New Car

[Mark86]

My dad originally replaced his runner with a 2010 RX350. The vehicle drove great until the dealer decided to fix a suspension noise by changing the entire suspension. The car drove like garbage since the repair. You felt every bump/imperfection in the road and my 4Runner felt like a Mercedes near it. Lexus agreed to buy back the vehicle so the hunt was on for a new ride. Here is what we considered:

5th gen 4Runner- my dad had a V8 and didn't like the seating position/quality
GX460- too big, too thirsty
Audi Q5- drove too mushy and quality was not up to par
MDX- time for a redesign, didn't want to buy old design
RDX- redesigned for 2013, didn't like the 4 turbo
X3- WINNER

So, we test drove the 28i and 35i. We were about ready to sign for the 28i when my dad had the brilliant idea to test drive the 35i. Well, the rest is history. Here is the new 2013 X3 35i!!

To start, there is nothing like a German interior. Everything fits perfectly and the materials are soft touch. I love computers/complex systems, so the idrive is awesome IMO. I can check my tire pressure, oil level and other vehicle diagnostics with the touch of a button. As for the ride, this vehicle is ridiculously fast. The ride is smooth and of course cornering is fun. The only questions is, how reliable will the vehicle be? That remains to be seen. I can't believe how BMW thinks of everything- I can close the windows by holding my finger on the door handle, program how high the tailgate opens, turn my DRL's on/off with the touch of a button, and the lights go on with the wipers. It is all of the small things. Also, BMW introduced a feature called efficient dynamics to this vehicle. Basically, it acts like a hybrid and the engine turns off when stopped and fires us when you hit the gas.

Here are a few pics:

group shot

 

[4Running Daily]

That shifter is so weird to get use to.

My Mom drives a 2011 X5.

 

[Mark86]

That shifter is so weird to get use to.

My Mom drives a 2011 X5.

I agree. It is peculiar to use. But if you shift wrong, the warning bing is really cool lol.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Q5 would have looked much better in the stable (yes i am biased)

 

[Thai]

Congrats to your Dad on his Bimmer!

 

[KidVermicious]

Good looking car. Too bad it probably cost near my yearly salary.

 

[Mark86]

Thanks everybody!

rebelbowtie- do you have a Q5? If so, how is it? I only drove it for 1 test drive but some people I speak to love Audi's.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Thanks everybody!

rebelbowtie- do you have a Q5? If so, how is it? I only drove it for 1 test drive but some people I speak to love Audi's.

A4, i wanted a Q5 or Tiguan but couldnt afford another luxury car so i bought that 4Runner. i figure what i compromise in luxury it makes up for in brawn.

 

[Victor_inox]

I`d get Audi TDI instead. 2 times better fuel economy then that bimmer. heck I`ll adjust for a mushy drive, I did in 4 runner.

 

[034RUNNER]

Very nice, nice group!

 

[Thai]

I like BMW's design these days!! And i love that the X3 has a REAL rear bumper. I hate the new SUV designs where the rear bumper is part of the rear hatch (Acura RDX, Honda CRV, etc.).

 

[Mark86]

Thai, I agree. I love the new look of BMW, especially their interiors. The build quality/materials on a German car is miles ahead of their competition.

Victor_inox- the BMW has new technology called efficient dynamics, which shuts the engine off when stopped. It is kind of like hybrid technology without the electric motors. So far, on a new vehicle we are getting 23 mpg.