2004 BMW X3 2.5i
Short review of 2004 BMW X3 2.5i
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Price as tested: CDN$47585
The only differences between this 2.5i and last 3.0i I drove are mainly the 5-speed stick shift, standard suspension and without the premium package. Latter includes auto climate control, automatic dimming mirrors and memory power seats.
While the 5-speed stick still a joy to drive, just like other BMW units. The 184hp 2.5L straight 6 remains a sluggish unit for a vehicle as heavy as an X3, which is more than 1800 kg.
Handling wise, its capable enough for daily driving with controllable body rolls. Its standard suspension also doesn’t have the bouncy feel of its sports setting, however, its neither as comfortable as 3-Series does.
The base X3 interior is nothing to write home about. There are cheap plastic abound. The manual climate control switchgears have a loose and low-rent feel. Our demo’s knobs already felt coming off with only 1000km on the clock. The leather material feels thin and low quality.
With the base 17″ wheels and black body claddings, its exterior looks as cheap as the interior.
When I test drove 3.0i, I already felt its underwhelming and overpriced for what you get. Although the 2.5i is less expensive than a 3.0i, it remains overpriced. This engine also made the already slow and unrefined vehicle even slower than before.
If you really want a BMW and a mini-ute made by BMW, X3 could be your ticket.
Suffice to say, X3 IS the worse BMW ever made. Period!!!
Overall rating: 2/5