[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Jeremy V

Was curious about the added dimension to the car. I currently drive an X5, but thought about going to a 3. My wife says no, she likes the added space - but wanted to get input on the new interior feel from a roominess standpoint.

Here is the G45 and G01 side by side w/the X5 thrown in for comparison:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=402028749

The interior passenger space is largely unchanged for the X3 but I do expect the head room to go down (consistent w/lower car height).

Congrats on the extra 1" rear legroom in your X5!

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Here is the G45 and G01 side by side w/the X5 thrown in for comparison:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=402028749

The interior passenger space is largely unchanged for the X3 but I do expect the head room to go down (consistent w/lower car height).

Congrats on the extra 1" rear legroom in your X5!

whenever those interior dimensions are thrown out... i always laugh that people don't know the reality

front leg room is actually lower on an X5 because the dash sits lower lol

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

I took a couple pics of my interior where I think the most egregious use of hard shiny plastic takes place. I think the most evident is on the door which unlike in the G01 it is a mostly flat featureless surface which really adds to the down graded look a lot of people complain of. I don't know why all my pics come in sideways but you get the idea lol

i don't get what the trouble was in not giving folks the option for galvanic controls

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

It does seem excessive. Not just on this forum but YouTube comments and social media as well. I get it. Change is hard especially this much change. The G01 design is almost 7 years old now and long due for an over haul. BMW is definitely took a risk with its number one seller. Only time will tell if it pays off. I am very interested in how they will carry forth this new design aesthetic into the the new X5 which is due out in 2026.

Is the criticism not deserved, though?

I'm too lazy to look but if one were to go back to the 2017 threads when the G01 first came out, did it receive this level of vitriol (my guess is "no")? I have a newer MY23 and can just imagine my own reaction back in 2017 upon seeing the G01 for the first time with awe and the word "classic" would probably pop into my head!

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i don't get what the trouble was in not giving folks the option for galvanic controls

It would have been a nice option. But remember we did not get galvanic switches in the X3 till after the LCI. Not sure if the X5 ever got them. There were a lot of interior improvements that were put in place for X3 LCI. Will they do the same for this generation ? Probably.

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Is the criticism not deserved, though?

I'm too lazy to look but if one were to go back to the 2017 threads when the G01 first came out, did it receive this level of vitriol (my guess is "no")? I have a newer MY23 and can just imagine my own reaction back in 2017 upon seeing the G01 for the first time with awe and the word "classic" would probably pop into my head!

I had the 1st generation X4 F26 which was based on the 2nd gen X3 F25. When the G01 X3 and G02 X4 debuted the criticism was not as severe because the change in design was more evolutionary. BMW definitely went more revolutionary with this design. Whether the criticism is deserved I believe it is too early to tell. The car has only been out for 2 weeks. People were bashing it based on looks and interior before they could even drive it. I've owned BMW's long enough to know this happens with every new generation regardless of model. When the dust settles things calm down and BMW fixes things with the LCI refresh. Your own car is the LCI G01 is the product of a lot of improvements that were based on feed back from when the G01 came out. I hope you love it as much as I loved my G01. Really it was one of the best trouble free BMW's of have owned

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

I had the 1st generation X4 F26 which was based on the 2nd gen X3 F25. When the G01 X3 and G02 X4 debuted the criticism was not as severe because the change in design was more evolutionary. BMW definitely went more revolutionary with this design. Whether the criticism is deserved I believe it is too early to tell. The car has only been out for 2 weeks. People were bashing it based on looks and interior before they could even drive it. I've owned BMW's long enough to know this happens with every new generation regardless of model. When the dust settles things calm down and BMW fixes things with the LCI refresh. Your own car is the LCI G01 is the product of a lot of improvements that were based on feed back from when the G01 came out. I hope you love it as much as I loved my G01. Really it was one of the best trouble free BMW's of have owned

I do love my G01 but wished they hadn't de-contented so much for the LCI (MY23 is arguably the worst LCI as there's no passenger lumbar support but was later restored). I think I would have had less to complain about had I stayed off the forums and never known about the de-contenting!

