BMW X3 road tests and consumer car reviews

BMW X3 20d SE Exclusive Auto 2009

Just bought a 2009 20d auto from a dealer. What a drive! It’s very responsive and definitely fun. I had a 320i 2010 previously and had to rev it very hard, whereas with this one a light touch and off it shoots. I have done just under 2000 miles in a month. and apart from the leather seats being a bit hard I have no complaints. I will definitely get another one. Also the mpg is great; at 70mph I got 51mpg over a 180mile journey when I first got it and reset the computer, and that included being stuck in a traffic jam on the M6 for a 5 to 10 mins. According to the computer it’s averaging 47.8 now after just under 2000 miles and that includes the supermarket trips.

BMW X3 2.0D SE 2007

Bought this car used car with 38k in October 2010. Thought it was okay on the test drive but quite clearly a couple of faults were missed by the dealership that sold it to me. Clutch had to be replaced by another dealership but the car is still left with an horrendous clunking coming from the propshaft/diff whilst slowing down to a halt. Dealer says it’s the mismatched tyres and that the 4WD is compensating constantly hence the noise especially at low speed, less than 10mph on dry roads! This is a good car and I would recommend one but at what price for somehing that resembles a ship’s boiler? Fair mpg, fair handling and my Jack Russell loves it but I can see it being sold on if BMW can’t resolve the clunk.

Responses to this review

Hi, mine has the same problem with the clunking noise, have you found the problem yet? - John Whitbread from Lancashire

Hi, I'm also having the same problem with the clunking noise, not found the problem yet? - Mark from Stockport

BMW X3 2006

Bought from new, only owner since new, had following: Hand brake does not hold, had engine stripped by BMW; car jumping BMW flushed through, no fault found; rear sensors replaced x2; now going in to work shop to strip down the gear box as it will not go into first and reverse. Only done 40,000 miles, one lady owner. When I have no problems I like the drive and the space.

BMW X3 SE 3 ltr Auto 2007

Bought from BMW dealer under their so called 120 point safety check. So far have been back on four occassions for new tyres, which they fitted the wrong way round. Brake fluid change, incompatable blue tooth and last of all water coming in via the rear doors. only to be told that there is nothing that can be done. as it is an inherant fault with the X3. Head office/trading standards here I come !! Apart from that it is good ride on A & B class roads but get off onto country back roads ( we live in Suffolk) and boy does it shake you up. Holds the road like a dream, but will get the X5 when all the dust has settled

BMW X3 2007

I would not get anouther one, dear and c**p. Bad interior, the rain gets in the back seats. Can’t wait until the lease ends.

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!

Responses to this review

Hold the menu button for 10 seconds before adjusting. It’s an anti-child thing - Billy Roberts from Warwickshire

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.

BMW X3 2.0dSE Tiptronic 2007

Oh my God. Be very, very careful you like this on the test drive. I didn’t notice the faults in the 30 minute test drive I had, but after a few hours in the drivers seat, it is awfully painful to drive. I only got this because it’s the only diesel with an automatic box less than �30k. If you want a manual, get the Honda. The main problem is that suspension is just too hard (it was supposedly softened last year). Yes it’s sporty, but that’s not relaxing on long drives. Every bump goes straight through you and sends you bouncing up and down in your seat. Somehow, BMW’s engineers have managed to make this an instrument of torture by deciding not to pad the arm rests, so as each bump comes up from the road, you get smacked in the elbow (I am actually bruised!). Then there’s the door handle, which for no purpose whatsoever, goes all the way from the window to the floor, so no matter where you put your leg, it too smacks you about. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. I’ve leased this for 3 years (all my other cars were just 2), and I am regretting it already. Any chance to write this thing off and get a comfortable car instead will be taken! The stereo is awful, the doors need to be slammed (usually twice) to get them to close properly and the cruise control isn’t very smooth. On the plus side, there is room in the back seats and the brakes are excellent. Lastly, the official quoted fuel economy 43mpg. I drive like I’m on my way to a funeral, and yet I only get 34mpg. This is totally unaccaptable and deceitful - I got 10-20% better fuel economy than the official figures in my last 3 cars (all Mercedes), so why this should be 30% worse is beyond belief.

Responses to this review

What a pitiful review of a man that talks like a woman! Buy a Citroen DS and stop crying about good road handling I would say - Sander Sanderman from Herefordshire

There is a known fault with the return spring on the wastegate of the turbo charger, it causes a loss of power and poor fuel consumption. This was replaced under warranty (after breaking completely and leaving me stranded). Fuel consumption has improved, but 36mpg is still poor. After 60k miles, the suspension has softened a little, but is still very harsh, so much so I’ve had back problems ever since I’ve started driving it. My dog won’t even get in it as it made him sick in all previous trips. The front air vents have fallen out of the dashboard and several other pieces of trim have come away due to excessive vibration / poor build quality. This is not acceptable in any new car, let alone one that costs £32,000. Water comes into the rear seats if it rains and the doors won’t open if it’s cold. Meanwhile, BMW say "there’s nothing wrong with it". I still consider my previous Mercedes ML to be far, far superior for handling and comfort and comparable on economy. Oh, and the stereo is awful. Of all the cars I’ve had in the last 15 years, this is the worst. At least a Land Rover Discovery works off road - Art McFall from Oxfordshire

Spot on review, I sold mine after six months. It was the most uncomfortable car I had ever driven, terrible driving position, felt every bump in the road, wet back seats which can’t be cured, inherent fault, never again - Steve Hardy from England

BMW X3 2.0d 2007

This car reminds me of a sophisticated German Go-Kart. Pin point handling, light and positive to drive, very quick off the mark for a 2 litre diesel and great at quiet long distance touring with 38mpg economy and cruise control set to 85mph. But the ride quality is nowhere near the 3 series saloon or the X5 so be warned! The 6 speed gearbox is positive and covers quite a low ratio first gear up to a long legged high 6th gear which allows motorway cruising at just over 2000 revs. Rear wing mirror coverage and parking sensors are the best yet.

BMW X3 2.0d se 2005

Normally we change cars every year but are extremely pleased with this car and so decided to keep it for longer. Yes the vehicle has a hard ride which is a pain after a while (Dont get the sports suspention) but the car is a great all rounder and is economical to run. Recomended

BMW X3 2.0 litre SE - leather interior

It's a hard ride - suspension is not great but it is a good safe family 4x4 that is pleasing on the eye. I get approximately 34 MPG so fuel economy is not too bad.