brownshoes
New member
This is my first ‘useful’ post. I put the useful part in quotes since it will really only be useful to someone looking to compare the differences between an X3 and the 4th Gen 4R. Anyway, if it helps someone out all the better.
This thread will note my thoughts on the pros/cons between my recently purchased ’08 4R Sport Edition to my departed ’06 BMW X3. These are just general thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Exterior:
I like both (otherwise I would not have purchased either of them). I find the 4R to be more butch looking (no offense to any gender is meant by that only that it is more rugged looking (to me)). Overall fit and finish of the two seem pretty comparable. Body lines, fitment, gaps… both vehicles seem to have to same overall quality of fit and finish one would expect.
I like (and the kids like) the side rails/steps on the 4R. It makes entry and exit from the vehicle easier for the kids given its relative height (compared to typical sedans).
I appreciate the larger sized side mirrors on the 4R. This will come in handy when towing but is also very useful for every day driving. I do see a few more blind spots with the 4R than the X3. I chalk some of that up to the increased size of the 4R. I also like, and am still learning how to use, the cargo mirrors. Once I get the hang of these I am sure they will be great for backing out of a parking spot and double checking blind spots.
Bonus like for the 4R is the hood scoop (Sport Edition). But really, they couldn’t make it functional?? It is not just a stick on scoop it is formed into the hood but then blocked from below. Why go thru the effort to change molds then block the inlet??
Lighting will be a tie. I will be doing the fog mod shortly and should bring them to equal. I know there is much debate on this mod but I travel on mountain and country roads and I like the extra up close light the fogs provide in addition to the high beams (and yes, I always dim my lights for oncoming traffic). I feel the mod provides me with better deer visibility, something we have to deal with year round.
Door opening has to go to the 4R. I always thought the X3 rear doors did not open up far enough. My wife’s Forester rear doors open a full 90 degrees. The X3 rears seemed to stop around 70 degrees. The 4R seems to be in the middle pushing the 80 deg. mark. Not a huge deal for adults but when trying to load in a baby in a car seat (bucket as we called it) this made things more difficult in the X3.
+1 to Toyota for the auto suck down feature on the tailgate. The X3 was good but sometimes needed an extra slam to close if all the windows were closed in the vehicle (air damming). The extra auto feature eliminates that in the 4R. Another +1 for the power rear window. X3 rear glass is fixed. This makes it easier to load for those long trips.
BMW wins for the hood under light. I would like to see a small light under the hood of the 4R. Makes checking things out at night much easier without having to reach for a flashlight.
Engine/Trans:
A mixed bag here. The straight 6 in the X3 is incredible. I like the power and feel, smooth and constant. I would have to give the edge to the X3 here. Side note, I have only had the 4R for 2 weeks or so and I am still learning this engines characteristics so that may change as I learn how to drive this one. My 4R has the 6 cyl as well plus it has the TRD CAI installed. I like the fact that I can now run 87 octane in the 4R, super was required in the X3. That is not a huge deal but will likely add up over time (roughly $5/fill up).
Trans is also mixed here. I like the sporty feel of the X3 manual shift automatic (sport mode as well). 4R is just a typical automatic. That said I have probably ‘played’ with the manual shift in the X3 2-3 dozen times over the course of my ownership. Mostly just some spirited driving on the twisty back roads. Not even sure I will miss that feature.
X3 AWD is just that, all wheel drive. AWD is great for general driving and if you do not plan on getting stuck
Hands down the 4R gets the nod here. 2W, 4HI and 4Lo plus locking diff is no comparison.
Suspension:
Two different things here. X3 is much sportier and will win in any kind of road race. Partly this is because the X3 is based off a car design and has a stiffer suspension. The 4R is frame based and built for more true off road so a slalom course is not its thing. Apples and oranges here in my opinion. However, general road ride I would say the 4R has a much more plush overall ride. The taller suspension gives a softer on-road feel compared to the sporty feel of the X3. Most of the time I would rather have a softer cushier ride (I’m not getting any younger you know). Off road, again no comparison, the 4R wins all day long.
Interior:
X3 wins for fit and finish but not by much. I had leather in the X3 and have cloth in the 4R. The leather on the drivers seat started to check/crack (known BMW issue). Something I was not happy with. So far overall seating wise, I do like the 4R seats, snug but soft. I just wish the drivers seat would go a little lower to give me a touch more head room.
