Discussion
I've got one! Got it to use as an AV demo car for the new business, and love it!
Previous car was a fire breathing AC Schnitzer M3, so the X3 was quite a departure!
Mine is a 2.0D Sport, which is what I would recommend, but BMW are now offering a no cost delete option for the sport suspension, which I would choose if I was speccing again, as the ride can be pretty harsh at times. It is like a jag compared with the M3, but compared with most other 4 x 4s it is very sports car like at times!
I drove a 3.0D SE a few weeks ago and it rode much better on the standard suspension, with no real detriment to the handling.
The handling is probably the best aspect of the car - it handles better than an E36 3 series IMO. Very little body roll, no understeer, and nice steering feel.
The 2.0D is possibly a little underpowered for this car - I have driven other BMWs with this engine and it normally feels very nippy, but the weight and aerodynamics of the X3 do blunt it a little - the 3.0D was far faster.
MPG is a little disappointing - I do a reasonalble mix of crawling in traffic, motorway and A Road driving, and average 33mpg. You an eek it up to about 38/39 at a steady 60mph, but at 90mph it drops to about 32. My dads E46 330d averages 43mpg so the weight of the X3 does take it's toll. The 3.0D I drove for a day returned very similar MPG despite being an auto, so perhaps the 2.0D is a little small for the X3.
Overall though I really rate the car - it needs at least 18" wheels to look OK to my eyes, and I personally am not a fan of the MSport bodykit which makes the car look a little heavy.
I'd deffo get another, but think I'd go for a 3.0D next time.
Previous car was a fire breathing AC Schnitzer M3, so the X3 was quite a departure!
Mine is a 2.0D Sport, which is what I would recommend, but BMW are now offering a no cost delete option for the sport suspension, which I would choose if I was speccing again, as the ride can be pretty harsh at times. It is like a jag compared with the M3, but compared with most other 4 x 4s it is very sports car like at times!
I drove a 3.0D SE a few weeks ago and it rode much better on the standard suspension, with no real detriment to the handling.
The handling is probably the best aspect of the car - it handles better than an E36 3 series IMO. Very little body roll, no understeer, and nice steering feel.
The 2.0D is possibly a little underpowered for this car - I have driven other BMWs with this engine and it normally feels very nippy, but the weight and aerodynamics of the X3 do blunt it a little - the 3.0D was far faster.
MPG is a little disappointing - I do a reasonalble mix of crawling in traffic, motorway and A Road driving, and average 33mpg. You an eek it up to about 38/39 at a steady 60mph, but at 90mph it drops to about 32. My dads E46 330d averages 43mpg so the weight of the X3 does take it's toll. The 3.0D I drove for a day returned very similar MPG despite being an auto, so perhaps the 2.0D is a little small for the X3.
Overall though I really rate the car - it needs at least 18" wheels to look OK to my eyes, and I personally am not a fan of the MSport bodykit which makes the car look a little heavy.
I'd deffo get another, but think I'd go for a 3.0D next time.
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