[KEVIN88GT]

I know I might get some biases since this is a 3 series forum but stay with me...

I need a car for me and my wife. The last car I got (Currently drive) is a 2006 A4 Quattro 2.0T Tiptronic (With a revo flash; 260hp, 290tq) I originally wanted the car in a manual but my wife said no because she said she'll eventually drive it. She was right...she got her license not too long ago and drives the car to work (I take the train to work...it's much easier for me) We split the car 50-50 as far as driving time goes and in retrospect I'm kind of glad I got an auto so she could drive it now.

Back to the present....my 24 month lease is up in August and we'll need a new car....as much as I want to I cant afford 2 cars (Actually it's just too expensive for a 2nd parking spot) and we have to get one car... I originally wanted to get myself a 335xi coupe in a manual and a car for my wife...but thats not happenin as I need to save for a house and future kid....

So my options ARE

2007 X3 3.0si 260hp Auto (montego with terra interior)
PROS:
- cheaper 500/mo lease (priced it out @ 43k)
- extra versatility with the extra cargo space
-probably slightly cheaper insurance (have to find out)
CONS:
- kind of slow (much slower that the 335xi and little slower than my A4)
- navi is horrible..I would have to get a portable unit like NUVI instead
- No cool features like comfort access which is a must with 2 drivers

2007 335xi sedan steptronic ( montego with terra interior)
PROS:
- faster....MUCH faster (5 second 0-60 even with auto I think?)
- I-Drive would integrate phone/navi
-Comfort access
-handlng better..stops better
CONS:
- much more $$$-> 650/mo. lease (with xi i'm estimating @ 50k)
- very small trunk...with a kid/trips to home depot this would stink
-small back seat area..with kid...it would suck with the baby seat
- with sport package the ride on brooklyn roads would be ROUGH! (Definetly will get the tire/wheel warranty)

I'm looking for some advice..if you cant point out pros and cons in both.
AWD and auto trans a must [as much as I want a real manual trans])..you can tell what my budget is.... help a guy decide.... I could always get another A4... I've loved it for 2 years but the recent audi customer service is a turn off and I thought me and the wife would try bmw.....

[MBChariot]

I would say try and test drive both and make your decision from there. I had a loaner X3 while my E90 was being serviced and I didn't like it at all. I have a friend that has one and loves it. Good luck!

[killer_bee]

Is 328xi out of the question? If you want AWD but something more economical, maybe you should consider it- Sure you won't get the speed but you will get great handling of a 3 series with the same good looks and even enough money to put in some nice options.

But if I had to choose between your choices, I would go for the X3. The SUV will much better suit the weather and road conditions(i.e. giant pot holes)...

[akmchan]

I have a E90 (325) and a 2006 X3 3.0....If you are having a kid soon and its going to be your only car then you should really consider the praticality of X3...the new X3 si is faster then mine and personally I think mine is fast enough...you really can't compare a 335 engine to X3 si engine and I would only guess that X3 is much heavier so you got to expect it to be slower then an 335 but really what's not slower than a 335...its 0-60 times rival some porsches...I have 2 kids under 3 and putting them in my E90 does take a little more time. When the infant seat is rear facing there is little room for the person in front b/c the seat needs to go forward to accomodate. Once the kids reach front facing seats then the issue becomes mute. But the main thing is the E90 trunk is really crappy...imagine shoving a stroller in it...it fits but basically nothing else will after...you will have much more room in the X3....so I guess from my point a view get the X3 while the kids are still young...once they turn 18 get a M3....nothing beats the 3 series for fun for driving but its simply not practical if you only have one car and family of 3 or more....hope this helps...I got terra int for my X3...its lovely!!!

[Vegas335]

X3 might be better in the city, expecially if roads are bad.
How often do you get out of the city in order to enjoy the car?
You're right, tough call.

[wrickem]

The X3 handles pretty nicely for an SUV and there's more cargo volume. Even though you can't get comfort access, at least it will remember the key settings so you won't have to try to get in a drivers seat that is sitting on the steering wheel after your wife drives it. I have a feeling that you REALLY want the power of the 335 though, and who can blame you!!

