2004 BMW X3 Consumer Reviews

Fun to drive - but some problems

Written by: Ben on 09/06/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I own the X3 2.5 for 4 years now. Fun to drive and a smart looking crossover. However Airbag mat (now a official recall) broke 5 times, windows seals have been replaced 3 times and car still CREAKS on every turn and pothole. Steering rack start creaking, too, and was completely replaced. I do find those problems not acceptable for BMW and will stay away until the get their quality back. BMW paid for their mistakes: I have bought their extended warranty for about 3000 extra to extend to 100k/6 years and they will fix no matter what without question ask. Do not get the car without warranty or prepaid service - it´s a money pit !

Favorite Features

Handling and look.

Suggested Improvements

BMW need to improve the quality !

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Airbags Failed to Deploy in Rollover

Written by: Jen36 on 09/04/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Although very happy with my BMW Certified Used X3 the first year I have had it, when the time came for this vehicle to come through with safety features, it failed me. I just had an accident with my 2004 X3 yesterday in which there was a side impact followed by the vehicle rolling over to the left on the driver's side 3 times. None of my airbags ever deployed in the rollover. My head impacted the vehicle frame 3 times, when in fact in a rollover, my drivers side airbags should have deployed. I just had BMW replace my airbags 9 months ago due to a faulty indication light. The dealership is showing no interest in my complaint.

Favorite Features

Smooth ride, a truly pleasurable driving experience....until the airbags failed to deploy.

Suggested Improvements

BMW never notified me of the 2004-2006 X3 recall due to faulty airbags that was released 3 weeks ago. I am extremely disappointed in a vehicle that was a great drive whose safety features failed me when I needed them the most. BMW & dealership need to take responsibility for their failure.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

BMW X3 overview

Written by: Ed Rohnk on 11/19/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

It is very responsive to the movement of the controls. Acceleration is good. Holds the road well. It is a surpringly nimble car for its size. The breaking is excellent. The interior is spacious. Dash board and instrument readouts are easy to see. I like the orange lighting at night. The exterior sun roof design is beautiful. I enjoy just looking at it.

Favorite Features

The double sun roof is fun. I also like the one button feature to lock/unlock all doors. I like the heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage without sacrificing power.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Got rid of it!

Written by: Lisa on 11/14/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I think I was just so excited to be able to say that I OWNED a "BMW" that I got too caught up in the name. I was so disappointed to find out that only weeks after I purchased the vehicle, it started rattling like a cage! It felt like it was falling apart. I expected alot more from a "BMW." I traded that sucker and am now the owner of a Lexus and I couldnt be happier!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Make it more solid and less cheap plastic.

2 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

40.000 mi X3

Written by: Ken on 09/01/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

The longer we've owned this car, the better we like it. The biggest drawback is the protruding plastic bits under the doors, everytime you get out you get dirty. Floor doesn't quite fold flat, but close enough. We bought snow tires as we do a good deal of winter driving and that made a ton of difference. The clutch and brakes have remained good, transmission and engine strong. Ownership drawbacks - high priced gas and oil.

Favorite Features

Reliability, ease of use.

Suggested Improvements

More power, better tires, cleaner exterior styling.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Just Bought a Used 2004

Written by: S Lanoue on 07/05/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I've only owned the vehicle for 4 days and I'm quite attached already. The engine is powerful. One caution to first-time BMW drivers, the car uses premium gas. There are plenty of unique features that I'll be reading about for days and learning how to use (rain sensing windshield wipers, self-adjusting headlights, etc.). It does seem a bit utilitarian in the scarcity of luxury-type interior features (where's the built-in sunglass holder and coin rack?). Also, the ride is very springy/bouncy, not as smooth as I expected. Nonetheless, I am smitten at least with the novelty of it all.

Favorite Features

Radio shows the artist's name and song's title when it's playing (kinda cool if you've ever wondered the name of a song you didn't know). Also, the AC filter pulls excess dust/pollen from the car's interior. And, let's not forget the self-adjusting car headlights.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a smoother, less bouncy ride.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Small BMW SUV a Winner

Written by: NES on 06/20/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I have owned SUVs for 20 years - Jeep, Mercedes, Honda, etc. This is the best balance between a fun, powerful passing machine and a car to haul things in. Love it. Seats a little hard, but very supportive. No maintenance problems at all. Great warranty.

Favorite Features

Handling, pickup.

Suggested Improvements

Rear design a litle boxy - roomy but not that good looking because of window proportions.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Used purchase

Written by: D Carty on 03/15/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Was ready to buy either new Rav4 or CRV for wife who requires all wheel drive, but really wanted X3. Found used vehicle at reasonable price with 30K mi. All around better quality (currently own 21 yr old 528e and 33 yr old 2002). Consider to be much better vehicle used than new Rav4 or CRV! X drive is unbelievable!

Favorite Features

Style, performance, quality, X drive.

Suggested Improvements

17 out 17 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

2004 BMW X3 Pros & Cons

Written by: jbutch on 01/23/2007

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Pros: this is an awesome SUV with a manual transmission making it fun to drive - zippy! It's very hard to find american SUVs that are at least 6 cylinder with a stick shift & this one has a 6 speed! Love that! Great size for women who think most SUVs are too big and hard to handle. It's slightly larger than a Toyota RAV4, but well appointed with panoramic sun roof & nice detailing throughout.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive - zippy! Nice styling throughout. All-wheel-drive manual transmission. Does very well in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Cons: no heated leather seats - very cold in the winter! Side running boards are a menace in the winter because they're hard to keep clean! Every time I get in and out, my pants get dirty! The driver-side cup holder is also in an awkward place located on the right side next to the stick shift.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

2004 BMW X3

Written by: mjloeper on 12/26/2006

Vehicle

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Very fun. Drives wonderfully in the snow and wet. Quiet ride and power.

Favorite Features

Smooth power and classic BMW control suspension.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post