SHORT DRIVE / BMW X3 2.0D
BMW's smallest SUV yet finally gets the twist it deserves and is an indication of things to come in the bigger X brothers
RICHARD LEU
Four-pot diesel is more refined than inline-six petrol at speed. |
Looks are arguably the X3's weakest point. |
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Steering a little too over-assisted for on-road driving. |
What is it?
This X3 has a second version assembled in Thailand after the petrol-powered 2.5i - and it's an ever-sensible diesel.
The 2.0d becomes the next BMW in the country to get the latest 177hp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with third-generation common-rail fuel injection after the 320d. In fact, the 5-series just got this efficient oil-burner this month in 520d form.
The 2.0d is priced at B3.299m, some B200k less than the 2.5i, which should exert some pressure on Land Rover when it comes to pricing the pending Freelander 2.2 diesel in completely built-up form.
The luxury compact SUV segment is still in its infancy in Thailand with only small sales accounted for each year.
Apart from the Freelander, those yet to arrive on Thai shores are the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60.
What's cool?
Sport-utility vehicles (which BMW annoyingly prefers to call sport activity vehicles for its 4x4s) are at their best with grunty and economical diesel engines. So the arrival of an X3 with the brand's latest turbo-diesel is nothing but welcome.
The 2.0d's engine is intriguingly capable: 177hp and 350Nm of torque via just a 2.0-litre four-pot. It just shows how far behind the pickup industry's 3.0-litre variations are lagging, given their lesser punch despite a third more cubic capacity than the Bimmer's.
And with a third-generation common-rail fuel injection, the 2.0d is impressively refined on the move to shame even the 2.5i under hard driving. At idle, the 2.0d's clatter is very subtle, even from the outside.
Okay, the 2.0d won't match the 2.5i on the stopwatch, but the difference in performance in real world driving are barely noticeable until you toy with high revolutions.
Fuel economy is equally remarkable. On a round trip from Chiang Mai to the peak of Doi Inthanon, the 2.0d proved to be nearly 50% more efficient than the 2.5i, which was also included in the test. This means the manufacturer's claims (see the accompanying graphics) are adequately credible.
While the 4x4 system has been designed to give the X3's some mud-plugging capabilities along with that gimmicky hill-descent control feature, it does marvel on the sealed tarmac by giving good traction and keeping the vehicle stable in corners, and even on wet surfaces as we drove up the roads leading to the country's highest peak.
Other virtues retained in the X3 include excellent braking power and feel and good amount of body control at high speeds.
What's not?
The need to give the X3 the brand's renown traits of fine handling means that the ride is on the firm side. So on broken road surfaces, such as those leading to Mae Wong from Doi Inthanon, the X3 can be quite an uncomfortable car to be in.
Some testers also felt that the steering is slightly over-assisted for a car with such a sporty chassis set-up, although it pays off for easier manoeuvring in day-to-day driving.
The X3 is already past mid-life in first-gen form. Even if it isn't fresh anymore, it has never really been attractive in the first place. It's just too staid for an SUV that nowadays needs to look good and able to win saloon buyers over.
The package is also on the tight side. Five people can sit in comfort over long trips, but then they won't be able to carry much luggage.
A strange thing to note is BMW's claims that bio-diesel (B2 and B5) can be used in this oil-burning X3; inside the filler flap, there's a sign alerting owners against use of bio-diesel.
Buy or bye?
As said earlier, the luxury 4x4 sector in the B3m range is still new in Thailand, meaning that the X3 basically has the whole floor to itself. And with such a fine diesel, the X3 proves a sensible alternative to both the 3- and 5-series saloons.
If you stretch out the diesel SUV context to other image-withholding brands like SsangYong or Chevrolet in the sub-B2m corner, you'll note the lavish price the X3 asks for.
But the X3 is still miles ahead in terms of diesel performance, driving dynamics, perceptive quality, safety and specification, meaning that it is a sophisticated buy for those who aren't forced to get sane on an outdoor vehicle.
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