mikeyb
04-10-2005, 03:58 PM
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_story_header.jpg
For decades BMW has been known as the producer of the world’s best sports sedans. By the mid-Nineties however, it had become obvious that in order for the small carmaker to remain competitive, it would need to branch out beyond just cars. In 1999, the first BMW SAV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, as it would be known, came to market in the form of the X5.
The X5 promised all of the driving excitement of a BMW in a package that would be just as confident in delivering the family to the ski slopes as it would be in dropping them off at the mall. To that end, the X5 has delivered on its promises, earning the company respect for sticking to its core values of building Ultimate Driving Machines despite its rugged appearance.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_ext1.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Five years later the X5 remains popular with buyers, in light of the fact that its base price is now $41,500, and can soar beyond $70,000. While still a great value for a premium SUV (sorry, SAV), the real action is in the mid-$30K bracket, where the likes of the Lexus RX and Acura MDX dominate. Not content to let competition cut into their beloved 3 Series segment, BMW adopted the old philosophy, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The result is the 3 Series-based X3, a premium mid-size SUV with the Japanese benchmarks squarely in its sights.
The X3 debuted earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Though based on the current E-46 3 Series platform, the X3 shares none of the graceful aesthetic themes of the company’s hallmark sedans and coupes. Instead, the new SAV wears distinctive, all-new sheetmetal, complete with the controversial “flame surfacing” that has made Chris Bangel a household name with car enthusiasts the world over. Long-time BMW enthusiasts have mixed feelings on this new design language, but none will argue the excellence of the mechanical package that lies beneath it.
Some may question BMW’s real reason for producing the X3. Have the Bavarian’s “sold out” to the demands of the marketplace, or have they offered a better answer to a question that many consumers seem to be asking? The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. For the X3 to earn its blue and white badge of honor, it must be as fun from the driver’s seat as it is functional behind it. MWerks recently spent a week at the wheel of BMW’s smaller hauler in search of the some answers.
The first thing we noticed about our X3 was that it had three pedals on the floor. Could this be right? I thought there was an unwritten rule that all SUV-type vehicles had to be automatic. Perhaps that’s what separates an SAV from an SUV. Regardless, we couldn’t have been happier that our tester was a manual shifter, with no less that six forward speeds.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int1.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The six-speed tranny came connected to the venerable 3.0-liter straight-six engine, making 225 hp. Just like the 3 Series, the X3’s standard engine is the 2.5-liter version of the same design, with an output of 184 hp. Considering its 4000-lb curb weight, neither engine puts the X3 at the head of the class in terms of power. By comparison, the Acura produces 265 hp, and the Lexus RX 330 makes 230, with a curb weight within spitting distance of the BMW.
It was the combination of the three-liter engine and the six-speed manual that made the X3 feel like a genuine BMW though. No other SUV in this price range offers a manual transmission, and for many driving enthusiasts the manual makes all the difference. It also helps that the X3 possesses many of the same chassis qualities as BMW’s sports sedans and coupes. The suspension is decidedly firmer than most of its competitors, though not uncomfortably so. BMW’s legendary brakes are also present on the X3, offering excellent response and pedal feel in addition to their sure-footed capability.
All of the features you have come to expect from a BMW are there: ABS, DSC, even HDC (Hill Descent Control) for those mornings when you just don’t have time to shovel snow off of your steep driveway. Of course, BMW’s X-Drive full-time all-wheel-drive system will help you get back up the driveway when you return from Starbuck’s with your grande vanilla lattes. In all seriousness, the combination of X-Drive and HDC mean that the X3 can get itself confidently through conditions that might force drivers of other SUVs to white-knuckle it.
