During yesterday’s advance screening of Spider-Man: Brand New Day (no spoilers, don’t worry), BMW Group Malaysia announced it will finally launch the new iX3 next week, August 6. The first of the Neue Klasse range of EVs was revealed to the world ten months ago, ushering a massive overhaul for the design language, interior tech and powertrain.
The iX3 should arrive in long-wheelbase form, the iX3 L, as has already been confirmed. This would enable BMW to take advantage of preferential tax rates on Chinese-built EVs, as the stretched model is made in Shenyang instead of Debrecen, Hungary for the regular iX3.
As such, our iX3 should have a 108 mm longer wheelbase at 3,005 mm, extending overall length to 4,890 mm. Also included on the LWB model are pull-up door handles, a unique monochrome colour scheme that extends to the steering wheel, dashboard and even the centre console, thicker seats with longer bases and a built-in front passenger leg rest, and rear seats that can recline up to 121 degrees.
Beyond that, the iX3 L is like any other iX3, still featuring a slim double-kidney grille reminiscent of the original Neue Klasse models from the 1960s. Inside, you get BMW’s latest Panoramic iDrive display layout, consisting of a 17.9-inch floating infotainment touchscreen and the pièce de résistance – a Panoramic Vision projection instrument display that stretches from pillar to pillar.
The iX3 will likely be offered in range-topping (for now) 50L xDrive trim, equipped with dual motors that produce 469 PS (345 kW) and 645 Nm. A large 108.7 kWh NMC battery delivers a range of over 900 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle; expect around 750 km on the more realistic WLTP cycle. For reference, the standard iX3 50 has a WLTP range of up to 805 km.
Thanks to the Neue Klasse’s 800-volt electrical architecture, the car also supports up to 400 kW of DC fast charging, enabling it to be topped up from 10 to 80% in just 21 minutes. Are you excited for the new BMW iX3? Let us know in the comments.
BMW iX3
from RM378,800 
BMW M3 Touring
from RM898,800 
BMW iX1 L
from RM252,800 
BMW iX
from RM425,800 
BMW X3
from RM325,800 
BMW M5
from RM1,200,800 
BMW M4 Coupe
from RM878,800 
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
from RM173,800 
BMW 3 Series
from RM267,800 
No mention of price eh?, translation we gonna suck you dry to own it. Meanwhile in the UK its actually cheaper than the outgoing iX3.
Basically it is an China car wearing German badge. So how’s that Bangsa G?
Your move, Mercedes.
Yah, probably cost a and top up subscriptions… maybe I’m too poor
German branded lapsap made in china
What stupid price will this be??
Anyone thinking of buying should seriously examine BMW specification especially on the electric motor?
As a BMW iX3 fully electric vehicle user for 2 years, I would recommend against buying.
My BMW iX3 broken down in less 28,000 km and required major electric motor repair. My car was in the workshop 2 times and a total of more than 4 weeks to complete the electric motor repair.
After repair, my car is noisy and is no different from an ICE car.
Despite the fact that my car is still unfer warranty. The repair did not come easy as you would expect from a premium car which is still under warranty.
BMW did not replace the faulty electric motor but has chosen the easy way out by cleaning and servicing worn out parts.
It was not until months debating with BMW in consumer tribunal that the court ordered BMW to replace the faulty electric motor.
Part 2
BMW is not in business to build electric motor unlike Tesla which build fully electric vehicle supply chain including electric motor.
I would encourage you to compare electric motor specification between BMW iX3 and Tesla model 3/model Y.
You will quickly understand why my car broke down in less than 28,000 km.
You may email me with your questions, I would be glad to share my experience with you.
To matter worse, the BMW workshop and technical personnel lack expertise in setving fully electric. Little surprise that I spend months in Penang Tribunal Court to drive home the point that the electric motor deployed in BMW iX3 is designed vastly differently and far inferior as compared with Tesla model 3/Y.
Part 3
BMW iX3 is very heavy as compared with the lighter BMW ICE vehicle.
The mechanical roburstness of suspension, rubber seal and linkage have not been improved to accomodate extra weight of BMW iX3 battery and electric motor.
My BMW iX3 suspension, rubber and likages were compromised and had to be replaced.
Look into these details. You will quickky understand why I am against BMW iX3.
I am wondering, why should I undersrand the motor and suspension specifications. The premium brand should take care of my worry and enjoy the ride only.
Part 4
After months of Tribunal proceedings, BMW agreed to replace the faulty electric motor reluctantly.
BMW didn’t quite happy about complaint about the vastly different and inferior electric motor. BMW lamented that I should have studied the BMW iX3 specification before buying. He proceeded to tell me why did I complaint about the car after deciding to buy. He challenged me and said ” don’t buy if you don’t like the car”.
I paid a lot to buy this premium car for quality, reliability and high perforlance. Why should the paying customer be burden with all the nitty gritty of car construction and electric motor?
Part 5
Do not buy BMW iX3. My BMW iX3 uses Bridgestone tyres. The tyres worn out so fast because the car is vry heavy. In less than 28,000 km, the tyres were condemned.
These are obsolete tyres and no shops in Penang carry them and there is no replacement tyre from Bridgestone or other brands either..
Part 6
I would advise against buying BMW iX3. The software is unstable on my BMW iX3. The over-the-air (OTA) is not working and is a cumbersome procesd. First In receive OTA notice on my mobile. Next, I’m required to invoke similar OTA update on my vehicle. I was struggling to locate the right command and click. I am forced to send the car to the workshop.
Next the Android Auto connection is unreliable. The connection were broken numerousvtime for no apparent reasons at all. The reconnection is not intuitive and takes trial and error.
What an unpleasant user experience.
Part 7
I strongly advise not to buy BMW iX3. Don’t ever think about it. Why pay so much for a premium car that burden you with all the problems listed from Part 1 to 7.
My BMW iX3 promises 462km on a full charge, the actual range is only 300km no matter how careful I drive, below 100kph, city driving, high regenerative, carry one passenger, no heavy cargo and avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration. Nothing helps, BMW iX3 is not efficient all.
The issue is not spending money on charging but is a question of range anxiety. It decimates the joy of driving inter-states and I am constantly watching power level, look out for the next available charging station along the express way. What a mental torture.
Why BMX iX3 is inefficient?
BMW is new to electric drive train, the decades of moat created around ICE did not seems to have relevancy in electric drive train design.
My BMW iX3 is using archaic eletric motor than relies on mechzkical carbon brushes and slip rings. These are 19th century design that is prone to wear and tear.
The electric motor is very heavy. The BMW workshop mechanics told me a special lifter is required. My BMX iX3 waited out in open space exposing to direct sun and heavy rain for the special lift. Obviously, BMW is not prepared to service EV’s, my BMW iX3 which is unreliable and has to in the workshop more odten competing for limited resources.
Next my BMW iX3 is noisy. Whining sound and buzzing sound are intolerable. Sound is a form of energy genetated by lechanical rubbing and electronlagnetic harmonics.
Little wonder why the practical range is so low, the battery power is wasted caused by undesirable noise.