In a full-fledged SUV, a high-torque turbo diesel still makes a lot of sense. Also in terms of consumption and everyday costs?
"The narrow gap to the Audi shows: apart from the price, you really can't fault the X3 for anything. However, it doesn't exude that special BMW feeling like it used to." In the comparison test of three mid-range diesel SUVs , the Munich-based two-liter turbodiesel is just at a disadvantage, but still gets a lot of praise from author Michael Harnischfeger. Maybe also because of consumption and everyday costs?
Our test consumption
Unfortunately, the drinking habits are not as reserved as promised. The WLTP standard consumption of 5.9 liters becomes 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers in the test. The fuel costs for this route are thus settled at 10.10 euros. The fact that the X3 X-Drive 20d xLine can also do things differently is proven on the Eco lap: A consumption of just 5.8 liters reduces the value of the diesel tank to 7.71 euros. Sports drivers, on the other hand, find the other end of the spectrum: The BMW then consumes 9.7 liters, which means that the fuel costs for 100 kilometers rise to 12.89 euros. The fuel costs are calculated using the daily updated fuel price on our partner portal mehr-tanken.de (08/12/2021 /diesel: 1.329 euros/litre).
Monthly maintenance costs
For the BMW X3 X-Drive 20d XLine, a vehicle tax of 319 euros is incurred year after year. Liability insurance for the same period is 428 euros, while 164 euros are to be planned for the partially comprehensive upgrade and 663 euros for a fully comprehensive upgrade. In total, monthly maintenance costs of 287 euros for X3 owners who drive 15,000 kilometers a year. If the SUV is used twice as much, the value increases to 504 euros. However, we do not take account of the loss in value in this calculation.
How to test
The auto motor und sport test consumption consists of three differently weighted consumption drives. So-called “commuter consumption” accounts for 70 percent. This is a journey from home to work, which averages 21 kilometers. A particularly economical, approx. 275-kilometre-long eco-lap is included in the rating with 15 percent. The remaining 15 percent is accounted for by the sports driver lap. The length is roughly the same as the eco lap, but the route includes a larger proportion of motorway and thus higher speeds on average. The basis for calculating the fuel costs is always the price quoted on the "more tanken" portal on the day the article was created.
The monthly maintenance costs include maintenance, wear part costs and vehicle taxes assuming an annual mileage of 15,000 and 30,000 kilometers without loss of value. The calculation is based on the test consumption, a three-year holding period, no-claims class SF12 for liability and comprehensive insurance with Allianz, including discounts for garage parkers and the restriction to certain drivers (not under 21). At Allianz, SF12 offers a discount rate of 34 percent for liability and 28 percent for comprehensive insurance.
Conclusion
The BMW X3 xDrive 20d xLine with 190 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel costs at least 54,800 euros and consumes an average of 7.6 liters, which means fuel costs of 10.10 euros per 100 kilometers. The monthly maintenance costs are 287 euros for an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers. If this increases to 30,000 kilometers, the sum increases to 504 euros.
