2006 BMW X3

Best in class

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 4

My BMW X3 seems to beg to be driven. It seems to be engineered to perform. The 6 cylinder has been very strong to have 130,000 miles on it. I would recommend anyone in the market for a suv to explore this option.

fun to drive and reliable

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 4

Its definitely not a luxury vehicle. It fun to drive. I live in a hilly city and this little baby just wips around the curves. The leather seats are horrible. Im use to better quality. I also live in extreme heat so the seats make everyone sweat. I wish it had more cup holders. The one on the passenger side is broke. Its cheap plastic. I will say I have 185000 miles on this baby. Its paid for and its mine. Its gotten me everywhere I need to go and Im grateful. My mechanic says it will run forever. It cost a lot when it needs something but as far as reliable ,well Its on top The sun roof cover wont close all the way.I have to many miles to care. I'm giving it to my daughter and getting a newer suv. Just not sure what. I thought I would write a review since Im looking for a new suv and the smaller ones are not getting great reviews. To sum it up this baby has been worth it but I want more luxury. Have not had any complaints about the bigger suvs I have owned. Oh except gas mileage. Hope this helps here is an update. Gave this car to my daughter going to college. She loves it and its safe. I bought myself a Lexus SUV and I LOVE it. Cant go wrong. My first review sums it up.

Great car but repairs are expensive.

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 4

Bought this car in 2009 and have nearly 100k miles. It has been a great car but you need to be aware of some expensive repairs that will be needed. Started leaking oil at 80K miles. $600 to repair 2 seals at private mechanic, $1,200 dealer quote. Broken rear springs at 80K, $600 at private mechanic, $1200 dealer quote. Replaced passenger front seat due to airbag sensor problem $0 under extended warranty. Bottom line, get a good private mechanic if you want to keep your X3 long term. ALL BMWS HAVE THESE SAME PROBLEMS. Dealer repair prices are a rip off. You have to pay for the lush showrooms. All cars these days are meant to be leased and turned in before any manufacturing problems show up. In my opinion Acuras are more reliable but don't handle as well.

Manual transmission and Sunroof

Performance: 5 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

My wife and I traded in our car with our baby on the way and wanted an SUV that had both a manual transmission and a sun roof. NO new cars come with both so We picked up our 2006 X3 with 68K and now have about 77K after almost a year and absolutely love it! The storage in the back is a little tight but the movable tie downs are great. We ended up buying the crossbars for the roof so we can put a cargo box on top for our annually beach vacation. Worked wonderfully. Gas mileage has been pretty good, with summer gas and a trip to north western pa (No roof rack) we managed between 25-26mpg 85-90% highway. Around town we get anywhere from 18-21, depending on who's driving.

Very good CPO Buy

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I bought this 4 yr old X3 in August and so far it is a very good small suv. The tranny is ultra smooth, the engine is smooth & torquey. Steering is BMW excellent. Build quality is very good. Consumer Reports gives it a best buy for the '06 yr & good reliability or I wouldn't have purchased it. So far no problems. I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a good used suv in the $20K-$25K range

Top SUV

Performance: 5 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

If you enjoy speed with a dash of mobility, flexibility, security and don't have a lot of commitment in life except to be with your love ones to include all your pets. This is the vehicle to get. Perfect size and comfort for the couple and/or some that just wanna go out and play some more.

Why had I been driving anything else?

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

After 130K in a Pathfinder, I was looking for something a little more sporty, solid, fun to drive but still large to haul kids. Looked at a lot of replacement options but fell in love with the X3 about five minutes off the dealer lot in a test drive. Transmission is great. Smooth ride. It's hard to take my foot off the accelerator. Only complaint is the weird/basic radio system and "always on" lighter outlets. Hate to replace the radio with an aftermarket, but I need satellite radio, USB port for I- pod and an AUX port. Just learned today that they have discontinued production on Sirius receivers for the factory radio. I'm going to put the Ipod/AUX ports up in the top dash compartment.

