[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

Why not pick up a 24 x3 while the supplies are still plentiful. Most dealers have a bunch of them because of the model buildout.

This is my wife’s vehicle and she has zero interest in getting another of the exact same vehicle. She would rather just keep the one she has if she’s gonna do that.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Available for the first time on any BMW model is the optional woven fabric instrument panel made from recycled polyester with a premium knitted texture.

Hard to relate to anyone that would pay extra for a knitted recycled polyester dashboard.

[Quadruple VANOS]

The engine’s spirited power development is accompanied by the emotionally engaging note from a four-pipe exhaust system that also turns heads stylistically: the twin tailpipes integrated into the left and right of the rear apron are an unmistakable, M-specific nod to the position of the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive at the top of the X3 model range’s performance range.

When BMW says "the X3 M50 is positioned at the top of the X3 performance range," they're only saying until the X3M is debuted, riiiight?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

When BMW says "the X3 M50 is positioned at the top of the X3 performance range," they're only saying until the X3M is debuted, riiiight?

Looks like it may just be the iX3M although I have not seen ynguldyn pull the plans for the G97 X3M.

[Bridge1821]

I'm very disappointed with design and power decisions for us in the USA, particularly the absence of a PHEV option and opening sunroof/moonroof. I'm in the market for a new BMW but these are deal breakers for me. Hope BMW Einsteins don't F up the X5 now, the last one on my list.

[Aussiejem]

Will there soon be a hybrid 30e joining the line up?

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

It’s great. I love it.

It just has 2 problems:
1- There is no competition. Literally, nothing can compete with this in the market, which makes BMW too comfortable.

2- X5. Best selling BMW in americas, with giant profit margins. They have to make sure X3 doesn’t appeal to X5 customer, which they do: They’re keeping the size the same, they’re holding back on a lot of luxury equipment, and they’re very careful not to make the interior too ‘luxury’ feeling.

Just a thought. Just increase the price even more for the extra luxury features to create the margin they make on the x5? You should be able to get smaller super luxury cars. I don’t know why size needs to be a prerequisite for luxury.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I agree it will sell well but a "changing of the guard" product like this can't help but lose market share if the pitchforks on these forums are any indication!

Recovery may only come closer to the LCI once folks have gotten used to the look and anticipate something worth paying for. My wish list includes:

1) Better seats (jury is out but even these new seats don't look super comfortable).
2) HK as the standard audio. The HiFi audio needs to be purged post haste!
3) Return of the buttons. Probably won't make it back for any year of the G45.

You can't really tell about a seat from looking at it. You need to put your ass in it.

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I'm waiting it out since I have the pre-LCI and the LCI offers no advantages, actually some disadvantages, so I'm hoping the G65 wows me. If not, there are some other brands to look at. Good luck with your decision.

Volvo makes good stuff and I'd jump ship from BMW to Volvo. Their design age extremely well although the current product is in need of an update it's pretty staggering the XC90 has been out a decade now and the XC60 now 8 years old.
Are they perfect? Absolutely not, but man BMW sure is generating a shit ton of fuckery for people that grew up adoring the brand. We've owned three and the only two things that strike me as a great DD is the X1 and X5 at this point. The 2024 X3 is great but there's just soooo many gimmicks on this 2025.

No PHEV on the X1 or new X3 so no compelling reason for me to get either of those. The X5 is pretty good though.

I had planned to buy an M2, now I dunno. I still like it despite the controversy and the M3 I like. But they're both compromised in ways as well which pushes me to Porsche for the weekend car. Ultimately, I'm still not sure what I'll do on that front but if this was 15 years? BMW across the board no problem. 30 years ago? BMW across the board, again you don't have to think twice.

[arRod1981]

From the German configurator site it seems the HK has been upgraded to 15 speakers with 750w. The UK configurator gave no description.

[Ibiza]

Bland looking car, that’s gives the appearance of being “numb”. Nothing is standing out to justify its luxury branding nomenclature or market price. Might be an other XM flop.