Every electrical connection in the X3 is wrapped with foam to eliminate rattles and I appreciated that. So far I have had the dash out of the 4R and noticed that some harnesses were wrapped and others were not. A good start but BMW gets the win here.
BMW also gets the win in the window and control category. I am not sure why the bean counters decided that the $3 in parts needed to turn ALL windows to auto up/down was where the company could save money but it was a bad decision. Every window in the X3 was auto. In addition, from the drivers side when I pushed the window lock button, I still maintained control of the windows, meaning from the drivers side I could still raise and lower each window but all passenger controls were locked. This is a great feature when the kids start playing with the windows and you want to lock them. Often times they get locked in a down position then you have to unlock and quickly put them up before the kids realize what is going on, then relock them. Also, window control placement on the 4R just seems odd located under the handle and door arm rest as opposed to on the door arm rest.
Climate control on the X3 is nearly perfect. Set a temp and forget it. The 4R is just a PITA!! Auto only blows out of the foot area, no mixed ventilation, that seems odd to me. I feel cold at 69/70 but then roast at 71. This is over the course of an hours drive so there was plenty of time for the cabin to equalize. I will have to spend some time and sort this out if possible.
X3 had a heated steering wheel. Yup, call me high maintenance but I loved that feature this time of year. I am living without the heated seats (for now) but that heated steering wheel is sorely missed. My 4R does have remote start so I lucked out there, that does make up for some of it.
Gas mileage:
Too early too really compare but I call it a wash so far. I have not gone thru a calibrated full tank in the 4R yet but seems like both are pretty equal in my mixed driving.
Storage/Room:
Apples and oranges again. 4R is a much bigger vehicle and as such leads in all categories except driver head clearance and that is only due to the lowering of the seat issue. I have the double decker cargo tray, we’ll see if that gets in the way or is actually useful.
If needed down the road I might add one of these: Third Row Seating Suv, Suv 3rd Seat, Toyota 4Runner 3rd Row Seat, 3rd Row Seat For A Ford Explorer, 3rd Row Expedition Seat third row seats or look into getting a factory 3rd row jump seat to add on. While not needed right now, it is nice knowing that there is an option for it, not so with the X3.
That’s about it, if I think of more I will update. Any questions just ask. If you just read this entire rambling thread then shame on you, get back to work you slacker!!
This thread will note my thoughts on the pros/cons between my recently purchased ’08 4R Sport Edition to my departed ’06 BMW X3. These are just general thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Exterior:
I like both (otherwise I would not have purchased either of them). I find the 4R to be more butch looking (no offense to any gender is meant by that only that it is more rugged looking (to me)). Overall fit and finish of the two seem pretty comparable. Body lines, fitment, gaps… both vehicles seem to have to same overall quality of fit and finish one would expect.
I like (and the kids like) the side rails/steps on the 4R. It makes entry and exit from the vehicle easier for the kids given its relative height (compared to typical sedans).
I appreciate the larger sized side mirrors on the 4R. This will come in handy when towing but is also very useful for every day driving. I do see a few more blind spots with the 4R than the X3. I chalk some of that up to the increased size of the 4R. I also like, and am still learning how to use, the cargo mirrors. Once I get the hang of these I am sure they will be great for backing out of a parking spot and double checking blind spots.
Bonus like for the 4R is the hood scoop (Sport Edition). But really, they couldn’t make it functional?? It is not just a stick on scoop it is formed into the hood but then blocked from below. Why go thru the effort to change molds then block the inlet??
Lighting will be a tie. I will be doing the fog mod shortly and should bring them to equal. I know there is much debate on this mod but I travel on mountain and country roads and I like the extra up close light the fogs provide in addition to the high beams (and yes, I always dim my lights for oncoming traffic). I feel the mod provides me with better deer visibility, something we have to deal with year round.
Door opening has to go to the 4R. I always thought the X3 rear doors did not open up far enough. My wife’s Forester rear doors open a full 90 degrees. The X3 rears seemed to stop around 70 degrees. The 4R seems to be in the middle pushing the 80 deg. mark. Not a huge deal for adults but when trying to load in a baby in a car seat (bucket as we called it) this made things more difficult in the X3.
+1 to Toyota for the auto suck down feature on the tailgate. The X3 was good but sometimes needed an extra slam to close if all the windows were closed in the vehicle (air damming). The extra auto feature eliminates that in the 4R. Another +1 for the power rear window. X3 rear glass is fixed. This makes it easier to load for those long trips.
