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We've had ours for over 4 years now, with no problems, but BMW's maintenance schedule was not followed. Did all regular fluid changes not believing that lifetime fill crap. Most trannies fail before 80k IIRC.
the X3 is a pretty good platform most issues with them are related to panoramic sunroof failure, window regulator failure. motor wise if its a m54 all normal stuff like valve cover gasket, intake air boots, crank case vent valve. stuff like that. if its a n52 electric water pump failure, vanos solenoids stiff/jammed. and hope lifters have been done if its before 08. trans wise I havn't seen much other then a vtg motor for the transfer case going out.
My dad has a 2006 X3 3.0 and I pretty much hate it. The interior and trunk space is significantly more cramped than the Subaru Forester 2.5XT he traded in for it. Visibility is worse, too. The damping sucks: too harsh on even smooth roads, yet still allows for significant body roll. The seats are hard and offer zero lateral or lumbar support. The interior feels cheap for a BMW. Fuel economy is hovering in the 15-17mpg range in mixed city/highway use, which is about what I get from the 5.6L V8 in my Mercedes 560SL. Worst of all, the handling truly sucks in the snow. The AWD system is a real dog.
Overall, there are very many vehicles I would prefer to an X3. The Forester 2.5XT was a better mini SUV in almost every respect. A 5-series wagon would also be much better.
I'd much rather have an X5. The X3's just look like the lowest, cheapest end model BMW. IMO they are ugly and a nice sedan would have the same if not more amount of space inside.
"The Camry is an appliance, not a car. It attracts folks who have the same regard for driving that they have for washing dishes,
i.e. it's a necessary but somewhat unpleasant chore and they want something to make the task a little easier and insulate them from the process." - my friend, Número Veintiséis
I'll comment since we had one for 6 years since new in 2004.
2004-2005 models
-2.5 and 3.0l models avaialable, always get the 3.0l
-Rear window regulators tend to fail if the windows aren't rolled down that often. (Never had mine failed)
-People complain it rides too rough, I disagree. It can be bouncy on some roads tho.
-Make sure the sunroof drains are clean or expect the obvious. Also early models like mine had the tendency to rattle on rough roads.
-Door seals creak tremendously, dealer has a notice on it to fix it with updated ones, same for sunroof.
-If you hear a ticking while it's running it is the intake "adjuster unit" PN 11617502275. 04/2004 were the last models to have them.
-Always go for one with the sport package because the non sport seats are uncomfortable unless set at "sporty" angles.
-People don't like it's plain interior. I agree for a 40k+ new BMW, but not for the price range they are in now. I kinda liked how simple it was.
-2004-05 had the Anthracite headliner instead of the "kill me now" beige.
-The automatic models have no issues other than change the fluid in them every 40-50k despite what BMW says. 2007+ avoid like the plague.
-Manual models are much easier to find in these year models
-108k on ours with no issues other than maintenance
-@130k replace the diff and transfer case seals, they tend to leak around this time
-I loved mine, even with the auto, in fact I would have gotten another one if the sticker price wasn't more than my damn new 335i E90.
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