BMW X3 - WikiHQ

The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 2003, based on the BMW 3 Series platform. BMW markets the car as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the company's proprietary descriptor for its X-line luxury vehicles.

The first-generation X3 E83 in 2003 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria—who also manufactured all X3s under contract to BMW. The BMW X3 (2003) was the first BMW model to officially introduce the xDrive system under this name. The car was the first mid-size, premium SUV on the market. In 2008, BMW started competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (renamed GLC-Class since 2016), and numerous other SUVs in this segment.

BMW manufactured the second-generation X3 F25 in 2010 at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.

Starting with the third generation G01 in 2017, BMW South Africa's Rosslyn plant began production of the X3, alongside the Spartanburg plant, after the facility underwent a major upgrade to prepare for the X3 production, replacing the long-running 3 Series production in the plant. The battery electric model was sold as the BMW iX3. In 2019 the first BMW X3 M (F97) version fitted with a 3.0 L S58 was produced.

The fourth-generation X3 G45 went into the production in 2024.

The X3 is smaller than the X5 and X6, and bigger than the X1 and the X2.

1st Generation: E83 (2003–2010)
2nd Generation: F25 (2011–2017)
3rd Generation: G01/F97 (2017–2024)
4th Generation: G45 (2024–Present)__TOC__

First generation (E83; 2003)

The first-generation BMW X3, internally designated as the E83, was produced from 2003 to 2010 and based on the BMW 3 Series platform. The E83 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria who also manufactured all first-generation X3s under contract to BMW.

thumb|left|Interior

As a precursor to the X3, in 2003 BMW presented the xActivity concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show featuring the 3 Series platform and a fixed-profile convertible body style with reinforced longitudinal rails connecting the A-pillars to the rear of the car on both sides, eliminating B- or C-pillars.

The X3 premiered in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung), sharing its rear suspension with the E46 330xi and using an automatic four-wheel drive system marketed as xDrive. All X3 models feature BMW's all-wheel drive system, with a default 40:60 torque split between the front and rear axles. The system used an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch to enable infinitely adjustable, fully variable distribution of torque from rear to front axle with the capability of up to 50 per cent of engine torque going to the front. This is because the rear-biased AWD system X-drive delivers direct drive to the rear axle from the transmission, but the front axle only receives input through the infinitely-variable transfer case clutch "as needed". This makes X-drive particularly durable for acceleration and towing, as the weight shifts rearward during climbing onto the un-clutched directly-driven rear axle. Finally, advanced traction control allows both axles to behave as electro-hydraulically-controlled limited slip differentials employed "as needed" to achieve ultimate traction by synchronizing torque to left and right tires irrespective of grip and resulting in effortless acceleration on any surface. BMW markets the crossover as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the company's descriptor for its X-line of vehicles.

The X3 was conceived to combine the agility of a compact model with the driving experience of the company's X5. The X3 featured an upright, high H-point seating configuration, marketed as "command seating". Styling exhibited interacting concave and convex surfacing, characteristic for the company at the time along with a reinterpreted Hofmeister kink.

BMW upgraded the model in 2005 and facelifted the model in 2007, with revised body bumpers, engine, interior trim, and suspension.

The X3 3.0i won the Canadian Car of the Year Best Sports Utility Vehicle award for 2005. The X3 was initially criticised for its harsh ride, austere interior, lack of off-road capability and high price.

U.S-spec X3 models were well-equipped, with standard equipment such as: the BMW Business A/M-F/M-CD radio (with optional dealer-activated Bluetooth functionality for wireless phones), an eight-speaker premium audio system, leatherette-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power front bucket seats, aluminium interior trim accents, keyless entry, and seventeen-inch (17") aluminium-alloy wheels. Optional equipment included a ten-speaker premium audio system with Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Sirius Satellite Radio, a dashboard-mounted colour GPS navigational system that replaced the upper dashboard storage compartment and contained a modified version of BMW's "iDrive" multimedia system, eighteen-inch (and later nineteen-inch) aluminium-alloy wheels, Nevada leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a security system, BMW Assist, a panoramic dual-pane moonroof, Xenon front headlamps with adaptive front headlamps, and sport front bucket seats.

