discussion 2012 X3 2.0d buying advice

Detee

Member
Howzit,

Considering buying one of these.
MSport auto with 155k on the clock.

For sale by BMW, one owner, fsh.

Good as a daily driver? About 85km per day.
Is it a good buy? Any concerns?

Thanks


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TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
Great DD. Just have to scrutinise it at that age and mileage. Do your checks on history even if it is sitting at a BMW dealer. On older cars it is on a second tier floor not covered by the usual 'checks and balances'. So just being 'at BMW' can mean very little these days. Get another dealer to run the VIN independently and give you info. Also speak to Coisman about history.

These seem to show up with haircuts fairly often and history becomes 'blurry' if not overwritten if this has happened an owner or two in the past - because they don't 'show' high mileage as the are used on longer distances or as dailies with less interior visible wear and tear, they can pass for 'good condition' even with +100000km on them. People these days forget how good a 250-300000km, well looked after car can actually be. A 12 year old 20d driven 1000km a month is not impossible, but also might point to shenanigans.
 

r0ckf1re

Well-known member
Howzit,

Considering buying one of these.
MSport auto with 155k on the clock.

For sale by BMW, one owner, fsh.

Good as a daily driver? About 85km per day.
Is it a good buy? Any concerns?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don’t know what your budget is or why you are considering an SUV. I say don’t do it. It’s too old, older tech, doubt it’s very economical on diesel.
Get something newer/new in the same budget.


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FILV

Well-known member
Hi there

I own the exact same car, purchased it two years ago with 162 000km.It has never skipped a beat. If the car is well looked after then there is no worries in buying at this age and mileage. I personally would rather buy an older higher mileage, but better quality German car than a new, smaller lower tier brand with half the milleage.

I did my checks with Coisman, and saw it was a legit one owner car, and the dealer provided a copy of all service history.

My advice in terms of buying is ask Coisman to check it for you, then check its history. check it is a happy car that didn't need much repairs, either than the usual services and brakes etc.

In terms of a daily... what an awesome car. Its quiet, very comfy and has power to be a good cruiser. Space in the rear is excellent.
We use ours for trips to Maputo and the Drakensberg, These days with the state of our roads, the benefits of an suv are unparalleled. The higher ride allows you to safely see further ahead which makes a difference on long trips as you can pre judge any situation. And being an Msport, its best of both worlds. This car is a very capable handler with the Msport package. So you have the safety and practicality of an suv, with an engaging and fun handling.

My worst consumption is 9L/100km that's with daily of 7km drives with just robot to robot driving. Long distance is sits at mid 6L/100km, so i get to Maputo on half a tank.

Your biggest expenses will be tires if you choose to stick with Runflats. You looking at around 20K for all 4 , or you can get a spare wheel and it will cost half that should go for normal tires. Just bare in mine with Xdrive you need to keep all 4 tires basically the same amount of mm not to put too much strain on the transfer case.

You need to go to ZF and let them analyze your gearbox, then if you get the all clear, do the gearbox oil service, and do the oil change for the transfer case and front and rear diffs. Then this car will be reliable for a long time to come.

You also Can remap the car. This completely transformed the car. It was then a safe overtaking car at any speed.

There is a reason they are in such high demand, and clean ones demand such high prices.


Good luck with your choice
 

Detee

Member
Hi there

I own the exact same car, purchased it two years ago with 162 000km.It has never skipped a beat. If the car is well looked after then there is no worries in buying at this age and mileage. I personally would rather buy an older higher mileage, but better quality German car than a new, smaller lower tier brand with half the milleage.

I did my checks with Coisman, and saw it was a legit one owner car, and the dealer provided a copy of all service history.

My advice in terms of buying is ask Coisman to check it for you, then check its history. check it is a happy car that didn't need much repairs, either than the usual services and brakes etc.

In terms of a daily... what an awesome car. Its quiet, very comfy and has power to be a good cruiser. Space in the rear is excellent.
We use ours for trips to Maputo and the Drakensberg, These days with the state of our roads, the benefits of an suv are unparalleled. The higher ride allows you to safely see further ahead which makes a difference on long trips as you can pre judge any situation. And being an Msport, its best of both worlds. This car is a very capable handler with the Msport package. So you have the safety and practicality of an suv, with an engaging and fun handling.

My worst consumption is 9L/100km that's with daily of 7km drives with just robot to robot driving. Long distance is sits at mid 6L/100km, so i get to Maputo on half a tank.

Your biggest expenses will be tires if you choose to stick with Runflats. You looking at around 20K for all 4 , or you can get a spare wheel and it will cost half that should go for normal tires. Just bare in mine with Xdrive you need to keep all 4 tires basically the same amount of mm not to put too much strain on the transfer case.

You need to go to ZF and let them analyze your gearbox, then if you get the all clear, do the gearbox oil service, and do the oil change for the transfer case and front and rear diffs. Then this car will be reliable for a long time to come.

You also Can remap the car. This completely transformed the car. It was then a safe overtaking car at any speed.

There is a reason they are in such high demand, and clean ones demand such high prices.


Good luck with your choice

Thanks for the reasoned response.


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Avir

Member
Howzit,

Considering buying one of these.
MSport auto with 155k on the clock.

For sale by BMW, one owner, fsh.

Good as a daily driver? About 85km per day.
Is it a good buy? Any concerns?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Go for it!
I have a 2011 non m sport. Full spec
20d avg consumption 7 short distance
Long distance less than 6L per 100 km

When u get it.
Get your front and rear diff oil changed.
Transfer case oil change
ZF oil and filter done. (Gearbox)
Change engine oil every 10k.
And u will be good to go.
Keep funds a side for tires, all four will need replacement same time. ( luckily for me my front shaft is disconnected)
After market parts are reasonable well prices.
Or even get an after market warranty. Less then R500 per month. ( I had after market warranties for more than 8 years with no issues from them.

Try and plug vehicle in with a proper scan tool to check mileage, errors and codes etc
 

DeadbeatFM

Active member
I've got a 2014 X3 20d and it's been an absolute peach for the most part. Economical, reliable, decent performance, a great all rounder. Assuming it's been well looked after I'd say go for it.
 

///M Individual

Well-known member
Howzit,

Considering buying one of these.
MSport auto with 155k on the clock.

For sale by BMW, one owner, fsh.

Good as a daily driver? About 85km per day.
Is it a good buy? Any concerns?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great vehicle bud.

Reliable and economical. Above posts mention the preventative maintenance that needs to be done.

Verify history with Coisman by sending him an email with the requirements like vin number etc.

Don’t know what your budget is or why you are considering an SUV. I say don’t do it. It’s too old, older tech, doubt it’s very economical on diesel.
Get something newer/new in the same budget.


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Bud these sell for around R250k give or take.

What SUV or even sedan can you get newer at this price range that will deliver what a F25 20d does?
 

Detee

Member
Go for it!
I have a 2011 non m sport. Full spec
20d avg consumption 7 short distance
Long distance less than 6L per 100 km

When u get it.
Get your front and rear diff oil changed.
Transfer case oil change
ZF oil and filter done. (Gearbox)
Change engine oil every 10k.
And u will be good to go.
Keep funds a side for tires, all four will need replacement same time. ( luckily for me my front shaft is disconnected)
After market parts are reasonable well prices.
Or even get an after market warranty. Less then R500 per month. ( I had after market warranties for more than 8 years with no issues from them.

Try and plug vehicle in with a proper scan tool to check mileage, errors and codes etc

Thank you all for the advice.
I’ve made new tyres a condition of purchase.
Will look into the other preventative maintenance items should we get the car.


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DRCraig

Well-known member
I can't comment on the X3 itself, but I have 2 cars with the same powerplant. Reliability and maintenance goes hand in hand. Various threads on the forum as to how to maintain these 20d's.

Please also check vibration dampener/crank pulley, vbelt/serpentine belt and tensioner. These generally tend to fail in the region of 150 000km-200 000km. Rather get it done before it fails- dealership fit and supply max R14K.

Is there any particular reason you'd rather buy a X3 over the 3 Series?
 

Detee

Member
I can't comment on the X3 itself, but I have 2 cars with the same powerplant. Reliability and maintenance goes hand in hand. Various threads on the forum as to how to maintain these 20d's.

Please also check vibration dampener/crank pulley, vbelt/serpentine belt and tensioner. These generally tend to fail in the region of 150 000km-200 000km. Rather get it done before it fails- dealership fit and supply max R14K.

Is there any particular reason you'd rather buy a X3 over the 3 Series?

Thanks. I have an F30 320d. It’s my 5th 320d; never a day’s trouble with any of them.

X3 is for my wife, and it’s a nice travelling car. Not as good as a Uris :), but couldn’t find a Uris for R220k.


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r0ckf1re

Well-known member
Great vehicle bud.

Reliable and economical. Above posts mention the preventative maintenance that needs to be done.

Verify history with Coisman by sending him an email with the requirements like vin number etc.



Bud these sell for around R250k give or take.

What SUV or even sedan can you get newer at this price range that will deliver what a F25 20d does?

I didn’t check
689cfd36671f2f72fafdba9b853ea04e.jpg



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