Yep. As you can see in the back seat shots, the X3 really is big enough now. That said, I would probably buy a 3 Series Touring (or 5 Series Touring) if I wanted a 5 seat, practical BMW.

Chasing Cars I have a 3 series Touring and the boot space is incredibly annoying. You mentioned the good shape of the X3 boot. The 3 series Touring boot is badly shaped and very frustrating. Still it’s a lovely car. The 5’er Touring is definitely a better choice if you need more space :) great review 👍

The 30d is a nice choice.

Great choice, v6 and brilliant engine, x3 was made for it. What is your experience after one year?

@@kermez9 No V6 but L6 (a lot better) for BMW 😏

If you can splash out on it, I'd recommend the 30d - the diesel six is lovely

Chasing Cars thanks 👍

Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it.

Yep. The last generation X3’s front end always looked awkward to me.

Slipped my mind at the time…the Q5 is definitely up there. We'll have an X3 versus Q5 comparison in the next few months, so if you subscribe, you will certainly catch that one.

Chasing Cars Thanks for the quick reply! I'm in the USA, but love your reviews. I'm just in the process of ordering an X3, but we really liked the Audi Q5 as well, but thought the BMW edges it out in most categories.

Thanks for your kind feedback! I’ll be driving the XC40 in the near future and will keep your questions in mind. At the end of the day they’re in different size classes, with the XC40 competing more squarely against the X1/X2 than the X3, but the Volvo is a little more practical than those smaller BMWs. I think it’ll be a good car, though the usual SUV tax is a bit outta control - $70k for a loaded little SUV is still a lot - but all the manufacturers up charge for SUVs compared to standard passenger cars! The forthcoming V60 may be a little better value than that.

Chasing Cars Cheers for that & you are right the V60 is definitely worth considering as I must admit to not really being a fan of the SUV craze sweeping the worlds roads. The XC40 is in fact the first one that has actually made me question that opinion as it is a way for me to step into the new Volvo architecture with what I now know to be a very reliable engine & gearbox combination as it carries over relatively unchanged from my V40 T5R. I can already attest to the comfort, build quality & safety credentials of modern Volvos. I also suspect that perhaps even the next gen V & possibly S40 may be all I really need & they'll hopefully arrive sometime next year. Thanks again for providing quality relateable car reviews... I look forward to your thoughts on the XC40.

Thanks a lot Henry. Make sure to subscribe.

I did subscribe.

Thanks heaps!

impossible to know at release. now after a few years B engines seem solid

Here let me help ease your mind: Google "X3 M40i" and you'll cease to worry. Better yet watch Joe Achille's latest youtube video in which he drives an X3 M40i. BMW has long made a variety of sporty cars and luxury cars. You want sporty? M140i, M240i, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6 (M8 on the way), Sporty SUV? X3 M40i, X5M, X6M. There is no shortage of sporty BMWs to choose from. They are just expanding the range as is every manufacturer. Merecdes Benz has made trucks, vans and buses for decades, but they also make the likes of an AMG GT R and an AMG Project one hypercar. I don't hear Merc fans bemoaning that companies direction....

stubones as an avid BMW fan - totally aware of the range. The front drive architecture, the 2 Series Grand Tourer, the 2 Series Active Tourer - and now a softer X3. It's diluting the brand. Yes, it's all about economics and growth - totally understand. However I personally think it's watering down the brand. They pride themselves on rear wheel drive and a perfectly balanced chassis with a 50:50 weight balance distribution. Again, just a personal observation. In my eyes, still the Ultimate Driving Machine. BMW's (except the above mentioned) drive so so so well My first beemer yonks ago was a 318i - coming from a history of 6 cylinder Lexus. Whilst the 318i was so slow, it drove like it was on rails. And I've owned BMW's (6 cylinders) since. The on road driving dynamics are just second to none. Whist other luxury brands excel in other areas, none drive and handle like a BMW.

I am a little concerned too but if it ends up in a split approach - more luxurious SUVs and big cars, including 5 Series, and more sporty small cars like 2 and 3 Series, I think that’s okay. We’ve just posted an M140i comparison you should check out ... that’s still a very sporty little BMW.

We had the adaptive dampers (and 20-inch wheels). The ride was pretty firm with that set-up, especially at the rear. I personally haven't driven one without adaptive damping, but if I bought it that way I would definitely get smaller wheels and chunkier tyres, to help soak up bumps.

BMW offer two packs purchased up-front with the X3 that cover 5 years / 80,000km on maintenance. Basic is $1,440 and includes annual checks, oil changes, microfilter, air filter, fuel filter, brake fluid, and spark plugs. Plus is $4,250 and adds replacement brake pads and discs, wiper blade rubbers and clutch disc and plate.

Intervals are condition-based and are monitored by the onboard computer, but usually annual BMW tells us

Yeah, probably right. It’s sad because in the last decade there has otherwise been a general shift in making those kind of lower cost options standard equipment in Australia.

Australian dollars aren’t the same as Canadian dollars 🤷🏼‍♂️

Yeah Aussies get the shit taxed out of vehicles

@@chasingcars I know it’s a late response... But you should stick to car reviews and not finance, guys. AUD was pretty much Equal to CAD in the last 10 years. +/- few percent. The true answer would be we Australians are getting ripped off by importers, taxes etc.

Tried both and the Beemer wins hands down in both handling and performance. For the interior, the GLC has a great infotainment.

Yeah we’re strongly against making CarPlay optional either upfront (as BMW does now) or as an annual subscription (as BMW plans to do soon)

Maybe BMW doesn't want to absorb the cost of the Apple software licencing. In the real world very few people pay for a car in a lump sum. They either lease the car, or pay monthly installments over 3 or 4 years and pay the balance at the end, or use the car as a deposit on a new one. Something like carplay would probably add $2 a month. My car has a bluetooth connection to my iphone and that's it. I can make and receive calls, good enough. No one needs Android Auto or Carplay, but it's nice to have. Personally I can think of other options, that would actually improve the driving experience, that should be included in the cost. BMW isn't even the worst at charging for optional extras. Go fantasy spec a new 911, for eg, on the porsche website. By the time you're done you've added 50% on top of the basic price. That's outrageous!

Thought I was the only one that worried about that. Probably run flats, which I personally hate, space save is a minimum in my opinion.

Fair point. It’s got run-flats. Overseas you can add a spare tyre where the underfloor storage is for a few hundred bucks. We think BMW should offer that option here for a bit of extra peace of mind, although that’s only a space saver anyway.

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