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2004 BMW X3
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| Balancing Act |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:33:12 |
| Rating |
 65 ( -9 -13.84% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
2004 BMW X3
Balancing Act
Writer's Notes
Test Car: 2004 BMW X3
MSRP Range: $30,300 - $36,300
Curb Appeal:
BMW's new styling becomes further refined as it enters this latest segment.
Asphalt Rating:
2.5i models come equipped with a 184 horsepower, inline six, while 3.0i models get a 225 horsepower six-cylinder.
Real World:
A nice entry into this new segment, although ordering the options one usually wants in a premium vehicle brings the MSRP near to the base price of the X5.
Handling:
The new xDrive system and suspension enhancements make the handling approach that of the 3 Series sedan.
Comfort: If comfort is top priority, plan on getting the 3.0i model and ordering the Premium Package.
Standard features on the base model, the X3 2.5i, include tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, locks and mirrors, split folding rear seats, keyless entry, roof rails and a 10-speaker audio system.
Comments or suggestions about this review? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com
Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com.
xxx
While rocky landmarks are prominent throughout Southwest, there are only a few areas where giant round boulders dot the landscape. These boulders litter the foothills in the area northeast of Phoenix, often balanced precariously on top of other rocks as if they were marbles placed delicately by a giant.
I admired these natural wonders as my driving partner and I piloted the 2004 BMW X3 north on the Beeline Highway out of Phoenix. One hundred-year-old-plus- Saguaro cactus also stood proudly on the hillside, as if they were guarding these ancient rock formations.
The reason why the boulders are not found more widely relates to the very precise conditions required for them to form. The dry Arizona climate combined with a specific type of rock and just the right amount of rain make the perfect conditions for boulders. Made from granite, the boulders are the result of the feldspar in the granite slowly washing away from acid rain, which in turn fractures the rock. When more rain washes over the rock, it wears the corners away faster than the edges, eventually leaving only the rounded core. It is nature's way of sculpting the landscape in a process that takes millions of years.
Like Arizona's boulders, BMW's new X3 is smaller version of its larger sibling, the X5. BMW's designers chiseled away at the original concept of the sport activity vehicle (SAV) it executed in the X5 to create a version that both echoed the SAV design as well as its new design direction. The result is an amalgamation of sharp horizontal lines on the body sides, accented by the modernized version of the classic BMW front fascia and the new angular look in the rear. It is as if BMW took the essence of its 3 Series and the core concepts of its SAV concept and rolled it into one divine package.
Our time on the Beeline Highway provided ample opportunity to experience the 2004 BMW X3's capability as a daily commuter car. Our test car was equipped with a 3.0i-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 225 horsepower at 5900 rpm and 214 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 rpm. The 4,000-pound curb weight of the X3 makes it a bit slow in the 0-60 mph times (7.6 seconds with the manual transmission and 7.9 seconds with the automatic), but the X3 had plenty of spunk to pass other vehicles when necessary. The base model X3 is equipped with a 2.5i-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 175 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 rpm. Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while the five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is an option.
The X3 really began to shine on the Apache Trail, a winding mountain road that had plenty of twists and turns---not to mention a precipitous drop of 1,000 feet or more off one side. After crossing the Roosevelt Dam, the road turned to dirt and gravel, giving us the opportunity to experience xDrive, the new all-wheel drive and traction control system. As dirt and gravel crunched under our tires, xDrive kept us moving forward and on track, even when one wheel had notable slippage due to the terrain.
The xDrive system essentially shifts the power between the front and rear wheels in instances where traction is compromised. Under normal driving conditions, the xDrive system transmits torque to all four wheels, shifting the power only when driving conditions require it. In situations when traction is compromised, such as in ice or snow or on a dirt road like the one we traveled on, up to 100 percent of the torque can be shifted to either the front or rear wheels.
