After almost eight months of hibernation, we decided to undertake our annual pilgrimage to Goa last weekend. It was also our first long trip with family in X3. While looking forward to the trip, I was bit anxious because of (1) Covid situation and loads of misinformation around (2) Going out in almost a new car- just about 2000 kms (mostly city driven) old before the trip and (3) Going to drive an automatic on longish ghat sections for the first time.
Just before the trip added this boot mat from Elegant. It fits nicely and has a very
grippy texture. Looks built to last.
Journey
On Friday morning, we set out from eastern suburb of Pune at 5 am and reached Colva in South Goa, about 490 kms away, just in time for the check-in at 2pm. It was a good timing considering how broken Chorla ghat is right now and a 40-min breakfast stop near Kolhapur.
Some observations from the trip:
1) X3 is very very comfortable and you don't feel tired despite doing 4-5 hours non stop. Sound insulation, AC, suspension and refined engine all combine to make the ride comfortable. I usually take two breaks between Pune and Goa. but this time one break was good enough.
2) Embedded navigation (I think MapMyIndia) worked well and was very fast in calculating unlike Google which hangs when rerouting if you loose data connectivity. Map is accurate too. Both Google and BMW Map suggested same route for South Goa
3) It reached obscene speeds without me realising or putting any effort. First diesel engine I have experienced which doesn't whine a bit while revving all the way to the red line (5500 rpm). Dong dong warning is irritating.
4) Adaptive headlamp (and high beam) worked quite accurately. Doesn't work if fog lights are turned on, although instrument indicator lights up. Stock LED headlight was adequate on the highway
5) Negotiated craters and slush on Chorla route with ease. Adequate GC. Didn't notice any XDrive traction control kicking-in. On the same route an Ertiga taxi was stuck for 20 min
6) Not a single squeak, squeal and rattles despite riding on moon surface
7) Cargo space was adequate for family of four travelling with school and home office gadgets for four nights
8) Has a lot of street presence (perhaps due to the logo and owl-eyed DRLs). Fellow road users gave way. Cops at KN-GA and GA-MH borders didn't stop. Even loud two-wheelers slowed and gave way within narrow Goan roads
9) Returned 14.3 km/l on entire trip with full load and 100%AC, 30% sports mode driving. Tankful will easily give 800+ kilometres of range. I refilled after 788 kms
10) About the destination- South Goa was quite empty. Very few tourists out on the street. Many small eateries and bars were shut. Swiggy was working. Our hotel was about 70% occupied despite long weekend. They upgraded us to a family villa FoC. Most locals used masks. We were mostly holed-in our suite.
11)Traffic on the highway was nearly normal. Toll Gates up to Satara were crowded like usual. Top surface at many places on the highway have degraded.
Now let some picture do the talking