I've heard similar things about BMW dealerships, a guy I know bought a brand new X5 last year and ordered some AT tyres and a second set of wheels for them to be fitted tobefore delivery.

They didn't have any (tyres and wheels..) in stock and said it would be a 6 month wait! He promptly got it well and truly stuck in a field on a local shoot much to the amusement of everyone around him.

Straight out of the showroom on whatever tyres they are fitted with as standard, the BMW is not going to inspire the confidence of the Land Rover in bad weather. I would be less relaxed in the BMW if I had to take on heavy snow than in the FL2.

If a BMW X3 was fitted with summer tyres rather than all season M+S tyres, my Fiesta on its winter tyres would get further in snow. Very much a premium 4x4 with the driver in mind I think. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I have had BMW's before and only ever had a problem with one dealer who once realising their error couldn't do enough for me!!

I had to get BMW Assist out once and the technician that came out said a camshaft sensor had failed thus the vehicle was in limp mode - he followed me to the local dealer and explained the issue to them, within 20 minutes I was handed the keys to a brand new 3 series with 12 miles on the clock and told to it enjoy whilst they sorted my car out - 1 week later and car was sorted!

I also had a problem whilst on holiday in Devon (the horn would sound whenever I turned the steering wheel!). I found the nearest dealer (Barnstaple) and called in without warning - service manager took my keys and sat me and my partner down at a large screen tv and offered us all the tea, coffee and juice that we could drink, 45 minutes later car was sorted, no bill just told to enjoy the rest of my holiday!

No doubt some people will have bad experiences, I did with my local LR dealer whoever the next LR dealer I tried was fine - it's luck of the draw!

The Doctor wrote:

If a BMW X3 was fitted with summer tyres rather than all season M+S tyres, my Fiesta on its winter tyres would get further in snow. Very much a premium 4x4 with the driver in mind I think.

What do you have to back that up? It has 4wd and traction control as well as far better ground clearance!

Let's see





 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Unfortunately, the test was not against a BMW. The second two videos were immaterial, as there were other cars driving around which proved nothing.
So, nothing to back that up!

You started an argument and lost. At least admit it. NOT ONE OF THOSE OTHER 2WD CARS WERE DRIVING UP SNOWY INCLINES!!

A BMW X3 on summer tyres would suffer the same fate as a Ford Kuga on summer tyres. You mention ground clearance which is stupid on summer tyres.

If snow was ever deep enough to warrant extra ground clearance, you think 4WD and summer tyres would be enough?

The last video, I stopped on a hill on compacted snow that had frozen over. After initial wheel spin, I got going again. The BMW would not manage that on summer tyres.

Just to drive home my argument further (as if I need to), the Subaru Forester has a good 4WD system but look how it fares on summer tyres vs an M3 on winter tyres



Apologies to PC Heaven for the topic hijack but the overwhelming evidence needed to be posted. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I'm going to apologise in advance for this one:

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Yes, sorry doc, you win.

^ To be honest mate, I wouldn't ordinarily explode and go nuts with posts like that. We have had to phone the vets today to come out Monday as our dog needs to be put to sleep. I've been short tempered at work too.

Peace  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

All the best Doc, I'm sure we've all been there with our dogs, I know I have, more than once, it's not nice

nice hijack - some good info here, and as I suspected 4WD + winter tyres is the way forward


but how capable in the mud is the X3 compared to the FL2.



I still dont get why the X3 is so expensive though 

I haven't looked up the prices, how do they compare with the FL2?

a quick play with bmw's car configuration tool came out at over 46k - for bacically a glorified HSE with no heated screen 

Oh dear.