BMW X3 Review

BMW X3 Review

Introduced four years after the very successful X5, the BMW X3 made its debut in May 2004.

Should you not be aware the BMW X3 is a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or in non-marketing speak a 4x4. I believe BMW prefer the term sports activity vehicle - with the emphasis on activity.

Unlike its larger brother the X5, the X3 is a more agile compact SUV, targeted at the more affluent Land Rover Freelander owner. BMW believe that it will introduce more women and a younger audience to the BMW stable. We were interested to see that BMW’s own research states that 20% of X5 owners use their SUV off road more than once a month, with the belief that this will be same for X3 purchasers. BMW are predicting that they will comfortably be able to sell 10,000 cars a year in the UK.

How It Drove - Performance

The X3 is blessed with a wide range of engines starting with a 2.0 litre diesel, ranging through two petrol engines 2.5i and 3.0i - up to the potent six cylinder 3.0d litre diesel.

When first launched in May 2004 there wasn’t a diesel variant available until later in that year, when the 2.0d was introduced to the X3. In September 2005 the line up was joined by a 2.0i petrol engine and a 3.0d diesel engine.

We drove the 3.0d, which is the same 2993cc six cylinder diesel powerplant that is seen in the BMW X5. The 218 bhp turbo charged diesel engine produces a healthy 500Nm of torque at only 1750rpm. For those of you interested in its green credentials, the CO2 output is measured at 210g/km and it fitted as standard with a (DPF) diesel particulate filter.

BMW X3