One thing that always strikes me as odd about BMW is the way the company can build several cars which are simply superb, and others which leave you wondering what the point of it all was. The range-topping X3 is one of the latter.I can see the logic behind it. Here's the X3. People like it enough to want to buy it. The three-litre turbo diesel engine will fit, so let's offer that, and while we're about it let's make it available in its most powerful form, with a maximum of 286bhp. It will cost a lot, but we have a lot of wealthy customers and some of them are bound to be interested.All this makes sense, but the result is not a happy one. I have no argument with the engine itself - BMW is awfully good at diesels, and this is one of its very finest. Bolt it into a 3-Series, for example, and the car you end up with is a thing of wonder. But that's because the 3-Series can be made to handle it.The X3, in contrast, can't, or at least not on the evidence presented here. The xDrive35d makes a splendid noise (when you're pushing it, anyway - it's very quiet otherwise) and it accelerates very hard indeed; 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds is quite something in a machine of this size and shape.But despite the wide tyres and sports suspension that come with the M Sport trim level (and are not shown in our picture, before you write in), the X3 does not deal adequately with all the power the engine provides. I should say here that I did not feel the car was dangerous, but that was largely because I had no intention of using anything like the full 286bhp except in very short bursts, always on a straight road with good visibility.And if you're not going to explore the potential of the engine, why not save money and go for the 218bhp version of the same engine, or perhaps even the 177bhp two-litre? Because of the lack of bragging rights at the pub, perhaps? Then you're making a big investment for the meagre return of feeling smug over a pint if you choose the xDrive35d over other X3s.The list price is just under £40,000 - or somewhat over it if you opt choose the £1190 leather upholstery option, which you almost certainly will - and this is another bone of contention. Although it's well-equipped, it does not feel like a £40,000 car, not least because the switches in the centre console are so basic that they look as if BMW spent about a tenner on them.There's an inferred arrogance here. It's as if BMW is saying, "Look, this is a quality product because we say it is. Don't you worry your pretty little head over what the switches are like. Just accept that. We know what we're doing." Well, for this kind of money I'd prefer to feel all warm and cuddly when I climbed aboard in the morning. I want to be impressed by the interior, not vaguely disappointed by it.I would also like to think that I had bought a car which was appreciably safer than a Daihatsu Terios, but according to test results issued in February 2008 by Euro NCAP this would not necessarily be the case. Euro NCAP gave both cars four stars out of five for adult occupant protection, penalising the BMW heavily because a rear door opened during one test. The X3 was greatly superior for child occupant protection but hopeless for pedestrian protection, gaining just one star from a possible four. To repeat, it costs around £40,000. Think about that.When I grow up I think I'd like to have a BMW of my own. But it won't be this one. Engine 2993 cc, 6 cylinders Power 286 bhp @4400 rpm Torque 428 ib/ft @1750 rpm Transmission 6 speed semi-auto Fuel/CO2 36.2 mpg / 208 g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 6.4sec Top speed 149 mph Price From £39321.00 approx Release date 01/09/2008
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