Overview & Reviews

Four years after its introduction, BMW's smaller "Sports Activity Vehicle" (a crossover SUV by most definitions) undergoes its first significant updating. The lineup has been simplified to a single model called the "X3 3.0si" equipped with the latest generation of BMW's 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine. In this application, it makes 260 horsepower. BMW has also revised the front and rear exterior styling; introduced new wheel designs; and tweaked the interior with a new three-spoke steering wheel, a new hood over the instrumentation and revised leather and plastic materials. Beyond all that, the stability control system now incorporates "Brake Fade Compensation," "Brake Drying" and "Start-off Assistant" technologies.

• Quick reflexes, brilliant steering, outstanding power delivery, undeniable quality, good cargo capacity for its size.

• Relatively stiff ride, priced higher than most competitors.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 101.00

• 

  Not a huge fan - 2007 BMW X3
  By 1st time BMW - October 11 - 2:00 am

  My first BMW so excited to get it and compared it to all mini-SUV models. Have had it six months and trading it hubby and I loved to drive it hate to ride in it. 6 year old gets car sick the ride is so rough. I loved the idea of a BMW, but have found perhaps I am not such a fan of German engineering after all. I wish it would have worked out. Plenty of power, we simply cannot handle the rough ride.

• 

  Big Mistake - 2007 BMW X3
  By Regretful - July 9 - 1:08 am

  The X3 with premium and sport package looks good in a parking lot or a garage. Ride is hard. Back seat is hard. Nothing happens smoothly or refined. Choppy ride, confused transmission, not enough cup holders or console storage. Its just not worth $44k. Its in the shop, again, for warranty repairs. They tried to tell me it was ready to pick up a few days ago. Hadnt fixed either of the 2 main things it was there for. (Crazy wipers and rattling tailpipe) Still in the shop with no updates. The loaner is wonderful, 2011 328i sedan. It does everything better than the X3. Its like they learned how to build a vehicle, but dont want to do anything with a warranty repair of their past mistakes.

• 

  Anxiety - 2007 BMW X3
  By Furious - March 22 - 8:16 am

  I bought my x3 in 12/06. My first Bimmer! The third time I drove it, it quit on me. It was in the shop 9 days to re-program a computer problem. The hesitation problem others list is a perfect description of my x3. Sometimes, the hesitation has absolutely scared me. I have had a sidelight casing replaced due to moisture, have an obvious rattle from the sunroof cover and have had the lifters clacking since I bought the car. Today, I am headed to the dealer to attempt to negotiate my way out of this car into another. The only reason Im going back to BMW is because of the known problems and my chances of recouping some of the losses on it. Do not recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Bad Transmission - 2007 BMW X3
  By Dad - February 22 - 10:24 am

  I bought this vehicle to be both fun and utility vehicle. The transmission behaves so erratically it is downright dangerous. On more than several occasions its lack of response has cause near fatal accidents. It typically hesitates between 2-3 gear which is where you are at when entering a turn-about or merging into traffic quickly. The sports drive mode down shifts so hard that you swear you have been "rear-ended" by another driver. BMWNA has tried to pass this off as part of the "adaptive" or learning features of this car.

• 

  X3 weaknesses - 2007 BMW X3
  By Heidi Gross - January 23 - 11:34 pm

  There is definite hesitation when attempting quick acceleration. The gps is horrendous! Neither my husband nor myself have figured out how to enter addresses. It just shouldnt be this difficult. His aftermarket gps works like a dream. Not only is it easy to imput data, but also warns of traffic slow downs and alternative routes. The stereo is mediocre. The controls are mediocre.

• 

  Disappointing Transmission - 2007 BMW X3
  By Jason - January 13 - 6:09 pm

  Original impression of X3 3.0si on test drive was quite positive. I purchased a certified X3 3.0si with 12K miles. Car handles well and has powerful engine. Transmission is erratic at best. Sometimes does not engage at all, others shifts very hard and can cause nausea in passengers. BMW service cant find issue which suggests that they have not figured out optimal transmission match to the 3.0si engine in the X3.

• 

  Worst New Car I Ever Owned - 2007 BMW X3
  By Marc - July 10 - 2:30 pm

  I bought my new X3 a week ago and it is a total nightmare. I did not know that there was a major engine hesitation with many of these vehicles, and mine is very bad and even dangerous. The steering is not aligned due to either a wheel alignment issue or the wheel itself is not centered. The controls including the navigation system are way too complex and awkward, and using knobs to control everything is absurd. My car has cosmetic defects on the fabric on doors and pillars, and it looks like they totally left out the quality in this SUV. Overall, should have got the RDX.