The BMW X3 Thread

Nearly new buying guide: BMW X3

Keen drivers and comfort seekers alike will enjoy today’s X3

Wine bores (sorry, connoisseurs) will tell you that adult grape juice gets better with age. This is certainly true of the third-generation BMW X3. The first iteration sold well but was a bit naff; the second was considerably better; but the current car from 2018 is the finest yet and it’s far cheaper than a similarly aged X5, despite being arguably just as practical.

The engine range consists of two petrols and three diesels that all come equipped with four-wheel drive and a very smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 184bhp 20i is fine for those who do lots of urban driving, but the 187bhp 20d is likely to be of more interest, due to its deeper reserves of torque and lower fuel consumption. For more performance, there’s the 30d (261bhp 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine), M40d (a 321bhp version of the same engine) and the really rapid M40i (355bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine).


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Facelifted BMW X3 Leaks Early

The facelifted BMW X3 has leaked early in China, thanks to its homologation process. Here's we look at what's changed, plus when it will be revealed.

The BMW X3 is of particular importance to South Africa as the vehicle is assembled locally at BMW's facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria. The vehicles manufactured there are sold locally, but the big money-spinner is the X3s earmarked for export - bringing in significant revenue.

The BMW X3 is an SUV that slots between the compact X1 and large X5, and it's a rival to the Audi Q5 (updated model due for launch in 3rd quarter 2021) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC.

What you see here is the updated BMW X3, images of which have been loaded onto the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website as part of the homologation process. Here we see both the BMW X3 facelifted as well as the all-electric BMW iX3 model.

 
BMW gives South Africa its very own Mzanzi Edition of the popular X3 SAV

BMW South Africa has just pulled the covers off a fresh-for-2021 X3 Sports Activity Vehicle derivative and the company is calling it the Mzanzi Edition as it’s built in South Africa for South Africa only in this case.

BMW’s spokesmen say that while the X3 is perfectly capable and competent as is, the recently introduced Mzanzi Edition takes things further with an added sense of dynamic flair.

ONLY ONE MODEL TO CHOOSE FROM

The BMW X3 Mzansi Edition comes as an xDrive20d model only, which means you get 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The engine is heralded for its blend of performance and economy and when paired with the vehicle’s standard eight-speed torque convertor style automatic gearbox it can rocket the Mzanzi Edition from a standstill to 100km/h in 8 seconds (on to a top speed of 213km/h). Expect sub 8l/100km in a combined cycle.

SPRINKLED WITH BMW M PARTS

To differentiate the Mzanzi Edition from the standard xDrive20d model, BMW has fitted it with an M-specific body kit as well as M high-gloss Shadow Line kidney grilles. You also get BMW M carbon wing mirror caps, Red M Sport brake callipers, a sporty rear wing finished in high-gloss black and black chrome tail pipe accents. They’ve also fitted a diffuser style rear bumper, although this is just for cosmetic purposes as there’s no underbody aero work going on here.

The recommended retail price for the BMW X3 xDrive20d Mzansi Edition is R 1 005 900 and it comes with a five-year/100 000km maintenance plan.


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BMW X3 Mzansi Edition adds some sporty flavour

The BMW X3 Mzansi Edition has been launched in South Africa; based on the xDrive 20d model, it boasts a number of accessories.

Buyers can look forward to an M Sport package as well as M carbon mirror caps, a high-gloss black rear spoiler and red M Sport brake callipers. The X3 Mzansi Edition also comes with the M high-gloss Shadow Line package, which includes a blacked out grille, and at the back end you’ll find matching black chrome tail pipe accents and a high-gloss black rear diffuser.

But while the edition does add some sporty vibes, while also celebrating the fact that the X3 is built in South Africa, has BMW not perhaps missed an opportunity to launch an edition with more in the way of local flavour? How about a local flag badge or some interior accents inspired by Esther Mahlangu’s art cars? Just a thought.

As for pricing, the BMW X3 xDrive20d Mzansi Edition retails at R1 012 93


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BMW X3

Sportier, more modern and more digital. For the second phase of the model cycle, BMW has refreshed its successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) BMW and the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) BMW with a new look, improved equipment and a range structure which has been optimised for customers. The redesigned front end and revised rear section lend even clearer emphasis to the robust off-road look and sporty appearance of the third-generation BMW X3. Its coupé counterpart, the second-generation BMW X4, adopts the new front end, adds its own accentuation with the exclusive BMW mesh kidney grille and offers a particularly dynamic rear end. The refresh is rounded off with a modern interior with new equipment features and updated infotainment. BMW M GmbH is also upgrading the M models of the BMW X3 and BMW X4 at the same time.


