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Despite a less than auspicious debut in 2004, the BMW X3 medium SUV has gone on to become one of the mainstays of the German brand, particularly in SUV-mad Australia.
The X3 was BMW's second SUV after the X5, and the success of both these vehicles prompted the once conservative car-only BMW to launch a family of X-branded SUVs.
The five-door five-seater had a period of lagging behind rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the sales race, thanks mainly to a limited model line-up and the fact that the second-generation (F25) hung around for too long.
Since the launch of the 2018 X3 (G01), the still "mid-size" SUV dwarfs even the first-generation X5. It also now sits on BMW's 'CLAR' global platform which underpins everything from the BMW 8-Series to the A90 Toyota Supra.
Generally the cost will depend on the variant and year. You can get more information on quick and cheap key replacments from dealers or automotive locksmiths here.
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You’ve pretty much covered the field there, so it should come down to what you want from your car. Do you want comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, offroad capability, cabin space? If you are mostly driving on the highway, then a diesel SUV is probably the best bet. I would rule out a dual-cab ute because of comfort, unless you need the flexibility a ute gives you. I would rule out a hybrid, they’re not at their most efficient on the highway; they’re better suited to town use. Based on your annual mileage I wouldn’t keep the car any more than 3-4 years, that way you’ll have a decent resale value when you get out of it.
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The diesel is fine around town. Being just three years old there shouldn't be anything wrong, so apart from overall condition of the body, paint, and interior make sure it has been routinely serviced.
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The G45 BMW X3's opulent interior design is a mix of soft-touch materials and high-gloss hard surfaces in a variety of surface finishes and tastefully contrasting tones. The seats are upholstered in synthetic leather as standard, but genuine leather is available as an option.
The G45 BMW X3 range exterior colours include non-metallic 'Alpine White' as standard, with optional metallic colours comprising 'Black Sapphire', 'Arctic Race Blue', 'Sophisto Grey', 'Dune Grey', 'M Brooklyn Grey' and 'Fire Red'.
The BMW X3 range offers internal load volumes from 460 litres up to 1600 litres for the 30e xDrive. The 20 xDrive and M50 xDrive models share larger load volumes from 570 up to 1700 litres.
The entry-level model in the BMW X3 range is the 20 xDrive, with standard features that include 19-inch M alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, curved dash display that combines a 12.3-inch driver's instrument display and 14.9-inch multimedia display, M Sport leather-rimmed steering wheel and front seat heating to name a few. The top-shelf M50 xDrive adds 21-inch alloys, panorama glass roof, premium 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, metallic paint choices and much more.
The BMW X3 engine range comprises the 20 xDrive's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology and outputs of 140kW/310Nm. The 30e xDrive's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine employs BMW's fifth-gen eDrive plug-in hybrid technology to produce 220kW/450Nm. The top-of-the-range M50 xDrive is equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine, also with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, that delivers 293kW/580Nm.
The G45 BMW X3 can accommodate up to five occupants, on seating that comprises two front buckets and a rear bench. There is no third-row/seven-seater option.
BMW claims 0-100km/h acceleration times for the G45 X3 range of 8.5 seconds for the 20 xDrive, 6.2 seconds for the 30e xDrive and 4.6 seconds for the M50 xDrive. Top speed for the fastest of this trio, the M50 xDrive, is 250km/h.
The BMW X3 fleet offers different driving ranges from its 65-litre petrol tank. The 20 xDrive's official combined average consumption of 7.5L/100km results in a theoretical driving range of around 860km using 95 RON petrol, while the top-shelf M50 xDrive's 8.2L/100km results in a theoretical range of around 790km using 98 RON. The 30e xDrive PHEV has a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 91km and engine-only petrol consumption of up to 7.9L/100km when the traction battery is exhausted. So, according to our calculations, they produce a combined theoretical driving range of more than 900km.