2008 BMW X3 Review

By Holly R.

• Plenty of interior room for both humans and all their stuff
• Easy to drive, easy to see out of and easy on the eyes
• Decent mileage (when driven reasonably)
• Really nice features
• X3 was pretty fun to drive and the smart wipers work really well (we had schizophrenic weather that weekend – perfect to test these out!)
• Odd placement of power lock button
• A little stiff in the suspension

First Impressions:
Having driven the X5 a few months ago, I was eager to compare the X3 to its big brother.  It was definitely smaller, but I thought it had ample room inside.  I was able to get comfortable in the driver’s seat after several adjustments (something I was never able to do in the X5).  It was easy to drive, easy to see out of, easy to pack full of stuff (bike, wine boxes, backpack, etc.).  It’s also significantly less expensive than it’s big bro, but is by no means a “cheap car”.  BMW calls it” An uncompromising middle ground” and that’s an excellent way to describe it.

The features are really, really nice.  The 8-speaker sound system is excellent, and the panoramic moon-roof is to die for.  The Xenon headlamps lit up my favorite dark, curvy road so well that I drove with total confidence.  I could see everything, easily.  The interior features of the X3 were much easier to fidget with and adjust without the complicated i-Drive system.

Mileage was decent for me at around 22.4 mpg.  This was a combination of city and highway and included very little stop & go driving.  The mileage isn’t stellar, but it’s not horrible either, and at 260 hp, the mileage is not bad, given the vehicle’s power.  Of course, if you stomp on the accelerator a lot, “your mileage may vary”, greatly.

In my short time in the X3, my biggest complaint:  where the heck is the door lock button?  It took me nearly TEN minutes to find it.  I finally gave up and while driving noticed a button underneath the hazard lights button.  The door lock button!  Odd location to have it on the center of the dashboard, but what do I know?

BMW X3 EXPERT REVIEWS
	2008 BMW X3 Review – So German It Hurts By John G. “The X3 is unquestionably a great-handing car, with BMW looks, fit, and finish, and the feeling of driving a much larger, more substantial vehicle.”
	2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i Review – The new X3 is bigger, more comfortable, and a moving performer By Danny Chang “The X3 is unquestionably a great-handing car, with BMW looks, fit, and finish, and the feeling of driving a much larger, more substantial vehicle.”
BMW X3 PHOTO GALLERIES
Photo Galleries: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i | 2008 BMW X3

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