Love it!
It's my first time to own a BMW. I have to say:" WOW!" For a SUV, this one is easy to handle, easy to park, excellent engine, good acceleration and sensitive brake! The gas mileage is not bad at all! Plus the BMW ultimate service package. I'm very happy with it! It's been a week, I have a hard time from getting off the driver's seat. And when I'm out of the car, I couldn't get my eyes off it.
Still One of The Funniest Cars I've Owned
Purchased my pre-owned 2008 BMW E83/X3 coming off of a lease with 32,000 miles on the clock. Lucky enough to find a rare 6 speed manual, which sold me from the get go and unfortunately the dealership knew as in their words "we have 2 other people with cash in hand willing to buy the car sight unseen", and I believed them, but still got a fair deal. So far I haven't any electronic or sun roof issues which I understand come with the territory. Obviously can't speak to the automatic shifting complaints that are out there but I can say the 6 speed manual shifts like butter. In summary, the 2008 X3 is roomy enough for the family and fun enough for Dad to drive. The interior is appealing to the eye and logically laid out. My only complaint is that they stopped offering the 6 speed option after 2010 or I would have bought new. Update: one year since this review and I haven't had a single issue with this car, still lovin it, can't wait to tackle the coming Winter!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- xDrive30i 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,895133 mi away
- xDrive30i 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,995170 mi away
- xDrive30i 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,496215 mi away
A Car Built for Disasters
The BMW salesman took me for a wild test ride in a San Antonio flash flood that cinched the deal. Then the car out jeeped the Jeeps in DC's Blizzard of '09, handling 12" of unplowed snow without problems. Then to top it off, I ended up driving through Nashville's flood of 2010 negotiating severely flooded roads and torrential rain with confidence. Having a sharp car that turns heads is nice. Having the same car survive two major natural disasters and keep motoring without a scratch is X3i. My salesman said a Volvo survives a crash great but that this little X3i avoids a crash the best. He was right.
Ive driven 80,000 miles with 7 years of ownership
My girlfriend bought this in 2012 with 38k miles, currently 2019 with 126k miles and have been married to this x3 since. Good and bad to tell you about but better luck than many others from the reviews. First had to machine the rotors and put ceramic pads at about 45k miles and currently has like 60% left. We got it with pirelli nero that lasted until 105k miles and now has pirelli scorpion verdes. Both sets of tires are amazing on the road and in the rain. Mud/snow ehhhh. A metal bracket broke connecting the hose from the radiator to the motor at 65k miles. 80k miles crankshaft sensor. 90k miles both front struts. 95k miles coil packs and spark plugs. 120k miles a starter. 125k miles vacuum leak was fixed. Been through two keys as well at $200 a pop. Replacing the battery by cutting the key fob open and gluing it up is a 3 month fix. Just buy the key. Battery costs $180 and lasts 4 years at a time. Get the full size because buying the smaller one with the correct amperage doesn’t cut it. At 50k miles 3 beautiful lights popped up on the dash for the transfer case motor which costs too much to fix and doesn’t effect the drive whatsoever. Never fixed it and never will. Surprisingly I’ve beat this truck since she bought it and many times we shared it and this thing doesn’t die. I can’t sell it because of the transfer case motor and nobody wants to commit to those dash lights. I’ve been married to this truck since we started dating. Also the interior is well built and doesn’t rattle and still quiet like when we bought it excluding the cup holders. Those are [non-permissible content removed] and broke easily. My daughter is 4 and she does what every kid does to every car and it holds up. I’m honestly surprised it’s lasted and will probably keep it until it blows up. I have been looking at an 08 X5 as a second car since this car has been so reliable which trips me out since many others had a completely opposite experience. This car does have a sport suspension and steering so don’t expect it to float. It grips and holds onto the road well but personally I prefer a caddy that floats over everything. I suggest buying one with a single owner who’s taken care of it so this way you know you didn’t get a lemon.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
First and Last BMW
Well German engineering aside this SUV has been the worst new car I have ever owned in 30 years of driving. It lives at the dealer. So far still cannot fix the hesitation issue which is severe in normal "D"; moon roof significant issues: needed new exhaust at 40K miles: blower motor issues; navigation system is major piece of junk: now satellite radio is defective and no parts to fix it; X drive is lousy in the snow not really a true AWD system; etc. Horrible vehicle trying to get out of the lease early. When get loaner car usually a 3 series love it. X3 is just a BMW fiasco stay far far away from any of these until they redesign it. Oh love heating steering wheel.