2004 BMW X3 Review

2004 BMW X3 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV; European Model Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$306/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 BMW X3.

5 (77%)

4 (16%)

3 (5%)

2 (2%)

1 (0%)

4.7

196 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Favorite Vehicle that I Have Owned

Taylor, 02/14/2017

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

I had to buy an AWD SUV for constant trips over the Santiam Pass. I went to multiple dealerships, and this vehicle fit my budget, and was AWD SUV. I bought the vehicle for $9,500 with 120,000 miles. Unfortunately during the entire process, my phone was broken, so I couldn't really research much. Afterward I found out the vehicle at the time was worth a little over $6k, but I have had no … buyer's remorse. It gets about 19-23 MPG, which is to be expected on a 2004 SUV. As of Feb 2017, and in Springfield Oregon, it costs me about $45 to fill up my entire gas(premium) tank. The gas tank is 17.7 gallons. The steering is very "tight" feeling, as opposed to other cars I've driven. This took me about an hour to adjust to how tight the steering really is, and now I will prefer tight steering going forward. This car is very comfortable, and easy to ride in. It is really spacious, and NOT cramped at all. Men over 6' have plenty of head space/leg space in the front. In the back, they have the same amount of head space, and plenty of leg space depending on who they are sitting behind. I have almost NO blind spots. The visibility in the vehicle is incredible. I have had 1 incident with this car in Dec 16: the original 2004 starter(the starter was labeled 2004 BMW) went out. So far, no other issues, and I wouldn't really say that a 12 year old starter going out was an issue, it was time! My boyfriend and father were able to diagnose that it was the starter, and they were able to remove the old starter and install the new one for the cost of the starter at $150, from O'Reilly's. I do know, however, that it was difficult for them to do the work, and it took them several hours, as the starter is located in a hard-to-reach spot. I use 5W-30 full synthetic and have the oil/oil filter regularly changed. I use premium gas, as the manual states to do so. My particular model doesn't have a nav system, it only has the "business stereo" which is pretty basic, but not too shabby. There are steering wheel controls: radio/cd and cruise control. Excellent heated front seats. A full sunroof, that extends to the back seat. The back trunk isn't too large, but works well for me, and if I need to haul something that takes up more room, I just put the back row seats down. The battery is very accessible. The battery is located in the trunk area under the floor board, and there are charging posts by the battery in the trunk and under the front hood, so you can be jumped (if necessary) by front or back. Also, the back cargo door can not be opened without the battery in or if it is completely dead. If you have to open the back door, you must climb in the back, lift the back floorboard. In the door there is a small rectangle opening in the middle. Stick a screw driver in the hole and slide it over, then the back door will pop open. My seats are leather, and have no cracking as of Feb 17. There are a few spots(high-use areas) where the leather dye has warn, but not much, and not noticeable at first glance. This car does have an auto-headlight feature, and sensor windshield wipers. The auto headlights work 100% of the time. I haven't quite figured out the windshield wiper sensors, nor have I put time or effort into that.

Fun little SUV

kaileak, 10/24/2012

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

This is my second BMW, i also own a 2008 BMW 128i. When i first drove the X3, being that it is now 8 years old, i expected it to not be very tight. I expexted a little bit of slop in the suspension, leaks, breaking that wasnt as good as it once was. Boy was i surprised, this X3 handles like my 128i and still has a nice stiff ride.

Not your father's Oldsmobile...

Carrie, 05/19/2016

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

Love the BMW. Although the car starts out as pricey, $35,000 at the time, I don't think I have spent more than $5000 in the time I have owned it, 12 years! Not a very high price to pay to drive such a responsive automobile. The quality is there and all my standard options are just starting to become standard on new cars today. You feel real good driving such a beautiful car. I think …

Best Sport Utility Vehicle Ever Made

MH, 07/10/2010

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

The old (2004) BMW X3 has the best road feel of any car I have ever driven, that includes, BMW 528, 525i, 540i, 740 iL, GMC Yukon, Jeeps, Cadillac CTS. The X3 is a great car. One feels the tightness of the four wheel drive under all conditions. Do not believe those who criticize the steering and handling of this car, they are off base. The gas mileage is outstanding for continuous …

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2004 X3 Highlights

Trim:

2.5i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$30,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$306/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the X3 include:

Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

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2004 BMW X3 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 BMW X3.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Favorite Vehicle that I Have Owned

Fun little SUV

Not your father's Oldsmobile...

Best Sport Utility Vehicle Ever Made

2004 X3 Highlights

Safety

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2004 BMW X3 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Favorite Vehicle that I Have Owned

Fun little SUV

Not your father's Oldsmobile...

Best Sport Utility Vehicle Ever Made

2004 X3 Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2004 BMW X3 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Bmw

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 BMW X3 2.5i AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}