2005 BMW X3
Manufacturer: BMW of North America Part number: 100488946
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The BMW X3 is a little short on luxury and doesn't distinguish itself in any other significant way.
Read more
Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
2005 BMW X3 price range: $36,995.00
- Reviewed by: Wayne Cunningham
- Edited by: Bonnie Cha
- Reviewed on: 08/29/2005
The good: Bluetooth phone integration; double-pane moonroof; elegant interior look.
The bad: Jolty suspension; leather with the texture of vinyl; no ID3 info from audio system.
The bottom line: The BMW X3 is a little short on luxury and doesn't distinguish itself in any other significant way.
User reviews
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Solid acceleration and handling, high-quality but expensive small SUV
by madman99 on August 31, 2005
Pros: Panoramic moonroof, well-built tiptronic transmission, xDrive, sports sedan-like handling
Cons: Smallish trunk for an SUV, base engine woefully overmatched against vehicle weight, expensive for its size
Summary: I leased a new BMW X3 in March 2005 complete with premium package, tiptronic and the upgraded 3.0 liter engine (which I'd highly recommend). I purposefully avoided the ...
Summary: I leased a new BMW X3 in March 2005 complete with premium package, tiptronic and the upgraded 3.0 liter engine (which I'd highly recommend). I purposefully avoided the sports suspension upgrade as I've heard rumors that the ride is unnecessarily harsh and am glad I did - the base suspension is wound firm enough for this type of vehicle (my basis for comparison is my '92 Nissan 300zx twin turbo). I also opted out of the factory-installed navigation system due to cost and instead installed a garmin GPS device in the same dash space which has turned out to be an excellent compromise in terms of cost and portablility.
This small SUV has outstanding road manners - sharp handling, good acceleration (with the 3.0L engine), solid road feel and great visibility front and rear. In short, it's what you'd expect from a BMW. The ride is the most car-like of any SUV I tested (including the Acura MDX which felt like a tank and almost rolled over in a highway off-ramp). I've recorded ~25mpg during long highway trips with the A/C running which is pretty good for a 4,000lb vehicle. Lastly, but not least important, handling in poor conditions is outstanding. I've driven this vehicle during heavy rains on highways and local roads on a few occassions and it is a rock-solid performer due to the very good Michelin's and xDrive - which you can barely feel engaging when needed. Stopping distances are very good and brake pedal feel and vehicle attitude during braking are also car-like.
However, there are a few drawbacks to this vehicle. It is one of the more expensive, if not most expensive, small SUV's on the market once you add a few basic options. Quality of interior materials (plastics, leather, switches) still lags that of the prior generation 3-series cars despite similar pricing. In town fuel economy is dismal - I've gotten as low as 12-15mpg in local travel.
You give up a bit interior room vs. the full-size SUV's and do not have optional third-row seating but for a couple or small family this vehicle provides a good compromise of space and performance, if at a slightly high price point. If you're looking for a small SUV and are a fan of BMW sedans or sports cars this will likely fit the bill quite nicely.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Is cnet trusted enough to run Car reviews
by dawliz on August 31, 2005
Pros: None
Cons: None
Summary: This is more to challenge if CNET can do car reviews ?
Having as cons "no ID3 info from audio system" looks like not very credible. This works more for a ...Summary: This is more to challenge if CNET can do car reviews ?
Having as cons "no ID3 info from audio system" looks like not very credible. This works more for a 100$ MP3 player. I think people who are spending 36$M + are looking more to enging, comfort, off road capabilty.2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Almost everything I wanted
by galindenba on December 2, 2005
Pros: Fast, Nimble, Pretty
Cons: Some may find the ride a bit rough, expensive for some
Summary: This is the best car or SUV I have ever owned! My first BMW, but definitely not my last.
It is fast for a non-SUV. For an SUV...it's ...Summary: This is the best car or SUV I have ever owned! My first BMW, but definitely not my last.
It is fast for a non-SUV. For an SUV...it's a rocket and it handles like a sports car. It is also well appointed although not as luxy as it's big brother the X5. Nevertheless, I drove this car for six straight hours on one trip and was very comfortable.
