I remember our 2005 BMW X3 well. It was in the pre-LTRTB era. On a weekend trip I drove it to Santa Barbara and back to Los Angeles with three passengers. The previous X3 had a very -- and I mean VERY -- stiff suspension. As the driver, I enjoyed the stiff ride but rear passengers felt every bump on the road. This new 2012 X3 is not soft by any means, but noticeably less harsh. I also found it easier to climb in and out and it feels roomier.
A lot of you are asking why we got this vehicle, no one could possibly be interested in the X3. Well, since inception the BMW X3 has sold over 600,000 units worldwide, leading this segment. So somebody cares. I know I do. This is exactly the type of vehicle I would consider purchasing. I would cross-shop it with my new crush, the 2013 Acura RDX and my old flame, the Audi A4 wagon.
I pulled out a few specs for comparison between our two long-termers seven years apart.
|
|
2012 BMW X3 |
2005 BMW X3 |
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Width |
74.1 in. |
73.0 in. |
|
Height |
65.4 in. |
66.0 in. |
|
Length |
183.0 in. |
179.7 in. |
|
Wheelbase |
110.6 in. |
110.1 in. |
|
Curb weight |
4,112 lbs. |
4,001 lbs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Front head room |
40.7 in. |
39.3 in. |
|
Front leg room |
39.9 in. |
40.2 in. |
|
Front shoulder room |
57.3 in. |
55.8 in. |
|
|
|
|
|
Rear head room |
39.1 in. |
39.4 in. |
|
Rear leg room |
36.8 in. |
35.8 in. |
|
Rear shoulder room |
56.0 in. |
55.4 in. |
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
incyphe says:
05:06 PM, 02/ 9/12
There really isn't much to hate about this car. Even with no option, it's very well equipped. Cheaper than similarly equipped 3 series.
tjpark01 says:
05:23 PM, 02/ 9/12
the current crop of BMW's look so much nicer and appeal to a much broader audience.
blueguydotcom says:
06:09 PM, 02/ 9/12
You got it because BMW gave it to you for free. It'd be nice if you branched out to Lexus, Mercedes, etc.
I don't see how the new X3 is all that. From the reviews it seems the new one is softer, there's no manual and it doesn't handle as sharply. I was not in love with the first one I drove for a week (pre-production model) but at least it had a flipping manual...
compressor says:
06:57 PM, 02/ 9/12
There is nothing more boring than this type of made for the masses car. It may be great, but it is boring.
firstwagon says:
09:02 PM, 02/ 9/12
I can see that it's better then the first version. Still not interested though.
brokenaudi says:
09:12 PM, 02/ 9/12
Like everyone else, I still think this car was a poor choice. I don't want to complain, because most of the time I really appreciate IL and the long term blogs, but still I disagree with it. Rather than just whine, I'll give some reasons.
First, you guys have had a ton of bimmers. I know auto journalists swear by them being great and all, but really. Its overdone. I don't even like MB and even I think you need more benzes. 2 benzes, 8 bmws. somethings wrong.
Second, you guys had a poll for what you should get next, and unless something changed last minute, I think SUV came in last.
Third, its just a tall 3-series. We know you're going to love driving it except that its overpriced/has-jumpy-throttle/not-as-tactile-as-before
cx7lover says:
11:48 PM, 02/ 9/12
The RDX looks like a Camry.. and did I see GoodYear Eagle LS-A tires on this thing? What a disgrace!
dinobot666 says:
06:06 AM, 02/10/12
You gotta hand it to BMW for making one of the dullest vehicles ever known to mankind. Words cannot describe how much this Quaaludemobile bores me.
texases says:
06:20 AM, 02/10/12
And the hate starts again. No, "everybody" didn't think it's a bad choice, and if you do, just skip the posts. IL didn't have to spend any of its new car budget on the X3, so they still have $$ for that whatever folks are wanting.
As for being 'softer' than the first-gen X3, that one rode like an ox cart, so a little 'softening' was badly needed. I've still seen no vehicle suggested that performs better AND handles better AND has more people room AND can carry bulky loads AND has great all-weather capabilities.
ed124c says:
06:35 AM, 02/10/12
I think the bottom line is that (most) all of us have had enough BMWs for a while.
throwback says:
07:26 AM, 02/10/12
I'll give BMW credit for avoiding the inevitable weight from one generation to the next. I would take the A4 wagon in heart beat over this vehicle.
dinobot666 says:
07:33 AM, 02/10/12
@texases
I sold tires to a guy with a brand new BMW X5. He bought it because he was sick of getting stuck in his RWD 3 series.
Much to his surprise, the first time he drove it in the snow he drove it straight into a curb, ruining two wheels and knocking it way out of alignment. Apparently nobody at the BMW dealer told him that his tires were performance tires that weren't designed for cold temperatures and snow and ice.
