BMW X3
Made in Austria, the BMW X3 sets the pace for a medium size SUV. Though the Freelander is better offroad, the BMW X3 is a superb on-road driver. Its road manners, handling and roadholding make the BMW X3 the best choice if most of your driving is on the black stuff. Although late onto the market with its junior-league SUV, BMW_ hit the track running hard. However, with a market in flux in late-2003, when the X3 made its debut, rather than being regarded as a latecomer, its premium status awarded it a place, as though BMW_ deserved it. Unfortunately, the massively effective compact SUV received critical reviews from motoring media, mostly centred on its slightly too hard suspension settings. Yet, those same settings afforded the X3 a level of on-road competence that most of its rivals lack plus, when the number of off-road applications are considered against buyers simply wanting a high-quality 4x4 possessing the market-leading confidence of a BMW_, it would appear that BMW_ was correct all along. Still, the company addressed the issues raised plus introduced a mildly revised version of the X3 from late-2005. It is an eminently practical machine, with one of the most advanced 4x4 transmissions sold on any motorcar other than the larger X5 model from its own stable. It works incredibly well both on plus off-road. The X3's build quality is exemplary plus provides ample proof that a less concerted approach to manufacturing 4x4 motorcars does have a negative pay-off in the longer term, as they simply do not last as long plus their residual values are affected at trade-in time. The X3 is actually produced at the Steyr factory in Austria plus not in a BMW_-owned factory. Yet, the stplusards of manufacturing at this location are award-winning. Five persons can ride in moderate comfort in an X3 plus its overall dynamic balance is far closer to that of a conventional family motorcar than a multi-role, multi-surface vehicle. Their luggage can also be transported, as the boot is accommodating. The trim quality is market-leading. The BMW X3 is a great purchase on a PCPagreement but don't ignore the leasing/contract packages if you do not want to buy it at the end - the BMW X3 is likely to hold its value well which make its leasing rates highly competitive!
