Faults:

A secondary thermostat in the water pump assembly failed just out of warranty: $400 at my BMW specialist (I hate to imagine what the dealer would charge).

General Comments:

Not quite an SUV, but bigger than a 3-series wagon, the X3 handles extremely well; 6-speed manual transmission makes for great flexibility, and driving fun too.

It is large enough for almost all family uses, from shopping to camping.

The children complained a bit about the 'hard rear seats', but oddly enough only at first, and not on long trips...

We towed a small trailer (900 kg), and the engine was up to the job, even through the Rockies.

Choppy ride on rough pavement, but solid in corners at speed on rough pavement...

Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear got an X3 stuck in deep mud with street tires, and declared it useless -- but with good winter tires, the X3 is simply brilliant in winter, BOTH on ice AND in deep snow. This is a bit of a niche use, but the combination of higher clearance, XDrive, snow tires and manual transmission makes this the best winter car I have owned or even driven in 27 Canadian winters (better than Audi quattro cars and AWD Subarus). I challenge Clarkson to find a better vehicle st this price for heavy winter driving AND competent roadholding in summer.

Faults:

I've had absolutely no problems with this car.

General Comments:

I've owned this car just over a year now and I couldn't be happier with it.

My wife and I are retired, love to travel and have put over 30,000 miles on it in the year we have owned it.

The seats are exquisitely comfortable, and with the memory function it's easy to get it back just right after someone else has driven it.

The cargo space in the back has been just right for all of our luggage and gear.

It has never gotten less than 23 mpg anywhere we have driven it.

Despite being a little taller, it handles just like one would expect a BMW to handle.

Unlike SUV's I've driven, you never get the feeling that it's going to tip over or get away from you.

The engine is powerful, silky smooth and quiet.

It will easily creep into 100mph territory if you don't pay attention or keep it on cruise control.

The gears are well paced on the manual transmission, and it shifts smoothly into every gear.

It has the finest leather I have ever seen in a car. It has real character and grain to it, is butter soft, and covers the entire seat not just the tops.

The interior fit and finish is beautiful with quality evident in every area.