X3 Review on Top Gear

 JC would get anything Stuck in Tesco,s Car park  if it proved his point-and showed his knowledge of the subject.

A few years ago, he did a group offroader prog, on a Muddy Hillside.All the School Run Specials got stuck , inc a Range rover.He was Pleased !!! and an old 40 year old Landie Defender, went up and pulled the others out.

It seems to me that the motoring press have a downer on most things BMW these days - Autocar ran a test not long ago where the Freelander was deemed to be a better car than the X3.  I have driven both, and the X3 is an entirely different car!  The handling, refinement, quality of equipment etc. are in a different league to the Freelander, but because the Freelander was £8k cheaper, it got the nod.  Lest's see who's laughing in 3 years time when the Freelander's worthless!

As for Top Gear, if ever there was a programme that was desperate for a makeover, I think this is it.  Every week it seems to get worse - what was the Long jump article about?? Five minutes of pure boredom.  If Clarkson had seen the X3 for what it is (which is no Land Rover Defender), and concentrated on the handling (which he accepted was excellent) then the car would have received a far better analysis than that given.  It's off road capability would never have seen it complete the track Clarkson drove it up, but for "entertainment", and in order to see the X3 fail, that's what they showed. 

I have driven a 3.0 Sport, with the optional 18" wheels, and yes, the suspension is firm, but I would sooner have it firm than rolling around like a ship at sea (ala Freelander).  For a car that rides so much higher then the norm, it handles superbly.  It is fast and refined - the only downside for me is the fuel economy at mid to high teens.  Bring on the diesel!!

After 2200 miles, the 3.0 is now returning over 27 mpg, obviously not off road.

Saw the Clarkson thing and I was gobsmacked he had the same conclusion as me, 'large sports saloon' handling.

Also knew he'd get "stuck in the rut" when off road.  Why didn't he bother driving out of the ruts, rather than in them???  I drove a lightweight 90 landie in the Falklands and you can get those stuck quite easily too, even with off road tyres etc., if you drive like a tw@!

Also seems they've all forgotten the Freelanders head blowing problems as well then.

I've taken several colleagues/friends out in the X3 and they all agree (perhaps too politely) that you'd have no idea it's a 4x4.  They're also shocked when you shove the loud pedal too.

Reasons I got one are for the space, range of capabilities (live in Yorkshire so we get a bit of snow/rain now and again), ASC/DSC/TSC (tow a box van for 2 karts), residuals, the (bodykitted) style - love it to bits and could go on forever.

Sorry to admit, Clarkson & BB both make me laugh on occasion.