After 3 year lease, had to buy it!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

After 35K miles, my assessment of this well-designed vehicle is you get what you pay for. It is not a sports car, so don't expect it to drive like a 3 series sedan, but then again, it doesn't drive like a truck either. The handling is still more impressive than a lot of cars, especially considering it's an SUV (er, sorry BMW marketing guys... "SAV"). It's not a luxury car, so don't buy it if you're looking for a smooth, refined ride. However, if you want something that is truly fun to drive, yet also has a practical side (meaning you can actually give rides to adults and shop at The Home Depot) the X3 is a great choice. I constantly get genuine compliments from friends who own luxury sedans.

It is all in the engineering! No frills

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I have owned this car for 14 months. One trip to the dealership for leaking oil was quickly resolved. Driving this car over 80 mph, winding roads or bad weather is where you really appreciate and enjoy this car and its capabilities. It handles extremely well. I feel very safe driving this car.

Love My X3!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is a great SUV. This is my first BMW but I have driven many other luxury SUVs. By the way I was torn between this and the X5. I am glad that I chose this one. Better pricing and, believe it or not, a lot more cargo space in height area. Smooth ride. People are always amazed when they get in my truck because it is much bigger on the inside than it looks. Very spacious! Just put 18K on my baby. I love to drive this truck!

Great ride, but...

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I have the X3 now for one year and love the way it handles. It does have a light hesitation, which is rather annoying (automatic transmission). My beef is with the electronics: the in-dash MP3 player is very touchy. My newer MP3 CDs didn't play at all (but they played in another BMW). Now I only get the "CD Check" 1/3 of the time, which means it can't read the CD. I had it looked at but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Then the telephone function disappeared from my display. Also, the navigation is always off. Sometimes I'm 50 feet in the boonies off the road, and the list goes on.

BMW fan buys another good one

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my 7th BMW and I purchased this one pre-owned with about 10k miles on it. It is a great vehicle, handle like my 330ci and is really quick! Great view of the road, great long distance car also. Mileage is just ok, but that's to be expected of an AWD vehicle. Very safe for my wife and two kids under 2 yrs old! Confident and comfortable! Always enjoy ownership experience with BMWs - total ownership with no additional out of pocket expenses makes life easy!!

06 X3

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

After 1 year and 12000 miles of ownership the newness has worn off, but the performance remains. This is the best handling vehicle I have ever owned. Overall, I am very pleased with the purchase. The price is high, but it is a BMW and leasing incentives make owning this vehicle very affordable for the first 3 years. Problems: radio display is malfunctioning (LCD screen is all messed up) and a replacement has been on order for over 1 month; recently have started to experience the door sqeaking or rattling when the windows are rolled up. Also have an annoying headliner rattle above the drivers seat. Hope to have these issues resolved when the new radio arrives. Overall, still very happy.

2006 X3 problematic

Performance: 1 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

I have had nothing but problems with my X3. The software for the bluetooth phone and GPS had to be reloaded several times because it starts acting flaky and eventually just dies every 3-4 months. The GPS has the worst user interface I have ever seen. The bluetooth phonebook interface is horrible if you have a PDA. The iPod adapter is useless (does not display artist or title). The main issue, though, is the transmission. It's jerky, especially when going uphill or passing on a highway. Also, the gas mileage is way below what they advertise.

Perfection

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

What a great SAV. BMW hit the nail on the head with this one. The only downside to the car is the fuel efficency. Other than that I wouldnt change a thing.

Great SUV... could get a little better mpg

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Fantasic automobile. No problems in first 6 months/8k miles of ownership.

06 X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

First let me say how impressed I was with the handling of this SAV. Coming from an M Coupe I was not expecting a vehicle of this size to handle so well. The only problem is the ride is very stiff- making driving on some roads downright painful. The design is excellent, very solid and additional features- bluetoot and MP3 inputs were a plus. And the heated steering wheel- very nice here in NY.