A multi-disc clutch controls the amount of torque that is transmitted to the front wheels. Because the clutch can be fully open, fully engaged or any level in between, it is considered steplessly variable. When the X3 is moving in normal driving conditions, the rear wheels are always driving the vehicle, while 40 to 50 percent of the power is transmitted to the front wheels. As traction decreases, the xDrive system shifts the torque accordingly.
For the most part, the operation of the xDrive system is so seamless that it is barely noticeable by the driver. In one particularly slippery patch however, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) portion of xDrive did intervene, reducing engine power and applying the brake on the front left wheel. The effect was a momentary decrease in power and a slight noise as the brake was applied with the result of stabilizing the vehicle just enough to keep us straight on course.
Later in the day, the Apache Trail turned from a dirt road to pavement and we began to wind our way past a series of lakes nestled in picturesque red rock canyons. Although the paved road was dry and traction was no longer an issue, the xDrive system still continued to work its magic. As we happily wound our traversed the corners of this unfamiliar road, the system continuously adjusted the torque split to compensate for any understeer or oversteer on our part. The ride was smooth and the handling superb; in fact, it was easy to mistake the experience for driving a 3 Series sedan.
XDrive, however, isn't the only reason the 2004 BMW X3 provides such a great driving experience. The suspension is a new version of system found in the 5 and 7 Series as well as the X5. The rear design comes from the 3 Series and features the Central Link suspension concept, which utilizes aluminum components to reduce unsprung weight and improve ride. Front and rear anti-roll bars and rack-and-pinion steering with variable assist complete the package.
Although the X3 falls in the small SUV category, it has plenty of room to carry both rear seat passengers and cargo in supreme comfort. The base model X3 2.5i comes with leatherette upholstery, while all 3.0i models come with a full leather interior. Both models feature Slate Gray trim, door pulls and door handles. The 2.5i model has manual front seats with height adjustment, while the 3.0i model has eight-way power front seats with memory for both seating positions and exterior mirrors.
One of the more interesting features of our test 2004 BMW X3 3.0i was the Panorama Moonroof. This option is a huge moonroof comprised of two panels.
One of the more interesting features of our test 2004 BMW X3 3.0i was the Panorama Moonroof. This option is a huge moonroof comprised of two panels. Both panels can be tilted up at the rear, or the front, larger panel can be slid open. This 10-foot glass span also has a power shade for times when you want to block the sun from coming in the vehicle.
Like most sport utes, the BMW X3 is filled with numerous cubbies, bins and nets to store various items. The cargo area holds a maximum of 71 cubic feet of gear (with the rear seats folded) and has lights in both sides and the tailgate to make locating your items a snap. A retractable cover is standard on all models, while the 3.0i and the 2.5i with the Premium Package come with special rails that can be used to secure cargo or accessories, such as BMW's new bike rack. The bike rack, a $275 option, stores up to two bicycles in the cargo space of the vehicle, ensuring the security of your outdoor equipment.
Standard features on the base model, the X3 2.5i, include tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, locks and mirrors, split folding rear seats, keyless entry, roof rails and a 10-speaker audio system. Many of the options are packaged in groups. For example, the 2.5i Premium Package adds front fog lights, rain sensing wipers, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power front seats with driver's memory, upgraded interior lighting and the attachment rails for the cargo area. The 3.0i Premium Package adds all the items from the 2.5i package plus leather upholstery, four-way power lumbar support, an auto-dimming mirror, wood interior trip, Panorama Moonroof and BMW Assist.
The Sport Package will appeal to performance enthusiasts and is the same on both models except for wheel design. This package includes sport suspension, 18-inch wheels shod with all-season tires, Shadowline black exterior trim, a sport steering wheel and sport front seats.
Like the boulders balanced so delicately on the tops of other rocks in Arizona's foothills, the 2004 BMW X3 is a balance between utility and performance. It has the cargo-carrying capability of an SUV for those with active lifestyles, yet offers the performance characteristics of a 3 Series for those who crave the ultimate driving machine. And, like the boulders, it's a combination not seen very often.
---Story by Tara Baukus Mello
© 2003, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved. |
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