Any views? I have got the oportunity to buy '05 2.0 TD as a replacement to my wife's tired Renault Grand Scenic.

It's often said the only thing the X3 is any good for, is letting everyone know you couldn't afford an X5. HTH

😉

Or telling people you wernt clever enough to buy a 3/5 series tourer.

Agree with Woody & Will.

However, if you like not being let into traffic queues, driving a car more ugly than a very ugly thing and having huge fuel bills they're the car for you 😉

I tend to agree with the above comments, however my wifes cousin has one and loves it. Used for transporting 2 kids plus dog here there and everywhere. I think its the 2.0 TD you're looking at. I don't think she's had many issues with it either TBH.

i wish i had a commute where i could go off roading each day….

i assume thats why you want a faux 4×4?

isnt it?

TopGear heated it (uncomfortable on road, useless off road, shocking fuel consumption, and everyone hates you)

Follow their advice and get a fully tricked out defender instead, more seats (optional), similar fuel consumption, works in the mud, millions of accesories to chose from, my friends got a rooftop fold out tent thingy which is simply awesome! And people dont hate you (as long as its muddy with a leaky diff, otherwise you still just look like an idiot)

^What he said^*

Buy a 530d.

If it is a real bargain get the X3 then sell it for a profit to some mug who thinks they are cool.

Next.

*Not him, the one above!

This has got to be a joke, right?

agree with the above comments, however my wife

Your ###### then! 😆

As above. If it's cheap, get it bought! If not then buy a 3 series. They are nice!

Seriously don't bother. if you can get a toureg (still ugly but better value). however unless you actually go offroad, the just buy an estate there cheaper, better and faster.

cheaper, better and faster.

and roomier.

so there we have it. in answer to the original question.

no

heavier.
slower.
crap off road.
poor fuel economy.
rubbish load space.
and EVERYONE (except for other 4×4 drivers) will hate you.

and EVERYONE (except for other 4×4 drivers) will hate you.

And the other 4×4 owners will laugh at you for not getting a proper 4×4.

🙂

Or just buy what you like and enjoy it, leaving the sad majority to all het up over your car. Just be aware of the above!

What would it be good for if it wasn't "any good as an everyday car"?

From a practical point of view. A 2005 X3's residuals should have plateau'd out by now.

What would it be good for if it wasn't "any good as an everyday car"?

An occasional-use, specialist car?

on the same theme, my brother just got a Merc ML 330CDI and he said its the biggest mistake he ever made, too big a lump, gets blown all over the shop and is a total sod to park in the wind he's going to get shot of it and get an A6.

messed my typing up there… 🙄

hard to park in the wind? it's a new complaint… but i like it!

Probably the wrong place to ask. My wife would certainly be happy with one (her criteria are big, tall and capable in the snow). The defender mentioned above wouldn't go down well with my wife (its a **** tractor).

What is it with you guys letting your wives deside what car to drive?

Oh, hang on. You like sex dont you!

The manager of my former LBS was telling me about his brother who'd gone out and bought some hulking great 4×4 on the grounds that it was "safe" and he needed to carry lots of stuff.
He sold it not long afterwards for an estate car which was a lot more economical, bigger on the inside, easier to park and nicer to drive.

capable in the snow

wouldn't stand a chance with the tyres they fit as standard.

5thElefant- I'd ensure she had a long testdrive in one first. I'd struggle to drive one. I once had a long test drive in a Honda CRV (not the highest of vehicles either) and I loathed the higher driving position.

5thElefant- I'd ensure she had a long testdrive in one first. I'd struggle to drive one. I once had a long test drive in a Honda CRV (not the highest of vehicles either) and I loathed the higher driving position.

Sure. My Mrs had a lifted cherokee and now has a pickup truck. The BMW might be too low and girly for her. She had a sporty convertible between the two. She didn't like that at all. It really is a personal taste thing.

wouldn't stand a chance with the tyres they fit as standard.

I've never driven an x3 but I have driven 4x4s on road tires. They're truly remarkable in snow.

My Forester is ace on snow. I never want to know what its like on ice

capable in the snow

Where do you live that that is a consideration? All cars are capable in the snow especially if you fit winter tyres, which lets face it will be a significantly cheaper option. I had a hoot in my Focus ST last year in the snow.

What some 4×4 drivers don't seem to understand is that in the snow 4 wheel drive helps you go, but does bugger all to help you stop.

as above, why does your mrs need a good snow car? she some kind of winter rally specialist? if its that bad keep her indoors.

Ideal car for a middle-aged lady to go shopping in, wheres the problem?

Not one of the better BMWs but surely better than a Renault Grand Scenic?

as above, why does your mrs need a good snow car? she some kind of winter rally specialist? if its that bad keep her indoors.

Well, we needed it for about 10 days this year. We have been known to drive in the alps in the winter too. That's not the main reason we have 4x4s but it's top of the wife's list. We're simply country folk by the way. 😉

Why would you want a car that is crap in the snow?

What some 4×4 drivers don't seem to understand is that in the snow 4 wheel drive helps you go, but does bugger all to help you stop.

That's not true if you know how to drive off-road. Although this may or may not be true of the x3 but a low range gearbox will let you tackle serious hills snow or no snow (ice is another matter of course).

Why would you want a car that is crap in the snow?

Well other than rear wheel drive supercars, I can't think of any car that is crap in the snow. I drove my Focus ST in the snow we had in the NE of Scotland last year without incident.

That's not true if you know how to drive off-road. Although this may or may not be true of the x3 but a low range gearbox will let you tackle serious hills snow or no snow (ice is another matter of course).

I wasn't talking about tackling hills, I was talking about being able to slow down and stop.

My RWD MX5 was naff (but fun) in the snow, whereas my Aygo made easy progress. BOTH of them couldnt climb any sort of incline though.

Well other than rear wheel drive supercars, I can't think of any car that is crap in the snow. I drove my Focus ST in the snow we had in the NE of Scotland last year without incident.

Depends on the severity of the conditions. There were few cars out on the roads we were using this year. I watched one have to be pushed/gritted/fed branches as I drove around it and towed another two out.

You can drive a lot slower in a 4×4 too. Snow driving in a 2wd relies a lot on momentum.

I wasn't talking about tackling hills, I was talking about being able to slow down and stop.

Yes, you confused me. Driving in snow is about controlling your speed. A 4×4 allows you to control your speed a lot better than a 2wd. If you don't know this and drive fast you won't be able to stop. You are correct, if you can't drive in the snow to start with a 4×4 will just let you crash faster.

None of this is very relevent of course. Chances are we won't see snow again in a generation. But back to my wife's criteria, she does like a car that works in the snow. Kind of like why people wear helmets. Chances are you'll never need it.

If you have scenic you therefore have managed without 4wheel drive.

Save some money and look for a Touran if it is for shifting kids etc

Chances are we won't see snow again in a generation.

I saw some this afternoon. (Not on the road though I must admit).

I can see some snow as I look out the window now 🙂

If you don't know this and drive fast you won't be able to stop. You are correct, if you can't drive in the snow to start with a 4×4 will just let you crash faster.

I noticed a lot of 4×4 drivers going way to fast around town in the snow this February/March. They were so pleased to be able to justify their cars at last they'd just zoom along at 40, but if they'd needed to stop suddenly there'd have been an accident. They seem to give a false sense of security.