Buying an X3

Ballistic325 · 02-24-2013, 06:28 PM

Hey guys

So... The missus wants an X3 and has found a low mileage early model that she likes. Looks like the base model with PDC and spots steering wheel and not much else in the way of options. This will replace the RAV4 that she currently drives.

Anyone have experience with these? Any pointers on what to look out for?

As I understand it, the X3 is basically an E46 jacked up on higher suspension.

Feedback and experiences appreciated.

Cheers

B

SCE46 · 02-25-2013, 03:15 AM

I bought one for the wife a few weeks back, 2009 MY10 lifestyle with exclusive pack and innovations pro pack. Haven't had it long enough to give any practical advice sorry. I'm surprised by the low down torque when driving around town of the 2l turbo diesel though!

Ballistic325 · 02-25-2013, 04:42 PM

Yeah the turbo diesel is fantastic - we have a 118d vert in the family and the torque is superb.

Congrats on the new purchase! Hope is goes well for you and the wife.

The deciding factor for us was that she has wanted an X3 since first seeing them and also driving my car. That, plus the fact that the RAV has to go as she has difficulty driving a manual because of injury. The one we saw is a 2.5i which has the same M54 engine as the E46 and it looks like it shares a lot of componentry so it should be easy to work on.

trive2 · 02-26-2013, 02:35 AM

Drives amazing, but the quality is horrid. If you can get over that, go for it.

I couldn't.

Ballistic325 · 02-26-2013, 03:16 PM

Quite happy with the drive and dynamics, and most importantly the missus finds it easy to drive and maneouvre. You'er right about some aspects of the build - door cards seem plasticy and could be better built, and some trim appears that it could show signs of wear very easily.

That said, and without knowing its off-the-bitumen capability it is definitely better than the RAV4 being replaced.

CortinaD · 02-26-2013, 08:51 PM

Even if it was a piece of ****, if the misses wants it buy it. happy wife, happy life.

YGOAMG · 02-26-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CortinaD

Even if it was a piece of ****, if the misses wants it buy it. happy wife, happy life.

lol

Ballistic325 · 02-27-2013, 01:18 AM

Dwayne. Absolutely correct.

I was leaning towards a Forester knowing that she wanted an X3. After she drove the X3 I went on carsales and deleted all the saved cars I had. It was a foregone conclusion.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Bimmer App

MSportBMW · 02-27-2013, 01:38 AM

My cousin owns one with the 2.5L M54. He has no complaints that I'm aware of. I suppose just keep up with the maintenance and it should be fine. Shouldnt be that hard coming from an M54 background

Ballistic325 · 02-27-2013, 09:04 PM

^ yeah exactly what I was thinking. Knowing the potential issues with an M54 base and having a lot of resources such as this site makes a big difference.

The car only has 63K km and seems well kept, so I t anticipate no issues.

Loving your car btw. Did you finally go the SC route or drop in a S54?

BrisM3 · 02-27-2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CortinaD

Even if it was a piece of ****, if the misses wants it buy it. happy wife, happy life.

Truer words were never said.

MSportBMW · 02-28-2013, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

^ yeah exactly what I was thinking. Knowing the potential issues with an M54 base and having a lot of resources such as this site makes a big difference.

The car only has 63K km and seems well kept, so I t anticipate no issues.

Loving your car btw. Did you finally go the SC route or drop in a S54?

Thanks, I'm running the ESS TS2 kit atm

I am keen however to get into an E92 M3 in the near future

Sherweeeny · 03-01-2013, 07:35 PM

ali are you talking about the first x3? if so, 2.0d with m kit and multispokes are effing gorgeous and can probably be had for not too much now!

02-24-2013, 06:28 PM	#1
Ballistic325 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,088 My Ride: slow and steady View My Garage	Buying an X3 Hey guys So... The missus wants an X3 and has found a low mileage early model that she likes. Looks like the base model with PDC and spots steering wheel and not much else in the way of options. This will replace the RAV4 that she currently drives. Anyone have experience with these? Any pointers on what to look out for? As I understand it, the X3 is basically an E46 jacked up on higher suspension. Feedback and experiences appreciated. Cheers B __________________ I can help with * Reading Codes / Coding your car * R&R FCAs, Tie Rods, Sway links.... * RTABs Need an RTAB tool? Or clutch fan and water pump tools? PM me.

