- AC Schnitzer sharpens the new X3 with aggressive aero parts and a sportier stance.
- Interior updates are minimal, with just an aluminum footrest and custom keyholder.
- No engine upgrades yet, but performance software could follow in later updates.
BMW’s fourth-generation X3 might not have birthed a true high-performance M variant just yet, but that hasn’t kept AC Schnitzer from stepping in to make the luxury SUV a little bit more impressive. The seasoned BMW tuning outfit has given the latest X3 a thoughtful visual update, dialing up the styling in ways that are subtle in parts and confidently aggressive in others.
The changes begin up front. While AC Schnitzer hasn’t gone as far as replacing the oversized kidney grilles that have become a fixture of BMW’s recent design language, it has managed to clean up the X3’s overall look with a new front splitter and more pronounced side skirts. There’s also a rear wing perched on the roof that stretches outward with just enough drama to grab attention without looking cartoonish.
Read: AC Schnitzer Gives The Mini Cooper S The Exhausts It Deserves
AC Schnitzer also offers no less than 9 different wheel options for the X3, including 19-, 21-, and 22-inch options. Shoppers looking to make their car stand out can opt for 10 mm (0.4-inch) wheel spacers at all four corners, ensuring the new wheels sit nicely within the arches. Complementing the new wheels are dedicated lowering springs for the 20 xDrive, 20d xDrive, 40d xDrive, and M50 xDrive models, dropping the ride height by 25 mm (1 inch) at all four corners.
Inside, the upgrades are more restrained. The only notable changes are a new aluminum footrest and a redesigned keyholder. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Given that the new X3 hasn’t been on the road long, it’s likely that more cabin and performance tweaks will roll out later. For now, no engine tuning or software upgrades have been announced.
The upgrades on offer aren’t exactly cheap. . The lowering springs will set you back up to €539 ($632). If you want the full wheel and tire package, expect to pay as much as €5,590 ($6,555). The new front splitter alone costs €1,790 ($2,099), with the side skirts at €790 ($926), and the rear wing at €519 ($608). AC Schnitzer isn’t reinventing the X3 here, but it’s offering enough to make it stand out from the crowd, albeit at a price.