Improvements

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Has some improvements over my '04 X3. Servotronic steering is nice in parking lots, but dampens the road feel somewhat. It seems to wander around. Ride is much softer than '04, so it feels like it leans a bit more on corners, but still holds the road. Too many people complained that it drove like a BMW, I guess. This is supposed to be a sports car, not a Benz. Transmission program is better; smoother shift to 2nd gear. (Auto Trans.) The '04 would sometimes hold on to 1st gear then slam into 2nd. Overall, I love this vehicle and BMW in general.

Over 40?

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my 3rd BMW and I would get it all over again; I love the bluetooh capability since I am on the phone most of the time. Over 40? Well, this guy would make feel 20 again without driving the typical and larger dad's SUV but with big enough cargo space than most SUVs. This guy was built to perform - you will be satisfied.

Overall Great Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I went from the 325i to X3 and have overall been pleased. Minor issues are only one cup holder in middle; many come stock with fake leather- it looks terrible and doesn't wear well either. Go for the REAL THING! It does feel more like a sports vehicle than luxury. But, it's fun to drive!

BMW X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

One heck of great car to drive. Solid and very responsive. Not like the usual SUVs. No problems at all so far.

On top as usual

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Well, it's no surprise that the X3 has not let me down. It is, as with every BMW offered, the best in its class. No other SUV can touch the X3 mainly because it's an SAV... there's a huge difference. Homerun! The only other small SUV I'd own is an 07 X3!!

I still love it

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I purchased this car in Germany and have had it up to 120 mph on the autobahn. even at that speed it handled like a dream. it seems to get its best mileage at around 70 mph on the highway. My last vehicle was a Nissan Pathfinder and I thought I would miss the extra space that it provided. I have had no issues with the cargo room with this car, even with two small children.

Great SAV/SUV!!!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is the best car I've bought so far. I love this car. It is really a luxury car with the capabilities of a sports and utility vehicle but small for easy loading and driving.

2006 BMW X3

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

If you want the smoothest x3 ride avoid the sport package and stick with the 17" higher profile tires. The handling is still great. This is all the advantages of a truck in a package that drives like a sports car. Nav system is easy to use and pops up out of the top of the dash. Upgraded sound sytem sould be a little better but isn't bad. Seats and driving position are great but the bottom line is the x3 is just plain old fun to drive.

BMW X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Handling as good as a sports car. Rear seats are way too rigid - not comfortable at all. This car is for city drive, not a real off-roader.

2006 X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The X3 is one of the best cars I've ever had and I've had a lot. The only complaint is its gas mileage which I know can be better. Other than that the care is very well built. The aluminum wheels also need to get better, they pit very easily.

I love it!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

It's the best investment I made in years!! It's a great car for my son and me. Lots of space. I had lots of different cars in the past as well as driven other cars, but this car handles the road very well! Within the next 5 years my next purchase will be the 5-series.

Great SAV - BUT......

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought my 2006 BMW X3 3.0i AWD here in Germany - beautiful vehicle with surprisingly useful amenities - (i.e. partial opening sun-roof shade for ventilation when closed). Drives wonderfully, handles well & looks great (blue)... however BMW makes you purchase almost EVERY option they make. The only exception are the options finally included from previous years. I drove my SAV 2,000 miles in 10 days around Germany, Italy & France through the Alps & even hit snow in June! It drove great, but only averaged about 20 MPG. My 1989 BMW 735i with 120,000 miles on it averaged 21 MPG. You'd think they would make an engine with better MPG in 17 years! NAV is slow and easily confused - Road noise is LOUD. Autobahn speeds of 120 MPH - you had to almost YELL in the car!! Windy, forget talking!

Wonderful

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I owned a 325xi which was a great car but this is more fun to drive. For a small SUV it is great to own and drive. I would buy one again.

