A year after the X3 was launched; BMW’s junior SUV finally gets a diesel engine. Is the X3 the ideal mini-SUV for those who can afford one? AutoCar (March ’09) takes a road test…
The X3’s two-litre diesel, the same as in the 320d develops 177bhp which gives this compact SUV enough poke to breech the 10-second barrier to 100kph. What is even more useful is the generous amounts of torque accessible from as little as low as 1500rm to make the X3 driver-friendly in traffic. Add to this well matched gear ratios and a responsive gearbox and town driving is a pleasure.
The 2.0-litre displays few of a diesel engine’s less endearing characteristics. There is a slight clatter from cold, but once the oil is warm this engine is mostly refined and at cruising speeds, it is barely audible.
 The X3 also handles like a BMW should. It sits on an E46 3-series salon chassis. There is no ladder-frame chassis or air springs here, only a set of MacPherson struts suspending the front wheels and trailing arms tying down the rear, with anti-roll bars at both ends.
It also has BMW’s xDrive, a permanent all-wheel drive system. Working via a multi-plate clutch, it divides power in a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear axles under normal conditions. It is also able to re-direct almost all the power of the engine to one single axle, if conditions demand it.
The X3’s hydraulic steering rack comes as a pleasant surprise too. At parking speeds, it requires less effort to twirl than a 3-series. Speed up and it becomes amazingly accurate and confidence-inspiring. With 201mm of ground clearance, it can handle a bit of the rough stuff too, but ultimately you’ll be restricted by the lack of a set of low range gear ratios.
Pleasant surprises continue when you discover the ’not-so-BMW’ ride. The ride is never harsh and the suspension never crashes through craters. This is largely due to the Pirelli Scorpion road-biased tyres, which are not ride-corrupting run-flats. 
Step into the X3, and you’ll find the seating position midway between climbing up an SUV and sliding down into a saloon. The high seating position provides the X3 drier with a clear view ahead, making it easy to place the car in tight traffic, yet it is low enough that you feel in touch with the road. The X3 has more room than you’d expect, even for rear-seat passengers. The seats are supportive, with enough shoulder room for three. The cavernous boot is a surprise too – it has a low sill and a humongous 1560 litres of space with the rear seats folded.
The equipment list is generous though. The driver’s seat is powered and has seat memory, there’s a six-CD changer in the centre armrest, parking sensors, climate control, auto ligts, wipers and cruise control come standard. There’s no iDrive system though.
Its fuel efficiency is impressive too. BMW’s diesel motors have earned a fine reputation for low consumption and the X3 delivers an impressive 9.3kpl in the city and 12.5kpl on the highway, which is pretty good considering its weight and large frontal area.
To sum up – the X3 diesel is brilliant. The fantastic handling, decent interior space, good ground clearance, adequate power and acceptable ride are what really appealed to AutoCar (March ’09). There are downsides though. For some, for whom size and presence are important, its compact dimensions may work against it. BMW also forgot to tick the box marked affordable – it’s an import, so it costs Rs. 47.41 lakh after duty, and that’s expensive. Still, if one can ignore the price and get behind the wheel, you will find the diesel X3 to be the most appropriate BMW for India yet.
| At A Glance |
| Price: Rs. 47.41 lakh OTR Mumbai, On sale: Now, Power: 177bhp @ 4000rpm, Torque: 35.6kgm@1750rpm, Acceleration: 0-60kph:3.70sec, 0-100kph: 9.21sec, Top Speed: 205kph, Fuel Efficiency: City: 9.3kpl, Highway: 12.5kpl, Kpl (overall) 10.9kpl, For: Fantastic handling, diesel economy, Against: Price. |
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