[Aleko]

Hey guys! Just found this forum after following a link from FreshAlloy.com. Have been trying to register there for a week now, but never received their confirmation email. :? Oh well… This place seems to be what I was looking for anyways.

We (my wife and I) are currently a BMW family – I drive ’02 X5 4.4i Sport/Nav/etc. (love that car) and my wife drives a 328Ci. We’re expecting an addition in the family later on this year (our first one), so we need to replace wife’s coupe with something more child seat friendly. As much as I love Bimmers (have had 4 of them), I’m deeply disappointed with the direction BMW has taken with their designs, so our next car will not be a BMW. Since we’ve been spoiled by performance and handling, it will be hard to find another brand that will be able to match that. From what I’ve read, Infinity has been stepping on BMW’s toes lately in performance department, and since we want an SUV-like car, FX seems to fir the bill. We’re considering some other options as well – Touareg, RX330 , or even a pre-owned E39 5 Series or E38 7 Series (previous body styles) – but FX seems to be at the top of our list.

I’m looking forward to spending more time here and learning more about the FX. I’m sure I’ll have a few “idiot” questions every now and then, but hopefully I’ll get all the answers I need to realize this is the car (SAV) we need to go with.
Thanks.
- Alex.

 

[BobKid]

Hi Alex! New here myself and my wife and I made some of the same comparisons you did in reaching the FX. About the only thing that almost swayed us away from the FX35 was the lack of a manual transmission. A 6 spd on the FX35 would make it absolutely perfect for what we were looking for, and we almost went with the X3 for just that reason.

 

[Aleko]

Not having manual transmission as an option is not a problem for us, since my wife prefers automatics anyways. She used to drive stick, but now she’s been spoiled by an auto and doesn’t want to go back. I looked at X3 back when it first came out and I though it was the ugliest of any BMW I’d ever seen – both interior and exterior. We’re not even considering it as an option. Available engines are also pretty anemic, if you ask me.
- Alex.

 

[BobKid]

Available engines are also pretty anemic, if you ask me.
- Alex.

Aren't they always? But the 3.0 X3 really was a lot different in manual than in auto. It really seemed to wake up and had some zip.

IMO the Touareg was just a mushbox, even with the V8. No real pep and very indifferent shifts. If they'd just reprogram the tranny it could be a very nice and capable performer.

 

[Aleko]

IMO the Touareg was just a mushbox, even with the V8.

I stopped by a VW dealership the other day, but didn't feel like driving one. I though I'd come back with the wifey and drive it then. I like the looks of the Touareg, maybe even better than those of FX (I know, I'll get crucified for saying it here), but it's a first model year, and I've been down that path before, so I don't feel like doing it again (I was what I called myself a "beta tester" for '99 JGC Limited). It's also loaded with all the bells and whistles that could easily start having issues (air suspension in particular). Besides, paying $50+K for a VW just doesn't sit right with me (or $60K for V10 Diesel, which looks very attractive on paper).

 

[OIIIIIIO]

The VW has the least "Sport" of any of the newer SUV's (X3, Caddy, X5, WK etc...) Have you shopped at Grubbs? I was treated very well. May is last month to recve "VPP" pricing from Grubbs.

Hey, Im still a beta tester for a 99 WJ :lol:
Good luck with your choices....the FX is definitely ahead of the game.

 

[Aleko]

Haven't been to Grubbs, but I stopped by Crest this past weekend. I'm in Plano, so Crest is where I'll probably buy it from and will be going to for service. Unless, of course, someone has a horror story or two about them that will make me re-consider. Also, I can wait until around October or so to buy, so I'm still debating on whether I should get one now, or wait for MY '05. From what I've heard, there are no major changes for MY '05, so it will just come down to the price I can get on '04 vs. '05. Heck, we don't even know if we want a 35 or a 45 yet. :lol:

 

[topguy]

Welcome! I'm new here also.

I understand your point about BMW's new design theme. I have to admit that it grows on me though but I just can't take that i-Drive. That's why I like FX's approach. In one screen you can see navi as well as A/C and audio. I don't need to push another button or twist anything.

For your family, my wife and I have 7 and 5 yr olds and we decided to get a Volvo 850 T when expecting our first one. And gave up a Supra TT...

FX is certainly an exciting SUV but please have your wife drive one. I love to drive mine and my wife loves the look but she thinks it's little too sporty for her. If your wife doesn't mind that, she will like it.

Touareg is nice but I didn't want to spend $50k for a VW. RX330 is a lady friendly vehicle and my wife loved when she had one. But it is totally opposit spectrum of FX.

Congratulations on your new baby.