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Facelifted BMW X3 and X4 revealed ahead of late-2021 launch

The BMW X3 and X4 crossovers have been given their respective midlife makeovers, and you can expect the revised vehicles to reach South African showrooms during the fourth quarter of 2021 – with the X3 being built here of course. The models receive a new look as well as enhanced equipment and rejigged model ranges, although the local line-up will only be announced nearer to launch.

As far as exterior facelifts go this one is relatively comprehensive. Although the overall look remains familiar, the new BMW X3 and X4 receive slimmer headlights and larger single-piece grilles, in which the two ‘kidneys’ are separated by an ‘i’ shaped bar that incorporates the camera. Both models also feature new and distinctive bumper designs that incorporate triangular lines. BMW has gone for a bold 3D effect with the redesigned taillights, which are joined by a redesigned rear apron. BMW is now offering a total of 11 paint finishes including new hues such as Brooklyn Grey and Skyscraper Grey.

As before, BMW offers an M Sports package that treats customers to many unique exterior and interior details, including a model-specific front apron, larger air inlets and standard 19-inch Y-Spoke alloy wheels.

The cabin of the BMW X3 and X4 models gain fresh trim elements as well as a new centre console inherited from the 4 Series. The standard touchscreen size is now 10,25 inches, but buyers can also opt for a 12,3 unit. BMW has beefed up the range of standard equipment (now including sports seats and three-zone climate control – on overseas models at least) while the complexity of the equipment lines and options has been reduced by 30 percent.

 
Alpina XD3 gains updated styling and more torque for 2021

Performance firm's take on BMW X3 starts from £67,950; is capable of 0-62mph in 4.9sec, top speed of 158mph

A 2021 model update will give the Alpina XD3 updated styling, extra torque and improved handling, with prices starting from £67,950.

The German performance firm says the XD3 will offer “excellent longitudinal and lateral dynamics without sacrificing any driving comfort”, aided by its sports suspension and revised sports steering.

The company’s Performance Control feature has also been updated, with a limited-slip differential fitted as standard to improve dynamic cornering.

Under the bonnet, the XD3’s 3.0-litre bi-turbo straight-six diesel offers 355bhp and now has 538lb ft of torque at 1750-2750rpm, an increase of 22lb ft compared with its predecessor.


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BMW iX3

Now with a more visually striking appearance, the new BMW iX3 has undergone an exterior design refresh and introduced the M Sport Package as standard in the UK, further enhancing the already high specification.

The BMW kidney grille is now larger than before and has a single-piece frame which comes in Pearl-effect Chrome with a blue accent - in familiar BMW i style - along the inner edges, whilst the inner surfaces of the kidney grille elements have a mesh-like structure and feature a BMW i badge.

The headlight contours are now ten millimetres slimmer, helping to give the new BMW iX3 a sharper look and lending the front end a distinct similarity to that of the BMW iX and BMW i4.

The lower air intake, which comes with ten-stage active air flap control to cool the drive system components and brakes, has gained in size. The air curtains positioned at the outer edges of the front end are now L-shaped and have blue accents.


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New 2021 BMW iX3 updated and priced up from £59,730

X3-based electric SUV given subtle new look ahead of full market launch at the end of 2021

BMW has updated its new iX3 electric SUV ahead of the model's full market launch in the UK at the end of 2021.

With M Sport and M Sport Pro trim replacing the launch-specification Premier Edition and Premier Edition Pro trims, the iX3 is now priced from £59,730 – a reduction of around £2000. Customer deliveries are set to get underway in December this year.

The most obvious styling tweaks, which bring the iX3 into line with its recently updated combustion-powered X3 sibling, include a larger front grille with a new mesh pattern, slimmer headlight clusters, an expanded lower air intake, reshaped air curtains and a subtly overhauled rear end with new light and bumper designs.

As before, the iX3 is marked out from the big-selling X3 by way of blue trim elements which nod to its electric innards, as well as a blanked-off grille and bespoke wheel designs.

There have been no technical changes, so the 74kWh (net) battery still provides 281-286 miles of WLTP range and can be charged at speeds of up to 150kW, for an 80% top-up time in just 34 minutes.

With 282bhp and 295lb ft from its rear-mounted motor, the iX3 gets from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-2021-bmw-ix3-updated-and-priced-£59730
 
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