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4X4
If you expect every 4x4 to wallow around on Tarmac, the X3 will blow your mind. On the road, there’s so little body roll and the handling is so crisp you forget it’s a 4x4.
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It’s even pretty decent off-road. The trouble is there’s a heavy price to pay for this ability, and that's the ride. You can choose a sports suspension, but we wouldn’t recommend it because even the standard set-up is too firm. Perhaps the real surprise, though, is just how much room there is inside so much you wonder why anyone would bother shelling out even more money for the X5, especially as the supposedly larger car has a smaller boot. All X3s are well equipped, too, but what’s most disappointing is the quality. Although it’s all put together well enough, the choice of materials in a car of this price leaves a lot to be desired.
Running Costs
The X3 is expensive as a new car, and it’s exactly the same story when you look at it as a used car. That sought-after badge is a guarantee of strong residuals and high prices. On the other hand, at least that means you should get a good price when you sell it on. Fuel economy is pretty good as long as you stick to the diesels. An X3 2.0d is more frugal than a diesel Land Rover Freelander, for example, and on a par with more mainstream rivals, such as the Nissan X-Trail. Insurance, too, is perfectly respectable compared to others in its class. Best of all, don’t think that the BMW badge means you’ll be paying through the nose for servicing and maintenance. According to a leading warranty company, although BMW dealers do have very high labour rates, however the overall cost of repairs is lower than average on the X3.