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Used 2012 BMW X3 Consumer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
56 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 X3, so we've included reviews for other years of the X3 since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
4 out of 5 stars

Bought this used with 80k miles on it...

mark, 08/07/2017
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful

If you're reading this you're buying used... I gave my son my X5 with 170k on it and still running strong. I have a couple of Porsches that I'm trying to keep the mileage down hence the X3... It drives like a new car. It was well cared for and serviced. the car runs strong, smooth to drive and effortless on long trips. The key purchase point for me... it could handle a wet golden retriever full of sand, plants from home depot, bikes and surf board... all or 16k. I'll give this to my one of my kids when it hits 180k...

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2.38 out of 5 stars

I got a lemon.

juniorlla, 07/30/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful

I bought a brand new 2011 BMW X3 XDrive 35i from Autorgemana in Medellin, Colombia and I got a lemon. 1) The sunroof didn’t work. It took 6 months to replace everything and still makes a clunking noise when it opens. 2) when you step on the brakes the car shakes. It was at the dealer 3 times and they couldn’t give us a correct solution. They replaced all 4 disc brakes, pads and sensors. 3) The headlights fog up inside even if it doesn’t rain. They haven’t been able to figure out why this happens so they said it is normal and a year later still happens. 4) The steering system was broken. It went to the shop 3 times and it took 8 months to replace it. As i write this, my car is 14 months old, it has 14.800 kms and it is in the shop for the twelfth time. I named it St. Joseph because it goes from the shop to the house and the house to the shop.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Love our X3

jims57, 08/31/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful

We selected the X3 i2.8 at the end of our 2008 335 Convertible lease. You might think that after driving at 335 the X3 would be a disappointment; on the contrary, it's a much nicer car to live with. The 335 was fun, but somewhat impractical and had a very rigid ride; the X3 is surprisingly smooth and agile. We chose the 2.8 because, frankly, we had problems with the 335 engine... had to tow it back to the dealer with less than 20K miles. The 2.8 has plenty of power for "real-world" driving. It is smooth and sporty. The interior is quite large considering the external size of the the vehicle... especially the rear seat (compare it to the Mercedes GLK350).

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5 out of 5 stars

The Best German Small SUV

rohanB, 04/21/2019
updated 10/31/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful

The X3 is by far superior to the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLC in their respective generation. My X3 SUV is a 2011 a 2nd gen from BMW. The engine is not even comparable to any other, being a straight 6 turbo is miles above and beyond in performance and efficiency compared to V6's from Audi and Mercedes. Only mercedes came close in refinement, and in comfort is slightly better than BMW. The Audi is basically a glorified VW on some weak steroids with all visual trickery to lure one into buying it over the other vaunted German brands. The weight distribution in the Audi is terrible and ane can feel it on sharp turns. The steering is lifeless in AUDI, more like a Hyundai/Toyota. The X3's cargo area is also bigger than Audi's. The engine's exhaust note from X3 will put some sports sedans to shame . The negative I had for the X3 is the suspension is too taught on some occasions and can be jarring sometimes on sharpheight change can do with better tuning for lesser ride harshness over sharp bumps especially. Also, the placement of the steering wheel heater switch being on the steering column makes it impossible to see the visual light indicator to knowther its on or off. The high perched seating position and the larger all round glass area make it very easy to drive compared to other suvs. So far it has taken one rear end collison with my pregnant wife driving it and she was completely fine. The crash protection is good. The maintainence cost is less that some Japanese brands. I have in 9 years of ownership only spent money to fix broken coolant hoses, leaky oil filter housing gaskets and a new coolant pump and in total less than $2000 in repairs over these years.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Garbage

FussyGirl, 06/28/2019
2012 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

This car is not safe. I've had to have it towed to the dealer twice this week with a drive train malfunction where the engine just quit and the steering column locked up while driving. The first time the dealer sent us home with a battery replacement at a cost of over $700. The second time they acknowledged an ignition coil failure and an apparent service bulletin that had been issued. Shame on BMW for knowing about this problem and not issuing a recall. This is a crash and lawsuit waiting to happen.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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