06 X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I had an 04 X3 that was totaled in a side impact accident from which I walked away relatively unscathed. So, when time came to replace it, I didn't hesitate to get another. I love this SUV. It's a joy to drive to work everyday. The drawbacks are the inability to get the iPod dock or navigation system if you have the satellite radio installation. Another problem are the pirelli tires, I've had to replace three. They seem to have extremely weak sidewalls.

X3 sleeper

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've heard the ad's for the "ultimate driving machine". I've had many autos over the years. This X3 handles like a coupe, has all the luxury features I wanted. THIS CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE. I look forward to entering the cockpit to spin the key. The gas mileage is a little thirstier then I would've liked. Buy it, you'll grin.

Excellent

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have had this SUV for two months now. It has been great so far. It drives like a sports car w/SUV seating. For some people ride might be little stiff but this suspension setting gives it a better handling capability. It is well built and well designed. If you are very particular about what options and configurations you want on this, I suggest placing a special order. I have mine built the way I wanted and it took from order to delivery about 5 weeks. Fun part is, you get to follow your cars production cycle on the web.

Fine Machine

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Great Driving car, and as a replacement for a ML V8, a great substitute. Handles as well as my other 3 series coupe, keeps up with traffic and delivers over 22 mpg in combined driving to date.

Amazing All-Around

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I had planned for months to get the new 330xi, but when I walked into the dealship and saw a Black Sapphire BMW X3, fully loaded, and with Terracotta seats, I didn't have to think twice about which car to purchase. Overall, the X3 is the best of both worlds. Smaller than the X5 and more versatile than a 3 series. The drive is amazing, it feels almost like a car. Obviously there is more body roll than a 3 series, but far less than an X5. In short, it gets me and all my friends and things to wherever I need to go...fast.

My first BMW ever, love it, love it!!!!!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Everything I expected and a lot more! I think it was a great deal, considering that it is a BMW! Two weeks and 700 miles, defective Sirius radio replaced in 30 minutes, works fine now, no other problems! There is no need to pay for the optional Sirius unit, the factory radio is preset for Sirius and all you need to do is to activate the service! Handling is awesome, ride is great, I don't think it's too stiff. May be I have not tried hard enough but I have not been able to push it to its limit in the corners. Gas mileage is a little low in NYC. Somehow my left leg is never comfortable.

One of the best luxury SUVs out there

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

X3 is a perfect all-weather luxury SUV with many safety features: front airbags, chest airbags for front passengers, head protection side curtain airbags, ABS, stability control, AWD, daytime running lights, flat tire warning system & telematics assistance. X3 rides comfortably but not softly & it handles better than all other SUVs I’ve driven, including Cayenne, XC90, ML350, RX & GX. Noise & vibration are well-controlled. Interior quality is great & it’s significantly better than those in XC90 & ML350. It’s roomy for 4 passengers but 5 is a tight fit. Reliability is great. Mileage is not good: 12 mpg overall with mostly city driving & a range of 17 to 20 miles per gallon on highways.

Thrilled w/our X3!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

So far I could not be more satisfied and pleased with our 06 BMW X3. Ultra-sumptious interior, striking exterior and amazing smooth ride make this a great vehicle. Our 2 bulldogs love the roomy rear area, too.

My First BMW

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I originally was looking at the Mercedes ML350 but, I wanted a German made automobile. I'm very glad I chose the BMW X3. Man, is this car fun to drive. This car handles the road extremely well. Is very comfortable inside and also has plenty room. The quality of the leather interior is amazing. When sitting inside you know you are in a luxury car. Hats off to BMW - this is a top notch automobile.

Great Bang for the Buck

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

My wife needed to replace her Mini Cooper with a bigger, safer car for our new baby. She loved this car mostly for the looks, but she's been driving it for a few weeks and LOVES it. It's incredibly easy to drive, has outstanding power, terrific maneuverability, and has handled the rare L.A. rainy season with ease. There is also plenty of room in the back, especially with the seats folded down. The only disappointing thing is the gas mileage. I expected it to be low, but we're below 14 MPG, including some highway driving. Ouch.

