Based on the BMW 3 Series platform, the first generation BMW X3, internally known as the E83, was manufactured from 2003 to 2010. BMW and Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria, who also produced all first-generation X3s for BMW under contract, collaborated to design the E83.
The xActivityconcept car, which served as a prototype for the X3, was unveiled by BMW in 2003 at the Detroit Auto Show. It was built on the 3 Series platform and had a fixed-profile convertible body style. Reinforced longitudinal rails connect the A-pillars to the rear of the vehicle on both sides, doing away with the need for B- or C-pillars.
The X3 made its debut in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung). It used an automated four-wheel drive system known as xDrive and shared its rear suspension with the E46 330xi. BMW’s all-wheel drive system, with a default 40:60 torque distribution between the front and rear axles and the option to send all torque to either axle, is a standard feature of all X3 variants. Utilizing an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch, the system allowed for totally variable, indefinitely adjustable front-to-rear torque distribution, with the capacity to send up to 100% of engine torque to either axle. In order to describe its X-line of vehicles, BMW refers to the crossover as a Sports Activity Vehicle.
The X3 was designed to combine the agility of a little car with the X5’s driving experience. The upright, high H-point seating arrangement on the X3 was advertised as “command seating.” The styling included a reinterpreted Hofmeister kink as well as interacting concave and convex surfacing, which were distinctive for the brand at the time.
BMW made changes to the engine, interior décor, body bumpers, and suspension in the model’s 2005 update and 2007 facelift.
The 2005 Canadian Car of the Year Best Sports Utility Vehicle title went to the X3 3.0i. Initial complaints about the X3 focused on its rough ride, drab interior, lack of off-road capability, and high pricing.
The BMW Business A/M-F/M-CD radio, an eight-speaker premium audio system, leatherette-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power front bucket seats, aluminum interior trim accents, keyless entry, and seventeen-inch (17″) aluminum-alloy wheels were all standard on US-spec X3 models. These models were well-equipped. A ten-speaker premium audio system with Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Sirius Satellite Radio, a dashboard-mounted color GPS navigational system, eighteen-inch (and later nineteen-inch) aluminum-alloy wheels, Nevada leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a security system, and more were all available extras.
In This Article...
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
The rear-wheel-drive sDrive30i and all-wheel-drive xDrive30i have a 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood, which gives them enough power to easily navigate practically any traffic situation but isn’t particularly thrilling. The xDrive 30i needed 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph on our test track; we haven’t tested a sDrive 30i variant. In our testing, the Porsche Macan S and the Audi Q5 are both faster—the Porsche by a significant margin. The X3 M40i will suit crossover buyers who are looking for performance far better. In our testing, the powerful 382-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine achieved a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds. Although it doesn’t quite provide Macan levels of agility, the X3 feels more capable than other of BMW’s existing sedans; it’s enjoyable to drive and eager to arc around corners better than expected. The ride quality is perfectly adjusted, providing just the right amount of stiffness for a sporty sensation without making the ride uncomfortable on uneven road surfaces. The adaptive suspension was an option on our test car, which we heartily endorse. The xDrive30i now has Comfort, Sport, and Eco Pro driving modes thanks to a feature called Dynamic Damper Control. The M40i’s adaptive M suspension lowers the chassis by 0.4 inches.
More evaluations
Although the inside styling of the most recent BMW 3 Series saloon is not very daring, it is extremely welcome nonetheless. The dashboard is streamlined, fashionable, thoughtfully laid out, and exquisitely constructed from premium materials. It really outsells the Volvo XC60 in terms of upscale appeal.
Not only range-topping examples, but all examples look and feel the part on the interior. Every model offers soft-touch interior surfaces and imitation leather upholstery, with accents made of gloss black or aluminum to add aesthetic appeal. xLine and M Sport versions all come standard with an iDrive infotainment system that includes a reversing camera and BMW Live Cockpit Plus digital gauges. LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels are also included.
The 2.0-liter gasoline 20i kicks off the lineup, while the 3.0-liter 30d and 20d cater to diesel preferences, with the latter having 282 horsepower. There are two M Performance models: the M40i, which has a 3.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine that produces 355 bhp, and the M40d, which has 335 bhp. With a time of under five seconds to 62 mph, it directly competes with the similarly quick and similarly expensive Audi SQ5. Due to its low emissions and the fact that it costs about the same as the xDrive30d diesel, the plug-in hybrid X3 xDrive30e is attractive to both corporate car drivers and private purchasers. We have separately tested the all-electric iX3 version.
The X3 shares the same mechanical platform as the BMW 5 Series, and all models come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Every X3 features xDrive four-wheel drive, which, unlike the X1, gives it fairly excellent off-road capabilities. Although it’s hardly a vehicle you’d take on a safari, it can readily handle a muddy field or a slippery boat slipway.
However, how it feels back on it is superior to how it performs off-road. Despite being a very large vehicle, the X3 has remarkable body lean resistance and solid handling, which puts it on par with BMW saloons in terms of agility. Even if it doesn’t feel nearly as rewarding as the Jaguar F-Pace for pure pleasure, it can still be delightful to drive on difficult roads because of how smooth it is at its softest suspension setting.
The major issue is that by raising the starting price of the X3 in comparison to older models, BMW has effectively shifted the vehicle upmarket. More features partially justify this, but it also means the range doesn’t overlap as much with the X1 and X2 (along with SUVs from non-premium manufacturers), making X3 ownership a little more expensive for some.
