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2008 BMW X3-Series Review

September 30, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The styling clearly says BMW
Edmunds

Aging
Cars.com

Freshened visual athleticism
Motor Trend

The 2008 BMW X3 is BMW’s compact crossover. Derived from the 3-Series lineup, it’s a four-door with a wagon back, a taller ride height, and all-wheel drive. It’s built in South Carolina, and it takes on the likes of the Acura RDX and the Land Rover LR2 as BMW’s entry-level off-roader.

Edmunds says the X3 has an “athletic personality” and notes “this crossover sport-ute shares its platform DNA with BMW's perpetually praised compact sport sedan.” Cars.com notes “the styling clearly says BMW, but it's the multi-paneled look of earlier models and it's beginning to show its age.” They add that the X3 is slightly shorter than its prime competition, the Acura RDX. Motor Trend refers to the “freshened visual athleticism” that came with a redesign in the 2007 model year; for 2008, there are only a few minor changes. Last year also brought a "new front bumper that frames a new, slightly larger twin-kidney grille," according to MyRide.com, and the grille now has “chrome vertical slats" to match the "chrome strip along the base of the side windows" and new LED taillights, according to Autoblog. Still, compared to brand-new entries from Acura and the coming Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, the BMW X3 is “aging,” Cars.com suggests.

Inside, "the cabin of the X3 is well thought out and beautifully executed," says Edmunds, adding “function takes priority over opulence.” MSN Autos calls it “quiet, airy and upscale.” This BMW 2008 model "masks its compact dimensions well," says Cars.com, especially due to the telescoping steering wheel and power adjustment driver's seat. "Dark ash wood trim is now standard," but you can also get gray poplar or light natural poplar at no extra cost on the BMW X3, according to MyRide.com. The new "three-spoke steering wheel" and "the new look around the gauge cluster with the instrument hood integrated into the dash" are noteworthy style choices on the BMW X3.

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW X3 bears all the hallmarks of BMW styling, but it’s beginning to show its age.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:The styling clearly says BMWEdmundsAgingCars.comFreshened visual athleticismMotor Trend The 2008 BMW X3 is BMW’s compact crossover. Derived from the 3-Series lineup, it’s a four-door with a wagon back, a taller ride height, and all-wheel drive. It’s built in South Carolina, and it takes on the likes of the Acura RDX and the Land Rover LR2 as BMW’s entry-level off-roader. Edmunds says the X3 has an “athletic personality” and notes “this crossover sport-ute shares its platform DNA with BMW's perpetually praised compact sport sedan.” Cars.com notes “the styling clearly says BMW, but it's the multi-paneled look of earlier models and it's beginning to show its age.” They add that the X3 is slightly shorter than its prime competition, the Acura RDX. Motor Trend refers to the “freshened visual athleticism” that came with a redesign in the 2007 model year; for 2008, there are only a few minor changes. Last year also brought a "new front bumper that frames a new, slightly larger twin-kidney grille," according to MyRide.com, and the grille now has “chrome vertical slats" to match the "chrome strip along the base of the side windows" and new LED taillights, according to Autoblog. Still, compared to brand-new entries from Acura and the coming Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, the BMW X3 is “aging,” Cars.com suggests. Inside, "the cabin of the X3 is well thought out and beautifully executed," says Edmunds, adding “function takes priority over opulence.” MSN Autos calls it “quiet, airy and upscale.” This BMW 2008 model "masks its compact dimensions well," says Cars.com, especially due to the telescoping steering wheel and power adjustment driver's seat. "Dark ash wood trim is now standard," but you can also get gray poplar or light natural poplar at no extra cost on the BMW X3, according to MyRide.com. The new "three-spoke steering wheel" and "the new look around the gauge cluster with the instrument hood integrated into the dash" are noteworthy style choices on the BMW X3. ConclusionThe 2008 BMW X3 bears all the hallmarks of BMW styling, but it’s beginning to show its age. 2008 BMW X3 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "The styling clearly says BMW " Cars.com: "Aging" Motor Trend: "Freshened visual athleticism" The 2008 BMW X3 is BMW’s compact crossover. Derived from the 3-Series lineup, it’s a four-door with a wagon back, a taller ride height, and ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Even the most refined vehicle in this class, the Acura RDX, suffers a bit from a choppy ride and a slightly off-base, zippy turbocharged engine. The Land Rover LR2 has a more subdued V-6 engine, more rear-seat room, and more off-road credibility, along with a busy interior. The Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5 are unknown quantities, but they're worth a look later this year when they go on sale for the first time.

