2007 BMW X3 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2004-2015 BMW X3 as a used buy. BMW was one of the early prestige companies to spot the surge in interest in SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles). Realising that most SUV buyers aren't interested in exploring off-road trails but wanted a tall station wagon BMW calls its vehicles SAVs, (Sports

It’s not just we Aussies and the Yanks that love their SUVs, Europeans have really been getting into them in recent years; and the big name German marques have quickly cottoned onto the boom in these handy vehicles. BMW began its SUV range with the X5 and has gradually worked its way down in size with new models X3 and finally the X1. The reduction in size was caused by the realisation by car makers that most SUV buyers aren’t interested in exploring the wilds of their respective countries, rather they want a capacious station wagon with a driving position that’s higher than cars’.Note that BMW would like us to call its vehicles SAVs, standing for Sports Activity Vehicle, but no-one seems particularly interested in that acronym so we will stick with SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).The midsize BMW X3 is the subject of this week’s article as it’s proving very popular in recent times. In Australia around one third of all BMW sales are in SUVs. The biggest seller is the X5, but the X3, introduced here in July 2004, is holding its own in the sales race. Interestingly, the second generation X3, sold from March 2011, is significantly larger than the original and is within a few centimetres of the first-generation X5 in many dimensions.If you’re looking for a family car the gen-two BMW X3 has ample legroom for those in the rear seat and three children will find they have good shoulder room. Boot space is good and the luggage areas are well shaped and easy to load in all X3 models.As there’s almost no demand for a BMW that can go off road, the suspension guys have gone for handling and comfort ahead of traction on unsealed surfaces. Clever electronics, further enhanced on the gen-two X3, do give it more grip in harsh going than you might expect.Four and six-cylinder engines are offered in petrol and diesel format. BMW has long been a specialist in turbocharged engines and both the petrol and diesel units work well. There’s the usual lag before things start to really motor well, but once the engines are past that stage they are beautifully responsive.Though the diesels are the more economical we do have a preference for turbo-petrol engines as they just love to rev way up in the scale, whereas the diesels give up in the high 4000s. Even better are the naturally aspirated straights sixes - one of our all time favourite powerplants. These are offered in 2.5 and 3.0-litre capacity.Six-speed manual gearboxes were offered in the early days, but were never popular and disappeared from the new-car price list during 2008. If you’re keen on DIY gearshifting you may find a few manuals have been privately imported. Be sure a private import meets all areas of Australian regulations.Automatic transmissions began with five forward speeds in 2004, this increased to six in 2006, then eight in the all-new model of 2011. There are manual overrides that give you a fair bit of control as BMW has long been an expert in sporting automatics.BMW is long established in Australia and has a well organised dealer network. The concentration is on major metro areas but there are quite a few in country cities and even large country towns. Spare parts are relatively expensive, but no more so than others in this class of SUV. We seldom here any real complaints about availability. Similarly, insurance costs aren’t low, but you generally seem to get value for money.Do it yourself work on an SUV like this should be left to minor items only. These are complex cars with a multitude of electronic items and should be left to BMW dealers. There are some ex-BMW mechanics in private practise and owners speak very highly of them, however, they may not have access to the very latest information or changes to the X3.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe BMW X3 is generally trouble free, but it makes sense to buy a used one with a full service history. The car will have been in contact by way of the internet with the technical departments in the German head office each time it was serviced at an official dealership.The use of incorrect tyres can cause problems with the transfer case due to incorrect rolling radii. Make a note of the details of tyres then contact BMW for a list of recommended tyres. If you suspect one has been off the beaten track - a rare event - examine the bumper corners, doors sills and undertray for damage - or choose an X3 that hasn’t beaten about the bush.Make sure a petrol engine starts almost instantly, or a diesel within a couple of seconds. Slow starting can indicate real problems. An inspection of the interior, including the luggage area will reveal that a car has been used as a workhorse for carting kids or other heavy-duty stuff.CAR BUYING TIPCars aimed at those who really like to drive may have been thrashed. Blindingly obvious? Yes, but too few buyers take this into account when falling in love with a potential new car. 

