Used 2012 BMW X3 for sale 

The 2012 BMWX3 comes in two trim options – xDrive28i and xDrive35i. Both trims come with all-wheel drive as standard. The 28i trim comes with a 3 liter inline-6 and 35i trim comes with a turbocharged version of the same engine. BMW offers multiple options in the form of packages on both trims so that you can customize it to suit your style.

We recommend 

We recommend getting the xDrive35i trim, which comes with a lot of good options like adaptive xenon lights, 18” alloy wheels, wood interior accents, and a panoramic sunroof. Additionally, it gives marginally better mpg numbers from the more powerful turbocharged engine. All in all, the xDrive35i gives the best value for money offer. 

The BMW X3 is powered by a 3.0 liter inline-6 making 240 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque on the xDrive28i. The xDrive35i comes with a turbocharged version of the same trim making 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. 8-speed automatic transmission is paired to both engines, and all the power goes to all the wheels.

In the performance tests, the base does the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.3 seconds and the standing quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds. The xDrive35i variant of the SUV does the 0-60mph sprint in 5.8 seconds and the quarter-mile time in 14.4 seconds. Both the variants will achieve a top speed of 130 mph. 

Apart from the Audi Q5 which makes 211 hp, the BMW X3, the Acura RDX, and the Volvo XC60 all make 240 hp. In the performance tests, the fastest 0 to 60 mph sprint and standing quarter-mile time is set by the BMW X3. Following the BMW in both the tests is the Acura RDX, then comes the Volvo XC60 and the Audi Q5.

The 2012 BMW X3 offers 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 21. BMW installed a 17.7-gallon fuel tank in the X3, which allows you to have a range of 336 miles in the city, 443 miles on the highway, and a combined range of 371 miles. The xDrive35i gives the same mpg figure in the city and combined, but offers 26 mpg on the highway, which is good for a more powerful version of the same engine.

In comparison, the biggest fuel tank in the competition is offered by Audi of 19.8 gallons. The most combined range of the above cars is offered by the Audi Q5 with 435 miles. Following this is the Volvo XC60 with 388 miles, the BMW X3 with 371 miles, and then with the least ranger of the above compact SUVs is the Acura RDX with a range of 342 miles. 

The interior of the BMW X3 accommodates five occupants comfortably. The interior features eight-way power-adjustable front seats which are wrapped in leatherette upholstery. The is a leather-upholstered multifunctional steering wheel and automatic climate control on both trims. The 35i trim has Fineline Sienna wood trim. The 2012 BMW X3 has a cargo capacity of 27.6 cu.ft, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. 

There is the premium package for both trims adding leather upholstery and interior lighting along with a power tailgate and rear window shades. Additionally, there are two cold weather packages. The first adds heated front seats and a steering wheel with 40/20/40 split-bench seats. The second package adds rear outboard heated seats. 

The BMW X3 offers the least amount of space in the front row, this is because the seating style is upright. In the back row, the BMW X3 offers a similar amount of space as the competition. However, it does offer the least amount of trunk space by a margin of 0.2 cu.ft. to the next smallest and 2.4 cu.ft. lesser than the most, but is still adequate trunk space. Major interior features include-

• 8-way power-adjustable front seat
• Leatherette upholstery
• Leather upholstered steering wheel
• Automatic climate control
• Available leather upholstery
• Rear window shades
• Power tailgate

How intuitive is the infotainment unit of the 2012 BMW X3?

Both BMW X3 trims offer BMW’s iDrive electronics interface with a CD player, HD radio, and a 12-speaker sound system. Along with this, there is also a USB port and AUX jack. An optional Technology package for infotainment offers Navigation with voice command and real-time traffic and Bluetooth streaming audio. Another optional extra is a Premium Sound package with 16-speakers and digital sound processing. Few key features include-

• BMW’s iDrive electronic interface
• CD player
• HD radio
• 12-speaker sound system
• USB port
• Auxiliary input jack
• Available navigation
• Available Bluetooth streaming audio
• Available 16-speaker sound package

The 2012 BMW X3 has the same design language as the rest of the BMW lineup. It actually looks like a smaller version of the BMW X5. The exterior features 17” alloy wheels on the 28i and 18” on the 35i as standard and also adaptive xenon headlights.

The rest is all in optional extras in the form of a Sports Activity Package which adds bigger wheels on both trims. The M Sport package offers 1 size bigger wheels in black with black exterior trim and chrome exhaust. 

The BMW X3 is of similar exterior dimensions to the rest of the cars. Usually, the curb weight of the cars shows a big difference, but in this case, the range is less than 200 pounds, with the BMW being the heaviest of the above compact SUVs and the Acura RDX being the lightest. When comparing the ground clearance, Volvo XC60 stands talles to the ground at 9 inches. Major exterior highlights include-

• 17” alloy wheels
• 18” alloy wheels (35i)
• Adaptive headlights
• Available black exterior trim
• Available wheels in black
• Available roof rails

NHTSA has not yet given a safety rating to the BMW X3, this does include the iDrive28i and the iDrive35i. However, the IIHS has crash-tested the car and has given it “Good” in all tests along with the 2012 Top Safety Pick award in the midsize luxury SUV/4-door SUV. The BMW X3 does come with many safety features, some of these safety features are:

• Dynamic stability control
• Hill descent control
• Crash sensor System
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Head protection system (front and rear)
• Brake Fade compensation 
• ABS and Dynamic brake control

The BMW X3 is a smaller version of the BMW X5 but comes with many features and a good engine output for each trim. The interior is sophisticated and comfortable, and there is adequate space. The good part is that the more powerful engine does have a marginally better fuel economy. We recommend buying this car not only for German engineering but also for the good features including a good safety rating.