Background: Not long ago, German luxury manufacturers boasted a lineup of luxury cars. Truck sales were left to the other guys; but times change. Four years ago, BMW launched the four-door (plus hatchback)X5, the first non-car vehicle available in its consumer lineup. BMW labeled the mid-size X5 a “sport activity vehicle” to distinguish itself from the many “sport utility vehicles” already multiplying in the market place. The X5 was designed for shoppers who do the majority of driving on smooth pavement rather than off-road ditches (which accounts for a majority of Chicago-area drivers). How successful was the X5? After a brief time in dealer showrooms, BMW deduced there was enough volume for a second SAV derivative. Enter the slightly more diminutive four-door hatchback X3 (measuring in at 179.7 inches in length), sort of a “Mini Me” answer to X5 (at 183.7 inches in length). Plus X3 is a “Lighter Me” weighing in at 600 pounds less than X5. Both the X5 and X3 feature higher seating positions than traditional sedans, versatile cargo area and distinctive exterior looks. No lower range transfer case is present; another reason to keep both vehicles closer to the shopping mall rather than a stone quarry. The compact X3 shares an automotive platform with BMW’s diminutive 3-Series sedan. Besides size, the other key difference between the two is X5’s eight-cylinder engine versus X3’s six-cylinder power. While the X5 is assembled at BMW’s only United States assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the X3 is built in Graz, Austria. The all-new X3 began arriving at dealers last November.
Trim levels/engine: The X3 is available in one basic trim level, with two engine choices. Both engines are mated to xDrive, BMW’s state-of-the-art all-wheel drive system that’s permanently engaged; no driver input is needed to appropriate torque between front and rear wheels. During normal driving conditions, 60 percent of torque is delivered to the rear wheels. If icy conditions exist, xDrive can transfer a majority of torque to the front wheels. Sole rear wheel drive is summoned when cornering tight curves, any time the anti-lock brakes are active or if the vehicle under steers. The X3 2.5i is powered by a 24-valve, double overhead cam six-cylinder inline engine producing 184 horses. The X3 3.0i features a 34-valve, double overhead cam, inline, six cylinder engine cranking out 225 horses. These are similar to the engines powering BMW 3-Series sedans. The 2.5i engine averages 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 m.p.g. highway with manual transmission. Subtract one mile per gallon highway with automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter version generates 17 m.p.g. city and 25 m.p.g. highway with manual transmission, and 16 m.p.g. city and 23 m.p.g. highway with automatic. The fuel tank holds 17.7 gallons of premium unleaded fuel. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.
Pricing: The folks at BMW dropped off a six-speed manual transmission X3 3.0 inline version for a week-long test. Starting price checked in at $36,300. Many option packages are available that add quickly to the bottom line. After factoring in the Premium Package ($2,550), navigation system ($1,800), privacy glass ($350) and silver metallic paint ($475), the bottom line added up to $42,170 after adding in a $695 destination charge. The 2.5 inline version with manual transmission starts at $30,300. Five-speed “Steptronic” automatic transmission is available as a stand-alone option, but adds $1,275 to the price of both trim levels. BMW’s X5 pricing starts at $40,800 for a 3.0-liter eight-cylinder version and $52,100 for a 4.4-liter eight-cylinder selection.
Standard/optional equipment: While many items such as air conditioning and power windows, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and in-dash single feed compact disc player (cassette players are not offered) come standard, BMW provides many option packages. Heated seats, heated steering wheel, automatic transmission, SIRIUS satellite radio, six-disc CD changer, enhanced power steering, in-dash navigation system and an extra long ‘panorama moonroof’ consisting of two glass panels, both of which can be tilted up at the rear, are optional in both engine models. Premium option packages are available in both models clustering many popular items such as lumbar support, leather upholstery, auto dimming rear view mirror and large moonroof. Cruise control is optional in the 2.5 model, but standard in the 3.0.