Since the introduction of diesel-powered vehicles began with the introduction of the X5 in 2003, BMW diesels have risen from just 671 vehicles to 3342 or 21 per cent of total sales.In some models, such as the X5, it represents up to 70 per cent of sales.Now BMW has added its first four-cylinder diesel engine to the X3 and 5 Series to bring its total diesel models to seven.And, for the first time, they are the entry level vehicles in their range.The X3 2.0d costs $62,900 and the 520d $79,900.They join the 120d ($48,000), 320d ($56,700), 530d ($115,000), X3 3.0d ($75,900) and X5 3.0d ($96,300) with the most powerful diesel model, the 200kW/565Nm twin-turbo X5 3.0sd arriving early next year costing $102,800.In Europe, BMW offers diesels in every model range except the Z4, including a new twin-turbo 210kW 645d coupe and convertible.However, BMW Group Australia public relations and corporate communications manager Toni Andreevski said he could not foresee a 6 or 7 Series diesel coming to Australia as it was not what customers wanted.The third-generation two-litre turbo diesel engine powering the X3 and 5 Series is a lightweight unit with an all-alloy block and cylinder head.It produces 125kW of power and 320Nm of torque and on the national launch, along dusty roads in the Victorian wine district, the engine proved a worthy addition to the dynamic BMW range. Being lightweight, yet torquey, it does not make them nose heavy nor do they seem to be outweighed by the cars, even the 1750kg X3.There was no dramatic understeer, while oversteer could be easily provoked past the corner's apex with a judicious amount of throttle, thanks to the torque on tap.Fuel economy for the X3 is claimed to be 7litres/100km, but we recorded about 8l/100km on the launch, while the 520d is claimed to be 6.1 and we recorded 7.1.They are still good figures considering the vigorous driving they copped on the launch.BMW also claims the emissions from the vehicles are just 162g/km for the 520d and 185g/km for the X3 thanks to a particulate filter on the exhaust.The engines are also particularly quiet and smooth, even at idle with the bonnet up.There is the usual clattery sound, but it is not as loud or obnoxious as some other diesels because they are fitted with two balance shafts.A few revs brings the noise down even further and, surprisingly, when given full throttle there is not the usual disharmonious double-sound.Instead, there is a muted, almost V8 burble.Both vehicles are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions, which are smooth and fast in auto or manual sequential mode.The X3 comes with the same level of specification and equipment as the 2.5si petrol model which includes front and rear parking sensors, stability control, hill descent, six airbags, leather seats, rain sensing wipers, auto headlights, cruise control and more.The 520d comes with eight airbags, Dakota leather, control display with colour monitor, USB connection for iPod and more.  

Some people can recite all 50 American states alphabetically, others every rugby league premier side since 1908. There are rumours of a person who knows the second verse of the national anthem;  though surely this is incredible.If you really want to bore at an international level, though, try learning every variant of BMW.In past half decade this carsguider alone has driven almost 50 of the blue-and-white-badged models from the puny and pointless 118i to the future-is-here Hydrogen 7.The latest two to reach us; though not even yet the last due this year; happens to be, in their way, the best the Bavarian has offered in 2007.'Best' not because they're the quickest or necessarily the most desirable. Rather because by the mad-money standards of the marque,  they're affordable and sensible both economically and ecologically.And they provide decent dollops of the 'sheer driving pleasure' BMW goes on about in the ads.The entry level models in their respective ranges, the X3 2.0d SUV and 520d sedan both use the same updated and highly effective four cylinder turbo diesel.BMW's junior diesel is a gem. Just as the 3-litre six cylinder version challenges the bigger of the marque's own petrol engines; the 2-litre four potter takes it right up to the smaller capacity petrol sixes.The third-generation all-alloy unit produces 125kW at 4000rpm and a hugely handy 340Nm from as low as 1,750rpm. Compared with the former engine, it offers a 20kg weight saving, a power boost of 10kW and a fuel saving of 10 per cent, while emitting 185 gram of Co2 per kilometre.From January it will also be available in the 120d and 320d. In X3 form, though, it represents the best metal-for-the-money package BMW offer here.That is, of course, skewed by Australia's deranged tariff regime under which the behemoth X5 3.0d starts $30K under the same-engined 5 Series sedan.Even so, in this package the X3 begins to look like more than a shrink-wrapped and cut-rate X5, a criticism that's dogged BMW's medium SUV since its inception.This new sense of legitimacy is helped by the $62,900 tag, which puts it at a significant remove from the bullying bigger brother. It's a price point that's almost reasonable, one that could conceivably tempt punters who go for top end Japanese SUVs.While flirting with the options list is a bit like taking a high class call girl to a casino; ruinous and expensive, the 2.0d gets by just fine without gratuitous embellishments such M-Sports kit et al.It gets by even better because like the 520d in