SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.
*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports.
The range: The previous six-model lineup was facelifted late last year and rationalised to two models, a 2,0 litre four-cylinder diesel and a three-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor. Both are fitted with eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions. The difference is that the bigger engine gets a sport version of the 'box, although diesel buyers may specify it as an option.
The engine: The familiar 1995 cc common rail diesel now puts out an additional 5 kW of power and 30 Nm of torque, bringing the numbers up to 135 and 380 respectively. Better news is that fuel economy improves by a claimed 14 percent, it sprints to 100 km/h just over a second more quickly and it gains five clicks in top speed. The new gearbox probably helps, as does shedding of 23 kg in body fat, thanks to the cosmetic surgery.
The body: Frontal appearance borrows a lot from the X5, while there have been noticeable changes to side creases and the rearmost side window. The car is 83 mm longer at 4648 mm, on a wheelbase that grew 15 mm to 2810 mm. Width is up by 28 mm to 1881, but it grew only 1 mm taller in the process. What this means to you is a touch more room for people and luggage and BMW repackaged the interior to achieve just that. Notable is an increase in maximum cargo space, up 40 litres to 1600. Front and rear track measurements are 92- and 90 mm wider, respectively. A more rigid structure using stronger steels aided the mass reduction mentioned above. To make the X3 a smidgen more bundu-friendly, maximum ground clearance is up by 9 mm to 210 mm.
The experience: The December 2010 literature accompanying the makeover made much of 'new' suspension architecture. I suspect, though, that the PR people who write the stuff are still enthused about the 2007 revamp that worked wonders with X3 ride quality, because I can't find any differences in the 2010 specifications. If there was a further revamp, I apologise. Whatever the case, the ride over our usual dirt road was excellent. On asphalt and on dirt, the car felt solid and confident at all times.
The main luggage area is big at 550 litres, expanding to 1600 with all seatbacks folded. They lie about 90 percent flat and do so in three sections, 40:20:40, but the outer head restraints need to be removed first. Loading height is at about mid-thigh and the floor is flat, with a shallow compartment covered by a lid. A cargo net and four lashing rings are in there along with a folding lap table, an air pump and the handbooks. No spare; BMW uses 'runflat' tyres.
In the back seat area, I found more than enough head- and knee room with space for big feet under the front seats. There are separate ventilation controls, rear courtesy lamps and a pair of reading lights. A 12-volt socket is provided, as is a bottle holder and a small storage slot in each door. Up front, both seats adjust mechanically for height, rake and reach. The sunroof provided as part of the R36 300 optional 'Exclusive' package that includes leather upholstery, anti-dazzle mirror, high beam assist and PDC, was very pleasant to use, with hardly any noise at 120 km/h.
The numbers:
Price (basic, incl. CO2 tax): R465 308.50
Engine: 1 995 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 135 kW at 4 000 rpm
Torque: 380 Nm between 1 750 and 2 750 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 8,5 seconds
Maximum speed: 210 km/h
Real world fuel economy: about 8,1 l/100 km
Tank: 67 litres
Maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.
So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
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This site is operated by Scarlet Pumpkin Communications in Pietermaritzburg.
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8