Nobody who can afford a BMW X3 will be dissatisfied. It’s a fantastic SUV to drive and travel in, has a high safety rating, and is convenient for families. However, according to our Driver Power poll, BMW now has among of the lowest owner satisfaction ratings among German manufactures. Overall, though, if you’re a skilled driver, this is one of the greatest large SUVs you can buy.
The computer recently disabled various options after a TPM sensor failure, including 4 wheel drive.
I questioned the dealer about when the automobile switched from a 2-wheel to a 4-wheel drive system. He mumbled and obviously didn’t know.
Who can describe the differences between a 2/4 wheel drive system and a 4 wheel drive system?
The base (entry level) X3 (2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel engines) is an all-wheel drive vehicle with a typical front-rear drive ratio of 40:60 that performs well in a variety of driving situations, such as ice and snow. There was one exception, a new entry-level 1.8-liter rear-wheel-drive version that debuted with the facelift but was quickly phased out in 2015, as you can see.
Road circumstances determine when different front/drive wheel drive percentages are used, however 4 wheel drive is always the default and never entirely switches to 2 wheel drive on the 4 wheel drive version.
The 40:60 ratio can be drastically altered in some extreme situations (temporarily), such as when one of the axles is losing traction.
My initial posting on this forum is this. I feel privileged to be a member of this amazing forum.
My 2013 BMW X3 2.8i Xdrive A/T has all-terrain tires mounted (225/60/R17 Yokohama Geolander A/T-s). I just recently purchased this vehicle. Since installing all-terrain tires on the car, the prior owner has been driving it. It’s the second set. It has logged roughly 9000 miles (5592miles)
I’ve heard somewhere that BMW doesn’t advise rotating the tires on the car, but because this isn’t a run-flat situation, would that advice still hold true for A/T tires? I noticed that the front tires are wearing more quickly on the sides because of turning and the higher profile, therefore I believe I should rotate them at least every 10,000 kilometers (5600miles)
Is there anyone else on this forum who uses the same tires as you do, and if so, what recommendations would you give? Any additional guidance would be helpful.
P.S. Since my home country of South Africa has poor roads, having A/Ts on our cars simply makes sense from a budgetary and comfort standpoint.
Clearly, the OP is articulating what he thinks to be a problem with an X3 with four wheels. Although I can’t speak from personal experience, I am aware that the transmission can shift power between the front, rear, and all wheels as needed. Therefore, if the TPS indicates that the wheel circumferences are out of balance, I can imagine it removing drive from a pair of wheels to reduce stress that could lead to failure.
I won’t be thrilled if it disables the 4WD because I can’t think of any logical justification for it.
Has the BMW X3 four-wheel drive?
Can I get an all-wheel drive BMW X3? Standard BMW xDrive is a feature of the BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i. With the aid of this sophisticated all-wheel drive system, you can go across treacherous terrain such as off-roading or snowy roads.
all BMW X3 xDrive models?
The second version of the BMW X3 is the F25. At the Paris Motor Show in 2010, the car was unveiled. Production for this generation was transferred from the Austrian Magna Steyr plant to BMW’s American manufacturing facility in Greer, South Carolina. Beginning on September 1, 2010, and ending in August 2017.
The F25-based X3 is almost as big as the original X5 from the E53 series in terms of size. All versions have all-wheel drive, known as xDrive, at launch. There are two different gearbox options: a six-speed manual and an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic. For all engines, the emission standard was Euro 5. In some areas, sDrive, a rear-wheel-drive-only vehicle, was added to the lineup in 2012.
M Performance Parts, which can be added on all models, were introduced with the facelift. These include aluminum pedals, M rims, black kidney grilles, carbon fiber mirrors, and a sport steering wheel. Additionally, 30d versions get a power boost package that adds 27 horsepower (286 horsepower), and dual exhaust systems may be added to 18d and 20d models.
The sale of UK models began on November 18, 2010. The xDrive20d was one of the first UK models. April 2011 saw the addition of xDrive30d. Incorporated in September 2011 was xDrive35d. the addition of sDrive18d on August 20, 2012. The most recent model of the BMW Professional Navigation System is now available as of Spring 2013.
US models for the 2011 model year began to appear in US BMW Centers around the end of 2010. There were two early US models: xDrive28i and xDrive35i. In place of the inline six xDrive28i, a turbo four cylinder xDrive28i was released for the 2013 model year (made in April 2012 and delivered in May 2012), with additional features such standard Auto Start/Stop, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO, and New Driver Assistance Package (includes Lane Departure Warning). Every vehicle sold in the US comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Only a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger or normally aspirated is offered for the F25 X3 in the US for 2011.
The 3.0L naturally-aspirated inline six-cylinder gasoline engine of the F25 X3 xDrive28i model was swapped out in 2012 for the 2.0L TwinPower twin-scroll, single-turbo inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, which was first installed in the BMW 3 Series (F30), more precisely coded N20B20O0. The first non-xDrive BMW SAV to ever be sold in the United States was the rear-wheel-drive sDrive28i variant, which was added to the X3 model list.
The F25 X3 xDrive28d variant, powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder diesel engine, again initially debuted on the BMW 3 Series, joined the X3 roster in 2013. (F30). The F25 X3 xDrive28d model is no longer offered for purchase in the US as of 2017.