Schomp BMW

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Safety

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All Wheel Drive is standard on the X3. But it costs extra on the FX.

 

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3's standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The FX doesn't offer Hill Descent Control.

 

The BMW X3 has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The FX doesn't offer Daytime Running Lights.

 

Compared to metal, the X3's plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Infiniti FX has a metal gas tank.

 

The X3 offers optional BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it's stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The FX doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

 

Both the X3 and the FX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

Warranty

 

The X3's corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the FX's (12 vs. 7 years).

 

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Infiniti doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the FX.

 

There are over 2 times as many BMW dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the X3's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X3 has a standard 210 amp alternator. The FX's 150 amp alternator isn't as powerful.

 

Engine

 

The X3 xDrive35i's standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (300 vs. 262) than the FX35's standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 xDrive35i is faster than the FX50:

	X3	FX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	14.1 sec

 

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the X3's engines produce their peak torque at lower RPM's than the FX:

	Torque
X3 xDrive28i 3.0 DOHC 6 cyl.	2750 RPM
X3 xDrive35i 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.	1200 RPM
FX35 3.5 DOHC V6	4800 RPM
FX50 5.0 DOHC V8	4400 RPM

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better fuel mileage than the FX:

		X3	FX
2WD	6 cyl./Auto	n/a	16 city/23 hwy
4WD	6 cyl./Auto	19 city/25 hwy	16 city/21 hwy
	Turbo 6 cyl./Auto	19 city/26 hwy	14 city/20 hwy	V8

 

Regenerative brakes improve the X3's fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The FX doesn't offer a regenerative braking system.

 

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW X3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The FX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

 

Transmission

 

An 8-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 7-speed automatic is available for the FX.

 

Brakes and Stopping

 

For better stopping power the X3's standard brake rotors are larger than those on the FX:

	X3	FX
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.9 inches	12.1 inches

 

The X3 stops much shorter than the FX:

	X3	FX
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

 

Tires and Wheels

 

The X3 xDrive28i's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the FX35's standard 60 series tires.

 

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The FX doesn't offer run-flat tires.

 

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 1.14 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the FX (8.5 vs. 7.36 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

 

Chassis

 

The X3 is 8.3 inches shorter than the FX, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

For excellent aerodynamics, the X3 has standard flush composite headlights. The FX has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

 

Passenger Space

 

The X3 has 1.4 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the FX.

 

Ergonomics

 

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The FX doesn't offer a heads-up display.

 

The power windows standard on both the X3 and the FX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The FX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

 

The X3's front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The FX's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

 

The X3's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The FX's standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can't turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

 

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The X3 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The FX doesn't offer headlight washers.

 

The X3's standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The FX's standard power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

 

The X3 offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The FX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

 

Both the X3 and the FX offer optional heated front seats. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the FX.