The weakest aspects of the X3 are its interior and ride. The materials used in the interior do not meet the quality set by the rest of the BMW range. The ride is very firm, even with the base suspension. If your parents are looking for cushy luxury comfort, the X3 is probably not for them.

On the plus side, the X3 has an outstanding engine and a playful chassis. No SUV this side of a Cayenne can handle like the X3. It feels a lot like an 3-series xi. I don't know if your parents will value these traits.

 

I really liked the X3 I drove. Damn near sport sedan ride and handling, but in a soft roader. Definitely not up to other BMW standards of interior quality, but still good. Just the right size IMO, unless you need something huge, which unless you do you shouldn't get. Not the best looking car on the road though.

 

The firm ride of the X3 will probably rule it out. My dad has a bad back and knees and my mom has foot / ankle problems. Sporty handling means nothing to them but a smooth comfortable ride is important.

My mom drives less than a mile a week in an area with 25mph speedlimits and wants a small car since she can't see out of the STS well.

If there was something with the size and room of a Scion xB with the refinement of the Infiniti EX/FX it would fit the bill perfectly.

Might look at the Lincoln MKX, maybe the lincoln name is far enough from Ford for my dad to look at it.

 

I'd take MDX over X3 anyday.

 

I'd go with the element.

 

How soon are the looking for something?

Older parents, sounds like a target for the new Toyota Venza that is just starting to hit dealers showrooms now.

 

You guys who rip on the firm ride have you driven an 07+ X3? The ride is much improved and the handling is excellent. One of the least "truckish" suv's out there.

 

I just looked at the Venza at the LA Auto Show this morning and think it might suit your parents needs very well. It's step in is much lower than most SUVs, the doors open very wide and it is clearly designed for comfort and ease of use over performance.

I don't like the grille on them but without driving one, they clearly look like something your parents oughta take a peek at.

BTW - the Toyota folks at the autoshow said they went on sale on the West Coast on Friday 11/28.

 

i would go with the acura MDX, my mom drives one and she loves it. great overall power, very nice ride with all the gadgets for any tech geek. overall i think the MDX is a great choice over the x3

 

Thats almost exactly what I said!
The XT with a manual transmission is the only SUV that I would buy because I find all others kinda boring.
I can not wait for you X3 owners to line up at a redlight cause my Forester is gonna smoke you! Bye bye Beamer
This hot rod Subaru may not be for your dad unless he channels his inner John Force on a regular basis.