New video from Thomas (and Lea) where they drove 500km+ to Berlin and back, testing the range in optimal conditions with a combination of very high speeds and more normal speeds.
Car was also quite a base model spec with only 20" wheels which they say are significantly more comfortable.

Yes, I also noted this one. I noticed the consumption at the 100 km/h test which gave about 16 kWh/100 km, which is a quite outstanding figure I think. I mean, for a car at 2,4 tonnes. Seemingly also here the 20" wheels makes a noticeable difference.

So glad that I chose 20" wheels. If 19 would have been available I'd chosen those.

Interesting about the hood being made thinner to meet a pedestrian safety goal, but visibly vibrating at higher speed. Looks like BMW is aware and looking to address in future.

Wonder if it will fix on current cars in future via recall ?

avi66 wrote

Interesting about the hood being made thinner to meet a pedestrian safety goal, but visibly vibrating at higher speed. Looks like BMW is aware and looking to address in future.

Wonder if it will fix on current cars in future via recall ?

Replacing the hood of 1000's of cars? Sounds expensive. Plus matching the paint could be difficult.

More like something they will improve for those that buy it later

We can't get up to 93mph in the UK anyway.

VincentHannah wrote

We can't get up to 93mph in the UK anyway.

Apparently not without the hood flapping.

One of the issues with early adoption are the issues that BMW missed during its “extensive” testing, or hope no one would notice.

Some UK owners may drive in Europe, including Germany.

avi66 wrote

VincentHannah wrote

We can't get up to 93mph in the UK anyway.

Apparently not without the hood flapping.

One of the issues with early adoption are the issues that BMW missed during its “extensive” testing, or hope no one would notice.

Some UK owners may drive in Europe, including Germany.

Hard to believe BMW wouldn't have done enough high-speed testing to see this if it were endemic. This was one report, so it's best to wait and see if it indicates a pattern.

EV Fan wrote

Hard to believe BMW wouldn't have done enough high-speed testing to see this if it were endemic. This was one report, so it's best to wait and see if it indicates a pattern.

I wonder why BMW responded to the report as mentioned in the video if it’s just a one off. Easy enough to dismiss like you have.

According to the video, BMW appears to suggest it’s due to thinner metal being used in the hood for pedestrian safety, but it is looking at improving this to avoid the hood flapping. Wonder why it hasn’t been noticed on other BMW models ?

avi66 wrote

According to the video, BMW appears to suggest it’s due to thinner metal being used in the hood for pedestrian safety, but it is looking at improving this to avoid the hood flapping. Wonder why it hasn’t been noticed on other BMW models ?

Sounds like a bit misleading from BMW. All other cars in Europe are subject to the same legislation, and don't seem to have flappy hoods. More likely BMW weight saving gone 5% too far. But agree with above, highly unlikely they will replace unless it poses an actual security risk.

avi66 wrote

EV Fan wrote

Hard to believe BMW wouldn't have done enough high-speed testing to see this if it were endemic. This was one report, so it's best to wait and see if it indicates a pattern.

I wonder why BMW responded to the report as mentioned in the video if it’s just a one off. Easy enough to dismiss like you have.

According to the video, BMW appears to suggest it’s due to thinner metal being used in the hood for pedestrian safety, but it is looking at improving this to avoid the hood flapping. Wonder why it hasn’t been noticed on other BMW models ?

I'm not dismissing it, I'm questioning how widespread it is given that BMW hadn't taken action to date. Maybe a certain number of latches are misinstalled or defective, allowing a resonance that leads to the vibrations. I don't know, but I'm not jumping to worst case conclusions.

EV Fan wrote

avi66 wrote

I wonder why BMW responded to the report as mentioned in the video if it’s just a one off. Easy enough to dismiss like you have.

According to the video, BMW appears to suggest it’s due to thinner metal being used in the hood for pedestrian safety, but it is looking at improving this to avoid the hood flapping. Wonder why it hasn’t been noticed on other BMW models ?

I'm not dismissing it, I'm questioning how widespread it is given that BMW hadn't taken action to date. Maybe a certain number of latches are misinstalled or defective, allowing a resonance that leads to the vibrations. I don't know, but I'm not jumping to worst case conclusions.

I think in the UK it’s a non issue and it could be down to a single model, who knows. avi66 often appears and there is something negative about the iX3 it seems an unfortunate trait.

