2018 X3 20d xDrive

[Yulz9081]

I share your hate for Alenzas but didn't realise I needed to change all 4 on my X3 recently as the rears were on the marker and fronts had about 1mm left. Shopped around and Alenzas were a no brainer at the price since the car is likely to be sold or traded this year. Rivonia tyres did R18k for all four 21's including fitment, balancing and alignment.

 

[Kyle]

I share your hate for Alenzas but didn't realise I needed to change all 4 on my X3 recently as the rears were on the marker and fronts had about 1mm left. Shopped around and Alenzas were a no brainer at the price since the car is likely to be sold or traded this year. Rivonia tyres did R18k for all four 21's including fitment, balancing and alignment.

On marketplace that tread is still considered 80%

Anyway tell me when (before) you're selling.

 

[MR_Y]

Tyres

After an initial bought of bad luck (requiring 2 replacements and 2 tyre plugs) with my Bridgestone Alenzas after a few months of buying the car back in 2022, the tyres have been behaving themselves.

The tyres have since done almost 50,000km.
The 2 originals are a bit more worn vs the slightly younger set. Worst case, I still have about 1 mm before the TWIs (so still above legal) are hit.

So, I am in the market soon for new tyres all round. Looking at the various tyre sales platforms, it seems that BMW star rated RFT Alenzas are on special everywhere (besides at BMW). Most are just under R3k. Midrand Midas is cheapest at R2,205 a tyre. Note that BMW are quoting over R5k for the same tyre!

Having had to fork out over R3.5k a tyre 2-3 years ago, its amazing to see how the prices have fallen. I assume because they are made locally and are probably over stocked currently 🤔

Anyway, Alenzas are not the best tyre in the wet (I recall that my Goodyears on my EcoSport had better grip in wet) but if you take it slow, then not really an issue.

The alternative tyres are easily R4k+ from what I see (all star rated RFTs) and while I think they may be better tyres, the price difference cannot be ignored.

While I hated the Alenzas initially, I later tolerated their mid level performance and learned to drive so that they don't irritate me. For the daily school run and long distance family trips, they are adequate, especially for a bread and butter 20d. If I had a 30d/M40i/d, I would not be happy.

Anyway, more research will be required before I decide.

Here are the approved tyres from BMW
View attachment 27440

Time to replace these tyres.
Tread is under 2mm, but just above TWI.
Bridgestone Alenzas are on special everywhere, but I decided to go with TWT Sunninghill given that they know me well.

TWT Hollard X Sure insurance is already in place for any oopsies that may occur.

 

[MR_Y]

Tyres

After an initial bought of bad luck (requiring 2 replacements and 2 tyre plugs) with my Bridgestone Alenzas after a few months of buying the car back in 2022, the tyres have been behaving themselves.

The tyres have since done almost 50,000km.
The 2 originals are a bit more worn vs the slightly younger set. Worst case, I still have about 1 mm before the TWIs (so still above legal) are hit.

So, I am in the market soon for new tyres all round. Looking at the various tyre sales platforms, it seems that BMW star rated RFT Alenzas are on special everywhere (besides at BMW). Most are just under R3k. Midrand Midas is cheapest at R2,205 a tyre. Note that BMW are quoting over R5k for the same tyre!

Having had to fork out over R3.5k a tyre 2-3 years ago, its amazing to see how the prices have fallen. I assume because they are made locally and are probably over stocked currently 🤔

Anyway, Alenzas are not the best tyre in the wet (I recall that my Goodyears on my EcoSport had better grip in wet) but if you take it slow, then not really an issue.

The alternative tyres are easily R4k+ from what I see (all star rated RFTs) and while I think they may be better tyres, the price difference cannot be ignored.

While I hated the Alenzas initially, I later tolerated their mid level performance and learned to drive so that they don't irritate me. For the daily school run and long distance family trips, they are adequate, especially for a bread and butter 20d. If I had a 30d/M40i/d, I would not be happy.

Anyway, more research will be required before I decide.

Here are the approved tyres from BMW
View attachment 27440

Time to replace these tyres.
Tread is under 2mm, but just above TWI.
Bridgestone Alenzas are on special everywhere, but I decided to go with TWT Sunninghill given that they know me well.

Note also that Bridgestone also offers Star rated (BMW spec) non-RFTs for the X3, at least for the 245/50 19 size. These are very well priced, but I was happy to stick to RFTs for peace of mind (also keeping my space saver spare wheel for longer trips).

TWT Hollard X Sure insurance is already in place for any oopsies that may occur.

Other than the tyres, the car is still performing well. I have an oil service (last one on Plan) coming up next month. Will likely take an Oil Plan thereafter.

 

[MR_Y]

Drove from KZN to GP yesterday. N3 was not too bad until I hit Warden. Two trucks carrying chemicals had crashed earlier that morning and the authorities needed many hours to clear the scene. We were diverted just after the Caltex N3 garage, before Warden, on a 50km gravel route to bypass the N3. I am used to gravel roads, but these roads were hectic. Rutted gravel, lots of stones, thick muddy sections. SUVs and bakkies managed well enough, some cars had to go off to the side of the gravel road to let others pass or waited for the N3 to clear.

The X3 handled these conditions decently. Just the washboard rippled surfaces needed a slower approach, which irritated (some of) the Fortuner/Everest drivers who were up everyone's backside.

My newly fitted Bridgestone Alenzas performed okay. However, when we hit GP in the evening, the heavy rains reminded me that these tyres are really not the best for wet conditions. Hitting a minor patch of standing water, even at low speed, seems to overwhelm the Alenzas a bit. AWD still keeps one in control though.

