BMW X3 - BMW X3

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Tue 31 Oct 2023 21:52
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - killie77
Hi
I’m thinking of changing my Car, I currently have an Astra GTC 2.litre auto.
So I’ve been looking around for a private Sale up her in Glasgow. a BMW X3 caught my eye.
It’s a 2012 3.0 litre X3 with lots of Service and receipts etc. Going to have a look at it tomorrow.
There is Similar BMX 3 down in Watford 2012 2.0 litre.
I’m wondering between the 2.0 and the 3.0 litre which would be best to go for.
Don’t do a lot of miles.I guess the 3.0 litre would be more to Tax and insure ?
Any advice on the X3. My stepson tells me I should go for the X5. But I like the look of the X3.
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Tue 31 Oct 2023 22:20
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - FoxyJukebox
If it was me I’d draw up and add to your budget
Annual Service
Insurance
Brakes pads and discs
4 new tyres
I’m guessing £2500
Does this help your decision making?
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Tue 31 Oct 2023 23:51
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - killie77
Thanks for the reply.
Pads and Discs I can fit myself. Same goes for basic servicing.
I’ll be checking condition and make of tyres tomorrow. Any excessive wear, I will negotiate for in the price.
I know the Road Tax is £240 a year. Will do a check on insurance tomorrow.
If nothing else it will be a day out weather permitting ??
I’m still thinking about the 3.0 litre verse the 2.0 litre. One being more expensive on Road Tax and possibly insurance.
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Wed 1 Nov 2023 07:40
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - badbusdriver
Thanks for the reply. Pads and Discs I can fit myself. Same goes for basic servicing. I’ll be checking condition and make of tyres tomorrow. Any excessive wear, I will negotiate for in the price. I know the Road Tax is £240 a year. Will do a check on insurance tomorrow. If nothing else it will be a day out weather permitting ?? I’m still thinking about the 3.0 litre verse the 2.0 litre. One being more expensive on Road Tax and possibly insurance.

If you really must have one, given you don't do many miles, the 3.0 is definitely the one to go for between the two, as it is less likely to give you grief, mechanically at least.

Though to be clear, my reliability expectations would not be very high with either.

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 07:54
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - skidpan

Sale up her in Glasgow. a BMW X3 caught my eye.
It’s a 2012 3.0 litre X3 with lots of Service and receipts etc. Going to have a look at it tomorrow.
There is Similar BMX 3 down in Watford 2012 2.0 litre

There must be about 400 miles between Glasgow and Watford, that's a big distance. Even if you live midway its crazy driving 200 miles to view a 11 year old car that is rapidly approaching banger territory.

You are without doubt buying into a world of expense.

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 11:29
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - madf

Get an insurance quote from any of the online people.

Sit down when you get it.

I know someone with a 3l.0D. 25mpg.

If you can afford annual bills of £2k or more, then you'll be OK.

Edit: I owned a couple of BMWs. And had them as company cars. My son had one - and only one.When worn they tend to be money pits.

German engineering is grossly overrated.

Edited by madf on 01/11/2023 at 11:32

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 12:36
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - killie77

Reading through the replies. Looks like theirs no love for old Beemers ??

but seriously I’ve been having a think on it.Insurance as mentioned plus Road Tax and sundry expenses. I’ve decided to look for something smaller and cheaper to insure.

once again thank you for all the replies

Ian

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 14:25
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - madf

My 1988 BMW 320i was nice. I bought it 3 years old from a BMW dealer.

Drove it to Scotland two weeks later. On the motorway outside Glasgow, I had a red water warning light. Turns out the top heater hose had detached and was spraying water everywhere. Fortunately I carried a small toolkit, replaced the hose ,tightened up the retaining clip, drove slowly to next services and topped it up with water..

Engine was OK.

Son bought 2004 BMW 318i. First year: two new ignition coils (known fault) and new front brakes. £2k. He sold it and bought a Honda Civic 1.8 which has been 100% reliable and he still has.

As a family we only buy Toyota/Honda now

Edited by madf on 01/11/2023 at 14:26

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 14:56
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - Random

Reading through the replies. Looks like theirs no love for old Beemers ?


No love here for most prestige marques. If there's a forum for the X3 you'd probably be better off going there for owner experiences.

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 18:50
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - SLO76

Reading through the replies. Looks like theirs no love for old Beemers ??

but seriously I’ve been having a think on it.Insurance as mentioned plus Road Tax and sundry expenses. I’ve decided to look for something smaller and cheaper to insure.

once again thank you for all the replies

Ian

Wise. Older BMW’s are a nightmare of constant expense and hassle. If money is much of an issue at all I’d stick with mass market normally aspirated petrol models, preferably of Japanese design. A Mazda 3 or 6 with the 2.0 Skyactiv petrol would both feature high on my shopping list on your assumed budget. Don’t touch the diesel though.
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Thu 2 Nov 2023 08:22
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - De Sisti

Reading through the replies. Looks like theirs no love for old Beemers ??

but seriously I’ve been having a think on it.Insurance as mentioned plus Road Tax and sundry expenses. I’ve decided to look for something smaller and cheaper to insure.

once again thank you for all the replies

Ian

Wise. Older BMW’s are a nightmare of constant expense and hassle. If money is much of an issue at all I’d stick with mass market normally aspirated petrol models, preferably of Japanese design. A Mazda 3 or 6 with the 2.0 Skyactiv petrol would both feature high on my shopping list on your assumed budget. Don’t touch the diesel though.

While I'm no BMW fan-boy, my E46 320d Touring has had lots of TLC during its 20 years on the road and has been very reliable. Oh yes, things have needed replacing, but that could be said for may other marques of motor vehicles.

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Thu 2 Nov 2023 15:06
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - madf

"While I'm no BMW fan-boy, my E46 320d Touring has had lots of TLC during its 20 years on the road and has been very reliable. Oh yes, things have needed replacing, but that could be said for may other marques of motor vehicles."

10 or 20 year old cars receiving "lots of TLC" are rarities, Most 10 year old cars are run into the ground.

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Wed 1 Nov 2023 13:34
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - corax
German engineering is grossly overrated.

I've come to that conclusion.

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Sat 4 Nov 2023 12:53
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - Miniman777

While the OP is talking of a 2012 X3, personally, I'd avoid the 2.0 if it has the N47 engine, with it's timing chain problems.I looked at a 2.0d and thought the engine was quite noisy.

I run a 2017 X3 3.0d with the B57 engine, and it is an absolute dream to drive. Plenty of power, effortless, engine rpm is 1500 at 70mph (8 speed autobox) and with motorway used, mpg is 43-48 depending on my speed.

My first BMW, but it's the best car I've had in 50 years of motoring, and given newer cars are now very much touchscreen controlled (am a button man), there is nothing on the market to replace it other than another X3 a couple of years newer.

I've also driven a 335d and that's a beast too - go for the straight six, wonderful engine, and don't worry about the costs. Plenty of Indies, plenty of parts available,

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Mon 6 Nov 2023 22:49
BMW X3 - BMW X3 - sandy56

I have had my 2016 X3 30D for four years now. Great car ,roomy, comfortable and quiet. Bills are minimal and my MPG is about 38. Not planning on changing it anytime soon.

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