BMW X3 North American Details & Pricing

 BMW X3 North American Details & Pricing

BMW's second sports activity vehicle makes its debut

Press Release

BMW X3

BMW X3 North American Details & Pricing

Related content:
The New BMW X3 - In Depth
BMW X3 Photo Album - 96 Photos

Product highlights

General
  • New BMW Sports Activity vehicle; more compact & lighter than X5
  • Two models, both powered by BMW's legendary inline 6-cylinder engine: X3 2.5i - $30,995 with manual transmission, $32,270 with automatic
    X3 3.0i - $36,995 with manual transmission, $38,270 with automatic
  • Sets new standards in handling agility for this type of vehicle
  • Combines desirable features of sport-utility silhouette (commanding driving position, feeling of safety & substance, muscular design) with BMW performance, road manners, driving pleasure, quality & safety features
  • All-road capability
  • Assembled under contract to BMW at Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria
  • Production of 3.0i model began on September 1, 2003; production of 2.5i model begins in January 2004
Performance & efficiency
  • Both models powered by aluminum 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder engine with variable intake- & exhaust-valve timing:
    X3 2.5i - 184 hp/175 lb-ft. torque
    X3 3.0i - 225 hp/214 lb-ft. torque
  • 6-speed manual transmission standard on both models
  • STEPTRONIC 5-speed automatic transmission optional on both models
  • EPA estimated fuel economy, MPG, city/highway/combined: X3 2.5i 18/25/21 (manual transmission) or 18/24/20 (automatic)
    X3 3.0i 17/25/20 (manual transmission) or 16/23/19 (automatic)
Handling, ride & braking, traction, towing ability
  • Fulltime all-wheel drive with new xDrive system:
    • Electronically controlled multi-disc clutch for varying front/rear torque split
    • Variation of torque split to optimize not only traction, but also handling dynamics; results in unprecedented agility for this type of vehicle. A prominent German magazine called X3 "The All-Wheel-Drive Athlete"
    • Most operation in all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive under specific operating conditions
  • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a comprehensive traction & stability system including:
    • 4-wheel traction control, with engine & brake intervention
    • Automatic Differential Brake (traction control via brake intervention only, selectable by brief actuation of DSC switch on console
    • Electronic brake proportioning, adjusting front-to-rear braking force for optimum braking effect, even brake & tire wear
    • Dynamic Brake Control, to help achieve shortest stopping distance
    • Stability enhancement in cornering & avoidance maneuvers
    • Hill Descent Control, to help stabilize vehicle speed on downgrades
  • Unit body/chassis structure with high rigidity for excellent handling & riding comfort
  • Optimum front/rear weight distribution (less than 1% variation from 50% front / 50% rear for all models & variations)
  • 4-wheel independent suspension with typical BMW engineering sophistication:
    • Double-pivot front suspension with aluminum components
    • Central Link multi-link rear suspension with aluminum components
    • Generously dimensioned 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes
  • Wheels & tires:
    • Standard, both models - 17-in., H-rated all-season tires
    • Sport Package, both models - 18-in. H-rated all-season tires
    • Option, 3.0i only - 18-in., V-rated performance tires, differentiated front/rear sizes (available only in combination with Sport Package)
  • 3500-lb. towing capacity, both models; Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) 4993-5104 lb. depending on model & transmission
Exterior & aerodynamics
  • Youthful, contemporary, muscular; BMW's "new design direction" in SAV form
  • Xenon Adaptive headlights optional on both models
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers standard on 3.0i, optional on 2.5i
  • Heated exterior mirrors & windshield-washer jets standard
  • Power-fold mirrors optional on both models
  • Roof rails standard on both models; accommodate various BMW carrier systems
  • Adaptive brakelights standard on both models
  • Aerodynamic drag coefficient (CD) an excellent 0.35 for both models
Ergonomics, luxury & convenience
  • Attractive & versatile interior for five persons
  • Tilt/telescopic steering wheel
  • 6-way manual front seats standard in 2.5i; 8-way power front seats with driver's-seat/exterior-mirror memory standard in 3.0i, optional in 2.5i
  • Front sport seats included in Sport Package of both models, manual or power depending on model & equipment
  • Standard sensatec upholstery & Slate Gray interior trim
  • Optional leather upholstery
  • Optional wood (2 types) or aluminum-finish interior trim
  • Pre-Wiring for SIRIUS Satellite Radio System optional
  • Standard 10-speaker audio system
  • Optional premium 10-speaker audio system
  • Pre-wiring for auxiliary input added to all audio systems
  • Vehicle & Key Memory - programmable functional choices to suit customer preferences
  • Split folding rear seats
  • Variable cargo area with retractable cover, accessory electrical outlets
  • 1-piece tailgate, upward-opening, 6-ft. clearance when fully open for person loading or unloading
Safety & security
  • Body/chassis unit designed for effective energy management in full-frontal, offset-frontal, side & rear-end impacts
  • 3-point safety belts at all seating positions
  • Front safety belts include automatic tensioners & force limiters
  • Dual-threshold deployment of belt tensioners & front-impact airbags
  • 2-stage front-impact Smart Airbags
  • Head Protection System for front- & rear-seat occupants
  • Side-impact airbags standard in front, optional in rear.
  • Battery Safety Terminal
  • Multi-function remote, integrated into head of master key; includes selective unlocking & tailgate release
Factory options Available option Packages for both models:
  • Premium Package
  • Sport Package
  • Cold Weather Package
    Available option Package for X3 2.5i only:
  • Light Package
Available stand-alone options (for both models unless otherwise noted; some items also included in Packages):
  • 5-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission
  • Servotronic vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering
  • 18-in. wheels & performance tires in differentiated front/rear sizes (3.0i only)
  • Cruise control & leather-wrapped steering wheel with multi-function controls (optional 2.5i, standard 3.0i)
  • Xenon Adaptive headlights with auto-leveling
  • Front foglights (optional 2.5i, standard 3.0i)
  • Park Distance Control, front & rear0
  • Power-fold mirrors
  • Metallic paint
  • Panorama Moonroof
  • BMW On-board Navigation System
  • 4-function On-board Computer (optional 2.5i, standard 3.0i)
  • Leather upholstery
  • Birch Grain wood or aluminum-finish interior trim (requires Premium Package)
  • Power front seats (optional 2.5i, standard 3.0i)
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Premium audio system
  • Pre-Wiring for SIRIUS Satellite Radio System
  • Privacy glass
  • Rear-seat side-impact airbags
  • Cargo net
BMW SAV Center-installed accessories
(partial listing; not all items available at start of production)
  • Trailer-hitch kit with stability function
  • Skid plates
  • Running boards
  • Roof-rack systems
  • Aerodynamic body components
  • Chrome exhaust extensions
  • 6-disc CD changer
  • SIRIUS 100-Channel Satellite Radio System
  • Special shift knobs & handbrake grips
  • Cargo organizer
  • Cargo-area floor net
  • Cargo-area carrier for 2 bicycles
  • Alarm system
Source: Text and photos courtesy BMWNA

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