National - 2012 BMW X3 xDrive 28i Ride Report/Review

http://carrentingreviews.com/2012/03/28/2012-bmw-x3-xdrive-28i/

GXAR
19/25

Hopefully I can rent the other recently acquired BMWs at DCA soon...! :)

Wow, that fuel mileage is pretty bad, especially for something with an 8 speed transmission. I do better in my grand cherokee with a 4.7L V8. (Not much better, but for mainly city driving, I trend around 16-17 mpg.) Looks like similar curb weight for the two (right around 4k pounds for each). Gotta wonder how a 4 cylinder turbo is really going to do with a 2 ton vehicle.

That fuel mileage is because the engine isn't broken in yet at 190 miles. Re-rent it at 3000 miles and it will be significantly higher.

That fuel mileage is because the engine isn't broken in yet at 190 miles. Re-rent it at 3000 miles and it will be significantly higher.

Also, we had to idle it for some of the photos, so I imagine the fuel economy was further decreased.:D

Have you been able to rent it again?

Have you been able to rent it again?

No, all the BMWs disappeared!

I tried the 2011 BMW X3 28i w/ 25,000 miles, heated seats, dual sunroof, and navigation with push start/stop. Have to admit that it was one enjoyable rental. I was unimpressed by the city mpg, which was an estimated 14-16 without A.C and slightly better at 24mpg on the highway w/ A.C and significant amount of stop and go traffic.

The seats were comfy for me (driver) and the passenger with plenty of compartments to put water bottles and other long distance driving goodies and snacks.On the highway the X3 performed beautifully, especially when cruising up those slight-grade hills it did not feel it. Personally, I would certainly consider this bad boy for long highway driving as it felt well grounded and powerful.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3849/bmwdw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/bmwdw.jpg/)

Glad you liked your rental, dontego!

I had another X3 recently from Avis, but this one had leather, factory nav, etc..

http://carrentingreviews.com/2012/08/15/2012-bmw-x3-xdrive-28i-plus/

Question for dontego; did yours have leather? I thought the leather quality was horrible, felt like rough sandpaper.

drzoidberg, I read your review and this one did have leather. It certainly was harsher than others but I did not mind the feel of the leather nor did my co-pilot, however at $40K price range it is questionable. The second row was comfortable for two average adults and early teen child and it still performed dandy. Wished it had backup camera though.