Superb

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

It's surely the Ultimate Driving Machine. It has a very quiet ride even at high speeds. All the controls, switches, cup-holders are very thoughtfully placed throughout the interior of the vehicle. I get 21 MPG on highways which is comparable to any other of its class.

Love this vehicle ...

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is an incredible vehicle in every way. I wanted a sports car but needed an SUV - this is the absolute best blend on the planet. I have the Sports Pkg - the seats fit like a glove and the handling is awesome.

Very Nice

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my first German car. I have always had Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. Therefore, I love reliability. We got this car on a whim. So far it is outstanding! The drivability is awesome! Handles like a sport sedan and offers plenty of interior space. We love the safety features and secure feeling while driving.

I'm very happy

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I got my X3 3.0 in March 2005. This vehicle has everything I need. Besides a few small problems the car works fine. This the the 4th BMW I've owned. I live in downtown Chicago and this is an ideal vehicle for city driving. Great turning radius!

2006 BMW X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Previous car: 1998 M3 (manual trans). It's not in the same league but I had to slow down anyway. The car still gives me a good feel of the road, handles very well, is stylish, and is well appointed. A definitely classy SUV compared with all others on the road. I've had it for 30 days and put 3400 miles on it. Drives great and I can only assume I'll love it for the next 6 years as I did my M3. And I like the 4- year no-maintenance costs. I bought it off the lot with the ZPP Premium package, cold-weather package, xenon headlights, and automatic transmission. Had to buy a bluetooth-capable phone, but it's worth it! Phone calls are very clear through the speaker system. No complaints.

The 2006 BMW X3 - wow

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Wow!!! I love this vehicle. I have the silver gray metallic with the black and terra cotta interior. It drives like a sport sedan, but with a higher view like a SUV. The interior is very well done and easy to clean. I have the auxillary input for my iPod, and with the upgraded stereo, the sound is fantastic. I had a 2004 Acura TL, but this summer I hydroplaned and wanted to replace it with something all-wheel drive and more like a SUV without giving up the sportier/more luxurious side of driving. I could not have asked for anything better. The only...and I repeat, only downside is the fuel economy.

X3 Rebuttal

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Previous car - 1998 4-door BMW M3. Though this car can't compare, it's a fun vehicle to drive. It's roomier than the M3, handles fairly well, has a higher ground clearance. Has Luxury yet not overly done, clean lines. Haven't had it long enough to experience any problems, but I had my M3 for 6 years before problems started popping up. I expect to have this one just as long. 4-years maintenance was too attractive to pass up. Test drove many SUVs (at least 10 cars); the rides were close, but BMW had the maintenance and the tighter steering. I don't mind a stiffer ride if I can feel the road. This isn't a smooth-car ride.

BMW X3

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my first BMW and I love it, comfortable, fun to drive.

2006 BMW X3 (purchased 10/22/2006)

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

With the 2006 iteration of the X3, the gray cladding is gone from the front end. A matching painted from end with repositioned fog lights has dramatically improved the aesthetics of the vehicle. Our X3 has been driven some 800 miles, and over these miles the vehicle has performed flawlessly. The quality and finish on this factory ordered X3 is first class. The handling is superb. The X-Drive works to make driving in water-filled pitted lanes far less demanding of the driver. The X3 isn't an M3 when it comes to handling, but is IMHO handily superior to the offerings by other SUV marques. Overall, the X3 is quality and value under $50k.

X3

Performance: 3 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 2 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 3

There a too many malfunctions with the X3; 1) doors do not unlock and lock - intermittent. 2) Sunroof does not close completely - intermittent 3) Flat tire light stays on when tires have been checked by the dealer. 4) Jerks in 3rd gear. 5) Not roomy enough. 6) Does not give the BMW feel/lacks quality overall.