02-25-2013, 03:15 AM	#2
SCE46 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 257 My Ride: AA SC E46 View My Garage	I bought one for the wife a few weeks back, 2009 MY10 lifestyle with exclusive pack and innovations pro pack. Haven't had it long enough to give any practical advice sorry. I'm surprised by the low down torque when driving around town of the 2l turbo diesel though! __________________

02-25-2013, 04:42 PM	#3
Ballistic325 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,088 My Ride: slow and steady View My Garage	Yeah the turbo diesel is fantastic - we have a 118d vert in the family and the torque is superb. Congrats on the new purchase! Hope is goes well for you and the wife. The deciding factor for us was that she has wanted an X3 since first seeing them and also driving my car. That, plus the fact that the RAV has to go as she has difficulty driving a manual because of injury. The one we saw is a 2.5i which has the same M54 engine as the E46 and it looks like it shares a lot of componentry so it should be easy to work on. __________________ I can help with * Reading Codes / Coding your car * R&R FCAs, Tie Rods, Sway links.... * RTABs Need an RTAB tool? Or clutch fan and water pump tools? PM me.

02-26-2013, 02:35 AM	#4
trive2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 976 My Ride: 1989 BMW 535i View My Garage	Drives amazing, but the quality is horrid. If you can get over that, go for it. I couldn't. __________________ Last edited by trive2; 02-26-2013 at 02:35 AM.

02-26-2013, 03:16 PM	#5
Ballistic325 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,088 My Ride: slow and steady View My Garage	Quite happy with the drive and dynamics, and most importantly the missus finds it easy to drive and maneouvre. You'er right about some aspects of the build - door cards seem plasticy and could be better built, and some trim appears that it could show signs of wear very easily. That said, and without knowing its off-the-bitumen capability it is definitely better than the RAV4 being replaced. __________________ I can help with * Reading Codes / Coding your car * R&R FCAs, Tie Rods, Sway links.... * RTABs Need an RTAB tool? Or clutch fan and water pump tools? PM me.

02-26-2013, 08:51 PM	#6
CortinaD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 9,721 My Ride: subsidised by M3_DU View My Garage	Even if it was a piece of ***, if the misses wants it buy it. happy wife, happy life. Last edited by CortinaD; 02-26-2013 at 08:51 PM.*

02-27-2013, 01:18 AM	#8
Ballistic325 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,088 My Ride: slow and steady View My Garage	Dwayne. Absolutely correct. I was leaning towards a Forester knowing that she wanted an X3. After she drove the X3 I went on carsales and deleted all the saved cars I had. It was a foregone conclusion. Sent from my GT-I9100 using Bimmer App __________________ I can help with * Reading Codes / Coding your car * R&R FCAs, Tie Rods, Sway links.... * RTABs Need an RTAB tool? Or clutch fan and water pump tools? PM me.

02-27-2013, 01:38 AM	#9
MSportBMW Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 555 My Ride: TS2 E46R, EVO8 MR View My Garage	My cousin owns one with the 2.5L M54. He has no complaints that I'm aware of. I suppose just keep up with the maintenance and it should be fine. Shouldnt be that hard coming from an M54 background __________________

02-27-2013, 09:04 PM	#10
Ballistic325 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,088 My Ride: slow and steady View My Garage	^ yeah exactly what I was thinking. Knowing the potential issues with an M54 base and having a lot of resources such as this site makes a big difference. The car only has 63K km and seems well kept, so I t anticipate no issues. Loving your car btw. Did you finally go the SC route or drop in a S54? __________________ I can help with * Reading Codes / Coding your car * R&R FCAs, Tie Rods, Sway links.... * RTABs Need an RTAB tool? Or clutch fan and water pump tools? PM me.

03-01-2013, 07:35 PM	#13
Sherweeeny Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 4,463 My Ride: BMW Civic View My Garage	ali are you talking about the first x3? if so, 2.0d with m kit and multispokes are effing gorgeous and can probably be had for not too much now! __________________

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