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The interior feels cheap (but the price isn't) and not like the BMW's of the past. The dash layout is standard (Instrument panel with round speedometer and rpm dials, fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauge) but the plastics used look and feel of a lower quality than you'd expect from ... Read review
ABS Brakes, Alloy Wheels, CD Player, Central Locking, Climate Control, Diesel, Drivers ... more
Airbag, Electric Windows, Front fog lights, Immobiliser, Metallic paint, Multiple Airbags, Power Steering, Single CD Player, Trip Computer, Twin Airbags..and more
BMW X3 - Hatchback - Four Wheel Drive (4x4) - 6 Speed Manual, 5 Speed Automatic - 2494 cc - Max Speed: 129 mph - 192 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: SE, Sport
BMW X3 - Hatchback - Four Wheel Drive (4x4) - 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox - 2979 cc - Max Speed: 130, 135 mph - 231 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: SE, Sport
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
BMW X3 - 4 X 4 - Four Wheel Drive (4x4) - 6 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Manual - 2993 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 218 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: M Sport, SE
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 143 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
Advantages: Badge, resale value, Image Disadvantages: Build quality, Not a real 4x4, Price
...CD player is the standard BMW one - nothing special here.
This car has so many sensors that I'd be worried that when the warranty is up its all going to fail : Central locking with electronic immobiliser, crash sensors, fuel tank filler flap integrated into the central locking, seat sensors, brake sensors, ...
The ride : Not bad. Fairly nimble but don't expect any rapid velocity, if you want that look at a proper car ... ...Then you get to the BMW options! This is where they make the serious money. The X3 being a soft-offroader with the BMW badge attracts all the fashion options.
Adaptive headlights £270.00, Alloy wheels, Aluminium running board £205.00, Auto dimming interior mirror £145.00, navigation system £1425.00, Detachable tow bar £510.00, Electric front seats with driver's memory £820.00, Floor mats £75.00!!, Luggage compartment net £95.00, leather Upholstery ... more
I liked the X5 and thought I'd have a look at the new X3 2.0d SE as its fairly economical on paper.
After spending some time with the X3 and driving it I came to the conclusion that its a rather bland and boring car. Its far to low to be a serious 4x4 and no where near an Audi estate or even a 5 series.
Inside you do get good equipment though: Many airbags - Driver and front passenger airbags with IDA? (impact-depending airbag system), front seat occupancy detector, Head airbag front and rear, Side airbags at the front for driver and front passenger. If you had a serious accident and all the airbags went off I think you'd all get squashed into to middle, bang heads and get injured that way.
The interior feels cheap (but the price isn't) and not like the BMW's of the past. The dash layout is standard (Instrument panel with round speedometer and rpm dials, fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauge) but the plastics used look and feel of a lower quality than you'd expect from BMW. Dash is in a dark grey that just looks dated. Small glove compartment (for gloves) which is illuminated and lockable.
The Radio and single CD player is the standard BMW one - nothing special here.
This car has so many sensors that I'd be worried that when the warranty is up its all going to fail : Central locking with electronic immobiliser, crash sensors, fuel tank filler flap integrated into the central locking, seat sensors, brake sensors, ...
The ride : Not bad. Fairly nimble but don't expect any rapid velocity, if you want that look at a proper car and not a 4x4. Because this car has Anti-roll bars front and rear the ride is stable to firm. Dynamic Stability Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear (more sensors!)
Brakes - Very good. Disc brakes at the front, inner-vented.
Off road : I wouldn't want to take my new X3 offroading. Poor ground clearance for a 4x4 and the standard tyres would get you into trouble very fast.
The steering wheel housed the cruise control, which I hated and found did not always engage?
The Six-speed manual gearbox is nice and probably the best thing about this car. On a long run I think it would come into its own, delivering good fuel economy and a fairly smooth gear change. The gearing is a little short at low speeds but once you get used to it its ok.
The Automatic air conditioning which has a microfilter system, condensation and solar sensor. The one I test drove wouldn't turn off and tried to freeze us.
In the back : Rear seat bench which is foldable and 60:40 dividable. Centre armrest which includes two cup holders and storage compartment, integrated head rest, ISOFIX Child seat fastenings. There is plenty of room here for three. However, if these three were kids I'm not sure if the plastic and fabrics would last long. The luggage compartment has a cheap textile lining, load capacity is up to 1,560 litres which is not bad. But the ride would suffer is loaded up with heavy stuff.
Exterior : Wing mirrors are electrically adjustable and heated. Colour coded door handles, ... Fog lights, Follow-me-home function. But nothing special !!
There are a good choice of colours, most of which are metallic: Metallic Black Sapphire, Bluewater, Flamenco Red, Metallic Highland Green, Metallic Mocha Brown, Metallic Mystic Blue, Metallic Silver Grey, Metallic Titanium Silver, Solid Alpine White, Solid Jet Black.
Don't go for the solid white, it looks bad, real bad !
Then you get to the BMW options! This is where they make the serious money. The X3 being a soft-offroader with the BMW badge attracts all the fashion options. Adaptive headlights £270.00, Alloy wheels, Aluminium running board £205.00, Auto dimming interior mirror £145.00, navigation system £1425.00, Detachable tow bar £510.00, Electric front seats with driver's memory £820.00, Floor mats £75.00!!, Luggage compartment net £95.00, leather Upholstery £1125.00, ...
Summary: Personally, I didn't like itmuch at all. It was a little to soft for me, plus the plastics and general tacky build quality just don't seem worth the money this car would have cost. The X3 2.0d SE I was looking at was just over £30k.
dogard 03.08.2005 (03.08.2005)
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Review of BMW X3 2.0d
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Features
Fuel consumption
Looks
Quick review of BMW X3 2.0d
A very underrated Sports Activity Vehicle. Mine is the xDrive 20d 2008 model with the 177hp engine. Smooth, powerful (for size) and economic after the petrol 5 series I have been driving.
Disregard the old road tests (2004/2005) especially that of Top Gear, the latest model is not the same car. Finish is excellent and easily compares with my previous 5 series Touring.
Early days but highly recommended so far. ...
ellceedee 06.10.2008
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Advantages: The Badge, Resale Value, Disadvantages: Diesel engine is a little coarse
...to think about it, the BMW X3 diesel hasn't alot going for it.
The interior for a start is cheap. The quality of the plastics and the trim do not suggest to me that I have just spent €60,000 (bought in Ireland) on a car. The cabin is tiny, the leg room reminded me of a Ryanair/Easyjet flight, the boot (for what it is meant to be) is tiny. On the upside, the seats are very supportive, especially on long journeys, the stereo is superb and the overall ... ...summerise, if you have (or can get your hands on) €60,000, I suggest you don't consider buying this car and either (1) if you have badge issues, get a regular BMW or Mercedes or AUDI estate, or (2) save your money and get something like a Passat or an Octavia. ...
schatzie 13.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of BMW X3 2.0d