standard form, it's free of the runflat tyres that BMW insists are the best thing since internal combustion but which every New South Welshmen with dental fillings dreads for their rigid ride on our rubbish roads.If the X3's cabin is starting to look a bit dated the driving experience remains clicks ahead of any comparable vehicle.Such body roll as there is in this tall, 1750kg BMW informs rather than distract during cornering. In default mode, the X3's permanent all-wheel-drive provides a 40/60 torque split, but will shove it all to one end or the other in extremis.It's hard to imagine any such contingency this side of certifiable behaviour, with a dynamic stability and traction control program that reacts with calm authority even on such loose surfaces as we encountered.It's a measure of the unbearable lightness of steering these days that some found the BMW's just a bit heavy. In fact, it's meaningfully weighted and entirely appropriate to an SUV that designed for driverly gratification before all else.Me? I'd much rather have a 320d wagon if such a thing was to be had here. Yet even an avowed loather of SUVs could roam the X3's natural suburban habitat without feeling a complete turncoat.And if the X3's performance/economy equation is good (a 9.6 second 0-100km/h sprint time meets 9.7 litres per 100km combined cycle) the 520d gets more of both out of the same engine.A 'proper' BMW, with the rear wheels driven and the weight distribution about even, it takes about five Kms of B-road driving before you wonder why the 523i costs $5,000 more.At 8.6 seconds, the 520d is almost half-a-sec quicker to 100km/h from halt. At 6.1 litres per 100km, it cruises 3.2 litres per 100 k more economically.If progression off the mark isn't exactly linear; the turbo's split second hesitancy feels longer when turning into traffic, the mid-range rush more than compensates. When spooled up, progress in this allegedly lesser 5 Series is seriously sharp, to the extent that you'll want to re-check speed when entering a corner. So composed is this chassis that you're almost always travelling faster then it feels.Quixotically the base 16s and optional 19-inch M kit tyres are conventional jobbies, while the intermediate 17s and 18s are runflats. Stay with the standard-fit rubber (the 5 Series has a temporary use spare anyway) and be reminded why BMWs remain the keen steerer's choice of the prestige Germans.There might be nine variants of the 5 Series alone, but the base model provides a good reason not to bother learning about the others.Snapshot BMW 520Dprice: $79,900engine: 2.0L/4-cylinderturbo diesel; 125kw/340Nmeconomy: 6.1L/100km (claimed)transmission: 6-speed auto BMW X3 2.0Dprice: $69,200engine: 2.0L/4-cylinderturbo diesel; 125kW/340Nmeconomy: 7L/100km (claimed)transmission: 6-speed auto BMW 520D: a flirtatious beginning

French cars are obvious successes, led by long-distance Citroens, and Volkswagen is going well with Golf, Passat and Touareg.Now BMW X3 joins the list.The compact all-wheel-drive has just had a tickle for the second half of its life, as well as some significant upgrading. I am impressed.The cabin improvements alone are worth a second look at the X3. It also lives up to BMW's promise of a sporty drive and there is lots of go with its 3.0-litre petrol six.Power is up in both the 2.5 and 3.0-litre petrol motors, and economy has improved.The changes are concentrated on the engines, interior and equipment levels, but there is more electronic trickery than before — mostly to make the car safer — and more outright safety equipment, including brakes that keep themselves clear of water and primed for action.BMW also has put more emphasis on the diesel engine in the X3 and it is now bolted to a slick six-speed automatic gearbox.The variable-vane turbocharger and common-rail fuel injection ensure good response and a broad spread of power.The changes do not look like much. The lamps and bumpers are new, with deep-set foglamps in the nose, and there seems to be less cheap-looking black plastic.Inside, BMW has gone all-out with new seats, a new wheel and instrument panel and an improved centre console.There also is Bluetooth for mobile phones, more storage spots, and bigger bins in the doors.Dig deeper and you'll find everything from twin-chamber airbags for improved side protection to parking radar at both ends.There is still only a compact spare, something that concerned one tester who had a flat last year and faced several hundred kilometres of gravel roads.In the driveline, BMW has linked the X3's intelligent AWD to its stability control and engine-management system. The electronic assistance runs from stability and traction control to descent control and even cornering brake control. Acronym addicts must love BMWs. ON THE ROADMY ORIGINAL experience with the X3 was unconvincing. It felt underdone after the larger BMW X5 and overpriced after the Toyota RAV4.This time, driving the latest X3 diesel revealed a car that is better finished, more welcoming and — though I did not push the edges — promises to be safer in a range of situations. And it's a nice drive, sporty and taut yet still good for carrying a family or doing the shopping.The diesel has 160kW in the X3, together with a punchy 480Nm, which means it will jump to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. That is pretty respectable for a middle-weight AWD, though I had no need to check the top of 210km/h.The diesel also has excellent overtaking punch