Next Steps:

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See the BMW X3-Series in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2001

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Kevin Monroe #1, Posted: 10/11/2009

    The X3 is a disaster. Please read this letter I wrote to a Benz dealer when he contacted about having hired my prior BMW salesman.
    Avoid this car.
    Dear Ted,
    I am sorry to hear that Peter Hill has left BMW and moved over to MB. I have been counting the days until the lease on the BMW X3 he sold me is up, so I could caustically spill my guts to him about why I dislike this auto so much. Nothing personal here, mind you. I just hate the car, not Peter. Nevertheless, just to vent 15 months of pent up frustration, I would like to list a few of the things I hate about the X3. Perhaps Peter can use this letter to help perk up his MB Sport Ute sales at the expense of BMW. To appreciate my grief you should know in advance that I am an avid biker and photographer.
    1. The sensors that surround the car that detect a "close" objects are nothing but an annoyance. Guess what happens every time I turn on the ignition with my bike on the back of the car >>>>ALARM!!!
    Guess what happens every time I turn on the ignition in my small garage or any garage where someone has parked close to me or where I am close to the front wall >>>ALARM!!
    Guess what happens every time I put the car in reverse>>>> ALARM ( god forbid I should miss-judge a parallel park and have to back up 2 or 3 times).
    2. Congrats to the German engineer who designed the weight sensor in the front seats. He must have worked with Metler balances in his prior occupation, since they are designed to detect a human the size of my liver. Guess what happens when I place my 7 pound camera on the passenger seat without buckling the seatbelt...you got it>>>> ALARM! Try a textbook...OOPS>>>>ALARM! Get the picture? I basically have to drive all the time with the passenger seatbelt fastened, whether there is a passenger or not.
    3. This is the first car I have owned (and the last) that has a seatbelt alarm that will wail into infinity should you decide for whatever personal reason that you just don't want to wear a fucking seat belt (for instance...to drive from the Kroger over to the Radio Shack in the same strip mall). Who's car is this anyway.... mine or the government's? A brief alarm is annoying enough. One that never stops..... Gestapo.
    4. The double moon roof is poorly designed and when fully opened with the other windows closed, creates a middle ear pressure gradient that is debilitating at speeds exceeding 45mph. Even if only half opened, the pressure gradient is annoying at 60mph and intolerable at 70mph.
    5. Placement of the universal door lock in the central dashboard renders it completely useless. It will not lock the doors with the door open and thus is worthless when trying to exit the car. Essentially, it requires the driver to have a free hand to active the door lock with the car key, once you are out of the car... Hey BMW, the Japanese beat you hands down on this little ergonomic blunder. Don't mess with perfection.....Put it on the door like everybody else... duh!
    6. Poor placement of the iPod storage bin... an afterthought that is inconvenient and didn't account for the unsightly wire leading from the port. Also, a $45K car should be able to change tracks on the iPOD without an upgrade package ( see $20K Japanese cars).
    7. Gas milage stays consistently at the lowest end of the EPA range listed on the sticker... has never attained more than 20mpg, even at 55mph on interstate, with cruise control activated.... had my lease been up, I would have turned it in as a clunker.
    Any positives related to this car are far outweighed by the above. The various alarms are a constant reminder of how much I hate this vehicle, Maybe I should save this email to just hand to Peter's replacement at BMW, so I don't have to explain it all verbally.
    Good Luck to Peter and MB,
    Sincerely,
    Kevin Monroe

  2. By jenny #2, Posted: 10/29/2009

    why would you pay that much money on a lease for the x3 with all the options anyways? Its a tiny SUV with the bmw engine, but isnt supposed to have awesome options..thats what the x5 is for. It was made for a person that wants a chaeper suv with the bmw name/engine/steering.

  3. By BMWX3 #3, Posted: 10/30/2009

    The BMW X3. The WORST car I have ever driven much less owned. This car is an absolutely dangerous disaster.
    1. The X3 has a terrible ride. It is so bouncy, bucking, swaying, rocking that it can actually make the driver seasick. According to the dealer this is caused by the AWD. Hands up if that makes any sense to anyone. My vote is for the suspension.
    2. The AT, a continuation of the 2007 GM6 AT problems will intermittently fail to accelerate for a few seconds when you need to make a turn or when you simply want to speed up. Step on the gas..nothing. Press harder...nothing. Press harder...boom you are off like a rocket!
    The AT also downshifts so hard when you take your foot off the brake that it decelerates going DOWNHILL. It decelerates so hard and so unexpectedly at times that it is already slowing down hard as you are braking leading to a really hard and short stop. Surprise!
    According to the dealer, this is standard and normal and designed to work this way. Hands up if this makes any sense to anyone.
    3. The road noise is so loud you can hear it above the radio. It grinds so hard that it vibrates through the pedal and sometimes up through the steering column. According to the dealer, the noise is also due to the AWD. Oh, why not.
    4. Windows fog up instantly for no apparent reason. Try becoming instantly blind while driving. That means no visibility out the front, out the back or out the sides in an instant. Surprise!
    Feature for feature the X3 is the most expensive car in its class. It does not come with standard leather, it does not come with standard bluetooth, it has a poor standard radio system, etc.
    It does have a nice pano roof but now the question is...where is the moisture fogging the windows coming from anyway?
    What a horrible new car buying experience this thing has been. Just awful.

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