2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i: Introduction

Well at least its not some CrewCab luxury pickup truck.

That's a lot of money for an X3! For $53k I'd strongly consider a well optioned Acura MDX.

Here's how I'm guessing this will go: the BMW will be more fun to drive but the departed XC60 will be better at everything else.

I literally could not care less. I tried to care less and failed.

geez...another loaner bmw. and even less interesting than the 528 at that.
doesn't benz outsell bmw? you guys cant talk benz into lending you a single car after the shameless bmw train of loaners?

wow another bmw, this should be exciting... I might start reading the camry posts just to wake me up.

I read something about an improved interior, I didn't notice it in real life. Still hard plastics all over the dash that don't match up with the lofty MSRP.

Not really in the market for this kind of vehicle - the powertrain is nice. Like all new vehicles, this has blown up in size. Will be interesting to read the full test results.

I agree with other posters that I would rather see a 3 series wagon.

I guess loaners are helpful because they give Edmunds access to more cars. But I wonder if the editors pull punches with their reviews as a result. To me, the better model is the one Consumer Reports uses (and Edmunds uses on most LT cars) where cars are purchased and sold just as a real consumer would. You capture the total experience that way and you get a real sense of the value of a vehicle in a way that you just can't when you're playing with house money.

Most recently I think the editors were kinder to the Mini Countryman than they would have been had they not been loaned the car. Most posts damned the Countryman with their faint praise but I feel like real criticisms were withheld with that car.

At least you got proper instructions for parking your BMW: take up as many spots as possible.

Well done.

Not cool with the loaners. Feel Edmunds is not giving an honest assessment of these vehicles.

As an experiment, IL should do their best to floor the X3 every chance they get, sue BMW for not meeting EPA estimates, and then chronicle their experiences in court.

Oh goody, another insecure-man's wagon.

Of course it's a BMW.

Can't expect Edmunds to turn down a free luxury car. But knowing this is their 7th paid advertisement for BMW in a row - 10th if you count the Minis - I can't credit their assessment of it either.

Disappointing.

Better this than a minivan (currently 3 in the test loop). I vote for the 991 next please.

@aspade

Not as disappointing to see that they couldn't find handicapped parking spots to double park across. It says in the owners manual that you can do that, since it's a BMW.

If it was going to be a BMW I was hoping for an F30, as they should be going on sale this month. Oh well.

I don't have a problem with it, at least they got the turbo, so we won't get the 'seems slow for how much it cost' comments. Way better looking than the prior X3.

I had a 2007 BMW X3 that I got rid of at 25,000 miles. I usually keep cars for around 100,000, but there were a few things that I hated about the X3 (granted, I got the sport package with the 19" Rims + Run Flats):

- The lumbar was massive on the drivers seat. As much as you adjusted it, it still felt like someone was pushing your lower back.
- The brakes, throttle and steering were so freaking sensitive.
- The radio antenna picked up NOTHING.
- The auxiliary input was in the most bizarre location.
- Clearcoat was cracking where the headlamp washer nozzles were, and apparently that was not covered by the warranty (according to BMW, a stone probably cracked the clearcoat, causing the chipping - yet the chipping was in the EXACT place on both sides)
- The suspension was so stiff, that you could feel if you ran over a leaf.
- Sitting in the backseat will indice nausea or vomiting

Besides my few issues, it was a blast to drive. Hopefully BMW fixed a few of these things with the new model.

Oh, God, now we get an endless number of posts about how great this thing handles, and how it has nice smokey burnouts, etc., etc.

I just hope Edmunds realizes that most people don't care about these hot-rodding feats in an SUV.

And, yes, it would be nice to compare it to the S60 T5.

Wow. 8 straight loaners from BMW.
Good thing it's not 9.
9 would be too much.

I have to echo @miamifan1 - why is that Edmunds can't get a Mercedes in their fleet. Is it because they have become such BMW shills? Can't expect otherwise, given all the perverse incentives this supply of free vehicles creates...