2003–2006

Bluetooth could actually be ordered straight from the factory (part of the Premium Package) and functioned without dealer intervention. (Although the BMW X3 was originally offered and promised with Bluetooth support in 2004, none of the cars that shipped from the factory actually had it installed. Few were able to get it to work with servicing from their dealer.)
The interior was upgraded with more consistent plastic panels. Also instead of having grey carpeting which was present on all 2004 X3s, the 2005 X3 came with carpeting that matched the leather ordered (with the exception of the Terracotta interior with black carpeting).
Slightly softer suspension.
Front fenders are one-piece, as opposed to the two-piece found on 2004 models.
A 2.0d engine became available in 2005 for some markets – joining the 2.5i and 3.0i engines (found stateside) as well as the 3.0d engine sold elsewhere in the world.
An 'Open-Door' indicator was added on the 2004 models.

2006–2010

For 2006, the U.S.-spec X3 lost its 2.5L M54 inline 6-cylinder engine for the 2.5i model. The only model available from 2006 onwards for the U.S.-spec X3 was the 3.0L M54 inline 6-cylinder engine (later, the N52 inline 6-cylinder engine) and the 3.0i model (later, 3.0Si or xDrive30i). This further increased the X3's base price.

In September 2006, the E83 received a facelift with revised headlights, grille, front bumper, tail lights, rear bumper, and interior.

For the 2007 model year, the US market X3 was powered by the N52 inline 6-cylinder engine that debuted on the 2006 E90 3 Series. Internationally, the X3 received smaller engines including the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel options. In Europe, the range started with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, a 4cyl. turbo diesel and continues with 6-cylinder turbo & bi-turbo diesels. The largest diesel offered was the sport diesel with .

U.S. market 2006 X3s were equipped with a version of the 'M' technik body kit with unpainted door sills and wheel arches. U.S. spec Sport Package 2006 X3's received the full 'M' body kit (with painted front, side and rear plastic) available internationally as a factory accessory. 2.5i was removed for sale from the U.S. and Adaptive headlamps and a panoramic sunroof were made available, as well as upgraded dashboard components and leather seating.

Since September 2008, the Edition Exclusive and Edition lifestyle were available. The M-Sport Package was replaced in March 2009 by the Sport Limited Edition.

Pre-facelift styling

File:BMW X3 (E83) Facelift front 20100926.jpg|Front

File:BMW X3 (E83) Facelift rear 20100926.jpg|Rear

</gallery>

Post-facelift styling

File:2006-2008 BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si wagon (2011-10-25) 01.jpg|Front (2.5si)

File:2006-2008 BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si wagon (2011-10-25) 02.jpg|Rear (2.5si)

</gallery>

Engines

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Petrol engines

! Model !! Years !! Engine !! Power !! Torque !! 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) !! Top speed

| 2.0i,

xDrive20i

| 2005–2010 || 2.0 L N46 straight-4 || at 6200 rpm || at 3750 rpm || 11.5 s ||

| 2.5i || 2004–2006 || 2.5 L M54 straight-6|| at 6000 rpm || at 3500 rpm || 8.9 s (MT) / 9.8 s (AT) ||

| 2.5si, xDrive25i || 2006–2010 || 2.5 L N52 straight-6 || at 6500 rpm || at 2750–4250 rpm || 8.5 s (MT) / 8.9 s (AT)|| (MT) / (AT)

| 3.0i || 2004–2006 || 3.0 L M54 straight-6 || at 5900 rpm || at 3500 rpm || 7.8 s (MT) / 8.1 s (AT) || (MT) / (AT)

| 3.0si, xDrive30i   || 2006–2010 || 3.0 L N52 straight-6 || at 6650 rpm || at 2750 rpm || 7.2 s (MT) / 7.5 s (AT) || (AT) / (MT)

