Certified CenterIt's time to dart through city back-roads and get a feeling for the X3 in an urban driving environment. No longer the new kid, can it still keep the beat? Again, its solidity and poise is felt, and it likes to be driven in a fashion that shows off these qualities. Push the X3 beyond a modest pace, and it answers, but in a less than enthusiastic manor - it does not beg for more. Moderate body roll is felt through tight corners and quick lane changes, though the chassis is perfectly balanced and happy to turn in.
Its size is just right for a dash through the city. It allows you full 'ownership' of your lane, without being to wide for back-alley short cuts. It's also easily maneuverable through tight traffic or in tighter parking spaces - thanks largely to its parking distance sensors.
And now to the sensitive topic of steering feel. In the interests of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, BMW has implemented electric steering assist on their latest cars, replacing the tried and true hydraulic assist units of yesteryear. While the feel and feedback from these systems is improving all the time, we found the X3?s electric assist steering to be a touch numb and rubbery on center for our rather racy tastes. But bearing in mind the purpose and target market of this vehicle, BMW's decision to emphasize comfort and grace over razor sharp reflexes makes sense. Your driving style and needs will dictate whether the X3?s steering feel is a weakness or an asset. As it turns out, this lax steering setup plays well into the poised and graceful demeanor of the X3?s driving experience. Along with the smooth actuation of the throttle and brakes, the steering allows for beautifully smooth inputs, meted out with pacific motions on the road. The new X3 can make a chauffeur out of anyone. Sleeping children and nerve wracked parents will appreciate it. Once you have dialed in meaningful steering angle, sufficient road feel is transmitted through the wheel, enough to feel for grip and the limits of adhesion, should you choose to press on that hard.
Briskly pulling away from a red light will call for sport mode in the transmission settings if you're counting on quick response. The same can be said of brisk driving through traffic. In regular drive mode, a heavy dose of throttle will be met with nearly a one and a half second delay as the transmission kicks down and the turbo spools up. In sport mode this hesitation is corrected as the transmission generally runs one gear lower and the turbo is kept spooled. Sport mode also holds lower gears longer, changing the personality of the car substantially.
An incongruity unfolds when you finally tromp on the throttle 'pedal to metal.' The relaxed and laid-back dynamics of the X3 lull you into a comfy state of mind, when suddenly the transmission drops a gear, boost pressure builds, and you are hurled forward with sling shot acceleration. Wow, this engine has bite, and you'd better be awake if you summon all 300 horses at once. It's as if the personality of the chassis and engine are at odds with each other, literally releasing an alter-ego from within the X3.
Picture yourself driving along, "sunshine, lollypops and… rainbows" - when suddenly you're hit with a sledge hammer behind your seat. This engine won't let you forget what the "M" stands for in "BMW."
BMW claims a 5.5 second 0-60 time and it is easily believable, perhaps even on the conservative side of reality. What's more, BMW's x.Drive all-wheel-drive system intelligently distributes power and torque between the front and rear axles to effectively cancel out oversteer and reduce understeer. The system works brilliantly on wet roads and we could feel the center transfer-case sending power to the front wheels, collecting the oversteer we solicited, pulling the tail back in line - and without hesitation in acceleration. BMW's x.Drive system can distribute as much as 100% of power and torque to the front or rear wheels, depending upon the dynamic demands - all calculated realtime within thousandths of a second. A rear-wheel torque bias is generally maintained to ensure a rear-drive feel on the road. Overall the system works to provide impressive wet road traction and we can envision its benefits in the snow - though we'll have to try it out for ourselves come that jovial time of the year.
More Than the Sum of its Parts?
BMW's new X3 has plenty of swagger in the styling department. We grew to appreciate its lines, and considering its well-rounded package, value and utility, it's little wonder that most Canadian dealerships are filling waiting lists of up to two months before delivery of new X3s.
In the styling department, we found one character line crucial to finally finding pleasure in the overall look of the X3. At first glance, the character line following the upper belt line, then just aft of the A-pillar dropping down towards the front wheel - it felt forced to us and slightly at odds with proportion. But then, a subtlety arose: there is a rear wheel-arch character line that parallels this crease as well as a bold stamping in the front three-quarter panel that follows the same line. Once your eye takes these surrounding shapes into consideration, the execution of this perviously curious character line begins to make sense. We see oriental inspiration in this unique line, reminiscent of Japanese calligraphy, or the bend of a samurai sword.
No matter the styling, the X3 has upscale presence unmatched by its predecessor. Between its confident looks, excellent utility, modern tech, supreme comfort and powerful motor, we found the X3 to be a well rounded package. Is it more than the sum of its parts? Yes, but focused in a more comfortable and practical dimension than we have previously seen. In our "Fun-Factor" rating, we give the new X3 a score of 5 out of 10; rousable when you want some, but generally content to get on with its daily chores.
You may have seen the X3 driving around town or in the great commercial campaines that BMW puts out, but have you ever just thought, "I wonder what it's like to be the one on the inside instead of seeing it from the road"? Grayson BMW has the new X3 in stock now so for more information please contact Andrea DeMarco 865.209.7273 or ademarc@graysonsales.com and get yourself set up for at least a test drive. Never any preasure.., we just like to show off when it comes to cars like these.