The old adage of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” applies in large measure to the approach BMW have taken with their mid-life revise of the X3. But there is something I’d like to mention in connection with pricing later.
It felt so good to sit in for the first look around. Despite the cabin not getting much by way of extra bling from this facelift, it was fresh as a daisy. This, I told anyone who would listen, is how you make a fine mid-size diesel SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle). A really well-thought-out cabin. Lovely dash, everything well placed, nice backdrop, good intuitive action and interaction with the infotainment screen. From two-thirds of the way across the dash everything is titled towards the driver. It’s an admirable convention of elements. Seating is particularly good; firm but comfortable and supportive at the same time. And wide enough to keep us anchored when the driving got interesting on countryside twists and turns.
There was a lot of passenger room front and back. It seems like a century ago we were complaining about the cramped nature of the rear seating. They weren’t long putting that right with subsequent iterations. Indeed, such was the extent of the expansion that some of us, at the time, felt they had gone too far in bulking it up in size, to the detriment of the handling-and-ride dynamics that had previously made it a class leader in that area.
Even better news lay waiting when I started up the engine. There was the ‘new’ 2-litre 4cyl diesel immediately sounding smooth and sunny. And that didn’t change when I took off.
The older engine had its critics. It was not refined enough for a car of this status. I remember it being less refined than its Audi Q5 counterpart of that era. But this new 4cyl with mild hybrid technology puts it well and truly back in the frame. This was a case of ‘fixing’ something that needed to be fixed. And it got 7bhp extra power: not enough to make any great difference but raising it to 194hp is an achievement of sorts and would come into play at the top end of the revs.
The 8spd automatic transmission on the test car is claimed to boost economy by 7pc. This engine will touch 4.5litres/100km on long drives.
So off I went through Dublin’s narrow streets, Wicklow’s narrow roads and the great expanse of tarmac that is the N11/M11.
I would have driven it much further for longer if I had the time because not alone was the engine purring softer than a Cheshire cat, the balance and power of the car itself made it enjoyable.
As I said the X3 didn’t necessarily need a major overhaul. It’s a car that has taken the advance of age in its stride. Obviously the German marque was of similar sentiment and so they only applied a handful of visual tweaks. The front does look better, lifted by the new twin circular headlights which echo the appearance of its X5 Big Brother.
You never know what kind of a front/grille you are going to get from BMW these days; they certainly have shown inclination to go large and then some. No, I think they did the right thing in not putting the X3 front into contortions of new design.
Add in reshaped bumpers and LED indicators in the wing mirrors, while a piano black centre console adds a nice touch within and goes well as standard kit with the leather interior.
There is such an amount of space; the 550-litre boot stretches to 1,600 if you fold the 40:20:40 back row.
So, what was the item that clouded my considerations?
It’s not so much about BMW but a general observation I have about the way a car can shoot up in price so quickly with the inclusion of a few bits of add-on tech and spec. I’m not so sure you get back the value on all the items.
This BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport, as I drove it, will cost you €104,474. Who is going to break the €100,000 barrier for a car of this size and purpose, regardless of its quality? Or am I out of place in assuming there is such a market for a 2-litre diesel SUV/SAV that is €30,000 above the entry-level range price. The range kicks off at €70,405 which, while stiff enough, is not outside the ballpark for the segment, but few people bother with entry-level. The ‘basic vehicle price’ for the car profiled here is €79,699.
And that’s when the fun can start. Other bits and pieces come into view, Personal Contract Plans (PCPs) make them more desirable and more affordable – what’s another €20/month for this and €10/month for that. The meter is running.
It’s almost as if you are bidding against yourself. You are certainly betting on the good times continuing to roll.
And all the time VAT and VRT are rising in tandem with your purchase. On the BMW test car.VAT comes to €14,124 and VRT works out at €28,937. Road tax is €280 a year.
For €104,000 you expect and get a lot from the X3 but do you really need it all? I mean do you need a heated steering-wheel (€397.68)
Just to give you a flavour of what is on board, key options include black sapphire metallic paint for €1,391.89, 20ins alloys €1,789.57, aluminium interior trim, towbar €1,630.50, sun protection glass €715.83, luxury instrument panel €715.83, M Sport package Pro €3,658.67, adaptive suspension (€874.90), M Sport Brakes with red calipers, additional M Sport package Pro content, technology pack €3,618.90; Driving Assistant (€2,028.18), Parking Assistant Pro (€1,272.57), Live Cockpit Pro with Head up Display; Comfort Plus Pack €2,147.47; rear side window blinds, ventilated front seats, heated seats all round; Harman/Kardon surround sound system, Comfort Pack €2,386.08, adaptive headlights etc.
Standard options include mild-hybrid technology, automatic transmission with gearshift paddles, variable sport steering, electric front seats with driver memory; automatic air con etc.
Lovely car; just pick and choose your extras.