[aspiring335]

I know this isn't one of your choices, but I would definitely look at the 328xi wagon. Much better looking than the X3, at least as fast, better on gas, more modern interior and all the options you are looking for.

I really don't like the way the X3 looks and it isn't very big inside -- certainly doesn't feel bigger than the E9x, although it does have more cargo room. The proportions are all wrong, whichever angle you see it from. You should be able to get a good deal, though, since I still don't think they are selling too well. And another plus, the interior in the new model is much nicer than the last generation X3.

[Insider]

Why not by a used BMW? 2 or 3 years old that is CPO with less than 15K miles. Save a few bucks and still get a good car.

[KEVIN88GT]

Originally Posted by MBChariot

I would say try and test drive both and make your decision from there.

Drove them both....then posted here

- me and my wife take a drive out to nj or long island at least once a week.... we take 2-3 weekend getaways a year...the rest of the driving is in the 5 boroughs

- yes it's basically a speed vs practicality issue

-wagon is out of the question... I absuloetly hate the way the wagon looks and wife hates wagons..... otherwise I would have gotten the A4 avant...

- I wouldnt get a 328.... I would be getting the 335 for the power... mostly... if power is not superb....might as well be the x3

- I would never get a used car.... plus I'm leasing so used is out of the question... My A4 has 17k on it and has a bunch of small annoyin problems... I wouldnt want someone elses headache...

[stressdoc]

You seem to enjoy driving a fine car. Get the 335xi.

[klinkerklu]

Are you already expecting? Cause if you're not, then you still have 9+ months child hassle free. And it looks like you did a 2 year lease on the Audi.

I say go for the 335xi and have fun while you can. We do a lot of weekend driving trips and we are milking the child-free stage of our lives for all its worth.

Don't forget with the xi's you don't really get the sports suspension with the sport package, so potholes and such shouldn't deter you either...

[FunRevn]

You've received a number of really great comments. I bought my wife the 2007 X3 with Sport Package and that thing is amazing. The harder I push it the more amazing it becomes. Handling is really great and now that we have about 2K on it the engine is becoming even stronger. Auto trans is very good and that sky roof is a joy.

I on the other hand have a 335 coupe ED for June. So I'm in a bit of a diff situation than you. We looked at the 328 Wagon and I feel in love with it. As mentioned in an earlier post, it is as fast as the X3 and has the ability to handle all of the baby equipment. The only reason we didn't go for it was that I was going for the Coupe and the deal on the X3 (Dec 2006) was 150.00 a month less than the Wagon.

you may also want to try and find a 2007 530x wagon. They may still be doing promo on that car.

And finally, (no flames please) an RDX from Acura. They may still have promotion on that car. I got one for my sister in Feb 2007 because the X3 deal was over and with 2500 drive off (includes some cap reduction. My choice for her situation) 15K miles a year and 36 months. was under 500 a month. That includes the Tech package with Navi and all the other cool stuff.

Good Luck all are great cars to drive.

[Chi-town330]

Part of the price difference can be removed if you look at the 328. I am not suggesting you should, but given YOU mention money, you can then get into a sedan for closer to the X3 payment, and then the extra $ argument goes away (to a degree). But then again, so does the extra HP argument ......oh, the dilemma...

so here's the question - assuming 335 isn't an option for some reason (e.g., on Planet Lower HP, there is no 335), THEN which one would you get? What are your pros and cons now?

[Bimmerista]

The X3 sounds better adapted to your everyday driving needs-the power is more than adequate now 255Hp is plenty even if it weight 1.8 tons.

Very spacious cargo area-you will be glad you have everytime you go to Wallmart or Home Depot (once you buy a house). The seats are flatter in the back and just at the right height to place infants in their seat. Higher driving position will become addictive to wife.

Then once you can afford it-you get the 335 coupe (or whatever replaced it at such time).

And last but not least-cheaper to lease than a 328xi wagon.

[010101]

Are you going off roading a lot? If not then the choice is pretty obvious. Why would you want worse corning, braking, insurance, fuel economy, acceleration, active safety, a crapy driving experience and be more prone to roll if you could just get the 335? SUVs that aren’t for a safari or going up the Rubicon are a stupid fad. A wagon is always a better choice.

