No more 2.5i?
 

I was just at the BMWUSA website and I noticed that the X3 now only comes in 3.0i form... When did that happen?

The 2005 was the last year for the 2.5i. Starting with model year 2006 there is only the 3.0i

I don't see why they did that. Here in Canada, where most X3 drivers can only afford the 2.5i, if you see a 3.0i, it's a rare site.

They should've stuffed both new engines in the X3 and continue selling. The 2.5i sells like a beast here.

Besides who wouldn't want a same-priced 2.5i which would then perform like the old 3.0i?

I'm curious to drive a new 3.0i against my 4.4i. I think the 2002 X5 4.4i managed an 8-second run to 100km/h, so this 3.0i should feel peppy!

And in Belgium the 2.0i,2.5i,and the3.0i!

Apparently there are about 10 different X3 models available in Europe, from what I've gleaned elsewhere, so I would be very surprised if they drop the 2.5 in Canada just because they've decided to do so in the U.S. Americans always want things bigger, glitzier, and more powerful (a la Tim Taylor), whereas Canadians tend to go for refinement, functionality, and are more rational thinking (my observations come as an American who lives in Canada :D ). My dealer told me the 2.5 is by far their hottest seller (best combination of performance and economy) so I very much doubt they will drop it in the Canadian market (but who knows?). The trim levels are completely different between the U.S. and Canada anyway (the 2.5 is more loaded up in Canada whereas it's a stripper in the U.S.), so the two markets obviously aren't bound at the hip.

Just my .02. I'll have to call my dealer today and see if he can tell me anything.

Maybe I should move to Canada. When I ordered a loaded 2.5, my US dealer thought I was crazy -- or maybe the word is un-American!

This just in to me via phone from BMW.

The X3 2.5 will continue on unchanged in 2006, in Canada, with the exception of revised panels and bumper painted to match the body. The engine will be the same 184 hp unit as 2005.

That's pretty much the news I was expecting to hear. They weren't about to drop their biggest seller, despite what is happening in the U.S. Smart (lucky) decision in light of the recent increases in fuel prices.