BMW X3 road test reports and car reviews

BMW X3 3.0i SE 2005

I purchased my X3 as a used model. I think the x3 represents excellent value for money when you consider what you get for your money, ok the fuel economy is not great, but the X3 is great fun to drive and practical for a family.

BMW X3 2006

I was planning to keep my Volkswagen Touran for another year, but when I saw this X3 in the car trade, It was love at first sight. Indeed it is a great car, economic, and sporty. Even the kids love it. I’d highly recommended it to any buyers who are having second thoughts.

BMW X3 2.0d 2009

This car is fantastic. I bought it in August 2009 and the suspension and interior is much better than in earlier models. Although the stereo is disappointing and the steering is heavy when parking. Next time I buy I will get power steering as it is a must. The new X3 is much better than the earlier model.

Responses to this review

This guy obviously doesn’t know what he is on about as all cars from the early 90`s had power steering as standard, maybe he should get his wife to park it !!! I would like to see him park a car with the old rack and pinion - Matt Tobin from Lancashire

BMW X3 20d se 2006

Picked this up for £14.500 from a back street dealer a year ago now. I had a major fuel problem and BMW very kindly covered the bill while under warranty; then 4 months later the gearbox, which is a manual and only covered 40,000 miles also pretty much packed up - £2,300 - this time out of warranty but with a moan or two BMW have paid 80% of the cost so I cannot complain. The boot doesn’t shut first time. The handling is pretty good and it has a decent engine too. Brand new too expensive but second hand great value; I would buy another one but overall the suspension is, lets face it, too hard for a comfortable ride. For the money a good car in its class.

BMW X3 2.0D 2004

We’ve had the car 9 months (changed from a 3 litre Terranno) and are pleased with it. It is reasonably economic averaging 36mpg dropping to 29 when towing our large caravan. On a run the car will get over 40mpg. On a recent camping trip the car pulled the caravan out of a very muddy field without any fuss while other Japanese off-roaders had to be towed out. The insurance and RFL are reasonable for the type of vehicle, certainly cheaper than the Terranno when the new Tax Bands are considered.

BMW X3 2.0d SE 2005

Yes, the ride is firm but acceptable and the up side of this is that the handling is great and just like a normal saloon car. I have recently been considering a replacement car and will probably end up with another X3 - there really is nothing comes close from a prestige manufacturer that gives this level of performance and fuel economy. I do contract hire and for not too much more per month, I could have a Discovery, Merc ML280 or a Volvo XC90. However, all give much poorer performance, varying amounts of roll and sloppiness around corners and, in the real world, would give between mid to high twenties per gallon. My current car has the original 150bhp engine and, bashing around rural Northumberland, gives me about 33 or 34 to the gallon. Also, although probably no good for real mud-plugging, the car has been fine for off-roading across muddy fields and recently performed very well in the snow - no complaints at all for normal snow and off-road usage!

BMW X3 2.0d 2006

Got 2.0d on 2yr contract hire from BMW at £249 + VAT per month, great deal for an excellent all round vehicle, economy of 35mpg around our home area, but can stretch to 45+ on long motorway runs. The ride is firm, but it is never harsh, and the excellent handling and stability just inspire confidence, especially when towing our caravan. Just had first oil service (19500 miles) for £166.00, next one due in another 18,000 miles - cheap motoring for a quality car! As said, we use our car for towing our large family caravan, and my only disappointment has been the manual gearbox/clutch (clutch was changed under warranty at 18k miles), like many newer cars (LR Discovery included) the clutches are not man enough for coping with caravans/trailers close to their maximum towing weight. I am seriously considering another X3 for replacement in June, but it will have to be a 2.0d Auto! Let’s hope that the ’deals’ are around this year again, otherwise it may be a Tiguan 2.0tdi Sport Auto!

BMW X3 2.0d 2007

I'm now on my second X3 and, yes, the ride is firm, however you don't get cornering on rails with soggy suspension. For its size and weight it performs very well with fuel economy better than a large number of saloon cars. I have towed a caravan all over Europe and it's a very good tow car. The new model is much improved over the previous model. Being quieter, smoother and more compliant on the road it's excellent in snow and mud and it has that badge on the front and back.

Responses to this review

What a woman! Whinges, complains about everything, you should grow t**s. The BMW is a drivers car, but you’re not a driver! Buy a wet sponge and drive that around, you wont get bruises then - Geoff from Australia

BMW X3 SE 2006

I’ve leased the X3 for almost two years now and have not been disappointed. My diesel, manual drive has returned approximately 48mpg on a run and 34mpg round town. I find the ride comfortable and not too hard at all. I would recommend it and am thinking of replacing my existing X3 with another one except that I do not see as good a deal as I got last time.