[Bimmerista]

Well, I happen to agree with you (please convince my wife...) but the OP stated that his wife doesn't like wagons, so there goes another.

[010101]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

Well, I happen to agree with you (please convince my wife...) but the OP stated that his wife doesn't like wagons, so there goes another.

haha exactly... That's why SUVs that aren't for off roading are a fad. There is absolutely no reason for them to exist. All they have is a long list of drawbacks. But people seems to think they are cute or something. If you're going off roading get a real SUV. If not then get a wagon or van.

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

The X3 sounds better adapted to your everyday driving needs-the power is more than adequate now 255Hp is plenty even if it weight 1.8 tons.

Very spacious cargo area-you will be glad you have everytime you go to Wallmart or Home Depot (once you buy a house). The seats are flatter in the back and just at the right height to place infants in their seat. Higher driving position will become addictive to wife.

Then once you can afford it-you get the 335 coupe (or whatever replaced it at such time).

And last but not least-cheaper to lease than a 328xi wagon.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get the X3 because of the above. It sounds like the Missus will be doing most of the daily driving. I doubt she will be too keen about being able to go 0-60 in under 5 sec with an infant in the back and groceries in the trunk. You'll be a 2 car family soon enough and then you can get the ride you want. Lastly, I don't think the X3 is much of a 'sacrifice'. I happen to think it's a damned fine cross-over machine.

[f_c_c]

Well, I'm facing the same dilema as KEVIN88GT but to add some complexity to it, I'm in Europe where diesel engines are king...

So my two main choices are (today, they seem to change all the time the more I look at it ): X3 3.0D Auto vs Touring (Wagon in the US) 325d Auto. Also, the E91 325 Auto (328i in the US) is a remote possibility...

Since most of my driving will be around town, having a bird eye perspective could appeal to me (have to test it) and with 2 kids, putting them into their seats each morning, it is starting to put a stress on my back.... On the other hand, the E91 is more driver oriented (sitted in one) and has all the latest gadgets (problems ?).

So, I am going to book a test drive of both. Well sort of, since the 3.0d is not available for testing so I'll be testing his older brother, the 3.0 sd

Danger of falling for it...

Some technical details on the diesel beasts:

3.0d : 218 HP/ 500NM at 1750-2750 RPM / 1880 Kg
3.0sd : 286 HP/ 580NM at 1750-2250 RPM / 1950 Kg
325d : 197 HP / 400NM at 1300-3250 RPM / 1665 Kg

[jonerik26]

i've driven the x3 as a loaner and i have a 335i. well to choose from them both i would go with the x3.....don't get me wrong the 335i is a great car and i love my car, but for some reason a part of me wishes i got the x3. actually am trying to convinced my wife its the car for her just so i can drive it once in awhile...

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by f_c_c

Well, I'm facing the same dilema as KEVIN88GT but to add some complexity to it, I'm in Europe where diesel engines are king...

So my two main choices are (today, they seem to change all the time the more I look at it ): X3 3.0D Auto vs Touring (Wagon in the US) 325d Auto. Also, the E91 325 Auto (328i in the US) is a remote possibility...

Since most of my driving will be around town, having a bird eye perspective could appeal to me (have to test it) and with 2 kids, putting them into their seats each morning, it is starting to put a stress on my back.... On the other hand, the E91 is more driver oriented (sitted in one) and has all the latest gadgets (problems ?).

So, I am going to book a test drive of both. Well sort of, since the 3.0d is not available for testing so I'll be testing his older brother, the 3.0 sd

Danger of falling for it...

Some technical details on the diesel beasts:

3.0d : 218 HP/ 500NM at 1750-2750 RPM / 1880 Kg
3.0sd : 286 HP/ 580NM at 1750-2250 RPM / 1950 Kg
325d : 197 HP / 400NM at 1300-3250 RPM / 1665 Kg

If you test the sd you will end up buying it However since you drive in the City mostly, the 3d will be perfect (consumes less relatively speaking)
I wish they started to offer Ds in NA.

[MrSilver]

I have an e92 335i (no x)

I just got an X3 for the wife.

I love both cars.

If you want more utility get the x3.

If you want something more sporty, get the 335xi