Notes:

[] = Values are valid for vehicles with 5-speed automatic (as of 09/2005: 6-speed automatic).

* = In combination with optional Edition Sport, M-Sport package, dynamic packet or certain alloy wheels.

2005 model year changes

• Bluetooth
  Bluetooth
  Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
  
   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 some markets - joining the 2.5i and 3.0i engines
  Internal combustion engine
  The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
  
   (found stateside) as well as the 3.0d engine sold elsewhere in the world.
• An 'Open-Door' indicator was added on the 2004 models.

Revised BMW X3 (2006-2010)

For 2007, the X3 is powered by the N52 inline 6 cylinder engine that debuted on the 2006 E90 3 Series. In 2007 a face lift was given to the X3, including an X-drive update, suspension adjustments, an engine upgrade, and aesthetics inside and out.

As well in 2007 the BMW X3 range extended with smaller engines including the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel option. These options now becoming available to countries across Europe, America, Asia and Australia.

• The new BMW R6 engines available across the rest of the BMW line-up were, as with the 2006 X5 and 2006 Z4, curiously absent from the 2006 X3. It is rumored that the X3 will not get the R6 until the all-new BMW X5 is released in 2007 which will include the R6 engine amongst other newer engines. The X3 will receive, however, redesigned monochromatic front and rear fascias to replace the flat black bumpers.

• U.S. bound 2006 X3's were all equipped with a special version of the 'M' technik body kit as standard. The difference being in that the U.S. cars had unpainted door sills and wheel arches. U.S. spec Sport Package 2006 X3's got the full 'M' body kit (with painted front, side and rear plastic) available in the rest of the world as a BMW accessory.

• 2.5i was removed for sale from the U.S. market as this market tended to go more for the 3.0i model.

• The new changes to the 2007 BMW X3 are now listed on the BMWUSA http://www.bmwusa.com/ home page. The 3.0si engine produces 260 hp and 225 lbft torque, at a lower engine speed (2500 rpm). The front and rear fascia are changed, more closely resembling the X5 SUV. New LED lights and interior upgrades have also been introduced. The Cold Weather package includes heated seats in the front and the rear. Adaptive headlamps and a panoramic sunroof are available, as well as upgraded dashboard components and leather seating.

• The 2007 X3 with the automatic transmission
  Automatic transmission
  An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
  
   has received owner complaints for poor shifting and lack of throttle response. Search the web for X3 and transmission to find complaints posted on several websites and also check the concerns filed with the NHTSA
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
  
  . It should be worth noting however that many BMW forums have attributed the X3's poor shifting and lack of throttle response to faulty transmission software programming. The problem should go away by having the dealer reprogram the EGS with Progman V27.02.00 or higher.

• Outside the North American markets, diesel sales dominate the X3 model mix. In Europe, the range starts with a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder
  Straight-4
  The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
  
   petrol, a 4cyl. turbo diesel (the most successful derivative) and continues with 6 cylinder
  Straight-6
  The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
  
   turbo & bi-turbo diesels
  Twin-turbo
  Twin-turbo refers to a turbocharged engine, in which two turbochargers compress the intake charge. There are two commonly used twin turbo configurations: parallel twin-turbo and sequential twin-turbo...
  
  . The range topper is the sport diesel with 286 bhp. The X3 was in 2006 and 7 the best-selling AWD vehicle in the German market, an example of the reduced significance of off road capability in the segment. In the European markets, 'all-weather' capability has assumed far more significance than traditional wilderness hero Jeep/Land-Rover sense of SUV in the expansion of the X3 and its rival's sales.

Facelift

Since 23 September 2006 the E83 has a facelift

Facelift

Facelift is the common name for rhytidectomy, a cosmetic surgery procedure.Facelift may also refer to:* Facelift , the revival of a product through cosmetic means such as changing its appearance...

. It was last little details on the headlights, the double kidney grill, front bumper, tail lights, the rear bumper, and especially the controversial interior. With the exception of the four-cylinder gasoline engine and the engine range has been revised, most recently in the autumn of 2007, the 2.0 diesel engine. Another engine that 3.0sd with twin turbochargers has been introduced.

Editions

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

Design

The X3 is only slightly smaller than its big brother, the X5 (E53

BMW E53

The BMW E53 series is the basis for the 1999 through 2006 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle . Production ceased September, 2006 and has been replaced by the BMW E70...

) and features (measured up to the window edge), even greater, at 20 liters of luggage compartment (480 liters). Due to its compact dimensions, it looks sportier and less brawny than its bigger brother, X5.

Safety

Euro NCAP scores

Adult Occupant:
Child Occupant:
Pedestrian:

External links

• Official Website
• X3 Efficient Dynamics Hybridcar (prototype)
• BMW X3 (E83) specs site