Fair Warning....
Although we generally like the vehicle's ride, handling, and the sporty design, the constant trips to the dealer (once a month for each month we've owned it) for fixing of constant defects clearly make this $45k car a waste of time money.
I fell in love...
There is really nothing I could want from my X3, that it does not offer. It handles roads amazingly, feels light like a feather in comparison to my mom's X5... As usual the BMW in-line 6 reigns supreme. The power is very good with the 3.0, and can take out any Lexus's or other wannabe SAV's (they will try and challenge you..) easily... The NAV is great... Its pre-iDrive but still very very good by german standards (which are pretty low since we have MB & Porsche horrific nav's)... Its great how it rememebers its previous position and flips up or down when you start the car...
- 3.0i 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,40043 mi away
- 2.5i 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,98943 mi away
- 3.0i 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,995963 mi away
New Owner
this is a fun vehicle that has a smooth ride. The interior is superub with an oustanding speaker system.
Great Car
The X3 does everything perfectly and i love it.
Satisfied
I am enjoying my new X3. I like that I can go anywhere with my new X3. It is agile enough to manover in the city and ruged enough to go off road into the mountains. Very Satisfied, Thanks BMW for a great vehicle.
This is an awesome car
I am thrilled with this car. I purchased a 2.5 6speed manual which handles beautifully. There is plenty of power, and top notch performance. There is plenty of room for childrens car seats and the extras in back.
An Excellent Ride
My experience with this vehicle has been outstanding. It is a SAV that drives and feels like a car. It has exceptional performance, manuevering capability and load of safety features. You just cannot go wrong with this vehicle.
Love it so; But I wish..........
My girlfriend and I recentley purchased an 04 X3 2.5i Auto.. We have had so much fun in our X3 and we have only had it for a couple months. This vehicle can do anything you want, and then some! We love driving it, even rock, paper, scissoring to see who will drive. Overall we are in line with most reviews you will read. It's a great vehicle, but watch that bottom line. Although from most measurables the majority of X3's look and perform very similar or the same, the prices are very very different.
Puts the "U" in SUV
Was looking for an AWD vehicle that had comfortable seats for long drives to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Aggressive (high residual) factory financing from BMW lease promotion made this the logical choice over the 325xi sedan or wagon, or competitors' vehicles (yes, it's a minivan more than it is a sports car). Interior materials are better than what should be expected in a "utility" vehicle. Pretty quiet at highway speeds. Looking forward to testing in the snow this winter. My X3 replaced a Jeep Cherokee; I don't expect the X3 to go off-road. But with all maintenance covered for 4 years, I don't expect unforseen maintenance expenses, either.
x3- good deal
This is a great value for anyone wanting higher ride than a sedan, a Euro import and fun car. Have had mine for a month and with the exception of a belt that needs to be tightened all is well (knock wood. Spend time with your salesman though... there are may variatons of the X3 and it wasn't until after delivery that I realized there were options I would have liked. On the other hand, do you need radio controls on the wheel, fog lights etc. I saved some $$$. Buy this car if you want this size suv... hands down it's best deal out there
X3 Fun
BMW has a real winner in the new X3. A slightly smaller version of the X5. Great gas mileage,plenty of cargo room,comfortable and all the luxury of a BMW expected.The cuurent warranty of 4 years 60,000 miles down to the tires is a real key in and drive no stress (free tow) if there is a problem BMW grand perk. The mileage counter onboard tells you when service is due based on your driving habits,counting down from 15,000 miles ! No more shop visits every 3-4000 miles ! The suspension is a bit stiffer than my last 328i but that is to be expected with this versatile SAV that is multi-functional with equal gas mileage.I will always own a BMW SAV in the future.
X3 3.0 the best
awsome ride! fast. responsive, excellent handling. good looks. more like a sports car than an SUV. BMW makes an excellent engine! highly reccomended. the price is right.
Great SUV
My husband and I were looking around for a new suv for both of us. We test drove many SUVs. After driving the X3, we were sold. We purchased two X3's August 2004, one black and the other silver. Unfortunately, after 3 weeks, I was T- boned by a toyota on the passengers side.The other vehicle's whole front end was demolished. My X3 stood the test. I was protected by its well built solid body and I was not harmed.