So far, the X3 had proven to be a lively driving experience. But what about its abilities as a people-and-gear hauler? Opening the massive one-piece rear hatch reveals a sizable and versatile cargo area. Upon first sight, the X3 actually appears be more spacious that its big brother. In reality, the space behind the rear seats of the X5 is 35.5 cubic feet, compared to 33 cubic feet in the X3. The rear seatback is split 60/40, allowing flexibility in carrying different combinations of passengers and odd-sized cargo. Unfortunately, the rear cargo cover is attached to the 60% portion of the seatback, preventing you from being able to fold only that side.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int2.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The rear window of the X3 is more upright than the X5 and many of its competitors. This boxier profile comes in hand when bringing home large items, like, oh, maybe a big-screen TV. I wouldn’t know for sure about that, but I do know that some the more fashion-oriented SUVs, with their steeply raked rear windows, seriously reduce their effectiveness in the utility department.
Adding to the X3’s cargo-carrying advantage are its adjustable cargo tie-downs, a thoughtful feature that other manufacturers would be wise to copy. One feature from the X5 that was not handed down was the separate rear hatch glass, allowing access to the rear without opening the entire door. This is especially handy with small loads, like grocery and shopping bags.
The passenger compartment is capable of transporting a family of five (or four adults) in comfort. The front seats are the same supportive buckets you’ll find in a 3 Series sedan. The rear seat offers good head and legroom, though squeezing three adults on the somewhat narrow bench may result in some awkward moments. Unlike some vehicles in its class, the X3 is not available with a third row of seating.
The dashboard and instrument layout is every bit modern BMW. The gauges are well placed and easy to read, as would be expected. At night the dash glows in BMW’s signature red backlighting. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach, accommodating a wide range of driver shapes and sizes. Along those lines, sensors detect the passenger seat position and the weight of the passenger in the seat to automatically deactivate the passenger-side front airbag if the conditions warrant it. This prevents the unnecessary deployment of an airbag in an unoccupied seat, and also prevents injuries to passengers who may be placed to close to the airbag.
The Germans have come a long way with cupholders and storage space in the last decade. Still, they haven’t quite reached the same level of refinement as the American and Japanese carmakers in this area. The front passenger, for instance, gets a nice pop-out cupholder in the dashboard, while the driver is forced to use the small, center console-mounted unit. Storage for other small items, like cell phones and sunglasses are also small and awkwardly placed. Minor drawbacks indeed, but increasingly more important to consumers.
Without a doubt, everyone’s favorite feature is the huge dual-panel glass sunroof. With the sunshade fully retracted, the cabin feels instantly more inviting; with the roof panel open, the outdoor scenery becomes a part of the interior. The best use of this feature may be taking your country-bumpkin relatives to the “big city” to let them gawk at skyscrapers.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int3.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Overall, the interior of the X3 is decent place to spend to time, but there are a few details we felt have been overlooked. First, the perceived quality of the plastic materials used in the cabin seems sub-par for a BMW. Though not nearly as cheap feeling as most domestic and some Asian vehicles, the surfaces lack that certain intangible feel of quality. Similarly, the flip-up display for the radio and message center sounds “hollow” and down-market every time it pops up into view (which is annoying enough on its own).
The feeling of cheapness was observed in several other areas as well. For instance, I have a hard time believing any German engineer could have approved the wholly un-German sound that the doors make upon closing. They sound as hollow as a Republican’s promise to help the poor. The unpainted grey plastic trim on the exterior also drew some criticism for its entry-level appearance.
The styling of the X3 is one of those love-it-or-hate-it items. From certain angles it looks chic and avant garde, from other angles it looks ungainly and awkward. Some will view the unusual look as a positive break from the two-box boredom of conventional SUVs, while others will dismiss it as simply unattractive. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there is no denying that the X3 is a very distinctive vehicle.
For many X3 owners, this may be their first BMW, so some of its drawbacks may not rate highly at all. After all, the more important thing for many of them may be that they have a BMW in the driveway. In reality, what they will get is a vehicle that possesses a unique personality, hauls the family in comfort and style, offers genuine versatility, and provides a great driving experience. In other words, the X3 is every bit a BMW.
by: Bryan Joslin
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/features/article_566.shtml
For decades BMW has been known as the producer of the world’s best sports sedans. By the mid-Nineties however, it had become obvious that in order for the small carmaker to remain competitive, it would need to branch out beyond just cars. In 1999, the first BMW SAV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, as it would be known, came to market in the form of the X5.
