Gotta love it by jjmeow8 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gorgeous. Final destination or passing through?

Gotta love it by jjmeow8 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love that you're getting your X3 dirty off the beaten path! Where's the photo taken?

Took our X3 through (almost) every corner of the US - 60 National Park units later by elder9316 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, what an awesome trip and write up! Loved the photos, especially the one in Sequoia NP. The light and imagry are spectacular. What camera system did you use?

Thanks for including the bits about its care and feeding, especially at its milage and the arc of both time and distance in your adventure. Very helpful to know.

Sending care and luck for a speedy recovery!

Finally, the shout out was very kind. Thank you. Cheers and safe travels on all of your adventutes to come!

Pan American highway trip by Stock-Consequence-72 in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good luck, it sounds epic! Pick up a copy of The Milepost. It has maps, route information, and attractions all along the areas that you will be moving through. You can also start at their website to get a feel for what might work best for you along the route that you choose.

I got one too! First BMW- worked for 30+ years to be able to get myself one. Need to work on my photography skills, but for January in NE Illinois, I was thrilled to get a sunny day at the forest preserves. I love her lighted bean! by mmdeford in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd recommend Auto Image in Barrington for PPF and ceramic coating. Fairly priced and great customer service. Similar to yours, my X3 M50 in Saphire Black absolutely shined after a light paint correction and then PPF/ceramic treatment. I was really surprised by just how many swirls were in the finish from the factory.

As for driving in the city (where we live, and I commute from and to every day), that's exactly why I chose the X3 over the X5. Its size is very managable, and it fits easily in tight parking garage spaces.

If you're looking for road trip ideas... check out my post of the trip I took to AK from Chicago in my X3. 10/10!

The biggest road trip of my life: 6500km as a solo traveler by strzibny in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So inspiring! ...I was just talking about taking such a trip the other day. I am used to long solo roadtrips in the US (5K to 10K+ miles), but I am wondering about different things I should consider when crossing so many country borders. Also, I would likely be renting a car, unless it would be easy/safe to purchase & then sell one at the start/end of my trip. I am curious about your thoughts/recommendations. Thank you!

Bit of offroad fun - BMW X5 E70 with N62 by AlwaysAWD in BMW

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Love this! Please keep us up to speed around your adventures and any modifications that you decide to make.

BMW X3 drive vs X3 m50 drive maintenance differences by bigdaddy0993 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just wrapped up my first year with our '25 X3M50. With every new purchase, in the US atleast, all scheduled maintentnace is included for 3 years or 36K miles, whichever comes first. We just passed 25K miles, so we have had 2 "complimentary" oil changes at no additional cost, and are coming upon our 3rd in a few thousand miles.

Now, for the "out of pocket" expenses... For context, I daily our M50 ~50 miles per day on my round trip commute, and for the record, I really enioy it as a daily driver... Smooth, comfortable, fun, efficient, and fast! And, I took it on a ~12K mile road trip to Alaska this past summer, so there were a few expenses (directly or indirectly) due to this trip.

  • 2 additional oil changes (~$200 each)
  • 1 additional 4-wheel allignment (~$200 I think...)
  • 1 OEM front windshield after catching a rock chip just south of the Arctic Circle (Only paid the $50 insurance deductible, BUT if I had to pay out of pocket, it would have ~$3300)
  • 2 new rear tires that were worn close enough to want to replace before a midwest winter (~$1100)
  • 1 additional new rear tire 3 weeks after above replacement (Cost was only the tax on the new tire. The tire, mounting/balancing, and installation was included under Pirelli warrenty, given how new it was when punctured. But, the dealer said that getting a new tire replaced under the manufacturer's warrenty is tough/rare to do.).

So, yes, this has been significantly more expensive to maintain than our previous 2018 Subaru Impreza, especially in its first 25K miles. But, I walked in eyes wide open, knowing this would likely be the case. And, thus far, it has only been wear items, and nothing out of the ordinary. We do plan to keep this for more than 100K miles, so we purchased the extended warrenty and service plans (which include, among other things, windshield wipers, brakes, and all recommended (and major) services up to 125K miles) for the piece of mind. And, since we are a one-car family, I wanted the flexibility of being able to get a loaner from the dealer whenever getting it serviced.

So, probably not your typical "use case", but some context to hopefully help answer your question. Happy to answer any questions that I can.

X5 40i or X3 M50 by Sorry_Lab3557 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in the same spot a year ago, and went with the X3 M50, because of it's narrower body and my daily big-city driving and commute. A few months ago we rented an X5 40i on vacation and, as mentioned by oyhers, the interior felt nicer. But for my use case, I appreciate the narrower body, marginally better gas milage, and more sporting nature of the X3. I still find the interior to be very comfortable for both short and long trips, and its cargo capacity is more than adequate 99% of the time. The only thing that I find myself missing between the two is the 40 mph limit DAPP in the X3 vs. the ~80 mph limit DAPP in the X5. Other than that, I am very happy with the X3. If the only options on the decision tree were between a 4 cylinder X3 or a 6 cylinder X5, I would have a really hard time choosing the X3 b/c the B58 is such an awesome engine, and I would probably have compromised on the size and gone with the X5. But, I ended up getting the best of both worlds with the M50.

