In a previous road test of the X3 3,0-litre petrol model (CAR, March 2011) we praised the BMW for its spaciousness, interior comfort, ride and handling. Our closing comment from that road test was: “apart from the high-ish price tag we find very little wrong with the X3.” CAR Editor Hannes Oosthuizen said: “So good it makes the more expensive X5 almost seem unnecessary.” Our praise did not wane over time and the X3 netted the Best Compact SUV/Crossover award in CAR’s Top12 Best Buys (CAR, March 2012). To say that we regard the X3 as a well-rounded package is perfectly on the mark.
BMW chose to launch the X3 range with the award-winning 3,0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (video road test here). The debut of the diesel models came much later and it is the most powerful oil-burning X3 that I drove for the purposes of this evaluation.
The diesel model still boasts the characteristics that we praised the petrol model for. The looks fall squarely into the “love it or loathe it” category: the square, broad lines are chunky and less effeminate than those of the model it replaced. It falls on the conservative end of the stylistic scale, but that may ensure that the X3’s looks will remain fresh for a longer than most.
Inside are the usual levels of BMW luxury. The model I experienced had the optional beige leather interior that really helps to create a light and airy ambience to the cabin. A host of optional extras graced the interior, some of which are really nice to have and others are pure luxury, but all added to the experience – and the price.
On a weekend getaway from Johannesburg to the Limpopo province – which I am not too familiar with – the navigation system came in handy as did the USB port in the arm-rest. The rear side window sun-blinds are really nice to have but not ultimately necessary. And thanks to the glaring sun we kept the glass roof closed and the screen firmly in place with the dual-zone climate control in operation all weekend.
One optional item that I can recommend as a “must-have” is the electrically-operated tailgate as was the case with the unit on loan. The convenience of being able to open the rear door from the remote control or with the touch of a button is really convenient. As measured in our road test the 352 dm3 boot managed to swallow the copious luggage required by four adults for a long weekend along with two full-sized golf bags. The only items that needed to be place in cabin were handbags and the requisite padkos.
I have said it before and I stand by my earlier comment that the X3 has the best ride quality of any BMW currently available in South Africa. It might offer the best combination of long-travel suspension and new technology rubber, but in any event, this car does not feel as if it rides on run-flat tyres. On sealed surfaces and the rutted gravel paths of a game farm the BMW’s ride remained pliant and comfortable with minimal intrusion from the surfaces under its wheels and tyres.
The best part of this car has to be the engine-transmission combination. This is the sole six-cylinder diesel powerplant on offer in the X3 range. With a cubic capacity just shy of 3,0-litres, the turbocharged unit dishes up 190 kW of power and a mammoth 560 N.m of torque. That latter figure is produced in a plateau from 2 000 to 2 750 r/min. Thanks to the variable geometry of the turbocharger lag is barely noticeable.
In the eight-speed automatic transmission the engine has a perfect mate. The closely stacked ratios make ideal use of the diesel engine’s power delivery. During any driving circumstance the transmission seamlessly chooses the right gear and when allowed shifts up to the highest gear possible. At an indicated 120 km/h the engine is ticking over at just below 2 000 r/min for a leisurely drive with minimal noise.
There is never a need to affect a downshift, should you require more power and if the 560 N.m does not come into play quickly enough in that gear another cog will be selected as soon as you lean harder on the throttle pedal. One thing was for certain, when dealing with traffic on the national roads or trundling through small towns the surfeit of torque showed no acknowledgement of the load of humans and luggage on board.
During the 400 km we travelled, the car sipped just over half a tank of fuel. The actual fuel consumption was 8,6 litres/100 km; thanks to a 67 litre fuel tank one can expect a range of over 750 km on a tankful. BMW claims that the X3 xDrive 3,0d Steptronic will sprint to 100 km/h from standstill in 6,2 seconds, an impressive figure but one that very few drivers/owners will ever test or require.
Having experienced the petrol and diesel-powered X3 offerings, I have to say that I prefer the oil-burner. The petrol may be more rev-able but that is not of utmost importance in such a car. With such high levels of torque that provides cruising comfort and immense overtaking, and the added benefit of miserly fuel consumption, the lower-priced 3,0d X3 should be a no-brainer if you are looking at this end of the SUV/crossover market.
Specifications
Model: BMW X3 xDrive 3,0d A
Engine: 3,0-litre, turbodiesel
Power: 190 kW at 4 000 r/min
Torque: 560 N.m at 2 000 – 2 750 r/min
0-100 km/h: 6,2 seconds
Fuel consumption: 6,0 L/100 km
CO2: 159 g/km
Top speed: 230 km/h
Price: R603 000 (basic)
Maintenance plan: 5 year/100 000 km
