BMW X3

Traditional, Heartland is the best BMW BMW. Dependables more easily digestible - Threes, Fives, Touring variants, either - BMW Brilliance Fast easy because they think it should, and do not try anything too fancy. The simplest is the consistency of their cars.

Does not count as the old X3 in this group. Medium SUV is only part of a series of BMW do not seem to be the core BMW DNA molded rubber on every surface, X1, X3, X5 M, X6, X6 M, 5 GT - the list is long, and are all more than a breath to try a little 'too hard superniching.

This attempt to change the X3. In 2003, Jeremy pulled around by the scary old, terrible decor, and a ridiculous off-road ability. The new can not come too soon and BMW. The sales have leveled off as the time-to-date competitors have entered the market. Until November 2010, BMW had sold only 655 X3, Audi managed Q5s 4785.

The news had a growth spurt, because the problem with all the niche-busting is that BMW is finished with a range of models of bloating. The latest X3 has the same size as the current X1 and the new X3 is now the same size as the first X5, which has also increased.

Thus, this generation X3 is now 83 mm and 22 mm wider. What this means in real terms, there is now much more interior space, so it feels off large, which is good.

And BMW has addressed critical quality. Hard plastics are now soft-touch dash, and everything seems much more robust. The iDrive is now the norm, such as leather, so that the X3 is really a nice place to sit and do not feel anywhere near as dated as above. I really feel part of the family within BMW.

For now, the X3 is available only with a 2.0-liter diesel engine - a 3.0-liter turbodiesel (30d) and twin-turbo version of the 3.0-liter block (35d) will arrive in late 2011 - and anyone who wants a can of gasoline forget: just are not enough sales to justify the importation into the United Kingdom.

It should be noted that in a hurry have to wait for the larger engines arrive, because up to 181bhp and 280 pounds ft, this is the basis X3 2.0d tries to ignore a non-commitment layabout. Since up to 50 mph is difficult - there is not enough torque available - even if the 0-62mph in 8.5secs seems acceptable.

What would you 2.0D fuel economy of customers and CO2 figures of 149g/km and 50.4mpg respectively - comfortably the lowest in the class and barely more than the Lexus RX450h hybrid powered. Just to clarify how it is that the X3 has permanent four-wheel drive (which increases fuel economy) and weighs 1715 kg. It is extraordinary things.

What is even more impressive and unusual, the X3 is that the automatic transmission in eight speed actually decreases CO2 147g/km. Put it to the software ever vigilant better able to select the appropriate ratio effective than a brain of dog food.

But if our money was not going to own shifter. It's a case of big changes, so do not feel any gear changes smooth, but it makes the engine a little rough. Not enough to ruin the whole experience X3, but a roar.

It also means you will save 1.495 pounds, which can be used to pay for the control of the variable part (£ 910). These electronic shock absorbers to improve the time so I could think of another company did the last generation X3. Now it has become a relaxing car to drive. The wider track, longer wheelbase and more complex multi-link rear suspension all make the car stable, which means that BMW can release the springs and dampers. The result is a much more comforting cruise.

The VDC also offers sports and Sports More options - which controls everything from weight management to assemble the stiffness, the response to gas. But in the winter of our X3 was playing, there was little significant difference between the settings. As usual, leave your car in "normal" and you will be fine for most situations.

Manipulation on the side clean, deal with the new X3 with sufficient precision, will not roll too much and are very competent decent. But it is also, let's be honest, mostly annoying. Ok, then there would simply no sense in creating an M X3, because customers, 40 percent are women, but not after the kind of car in this market sector. But a little more feel through the steering would be welcome for those who love driving. Blame the electric power steering - it is necessary to help keep emissions check (much more efficient than a hydraulic system), but it beats too you feel.

Remember, just over the BMW Ultimate Driving machine was a good way to give the X3 a kind of USP, because now it feels like any other premium soft surfaces. And when the Freelander has everything enclosed off-road, and the XC60 ploddingly and security, the X3 is blatantly lacking anything apart. If the X3 BMW driven more like a classic, this criticism can be answered. We're not talking about something very athletic, just a little trick to make you feel like sharing something more than an M3 badge.

So there is nothing particularly wrong with X3, and it is certainly much happier in his skin. We spent a lot of time thinking what to put in "we do not like" box, and just jumped to mind - it's almost everything you could ask about this but nothing great and it is .. what you want from a BMW: all that glitters is no longer a niche filler, but it is also still missing DNA BMW ..

Posted in: BMW X3