Schomp BMW

At Schomp BMW, our Client Advisors guide our customers through the entire sales process. Our ultimate goal is to provide a seamless sales process to put you at ease, and allows you to focus on the important things ? like picking out the right new car.

Safety

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

 

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

 

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

 

Warranty

 

The X3's corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX Series' (12 vs. 6 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. Lexus doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the RX Series.

 

There are over 77 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the X3's warranty.

 

Engine

 

The X3 xDrive35i's standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 5 more horsepower (300 vs. 295) than the RX 450h's standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

 

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 xDrive35i is faster than the RX 450h:

	X3	RX Series
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.2 MPH	92.6 MPH

 

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 RX Series:

	Torque
X3 xDrive28i 3.0 DOHC 6 cyl.	2750 RPM
X3 xDrive35i 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.	1200 RPM
RX 350 3.5 DOHC V6	4700 RPM

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the X3 xDrive28i gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

 

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3's fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX Series Hybrid.

 

Transmission

 

An 8-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 6-speed automatic is available for the RX Series.

 

Brakes and Stopping

 

The X3's standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RX Series are solid, not vented.

 

The X3 stops much shorter than the RX Series:

	X3	RX Series
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend

 

Tires and Wheels

 

For better traction, the X3 has larger tires than the RX Series (245/55R17 vs. 235/60R18).

 

 

Suspension and Handling

 

The X3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The RX Series' suspension doesn't offer adjustable shock absorbers.

 

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3's wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the RX Series (110.6 inches vs. 107.9 inches).

 

The X3's front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.9% to 50.1%) than the RX Series' (56.8% to 43.2%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

 

The X3 xDrive35i handles at .87 G's, while the RX 450h AWD pulls only .74 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

 

 

For better maneuverability, the X3's turning circle is tighter than the RX Series' (38.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

 

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 450h (8.5 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3's minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the RX 350 (8.5 vs. 7.3 inches).

 

Chassis

 

The X3 is 4.8 inches shorter than the RX Series, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

Passenger Space

 

The X3 has 1.6 inches more front headroom and 1.4 inches more rear headroom than the RX Series.

 

Servicing Ease

 

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX Series. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

 

Ergonomics

 

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 RX Series' standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

 

Both the X3 and the RX Series 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 RX Series.