Mk 1 X3's . thoughts good or bad ?

[mr wilks]

Any experience chaps ? As a replacement for mrs w's golf .
Coming under family pressure to return to a SUV/4x4 type & whilst we could sell the Z ,pool funds & go for later X5 i don,t want £20k tied up in 1 vehicle that i would hardly use .
Prices are £ 6k / £10k for what appear to be very good motors ?
2.5 petrol not much difference in figures to the 3.0 so neither exactly frugal
. Sense tells me the 3.0d but you pay more initially & the car will do 4k a year town miles & 4k long runs with 3/4 french jaunts planned in next 12 months.
Well aware of the swirl flap DPF stuff but other than that would you or wouldn't you ?
Here's 1 that tempts http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201139418460456/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/transmission/automatic/model/x3/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bb120hr/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p
Go on . burst the bubble

 

[Nathanhu]

I bought a 2004 2.5 petrol last year and have been quite pleased with it so far.

Works well in the snow as I have winter wheels.

Negatives -
Bit of a harsh ride with the 18" wheels on, better with the 17" winter set
I paid BMW to fit an original tow bar and they made a pigs ear of the wiring, and I have a few electric issues that are getting fixed on the next visit.
PDF is good but not great
navi is ok but not the newest DVD so limited search etc

Make sure all the tyres are good and the wear is balanced as the gear box is senestive to tyre choice.
Mine used a little oil so I renewed the oil breather from the crankcase ands it consumes no oil now.
Used it in November to pull a 8mtr caravan from the uk and it did it with ease

Mine is a 2004 petrol with 80k and full service and I paid 4k for it so I can live with niggles etc

 

[mr wilks]

Thanks . its a toss up , pay £6/7k for petrol or £2k more for diesel ? based on 05/55 cars . The diesel will hold its value better but probably only have the car a year so maybe not worth paying the extra + risking potentially higher repair costs ?
Had a chat with my indy guy yesterday & he rates all the MK1's & said drivetrain/transfer box issues can happen but are not common .
He also said if going for X5 stick with the MK1 's ???

 

[shawna]

I had a lot of these. Avoid the sunroof until 06 onwards.

Otherwise very good cars like any other BMW.

I'd always go for a diesel on an SUV.

The X30D is a fast car but the 2.0D is a good runner.

 

[bluebatmobile]

I was considering an X3 as a business motor last year. A common complaint I came across was the tyre issue and needing to ensure all aligned with similar tread depths to avoid knocking noises etc. Considering the price of tyres etc a puncture could be a very expensive fix, and considering my bad luck with punctures over the last 6 years or so it was enough to deter me.

They look nice and offer a lot for the money from my point of view.

 

[mr wilks]

I was considering an X3 as a business motor last year. A common complaint I came across was the tyre issue and needing to ensure all aligned with similar tread depths to avoid knocking noises etc. Considering the price of tyres etc a puncture could be a very expensive fix, and considering my bad luck with punctures over the last 6 years or so it was enough to deter me.

They look nice and offer a lot for the money from my point of view.

Think maybe a testdrive in both 3.0's should be my next move .
PS , like the forum name my daughter is forever calling my Z the batmobile hoping that's a good thing , she is 17 8)

 

[bluebatmobile]

I was considering an X3 as a business motor last year. A common complaint I came across was the tyre issue and needing to ensure all aligned with similar tread depths to avoid knocking noises etc. Considering the price of tyres etc a puncture could be a very expensive fix, and considering my bad luck with punctures over the last 6 years or so it was enough to deter me.

They look nice and offer a lot for the money from my point of view.

Think maybe a testdrive in both 3.0's should be my next move .
PS , like the forum name my daughter is forever calling my Z the batmobile hoping that's a good thing , she is 17 8)

Cheers.

Yeah I think batman is still cool (sick, banging, dope or whatever the latest term is!! I'm 29 and feel so old when I hear the youth of today. It was "wicked" in my day ) with the young 'ens.


Batmobile has got to be the closest comparison and a black coupe definitely fits the bill for me.