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BMW X3 2004 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7

The arrival of the compact X3 was as inevitable as the sequel to the X-Men movie, which includes an entertaining reprise outing by Hugh Jackman as the nasty but nice Wolverine.

The X3 is a bit like that. An entertaining romp. The same basic plot in a new package. But no nasty with the nice.

We're still waiting to hear if an X1 will roll in alongside the baby 1 Series from BMW, but the X3 is here now and about to do a great job for people who have looked longingly at the X5 but have been unable to afford the $81,900 starting price for the 3.0-litre turbodiesel or $118,000 for the V8 version.

2004 BMW X Models

Explore the 2004 BMW X Models range

The X3 has plenty of bait for the hook. It is a classy compact wagon that seats five adults, has a choice of six-cylinder engines, comes with permanent all-wheel drive and BMW's xDrive system to handle low-grip situations, and is built to BMW quality standards with plenty of standard equipment, starting from $65,300.

The X3's size is deceptive – it bears an uncanny resemblance to the X5. Then again, some say it looks like a Toyota RAV4.

Whatever, it has enough bulk to line up handily against such rivals as the Lexus RX330, the Honda MD-X and Jeep's Grand Cherokee, which are in a similar price category for prestige four-wheel-drive buyers. Some people will also consider it against an X5, and the range of rivals could easily run to the Subaru Outback or the new Ford Territory.

The mechanical package includes two hi-tech sixes, a 2.5 with 141kW and a 3.0-litre with 170kW, though the 2.5i X3 is the only model available with a manual gearbox. Otherwise it's all auto, with tiptronic touch change for manual work.

The suspension, as you would expect, is fully independent and there are anti-skid four-wheel disc brakes with meaty alloy wheels and dual-purpose tyres – though the spare is only a space saver – as well as a full pack of BMW electronics for stability control, traction and braking.

The X3 2.5i opens the price run at $65,300 with the manual gearbox. It comes with automatic air-con, 10 airbags, a leather-wrap steering wheel with cruise control, automatic headlamps, an on-board computer and CD radio, all of which makes it a reasonable deal.

If you want the 3.0i you'll be looking for $74,600 before extras.

ON THE ROAD

The X5 has been our four-wheel-drive benchmark since the day it arrived. It's costly, sure, but it is the vehicle that most all-paw shoppers – not adventurers, but weekend hobbyists – would like to have in the driveway.

A Toyota LandCruiser is the best for the big Outback trip, the X5 is the one for doers with dollars.

The X3 is much the same, only in a smaller and slightly more responsive package. It still looks like a wagon and has enough meat to make an impact, but it drives like a high-rider car.

It's a lot less expensive than an X5 – we would never say cheaper – but still pretty costly when you can have a Subaru Outback from less than $40,000.

The dollars buy an extremely well-built car – heft the mount for the roll-out luggage cover and you get the feel – and it carries five adults in relative comfort. It's also well-equipped, though our X3 2.5i jumped to $71,750 by the time the automatic gearbox, wonderful panorama sunroof and alloy running boards were added.

The X3 doesn't really need tweaking, even if the full-length glass sunroof is great for brightening a winter day. It could be too much of a good thing in summer.

The 2.5i gets along pretty handily. It has a smooth response and solid overtaking push, and the touch-change auto is as nice – or nicer – than most five-speed manuals. It's relatively good at the pumps, too, averaging 11.8 litres/100km on test.

Handling is well-balanced and predictable and the X3 rides firmly yet with plenty of compliance, and is easy to park. It feels a little nicer than the X5 and has less weight to massage around corners or to stop.

There isn't much to quibble about, though the location of the six-stack CD unit in the centre console is silly. It robs the space you'd use for a wallet or nibbles.

We didn't find the cabin too inspiring, particularly compared with the classy look and feel of a Lexus RX330, but the seats are comfortable and we really liked the leather-wrapped wheel.

Compared with the RX, the X3 is much more masculine. It's not as perky as a 2.5, but feels tougher and more likely to enjoy an off-road romp. It's the same, pretty much, against the Honda MD-X. And on quality and comfort, The X3 could also make a case against the basic model in the Mercedes ML line-up.

The X3 is a classy newcomer that's had an instant impact on our four-wheel-drive favourites list.

THE BOTTOM LINE

CONDENSING the benchmark X5 has done a lot more than merely create a German rival for the Toyota RAV4.

Pricing guides

$6,745
Based on 14 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$2,500
Highest Price
$8,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
X3 2.5I 2.5L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $6,050 – 8,470 2004 BMW X Models 2004 X3 2.5I Pricing and Specs
X3 3.0I 3.0L, PULP, 5 SP $6,820 – 9,570 2004 BMW X Models 2004 X3 3.0I Pricing and Specs
X5 4.4I 4.4L, PULP, 6 SP AUTO $7,810 – 11,000 2004 BMW X Models 2004 X5 4.4I Pricing and Specs
X5 4.8IS 4.8L, PULP, 6 SP AUTO $11,660 – 15,510 2004 BMW X Models 2004 X5 4.8IS Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
7
Pricing Guide

$2,500

Lowest price, based on 9 car listings in the last 6 months

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