I've read that some find the suspension a bit rough. I don't have a problem here.
For those who complain that it is too expensive, all I can say is....It's a BMW and if you're going to buy a BMW, be prepared to spend some bucks.
My only minor, minor complaint is that it is slightly lacking in the cargo capacityUpdated
Contrary to the Cnet info. There is a factory installed iPod interface that will allow the user to run the iPod through the radio. In additon, there is 3rd party equipment that once installed will allow the user to run XM radio through the radio1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET...Stay away from reviewing cars
by raf78 on September 18, 2005
Pros: Great ride, amazing handling
Cons: Interior quality not quite up to par with other BMW's
Summary: Cnet's review is full of mis-information. Did anyone see the video: No ipod support? Control the 4-wheel drive from the dash? Sunroof doesn't vent? Did they actually drive ...
Summary: Cnet's review is full of mis-information. Did anyone see the video: No ipod support? Control the 4-wheel drive from the dash? Sunroof doesn't vent? Did they actually drive the X3 or even read the spec sheet. He kept complaining about id3 tags not being available on the radio (from cd's that is). He also mentioned how there is no official integration from BMW for the ipod and the only alternative is the aux input. Although BMW's ipod adapter may suck, it most certainly works in an X3. Also x-drive does not accept any user input and is completely automatic. Yes there is a vent for the sunroof, and both pannels pop up to provide ventilation (i use it every day).
The bottom line here is that the X3 is an excellent small suv that will out handle many other suv's (and some passenger vehicles) on the road. Is the ride a little stiff, yes it is (don't opt for stiffer suspension with the sport package if you dislike jarring rides), but it has to be if you want amazing handling. Also, unless cnet plans on getting their information right they should discontinue reviewing automobiles. If you want to review the technology in automobiles, fine, do just that (however they still managed to get this wrong anyway), but stay away from other categories you know nothing about!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Cnet missed the ball on this one
by dantec on September 1, 2005
Pros: Handling, Exterior, BMW Engine, xDrive
Cons: Interior materials, pricey
Summary: Cnet really screwed up on this one. They missed what this car is all about: Handling. No SUV, can handle like this car. Hell this car even out-handles most sedans ...
Summary: Cnet really screwed up on this one. They missed what this car is all about: Handling. No SUV, can handle like this car. Hell this car even out-handles most sedans out on the market today ! The tradeoff is that you have to have tightly tuned suspension, which as a result doesn't give you a plushy lexus ride. But this is a BMW after all !
The engine is buttery smooth, and xDrive really is amazing.
What I would like to see BMW do with this car, is upgrade some of the interior materials. Unlike the review, I find the leather just fine, but some of the dash plastics could be nicer. That said the X3's interiors well-built and the fit and finish is as good as any other BMW.
Bottom Line: Delivers a BMW feel + the unlimited possibilities of a SUV. If your a spirited driver and you test drive it, you'll probably be hooked on its amazing handling.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Car, Lame CNET Review
by spongeworthy on September 1, 2005
Pros: Handling, styling, performance, safety
Cons: BMW Dealerships are populated by sleazy scum bags, MPG could be improved
Summary: I love my X3 but I hate my dealer. BMW used to be sold by dealers that understood what it meant to sell a high class, high quality product. Not ...
Summary: I love my X3 but I hate my dealer. BMW used to be sold by dealers that understood what it meant to sell a high class, high quality product. Not anymore - BMW dealers are classless slime.
Anyway, back to the car. The X3 is one of the most unique vehicles on the road. It is an SUV that has the nimble handling of a high performance sports car. The X3 weighs about 4000lbs, but you would never no it driving it - it feels like a 3-series on the road.
Yes it is expensive, but it is actually a good value. I would recommend looking into leasing as the lease support BMW offers on this car is exceptional. I don't think there is another car on the road in the 40K price range that you can lease for 300-400/month, about the same as a Honda Pilot on a lease due to high BMW residuals and low interest rate BMW offers on the X3.
The NAV system on the BMW is not as good as some of Japanese brands, the data entry is a bit awkward and the screen is smaller than on the Acuras. The factory stereo is decent but leaves a bit to be desired particularly for on low end of the frequency spectrum (not enough bass).
