2007 BMW X3 Consumer Reviews

Bugs gone, now its a blast!

Written by: pamela murray on 09/25/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Bought this vehicle used as I could not afford new. Unfortunately previous owner never serviced vehicle. Had to take into local BMW dealer 4x before we got the throttle response issue cleared. Car hesitated and bucked, was scared to be in traffic when I needed quick acceleration. But the warranty is awesome, treated like a queen at dealership given loaner each time, who still does that? No other automaker I know of. Computer need to be defragged and re-booted so we could start fresh. It worked, my little baby is performing fantastic and I love driving it, it truly is a driving experience like the ads say!

Favorite Features

Panoramic moon roof, dashboard layout,enjoying driving my vehicle again, awesome bumper to bumper warranty

Suggested Improvements

Better and bigger cup holders, less bass(y) stereo system

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Disappointed

Written by: tlp on 09/23/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is my second x3, the 1st a 2004 so I expected a better BMW but what I got was what others are complaining about: poor shifting patterns at speeds under 40 mph. Has been in the shop for software fixes but no improvements and the techs tell me they don't notice the problem. The sport drive is horrible and this is called a "sport utility vehicle". This is not what I expected from BMW.

Favorite Features

solid after 40mph

Suggested Improvements

fix the transmissions software

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Transmission Nightmare - Recall needed

Written by: Dooley on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Driving along a back country road and slump. The transmission felt like it dropped out the bottom. It left me stranded since when I turned it back on it refused to recognize reverse, drive, any gear whatsoever. Since then I have had a "software update" and it is still extremely sluggish in first gear and before I know it I am in third at a snail pace. Highway driving is excellent but in traffic a nightmare, and unreliable shifting. I was told this is a worldwide problem by my dealer regarding X3 transmissions and although this is happening to several X3's it is not large enough to recall. There needs to be a recall. Lurching and shifting so hard that it bucks is not acceptable for a BMW.

Favorite Features

It is a comfortable cabin, nice looking and easy to maneuver in rush hour traffic. Road noise is super quiet.

Suggested Improvements

A recall needs to be issued for the "computer" operating the X3 transmission. It is dangerous and unreliable. New parking sensor technology. I need to replace all eight of mine within the first year of ownership.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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young man... love it

Written by: volpster on 08/20/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Although this is typically a car for women, I'm a 30 year old man, and I love this car. I needed to purchase an SUV and love how the X3 drives like a sedan, but is great in the snow and on wet surfaces. I enjoy the tight steering and quickness. It's much more agile than any SUV I've ever driven.

Favorite Features

Speed, acceleration, and handling make this an awesome SUV choice. The sound system is awesome, and having controls on wheel is convenient to use.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde

Written by: Eric on 07/26/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is our 3rd X3, and I loved the other two, both 2005s. This seems to be a different vehicle. Same great finish and handling, but awful acceleration. As written elsewhere, it is bothersome and dangerous. I loved the responsive, fun to drive qualities of our other X3s. This one makes me scared to enter the highway. Not so fun. Once you get past 40, it is fine, but getting there can be tough. Sometimes you punch it and boom, other times you count to three before anything happens. Someone is going to get into an accident because of this. We went to the dealer and they tried a software fix, but it only made it marginally better and we seem to have lost 1-2 MPG. Disappointing.

Favorite Features

Interior, handling, safety, decent mileage, service at dealership. Fun, fun, fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Navigation (awful), Transmission (awful) bluetooth (so-so)

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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6 speed manual = happy

Written by: foothills on 07/20/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

There is a lot of complaining about the automatic transmission version of this machine. I bought an x3 manual with 6000 miles on it in February 2008 and have put 8000 miles on it since then. This is a great vehicle if you like driving. Fantastic low-end torque. Great acceleration in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. 5th and 6 are highway overdrives. Corners flat in aggressive driving. Have never had better brakes. Pulls a utility trailer loaded with stuff for the dump like its not there. I was skeptical about BMW reliability. No issues so far and the 100,000 mile warranty should have me covered. It doesn't have all the cup holders and storage that a Japanese vehicle has... drives much better though.

Favorite Features

The engine! This thing wants to be revved and driven. Handling is great. AWD is better in Vermont winters than a 2003 Land Cruiser and 2006 Honda Ridgeline, both sold. Performs great in all weather conditions. Passes cars on highway like they are standing still, like a four cylinder liter bike.

Suggested Improvements

If the X3 got 30 miles per gallon I would never want another car. I'm getting 18-19 overall, flogging it. 6 cd changer should be standard equipment. Overall, best vehicle I have ever had so far. All the pluses outweigh the so so gas mileage, even at $4.50/gallon.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Goodbye !

Written by: VincentView on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I finally had enough. Took a major loss by trading in the 2007 X3. Bought the car for 43K and got 29K in trade in ! The transmission problem in my opinion is dangerous and makes the car unpredictable in many situations (turns, acceleration from stop). Although I brought it back to the dealer for the fix, the problem persisted. In my opinion, it is a disgrace that BMW has the audacity to label this thing the "ultimate driving machine". I have been permanently soured by the BMW brand. Goodbye !

Favorite Features

Exterior looks and design.

Suggested Improvements

Electronics: below industry standard. Transmission: well below industry standard.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Makes Driving Fun

Written by: loyalbmw on 05/21/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I drive a lot. Over 120 miles a day. Its sleek, powerful using the steptronics, and comfortable. I have been a BMW owner for a few years now and traded in my 06 330i for the x3. So far no complaints.

Favorite Features

Interior, steptronics, and steering.

Suggested Improvements

Stock 20 inch rims, and more power of course.

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Class Ride

Written by: Ken Nersesian on 04/22/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Bought this car for my wife who was reluctant to own since she doesn't like the tight, sports car like ride. She prefers the soft, floating on air feel. Well, it's mine now. The X3 has a lot of get up and go, and you just have to breathe on the brakes to stop the vehicle. On the highway, you need self-control to keep it under 100 mph. It's like riding on a rail. However, around town in stop and go traffic, it is not smooth acceleration and shifting. It lurches off the line and then quickly starts upshifting. It's what my wife did not like about it, and I have to agree. All things considered, it is an awesome vehicle and has a real class aura about it. I highly recommend it.

Favorite Features

The looks, the highway ride, the engineering, the attention to quality, the vista moonroof, the heated steering wheel, the monaco blue color.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage is ok, not great. The "unsmooth" acceleration really is disturbing. I brought it back to BMW where they re-programmed the transmission, it didn't help.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Makes me nauseated

Written by: tbaran on 04/09/2008

Vehicle

2007 BMW X3 3.0si 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Transmission shifting issues - shifts so jerky it will actually make me car sick. Have had back to dealer 2x for updates, shifting improved, but not even close to acceptable for any vehicle, but this one is $40k+. Dealer told me fix is to shift manually - no thanks, I didn't buy a stick shift. Live in western PA, lots of hills, car will not shift out of 2nd gear starting up a hill unless speed exceeds 25 mph - that's about 3500 rpm. When you take your foot off the gas, it throws you like hitting the brakes! Terrible engineering from a premier automotive company.

Favorite Features

Like the body style, ride is excellent, particularly on the highway. Fuel economy is surprisingly good.

Suggested Improvements

Eliminate 1st gear on the trans, or go to CVT technology.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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