BMW X3 2.0d
The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by the German automaker BMW. Based on the BMW 3 Series automobile platform, the X3 won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Utility Vehicle award for 2005. History and development of the model began in the early millennium when BMW decided to start competing with small luxury SUVs such as the Freelander and Lexus RX. At the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, BMW unveiled the xActivity concept car, the basic shape of which would later form the X3. Parts from the E46 330xi, such as the rear suspension, were reused during the development process.
The X3 came with a new 4-wheel drive system called xDrive when it debuted in 2003. This system replaced the 60-40 rear-front power split of earlier 4-wheel drive BMW's and instead had a multiplate clutch located between the gearbox and Cardan shaft that allowed for variable power distribution between the axles. To assist xDrive, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system was integrated, and would brake individual wheels to regain traction in the event of wheel spin.
Reaction to the X3 was initially mixed, with critics noting a harsh ride and poor interior in comparison to competitors. BMW sought to address this in the 2005 X3, fitting it with a softer suspension and allowing it to share some of the interior components with the X5. Despite this, the X3 Mobile still draws criticism for not being built at a BMW factory, although the Austrian contractor Magna Steyr of Graz has won numerous awards for quality and is rated the highest car assembly factory in Europe.
Feast your eyes on BMW's classic 2004 X3 2.0d! Show off your love of this timeless car with exclusive X3 2.0d posters, mouse pads, t-shirts and calendars. Get yours now—it's a collector's item!
