X3/X4 [Official] BMW X3 (G01)

[Matski]

Just in case you want to paint your new X3 the colour of regurgitated ... something ...

BMW individual...

BMW X3: Design

 

[nikola1984]

 

[Centurion]

Ride refinement is an area the G01 need to improve on the F25 in order to beat the Q5 in sales. "Firm ride" is the most frequent complaint about the F25 in reviews and BMW always giving journalists M-Sport models with stiffer suspension and 20 or 21 inch alloys makes matters worse.

The sticking point is runflats. Yes other non-SUV BMWs have them too but don't get as much sting for being firm. Because SUVs ride taller than their sedan counter parts, their suspension must be stiffer or else they might overturn in sudden evasive manoeuvres. Stiff suspension exacerbate the drawbacks of the runflats which is stiff tyre walls that don't absorb bumps as good. It's worth pointing out that the F25 is a comfortable car that's well damped but the tyres communicate every road imperfect and the ride is rarely 100% settled unless on smooth roads.

On the plus side, stiffer tyre walls is great for steering and road feel. The F25 is considerably more fun to drive and easier to push in corners than the GLC or Q5. However for the majority of customers, comfort is more important than hurling an SUV fast through bends, hence why the Q5, with its high refinement and near sedated demeanor, is a top seller that account for 25% of Audi's sales.

The good news is that the G01 might bridge the ride refinement gap a bit. Compared with the F25, the wheels will now have a bit more rubber. As you can see below, the tyre profile with 19 inch alloys was previously R45(front) and R40(rear) which is rather low profile for a utility car. Now, the 19 inch alloys will no longer be staggered and have a bit more rubber so that the tyres better absorb road imperfections. The irony is that the G01 will have less tyre profile than mighty Macan which is the sportiest SUV money can buy, but doesn't receive the complaints about ride quality.

Lastly, the X3 is now the only SUV in the below list that doesn't have air suspension as an option. Yes, adaptive dampers are an option but they are inferior.


Front, Rear tyres with 19 inch alloys

F25 X3
245/45 R19, 275/40 R19

G01 X3
245/50 R19, 245/50 R19

Macan
235/55 R19, 255/50 R19

GLC
235/55 R19, 235/55 R19

Q5
235/55 R19, 235/55 R19


PS: Later this year, the tyres on my F25 will be due replacement. I'll be changing to non-run flats, and look forward to experiencing the difference in ride quality

 

[SCOTT27]

Just in case you want to paint your new X3 the colour of regurgitated ... something ...

BMW individual...

BMW X3: Design

With those 21" wheels.
Picture it in Black?
Or Bluewater?

 

[Matski]

With those 21" wheels.
Picture it in Black?
Or Bluewater?

Oh I'm sure there are some good combo's that people will come up with. What I'm not so sure about is the vile colour they've used to promote individual on the X3. I'm also not a fan of that wheel style, at all.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ride refinement is an area the G01 need to improve on the F25 in order to beat the Q5 in sales. "Firm ride" is the most frequent complaint about the F25 in reviews and BMW always giving journalists M-Sport models with stiffer suspension and 20 or 21 inch alloys makes matters worse.

The sticking point is runflats. Yes other non-SUV BMWs have them too but don't get as much sting for being firm. Because SUVs ride taller than their sedan counter parts, their suspension must be stiffer or else they might overturn in sudden evasive manoeuvres. Stiff suspension exacerbate the drawbacks of the runflats which is stiff tyre walls that don't absorb bumps as good. It's worth pointing out that the F25 is a comfortable car that's well damped but the tyres communicate every road imperfect and the ride is rarely 100% settled unless on smooth roads.

On the plus side, stiffer tyre walls is great for steering and road feel. The F25 is considerably more fun to drive and easier to push in corners than the GLC or Q5. However for the majority of customers, comfort is more important than hurling an SUV fast through bends, hence why the Q5, with its high refinement and near sedated demeanor, is a top seller that account for 25% of Audi's sales.

The good news is that the G01 might bridge the ride refinement gap a bit. Compared with the F25, the wheels will now have a bit more rubber. As you can see below, the tyre profile with 19 inch alloys was previously R45(front) and R40(rear) which is rather low profile for a utility car. Now, the 19 inch alloys will no longer be staggered and have a bit more rubber so that the tyres better absorb road imperfections. The irony is that the G01 will have less tyre profile than mighty Macan which is the sportiest SUV money can buy, but doesn't receive the complaints about ride quality.