Buyer be careful
My loves her new car. We upraded to a VW from Hondas and now we were getting our first SUV the cute BMW X3. We test drove the 2.5 & 3.0 & did not notice a major difference. Both cars had an arm rest cruise etc, standard in all our other cars. We wanted a white car. We got a white car at what I thought was a hell of a deal.My wife drove her new car home.The next morning my daughter came to see the new car. Dad where is the arm rest, where is --- the list went on. I called the dealer said that what we got was not what we test drove. Basically was told you should of read the window sticker. Warning first time BMW buyers read the sticker, nothing is std on an X3
Euro Delivery
Ordered a 2005 and took delivery in Munich on 11 Oct. We spent a week driving through Germany on and off the Autobahns and what a Blast! I love the 6 speed and panoramic roof. Up and down through the Black Forest and along the Rhine for a truly fun time. The last instruction from the delivery center was to keep it under 100 mph and 4500 rpm which was a challenge but even at that, I averaged 20+ mpg. I can't wait for the car to make it from Munich back across the Atlantic. I need to some reprogramming of the automatic adjustments for the seat, mirrors, theft alarm, lights, etc. but that's secondary to the pure fun of driving this nice little piece of German engineering.
An die Freude!
When they say "Ultimate Driving Machine" they ain't just whistling "Beer Barrel Polka"! I was almost dissuaded from buying the X3 by a partially negative review. So glad I dismissed it. Took my new X3 from the showroom on an 800 + mile trek, loving every minute! The vehicle performed flawlessly. Stopped once for breakfast, a few times to gas up...I don't let it go below 1/2 a tank...a couple of stretch breaks. Arrived 12 hours later with my usually painful back feeling great. I expect the return trip to be every bit as enjoyable.
A great car from BMW
The X3 is a great SUV for people that want the SUV flexibility but a car-like ride. The X3 is very roomy altough it does not look like a behemoth on the road (like the new SUVs from Nissan, Cadillac, etc.) The external style is very sport but elegant at the same time. Interior finish is high quality. The ride may feel a bt stiff on very bumpy roads, but when you ride on winding roads or on the highway you can really enjoy the sporty ride. BMW aced this car. I used to drive an X5 and, although the X5 is more luxurios, the X3 has nothing to envy at all to the X5 (interior room is better in the X3, in particular in the back seats.
love this SUV
We have owned various Jeep Grand Cherokees, and the Lexus RX 300. By far, the BMW is the superior car. I have no idea what reviewers are talking about- we got ours for the low 30's, not the mid 40's, and love the vehicle. We specifically got it with just black interior- no silly wood, very teutonic, and love it. The ride is superb, stiff- not like a caddy, fortunately... It is undeniably the best SUV on the road for us. To test drive one is to love one.
From SAAB to X3
Okay, it was time to dump my great 2000 SAAB 9/5 loaded wagon before the warranty ran out. I looked all summer at Jeep, Suburu and Mazda 6 deals and then saw the sign and drive ad for the X3. The dealership had a black on black "basic" X3 and with one test drive, I reached for my wallet. What a great vehicle. It handles like a sports car, gets great mileage and I don't miss the "loaded" features I was used to. The six speed is awesome and of course, the "six" has no turbo, thus no "lag". The only strange thing is not to have cruise control as standard equipment. My buddy says I'll be paying for that .....in fines. It is very smooth and quiet at high speeds.
Okke's review
Great lively car to drive. It has lots of features but that makes the car a bit too expensive. Car looks smaller than it actually is, which for some people may be a disadvantage. Very easy to drive and handles more like a sportscar than a SUV. BMW calls it a SAV for that reason I suppose.
BMW X3
Experiencing a BMW for the first time, I was impressed. The sound and feel of the engine, the firm handling, and general ambiance of the vehicle. Taking it out on the streets is a thrill, taking it out on the freeway is relaxing. Those who say the ride feels too "harsh," thats understandable seeing what the philosophy of BMW is, to provide firm handling, no matter what. In terms of versatility, it is perfect for a suburban setting; not too big and not too small. From a design point of view, the whole package is refreshing when many designs these days are "cookie-cutters" and do not have a design philosophy behind it. To sum up the BMW X3, simply great.