It appears w/the G45, they did the full de-contenting from the start and, you would hope, much of the criticism can be addressed via the LCI (like the parts the Chinese already get in their LWB model)!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I do love my G01 but wished they hadn't de-contented so much for the LCI (MY23 is arguably the worst LCI as there's no passenger lumbar support but was later restored). I think I would have had less to complain about had I stayed off the forums and never known about the de-contenting!

It appears w/the G45, they did the full de-contenting from the start and, you would hope, much of the criticism can be addressed via the LCI (like the parts the Chinese already get in their LWB model)!

It’s interesting to compare the options offered when the G01 was launched, which subsequently disappeared. It even had interior fragrance system lol.

To me, it seems BMW throws what it has at new platform launch, I guess to impress, but then slowly starts to remove standard stuff and options, as there’s less press focus.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

It’s interesting to compare the options offered when the G01 was launched, which subsequently disappeared. It even had interior fragrance system lol.

To me, it seems BMW throws what it has at new platform launch, I guess to impress, but then slowly starts to remove standard stuff and options, as there’s less press focus.

Are you suggesting there's still more de-contenting to be had on the G45?!!!

[DCBmwMD]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I do love my G01 but wished they hadn't de-contented so much for the LCI (MY23 is arguably the worst LCI as there's no passenger lumbar support but was later restored). I think I would have had less to complain about had I stayed off the forums and never known about the de-contenting!

It appears w/the G45, they did the full de-contenting from the start and, you would hope, much of the criticism can be addressed via the LCI (like the parts the Chinese already get in their LWB model)!

I think it is important to take into consideration what was de contented. A lot of what I see are superficial things like door sills, leather trim, steering wheel cover, rear ambient lighting, questionable choice in plastics. More major would be the sunroof but a lot of people had issues with their sunroofs from leaks to wind noise. A lot of complaints about how things look and feel but not necessarily how they function. The car definitely rides and handles better then before. Improved HK stereo. Improved iDrive TBD lol. In time we will know if the quality of the build has worsened.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by DCBmwMD

I think it is important to take into consideration what was de contented. A lot of what I see are superficial things like door sills, leather trim, steering wheel cover, rear ambient lighting, questionable choice in plastics. More major would be the sunroof but a lot of people had issues with their sunroofs from leaks to wind noise. A lot of complaints about how things look and feel but not necessarily how they function. The car definitely rides and handles better then before. Improved HK stereo. Improved iDrive TBD lol. In time we will know if the quality of the build has worsened.

Superficial to some but I think it was the "little things" that separate a luxury brand from mass market. We are already seeing lots of comments comparing portions of the G45 exterior to well known mass market models. The X3 is undergoing an identity crisis but only time will tell if it stays popular or gets "lost in the crowd".

[Minty]

Can anyone provide a list of features that are missing compared to the G01? I sat in a new 5 series and noticed that you cannot change the face vent temperature (stratified air feature - previously a nice red and blue scroll wheel). This is an excellent feature that I have used ever since my first BMW, an e36 318is. These are the little details that differentiate BMW.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Minty

Can anyone provide a list of features that are missing compared to the G01? I sat in a new 5 series and noticed that you cannot change the face vent temperature (stratified air feature - previously a nice red and blue scroll wheel). This is an excellent feature that I have used ever since my first BMW, an e36 318is. These are the little details that differentiate BMW.

I think it will be a while before all the detail differences are noticed, as it will depend on what version, region, OS version, and model year of G01 is being compared.

I often use gesture control, which I find really useful, but afaik is no longer provided, and was also deleted more recent G01 builds, probably due to cost, as I imagine the camera and processing system is relatively expensive.

I’d also like to know if all the USB ports are data capable, and if there is a USB port under the centre arm rest to avoid knocking the USB drive messing with a phone near the charging pad etc.

Also, does the HK option properly playback multi channel flac encoded audio from USB.

Probably worth waiting for the honeymoon period to pass, and UK drivers providing feedback on UK spec cars, just in case there are regional variations.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by avi66

I’d also like to know if all the USB ports are data capable, and if there is a USB port under the centre arm rest to avoid knocking the USB drive messing with a phone near the charging pad etc.

