By CAR - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Alpina-BMW-XD3-2014-CAR-review/

07 January 2014 15:00

This bling-tastic-looking Beemer is in fact the Alpina XD3. This is a little slice of history for Alpina: the first time they've sold a tuned, toned version of one of BMW's wildly successful 'X' SUV models.

So, is the XD3 any good? Could it even be the performance SUV dark horse, swiping attention from under the nose of the new Porsche Macan? Read on for the CAR review.

What's the point of Alpina building a hot rod diesel X3?

'It is intended for customers seeking the fastest diesel SUV available today', says Alpina of the XD3. Talk about niche! What next – a car aimed at people called Brian Simpkins?

But Alpina, which is the king of BMW fettlers, cares not. It has never courted volume. It’s not about ‘should we?’ but ‘can we?’ The question here was ‘can we make the X3 into a full-bore performance car?’ And the answer was yes. We can.

So, is it a fast car?

The XD3 is at once startlingly quick. From the X3 35d’s twin-turbo straight-six they’ve wrung an extra 37bhp (making 350) and 50lb ft of torque (for a whopping 516), and the latter makes the mid-range delivery borderline scary.

A whole second has been melted from the 0-62mph time, allowing you to arrive at the horizon 4.9sec after departure, and if you stay pinned you’ll see a rumoured 158mph, which is 9mph up on boggo. Exactly what you need from an upright school run chariot, naturally.

How has Alpina made this humdrum X3 perform like a madman?

Much of the extra urge is to do with improved airflow through the turbos, achieved via enlarged intake ducts, and a bigger intercooler with redesigned inlets and outlets.

The tweakers have also been at work on the eight-speed auto ’box, adding fresh hardware and a reworked torque converter to cope with that 516lb ft, and dusting the software for faster shifts and higher change-up points.

Sounds worryingly good so far...

Terrific, but can this lurchy four-wheel-drive chassis handle it? Alpina notes the ‘contradictory demands’ of comfort vs sporty handling, and nods to the latter with new electronic dampers and signature multi-spoked 20in wheels, while largely ignoring the former. Result: cattle-grid ride quality. Ouch.

Verdict

To avoid further doubt, there’s the least subtle execution yet of Alpina badges and stripes, plus cabin stitching Liberace might have baulked at.

So while it’s high quality kit, this XD3 is neither the best of X3 nor the best of Alpina. For the life of us, we can't see the point, despite its extraordinary performance.


Bimmerpost gallery:

So basically, it's crap? :-)

bimmer*

As far as ride quality goes, I wouldn't doubt its HORRIBLE given that tire sidewall height. Those look like 245/35/20…… may as well use a rubber band. HOW BOUT a 255/40/20!?! THAT would probably be an epic win. Either way, I don't work at Alpina so WTFDIK

sahajesh wrote

So basically, it's crap? :-)

It may well be pointless and stupid (personally not a fan of either SUVs or diesels) but I find it a lot more desirable than this new ActiveTourist2er or whatever it's called...and the rest of this new FWD rubbish

Completely agree - I am making a move from FWD hatchbacks of many years to RWD 3 series and I'm more than happy with this.

I can see why they would make the switch to FWD, but it will alienate some of their customers, which they will have factored into their decision process.

looks amazing but I can see why it rides horrible looking at the profile of the tires. Wonder if they use Akra exhaust on these too.

The point is it caters to those who want something that is sporting, utilitarian and exclusive. It's seriously not that hard to understand. If you understand the point of an X5M, then you should be able to understand this - the Alpina X3D is like a smaller, diesel version.

Is that Deep Sea Blue or a custom Alpina color? Looks unbelievable under those lights.

Why wouldn't anybody not want this?

What a vehicle!

These cars cater to those who have had everything in the segment and yet they desire something different within the segment. Basically every M car

I love it

This is a very dangerous vehicle! Those that did not take physics classes and buy this vehicle are dancing with death! I would propose mandatory driving classes before purchase. The same applies to all stupendously overpowered suvs.

I'd take it

With the upcoming LCI X3, are there any plans for a more performance-oriented trim level? Now with the Macan, SQ5, and GLA45-AMG, isn't it time for BMW to get in the mix?!?!?

Anodite10 wrote  

Why wouldn't anybody not want this?

What a vehicle!

+1

This is a harsh review others have been far more positive. Recently one magazine predicted this will be a future classic.

Gimme gimme cause that I want

I am looking at it and trying to figure out whats so bad about it? It looks great, boasts awesome performance. Just swap out the wheel/tire setup with something more ideal and that shit is legit. I love it, clearly only a few feel this way. Really loving the X1, and the X3 even more than the new X5. I like this

Edit: I keep looking at this thing and cant help but think how perfect it would be for terrorizing the streets of NYC once some fat tires are on there

not coming ot the US, no care

"It may well be pointless and stupid (personally not a fan of either SUVs or diesels)"
Then why do you bother to post on an SUV/SAV forum?

DonC wrote  

"It may well be pointless and stupid (personally not a fan of either SUVs or diesels)"
Then why do you bother to post on an SUV/SAV forum?

...landed on the front page of bimmerpost... I may be an asshat but I don't go looking for things to criticise. The things find me

Trust me I WOULD buy it, i have a 335d pumping out 312 whp and around over 450 lbs/tq whp. Now, those wheels even though awesome i would change the profile SPECIALLY here in Puerto Rico with the roads we have here DEFINITELY they have to go a MINUS size and larger height on tires. Besides that Im sold!!

Completely different (and much more positive) opinion here by Autocar UK and Auto Express:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/alpina/xd3

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpina/xd3

And it kills the Audi SQ5 too:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpina/xd3/66206/alpina-xd3-bi-turbo-vs-audi-sq5

I have one!!

It is a fantastic piece of kit, a few dislikes but they would also apply to the standard X3.

The ride is harder, but not too harsh, compared to my previous D3 Bi-Turbo, that would bottom too easily when I had four or five in the car.
The grip is beyond belief, suspension has been fettled by Alpina along with the gearbox, it has an Alpina loom, runs on standard tyres although a lower profile,larger air intakes, in fact it has a bundle of other things done to it over and above a standard X3.

All the pictures shown are from Alpina stock, now I think if they had driven it they would have taken pictures of their own. This review is the dogs, poor journalism!!
Piston Heads gave it a crap review also.........but look at how many other mags have given it four or five stars! One even saying, in their opinion it is a future classic.
Knocks spots off an Audi SQ5, according to another.
I think this is a case of 'Let's knock it for knocking sake'......being controversial will sell our mag....especially as so many other mags have said how good it is.

It goes like stink and yet returns a decent mpg.
It will embarrass many a 'performance' car.

Some Alpina aficionados object to it.....but others love it.

Don't knock it until you have tried it......all of next years supply have sold out!!
I wonder why!

NO in fact I know why!!

But I would be willing to bet you 'knockers' don't!