X3 in the Market

At $38,000, the X3 starts substantially higher than its nearest competitor, the Acura RDX. Save for its problematic transmission behavior, the BMW offers a more buttoned-down driving experience than the Acura. For some, that's worth every penny.

As BMW surely knows, the X3 can't sit on its pedestal forever. Land Rover's entry-level LR2 is on the way, and so are the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. If the X3 is to remain a desirable car, BMW will have to fix a few things so buyers need not weigh the good against the bad — because there will be plenty of very good alternatives soon.

    See also:

    Engine oil temperature
    ► Cold engine: the pointer is at the low temperature end. Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds. ► Normal operating temperature: the pointer is in the middle or in the ...

    Ignition on
    button, and do not press on the brake pedal at the same time. Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at the same time. All vehicle systems ...

    Storage compartments in thecargo area
    Storage space under the cargo floor cover Raise the cargo floor panel. The storage space under the cargo floor panel is subdivided. Two additional subdividers can be inserted to partition it ...