Only the front USB ports are data capable. I also use a USB drive for music and make do with a small thumb drive in the phone charging area.

There is also no USB port under the center arm rest, which is annoying. There's a 12V plug you could turn into a USB port for charging only, though, I guess.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Only the front USB ports are data capable. I also use a USB drive for music and make do with a small thumb drive in the phone charging area.

There is also no USB port under the center arm rest, which is annoying. There's a 12V plug you could turn into a USB port for charging only, though, I guess.

Thank you.

That’s unfortunate as the Samsung USB C flash drive use is not particularly low profile and easy to knock, hence I currently use it with a data capable USB C port under the armrest.

I also have some really low profile USB A flash drives, which would be ideal in a more exposed location, put there doesn’t appear to be a USB C equivalent that I can find.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by avi66

Thank you.

That’s unfortunate as the Samsung USB C flash drive use is not particularly low profile and easy to knock, hence I currently use it with a data capable USB C port under the armrest.

I also have some really low profile USB A flash drives, which would be ideal in a more exposed location, put there doesn’t appear to be a USB C equivalent that I can find.

Same problem I had re: no low-profile USB C drives. Have a super tiny USB A one I used for years in cars. Ended up finding a “smaller” USB C drive from Micro Center in the USA for super cheap and have been using that for now.

Micro Center Flash Drive

There’s also this smaller one that PNY makes and would blend in better with the X3 interior:

PNY Flash Drive

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Same problem I had re: no low-profile USB C drives. Have a super tiny USB A one I used for years in cars. Ended up finding a “smaller” USB C drive from Micro Center in the USA for super cheap and have been using that for now.

Micro Center Flash Drive

There’s also this smaller one that PNY makes and would blend in better with the X3 interior:

PNY Flash Drive

Thanks.

I think those are probably similar to the Samsung I use, but it can be difficult to tell in photos, so I use the C plug bit as a reference.

[Custom Install]

Some good driving feedback, sounds very positive

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Custom Install

Some good driving feedback, sounds very positive

Thanks, one of the better in terms of information.

I was stuck by the sheer amount of electronic systems, which will be interesting if problems occur outside of warranty, or the touch screen fails.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Custom Install

Some good driving feedback, sounds very positive

The guys at Savage Geese always do a good job. Was surprised Jack (the BMW-phile) wasn't in the video! I hope he didn't have a heart attack looking at the car!

My main takeaways from this review:

1) HK system is improved but still not worthy of a $70k car!
2) Big brother camera is present so read the fine print or your personal info (including facial expressions) is game for their machine learning dbase. No wonder they cut costs nearly everywhere else!
3) Monolithic body and new undercarriage improves drag coefficient!
4) Only slight improvement to steering feedback despite brand new EPS system.
5) Jack not being in the video is very telling (is he protesting?)!

[hb]

Originally Posted by EWL5

The guys at Savage Geese always do a good job. Was surprised Jack (the BMW-phile) wasn't in the video! I hope he didn't have a heart attack looking at the car!

My main takeaways from this review:

1) HK system is improved but still not worthy of a $70k car!
2) Big brother camera is present so read the fine print or your personal info (including facial expressions) is game for their machine learning dbase. No wonder they cut costs nearly everywhere else!
3) Monolithic body and new undercarriage improves drag coefficient!
4) Only slight improvement to steering feedback despite brand new EPS system.
5) Jack not being in the video is very telling (is he protesting?)!

Interesting how subjective the steering feel is. I always said that. In fact, it is quite different. You can definitely feel it being a lot softer in the Comfort mode, easy to maneuver at low speeds. But in Sport, it is a bit more precise than the M40i and with slightly more feedback.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by hb

Interesting how subjective the steering feel is. I always said that. In fact, it is quite different. You can definitely feel it being a lot softer in the Comfort mode, easy to maneuver at low speeds. But in Sport, it is a bit more precise than the M40i and with slightly more feedback.

To be honest, I think if EPS was not there and BMW didn't spend a dime to change the steering, the same number of folks would still buy the G45.

I just wished they had saved that R&D money for the little things, like not using so much hard plastic and asking for more money for the rear vent controls!