Really good and useful video as all his are. Fantastic range and charging sppeeds. Good feedback on benefits of base model and 20" wheels and which options you must have like 360 camera and sound system if you are into music (which I am not). Surprised people are getting an issue with some bonnet vibration at 93 mph which is way illegal virtually everywhere apart from Germany.

With so many reports about the steel suspension feeling rather stiff I will certainly opt for the 20" wheels. I may even wait for adaptive suspension. All these car reviews are about 90% happy talk, so when I repeatedly run into a particular complaint, I take it seriously. I think the verdict is that the ride can be a bit uncomfortable for daily driving.

I care enough about a vehicle's sound system that all my drives have had aftermarket systems installed that are far superior to the HK, Bose and B&O upgrades offered by the manufacturers (I've compared). So far, information is not encouraging about what can be done with the iX3, but I'm holding out hope. I'm disappointed BMW paid so little attention to sound quality.

Great review video. Car augers well for Australian environment, the open speed limit here (excluding the Northern Territory) is 110 km/h. For city freeways it tends to be 80 - 100 km/h. I'm trying to change my order from 21" to 20" but may have missed cut off.

bcskbge wrote

Yes, I also noted this one. I noticed the consumption at the 100 km/h test which gave about 16 kWh/100 km, which is a quite outstanding figure I think. I mean, for a car at 2,4 tonnes. Seemingly also here the 20" wheels makes a noticeable difference.

So glad that I chose 20" wheels. If 19 would have been available I'd chosen those.

does he say which 20" aero wheels? there are 2 ... one that actually looks aero, one that doesn't look as aero ...

Yes he did say 20" aero, which don't quite look as aero as the 21" aero wheels.

MontyB1 wrote

I think in the UK it’s a non issue and it could be down to a single model, who knows. avi66 often appears and there is something negative about the iX3 it seems an unfortunate trait.

Why not duscuss the issue rather than attacking the messenger? That is an unfortunate trait.

It was an issue raised in the video review from a reputable source and appeared important enough for the reviewer to take to BMW for response.

I just want to know warts and all, not just read like a group love in as some appear to be very emotionally invested.

If there are possible issues with an appliance we would want to know, so why not on this ?

I've seen the vibrating hood issue discussed in Danish iX3 user groups, with at least two people confirming it at speeds above 130 km/h. Carmaniac on Youtube (who bought the car and is a huge fan) also discussed it when speed/efficiency testing some weeks ago. So it may not affect all cars, but it's certainly not a single car issue.

hafni wrote

I've seen the vibrating hood issue discussed in Danish iX3 user groups, with at least two people confirming it at speeds above 130 km/h. Carmaniac on Youtube (who bought the car and is a huge fan) also discussed it when speed/efficiency testing some weeks ago. So it may not affect all cars, but it's certainly not a single car issue.

I’ve seen similar issues in the past with light weight hoods due to material choice, design and /or thickness rendering it less rigid. The air pressure differential between above/below the hood causes a rise and fall oscillation (flap) at a certain speed range, usually at higher speeds, say 120mph plus on the stuff I read.

I guess design and thickness of the material in pursuit of NA5 weight reduction could cause the hood to flap at lower speeds.

Yes, it's flaps.

Does it affect anything? I don't think so. Is it something that will prevent me from ordering a car? No.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ozzie8 wrote

Yes he did say 20" aero, which don't quite look as aero as the 21" aero wheels.

i know he said 20" aero. their standard wheels are the 20" 1046 Aero which we cannot get in Australia. so i'm not sure if our 1047 will be as good, though i think it will be close. but the wheels he mentioned are NOT the wheels you are imagining.

Yep you are right, thanks for the clarification.

Sort of funny - we live in different parts of the world, with different conditions. I use my car mainly for commuting to work. This is a 35 km roundtrip, on which I face seven (!) speeding cameras set at 70 and 80 km/h. Other times I'll travel inland roads in northern Sweden, where a 100 km/h speed limit are rare.

So when reading comments on "consumption at 130 km/h" and issues with "vibrating hoods in 150 km/h" I'm a bit off! I doubt that I will ever drive my new iX3 in 150 km/h.

Don't get me wrong - I do absolutely not want to underestimate these issues for those of you where this matters. Just noting the "different worlds"