MPG is OK for car of this size, but will likely improve by 10-15% when BMW adds the Valvotronic engines in mid-2006. I get about 18MPG with mixed city and highway(although often in traffic). These are my only two real complaints.
All in all, a great vehicle... As for CNET, stick to reviewing consumer electronics, leave car reviews to people who know something about cars.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET Review is a JOKE and here's why...
by Brent P on December 30, 2005
Pros: The vehicle fits the driver like a fine leather glove, with intuitive controls and great road feel. Absolutely the best handling SUV on the market, bar none.
Cons: Slightly underpowered for hill climbing or high speed passing.
Summary: Not only were there numerous factual errors in the CNET review, but the reviewer failed to discuss the aspects of it that make it tops in the class, namely its ...
Summary: Not only were there numerous factual errors in the CNET review, but the reviewer failed to discuss the aspects of it that make it tops in the class, namely its handling and the market leading sophistication of its AWD system.
The reviewer gives little acknowledgement to the X3's off-road capability, but let's get realistic. SUV's are rarely ever driven off-road by most people, so the vehicle has been designed for maximum on-road performance. If you want a truck for thrashing around in the boondocks on hunting excursions, go buy yourself a Dodge pick-up. That being said, the X3 is no slouch when it comes to performing under adverse road and weather conditions. It has higher ground clearance than the longer wheelbase X5, and in 2004 the X3 finished 1st and 2nd in the grueling ALCAN 500 Rally, the longest, toughest, coldest winter rally in the world. http://europeancarweb.com/news/0408ec_aican/
The X3 boasts X-Drive, the most sophisticated AWD system on the market, featuring and electronic clutch that instantaneous shifts torque between the front and rear wheels in milliseconds, unlike the mechanical/hydraulic systems found in other AWD vehicles. The reviewer was incorrect in stating that the standard state of the system is 100% rear, with a maximum 50/50 bias depending on conditions. The standard state is actually 60/40 rear/front, but can vary from 100/0 to 50/50. In reality, the DSC system that controls the four wheels individually can produce a 0/100 split by cutting power to the individual rear wheels independently of the X-Drive, if conditions require it.
Speaking of which, the reviewer made no mention of the DSC system. The DSC system monitors lateral acceleration, steering angle, and individual wheel speed and yaw rate and actually anticipates and adapts to conditions, in combination with the X-Drive front/rear bias control, before the driver is even aware of the need. In the real world, this means the difference between the vehicle understeering or oversteering out of control on a slippery curve, versus the feeling of driving through the curve as if you were on dry pavement. What this vehicle is capable of doing on the road is phenomenal, and this ability is just as noticable on dry pavement as it is in slippery or loose conditions. This is the type of information that is important to convey in a review, not whether you approve of the stereo display when playing MP3s (that's like judging a home theater system by whether you like the surface of the volume control know.... sheeesh!!!)
The reviewer was waaay off on many of the other items, as well.
Suspension too rough??? I don't think so! It's perfect in my mind, firm but not harsh. the X3 is designed and tuned to handle like a performance sports sedan (very similar to a 3-Series). It's perfect for the conditions drivers encounter 99.99% of the time, and it's incredible handling adds a wide margin of safety when you need to take evasive action to avoid an accident. It has already saved my wife twice' once by avoidind a vehicle that ran a red light, and once when she entered an unmarked curve at night at close to three times the speed limit but managed to get through it unscathed when an other vehicle would have been sent off the road and probably upside down.
Unlike the comment from the reviewer, the sport setting on the automatic transmission produces a marked difference in throttle response and performance. In addition, the transmission can be manually shifted by using the Steptronic function (similar to the Tiptronic transmission of Porsche). The reviewer only mentions that the transmission has a "driver gear selection".... duuuuh.... every automatic has a driver gear selection, but that's not the same thing as a manual shifting Steptronic or Tiptronic, which is an offshoot of a Formula 1 racing transmission.
