Test Drive: BMW X3 3.0sd (E83) - 2008 - "New Cars Collection"

Leaving away my contagious enthusiasm for Deutshen Wagen and all things made in the Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the BMW X3 looks like a German noodles salad with almost all ingredients included. Some oil for reserve might be needed as it seems this condiment evaporates before you actually start feeling the taste of the delicious meal. However, those who favor pepper in their lives will discover it in an X3's large variety.

Two things are for sure: you can stab the fork until the bottom and enjoy the flavor to the last drop of oil, but be aware that the lettuce is really thirsty and drinks too much when feeling packed between other vegetables. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are... In case it wasn't obvious, X3 is a baby black tiger when it comes to pressing the gas pedal but the baby's hungry, maybe too hungry for a city life. But as long as you keep it in the jungle, you might be really eager to play with it.

Getting down to business, still, as for the outstanding part: I was extremely impressed by the optional heating system for the freezing wheel during winter-time. Did I say optional? Oh, yes...at least for the moment because if you were to make any scientific or less-scientific research among Eve's followers who are behind the wheel, regarding this specific aspect, all car makers will have second thoughts whether to leave it as optional or turn it into something absolutely compulsory. Also, from same optional bucket, let's not skip the proximity sensor. Come on, be honest: was it at least one time when, by mistake certainly, you hit an unwanted and unnoticed obstacle?

Of course you're not blind, nobody said that but we're human, we all have limits... And speaking about this... proximity sensor for monster X3 is not a silly request of spoiled little girl that wants a stereo for her Barbie doll house but a real must-have if you are to take into consideration that the rear-view mirror is kind of narrow and even if you tickle it to acquire right position for the driver, the visibility is still not perfect. This weakness is perhaps compensated by the side mirrors, yet, it's like having soup after a delicious steak and this simply does not match. If you spoil something, few chances to get up on the premium stage.

There was, however, a funny thing in the whole picture: you have to see how the vehicle acquires the image of a dog with flapping ears, the moment you press the button to fold the side mirrors! No offense for the brand as it's only a joke but that's the picture from the driver's seat while performing the action! Also, of high importance would be the light turning on and off every-time you open and respectively close the vanity mirror. Finally someone has thought about ladies' good taste for art!

Who said women carry a lot of unnecessary luggage with them? You should be ashamed of yourself! BMW didn't consider it unnecessary since it equipped the X3 with so much storage space. No more worries for the handkerchiefs, bag, drink and other requisites. Planning to set for a far away journey? Prepare to pack half of your house if you happen to have a X3 in your garage. Leaving the joke behind, the X3 is full of storage spaces all over the interior. And also by the driver's door, you get a bonus: a comfortable arm to rest in the exhausting driving days!

Next task: opening the bonnet and the trunk. The button for opening the bonnet is placed kind of too down so that you might want to go the gym before actually intend to reach it. The part with getting the bonnet up's ok but you might consider eating more first so that you acquire the necessary strength for the heavy thing. Same thing for the trunk, not a complicate mathematics problem but still feeling as in a weight-lifting competition.

The board computer is really cool, exhibiting a display to be seen even when heavily concentrating to driving. The vehicle has gained respect for being able to run during wintry conditions and possesses reliable windscreen wipers. Yet, if you need to use the back window wiper, you must act delicately as if you were picking up a flower and putting it in an appropriate vase because if you push too hard, you risk to waste precious windscreen liquid. So, remember to be gentle...

The true challenge: changing a tire! Press the right button in the trunk and the wheel falls down from the sky! At least, that's the theory for in reality, I neither found the hidden place where the reserve wheel stays nor pressed the miraculous button. But it must be somewhere around...still, I wouldn't even attempt it, not even once! Changing a X3 tire is definitely not for girls... at least not for ordinary ones.

As for refueling, you might discover it's easier than actually feeding a baby. A lot easier. The door's bunker stays still (unlike the baby), you don't even have to press a mysterious button to open it, just get down, open it carefully and here it goes. You just can't get easier than that! Oh, yes there would still be an alternative... cars that do the refueling all by themselves?!

The cave surely is comfortable though not very luxurious. Never mind, I wouldn't want to open a jewelry store in it anyway! The vehicle gives me the chance to raise above all and almost be on the top of other cars due to the high seating position. Of course, this isn't an excuse to break traffic rules and to assume undeserved priority. Nice view from the seven's heaven... the problem is when you want to get your feet down to Earth. The car's tall and would fit perfectly any person having more than 1.80 m. As for us, the dwarves below the magic size, there are two possibilities: either jump or perhaps wear high heels...

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for all who were skeptical about automatic gear boxes (including me, of course), BMW X3 has gained its audience. It's easy, practical and effort-saving both for city travel and longer journeys so, why not benefit from such luxury? The lame left leg sensation is still there but it's compensated by the baby black tiger's horsepower. In case you want to use it entirely, changing gears would be like aiming for ice-cream and finding six chairs in front of the fridge.

If the monster seems too big to keep it just for yourself, consider sharing it with your family. Babies are also welcome as the right side airbag can be stopped so that it allows baby seats to be installed. Hooray!

Overall, the baby black tiger gained me and therefore, I would consider stabbing my high heels into it!