Why do the Canadians get an X3 3.0i with the 215hp, while we here in the US are stuck with ONE model? Although I see BMW is trying to move upmarket in the US, there's no reason to price an X3 even higher and not offer something a bit more comparable to price to it's competition. Americans are willing to pay more for the BMW marque because it drives well, but there's going to be a point when people step back and think with their pocketbook. The vast majority of Americans aren't enthuasists that realize the advantages of the X3 versus oh say, an Acura RDX or an Infiniti FX35, and thus they vote with what matters most to them: their checkbook.

I love recommending BMWs to friends and family. However, when they ask for the base price, I cringe and anticipate their reaction when I say "Thirty eight grand". And some of these people who are interested in the X3 live off teacher salaries. Honestly, 215hp is not lacking power in the X3.

Ok, end of rant.