Otherwise, a E350 BlueTec Estate should be tested over this any day. For this kind of money, I would rather have that than this feminine SUV...

Also - agree with @legacygt... I am going to start paying for CR to get some honest advice, when I need it.

I'm just ticking off more interesting and/or relevant cars for under $53k.

Jaguar XF
Dodge Charger
Dodge Durango
Hyundai Tuscon
Chrysler 200
Kia Forte

I'm sure I'm missing a dozen or two.

But maybe the X3 reflects the lifestyle in the greater LA area. Isn't it the CRV of Hollywood?

Love the brown exterior, absolutely hate the interior red and wood tone combination. Good thing it's a loaner so you don't have to worry about the resale value! The Carmax appraiser guy would probably toss his cookies when he opened the door.

If I was in the market for this type vehicle it would be tough to chose! The Benz too offers diesel and awesome soft reading prowess. The q5 is beautifully and masculine at the same time and also offers diesel. The xc90 is frieking awesome. And I know the bmw would be the fastest and fun to drive but it is also smaller and there's that price and confusing option list... There's also the option of getting the Lincoln version of the Ford flex (the name letters escape me) the Acura mdx is not a bad vehicle either (think I have those letters correct) and the jeep grand Cherokee offers a hemi. so in summary this is a very competitive segment so I look forward to this review those red leather seats look nice a good option if your tired of boring interiors wich I'm sure IL is by now!

"I have to echo @miamifan1 - why is that Edmunds can't get a Mercedes in their fleet. Is it because they have become such BMW shills? Can't expect otherwise, given all the perverse incentives this supply of free vehicles creates..."

Unlike BMW and some other manufacturers Mercedes doesn't provide press loaners to any publication for long term tests, and Edmunds is a free/advertising-supported site so I'm not sure they have the budget to buy too many $50K+ vehicles. Usually the cars they purchase are fairly inexpensive, like the Sonic. Edmunds did purchase a C300 for a long-term test a few years ago.

"Not cool with the loaners. Feel Edmunds is not giving an honest assessment of these vehicles. "

I don't buy this argument. From TVs to microwaves to cars, manufacturers provides their products at no charge to publications for testing. Except for 'Consumer Reports' and maybe a few others, virtually every automotive review site/magazine gets test cars from press fleets, even long term ones.

You pretty much have a choice. Pay a lot more money to read reviews about $40K+ vehicles which the publication buys on their own, or enjoy free content like this that makes do with a mix of free and purchased cars.

surprise, another 20K miles of incredibly boring posts about another boring BMW.

The long term fleet is full of forgettable cars right now.

bimmerjay, didn't Edmunds buy their Ford GT?

I agree with the other posters that Edmunds has had far too many BMWs, and I agree with you that if they were going to test another, I would prefer the new 328i. I'm still skeptical that BMW can pull off 0-60 in 5.7 and 36MPG highway in a car that big, though if they can, I am fully prepared to be astonished.

i would be shocked if 335i long term cars dont start appearing here and at other outlets within 2-3 months. Then you guys can read about 2 great BMW products at once. BMWs are expensive, most expensive cars have few faults. There isnt much mystery when it comes to reviewing vehicles over $50k. They should be excellent and most of them are.

Have the fixed the HPFP issues? High Pressure Fuel Pump.

"bimmerjay, didn't Edmunds buy their Ford GT?"

No, that was Karl Brauer's personal car. They did buy their Nissan GT-R though.

I agree that there have been a few too many BMWs in the LT fleet - I'd rather see more of a variety of cars. The N55-powered X3 is not that significant, I think an ML350 would have been a better choice for a new lux SUV but then they would have had to purchase it.

I'd like to see some more higher-end metal in general though, like the new 911 Carrera S, Gran Turismo or the C63 AMG coupe.

A loaner BMW X3? Nothing the matter with that.
The drive train is kind of a dead end and the colors are pretty awful.
The 'X Drive' will be under utilized.
You need to open at least a Chicago office, so you can experience some winter conditions on a regular basis.
A Q5 would be a good choice.