BMW wins for the hood under light. I would like to see a small light under the hood of the 4R. Makes checking things out at night much easier without having to reach for a flashlight.
Engine/Trans:
A mixed bag here. The straight 6 in the X3 is incredible. I like the power and feel, smooth and constant. I would have to give the edge to the X3 here. Side note, I have only had the 4R for 2 weeks or so and I am still learning this engines characteristics so that may change as I learn how to drive this one. My 4R has the 6 cyl as well plus it has the TRD CAI installed. I like the fact that I can now run 87 octane in the 4R, super was required in the X3. That is not a huge deal but will likely add up over time (roughly $5/fill up).
Trans is also mixed here. I like the sporty feel of the X3 manual shift automatic (sport mode as well). 4R is just a typical automatic. That said I have probably ‘played’ with the manual shift in the X3 2-3 dozen times over the course of my ownership. Mostly just some spirited driving on the twisty back roads. Not even sure I will miss that feature.
X3 AWD is just that, all wheel drive. AWD is great for general driving and if you do not plan on getting stuck
Hands down the 4R gets the nod here. 2W, 4HI and 4Lo plus locking diff is no comparison.Suspension:
Two different things here. X3 is much sportier and will win in any kind of road race. Partly this is because the X3 is based off a car design and has a stiffer suspension. The 4R is frame based and built for more true off road so a slalom course is not its thing. Apples and oranges here in my opinion. However, general road ride I would say the 4R has a much more plush overall ride. The taller suspension gives a softer on-road feel compared to the sporty feel of the X3. Most of the time I would rather have a softer cushier ride (I’m not getting any younger you know). Off road, again no comparison, the 4R wins all day long.
Interior:
X3 wins for fit and finish but not by much. I had leather in the X3 and have cloth in the 4R. The leather on the drivers seat started to check/crack (known BMW issue). Something I was not happy with. So far overall seating wise, I do like the 4R seats, snug but soft. I just wish the drivers seat would go a little lower to give me a touch more head room.
Every electrical connection in the X3 is wrapped with foam to eliminate rattles and I appreciated that. So far I have had the dash out of the 4R and noticed that some harnesses were wrapped and others were not. A good start but BMW gets the win here.
BMW also gets the win in the window and control category. I am not sure why the bean counters decided that the $3 in parts needed to turn ALL windows to auto up/down was where the company could save money but it was a bad decision. Every window in the X3 was auto. In addition, from the drivers side when I pushed the window lock button, I still maintained control of the windows, meaning from the drivers side I could still raise and lower each window but all passenger controls were locked. This is a great feature when the kids start playing with the windows and you want to lock them. Often times they get locked in a down position then you have to unlock and quickly put them up before the kids realize what is going on, then relock them. Also, window control placement on the 4R just seems odd located under the handle and door arm rest as opposed to on the door arm rest.
Climate control on the X3 is nearly perfect. Set a temp and forget it. The 4R is just a PITA!! Auto only blows out of the foot area, no mixed ventilation, that seems odd to me. I feel cold at 69/70 but then roast at 71. This is over the course of an hours drive so there was plenty of time for the cabin to equalize. I will have to spend some time and sort this out if possible.
X3 had a heated steering wheel. Yup, call me high maintenance but I loved that feature this time of year. I am living without the heated seats (for now) but that heated steering wheel is sorely missed. My 4R does have remote start so I lucked out there, that does make up for some of it.
Gas mileage:
Too early too really compare but I call it a wash so far. I have not gone thru a calibrated full tank in the 4R yet but seems like both are pretty equal in my mixed driving.
Storage/Room:
Apples and oranges again. 4R is a much bigger vehicle and as such leads in all categories except driver head clearance and that is only due to the lowering of the seat issue. I have the double decker cargo tray, we’ll see if that gets in the way or is actually useful.
If needed down the road I might add one of these: Third Row Seating Suv, Suv 3rd Seat, Toyota 4Runner 3rd Row Seat, 3rd Row Seat For A Ford Explorer, 3rd Row Expedition Seat third row seats or look into getting a factory 3rd row jump seat to add on. While not needed right now, it is nice knowing that there is an option for it, not so with the X3.
That’s about it, if I think of more I will update. Any questions just ask. If you just read this entire rambling thread then shame on you, get back to work you slacker!!