BMW X3 3.0i
The handling is great for this car. Xdrive is impressive. Though fuel consumption is high and the gearbox seems to be stucked at 3000rpm. I'm not sure whether it is just my car but the automatic transmission from gear 3 to gear 4 is not smooth and it stucks in gear3. But overall, the car is a great impressive car with excellent handling in winter condition.
wowilovethe X3!
Well I got this car in June, for my 16th birthday. i liked the X5 but my parents thought it was too big so I got this. When I saw it online I was thinking wow, with these options and 5,000.00 more you could have an Escalade. Well the dealers incentives are pretty good so then I got the car. It is black with grey leather and has the Sport pckg., Prem pckg., Prem. Snd, xenon lights, cold weather package, and steptronic plus navigation. WOW I am so impressed. It has adequate power for what I need and feels very safe. It takes corners 50- 55mph like a dime. It seems small on the outside but the inside is great. Spending the summer in this car was awesome! we just had a winter snow storm, was great
EXTREMELY ROUGH SUSPENSION
Purchased black X3 3.0 6speed with active xenon lights and Panorama roof. Looking back, the 25 min test drive was on all smooth asphalt surfaces where the salesman directed me to go. After driving home over patchy concrete and highway expansion joints I became worried. The suspension was unbelievably stiff. Yes the X3 handled spectacular, but at a huge price of feeling every irregularity in the road directly to your back. Every single person who rode in my X3 commented within 10 mins how rough it rode (and I had normal suspension, the non-sport package). Got to the point where I started seeing a chiropracter. I called it quits and traded it in after 5 months of ownership.
The Fun Driving Machine
The X3 is so much fun to drive! It handles like a sports car. It's quiet at highway speeds. Great brakes! It has a fantastic sunroof that extends to the rear seats that brings extra light into the vehicle, as well as a sense of added interior space. The xDrive works great on wet and snowy roads. The automatic transmission with the 5-speed Steptronic shifter is really fun on a twisty road. The 2.5 liter six cylinder engine provides the X3 with plenty of power. The leather seats are supportive and very comfortable. For someone who does not like monster sized SUV's, but likes great comfort, safety and AWD performance, the X3 is the perfect vehicle for any road.
Good or Bad
We had a MB C230 coupe & loved it so much for a hatchback cargo space, the ride & of course the panoramic roof except rear wheel drive in snowy winter...It was time to change & get a BMW X3, more cargo space & more secure in winter driving. It's so grip on snow & no problem of getting out of driveway with fresh snow. It corners better than a car but a little bumpy on aged asphalt, which I think it's due to low profile tires.
Consistency
I have owned BMWs since 1984. The X-3 is an excellent example of the BMW experience. It provides a solid ride, fun and is very functional. I bought it for winter driving. It is excellent in all conditions. It is fun and responsive whether driving on the highway or in NYC.The X3 is a good cross over between the X5 and the 3 series. I'm very pleased with it.
Best 'Car-like' Luxury SUV
I hate SUVs. Needed more space, and didn't want a wagon, so looked at the X3, and haven't looked back. Closest thing to a car ride. Have bad backs, and dual lumbar support in front seats are THE BEST compared to other cars. Suspension is a little tight, though not as bad on mine w/o the sport package. Base sound system so/so only. Panoramic sunroof amazing. Backseat comfort very good - spacious, especially with sunroof. Fuel economy is my biggest gripe: average 16 MPG in mostly city driving (with a heavy foot). Overall value was great with end of year deals - probably wouldn't have justified cost otherwise. Got Aux. audio jack: Works great with iPod (don't think iPod jack is worth it)!
Finally performance and utility
The X3 is an excellent compromise between perfomance and utility. I never feel as though I am driving a truck, yet when required, she will haul kids, boats, dogs, and the occational load of straw. I fit 6 bails of straw with the rear door closed easily. No need to worry about keeping it clean because it's a truck. Actually the quality materials allow for quick and easiy clean-up. This vehical is top notch and as motivated me to trade-in my MB c-class for the new 3 series.
