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2008 BMW X3 Review
The BMW of small SUVs.
2008 X3 Review Summary & Specifications
The BMW X3 3.0si is hard to beat for people who want BMW's heritage, looks, powertrain and packaging, but desire the flexibility a sport-utility vehicle offers. The xDrive, Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Descent Control combine to offer excellent handling, grip, traction, stability on gravel roads, muddy two-tracks and snow-covered backroads. Overall fit is to the marque's standards, but the interior finish is disappointing. Leaving the options boxes unchecked yields an affordable and capable SUV that requires no apology, and judicious checking lets even a cost-conscious shopper have the desired luxuries.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed the original report from Northern California, with Greg Brown reporting on the 3.0si from the Austrian foothills south of Munich.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | BMW X3 3.0si ($39,425) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed Steptronic automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 260-hp 3.0-liter inline-6 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual; 6-speed Steptronic automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual front airbags with dual-threshold, two-stage deployment; front seat side-impact airbags; height-adjustable front safety belts with automatic pre-tensioners and force limiters; front seat active headrests; three child-seat tether anchors in rear seat area; automatic locking retractors on all safety belts; head protection curtain for front and rear seat occupants; all-wheel drive, dynamic stability control, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Brake Drying, Brake Standby, Start-off Assistant, Brake Fade Compensation |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rear-passenger side-impact airbags; BMW Assist, including automatic collision notification and SOS call function |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Graz, Austria |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-334-4BMW |
| Manufacturer URL | www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 39425 |
| Model Tested MSRP | BMW X3 3.0si ($39,425) |
| Standard Equipment | vinyl upholstery; automatic climate control with micro-filter; leather-wrapped, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel with redundant cruise and audio controls; wood trim; AM/FM/CD audio system with RDS, 8 speakers and 2 subwoofers; auxiliary input jack; cruise control; remote locking with key memory; 6-way power front seats with settings and outside mirror memory; power windows, outside mirrors and central locking; 3-stage heated front seats; 4-function onboard computer; rear seat and cargo area accessory power outlets; front and rear reading lights; glove box-stored, rechargeable flashlight; rain-sensing windshield wipers; automatic headlight control; halogen headlights; front foglights; rear air diffuser |
| Destination Charge | 825 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Premium Package ($2,800) includes universal garage door opener, Nevada leather upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, interior/exterior ambient lighting, 4-way power lumbar, and BMW Assist with Bluetooth; Servotronic steering ($250); HID headlights with auto-leveling ($800); rear door-mounted, side-impact airbags ($385); on-board navigation system ($1,800); Park Distance Control, front and rear ($700) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 46985 |
| Layout | all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 260 @ 6600 |
| Torque | 225 @ 2750 |
| Fuel Economy | 19/26 |
| Wheelbase | 110.1 |
| Length/Width/Height | 179.9/73.0/65.9 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 38.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.3/na/40.2 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.4/na/35.8 |
| Trunk Volume | 71.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 3500 |
| Front Suspension | independent, strut, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, multi-link, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 8.0 |
| Curb Weight | 4067 |
| Stock Tires | 235/55R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 17.7 |
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