Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Nice vehicle, but not worth the +$40k - 2004 BMW X3
  By Carl Freitas - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I just love the way the X3 handles and its compact young look. It is fairly spacious inside and provides a sporty, if sometimes somewhat rough ride.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 BMW X3
  By baddog123 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Overall, love the vehicle. The safety features are incredible. After driving a Jeep cherokee with nothing for safety this is great. Weird quirk-cant open the rear hatch from inside car; must use key. The xenon lights are amazing and truly increase visibility at nite. The dash area wouldnt win any beauty contests, its a bit rustic.

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  X3 could be better - 2004 BMW X3
  By RussoX3 - November 28 - 5:27 pm

  With 18k miles, this car rattles from a few areas, and there is a water leak soaking the back seat floor. Car handles great and is fun to drive - the 6 speed helps! Overall car is comfortable and handles like a BMW. Quality of materials is a problem.

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  Squeaks Like a 2 Horse Wagon - 2004 BMW X3
  By Yard Dog - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought the X3 to replace an aging 328i, which stayed in the shop most of the time. Unfortunately, after a week the squeaks and rattles in the X3 were so bad, I had the dealer pick up the car. Now, 2 weeks later I still dont have it back because the dealer is waiting for some kind of part from Germany. To be fair, they have given me a loaner, but that is not the point. I wish I had bought the 4Runner.

• 

  Sexy X3 - 2004 BMW X3
  By Plummer - September 15 - 6:37 pm

  Purchased for European Delivery - family of 5 and luggage. BMW discounts about $2500, buy it from your local dealer. Also save rental exp. I found this site looking for a chip I might add to improve gas mileage. I get a horrible 13.8MPG in the city driving softly. Other issues: 1) at 75 MPH a high pitched noise is induced. Got to drive faster or slower to avoid it. 2) The rear hatch often doesnt shut completely. Interior light remains on. Need to really slam it. 3) Order the back-up warning system because the rear window is so high you cant see the hood of the car your backing into. 4) Stearing wheel blocks the speedometer. Regardless great car. Hope MPG can be fixed.

• 

  Great Drive and Fun - 2004 BMW X3
  By DFLerner - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Quite fun to drive, nimble and responsive handling, confident acceleration, powerful braking. One feels safe and in control of their driving environment.

• 

  Best Car-like Luxury SUV - 2004 BMW X3
  By realblandpoet - April 25 - 3:16 pm

  I hate SUVs. Needed more space, and didnt want a wagon, so looked at the X3, and havent looked back. Closest thing to a car ride. Have bad backs, and dual lumbar support in front seats are THE BEST compared to other cars. Suspension is a little tight, though not as bad on mine w/o the sport package. Base sound system so/so only. Panoramic sunroof amazing. Backseat comfort very good - spacious, especially with sunroof. Fuel economy is my biggest gripe: average 16 MPG in mostly city driving (with a heavy foot). Overall value was great with end of year deals - probably wouldnt have justified cost otherwise. Got Aux. audio jack: Works great with iPod (dont think iPod jack is worth it)!

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  Good or Bad - 2004 BMW X3
  By Anschris - March 3 - 4:06 pm

  We had a MB C230 coupe & loved it so much for a hatchback cargo space, the ride & of course the panoramic roof except rear wheel drive in snowy winter...It was time to change & get a BMW X3, more cargo space & more secure in winter driving. Its so grip on snow & no problem of getting out of driveway with fresh snow. It corners better than a car but a little bumpy on aged asphalt, which I think its due to low profile tires.

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  EXTREMELY ROUGH SUSPENSION - 2004 BMW X3
  By Robert - February 6 - 5:37 pm

  Purchased black X3 3.0 6speed with active xenon lights and Panorama roof. Looking back, the 25 min test drive was on all smooth asphalt surfaces where the salesman directed me to go. After driving home over patchy concrete and highway expansion joints I became worried. The suspension was unbelievably stiff. Yes the X3 handled spectacular, but at a huge price of feeling every irregularity in the road directly to your back. Every single person who rode in my X3 commented within 10 mins how rough it rode (and I had normal suspension, the non-sport package). Got to the point where I started seeing a chiropracter. I called it quits and traded it in after 5 months of ownership.

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  First BMW ... a bit pricy, but solid - 2004 BMW X3
  By rckpittsburgh - January 6 - 11:19 am

  After driving an A4 for several years, was in the market for a vehicle with more space, but still fun to drive. The X3 has filled both needs, but thus far it feels like it was $10K too expensive (mid $40Ks) -- after adding reasonable equipment to the 3.0 package. In hindsight, wonder why I did not buy an X5? Ultimately, extra cost up-front vs. vehicles in its class will need to gauged vs. long-term reliability.