Sexy X3
Purchased for European Delivery - family of 5 and luggage. BMW discounts about $2500, buy it from your local dealer. Also save rental exp. I found this site looking for a chip I might add to improve gas mileage. I get a horrible 13.8MPG in the city driving softly. Other issues: 1) at 75 MPH a high pitched noise is induced. Got to drive faster or slower to avoid it. 2) The rear hatch often doesn't shut completely. Interior light remains on. Need to really slam it. 3) Order the back-up warning system because the rear window is so high you can't see the hood of the car your backing into. 4) Stearing wheel blocks the speedometer. Regardless great car. Hope MPG can be fixed.
Used purchase
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!
Just Bought a Used 2004
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.
40.000 mi X3
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.
Great vehicle
My BMW 2004 X3 is the best vehicle I've ever owned haven't had any problems with it drives great very reliable car very comfortable I highly recommended scar it is a great vehicle
Near car ever 2004 x3 2.5
I purchase this car new back in 2004. It’s now 2002 the original paining loos amazing few scratches 200k miles so far and in all these years I have invested only 2800.oo in cost besides the regular maintenance. It’s a tank gas is good, the engine is quite overall it drives better than my x1 2015. This baby x3 by far an amazing car Ans still going. We have travel to practically 22 different states and still smooth. Love this car
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
quick take
good dealership service, handles very well ( had Z3 and are close to the same feeling ) with enough bells and whistles to keep everyone from being bored
WOW
Great automobile - far better than I thought it would be.
Not good quality for this model
Needs a lot of maintenance, on brakes, tires are expensive, the moon roof does not work. It will cost like 2500 to fix, the first gear jumps really bad I scare to drive it now, and the ac compressor went out! Not a smart buy I have 99,500 miles on it.
My BMW X3 2.5i
If you like the X5, but can't afford it, look at this. The X3 has the looks of the X5, and the pricetag of the 325i. Right now, I'm 13 years old. My dad bought one and he loves it! He has to drive about 60 miles a day and its gas mileage is good for a car that size (I'm a car fanatic). If you haven't driven one yet, do PLEASE!
Day One
Picked up the X3 today after not being able to get together with the VW Dealer on a Toureg. More money than the VW but I think I will really like the choice. Tested the X5 also. The X3 seemed as comfortable...felt a little lighter... and more nimble. Feels more agile than the Toureg. Opted for Met. Black w/ 6speed manual. FUN!! Quality seems great, fit and finish perfect, milage shows about 21.5. Clutch is touchier than my Jetta TDI but am getting used to it. The 3.0 doesn't seem as quick as my wifes A4 with the 1.8 turbo. I'm sure after it loosens up it will be quicker. Corners, stops, accelerates on packed snow flawlessly. So far am lovin' it.
Hugely disappointed
Went from a 325 to the X3 and boy am I disappointed. The ride is atrocious - I could have saved myself the money and bought a Ford Explorer. It bounces around the street so much that I don't feel in control at all - and that sense of control is what BMW is supposed to be about. It rattles all over and the interior design is not consistent with a $40+ vehicle. It shows no originality (unless you count rain sensing wipers!) - seems to be just a hodge podge of the 3 series and an X5 and it doesn't work! BMW should be ashamed of this one.
GRADE I thoroughbred import.
This thing is a winner. They're at the post!!!
X3 Makes Me Young at Heart
I love my first BMW - X3. It is incomparable. The handling is super!! the best!!! I traded my old RX300 and drove the new RX330:the drive are the same. The new RX330 had some minor detail enhancement and that's all. I was not impress at all and to think that I've worked at Toyota in Torrance for more than 6 months. I know fully well that after owning the RX300 for 5 years which that the X3 is really different. The fuel consumption are about the same with my old car, but of course I've been driving the freeways.
WHAT A CAR!
Today, I bought a BMW 2.5i. The best choice I ever made. What a great car to keep my kid, and my wife safe on the road. It grips the road like the tires are glued to the pavement. It's very good.
Simply........FUN!
Some of the reviews I've read say the ride is too rough. Just not true in my opinion. The sports package might increase the stiffness of the ride a bit. It was a great mix of SUV feel with the fun of a sports car. It is truly SUV meets 300 series BMW. If you are interested in this car, don't listen to the few negative reviews that are out there in regards to the smoothness of the ride, but, rather, go test drive one of these beauties for yourself and you, too, will discover a sweet little ride.
X3 Fun Machine
great, fun to drive car. Handles great