The X5 promised all of the driving excitement of a BMW in a package that would be just as confident in delivering the family to the ski slopes as it would be in dropping them off at the mall. To that end, the X5 has delivered on its promises, earning the company respect for sticking to its core values of building Ultimate Driving Machines despite its rugged appearance.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_ext1.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Five years later the X5 remains popular with buyers, in light of the fact that its base price is now $41,500, and can soar beyond $70,000. While still a great value for a premium SUV (sorry, SAV), the real action is in the mid-$30K bracket, where the likes of the Lexus RX and Acura MDX dominate. Not content to let competition cut into their beloved 3 Series segment, BMW adopted the old philosophy, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The result is the 3 Series-based X3, a premium mid-size SUV with the Japanese benchmarks squarely in its sights.
The X3 debuted earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Though based on the current E-46 3 Series platform, the X3 shares none of the graceful aesthetic themes of the company’s hallmark sedans and coupes. Instead, the new SAV wears distinctive, all-new sheetmetal, complete with the controversial “flame surfacing” that has made Chris Bangel a household name with car enthusiasts the world over. Long-time BMW enthusiasts have mixed feelings on this new design language, but none will argue the excellence of the mechanical package that lies beneath it.
Some may question BMW’s real reason for producing the X3. Have the Bavarian’s “sold out” to the demands of the marketplace, or have they offered a better answer to a question that many consumers seem to be asking? The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. For the X3 to earn its blue and white badge of honor, it must be as fun from the driver’s seat as it is functional behind it. MWerks recently spent a week at the wheel of BMW’s smaller hauler in search of the some answers.
The first thing we noticed about our X3 was that it had three pedals on the floor. Could this be right? I thought there was an unwritten rule that all SUV-type vehicles had to be automatic. Perhaps that’s what separates an SAV from an SUV. Regardless, we couldn’t have been happier that our tester was a manual shifter, with no less that six forward speeds.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int1.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The six-speed tranny came connected to the venerable 3.0-liter straight-six engine, making 225 hp. Just like the 3 Series, the X3’s standard engine is the 2.5-liter version of the same design, with an output of 184 hp. Considering its 4000-lb curb weight, neither engine puts the X3 at the head of the class in terms of power. By comparison, the Acura produces 265 hp, and the Lexus RX 330 makes 230, with a curb weight within spitting distance of the BMW.
It was the combination of the three-liter engine and the six-speed manual that made the X3 feel like a genuine BMW though. No other SUV in this price range offers a manual transmission, and for many driving enthusiasts the manual makes all the difference. It also helps that the X3 possesses many of the same chassis qualities as BMW’s sports sedans and coupes. The suspension is decidedly firmer than most of its competitors, though not uncomfortably so. BMW’s legendary brakes are also present on the X3, offering excellent response and pedal feel in addition to their sure-footed capability.
All of the features you have come to expect from a BMW are there: ABS, DSC, even HDC (Hill Descent Control) for those mornings when you just don’t have time to shovel snow off of your steep driveway. Of course, BMW’s X-Drive full-time all-wheel-drive system will help you get back up the driveway when you return from Starbuck’s with your grande vanilla lattes. In all seriousness, the combination of X-Drive and HDC mean that the X3 can get itself confidently through conditions that might force drivers of other SUVs to white-knuckle it.