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Diesel engines

! Model !! Years !! Engine- turbo !! Power !! Torque !! 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) !! Top speed

|xDrive18d || 2009–2010 || 2.0 L N47 straight-4 || at 4000 rpm || at 1750 rpm || 10.3 s ||

| rowspan="2" |2.0d, xDrive20d || 2005–2007 || 2.0 L M47 straight-4 || at 4000 rpm || at 2000 rpm || 10.2 s ||

|2007–2010 || 2.0 L N47 straight-4 || at 4000 rpm || at 1750–3000 rpm || 8.9 s (MT) / 9.2 s (AT) || (MT) / (AT)

| rowspan="2" |3.0d, xDrive30d || 2003–2004 || 3.0 L M57 straight-6 || at 4000 rpm || at 1500–3250 rpm || 7.9 s (MT) / 8.2 s (AT) || (MT) / (AT)

|2004–2010 || 3.0 L M57 straight-6 || at 4000 rpm || at 1750–2750 rpm || 7.4 s (MT) / 7.7 s (AT) ||

| 3.0sd, xDrive35d || 2006–2010 || 3.0 L M57 straight-6 || at 4400 rpm || at 1750–2250 rpm || 6.4 s ||

Cross Country

thumb|X3 CC in the 2007 [[Dakar Rally]]

The X3 Cross Country, also known as the X3 CC is an X3 prepared for rally raid competition. It features a 2.9-litre inline-6 (debore and destroked M57TU2D30 engine from 3.0 litre to 2.9-litre), twin turbocharged diesel engine.

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

{| class="wikitable"

|+Euro NCAP scores (2008 BMW X3)

|Adult Occupant:

|Child Occupant:

|Pedestrian:

IIHS

{| class="wikitable"

|+IIHS scores (2004 model year)

|Moderate overlap front (original test)

| style="color:white;background:green" |Good

|Head restraints and seats

| style="color:black;background:red" |Poor

Second generation (F25; 2010)

thumb|left|Interior

The F25 is the second generation of BMW X3. The vehicle was unveiled in 2010 at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. For this generation, production moved from Magna Steyr in Austria to at BMW's United States plant in Greer, South Carolina. Production started on 1 September 2010, and ended in August 2017.

Dimensions-wise, the F25-based X3 is almost as large as the original E53 series X5. At launch, all models use all-wheel drive, badged as xDrive. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission. The emission standard for all engines was Euro 5, until the June 2014 LCI facelift when all diesels became Euro 6. A rear-wheel drive only model called sDrive was added to the range in some markets in 2012.

M Performance Parts were released in the facelift and can be installed to all models. These include carbon fibre mirrors, a sport steering wheel, M rims, black kidney grilles and Aluminium pedals. 30d models also get a power boost kit making 27 hp more (286 hp) and 18d and 20d models can be fitted with a dual exhaust.

Europe

UK models went on sale on 18 November 2010. Early UK models included the xDrive20d. xDrive30d was added in April 2011. xDrive35d was added from September 2011. sDrive18d was added on 20 August 2012. From early 2013, the latest generation of BMW Professional Navigation System became available.

North America

US models arrived in US BMW Centres by the end of 2010 as 2011 model year vehicles. Early US models included xDrive28i, xDrive35i. In 2013 model year (produced in April 2012 and delivered in May 2012), a turbo four cylinder xDrive28i was introduced as replacement for the inline six xDrive28i, with new features such as standard Auto Start/Stop, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO, New Driver Assistance Package (includes Lane Departure Warning). All US market vehicles come with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

For 2011, the F25 X3 is available in the US, only with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine either normally aspirated or with a twin-scroll turbocharger.

In 2012, the F25 X3 xDrive28i model's 3.0L naturally aspirated inline six-cylinder gasoline engine was replaced by the 2.0L TwinPower twin-scroll, single-turbo inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that was first introduced on the BMW 3 Series (F30), the BMW N20, more specifically coded N20B20O0. A rear-wheel-drive sDrive28i model joined the X3 model line-up, marking the first non-xDrive BMW SAV to ever be sold in the United States.

In 2013, the F25 X3 xDrive28d model joined the X3 line-up, powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder diesel engine, again first introduced on the BMW 3 Series (F30). As of 2017, the xDrive28d model of the F25 X3 is no longer available for sale in the United States.

2014 facelift (LCI)

In 2014 for the 2015 model year, the F25 received an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) facelift. Changes include new modified twin circular headlights (optional LED headlights), redesigned kidney grille, new front, and rear bumpers, and exterior mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators; a centre console with the optional automatic climate control system in high-gloss black-panel look, new cup holders with a sliding cover for the centre console, new exterior colours, upholstery designs, interior trim strips, and light-alloy wheels; new xLine equipment package, optional Smart Opener for the automatic tailgate and storage packages.