and, with the six-speed auto and the chance to take full manual control, can be fun on twisty roads or when you just feel like a bit of gear changing.It is easy to keep percolating from about 2000 revs and will also pull hard to the redline in a most un-diesel style.I also got 8.4 litres for 100km, better than BMW's fuel economy claim, despite some hard driving. So with a 67-litre tank, it will go a long way between stops.The ride and handling is also good, with a solid feel and good response. The X3 turns well, does not roll much and generally feels more like a car than an AWD.The facelifting work has made the X3 a little more stylish and far more user-friendly.The cheapie look inside is gone, the seats are more supportive and the storage is better. Even the leather seats and new steering wheel in the test car were classy and contributed to a much better verdict on the cabin.The X3 is still versatile and easy to use, will do the job in any road conditions and — thanks to all that electronic stuff that would take a book to understand and explain — always feels safe and sure-footed.It is hard to find direct rivals to the X3 because of its compact size and premium price.It is more costly than any Korean AWD wagon and sits above the popular Japanese contenders, but is not as big as the prestige Japanese and European wagons.It is listed as a luxury AWD, which means it must compete with everything from the Audi Q7 at $85,700 to the Volvo XC90 V8 at $84,950, even though the 2.5-litre six starts at $65,900 and the diesel is from $75,900.So it sits on its own. But I have tested the all-new Land Rover Freelander— which buries the current under-performer — and it will run the BMW close when it gets to Australia.For now, the X3 is a definite winner. THE BOTTOM LINEWORTHWHILE improvements make the X3 better and look fresh, particularly as a diesel.76/100

A few years later a 40W intellect in a 100W socket in the product planning department mused that if people loved the big wagon, surely they would equally love a smaller one — and the quicker they built it the better.From there flowed the plan for then X3 in a bid to sweep up those who found the X5 too big or too expensive, but still desired to have the blue-and-white badge in their garage. The original X3 seemed all that the planners envisaged: It was a little smaller, though not much, and it was a little less expensive, although not much. It was, however, definitely cheap.Developed and produced out-of-house by Magna Steyr Fahrezeugtechnik (MSF), an Austrian company, you couldn't help thinking it could have been so much better with so much more of the BMW "feel" about it. Obviously BMW shared some of those thoughts.With the arrival of the second-generation car some key issues have been addressed.While the exterior make-over is minor - a larger grille, redesigned body-coloured bumpers front and rear, changes to the lights — and just enough differentiation to allow the owner of the latest generation to appear at least slightly superior, it is the interior that really redeems the X3.Gone is the feeling that you have paid a premium price for a utilitarian experience. The new X3 now looks, feels and even smells as a BMW should.A new three-spoke steering wheel, restyled instrument panel, metal door handles, storage spaces and wooden trim — standard across the range — speak of soul, rather than Seoul.A trio of more powerful and economic engines add to the quality of the revised X3. On test we drove only the 3.0-litre diesel (briefly) and the 3.0-litre petrol, missing out on the 2.5-litre petrol — which is the only model to offer the new six-speed manual.Each of the 3.0-litre engines, coupled to a sharp six-speed Steptronic auto, have much to like about them. The diesel would be a more practical choice for the improved off-road activities the X3 is capable of with its new-generation X-Drive all-wheel-drive system.Both its considerable range and strength at low revs would benefit an X3 destined for a bit of sand and dust. Around town the smoother petrol unit has the edge with its (relative) off-the-mark punch and quieter operation.There is the usual grab-bag of electronic intervention and control functions — stability control and traction, dynamic stability control, ABS, dynamic brake control, automatic slip control, cornering brake control, increased braking readiness, fade compensation, dry brake function and hill descent control — to make your experience in the X3 safer and more relaxed.There are also six dual-stage airbags — front, side and curtain.On road performance, never really an issue with the X3, remains better than average for a sports utility vehicle, or sports activity vehicle in BMW-speak.There are the obvious and unavoidable shortcomings of a high-mass, high-ride vehicle — particularly noticeable in tightening corners — but overall the experience is positive.A couple of niggles remain, at least one of which — the absence of power adjustment for the driver's seat — is an obvious cost-saving measure. There is also the matter of the deletion of the i-Drive and shifting most of the useful operations such as radio and navigation to dash-mounted dials.As one who never actually despised i-Drive, I find the new system less convenient, because reaching the fiddly knobs is more difficult and distracting than the centrally-mounted i-Drive control.Closing the tailgate can also cause problems as the only grab-point is a recess on the door, an issue for the vertically challenged.