X3/X4 Facelifted X3: official pics & info!

[Zafiro]

[image no longer available]bmw_aktuell/innovation/img/x3lci_2006_700_02.jpg
[image no longer available]bmw_aktuell/innovation/img/x3lci_2006_700_03.jpg

 

[PanterroR]

The best thing in that car now is the interior.

 

[vedjo01]

The best thing in that car now is the interior.

That is true,but how much extras does this car have to look like this??
10k-15k euros optional equipment for sure(exterior and int.).

 

[PanterroR]

10k-15k euros optional equipment for sure(exterior and int.).

Nope, i don't think so. The complete interior and exterior are refreshed and what you see in the pics comes as standard. Of course, you can always add those 10-15 k to make it even better.

 

[Zafiro]

 

[PanterroR]

This one for me!

 

[SDNR]

The interior is interesting ... but looks a little bit flimsy in places ...certainly not as well finished as the Audi A4's .....still, is it me or is there some slight Audi influence in there?

 

[klier]

The X5 with 3 liters could be bought with manual as well. I think they aren't going to give this option anymore though.

Looking at that interior pic, I think you're right. It lloks like there is no place for a stick shifter at all...

 

[Michael]

The interior is interesting ... but looks a little bit flimsy in places ...certainly not as well finished as the Audi A4's .....still, is it me or is there some slight Audi influence in there?

Truthfully I could not agree with you on this comment. I think that Audi and BMW when comparing the X3 interior are two different workds. I am sure you are referring to the flimsyness of the look of the center console where the air conditioning is positioned?

I think the X3 is beautiful inside and out. The outside, however, may be an acquired taste. Not sure if that would hold with the crowd.

 

[siko]

Re: Just an update on some info

200kw and 315nm according to BMW webpage

200kW is 272... but the BMW.com webpage always gives Euro specs, not those for NA.

 

[warot]

A few days ago, I made a comment (on the thread comparing the CL, TT and E92) about how BMW manages to make a car look bad in their press pics. Well with these, I have to say that it looks pretty good! The setting, lighting and angle is much better than the ones from the E92. I actually really like this car.

 

[Osnabrueck]

The interior is interesting ... but looks a little bit flimsy in places ...certainly not as well finished as the Audi A4's .....still, is it me or is there some slight Audi influence in there?

From a composition / form factor I'm not with you Rob. The only place I see an Audi influence is the growing preponderance of shiny-trimmed objects - especially those foot pedals.

The look still appears a bit low rent if we compare this to an Audi, but if we contrast this with the original X3 the look is quite alright. I'm wondering if the tactile experience has also improved itself over the original.

 

[Snake Vargas]

I'm with Osna's first (?) post here - this thing looks much better, and should have been the way it was at first.

The bumper does stop it looking tall and narrow, and cheap to boot - they've added details to what was once a big plastic lump. Good details. The taillights are also nice, same shape, but different design that works so much better.

I can't remember too much of the old interior, but this one looks pretty decent, IMO. Sure tactile experience is another matter, but hey, I don't think I'll go check it out in any hurry.

As for good handling, apart from any debatability of such a claim, I don't care either way, past a point. It's like saying that something is the roadster with the most boot space - sure there's a market for it, but only for the very, very few.

 

[Michael]

I don't think that the interior has changed much if at all. I truly like the X3, and I do think that it takes some getting used to. But after you have come to accept it, it will be a love relationship and never a hate one. Don't you just want to give it a hug?

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Don't you just want to give it a hug?

Sure Do BMWFREAK!!

Talk about a facelift. This is simply stunning turn around....and that's coming from a person who actually likes the pre-facelift X3 in the first place.

I'll go inside out.

The luxury-themed interior (ie: beige leather and wood trim) looks very stylish and classy now. It's very similar to something you'd see in an X5 Individual (ofcourse without the high-grade leather) but the feel and ambience in that cockpit looks very inviting. So that's my first reason to give it a hug.

Jump outside the car and WOW, tranformation or what ??!!
Yes the headlights haven't changed, but I never had a problem with them, so I'm happy they left them as is. Very simple, very clean, very focused.

As most people have been saying, the change in the front bumper is amazingly attractive now. Pre-facelift X3 took on a very rugged-look approach with the excessive black plastic bumper, but now it's done a total 180 and BMW have given it a very sporty and aggressive look. Perfect!
Again as Osna has said, that crease that begins at the tip of the headlight and curves its way to the lower lip of the face really shifts the look of the car and makes it wider and more grounded than its pre-beautox sister.
Here comes hug number 2.

I'm really liking the side profile of the car. That sharp crease across the shoulderline gives off again that sporty and aggressive look, and although that crease isn't new to the facelifted version, it really looks the part due to the added creases being incorporated into the design of the car.
Wrapping my arms around it for hug number 3.

The wheels? Oh my goodness do they look amazing! X5 better have them too!!
To me this thing looks like the perfect blend between a 'normal' BMW and an ///M. It's very similar to the X5 4.8is in terms of blending aggressive styling ques with traditional BMW DNA..but at the same time, being able to give off a tough image to let on-lookers know it's not simply a soccer-mum SUV, but a capable off-roader.
Hug 4 definately!

Just like the interior and the front of the car, the rear makeover is a pleasure to the eyes. The re-design of the rear-light housing has got rid of the 'playful' looking circle design in favour of a very simple and effective look. Those LED tube lights... well, seems like BMW are ever-increasingly apply them to new cars.. and I sure as hell ain't gonna complain coz I loved them on the E39 5er facelift. Hug number 5!

The rear bumper do-over fits very well with the rest of the rear, as well as the rest of the car. Not overdone... again, keeping it simple.

A good looking car just got transformed into something REAL appealing.

Lovin it! 5 hugs for a 5 out of 5-stars new X3!

 

[bmer]

To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed with this facelift. I would have wanted it be more like the E90 in the interior and exterior as well. Now the interior is basically the same, just with less black plastic. From the outside it looks better with the X5-style larger metallic kidneys but IMO the front lights could have got some revise with details from the E90/E91/E92 3-series. Also minimum use of black plastic on the exterior would have made it better-looking in my eyes.

Here's some pics for comparison:


NEW




OLD




NEW



OLD

 

[siko]

NEW



OLD

Good one bmer! This really shows the huge improvement !

 

[Top Secret]

Good one bmer! This really shows the huge improvement !

Really?

I personally can't see any difference.

 

[warot]

Really?

I personally can't see any difference.

Look at the steering wheel for example.. I can tell the difference.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Notice the two strips of wood on the dash that weren't there before.

The glaring lack of quality trim really drove home the stink when the X3 debuted. Not only was the vehicle a total sell-out, but it was a sell-out that insulted you. It's one thing to be a cash cow, it's another thing to be an unattractive cash cow with a sub-par interior.

The front view is like night and day. The new bumper repackages the whole vechile quite nicely.

I didn't think BMW had it in them to put enough lipstick on this pig, but now the thing looks nice... even good for that matter.