BMW X3 to get a quick refresh?

Dear 001,

The X3 has really gotten off to a slow start...and BMW is looking for ways to to pump up sales.

One of the criticisms of the car is the dark plastic cladding at the bottom of the vehicle that is making some potential customers turn away.

Rather than a fast refresh, BMW will counter and introduce an X3 model that has a monocromatic coloration scheme, from top to bottom.

The car looks MUCH better that way.

There are body kits out there right now but they're around 5 g's.

How will they spin the marketing?

Don't call it a refresh, call it an X3 sport version...Clever, eh?

Check out these photos below from tuner AC Schnitzer:

My sources tell me this is the look BMW is going after.

Check out the photo taken stright on from the back...doesn't it look a lot like the Lexus GX470?

I think it looks great.

What do your readers think?

Can't wait to read the feedback below.

Harry D.

Arquitecto - 6/11/2004 7:03:32 AM

+1 Boost

I always like it the X5, but I did think it was to fancy and expensive to take it with me to my every day construction work, when a knew that BMW was planning to launch a smallest and "supposlly" more accessible in price version of it "the X activity concept" I got very enthusiastic with the idea, since then I did follow every car show news, every car magazine, and when the X3 was just going to arrive to our local BMW Dealer,I went to talk to them and I paid in advance to get the chance to have the first X3 in town. Finnally the date arrived, I went to the opening show with my wife and kids, we all got inside the car,the interiors were very simple,non color, aluminum or wood trim, no sunroof, the interior space was very short,instead of navigation screen it was a hole to put "Kleenex", well I did say, it is a austere version of the X5, this is OK for me and my job, then we ask for the price an it was only
$2,700.00 lower than the X5, so my brilliant wife said to me,if you get the X3, every time you see in the street and X5 you will realize about your mistake wishing been driving that car, if you get the X5, you will forget about the X3 and will star saving money by no buying more magazines looking for the car of your dreems, God she was right, I got my beatifull Sport version X5 in white color, about the X3 I think they have to low down the price, "sport concept", "sport people", "young people", "no to much money to spend in a car."

Arturo
México.

jochet - 6/11/2004 4:53:09 PM

+1 Boost

I could not wait to drive the X3, I thought the car looked fine. What troubled me was the ride,seats and interior. This car is also no bargin especially when compared to an X5 3.0. What were these guy's thinking? It's not a compfortable car to drive. I wanted to buy this car, boy was I ever disappointed.

jochet - 6/11/2004 4:53:09 PM

+1 Boost

jochet - 6/11/2004 4:53:09 PM

+1 Boost

jochet - 6/11/2004 4:53:09 PM

+1 Boost

bgagliano - 6/12/2004 3:32:34 PM

+1 Boost

The Schnitzer version is an improvement over the two tone factory look. I certainly do not like the stock version. Why should a consumer have to spent big bucks to make the vehicle look better? BMW has missed the boat on so so many things this year, especially styling. Most new BMWs are just plain ugly and this one is no different.