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

I agree with your number 2 statement. But, being a normal x5/x6 customer myself, I went with a G01 over the G05/6 anyway. The main reason I did this is the 30k spread between a G01 M40 and a G05/6 M60. Despite the more luxurious nature of the G05/6 compared with the G01, the amount of luxurious improvement seemed smaller than with prior models and the price difference greater. When I had my E70 and F15 era cars, they were far better than the same era X3 and the price spread was much less than the 30k it is now. Just my take on this and why I got the M40 over the M60.

BMW are getting ready to move the interior of the X5 a little more down market, so doing this to the X3 helps.

[MattTheCarNut]

Originally Posted by WWM3

BMW are getting ready to move the interior of the X5 a little more down market, so doing this to the X3 helps.

All BMW interiors have gone down market on the new-gen models - except the 7.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

Volvo makes good stuff and I'd jump ship from BMW to Volvo. Their design age extremely well although the current product is in need of an update it's pretty staggering the XC90 has been out a decade now and the XC60 now 8 years old.
Are they perfect? Absolutely not, but man BMW sure is generating a shit ton of fuckery for people that grew up adoring the brand. We've owned three and the only two things that strike me as a great DD is the X1 and X5 at this point. The 2024 X3 is great but there's just soooo many gimmicks on this 2025.

I do like the looks of the Volvos but it is tough to get past the fact that they are 4 cylinders. I had one the other month for a rental vehicle and it wasn't bad but not something that I would get used to easily.

[apw2607]

The x3 was always a bit of a odd ball design in BMW’s SUV lineup. It never looked quite right .. proportionally. Unlike the x1 and x5 which look good.

Anyway, this iteration of the x3 really doesn’t look too bad beyond the non M grill which is absolutely hideous.

The interior ambient lighting strips are a bit overkill this time though. Looks a bit tacky.

Anyway, I think it’s alright reallly.

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Why does the interior look like a Russian nightclub?

Opulence.

[carseatsm5]

Originally Posted by 10"

Why is it like this?

Got a lol from me

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I do like the looks of the Volvos but it is tough to get past the fact that they are 4 cylinders. I had one the other month for a rental vehicle and it wasn't bad but not something that I would get used to easily.

I agree, like I said, not perfect, far from it. But with a high performance car in the garage, I could stomach a more normal DD. Especially in exchange for quiet, comfort, good handling, safety, good stereo, etc. I'm ok making tradeoffs with a sports car in the garage. But it can't make me say WTF every time I get in or look at it. My i4 front end I still don't like, it's fine from every other angle, the interior is excellent. I don't like the geometric shapes in the interior of that one either but it's not nearly as prevalent as it is in this new stuff.

If I have one car to do it all then not so much.

[Bimmerfun82]

Almost every comment about the design has been negative. And yet demand is ever-increasing. Makes you think the style doesn’t really matter. Maybe BMW is onto something? One thing is clear - the strategy around distinctive model design has worked. And this was a huge departure for the last 15+ years at BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

I agree, like I said, not perfect, far from it. But with a high performance car in the garage, I could stomach a more normal DD. Especially in exchange for quiet, comfort, good handling, safety, good stereo, etc. I'm ok making tradeoffs with a sports car in the garage. But it can't make me say WTF every time I get in or look at it. My i4 front end I still don't like, it's fine from every other angle, the interior is excellent. I don't like the geometric shapes in the interior of that one either but it's not nearly as prevalent as it is in this new stuff.

If I have one car to do it all then not so much.

That is sort of the way I have been thinking about it. I have the M340i for the fun driving. I have been doing some research on the 25 MDX Type S. Looks like it may check a lot of the boxes for me. I don't plan on replacing my X5 for a couple of years or so but you never know, the itch may hit me. I also keep going back to the SQ8, just not sure I want to drop $120 on that when the Cayenne S is only a bit more.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Almost every comment about the design has been negative. And yet demand is ever-increasing. Makes you think the style doesn’t really matter. .

Or we don't know what good style is.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Or we don't know what good style is.

As a wise man once said, “my taste is in my mouth.”

I can’t pick a good-looking car to save my life. (Allegedly.)

[COM40]

I hope you can disable the light up grill. It looks absolutely ridiculous and I'd be embarrassed driving that.

Looks like the turning circle increased. ~7" bump probably won't be noticed but that's not a change in the right direction.