Lastly, the X3 is now the only SUV in the below list that doesn't have air suspension as an option. Yes, adaptive dampers are an option but they are inferior.


Front, Rear tyres with 19 inch alloys

F25 X3
245/45 R19, 275/40 R19

G01 X3
245/50 R19, 245/50 R19

Macan
235/55 R19, 255/50 R19

GLC
235/55 R19, 235/55 R19

Q5
235/55 R19, 235/55 R19


PS: Later this year, the tyres on my F25 will be due replacement. I'll be changing to non-run flats, and look forward to experiencing the difference in ride quality

Great post Luw. It will be very interesting to see how the ride of the X3 pans out.

The Macan doesn't use runflats does it? How about the Q5?

The lack of air suspension appears to be the only clink in its otherwise formidable armour.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Just in case you want to paint your new X3 the colour of regurgitated ... something ...

BMW individual...

BMW X3: Design

Now THOSE are BMW alloys. Stunning.

 

[hovabongZA]

Pictures of the X3 M40i in the metal.

Source:BMWBLOG

 

[SCOTT27]

The interior quality shines through even in pics it's well put together ... Although the design might not be appreciated by some the quality is there. Function over form. I have no doubt that the G20 will finally rival the A4 when it comes to quality.

X1 and X3 are telling a good story about the upcoming X5 .

Can the new X5 be better than it is just now? Of course it can. It will of course inherit that new found finesse of BMW interiors. The new X5 will rock and I am not even a geologist.

X3 designer Calvin Luk is also the designer of the upcoming Z4 replacement. Which you will see in August in Concept Form.
You lucky,lucky individuals.

 

[SCOTT27]

Just in case you want to paint your new X3 the colour of regurgitated ... something ...

BMW individual...

BMW X3: Design

Real life pictures of these wheels show they really suit the car. Proportion and width is perfect.

 

[Rolf]

It looks great in this video in 3,0d X-line guise

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[martinbo]

I want to see more pics of the bog-standard model and the non-3D taillights...

 

[Serpens]

Now that I've seen the real-life pictures, I think the tail lights are too big like on the new 5-series. I wonder why BMW saw fit to make them so huge.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Now that I've seen the real-life pictures, I think the tail lights are too big like on the new 5-series. I wonder why BMW saw fit to make them so huge.

IRL, the rearlights on the 5er seem fine to me. I am hoping seeing the dimensionality of the X3's rearlight in person will allay those concerns.

 

[Serpens]

IRL, the rearlights on the 5er seem fine to me. I am hoping seeing the dimensionality of the X3's rearlight in person will allay those concerns.

Good point. Maybe I need to sit back and see how cool these 3D units are.

 

[klier]

I want to see more pics of the bog-standard model and the non-3D taillights...

The standard bumper IMO looks better than even the highest end M40i bumper, and also better than the other 'lines'........but the standard non-3D rear lights is a scary thought......I don't think I even want to see those LOL.

BTW, what struck me as unusual: the G01 and G11 (X3 and 7er) both have the metal color coated buttons for the HVAC and radio, while the G30 (5er) has black buttons. I wonder what the reason is behind that, because the 5er is supposed to be further up the chain compared to the X3.

fake edit; I just found out the X3 actually comes with both black and metal buttons, must be a line thing in the end.
But I don't remember seeing the 5er with metal buttons on any line.

 

[domleo999]

Somebody show me the standard rear lights, cant find them anywhere!

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

The standard bumper IMO looks better than even the highest end M40i bumper, and also better than the other 'lines'........but the standard non-3D rear lights is a scary thought......I don't think I even want to see those LOL.

BTW, what struck me as unusual: the G01 and G11 (X3 and 7er) both have the metal color coated buttons for the HVAC and radio, while the G30 (5er) has black buttons. I wonder what the reason is behind that, because the 5er is supposed to be further up the chain compared to the X3.

fake edit; I just found out the X3 actually comes with both black and metal buttons, must be a line thing in the end.
But I don't remember seeing the 5er with metal buttons on any line.

5er is supposed to have a sportier, dynamic persona while the 7er and the X3 Luxury are more plush and luxurious. I guess that's why.

 

[klier]

Somebody show me the standard rear lights, cant find them anywhere!

Haha, I wonder why....

@hoffmeister_fan, I agree, though the 5er also comes as a luxury line and whatever

 

[Deleted member 25]

The guy who designed this car (Calvin Luk) is the one who designed the last x1 and the F20 LCI and it shows i would say.