 

[Aleko]

Thanks, topguy. We’ll definitely try driving both sport and non-sport versions before buying, but I’m pretty sure the sport package will be a must. Her 328Ci is pretty sporty, and she loves driving my X5 Sport that’s even stiffer with 19” wheels. As far as RX goes – it doesn’t even have a sport package as an option, so I doubt we’ll be giving it a second thought (although we may go drive one just to make sure we aren’t discounting something we could’ve liked). Besides, RX is such a girly car, I doubt you’ll ever catch me driving it. :lol:

 

[BobKid]

Haven't been to Grubbs, but I stopped by Crest this past weekend. I'm in Plano, so Crest is where I'll probably buy it from and will be going to for service. Unless, of course, someone has a horror story or two about them that will make me re-consider.

I can't speak for Crest, good or bad; but I now swear by Grubbs. It was by far the most pleasant buying experience I've ever had. They were willing to deal professionally, honestly, and without games. The paperwork took literally 5 minutes max, and there was no attempt to push any add-ons. Plus, since it's the wife's DD, I did the research and then she did all the negotiating and dealing with the salepeople. It's always a good sign to see a dealership who doesn't deal differently with a woman than they would with a man. 8)



If for no other reason, go by Grubbs and test drive the Red FX35 with the ProCharger kit. The way the power came on and off would make it annoying for a DD, but it was still fun to blast around in for an hour.

 

[Aleko]

If for no other reason, go by Grubbs and test drive the Red FX35 with the ProCharger kit. The way the power came on and off would make it annoying for a DD, but it was still fun to blast around in for an hour.

Well, that sure would be enough of a reason for me to drop by Grubbs. :lol: To be honest, I've heard of them before, but don't even know where they are located. I'll get on their website and see.

Now, a question for ya'll, just to make sure I'm reading everything right. The only difference between a fully loaded 35 and a fully loaded 45 is the engine, correct? No other way to tell them apart ('cept for badges)?

 

[MustGoFastR]

Correct. Well, if you want to get nit-picky, the '45 will roll down all four windows via the fob and the '35 only the fronts; God knows why.

 

[Sweet Fx]

the '45 will roll down all four windows via the fob and the '35 only the fronts

Learn something everyday 8)



Aleko (Alex),

Welcome to the site.

 

[Aleko]

Thanks guys. I’m just so used to BMW’s way of doing things – different engines will get you different wheels, exhausts, lights, trims, etc., even within the same package. That’s good; the only decision we’ll have to make then is which one – 35 or 45.

 

[MustGoFastR]

...the only decision we’ll have to make then is which one – 35 or 45.

Could be an easy choice. Do you like to mod or have the best you can get right from the factory? Drive them both and be aware that the '35 can be just as fast as the '45 (and get better gas milage) with less that $1k in mods. You'll still have more low end grunt with the V8, though.

 

[Aleko]

Could be an easy choice. Do you like to mod or have the best you can get right from the factory? Drive them both and be aware that the '35 can be just as fast as the '45 (and get better gas milage) with less that $1k in mods. You'll still have more low end grunt with the V8, though.

See, I don't know... Normally, I would be tempted to mod it. But, first of all, it'll be my wife's car (daily driver), so I won't be able to enjoy those mods often (just on weekends maybe); second, with a newborn on the way, I doubt I'll have time (or even money) to do it. I've already had most of my "toys funds" seized and turned into "baby funds" by the boss. :lol: I haven’t even started looking into what mods are available for either of the two.

 

[Aleko]

Speaking of this... What is the actual real-life gas mileage difference between the two (35 and 45)? I'm trying to sway "the boss" more towards the 45, but she's been very concerned about gas prices lately, so she says the 35 will do just fine. I agree to some degree (after all, the 35’s V6 comes very close to my X5’s V8 ), but the idea of 315hp V8 just wouldn’t let go of me.

 

[MustGoFastR]

My '35 RWD gets 18 with mixed driving. I believe 'the '45s are running around 13-14.

If it's going to be your wife's car and you're tight on cash, I'd recommend the '35. It's quite peppy in stock form and most people have a hard time justifying the price difference for 35 HP unless money is not an issue. You can always ad a few bolt-ons later if you get the urge.

Mods for the '35 are abundant, as we get the trickle-down from the 350Z and G35. There are ZERO mod options for the '45 (unless you go one-off custom).

 

[Sweet Fx]

My decision was easy for these few simple reasons:
(this was before 04's came out)

1. Better gas milage
2. Mods = inexpensive little items could bring on more hpower
3. Needed the DVD (no ifs, ands, or buts on this) = had to get tech package
4. Saved myself 8k not buying 45
5. Modded, maybe 1k, now closer to 45 hpower

And 1-5 makes me very happy.


Not sure if thats helps or not. My .02 cents.

 

[Aleko]

Not sure if thats helps or not. My .02 cents.

It certainly does help. While we can afford either one, money is always an issue. Had there been other differences between the two models – it could’ve been different, but as it stands today, I’m having hard time justifying $10K price tag on extra 35 ponies – it’s $10K that could be spend on something else instead. I think I need to educate myself on all of the mods available so that I can come to terms with myself about going with V6 instead of V8.