2007 BMW X3 Consumer Reviews

Goodbye !

Written by: VincentView on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I finally had enough. Took a major loss by trading in the 2007 X3. Bought the car for 43K and got 29K in trade in ! The transmission problem in my opinion is dangerous and makes the car unpredictable in many situations (turns, acceleration from stop). Although I brought it back to the dealer for the fix, the problem persisted. In my opinion, it is a disgrace that BMW has the audacity to label this thing the "ultimate driving machine". I have been permanently soured by the BMW brand. Goodbye !

Favorite Features

Exterior looks and design.

Suggested Improvements

Electronics: below industry standard. Transmission: well below industry standard.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Makes Driving Fun

Written by: loyalbmw on 05/21/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I drive a lot. Over 120 miles a day. Its sleek, powerful using the steptronics, and comfortable. I have been a BMW owner for a few years now and traded in my 06 330i for the x3. So far no complaints.

Favorite Features

Interior, steptronics, and steering.

Suggested Improvements

Stock 20 inch rims, and more power of course.

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Class Ride

Written by: Ken Nersesian on 04/22/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Bought this car for my wife who was reluctant to own since she doesn't like the tight, sports car like ride. She prefers the soft, floating on air feel. Well, it's mine now. The X3 has a lot of get up and go, and you just have to breathe on the brakes to stop the vehicle. On the highway, you need self-control to keep it under 100 mph. It's like riding on a rail. However, around town in stop and go traffic, it is not smooth acceleration and shifting. It lurches off the line and then quickly starts upshifting. It's what my wife did not like about it, and I have to agree. All things considered, it is an awesome vehicle and has a real class aura about it. I highly recommend it.

Favorite Features

The looks, the highway ride, the engineering, the attention to quality, the vista moonroof, the heated steering wheel, the monaco blue color.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage is ok, not great. The "unsmooth" acceleration really is disturbing. I brought it back to BMW where they re-programmed the transmission, it didn't help.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Makes me nauseated

Written by: tbaran on 04/09/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Transmission shifting issues - shifts so jerky it will actually make me car sick. Have had back to dealer 2x for updates, shifting improved, but not even close to acceptable for any vehicle, but this one is $40k+. Dealer told me fix is to shift manually - no thanks, I didn't buy a stick shift. Live in western PA, lots of hills, car will not shift out of 2nd gear starting up a hill unless speed exceeds 25 mph - that's about 3500 rpm. When you take your foot off the gas, it throws you like hitting the brakes! Terrible engineering from a premier automotive company.

Favorite Features

Like the body style, ride is excellent, particularly on the highway. Fuel economy is surprisingly good.

Suggested Improvements

Eliminate 1st gear on the trans, or go to CVT technology.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great Performing AWD

Written by: Kuseler on 03/30/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Bought this as an American Spec X3 in Germany with the Manual 6-speed and most options; a superb driving machine. For an AWD and SUV like vehicle, it does very well on gas mileage - getting 25 hwy and 20 city, and that is at 90 mph on German Autobahns. The vehicle handles very well and the steering is outstanding. I think the 6-speed manual is key to driving pleasure and better mileage (contrary to specs) - but could not imagine using in city traffic and most state side driving stop and go conditions.

Favorite Features

6-speed manual transmission, xenon headlights, AWD, steering and handling, good cargo space with seats folded down. The parktronic features is a wise addition, allows for tight back in parking.

Suggested Improvements

The GPS is very out-dated and not too user friendly. The radio, navigation, and trip computer is not well coordinated nor are the controls wisely integrated. Hope the electronics hold in there as BMW electronics are not known for their reliability... the rear view digital compass flickers at times.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Anxiety

Written by: Furious on 03/22/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought my x3 in 12/06. My first Bimmer! The third time I drove it, it quit on me. It was in the shop 9 days to re-program a computer problem. The hesitation problem others list is a perfect description of my x3. Sometimes, the hesitation has absolutely scared me. I have had a sidelight casing replaced due to moisture, have an obvious rattle from the sunroof cover and have had the lifters clacking since I bought the car. Today, I am headed to the dealer to attempt to negotiate my way out of this car into another. The only reason I'm going back to BMW is because of the known problems and my chances of recouping some of the losses on it. Do not recommend this car to anyone.

Favorite Features

Handling on the road. Cargo area is good size.

Suggested Improvements

Almost everything. Transmission, ride, cup holder, brake pedal too close to accelerator. Rattles.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Bad Transmission

Written by: Dad on 02/22/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought this vehicle to be both fun and utility vehicle. The transmission behaves so erratically it is downright dangerous. On more than several occasions its lack of response has cause near fatal accidents. It typically hesitates between 2-3 gear which is where you are at when entering a turn-about or merging into traffic quickly. The sports drive mode down shifts so hard that you swear you have been "rear-ended" by another driver. BMWNA has tried to pass this off as part of the "adaptive" or learning features of this car.

Favorite Features

Styling, acceleration when used in "manual" mode is great, Heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, leatherette near bullet proof.

Suggested Improvements

Don't use this transmission. It doesnt work. Stereo system if very poor. 4 inch speakers just can't reproduce good fidelity especially when outsourced to some brand that uses poor materials.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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X3 weaknesses

Written by: Heidi Gross on 01/23/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

There is definite hesitation when attempting quick acceleration. The gps is horrendous! Neither my husband nor myself have figured out how to enter addresses. It just shouldn't be this difficult. His aftermarket gps works like a dream. Not only is it easy to imput data, but also warns of traffic slow downs and alternative routes. The stereo is mediocre. The controls are mediocre.

Favorite Features

Comfortable to drive. Love the extended sunroof! Nice having the internal compass and altimeter.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Disappointing Transmission

Written by: Jason on 01/13/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Original impression of X3 3.0si on test drive was quite positive. I purchased a certified X3 3.0si with 12K miles. Car handles well and has powerful engine. Transmission is erratic at best. Sometimes does not engage at all, others shifts very hard and can cause nausea in passengers. BMW service can't find issue which suggests that they have not figured out optimal transmission match to the 3.0si engine in the X3.

Favorite Features

Moon roof, handling, bluetooth, and mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Weak radio (even with premium), 6 disc changer should be standard as well as servotronic steering. As to the transmission, do we really need to suggest to BMW that their transmission behave responsively and predictably?

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great small SUV package

Written by: portland buyer on 09/18/2007

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Picked it up in Munich on the European delivery plan. Fantastic to drive in the Austrian and Slovenian Alps. Now driving it for normal U.S. city driving and it continues to be a pleasure. A very few, very minor issues: oddly placed cupholder on passenger side, for example. But have experienced none of the transmission problems others complain of, and the overall quality is high. This replaced an Acura TL. I liked the TL a lot, but like the X3 better.

Favorite Features

Great handling. AWD grabs the road. Unusually comfortable seating. Ride may seem a little stiff to some, but it's part of the road hugging style of the vehicle. Vehicle is very nicely fitted out.

Suggested Improvements

Manuals are not user friendly. General manual refers you to sound system manual for how to set the time (not at all obvious from the buttons); that manual refers you back to the general manual. Manual index is confusing as well - often hard to find what you're looking for.

26 out 31 people found this review helpful

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