Then there's the comments about the moon roof that make me wonder if the reviewer has problems operating his watch. He says it has half or fully open positions. Whaaaa??? It?s infinitely variable from 0-100%. If the reviewer gets confused by something as simple as the two pre-set ?one touch? positions and thinks that's how the moon roof operates, then he shouldn't be reviewing cars, period. Also, there IS a vent position to the sunroof, unlike his claim, and it even offers the option of venting while the sun screen is closed through a brilliant design that cracks the screen open by about 2? across its center, allowing the tilted vent position of the glass to do its job.
And finally (because I'm getting a bit weary of this) the rear legroom in the X3 is excellent. In fact, it's even better than the larger wheelbase X5 (and offers greater headroom and cargo space to boot). I?m 6?2? and I?ve had my 6?3? ex-roommate sitting behind me in complete comfort while driving cross country. I?ve had my knees touch the back of the front seat in many full size sedans, but in the X3 there is room to spare. The only downside is that due to the relatively narrow width of the X3, the interior cabin is 2-3" narrower than you would find in full size SUV's, which will cramp the shoulder space in the rear if carrying three back seat passengers.
Bottom line, the X3 is the best combination of 'enthusiast' handling and bad condition capability of any mid-size SUV on the market. If you have a big family, get a full size SUV or a van. If you seriously off-road, buy a big piece of American iron that's designed to get beat up. If you want the best performing, safest mid-size SUV on the market, then get the X3.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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the best handling in SUVs
by sh47 on August 18, 2006
Pros: handling, acceleration, MPG
Cons: interior noise
Summary: Cnet, please stick to electronics. I have been driving my X3 for almost three years and I can say there is NO SUV with such great handling. After all, that,...
Summary: Cnet, please stick to electronics. I have been driving my X3 for almost three years and I can say there is NO SUV with such great handling. After all, that,s what BMW is about. If Ipod connection is so important to you, BMW probably is not your car.
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CNET is bad
by tjpark1111 on August 31, 2005
Pros: blahblahblahblah
Cons: blahblahblahblahb
Summary: OK, so CNET started doing car reviews, and let me tell you, THEY SUCK!!! God these people are dumb, you give an editors choice to some car that has more ...
Summary: OK, so CNET started doing car reviews, and let me tell you, THEY SUCK!!! God these people are dumb, you give an editors choice to some car that has more technology than a house is going to have.You give a 6 point something because it doesn't have ID3 tag AHAA. That's like saying some kid spelled a word wrong and he got a 60. CNET doesn't know anything about cars and they try to look smart by reading off the spec sheet when they make the first look video. The only thing they are geeks about is the tech inside the cabin, and complain about not having bluetooth, or something other geeky complaint. You know, everybody is busy enough driving to their jobs(this is a mode of transportation not something you invent electronics in!)and I don't think a guy is gonna complain, aww I can't see the title of my song! or, aw man no bluetooth i think im gonna trash this car! I just cant say enough about how bad CNET is, just don't trust the reviews guys!
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not a bmw
by dell600m on September 11, 2005
Pros: nice nav system
Cons: terrible ride, uncomfortable seats, muffler makes TERRIBLY ANNOYING SOUND EVEN WHEN REPAIRED!!!!!!!!
Summary: dont get it. Get the X5
Summary: dont get it. Get the X5
0 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America
- Part number: 100488946
- Bottom Line: The BMW X3 is a little short on luxury and doesn't distinguish itself in any other significant way.
Basic car properties
- Body style SUV
- Trim levels 3.0i
- Available Engine Gas
Safety Features
- Smart airbags Standard
- Antilock brakes Standard
- Traction control Standard
- Stability control Standard
- Heads-up display Optional
- Steerable headlights Optional
- Roadside assistance Standard
- Adaptive cruise control Standard
- Rain-sensitive wipers Standard
Entertainment
- Satellite radio Optional
- MP3 CD-enabled sound system Standard
Climate/convenience
- Heated/cooled seats Optional
- Keyless entry Standard
- Two-way security system Standard
- 12V power outlet Standard
Drivetrain Technology
- Drivetrain available all-wheel drive
- Drive by wire Standard
Navigation
- Trip computer Standard
Communication
- Bluetooth phone interface Standard
Manufacturer info
- BMW of North America
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse BMW of North America products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.bmwusa.com
- Address:
300 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677-7731