The vehicle was unveiled in 84th Geneva International Motor Show 2014, followed by 114th New York International Auto Show 2014 (xDrive28d).

Emission violations reported

BMW X3 20d diesel was reported to exceed EU Limit Euro 6 by over 11 times. On 24 September 2015, BMW denied this report in a statement.

Pre-facelift styling

File:2011 BMW X3 (F25) xDrive28i wagon (2011-11-18) 01.jpg|Front (xDrive28i)

File:2011 BMW X3 (F25) xDrive28i wagon (2011-11-18) 02.jpg|Rear (xDrive28i)

File:BMW X3 M-Sportpaket (F25) – Frontansicht, 1. Mai 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg|Front (M Sport)

File:BMW X3 M-Sportpaket (F25) – Heckansicht (1), 1. Mai 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg|Rear (M Sport)

</gallery>

Post-facelift styling

File:2015 BMW X3 (F25 LCI) xDrive20d wagon (2015-06-27).jpg|Front (xDrive20d)

File:BMW X3 Sdrive20i X-Line 2015 (2).jpg|Rear

File:BMW X3 M-Sport (F25); facelift (front) (2).jpg|Front (M-Sport)

File:BMW X3 M-Sport (F25); facelift (rear).jpg|Rear (M Sport)

</gallery>

Engines

{| class="wikitable"

|+Petrol engines

!Model!!Years !!Engine !!Power !!Torque !!0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)!!Top speed !! Notes

|sDrive20i, xDrive20i||2011–2017|| 2.0 L N20 straight-4 turbo || at 5,000–6,250 rpm|| at 1,250–4,500 rpm||8.5 s || ||

|rowspan=3| xDrive28i ||rowspan=2| 2011–2012|| rowspan=2| 3.0 L N52 straight-6 (N.A.) || at 6,600 rpm|| at 2,600–3,000 rpm ||6.5 s ||rowspan=3| ||

| at 6,600 rpm|| at 2,750 rpm||6.6 s || US model

|2012–2017|| 2.0 L N20 straight-4 turbo || at 5,000 rpm|| at 1,250–4,800 rpm||6.5 s ||

|xDrive35i  ||2011–2017|| 3.0 L N55 straight-6 turbo || at 5,800 rpm|| at 1,200–5,000 rpm||5.9 s || ||

{| class="wikitable"

|+Diesel engines

!Model!!Years !!Engine !! Power !!Torque !!0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)!!Top speed !! Notes

|rowspan=2| sDrive18d||2012–2014|| 2.0 L N47 straight-4 turbo || at 4,000 rpm|| at 1,750–2,500 rpm||9.9 s ||rowspan="2" | ||

|2015–2017|| 2.0 L B47 straight-4 turbo || at 4,000 rpm || at 1,500–2,250 rpm || 9.5 s ||

|rowspan=2| xDrive20d||2011–2012|| 2.0 L N47 straight-4 turbo || at 4,000 rpm|| at 1,750–2,750 rpm|| 8.3 s || rowspan="3" | ||

|2015–2017 || 2.0 L B47 straight-4 turbo || at 4,000 rpm || at 1,750–2,250 rpm || 8.1 s ||

|xDrive28d||2015–2017|| 2.0 L N47 straight-4 turbo || at 4,000 rpm || at 1,750–2,750 rpm || 7.9 s || US model

|xDrive30d||2011–2017 || rowspan=2 | 3.0 L N57 straight-6 turbo || at 4,000 rpm|| at 2,000–2,750 rpm||6.2 s || ||

|xDrive35d||2011–2017 || at 4,400 rpm|| at 1,500–2,500 rpm||5.5 s || ||

| style=max-width:46em colspan="8" |

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

IIHS

{| class="wikitable"

|+IIHS scores (2011 model year)

|Moderate overlap front (original test)

| style="color:white;background:green" |Good

|Side (original test)

| style="color:white;background:green" |Good

|Head restraints and seats

| style="color:white;background:green" |Good

First generation (E83; 2003)

2003–2006

2006–2010

Engines

Cross Country

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

IIHS

Second generation (F25; 2010)

2014 facelift (LCI)

Emission violations reported

Engines

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

IIHS

Third generation (G01; 2017)