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Still can't decide: Overland or BMW X3

38K views 179 replies 41 participants last post by  Radknight 
#1 ·
Talk about 2 totally different vehicles- after years of BMW driving I am pondering either a loaded X3 with the 3 liter engine (as in the 335xi) or a JGC V6 Overland. Gas mileage too crappy with the Hemi.

The spouse likes the Jeep, but I'm still not sure I can drive an SUV every single day. Our other vehicle is a Toyota Sienna. I love the 535xi, but just can't justify the money.

The X3 is almost as fast as my 335xi, but more comfortable and practical. The Overland is nice and soft and can go places the BMW fears to even look at, but I still fear quality and long term reliability as well as the lack of sportiness & ability to effortlessly pass the doddering. Wouldn't have either without a warranty of sorts.

Sorry for the rambling. Looking to see if others faced a similar decision & if they're happy.
 
#55 ·
I went from a 335i to a 2014 Overland and I am happy with my purchase. I wanted to do something totally different and believe me I got it. The Jeep very comfortable and the electronics are much better and it has all-around capability. I miss the 335i performance especially merging on the highway and high speed performance.
 
#56 ·
My dilemma exactly. I really want one of each. In time. The wife likes Jeeps, so we'll get one eventually. I'm on my 2nd 335xi & am finding them just too small as the kids get bigger & we need to carry more stuff. The 535 gives more room & a different level of refinement.

Give me an Overland with 30mpg, 0-60 in 5.5 or less AND the off road ability of a "Trail Rated" version & we're good.

Oh wait, they have that already. I think its called a Porsche Cayenne! Too much $$ for me.
 
#59 ·
Is there any room for consideration of the WK2 diesel? If fuel economy is among the key considerations this may be something else to ponder. Not to mention acceleration around the "doddering" masses at hwy speed. Paying a premium for the engine, but if you're keeping it for a long time and do significant miles/yr it will cover the cost of the engine/diesel compared to V6/gas. Much discussion on various threads re diesel v gas.
 
#60 ·
Is there any room for consideration of the WK2 diesel? If fuel economy is among the key considerations this may be something else to ponder. Not to mention acceleration around the "doddering" masses at hwy speed. Paying a premium for the engine, but if you're keeping it for a long time and do significant miles/yr it will cover the cost of the engine/diesel compared to V6/gas.
Thought about diesel, but at a $4500 premium and only 12K miles/year it would take me many years to recoup the cost based on local fuel costs.

Acceleration is just plain 'ol fun, IMO. Launching past the plodding and inattentive isn't often necessary, but once you get used to 0-60 in under 5 seconds most other cars feel slow. I'm not one to swerve and weave or otherwise be dangerous, but do confess to a modest lack of patience when stuck behind those who can't seem to get near the often ridiculously speed limits set not with engineering in mind, but revenue generation.

Just tonight the boss (wife) declared that if/when we get a Jeep she prefers the Overland. We're still bouncing around the idea of a Jeep now, which she'll take after 2-3 years or one later. My 335xi lease runs in 2 months. In an ideal world we'd have BOTH a 535 and Overland now instead of eventually, but I'd rather put more $ into retirement.
 
#62 ·
Crimony! I swear, had I seen the photos in that link before I bought my GC...It would have been a flat out deal breaker. Jeez...I didn't see any credible explanation either. I could see maybe if the vehicles had been driven through tide pools or in the surf, but normal use, or even heavy use should not result in corrosion like that
I would put the Jeep up on a jack and remove a wheel in front of the dealership on a Saturday morning...See if that got some response
 
#67 ·
LOL. Yeah it must have been the '80's because there were some real shockers. Now that I think about it the 70's produced some legends that you still see around today. My parents had a '76 Malibu station wagon that lasted what seemed like a century. Only problem was a bit of rust on the tailgate and tire blow outs when we went on long vacations.
 
#69 ·
I will be swapping my wheels today for the upcoming road trip to Moab this weekend. I will check how much rust I have on the Jeep and report back.

Also, if I were the OP, I would take the Q5 over X3.

Cheers,
-A
 
#70 ·
My company landlord has an X6 (I think it is) I think it was over 80 grand.

He has had nothing but problems with it. He goes through tires like crazy.

He saw my new limited and is seriously considering swapping it out. He said his neighbor also has the Jeep and he was very impressed.

Another friend of mine always gets BMW's and nothing but trouble. Wicked expensive to fix. And crazy stuff like 5 years old and doors rotting out on the bottom.

One time she visited and had to put the kids in through the windows. You could tell the kids were so embarrassed.

If I had the extra bucks I would consider the big VW. I own a VW CC and we love it. But the VW is very expensive and not great on gas unless you get the diesel, which is extremely expensive. VW's are not the most reliable either but they have been way better than BMW's.

My last Jeep 2002 GC was one of the best Vehicle experiences I've had. The 2014 GC Limited have now has a lot work ahead of itself to prove itself. So far so good. Only 1K miles.
 
#72 ·
Isn't that the same source that recently concluded BMW drivers were pretty much the rudest drivers on the roads, thus confirming one of the Autoweek writers claims of similar. Not sure why this is news, as they've been called The Ultimate D*ckhead Machine for decades.

As an automobile though, they seem to be losing their edge in handling feel, and the Audi is In My Non Humble Opinion, a better vehicle and AWD.
 
#74 ·
the euro SUv's just dont impress me...except for the cayenne tt. But its cockpit is like an 80's jet fighter with all the buttons...lol
 
#77 ·
So, I changed the wheels last night. This is how it looked on my Jeep. Slight rust/oxidation.

Front (looked the same both sides). Picture taken after I sprayed a little WD40.


Rear (Also looked the same both sides)


Cheers,
-A
 
#79 ·
Ed,

It's a 2012 JGC, 4WD.

