my g/f is getting a bmw x3 for her graduation present... has anyone driven it before? .. any likes and dislikes? she was thinking about the X5 but its like 10k more.

Do not buy X3, you gonna regret it.
Get another brand like Acura or Lexus.

trust us, dont get it underpowered and overpriced. x5 yeah get it.

oh ok .. tell her to stay away from BMW in general? .. or get an X5 instead

yes x3= small tiny wanna be SUV, get the x5, my parents love theirs.

car & driver said worst car ever produced by BMW

make sure she buys extended warr. if keeping for long time

get the x5. if your going to spend the money for one you might as well get the top of the line model. way better IMO.

My buddy's parents have an X5 and it's really pimped out......it's a sweet ride. I also have another buddy who's mom has an X3 and it's nothing compared to the X5. IMO i would stay away from anything BMW or Mercedes-Benz cause when something goes wrong with it, it's gonna cost u ur soul and then some. For example, it cost my uncle $500 to replace his cup holders in his 2001 BMW 740il. So i would definitely recommend an extended warranty!

I agree with the above suggestion to avoid the X3 and try out a Jap brand, or even a luxury american brand like maybe a Caddy or something. The X3's have gotten horrible ratings and BMW is at the bottom of the reliability charts. There are far better ways to spend her parents money.

Top Gear's 2004 Season really ripped into the X3. Poke around some torrent sites or P2P clients and see if you can find it...it'll really change your mind.

It all depends on what you girlfriend is looking for and what she plans to use the car for.

I actually got to test drive the X3 (my wife wanted one) and I actually liked it. The reason we were looking into it was it had a bigger cargo area then the 3 series sedan and it was easier for her to drive. Basic gist, it drove more like a car then a SUV.

As far as reliability, I wouldn't really count on BMW to go the distance without putting a good amount of money into it. Lexus and Toyota have the best ratings because they have more experience building trucks/suv's for years.

tell her to get a 3 series, or a 04-05 m3

thanks guys ... i told her to get an m3 or even and evo but she wants an SUV... shes only 5"1 so she'll look really tiny drivng a caddy.

escalade? acura tdk? mercedes suv? range rover? rx330? all luxury suv's that will have more quality in them