test drove X3 3.0 & 2.5, could tell the difference

[mikemou]

test drove X3 3.0 & 2.5, couldn't tell the difference

okay i've never owned a BMW before and i'm driving a mecury cougar 2.0 stick now, so to me 3.0 & 2.5 (auto) are both exceptional cars. but really, i couldn't fell even a tiny bit of difference, in terms of performance, between these two cars.

i had my mind set on a 3.0 but now i'm not so sure. given the price difference(which i can definately feel), i plan to test drive them again before making up my mind. can anyone share from experience/knowledge on HOW to get a taste of that extra power of the 3.0 engine on my next test drives?

if this makes any difference, 5 out of 7 days every week i'd be driving the car by myself with an empty trunk.

thanks for your inputs!!!

 

[mybluex3]

I own a 3.0 but I never test the 2.5 one... I usually drive by myself and what I can say to the engine is that.. the power will come when you need it..is a pretty powerful car... just push the gas hard when u test drive it and you should feel the different...

 

[whitej34]

I have the 2.5i and it has been just fine for me. I havent really stepped on it yet because I am still breaking it in, but i havent had a lack of power under 3600 rpm.

 

[MrElussive]

Both engines are designed to "feel" powerful, and they are both really great engines. Your best bet is to test-drive both of them and with each one observe two things:
1.) Accelerate hard with both vehicles and watch the speedometer increase. You will then see that the 3.0i should accelerate faster.

2.) Take both vehicles and merge onto the highway with them. The 3.0 will do a better job of getting up to highway speed.

Evaluate both models closely. Personally, I would always go with the bigger engine (the 3.0 in this case) because even if you're not stepping on it, it feels much easier to get up to speed with the bigger engine.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I have the 2.5i and it has been just fine for me. I havent really stepped on it yet because I am still breaking it in, but i havent had a lack of power under 3600 rpm.

Did they tell you to break it in? Since when does the 184hp 2.5i have a break-in period?

As for the difference between the 2.5 and 3.0, the difference is when you floor it (theres a button after you push it all the way down, so push it hard) the 2.5 "hesitates" for a second or so but the 3.0 picks up right away. Also the the 2.5 is more thirsty than the 3.0 when it comes to fuel economy (believe it or not).

 

[Average Jae]

when i got a 325 loaner, i was suprised at how peppy the car was. of course, it should be peppy when the accel was almost always on the floor that said, in my mind, it doesn't even compare to my zhp but that's me.

perf difference would depend on your driving style. if you can't find the downshift btn at the bottom of the accel, then you prolly won't need to drop 5, 6 grand more to get that 3.0 badge.

the best way to get the perf out of a car is to have a lead foot, yea, duh!, but that's about it. get on the highway, and coast along, then step on it, i mean until you are well past the clicker and see how that feels, or tap downshift twice real quick while flooring it. then see if that suits your driving style or not. sure it's nice to have extra power in reserve, just in case you need it, but so is keeping 5gs in your pocket, just in case you wanna pick up that nice LCD TV

 

[whitej34]

My dealer told me that I had to keep it under 100 mph and under 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. The under 100 is really kicking my ass because I am still in Germany and it sucks going that slow. I ship it to the states on Friday so I guess I will have to learn to do 70 mph again anyways .

 

[Bryan330i]

Both engines are designed to "feel" powerful, and they are both really great engines. Your best bet is to test-drive both of them and with each one observe two things:
1.) Accelerate hard with both vehicles and watch the speedometer increase. You will then see that the 3.0i should accelerate faster.

2.) Take both vehicles and merge onto the highway with them. The 3.0 will do a better job of getting up to highway speed.

Evaluate both models closely. Personally, I would always go with the bigger engine (the 3.0 in this case) because even if you're not stepping on it, it feels much easier to get up to speed with the bigger engine.

I agree!

I think BMWs are a bit underpowered anyway so I would go with the 3.0 for sure.

 

[mikemou]

....so is keeping 5gs in your pocket, just in case you wanna pick up that nice LCD TV

now you got me thinking.... i've wanted that pioneer 43" plasma HDTV since last year...

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

My dealer told me that I had to keep it under 100 mph and under 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. The under 100 is really kicking my ass because I am still in Germany and it sucks going that slow. I ship it to the states on Friday so I guess I will have to learn to do 70 mph again anyways .

How many miles you got on it? If it's around 500+ you can floor it, and take it to 130mph I'm beyond sure you wont do any damage. Never heard of the 2.5 having a break in period...

 

[mikemou]

does 3.0 have a break in period?

 

[MrElussive]

ALL engines have a break-in period. And the 1,200 mile break-in period is not just for your engine. It's for the tires, the brakes, and the gears as well.

 

[whitej34]

Did you guys change the oil in yours after the break in. I know BMW says that you dont need it until 15,000, but that seems like a long time for a first oil change.

 

[MrElussive]

Did you guys change the oil in yours after the break in. I know BMW says that you dont need it until 15,000, but that seems like a long time for a first oil change.

It is a long time and the oil and oil filter do get extremely dirty. If you plan to keep your car for a long long time (such as well over 50,000 miles) then definitely opt for sooner oil changes, such as every 7,500 miles. But if the car is leased for a few years or you don't plan to keep it for more than 50K miles, the most economical thing to do is to follow BMW's Scheduled Maintenance.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

ALL engines have a break-in period. And the 1,200 mile break-in period is not just for your engine. It's for the tires, the brakes, and the gears as well.

Well that is true when somethings new it needs to break-in, but I noticed they only stress the under 100 and under 4500rpm for the first 1250 miles on the 3.0 & M3. When I got my 325i they said nothing except enjoy your car, but sure you can't go flooring it right off the assembly line.

does 3.0 have a break in period?

Yes, seemingly more "stressed" by BMW than with the 2.5 engine.

 

[rexdiamond]

I did notice a slight difference between the 2.5 and 3.0, but for my driving style the difference wasn't enough to pay the additional $$$. I opted for the NAV and other options instead. I havn't regretted my choice.