First Drive: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si

First Drive: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si
Land Rover and Acura recently launched entries into this growing segment, so how is the revised X3 looking these days?


Three years ago, the BMW X3 was a novelty: a slick-handling luxury compact SUV. We liked it, but didn’t love it. Now, newcomers such as the Land Rover LR2, the Acura RDX, and the upcoming VW Tiguan, come surprisingly close to matching what we remember enjoying most about the baby Bimmer—gifted handling, abundant luxury, premium brand cache—and do so at a price that undercuts the X3. Hmmm. Time to take a fresh look at the Bimmer.

And a fresh thing we found. Technically, a freshened thing: for 2007, BMW gave its cute-ute a significant update—inside, outside, and under the hood. But what remained to be seen was how far these changes would go towards ingratiating the X3 to us to the extent that we could actually love the thing, not merely accept it. Moreover, would they help justify the X3’s ever-climbing price?
Read Article

SHOWTIMESHOWTIME - 4/12/2007 12:01:11 PM
+7 Boost
RICEMASTER,
Slightly off topic here, but u made fun of BMW's seats for having the adjustable thigh support. I just checked the G37 at the NY auto show, and guess what it has...Yeah, exactly just that...Copied straight off the 3 series BMW. So what do you think of the G37's seats now? hmmmm?


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/12/2007 10:53:57 AM
-1 Boost
The X3 is on my shopping list as my wife wants a "smaller" SUV. However, BMW is too secretive about how its 4WD system works and I refuse to buy something unless I know exactly how it is designed. BMW should devote an entire page in its X3 brochure to a detailed drawing and explanation of its 4WD system with full disclosure about any internal clutch mechanisms that are subject to wear etc. The 4WD or AWD system of an SUV is the essence of that type of vehicle so I call upon their manufacturers to make full disclosure about their respective systems.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/12/2007 11:12:57 AM
+4 Boost
Enn .. so the simple explanation doesnt work for you, then go onto the website and look into a more technical version there. not very hard to do ...


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 2:58:50 PM
+2 Boost
You don't own a HDTV then do you? BMW's X-Drive operates as an AWD system and shuttles power around where it's needed. Up to 60% to the back. It's a good system, not the best and not the worse. I will tell you that a V6 RAV4 will embarrass you something terrible. FYI


AMGC55AMGC55 - 4/12/2007 10:59:41 AM
+6 Boost
The X3 is a very nice car for those who dont want the bulkyness of an X5 and still love the drivablility of the 3 series ... for 08 i hope it gets the 335 engine.. cause 300 hp and 300 tq in that car would rock the socks off any RDX


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 2:59:55 PM
-1 Boost
It needs something cuz the RAV4's a killa!!!!


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/12/2007 6:24:24 PM
+3 Boost
the RDX is not that spectacular in regards to performance. That turbo lag is a killer. also, when was the last time you had to use a rod to prop up the hood. Could have Acura made the hood any heavier?


investor27investor27 - 4/12/2007 1:16:25 PM
+2 Boost
Still. $48,000 base price is way too hard to chew for the X3.


daytonavioletdaytonaviolet - 4/12/2007 1:50:21 PM
+4 Boost
$48000 is an X3 with lot's of options, like Nav and Xenons. Base price is around $38000.
*Kudos for the sunroof, it's huge.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 3:01:49 PM
-1 Boost
Huge sunroof.....just one more thing to break. Imagine having a "huge" hole in your roof the night of Katrina. That's a bad deal. Cuz it's not like you can outrun anything in the wanna be a BMW.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/12/2007 4:42:59 PM
+1 Boost
I built a 2007 X3 (post-refresh) for play online, as for a moment in time I considered a small SUV for my winter car. Well-equipped, it was only $42K. All the essentials- heated seats, 18" rims, real leather (duh), xenons, good stereo, etc... I might've even put on the panoramic sunroof, if that's available on the X3. All in all, it's quite an attractive deal.


tom333tom333 - 4/12/2007 1:56:10 PM
+4 Boost
X3 compared to SUVS is strong but when compared to it's 3series bretheren the price is too high to get worse driving dynamics.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 3:03:35 PM
+2 Boost
If you didn't get the X5 4.8....than you just bought the name...which is sad. But not everyone can be grizzlies right???


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/12/2007 4:45:28 PM
-1 Boost
The 4.6is/4.8is were the worst deals in BMW's lineup. $25K more than a 4.4 for what? 30 more horsepower? The new $54K 4.8i is just as powerful!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/13/2007 12:34:18 AM
+1 Boost
I don't mean to say it's a bad car-- the bodykit is sexy for an SUV, and I have seen the LeMans blue. I love that color. It's very similar to the Sprint Blue on my car.

But yes, the X5 4.8is was about $77K if I remember... somewhere in the 70s, at least. The X5 4.4i was about $50K, +/-.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/13/2007 12:35:08 AM
+1 Boost
One more thing-- what did you replace it with?


LyallLyall - 4/13/2007 11:31:31 AM
+1 Boost
The BMW X5 ('07) weighs 5442 lbs (without driver or fuel). THe FX45 weighs 4415 lbs with a full 20 gallon tank. Even with a 35bhp handicap, the FX slams the BMW into the wall at the stoplights. Anybody who has driven both will attest to the FX's cornereing ability that approaches a sport sedans. THe X5's though competent, feels artificial- and you always feel the X5's more weighty, more ponderous than the FX.
Its only the X5's interior that's better than the FX's. And that's all. THe FX is better in every way- a true driver's tool, the X5 merely a high ticket luxo-barge for those who care more about what their neighbors think than they themselves do.
I wonder how much worse the X5's driving abilities will be compared to the 2008 infiniti FX56.
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC