2008 X3 Reliability

[Eust]

Hi Guys

My mom has a 2008 X3 2.0d Manual that she is trading in on either a X1 or X3 2.0d Auto.

The car has FSH and been driven by my mom since 2009 as a demo vehicle.

I have a 2011 Chevrolet Utility 1.4 that I use as my daily and was thinking of trading that vehicle in and paying my mom the 35k trade-in difference between my car and her X3.

What reliability issues do these cars have? I have seen turbo refurbishment items at around 180k km and that's it. The clutch has just been replaced.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[JohnLod]

Hi,

transfer case, but can be repaired. Other than that no real big issues.

 

[tman]

Hi Guys

My mom has a 2008 X3 2.0d Manual that she is trading in on either a X1 or X3 2.0d Auto.

The car has FSH and been driven by my mom since 2009 as a demo vehicle.

I have a 2011 Chevrolet Utility 1.4 that I use as my daily and was thinking of trading that vehicle in and paying my mom the 35k trade-in difference between my car and her X3.

What reliability issues do these cars have? I have seen turbo refurbishment items at around 180k km and that's it. The clutch has just been replaced.

Let me know your thoughts.

FSH - Check
Know the previous owner and their driving style - Check
Great upgrade for a decent price - Check

Only question I would ask myself if I were you is if you can afford the R35k. If so, take it!

 

[NitroNori]

As you know the previous owner, the vehicle history you should be fine. The biggest issue on these were the transfer case actuators but as long as you monitor it during service intervals you will be fine.

 

[Blueskys]

Hi Guys

My mom has a 2008 X3 2.0d Manual that she is trading in on either a X1 or X3 2.0d Auto.

The car has FSH and been driven by my mom since 2009 as a demo vehicle.

I have a 2011 Chevrolet Utility 1.4 that I use as my daily and was thinking of trading that vehicle in and paying my mom the 35k trade-in difference between my car and her X3.

What reliability issues do these cars have? I have seen turbo refurbishment items at around 180k km and that's it. The clutch has just been replaced.

Let me know your thoughts.

FSH - Check
Know the previous owner and their driving style - Check
Great upgrade for a decent price - Check

Only question I would ask myself if I were you is if you can afford the R35k. If so, take it!

The R35k and potential repair bills for an X3, he's going from one of the most reliable and cheap to maintain vehicles to the very opposite end of the spectrum. I'd say he needs the R35k and a spare R50k for if a random repair crops up. Also to be prepared to take it on the chin if he ever needs to sell the X3.

Other thing is old BMW's are blackholes when it comes to repairs, they are expensive and the resale value is not great so you will not recoup your money. Also insurance writes them off after the slightest fender bender and then pays out a pittance.

That is me laying on the doom and gloom a bit thick but they are points to consider!

 

[Eust]

Thanks for all the comments All.

John I'll give you a call tomorrow to discuss preventative maintenance on the transfer case actuator replacement.

I don't really want to have to put myself in a financial black hole for this upgrade. The car on face value is in very good nick and at 100k purchase price I don't think I can take that big of a knock if I trade the car in within the next couple years?

 

[tman]

Thanks for all the comments All.

John I'll give you a call tomorrow to discuss preventative maintenance on the transfer case actuator replacement.

I don't really want to have to put myself in a financial black hole for this upgrade. The car on face value is in very good nick and at 100k purchase price I don't think I can take that big of a knock if I trade the car in within the next couple years?

Some good comments here. All comes down to: Do you need an upgrade, and can you afford it?

Sent on the move via Tapatalk

 

[davelo]

My 2009 E83 X3 2.0d MSport manual is my daily, and has been one of the best vehicles I've owned. I bought it 4 yrs ago with 100 000 km on it, and it's now approaching 190 000 km.

From memory, other than tyres, filters, brake fluid and oil changes every 10 000 km, the only problems were an accessory belt pulley bearing and an inlet manifold replacement because of a swirl flap issue. Those two items were maybe R12k in total. I haven't even had to do brakes in that time, but it's mostly been highway mileage. The transfer case had been done under Motorplan just before I bought it. Oh, and there was a battery draining problem caused by the fuel heater unit (at the diesel filter) remaining switched on. I just unplugged it and it's been perfect since. A new unit (including filter) is approx R2500 I think, but not really necessary with the climate here.

Incidentally, I only detected the swirl flap problem when I ran a diagnostic check, as the actuator threw a code. Apart from a slightly rough idle the vehicle was running perfectly. Overall consumption has been 7.8 l/100km in the time I've had it.

I do keep a close hand on my vehicles, but with those issues I would hardly put it "at the very opposite end of the spectrum" in terms of reliability.

 

[r0ckf1re]

For the R100k it seems like a good buy. The problem for me is it's a 10 year old car, what happens if the Turbo goes, or some other components that are costly.
Are you be willing to spend on that, I think it could easily add up to 20, maybe 30% of the value of the car if not more.

 

[BadBoy23]

I believe that's a good deal for an suv, 35 k

you know the owner and car history, I wouldn't hv even giving it a second thought.

 

[Eust]

Thanks All

I am going to take the X3, let's hope the maintenance is minimal as the car slush fund is allocated to the Z4M preventative maintenance for bearings and valve clearances at the moment.

 

[sash]

Just to be on the safe side, give it a good looking over to find out about any forthcoming issues.

I would get the suspension tested,
get the cooling system tested
check the situation of the turbo ( even if just visually and looking for play)


If you decide to continue, I would in any case budget for a full fluid change and necessary filters

 

[Eust]

Pics of the X :thumbs:

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=82694