Test drive BMW X3 E83 2004 - 2007 SUV
Charger
BMW X3 3.0D - for those who feel young and energeticI’ll tell you, dear reader, as in spirit: in the couple of weeks that I managed to spend the BMW X3 driving, I was younger for ten years. Maybe others and perceive me with a solid uncle, who is more suitable, say, x5. But I myself, once again climbing into a compact Bavarian SUV, immediately forget about all sorts of stupid things about solidity, and surrender to the drive like a boy. No, as if a young man, realizing that today he should have time to do more than yesterday, and tomorrow - more than today. X3 literally charges with energy. And what could be more important than personal well -being?
Activity instead of utilitarianism
Of course, this is not the first time at the wheel of the BMW X3. But for the first time I deal with a car equipped with a three -liter turbodiesel. And since I do not hide my weakness for modern diesel engines, it is very happy that he will be at my disposal for three whole months. So I’ll still have time to tell about the privileges, but for the first acquaintance I will concentrate on the main thing. The main thing, from my point of view, is a special, without any reservations - a sports character x3. The Munich concern acted quite reasonably, inventing a separate class for its SUVs - SAV, that is, Sport Activity Vehicle. The replacement of the utilitarian word in the generally accepted SUV, for a sporting word, looks quite justified. In the fairness of this statement, it is easy to verify, just sitting behind the wheel by running the engine and pressing the accelerator pedal. You will immediately receive an acceleration that will not seem weak. The car is not just accelerating, it rushes forward, as if a demon has minted into it. And this demon is an amazing torque of 410 Nm, which, I remind you, and ensures accelerating dynamics, while power is the maximum speed.
By the way, the power unit itself, also installed on X5 (though in this case, it is 14 power more powerful, but the car is heavier) is well known. This is a turbocharged diesel engine with a direct-injection system of the Common Rail fuel and intermediate cooling of the boost air, which are also equipped with cars of the 3rd, 5th and 7th series. It is very slightly inferior to the famous in -line six BMW, consuming gasoline, in power, but it surpasses it in a torque. SPUrt up to hundreds in 8.2 seconds (with an automatic transmission), I assure you, is very impressive and fully consistent with the ideology of BMW. The machine gun itself, one of the best I know, reacts to the gas supply, providing grabbing from almost any speed (it is clear that not from maximum), crossing the driver’s command to one or two steps down. And the Sport mode? In urban conditions, it hardly makes sense to use it, but it brings additional pate to the behavior of the car. The motor on each gear is hardly spent to the limiting revolutions, guaranteeing crazy accelerations, but at the same time the transition to the highest stage is carried out without noticeable jerks.
These indicators, by the way, once again convince me of the injustice of the opinion that the X3 model is a female car. Nothing like that! All over the world, it is positioned as an SUV for young and energetic people who have not yet increased the abdomen for X5. Of course, the ladies are not ordered in the driver's seat, but they should be prepared enough for hot temperament X3.
Winter Fairy Tale with Xdrive
Frankly, I was glad that the Bavarian SUV fell into the editor, when in Moscow it was still a jelly, snowy and slippery. Although the rest of the winter was carried out not in a car, but in a car, perfectly adapted to movement in our conditions. First of all, thanks to the XDRive all -wheel drive system. Its highlight is that a multi -disc cyk with electronic control, paired with a DSC dynamic stabilization system, redistributes the torque even before the slip of one or more wheels has outlined. Special sensors take into account the angle of rotation of the lamb, lateral acceleration, speed and position of the accelerator pedal. So, at high speed, almost 100% torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, that is, the BMW X3 behaves as a classic Bavarian car. The front ones are connected only if necessary. At a sharp start, the coupling closes, setting in motion all the wheels, which, in turn, provides good acceleration on any coating. In the turns of the XDRive, it seems to compensate for insufficient or excessive rotation. If the rear axle is outlined in the turn, the electronics transfers a larger moment to the front wheels. And vice versa. And in specific Moscow conditions, when turning on snow -covered streets, I was convinced of the correctness of the DSC, which brakes, if necessary, one of the wheels. The system does this at the right time, setting the car in a turn. Of course, DSC can be disabled, but in urban conditions this, perhaps, is not worth it. Another thing, somewhere in the city, on empty snowy paths or on some site. I must only warn that x3 is still a city car, I would not advise a serious off -road on it. So, if you get rid of the electronic collar and adopt to the features of the all -wheel drive system, you can get great pleasure. Say, take turns in controlled and beautiful skidding. In general, in its habits, a compact SUV is not much different from a passenger car. A fairly low center of gravity and excellently configured pendants provide absolutely predictable behavior X3 even in extreme situations. But for this, I repeat, it is necessary to study his habits well, from our own experience.
As for the steering, its settings should not disappoint an active ride lover. True, I would like a little greater sharpness, the turn of the steering wheel from the stop to the stop could have been less. But, on the other hand, the average driver, and it was under him that the car was hidden, will most likely be satisfied.
The price of sensations
Let me share another, very subjective, sensation from x3. How do the French say - a cute mess closer to the heart? In the sense that if you are dealing with the standard of pure water, it will hardly affect your feelings. I think now the reader will understand why I liked even what can be considered a disadvantage. For example, barely noticeable on the steering wheel and handle of the ACP of vibration from the diesel engine. Imagine, I think that without them the car would have lost part of its charm. Because these vibrations give out temperament and immediately disappear, it is worth clicking on the gas supply pedal. As if under you a horse, nervously trembling in anticipation of the jump, which he intends to certainly win. I felt something similar, dealing with American sports cars endowed with monstrous volume engines, which are not able to hide their power when they are forced to stand still.
I like the textured, deliberately rough (but very high -quality at the same time) black plastic, which trimmed the front panel and other details of the cabin. I would not want to paint black bumper in the color of the body, because I consider them quite appropriate on the diesel version - a working, male car.
But, perhaps, for the first acquaintance is enough. I will only say about the price. On the test we have a car in the Business configuration, offered by official dealers at a price of 56,900 euros. I agree, a considerable amount. So, after all, BMW is not an ordinary SUV, but Sav
Text: Oleg Osipov
