Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Not a good ownership experience - 2004 BMW X3
  By tshurts - August 27 - 7:59 pm

  I have had my X3 for 10 years and will never purchase another BMW. It started out with having a faulty rim. I then have had 10 window regulators replaced, starting within the first year of ownership. I have also replaced the transfer case and rear differential costing over $6,000. Now the transfer case motor has failed. I have only put 100,000 miles on my car in the 10 years I have owned it. You failed BMW. I will not be a repeat customer.

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  Punishing ride. - 2004 BMW X3
  By tomaszek - October 29 - 9:47 pm

  I had this car for 6 years. It was solid car with not too many problems. They are 3 times more to fix than on american car though. Key is 173 $ for example. Brakes $756. I bought it on advice from magazine as "best car in its class". Not. Is the most expensive car in its class. You can have Lexus RX for the money which is better and bigger car. Or 2 Honda CRVs which any of them will be worth more at trade in in 10 years. This car is shame for BMW. The ride is punishing harsh. The manual transmission is totally not math to engine. Panorama sunroof lets in so much noise. The leather seats have ugly inserts. The car is noisy and full of rattles. I felt like driving the cheap car.

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  Not good quality for this model - 2004 BMW X3
  By horacio - January 14 - 2:55 pm

  Needs a lot of maintenance, on brakes, tires are expensive, the moon roof does not work. It will cost like 2500 to fix, the first gear jumps really bad I scare to drive it now, and the ac compressor went out! Not a smart buy I have 99,500 miles on it.

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  Fun to drive - but some problems - 2004 BMW X3
  By Ben - September 6 - 1:53 pm

  I own the X3 2.5 for 4 years now. Fun to drive and a smart looking crossover. However Airbag mat (now a official recall) broke 5 times, windows seals have been replaced 3 times and car still CREAKS on every turn and pothole. Steering rack start creaking, too, and was completely replaced. I do find those problems not acceptable for BMW and will stay away until the get their quality back. BMW paid for their mistakes: I have bought their extended warranty for about 3000 extra to extend to 100k/6 years and they will fix no matter what without question ask. Do not get the car without warranty or prepaid service - it´s a money pit !

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  Got rid of it! - 2004 BMW X3
  By Lisa - November 14 - 7:09 pm

  I think I was just so excited to be able to say that I OWNED a "BMW" that I got too caught up in the name. I was so disappointed to find out that only weeks after I purchased the vehicle, it started rattling like a cage! It felt like it was falling apart. I expected alot more from a "BMW." I traded that sucker and am now the owner of a Lexus and I couldnt be happier!

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  Hugely disappointed - 2004 BMW X3
  By chris935 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Went from a 325 to the X3 and boy am I disappointed. The ride is atrocious - I could have saved myself the money and bought a Ford Explorer. It bounces around the street so much that I dont feel in control at all - and that sense of control is what BMW is supposed to be about. It rattles all over and the interior design is not consistent with a $40+ vehicle. It shows no originality (unless you count rain sensing wipers!) - seems to be just a hodge podge of the 3 series and an X5 and it doesnt work! BMW should be ashamed of this one.

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  some criticisms/some praise - 2004 BMW X3
  By Bob464 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  2.5L slightly underpowered. A/C problems. Ride very harsh. However, still fun to drive.

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  Typical 1st year Bimmer - 2004 BMW X3
  By Skater - April 19 - 10:00 am

  BMW tends to use the 1st model year out as a beta tester, and the X3 seems no different. Im not a BMW basher, just someone who had an E36, then an E39, collectively, for 10 years. My suggestion is to wait a year or two, BMW will get the X3 right.