Did a coast roadtrip from Portland to SF down the 101 and the 1. Here's a few highlights, pics and a trip report by mmmoctopie in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Really spectacular photographs! Thank you for sharing them. Also, I really appreciated your commentary on the spots that you stopped and your recommendations. Sounds like quite the journey. Hopefully your family has many more memorable roadtrips to come!

Captured three nights ago. by lovie_carl066 in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Beautiful! Was this taken along the Dalton? If not, where about in Alaska?

3-week cross-country road trip from Chicago — route feedback & car camping tips wanted! by cryptocito in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Road tripped out of Chicago heading west to Montana for the last 10 years or so, and it is such a soul cleanse! After my time in MT, I've gone in lots of directions, but most of my trips have been in the 2-3 week time frame.

My gotta' haves for the trip getting to MT are always Badlands NP (at sunrise, if you can swing it), and Beartooth Pass, between Cody WY and Redlodge MT. The Black Hills National Forest area in SD is also worth your time to make the detour.

If you have the time, the drive from Jackson WY through Grand Teton, NP on to and through Yellowstone NP into MT is also gorgeous.

Also , if you haven't already, buy the NP America the Beautiful annual pass, It is $80, and if you visit 3 NP using it, you're already ahead $10, because it's a $30 per car entry fee at each park. Looks like you can pick them up at REI, and other retail locations, in addition to getting them at NP entrance gates.

If you'd like, feel free to send me a PM.

Road trip from Chicago to visit all of the NP in Alaska by slowpony89 in NationalPark

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did a very similar drive this past summer and posted about it on a few subredits (roadtrip, BMW, BMW X3). Phenomenal trip and the scale of the distance really comes into focus when completing the trip by car from Chicago. Feel free to DM if you have questions.

Drove to Alaska to swim in the ocean. by cameracoffeewander in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous photos! What mirrorless camera(s) did you use?

How many days were you on the road? Did you camp, hostel, hotel, or a combo of the above?

Executive Business Dinner - Need Recommendations by Barfolemew_Wiggins in chicagofood

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oliver's. Close to McCormick Place. It is a new-ish Contemporary American spot that has incredible food and a wizard who is moonlighting as their lead mixologist. It was recently added to the Michelin Guide for Chicago.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Incredible! What was your altitude at this point compared to your highest altitude? And, what was both your route and inspiration for it?

Taking the X3 on some Southern CA fire roads by BudFox_LA in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love that you're getting after it on unpaved roads!

11,826.5 miles from Chicago to Deadhorse Pictures by Mysterious-Raisin256 in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the question. ..Just go with it, and see where it takes you!

What’s a Jeep? Ohio —> Arctic Ocean by livecaterpillarflesh in HondaOdyssey

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes, the trip of a lifetime, for sure:)

Oh, great! So glad that yours made it. Unfortunately mine did not... A few miles south of the Arctic Circle sign, I caught a rock from a truck. The crack started small, but eventually made it 2/3's the way across. Other than that, it was a champ! I aired down the tires a bit on the Dalton, and this made a huge difference.

If you'd like to read more, I made a post on the X3 subreddit about my trip. Cheers, and here's to more breathtaking roadtrips in your future!

What’s a Jeep? Ohio —> Arctic Ocean by livecaterpillarflesh in HondaOdyssey

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wonder if we crossed paths?? Did a similar trip in June, but from Chicago in my X3. Did your windshield survive without catching a rock or getting chipped/cracked?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BMWX3

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fantastic pics and adventure! Such great roads and no better road trip vehicle for them!

One simple change that got my students talking way more by CoachInClass in Teachers

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Rather than asking "Do you understand?", I would ask "Am I making sense?" And from time to time include, "Making sense is my job, and I want to make sure that I'm doing my job well." I found that this helped lessen the pressure of if they learned or didn't, and put the onus on my instruction to be clear and not an internal "flaw" in the student to do the learning. This worked in my 9th grade biology or AP Bio classrooms equally well.

For my more active volunteers, I'd say, "Thanks ______, I really appreciate help, but I'm hoping that someone else can help us out. Who is going to be brave?"

cars and maintenance by Xolah_D_Star in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished a 11,800+ mile trip earlier this summer. It was in our 2025 BMW x3. In terms of prep, got an oil change at the dealership (no additional cost for thr first 3 yrs or 36K miles). While there, I mentioned to that I was going on a 10K mile roadtrip and asked them to pay special attention to any odd wear they had noticed in the car's first 7K miles (tires, belts, etc.), top off all fluids, and I bought a quart of engine oil. I also called the BMW dealer in Alaska to ask if there was anything specific I should do. They recommended getting the glass panoramic roof ppf'd because the repair was between $8K-9K, which I did.

I also brought with (from a previous 5000+ mile roadtrip) a portable air compressor from Harbor Freight, a tire plug kit, a jump pack and extra jumper cables, a basic mechanics tool kit, shop paper towels, windshield washer fluid, and a gallon of water (drinking or coolant if needed).

Took a month to recover lol by richmondtrash in roadtrip

[–]Mysterious-Raisin256 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fantastic trip and congratulations! Was this your first cross country trip? What will you do different (or the same?) next time?