downshifting at speed as I entered a 90 degree turn and stayed off the brakes.

[RussB]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

I don't think the G45 M50 is ugly, I just think it's the worst designed among the four generations, both inside and out.

You are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with it.

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by RussB

You are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with it.

No offense but clearly I didn't ask for yours.

I don't even know if you like the car or hate it because I never hated the design, just said it's the worst of four generations.

If you disagree, then at least expound on why you disagree lol.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

No offense but clearly I didn't ask for yours.

I don't even know if you like the car or hate it because I never hated the design, just said it's the worst of four generations.

If you disagree, then at least expound on why you disagree lol.

lol you are posting on a public forum where we discuss diff topics but don’t want opinions? Why are you posting then??

you could always type it up on your laptop and just read it to yourself without opinions.

now somebody else is gonna respond they disagree with my opinion. Can you imagine??

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by Mavus

lol you are posting on a public forum where we discuss diff topics but don’t want opinions? Why are you posting then??

you could always type it up on your laptop and just read it to yourself without opinions.

now somebody else is gonna respond they disagree with my opinion. Can you imagine??

I specifically don't want or didn't ask for your opinion / lecture either. I don't get fazed by others people's responses, such as yours, but just wanted to let you know I can say what I want because like you said it's a public forum.

Just because I am responding to either of you, doesn't mean I am butthurt, just wanted to clarify I care not for either of your comments.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

I specifically don't want or didn't ask for your opinion / lecture either. I don't get fazed by others people's responses, such as yours, but just wanted to let you know I can say what I want because like you said it's a public forum.

Just because I am responding to either of you, doesn't mean I am butthurt, just wanted to clarify I care not for either of your comments.

brilliant! at least you are aware it’s a forum …

[EWL5]

How soon does the review get updated with performance numbers?