Well documented that i need to replace the mini now the S is in the family. Have been looking at 1 series or the A3's.....

Interestingly however for around 10k you can get an early X3 (05 plate). Has anyone had one of these???? any reviews??

Never been a chelsea tractor fan, but saw one the other day and relatively compact for a 4x4, must confess, i though it was ok. I dont expect it to get rated on a 2 seater sports car forum, but seemed to offer a lot of car (80k, 2.5 sport, full leather, auto etc for £10k) and as quite well documented, I am a BMW fan.

Flame proof undies on just in case.

 

Generally regarded as a POS.

You could get a similar aged CRV or RAV4 for almost half that money and it would be so much better in every way.

 

Personally I prefer the look of the X5, and liked the one we had (albeit we only kept it 6 months).

I have been in 2 X3s and both had very stiff suspension which I found a bit surprising bearing in mind the type of vehicle they are

 

The suspension on most of these estates on stilts needs to be unacceptably harsh(especially for a supposed family car) in order to keep body motion under control, so the X3 MUST be bad, then!

Sooner have a Subaru or something. But then I prefer the XC70 over the XC90, a far less unpleasant car.

 

X3

"I cant afford and X5".

I'm surprised they dont take the badges off them, like they with the 318

Afraid it's got that slightly 'sad' image hasn't it?
A bit like the Boxster and the 911.

 

if only it were true, perception is a strange thing - now i would normally agree here but one of the wealthiest guys i know has one.... and they definitely have the choice in what they buy but they arent interested in cars. Why do we predjudice in assuming individuals that dont buy top of the range are sad, what reasons should we attribute to their sadness ?

 

Do you need a 4x4? Would not a Avant A4 or 3 Series (E46) Sport Touring not only be on a par for practicality, but also a far better driving experience?
Somthing like this possibly.

 

You may be right.

It's probably just a complete lack of taste.

 

i had a E46 and jsut fancy something different. Its for the missus and no I certainly don't need a 4x4, but she has always quite liked the idea of a rav4 or something similar.

We were set on the A3/1 series, but when i saw these just thought it offered a bit more luxury / space for not a lot more wanda. Interestingly the X3 is narrower than a 1 series and only 6 inches longer, so a pretty compact motor....

I know it weights nearly 2 tonnes and will be crap on fuel, but we do little mileage an should be a nice place to be sat....lets face it, you will be sat at junctions for a long time as no bugger will le tyou out in one of those, so might as well wait in comfort.

Going to view it this morning....put it this way, for £4k and the mini shoudl make apretty decent upgrade / replacement.

cheers all - a warmer reception than i expected!

 

never driven one but I have never heard a good word said about one either

I find it hard to believe that it's awful - I have never driven an awful BMW

but I'm willing to believe a CRV or RAV4 might be a better alternative