Inside: The seating position is higher than most conventional sedans, but not high enough to make getting in or out uncomfortable. It’s a simple sit down rather than jump up maneuver when entering. Spring loaded ceiling handles are conveniently mounted above all four side doors for use when needed. While our test drive model included the optional leather upholstery, vinyl material is available in some models. No automaker offers third-row seating in a compact design simply because it doesn’t fit. The second-row bench seat sits two adults; three would be pushing the envelope. Headroom is plentiful no matter where one sits. If the back seat is used frequently, one must take note of the narrow entry way. The rear seat back folds down with a 60/40 split directly onto seat cushions once tabs on seat cushion tops are pulled up. Each door has a large sweeping, diagonal grab bar extending from the small door handle down to the map pocket. Of all the automakers, BMW dares to be different in placement and design of dashboard functions. Current BMW owners know the drill but if you’re coming to BMW from another automotive line, take time to acclimate to the new environment. The rather diminutive instrument panel contains two three-quarter circle gauges. The left side contains an analog speedometer with digital readouts below. The right circle includes a tachometer and smaller analog fuel and temperature readings along the bottom. Both front and rear windshield wipers activate from a right-side steering column appendage. The ignition cylinder is also in this area. In between the front bucket seats is a hand-operated parking brake, single permanently molded beverage holder and a bi-level storage bin with flat-top armrest. For those opting for the optional navigation system, a rectangular screen flips up from the central dashboard top when summoned. Street maps, time, directions and radio frequencies are displayed on the screen. Buttons and levers controlling the power functions of the front bucket seats are found on the outward sides of the seat cushions. A power door lock button is located on the center console while power window and side mirror controls are on the driver’s door. Interspersed along the dash are rectangular air vents. Climate controls and radio functions operate through a number of dashboard buttons on the center console. The steering wheel also provides secondary radio function and cruise control functions. The car battery is not under the hood, but under the cargo floor in the hatch region.
Exterior: The X3’s attractive exterior includes both a rear spoiler and roof rails standard. The front grille design includes BMW’s familiar twin-port design with vertical black slats flanked by rectangular headlight housing and BMW’s circular blue and white logo hood medallion . The rear hatch, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom as one unit. The glass window does not operate separately. When opened, the design provides enough head clearance for those 6-feet five-inches and shorter. The rear latch contains an electronic sensor pad enabling it to unlatch by exerting minimal pressure on the pads with fingertips. Strap-like, body-colored handles adorn all four doors. All-season tires are standard on both models. Side cargo-area windows have a 45-degree slant at the bottom creating an aggressive look. Circular fog lights are standard in 3.0i and optional in 2.5i
Safety: The X3 comes with a decent array of air bags including dual front passenger front impact air bags, front and rear head air bags and side mounted air bags for front seat drivers. Also included is four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control (built into the xDrive design), daytime running lights, remote keyless entry and rear child safety door locks. When shifting into reverse, the passenger side-view mirror tilts downward providing a better view of blind spot areas, and reverts back to its normal position when shifted forward. Rear seat side impact air bags along with a radar-like detection system imbedded into front and rear bumpers alerting drivers when approaching low-lying objects at slow speeds are optional.
Warranty: The BMW warranty coverage is four years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) for drivetrain, basic (covering most other parts of the vehicle except those considered routine maintenance) and roadside assistance. The corrosion warranty is a bit more extensive, at six years with no mileage restrictions.
Final thoughts: Many luxury automakers have “supersized” recent additions to their sport utility and SUV-like lineups. Infiniti’s QX56 and the Lexus GX 470 are recent examples of bigger proportioned SUVs. The six-cylinder Lexus RX 330 SUV-like vehicle (with a starting price of $36,675 for all-wheel-drive and manual transmission) probably comes closest to rivaling the X3 in size as does the V-6, 280 horsepower Infiniti FX35, a vehicle sharing an automotive platform with the strangely attractive Nissan Murano. The FX35 (still larger than X3 by 10 inches) is available in rear wheel or all-wheel drive with the all-wheel drive version checking in at $35,850. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUVs also measure closer in size to the larger X5. BMW’s X3 is one of the few compact-sized luxury sport-utility-like vehicles available. Several mainstream compact sport utilities abound including the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and soon to arrive Hyundai Tucson, however these are predominantly four-cylinder powered. The X3 handled exceptionally well during recent spring rains. Several extreme maneuvers were tried and this driver always stayed in control. Keep in mind for a compact-sized vehicle, the X3 carries a lot of weight. The X3’s manual transmission shifted smoothly with a foot clutch featuring a long, comfortable engagement point. The BMW inline engines are well tested and provide more than adequate punch. |