Factory optional 18-inch ...
Factory optional 18-inch wheels
As we mentioned in the introductory installment, our X3 came with just about every option imaginable. Naturally, many are extraneous bells and whistles that contribute nothing to the driving experience. I found the navigation system to be a bit of a pain in the butt since you have to acknowledge the safety warning message on the screen before you can do something as simple as changing the radio station, and it took me a while to discover which knob accomplished this. That's really not a big issue I guess, because most factory nav systems these days work that way. I also found the park-assist sensors to be overly protective and prone to going off needlessly as I pulled in and out of my garage space. Considering this SAV's modest girth, I really don't feel they're necessary. And talk about loaded: This X3 even has integrated headlight squirters. I've been told these are useful in wintry conditions of the sort you might find somewhere outside Southern California, but honestly, who the hell needs them here?
I could take them or leave them, but myriad options are no good reason not to buy the car. Most people would regard more options as gravy: the more, the better. And of course, you always have the option of not buying them. When all you can complain about is excessive equipment, I think it says something significant about a vehicle's basic goodness. As it should be, the truly rewarding aspect of owning an X3 will be in the driving. The utility of its layout and the reassurance of all-wheel drive only serve to make it that much better, leading me to believe BMW could be on to something with this "Ultimate Driving Machine" thing. Some people will read this and write it off as so much journalistic smoke, but it really is a lot of fun-better than you'll know until you drive one for yourself.
BMW X3, little sibling to...
BMW X3, little sibling to the X5
Quick Stats
Total Mileage: 4987
This month's fuel economy: 21.3 mpg
This month's costs: Around $35 a tank
Thumbs Up: SUV utility, sports car mannerisms
Thumbs Down: Super-sensitive park assist