"This was my 2nd BMW purchase at BMW of Towson. I wouldn't think of buying a BMW anywhere else! Bill, Tom, and Kris make coming to the dealership for any reason a pleasure! I've already recommended BMW of Towson to a number of friends and co-workers as THE place to buy any BMW, new or pre-owned. Finally, I love my new 535. It is an outstanding car!!!! This is an Excellent Dealership, and they offer Superior Sales and Service. Bill, Tom, and Kris are reason enough to buy a BMW at BMW of Towson!"

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2012 BMW X3 Baltimore

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For 2012 an M Sport Package includes body-colored bumpers and side skirts, specific wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. BMW Applications, which allows a variety of iPhone apps to run through the iDrive system, is an option. The X3 is a compact luxury crossover, and was redesigned for 2011 for the first time since its 2004 introduction. An optional electronic damping control system is available to vary shock response according to conditions, with a driver-selectable three-position switch to focus its operation to the driver's intended activity. This so-called Performance Control switch also affects the level of steering assist, and the xDrive all-wheel drive system by selecting a 20/80 front-to-rear torque-split in steady state driving and also providing some so-called torque-vectoring influence in corners by braking an inside wheel.

2012 BMW X3 Design

Up front is the usual forward-leaning BMW kidney grille. The headlight assembly is large and emphatic, and is integrated with a detailed front apron which uses contrasting colors and various apertures to provide plenty of surface excitement. There are six contour lines sweeping down to meet at the kidney grill for a sculpted appearance. BMW says the twin round headlights combined with the round fog lamps form a triangular light pattern that is characteristic of its SAV design. The upper edge of the headlight assembly is accented by a chrome trim, and BMW's signature Corona Rings are again used as the daytime running lights. When equipped with the optional Xenon headlights, the Corona Rings and daytime running lights are provided by bright white LEDs.

Handling of the 2012 BMW X3

Two engines are offered in the 2012 X3: a 240-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder in the xDrive28i trim level and a 300-hp, turbocharged inline-six in the xDrive35i. BMW estimates zero-to-60-mph times are 6.7 seconds and 5.5 seconds, respectively. BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, standard on all models, retains as much of a rear-drive feel as it can muster, using a multi-plate clutch to vary rear-to-front torque split from fully 100 percent committed to the rear to 40 percent sent forward to assist with traction. The turbocharged engine in the xDrive35i is responsive and powerful, driving the biggish vehicle from rest to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds (6.7 seconds in the normally aspirated xDrive28i), and on to a governed 130 mph with a series of brief romps up the tachometer dial. The 8-speed automatic provides for close ratio staging and quick responses to a dig at the accelerator pedal.

Inside the '12 BMW X3

The cabin of the new 2012 X3 is welcoming, with tasteful surfaces and a very tidy arrangement of all necessary components. Typical BMW dark dashboard moldings contrast with lighter lower sections and carpet colors. High-grade wood trim accents are used sparingly on the center console, door cappings, and above the glovebox. The view out through the windscreen is commanding, and big mirrors provide a good spread of rearward visibility to deal with the inevitable blind spots that occur in cars with vertical D-pillars. A fourth-generation iDrive multi-media controller keeps control-button proliferation to a minimum, and the dashboard seems tidily organized.

BMW X3 Trim Levels 2012

The BMW X3 xDrive28i comes with a normally aspirated 2996 cc inline-6 that produces 240 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The xDrive28i comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels.

The BMW X3 xDrive35i features a 2979 cc inline-6 equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger, and produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, the latter available from 1300 rpm through to 5000 rpm. The xDrive35i comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Conclusions

The BMW X3 is a versatile Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), blending all-road capability and utility with sports car-like performance and handling. Safety features include the mandated dual front airbags plus side-curtain airbags for head protection, side-impact airbags for torso protection. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, all-wheel drive. Optional safety features include rearview camera, Park Distance Control. For more on this 2012 model, visit the official BMW X3 website.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com