An expensive lesson for a vehicle that was supposedly all-weather capable.
As far as this X3 is concerned, it can't handle anything more than a gravel road at worst. I'm sure with proper tires it could handle snow or ice competently. Like that's going to happen with this dullmaster.
cr_driver says:
07:53 AM, 02/10/12
"You got it because BMW gave it to you for free. It'd be nice if you branched out to Lexus, Mercedes, etc."
+100 Blueguy
Land Rovers, Jaguars are missing as well.
And Donna come on, don`t throw us the how much it sells card, if you are going to use that one, get a freaking Corolla as well. Oh yeah, xxxxxx amount of people care about that one too. ;)
kissel1 says:
07:56 AM, 02/10/12
Donna,
My roses aren't going to fertilize themselves.
Manure...all over the interior...and make it snappy, please.
jaguar36 says:
08:05 AM, 02/10/12
Wow so much hate.
I guess I'm the only one who's glad to see this X3 joining the fleet. Some of us want bigger cars, but not minivans.
I'm looking forward to seeing how much stuff you can fit in it and how well it handles.
milt721 says:
08:27 AM, 02/10/12
Dinobot-
Did you ask the guy why he didn't simply get new tires for his 3 Series rather than getting a new car?
kurtamaxxxguy says:
08:28 AM, 02/10/12
The X3 appears to be wildly popular in my area. The BMW dealers I visited in the Portland OR area don't have X3's to sell. Instead, they offer you a 3 - 5 month wait for delivery.
dinobot666 says:
08:41 AM, 02/10/12
@milt721
No, he already traded his 3 Series in. He was peeved enough about messing up his not so capable BMW X5 already.
roadburner says:
10:12 AM, 02/10/12
"As far as this X3 is concerned, it can't handle anything more than a gravel road at worst. I'm sure with proper tires it could handle snow or ice competently"
We live on a farm and I once drove my wife's 2004 X3 through mud that was over a foot deep. It took me several dollars worth of quarters at the self service car wash to clean up the mess. Even the brake calipers had a coating of muck. The E83 X3 is more capable than people think.
bgsntth says:
11:57 AM, 02/10/12
As you are listing specs, I have to ask if these are with the sunroof? Many European manufacturers list the headroom specs w/o the sunroof, despite their not offering the vehicle in the US w/o a mandated sunroof. Very frustrating for tall folks.
fvfvsix says:
12:40 PM, 02/10/12
Hey Donna - I'll be one of those guys that thank you for adding this to your fleet. We have an '11 X3 in our "long term" fleet as well, and it's been a joy to drive. Of course, like some other posters in this blog, we weren't looking for an off-roader, but I can happily report that our 35i is just as competent on deeply rutted Arizona dirt roads as it is shuffling along at triple digit speeds. The best part about this car? The fact that our calculated mileage (7000 miles in) is hovering around 20.2MPG, with mostly city driving. That's right - this 4500lb, baby cruise missle gets better mileage on long drives (always through mountain passes) than our '07 CR-V ever did...with my lead foot.
bimmerjay says:
12:44 PM, 02/10/12
"The E83 X3 is more capable than people think."
Agreed, as is the F25. With hill descent control, hill start assist and xDrive's ability to direct power to a single wheel it's actually pretty decent for moderate off-roading if you have the appropriate tires on the car. But of course, appropriate tires make more of a difference than any traction system does anyway.
texases says:
12:56 PM, 02/10/12
ANY vehicle with summer tires will suck on ice and snow. Guy sounds more like a Darwin award candidate. Put a good set of winter tires on it and stand back.
roadburner says:
08:46 PM, 02/10/12
"ANY vehicle with summer tires will suck on ice and snow. Guy sounds more like a Darwin award candidate."
Exactly. On several of the Mazda forums there are a few pathetic fools who wrecked their Mazdaspeed 3/6 by attempting to drive it in snow/ice while fitted with the OEM summer tires.
"Put a good set of winter tires on it and stand back."
Having driven an E53 X5 from Seattle, WA up the Dalton Highway to Oliktok Point, AK(on the North Slope) and then to Anchorage, AK -in February- I would have to agree...
yellowmiata says:
10:20 PM, 02/10/12
Maybe we need to give full credit to convincing / fooling IL into taking another BMW into their LT fleet. As a previous poster noted, with 8 BMWs through the LT fleet, the Mercedes are falling far behind.
-1 to IL for going the free route and drinking the koolaid.
Kevin
threem says:
01:44 PM, 02/14/12
STILL don't understand why these small SUVs are so popular with families. A big sedan (Charger, Passat, Malibu) has more rear sear room, and likely just as much usable trunk space. I would much rather haul kids around in a Charger RT.....