So far, the X3 had proven to be a lively driving experience. But what about its abilities as a people-and-gear hauler? Opening the massive one-piece rear hatch reveals a sizable and versatile cargo area. Upon first sight, the X3 actually appears be more spacious that its big brother. In reality, the space behind the rear seats of the X5 is 35.5 cubic feet, compared to 33 cubic feet in the X3. The rear seatback is split 60/40, allowing flexibility in carrying different combinations of passengers and odd-sized cargo. Unfortunately, the rear cargo cover is attached to the 60% portion of the seatback, preventing you from being able to fold only that side.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int2.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The rear window of the X3 is more upright than the X5 and many of its competitors. This boxier profile comes in hand when bringing home large items, like, oh, maybe a big-screen TV. I wouldn’t know for sure about that, but I do know that some the more fashion-oriented SUVs, with their steeply raked rear windows, seriously reduce their effectiveness in the utility department.
Adding to the X3’s cargo-carrying advantage are its adjustable cargo tie-downs, a thoughtful feature that other manufacturers would be wise to copy. One feature from the X5 that was not handed down was the separate rear hatch glass, allowing access to the rear without opening the entire door. This is especially handy with small loads, like grocery and shopping bags.
The passenger compartment is capable of transporting a family of five (or four adults) in comfort. The front seats are the same supportive buckets you’ll find in a 3 Series sedan. The rear seat offers good head and legroom, though squeezing three adults on the somewhat narrow bench may result in some awkward moments. Unlike some vehicles in its class, the X3 is not available with a third row of seating.
The dashboard and instrument layout is every bit modern BMW. The gauges are well placed and easy to read, as would be expected. At night the dash glows in BMW’s signature red backlighting. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach, accommodating a wide range of driver shapes and sizes. Along those lines, sensors detect the passenger seat position and the weight of the passenger in the seat to automatically deactivate the passenger-side front airbag if the conditions warrant it. This prevents the unnecessary deployment of an airbag in an unoccupied seat, and also prevents injuries to passengers who may be placed to close to the airbag.
The Germans have come a long way with cupholders and storage space in the last decade. Still, they haven’t quite reached the same level of refinement as the American and Japanese carmakers in this area. The front passenger, for instance, gets a nice pop-out cupholder in the dashboard, while the driver is forced to use the small, center console-mounted unit. Storage for other small items, like cell phones and sunglasses are also small and awkwardly placed. Minor drawbacks indeed, but increasingly more important to consumers.
Without a doubt, everyone’s favorite feature is the huge dual-panel glass sunroof. With the sunshade fully retracted, the cabin feels instantly more inviting; with the roof panel open, the outdoor scenery becomes a part of the interior. The best use of this feature may be taking your country-bumpkin relatives to the “big city” to let them gawk at skyscrapers.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=bottom border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mwerks.com/artman/uploads/features/x3_int3.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Overall, the interior of the X3 is decent place to spend to time, but there are a few details we felt have been overlooked. First, the perceived quality of the plastic materials used in the cabin seems sub-par for a BMW. Though not nearly as cheap feeling as most domestic and some Asian vehicles, the surfaces lack that certain intangible feel of quality. Similarly, the flip-up display for the radio and message center sounds “hollow” and down-market every time it pops up into view (which is annoying enough on its own).
The feeling of cheapness was observed in several other areas as well. For instance, I have a hard time believing any German engineer could have approved the wholly un-German sound that the doors make upon closing. They sound as hollow as a Republican’s promise to help the poor. The unpainted grey plastic trim on the exterior also drew some criticism for its entry-level appearance.
The styling of the X3 is one of those love-it-or-hate-it items. From certain angles it looks chic and avant garde, from other angles it looks ungainly and awkward. Some will view the unusual look as a positive break from the two-box boredom of conventional SUVs, while others will dismiss it as simply unattractive. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there is no denying that the X3 is a very distinctive vehicle.
For many X3 owners, this may be their first BMW, so some of its drawbacks may not rate highly at all. After all, the more important thing for many of them may be that they have a BMW in the driveway. In reality, what they will get is a vehicle that possesses a unique personality, hauls the family in comfort and style, offers genuine versatility, and provides a great driving experience. In other words, the X3 is every bit a BMW.
by: Bryan Joslin
http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/features/article_566.shtml