BMW X3 3.0sd M Sport 5dr

I have a BMW X3 3.0d M Sport. Love the look of the vehicle. Build quality is typical BMW in spite of what earlier reviews say. Ride is on the firm side even with sports suspension delete, but no worse than any sportier car.

Cornering is fantastic though. Quiet at all speeds. No dieselly rattle at low speeds. (I tried the 2.0 litre and did not like it as much as the 3.0.) Consistently get about 35.5 mpg which for a car of this size is excellent. Perhaps one of the safest cars I have had (and I have had a lot).

The adaptive xenon headlights are amazing. Space is excellent for luggage and passengers. Overall size is just right, able to park in "normal" spaces. Its only 0.9" longer than my old A4.

So far, delighted. Compared with the Freelander, much more refined and classier looking. Better built than a X Trail. Roomier than a Tiguan.

Ignore Jeremy Clarkson and give it a look.

The power plant in the BMW X3 gives you the option to drive out of trouble if needed.

Vehicle very quiet all for 35 MPG.

Comfortable supportive seats (good for back sufferers)

Manual gearbox not pleasant - opt for Auto Box (£1.5K

Default "Sports Suspension" is far too harsh for other than dedicated Alton Towers.

Opt for the "Delete Sports Suspension" but be aware this means buying the active anti-roll bar package (£1.5K) and hope it does not crash at 3 years & one day.

A solid reliable car which is a good crossover between Estate cars and the larger 4x4s. It performs well and is surprisingly sporty for a heavier vehicle. Provides lot of grunt low down. Avoid Sports Suspension at all costs. This car has low profile run flat tyres and the ride quality with the firmer sports suspension is a quickfire way to see the Physio. We opted for the sports model and had the sports suspension left out. A wise choice. There are a few refinements BMW oddly overlooked. Glaringly obvious is that the doors let in water or deposit water into the vehicle when the doors are opened. (Right onto your expensive leather seats). The seats are comfortable and have a myriad of adjustments to suit most drivers. The boot needs a very firm slam to close properly and this should have been addressed. The Rear PDC can not be switched off, nor can the excessive volume be adjusted. Anyone even walking behind the car or opening the boot will set it off, much to the delight of passengers. The panoramic sunroof provides a lovely light feeling to the car but the wind noise and controls let it down. The Automatic gearbox occasionally has a life of it's own but this may have been changed in the quicker 2007 model. It's road holding, cornering, turning circle and performance are all very good for a heavier car. The model itself is based around the highly successful 3 series chassis design. With the X Drive 4WD system gone are the days of rear wheel grip issues in the wet and on icy roads and the car feels much more secure in the corners. If BMW have addressed several of the issues that should really have never made it to production on this 2006 model the 2007 will be a delight.