Even the rear seems mostly surface because when I touched it, the rust just wiped off easily. I sprayed WD40 on it anyways... not sure if it will prevent rust.

I also think that once in a while, I will pop the center caps off and clean & spray something to prevent further rusting. Should be an easy task assuming one can pop the center caps without removing the wheel. :)

Cheers,
-A
 
#88 ·
Ed,

It's a 2012 JGC, 4WD.

Even the rear seems mostly surface because when I touched it, the rust just wiped off easily. I sprayed WD40 on it anyways... not sure if it will prevent rust.

I also think that once in a while, I will pop the center caps off and clean & spray something to prevent further rusting. Should be an easy task assuming one can pop the center caps without removing the wheel. :)

Cheers,
-A
My 2011 looks like this. I'd like to paint them with a heavy duty engine paint to make them look good, but otherwise it is not affecting anything
 
#80 · (Edited)
Did you do any research into the BMW X3?
The X3 has a much worse than average predicted reliability and is not recommended by consumer reports. The Grand Cherokee is predicted to be average reliability with the V6 and is a recommended pick by CR.
I have an X5 and have been very unhappy with the BMW dealer experience, you might want to check out the ratings for your BMW dealer on dealerrater.com as well.
Then there is this as well.


BMW Owners Vent Anger at Months-Long Wait for Spare Parts - Bloomberg
 
#81 ·
Did you do any research into the BMW X3?
The X3 has a much worse than average predicted reliability and is not recommended by consumer reports. The Grand Cherokee is predicted to be average reliability with the V6 and is a recommended pick by CR.
I have an X5 and have been very unhappy with the BMW dealer experience, you might want to check out the ratings for your BMW dealer on dealerrater.com as well.
Then there is this as well.


BMW Owners Vent Anger at Months-Long Wait for Spare Parts - Bloomberg

Looks like I'm going to go with another 335xi (2014). Just can't drive a large truck every day. The wife wants a Jeep, so perhaps in a year or two we'll come back. We want (and she needs) front parking sensors, so perhaps by 2015 they'll be available on the Overland, which is our preferred model.

I've had several BMWs & rarely had any issues thus far. Then again. I've never had one past 60-70K or so. The last few have been leased and turned in at 36K.
 
#83 ·
The decision would have been harder but for the fact that we have another larger vehicle, my wife's Sienna, which we will keep for another 1-2 years. Even the kids asked why we needed 2 bigger cars. My wife likes the Overland. I can see us getting one eventually. Neither of us cared for the Summit's lack of interior color choices ("poop brown and dreary black aren't cutting it" in her words) and inability to get skid plates.

This will be my 3rd 335xi. Nice cars. 60% of the time its just me, 35% more with one other person and maybe 5% with more than 2 people.
 
#91 ·
I would seriously look into the diesel, it has the acceleration of the hemi without the hemi fuel consumption. I'm just starting to give it some in sport mode on my '14 and it is seriously leaving a big smile on my dial. You can feel the suspension harden up, but I would doubt that it comes up to a X3 in handling. I wanted the best of both worlds, acceleration and fuel economy and I believe I got it.
 
#92 ·
We may contemplate a diesel in a year or 2, even though at US gas prices and our average mileage it would take us a decade just to break even,

For now, we are getting another 335xi (a 2014) and will hold off on a Jeep until then. Our hope is that the Overland will have front parking sensors by then, something my wife VERY much needs. Seems kinda stupid that only the Summit has them.....
 
#98 ·
Air pumps all around here now have a quarter slot! :D
 
#104 ·
Op, stick with the bmw. I just got a 2014 gc limited and came from a lexus and b4 lexus, i had a 328 bmw. While i am not disappointed "yet", you definitely see the difference. For example a lot of us are suffering with issues with the uconnect, remote start not keeping the ac on once u open the door, at times the one touch open or close on the sunroof not working, at times having to press the lock twice when locking it from the door handle. Oh and when you have to take it in for service or f)ck ups from factory? You are going to be paying for a rental car, not like bmw nor lexus where we get free loaner cars.

Big issues? Lol, nahhhh, but then again i have only 2k miles on mine right now lol. Id stick to bmw. I did t go with bmw bc i wanted the x5 and it was too much $; and the lexus suv isnt my thing, already had one.

Think about. If it was bc you wanted the hemi as in my case, then i can put up with some of this but if you seem to be going for the 6 cylinder not worth the us auto builder's down falls.
 
#108 ·
And if I lived anywhere near such a beach I would!

I just ordered a '14 335xi. Like I said, we will revisit the Overland in a year or two. Hopefully by then they'll offer front park sensors in the Overland and have more of the bugs worked out.
 
#111 ·
Top Gear is a horrible and terribly biased car show! They voted the Ford F150 as the world's worst vehicle, although it is (was at that time) the world's best selling vehicle.

They took the time to explain what a pickup truck is and how useless it is. Yeah, that's why we buy trucks...because they are useless! Smug bastards and idiots....sheez.

bd
 
#116 ·
All I can say is.......It's a Jeep thing. BMW owners wouldn't understand. Jeep owners will.:slapfight::bash:
 
#123 · (Edited)
I'm a Jeep owner and I have no idea what this even means...

As someone who owns a luxury car (not a BMW) I can tell you that the ease of the service process is more important than the price. My time is too valuable to be driving around town looking for the best price. I want to pull in, get in the loaner and go. The BMW free maintenance is great for a customer like me because its simple, included, and it preserves my most valuable asset...my time. I almost chose the 535 over my Lexus GS simply because of the maintenance.

It's a luxury car thing. I suppose Jeep owners wouldn't understand according to your logic.
 
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#130 ·
Then I guess you have earned the right to own a Jeep according to this guy LOL
 
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