At nearly $60,000, the X3 pill becomes somewhat more difficult to swallow. This is especially true when one considers that a base X5 xDrive35i is roughly $2,000 more, however, without navigation. What did I say about the outer shell being far more essential?
I can bitch all I want about the X3's packaging, but where this BMW is flawless is in the drive - every aspect of it. It all begins with the superbly excellent TwinPower (single twin-scroll turbo) 3.0L I6. This engine is nothing short of a beautiful thing. I'd hang one on my living-room wall if I could.
With 300 hp and 295 lb.-ft of torque, the straight-six is as docile as a baby lama, but will spit at you when you put the hammer down. Under light throttle, the 8-speed autobox slithers from one gear to another imperceptibly, promoting comfort and sanity. When the go-pedal comes in contact with the carpet, the X3's hidden nature surfaces.
The 35i I6 is the same lump found in all sporty, smaller BMWs including the 135i, the 335i and the Z4 sDrive35i. This tells you, and I'm confirming it, that the X3 moves. It'll reach 100 km/h in only 5.8 seconds, but it actually feels quicker than that. Passing is a joke and this all leads me to believe that an X3 M is probably not in the works as it would plainly be far too mental. If they do make it, I wanna try it though...
As with every BMW I've come into contact with recently, the X3's braking power is impressive with spot-on pedal feel. Another point most BMWs have in common is uncommonly heavy steering, especially at lower speeds. As the speedo climbs, assistance stabilizes and as always, scalpel-like precision rewards the driver's every input.
Lastly, where driving the X3 is concerned, we have the ride. Along with the power, the X3's general comfort is what strikes the most. This "truck" is uncannily smooth, quiet and resolved at cajoling its occupants. No manner of broken road would perturb the passengers, never was the suspension harsh; I almost felt as though I wasn't driving a BMW. I'm certainly not complaining about it, though.
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| With 300 hp and 295 lb.-ft of torque, the straight-six is as docile as a baby lama. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
I can bitch all I want about the X3's packaging, but where this BMW is flawless is in the drive - every aspect of it. It all begins with the superbly excellent TwinPower (single twin-scroll turbo) 3.0L I6. This engine is nothing short of a beautiful thing. I'd hang one on my living-room wall if I could.
With 300 hp and 295 lb.-ft of torque, the straight-six is as docile as a baby lama, but will spit at you when you put the hammer down. Under light throttle, the 8-speed autobox slithers from one gear to another imperceptibly, promoting comfort and sanity. When the go-pedal comes in contact with the carpet, the X3's hidden nature surfaces.
The 35i I6 is the same lump found in all sporty, smaller BMWs including the 135i, the 335i and the Z4 sDrive35i. This tells you, and I'm confirming it, that the X3 moves. It'll reach 100 km/h in only 5.8 seconds, but it actually feels quicker than that. Passing is a joke and this all leads me to believe that an X3 M is probably not in the works as it would plainly be far too mental. If they do make it, I wanna try it though...
As with every BMW I've come into contact with recently, the X3's braking power is impressive with spot-on pedal feel. Another point most BMWs have in common is uncommonly heavy steering, especially at lower speeds. As the speedo climbs, assistance stabilizes and as always, scalpel-like precision rewards the driver's every input.
Lastly, where driving the X3 is concerned, we have the ride. Along with the power, the X3's general comfort is what strikes the most. This "truck" is uncannily smooth, quiet and resolved at cajoling its occupants. No manner of broken road would perturb the passengers, never was the suspension harsh; I almost felt as though I wasn't driving a BMW. I'm certainly not complaining about it, though.
 |
| This "truck" is uncannily smooth, quiet and resolved at cajoling its occupants. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |