BMW X3 2.0d 2008 Review

What we liked
>> Torque with economy
>> Road dynamics
>> Refined for what is essentially a compact SUV

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
>> Engine, drivetrain and chassis: 3.5/5.0
>> Pricing, packaging and practicality: 3.5/5.0
>> Safety: 3.5/5.0
>> Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
>> X-factor: 3.5/5.0

As a counterpoint to BMW moving the larger X5 a little upmarket, the company has introduced a new X3 model to extend the smaller car's range into more affordable climes.

The new entry-level model is fitted with the same 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that has been introduced to the 5 Series range in the 520d (more here). This engine is a powerplant that fights above its weight and frankly, provides the X3 with a touch more 'offroad cred' than the small SUV has enjoyed in the past.

People will buy the 'basic' X3 model in fairly significant numbers, we're tipping. That's because it has the BMW badge, it's driveable and it's affordable. Plus, there's all the usual advantages to be had from owning any SUV -- flexible packaging to suit a family, an elevated view of the road ahead and the promise (not always fulfilled) of recreational adventure in the bush, on the beach or half-way up a mountain.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
As the entry-level model, the X3 2.0d, priced at $62,900, represents a saving of $3000 over the former base model X3 2.5si, at $65,900 (more on the wider X3 range here).

That disparity is all the greater still, since the diesel is equipped with a standard six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission and the 2.5-litre petrol variant will cost a further $2600 for the same automatic offering, as an option. And as it turns out the X3 2.0d is basically equipped to the same level as the X3 2.5si, the full value equation is better again.

Features fitted as standard include Park Distance Control for front and rear, 17-inch 'star spoke' alloy wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers and auto-on/off headlights, remote central locking, a choice of three different woodgrain veneers or aluminium highlights, an electro-chromatic mirror, trip computer, Bluetooth connectivity, leather-bound multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, climate control, in-dash CD audio system, luggage compartment net, ski bag, 'Nevada' leather upholstery and front armrest.

A host of standard safety features include: Automatic Stability Control & Traction, Dynamic Stability Control, head airbags for front and rear seat occupants, side-impact airbags for front and rear, dual front airbags with occupant detector, traction control, ABS, Dynamic Brake Control, Automatic Differential Brake, Hill Descent Control and Cornering Brake Control.

Developing 125kW and (more importantly) 340Nm of torque, the new, all-alloy powerplant features common-rail induction with piezo injectors. A diesel particulate filter contributes to the X3 2.0d returning a CO2 emissions figure of 185g/km and a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.0L/100km. Balance shafts are fitted to reduce NVH, without intruding on space under the bonnet or compromising the four-wheel drive system.

The new engine is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic box with a sequential-shift feature. This transmission channels the torque through the X3's full time four-wheel-drive system, marketed by BMW as 'xDrive'.

The X3 relies on data from the DSC system (Dynamic Stability Control -- BMW's equivalent to ESP) to regulate the xDrive system. In normal driving, the xDrive system splits the torque 40:60 in favour of the rear axle. A centre coupling with a multi-plate clutch system takes care of the torque transfer and can, through electronic management based on the DSC data, transfer as much as 100 per cent of the available torque to the front or the rear.

Suspension is by means of MacPherson struts at the front and a double-wishbone IRS system with trailing arms. With rack and pinion steering assisted by a hydraulic pump, the X3 manages a turning circle of 11.7m.

Ventilated discs are fitted front and rear, with dual-piston calipers at the front and single-piston calipers at the rear. The rotors measure a diameter of 325mm (front) and 320mm (rear).

PACKAGING
With the upgrade to the X3 late last year, BMW offered a revised interior as a concession to nagging journalists and owners of the car itself.

We said in our review of the car at the time, that shoulder room and legroom in the second row seat were a little on the squeezy side, but the X3 makes up for that by providing good luggage capacity.

Although the ambience of the original X3 came in for criticism -- and the new model is a major improvement -- the centre fascia is still not exactly a knock-out. It looks very similar to a pre-iDrive setup and if you've ever driven an E36 3 Series, circa 1998, you would feel right at home in the X3. There's nothing wrong with the layout or the way it works, but it's a large expanse of unleavened black plastic of the kind that hides dirt, but picks up dust and doesn't even look 'upper class' from new.

There are three woodgrain veneers available in the X3 and none of them are all that pleasing. If you have to bear your badge of affinity with the environment by ordering a car with wood laminates inside, the Poplar grain light is probably the pick, but our view is the Titanium light or even the brushed Aluminium look is more appropriate to the car's style. The Nevada leather trim is available in three colours, Black, Grey and Sand Beige.

SAFETY
The dynamic and passive safety aids fitted to the X3 2.0d are listed above.

To recap, the X3 is fitted with side impact airbags to protect the thorax of front and rear seat occupants. These are located inside the front and rear doors. Side curtain airbags protect the heads of front and rear seat occupants, with both the driver and front seat passenger also protected during frontal collisions by the two dual-stage airbags deploying from the steering wheel hub and the dashboard above the glovebox.

The X3 offers a fairly extensive range of electronically controlled dynamic safety systems, which are linked through the xDrive system, combining onroad safety with offroad control. This bundling of different electronic control systems is named the Integrated Chassis Management system (ICM) and it runs -- to use one example -- the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control; a stability program in other words) through reducing torque to one or more wheels losing traction or lateral grip. If this doesn't correct the car's composure, the ICM/DSC will apply braking effort selectively.

BMW's Brake Force Display multi-stage tail lights are a useful device to inform drivers behind the X3 of heavy braking, such as would take place during an emergency. An additional bank of LEDs in the tail lights illuminates if the driver of the X3 is braking heavier than would be the case in normal operation.

In our earlier article on the updated X3, we mentioned the Land Rover Freelander II as a competitor for the X3 -- and that still holds true. The new Freelander is available at a considerable cost saving over the X3, with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel developing 400Nm of torque, a substantial gain -- at the expense of power -- over the BMW. At $51,990, the Freelander TD4 SE also offers a six-speed automatic and independent suspension all around.

With the Land Rover, you're not buying the same badge cachet, but you are buying a car that will almost certainly go further offroad than the X3.

It's a lot cheaper than the BMW and won't necessarily appeal to X3 shoppers for a whole host of reasons, but the Jeep Patriot (or the Jeep Compass for that matter), offers a small capacity turbodiesel engine in a similar size of package and with reasonable all-road prowess. Worth considering perhaps if you're not buying right up to the $63,000 budget ceiling and you would choose a car with more offroad ability.

Buyers looking at the X3 might also decide to wait twelve months or so for the Volkswagen Tiguan, which will offer a turbodiesel engine that should match the punch of the BMW four. It will be sold in Australia at a considerable cost saving over the X3.

ON THE ROAD
Not wanting to be too impertinent about this, but the X3 with a serious offroad-capable engine is a bit like Blundstone uppers on high heels.

The drive program for the X3 2.0d was shared with the 520d, so there was no opportunity to test the X3 in a true offroad environment. We can confirm that it was a little better behaved on graded dirt roads than the 5 Series sedan.

It's not much of a test, but where the DSC in the 520d was calibrated for higher speeds and bitumen, the X3 was a lot less nervous in the same situation. Despite the MacPherson strut-style front end, the X3 was not unduly disturbed by corrugations mid-corner.

With the new engine, driving through the six-speed automatic transmission, we found the X3 2.0d to be perky enough in acceleration right across the whole range of road speeds. The engine is, as we've already said, quite refined and fuel efficient, yet still boasting the sort of performance to complement very well the X3's other driving characteristics.

Point to point, the X3 2.0d is rapid and safe. Obvious as it is to say, the X3 isn't as much fun to drive through the same sweeping bends as the 5 Series, but it comes closer than one might expect, which means that it's probably the benchmark for onroad handling and steering, among smaller SUVs.

Even pushing on over roads that allowed the car to maintain a relatively high average speed, the ride was never harsh and NVH was surprisingly good. In fact, the turbodiesel engine in the X3 seemed quieter and even less obviously a diesel than in the 5 Series.

It is, in fact, the engine that makes the X3 2.0d, in our view. The total package is good, if you want a high-riding wagon with genuinely good onroad dynamics and all-wheel drive safety. If you're after a true offroader in this size, there are better options available.

As against that, those better options are unlikely to offer the sort of safety, economy and driveability onroad that the X3 can provide. Entry-level models aren't always the best sellers in a model range, but in this case, we would expect nothing less from the X3 2.0d.

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