No qualms with 2005 X3 3.0i
Written: Jan 14 '05
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Pros: -Financing/lease incentives
-Excellent AWD/Xdrive system
-Sports car like handling
Cons: -Questionable durability of "Sensatec" interior
-Acceptable performance levels
The Bottom Line: Take this car for a drive today, and you'll be impressed by the styling, amenities, roominess, handling and AWD attributes. Recommended!
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| calgaryx3's Full Review: 2004 BMW X3 |
An overall enthralling experience with my entry level purchase into the "BMW" marque/culture.
Coming from a Honda S2000, followed by a Toyota 4Runner, and later a Toyota Tundra, I was looking for a vehicle that satisfied my wife's craving for an "SUV", had to have AWD capability for our Canadian winters, while not losing the sporty edge I had come to enjoy in my S2000.
Having shopped the comparison, and found many other SUVs on the market of equal, if not better value/quality than the X3, I was lured by the encouraging lease rates on new year models, coupled with the dealer's ability to negotiate on the car, unlike many other competing manufacturers. Quite surprising for an exclusive marque like BMW in my opinion!
The X3 certainly possesses the sporty attributes of the S2000. While I realize its a matter of comparing apples to oranges, never have I felt so secure whipping through reverse switchbacks in a truck/SUV. Handling is dynamic, and while the automotive press snubbed their noses calling the ride harsh, nauseating and jarring, I would have to disagree. The ride is stiff, albeit sporty; necessary for the kind of handling X3 enthusiasts have come to praise. That said, I personally would not elect for the Sport package, since the lower profile tires and stiffer suspension would undoubtedly make the ride unbearable for those trips with the wife and kids. Braking is another virtue of the X3; linear and precise, I've found the X3 to out-brake many lighter sport sedans I've driven.
Critics often grimace at the spartan interior the X3 sports, describing it as "plasticky" or lacking in quality. Personally, I find the selection of plastics and textures of great quality, and colour choices, including those of the "Sensatec" interiors are top notch. To the lay person, the Sensatec/leatherette combo in my vehicle looks just the real thing, and didn't warrant me spending the extra $2400CDN for the "Ambience leather" I'm curious however, how the nylon-esque blend of BMW's so called "Sensatec" seat fabric will hold up after years of abuse. It seems that spills and other biological deposits by children and the like would be difficult to remove and clean, especially on the beige interior trim. Fit and finish is admirable too, however there are some creaks and groans from trim pieces as the X3 flexes over uneven terrain. All told, the minimalist interior of the X3 suits my fancy just fine. The HVAC performs wonderfully, and the BMW Business CD/stereo system is quite unlike that offered by competitors in the same price-point.
Seating position is high, and with the electric seats, has enough adjustability for even the most finicky of drivers. I would like to have seen larger door mirrors; the X3 is capable of towing small trailers and these mirrors would not even serve mediocre functionality for this purpose. The cabin has a nice airy feel to it, but is not dissimilar to the lesser priced, and equally comfy Honda CRV.
Where the X3 excels in comparison to is Japanese rivals such as the CRV and Rav4, is BMW's innovative XDrive system. Truck based SUVs with conventional 4WD systems such as the 4Runner/Pathfinder are tail happy on slick road surfaces, and from experience, FWD 'Utes tend to exhibit understeer when pushed on slippery surfaces. The X3 has none of these concerns. The transition from 2WD to Xdrive is seamless, quiet and monumentally quick, allowing power to be allocated on an as needed basis, to each wheel, independently.
Performance is sprightly, but not exhilirating by any means. Given our family needs for an automatic, there was no question that it was the 3.0I or bust. I certainly would not recommend the 2.5I, having driven one myself. Typical of these I6 engines, both need to be revved to their limits to extract maximal power, but of course, the 3.0 is better at achieving this than the 2.5, especially when paired with the automatic transmission. With either model, if your'e looking for a fast SUV, look elsewhere. Aftermarket performance support is still dismal, and your money would be better spent on the quicker, more expensive X5 4.4I, or better yet 4.8IS. There again, BMW offers little financial incentive to buy the X3's bigger, brawnier brother.
All told, I urge you to test drive the X3 when shopping for a compact SUV. You'll be surprised how much flexibility dealers have with their product, and this coupled with the experience of owning a (relatively) exclusive vehicle compared with the bread and butter, run of the mill SUVs on the market today, makes the X3 a great choice.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 53,000CDN
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: X3 3.0I Auto
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Epinions.com ID:
calgaryx3
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Reviews written: 1
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