Somebody talk me off the ledge

[doug_999]

Car was in the shop for two weeks while the hatch got re-painted and a new rear window was installed (still distorted however).

During that time I had a 335xi loaner (somewhat base - $50K sticker). At first I thought the low speed steering was brutal (very hard), and that the car felt very spartan (like I said, not a lot of options, no NAV, no Comfort Access). But after a couple of days, the car grew on me. BAD. I realized how easy it was to drive it - knowing where each and every corner of it was. How pressing the gas meant the car went - linearly - not jumpy like my 8-speed auto. How pressing the brake pedal also stopped the car linearly - no BMW efficient dynamics at play here (i.e. no charging the battery as I slowed, making the car feel like a hybrid - just like my X6).

Pulling into the garage, no worries about the mirrors hitting the door - and yet, my kids seemed to have enough room in the back seat.

THE CAR WAS FUN AND FIT MY NEEDS.

Now I'm in my X6 and I realize that it takes a lot more concentration to drive this thing. The steering feels over boosted (never felt that way before) and the car is BIG. The brakes are as I remember them and yes, the car either scoots off the line or just crawls -nothing in between. Yea, I'm happy to have the chotchkies back, but I miss my loaner.

Someone tell me that I just need to get reacquainted with this baby before I do something silly (like the loaded lemans blue 335xi my dealer has...).

[CamelBiscuit]

Nope. Trade that shit in.

[snipez999]

3 series and X6 are 2 VERY different beasts and you will notice the lack of space in a 3 series within a very short space of time. It weighs fractionally (LOL) less than an X6 and will do more mpg plus will feel faster but it's not 4 wheel drive and you won't be able to sling several sets of golf clubs in there without thinking about it (my standard bootload).
Yes the engine makes it feel very flexible, capable and keen, but from an ex E46 owner (for 3 years before 'upgrading' to a 5 series and most recently an X6) let me give you the benefit of my viewpoint. Good luck either car is a masterful piece of engineering you will enjoy driving every single time.

[AndreyATC]

I went from very sporty 335i (see my sig) to X6
I so do not want to go back to 3-series

I do miss my 6-speed MT a bit

Doug,
Why dont you test drive 550xi?

[crunchingnumbers]

Doug_999 tell me it isn't so. You gave excellent advice on trading from my 335i convertible to an X6 5.0 earlier this week and now you're having doubts. What are you doing to me . I was going to the dealer tomorrow to spec the X6, now I'm thinking again.

[doug_999]

You guys crack me up.

Ok, let's be honest -my dealer (great guy, Brett Midgley at Autohaus in St. Louis) won't even entertain my craziness (most dealers would be more than happy to take my money). And, as noted, I HATED my loner for the first couple of days. So I'm just dealing with change here. That said...

crunchingnumbers - not fair! I only paid attention to the RR part of your post. Never even saw the 335 part (PS, how much you want for it? ).

AndreyATC - I thought you still had the 335 and drove both? I test drove a 550- wouldn't do it because it was first year (now second) and that steering just sucks (a technical term).

snipez999 - I know I know... I mentioned to my kids this morning what I was thinking and they went ballistic on me (lack of space and I love this one... "Dad, the 3-series does not have heated rear seats, that's a deal breaker"). I should mention that the 335 I was looking at was AWD.

CCS#82 - funny. I note you drive a 335...

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent here. I appreciate it. I think the only solution is to have a TON of money so I can have one of everything....

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by doug_999

AndreyATC - I thought you still had the 335 and drove both? I test drove a 550- wouldn't do it because it was first year (now second) and that steering just sucks (a technical term).

No, i sold 335i, no regrets though
I know the steering sucks on 5-series, drove one side-by-side with X6 50i
But x-drive 550i has normal, hydraulic steering
This might change your opinion

Anyways, forget about everything we've said
Keep you X6
It's the best car of all







hehe

[CamelBiscuit]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

I went from very sporty 335i (see my sig) to X6
I so do not want to go back to 3-series

I do miss my 6-speed MT a bit

Doug,
Why dont you test drive 550xi?

What makes you not want to go back? I love my 3. It's a great car!

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by CCS#82

What makes you not want to go back? I love my 3. It's a great car!

Power, luxury, comfort, handling, space, tech, winter/towing advantage
This is the list of things i like better in X6

And i dont have to worry about potholes as much
Not cool to have cracked rim while you travel with the kid

[CamelBiscuit]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Power, luxury, comfort, handling, space, tech, winter/towing advantage
This is the list of things i like better in X6

And i dont have to worry about potholes as much
Not cool to have cracked rim while you travel with the kid

You know it is a great vehicle that X6. They drive those things at break neck speeds over here. I saw a red one in Afghanistan one time. I will have to see if I have a pic and send it to you.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Power, luxury, comfort, handling, space, tech, winter/towing advantage
This is the list of things i like better in X6

And i dont have to worry about potholes as much
Not cool to have cracked rim while you travel with the kid

The pothole thing is one of my #1 likes about the X6 (another reason I got the 19s). In my M5 I was always cringing when I hit something (no spare, no run flat there). Another reason I would get 18s on a 335. Alas, that's cause I'm in Chicago -Phoenix or something like that would be so different!

[AndreyATC]

Doug
20s on X6 is kind of the same thing as 18s on 335i, cushion wise, with slight edge to X6 wheels in comfort department
There is still more rubber on 20s
Plus, M has forged wheels, so it definitely gives me more peace in mind

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Doug
20s on X6 is kind of the same thing as 18s on 335i, cushion wise, with slight edge to X6 wheels in comfort department
There is still more rubber on 20s
Plus, M has forged wheels, so it definitely gives me more peace in mind

As soon as I can find a set of 259s, they will become my summer wheels - sans run-flats.