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Victoria's BMW Cars
BMW X5 and X3The BMW X5 is a midsize crossover SUV, introduced on 1999. It featured all-wheel drive and the buyer had the option of manual or automatic transmission. As of 2006, only automatic transmission is available. BMW advertises the X5 as an SAV (sports activity vehicle) as opposed to an SUV, to discourage buyers from looking at the vehicle as a work vehicle. The 2009 BMW X5 received the 2009 Best Resale Value Award in the luxury crossover category from Kelley Blue Book. In 2004, Medical Economics named the BMW X5 as the SUV to retain the highest resale value in its class. Over time, the X5 has proven to be an excellent investment, whether bought new or used. Because of product quality, a second hand BMW X5, which has been properly maintained, will prove a sound investment. The BMW X3 is a compact crossover SUV,. The prototype was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. The X3 did not immediately gain favor as have its counterparts. Critics cited its harsh ride, lack of luxury amenities, and vinyl upholstery in their complaints about this particular BMW. The manufacturer went to work to fix the problems and upgrade certain features. The X3 won Car of the Year Best New Sport Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2005, proving that BMW had had some success in improving the vehicle. Both the X5 and the X3 are powered by xDrive, which reacts to wheel slippage to gain control of the vehicle and regain traction. This safety feature is used now on all of BMW's 4-Wheel drive vehicles. The system is exclusively a BMW feature, and adds to the lifelong quality of the vehicle. Despite negative reactions to the X3 and slow sales overall, BMW has apparently ironed out most of the issues. In 2009, CNN Money.com named the BMW X3 to their list of safest cars. Resale values are lower for the X3 than they are for the X5. The reason for this is likely that if both the X3 and the X5 are available, the buyer will choose the X5. Thus, the demand for used BMW X3 is simply lower than that of the X5. |