Traffic on a farm road


Some cars were slipping and sliding in this muddy stretch. X3 and other SUVs sailed through.


On the dusty sections, visibility was very poor. People did not switch on their lights. An outline of something is seen below...


It's a massive truck that was speeding ahead 😨


Yup, another day on the N3...


My oil service light came on while in KZN, so booked the car in at BMW Midrand today for the service and also to check the suspension and perform wheel alignment (the price is cheaper than TWT) just to ensure that this recent offroad journey did not F-up anything.

 

[AshG108]

Drove from KZN to GP yesterday. N3 was not too bad until I hit Warden. Two trucks carrying chemicals had crashed earlier that morning and the authorities needed many hours to clear the scene. We were diverted just after the Caltex N3 garage, before Warden, on a 50km gravel route to bypass the N3. I am used to gravel roads, but these roads were hectic. Rutted gravel, lots of stones, thick muddy sections. SUVs and bakkies managed well enough, some cars had to go off to the side of the gravel road to let others pass or waited for the N3 to clear.

The X3 handled these conditions decently. Just the washboard rippled surfaces needed a slower approach, which irritated (some of) the Fortuner/Everest drivers who were up everyone's backside.

My newly fitted Bridgestone Alenzas performed okay. However, when we hit GP in the evening, the heavy rains reminded me that these tyres are really not the best for wet conditions. Hitting a minor patch of standing water, even at low speed, seems to overwhelm the Alenzas a bit. AWD still keeps one in control though.

Traffic on a farm road
View attachment 27776

Some cars were slipping and sliding in this muddy stretch. X3 and other SUVs sailed through.
View attachment 27777

On the dusty sections, visibility was very poor. People did not switch on their lights. An outline of something is seen below...
View attachment 27778

It's a massive truck that was speeding ahead 😨
View attachment 27779

Yup, another day on the N3...
View attachment 27780

My oil service light came on while in KZN, so booked the car in at BMW Midrand today for the service and also to check the suspension and perform wheel alignment (the price is cheaper than TWT) just to ensure that this recent offroad journey did not F-up anything.

Glad the X is treating you well and doing its job just as required.
The day you up, my parents where unfortunately caught in the same traffic and waited it out as they couldn't detour....was not fun for the oldies shame.
P.S. had to get my temelatics battery changed and Antenna swopped out on the X3, but was quick and good service from BMW East Rand

 

[MR_Y]

Glad the X is treating you well and doing its job just as required.
The day you up, my parents where unfortunately caught in the same traffic and waited it out as they couldn't detour....was not fun for the oldies shame.
P.S. had to get my temelatics battery changed and Antenna swopped out on the X3, but was quick and good service from BMW East Rand

Yes the labour to replace that battery is expensive - need to remove headliner.
If you have sunroof, just make sure the drains are cleared - YouTube video on how to check this by pouring water - since that can mess up electronics as well.

There was a recall recently for the rails in the boot compartment. I guess your car got that replaced as well?

Monitor your aircon as well. My compressor packed up in December on the way up N3.

 

[AshG108]

Yes the labour to replace that battery is expensive - need to remove headliner.
If you have sunroof, just make sure the drains are cleared - YouTube video on how to check this by pouring water - since that can mess up electronics as well.

There was a recall recently for the rails in the boot compartment. I guess your car got that replaced as well?

Monitor your aircon as well. My compressor packed up in December on the way up N3.

Shot thanks man, yep the rails were also cleaned when they were replacing.

I don't have the rails in the compartment because of the Spare tyre setup.

I'll definitely check the aircon, so far its working well. Any early-warning signs to look out for by any chance?

 

[MR_Y]

I'll definitely check the aircon, so far its working well. Any early-warning signs to look out for by any chance?

My wife doesn't use the aircon daily, so it could be that there was an issue with it not blowing ice cold but it only came up when we hit a long distance drive (that's when I drive).

I guess keeping the aircon on and checking to see if can blow ice cold a few times a week will be a good check 👍

 

[MR_Y]

So my ZF experience is here: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threa...ransfer-case-fluid-changes.97393/post-1521714

As part of the ZF service, they run a diagnostic on the car's systems. The following fault codes came up. The technician assured me that these are not major and usually come up intermittently. From what I Googled, these don't seem like cause for alarm.

 

[MR_Y]

Update

After almost a month since the ZF service (gearbox, transfer case and rear diff oil changes), no issues to report on that front.

The silver colour trim on the driver's door is peeling off and is becoming an annoyance. I will not wrap it but will wait for a parts special to replace the silver panel instead.

The centre console was peeling before, but was replaced with a new part (parts special earlier this year, as mentioned earlier in this thread) and the silver paint there is still holding up ok.

The leather seats are holding up well after 7 years and 90,000km of use. Noting that these are the genuine leather items, not the synthetic variety. The driver seat bolster still looks new - though I think this boils down to knowing how to properly get in and out of a car, instead of sliding one's backside on the bolster.

10,000km oil change is coming up in next 2-3 months (between BMW's specified services). Will get them to check the brakes as well.

Plan on putting on some holiday roadtrip mileage in June.

Before then, I want to get a proper deep clean and detail done on the car. Will post pics then

 

[gavsadler]

Glad to hear the X3 is treating you well.

X3 is a great holiday car. And the way the roads are these days, a meaty tyre is a necessity...

 

[MR_Y]

Some updates

1. The front brake discs and pads were replaced under Plan. BMW Midrand recorded a little video and uploaded it to the BMW App for me to view - screenshots below.





2. The integrated maps were from 2022. I had decided back then to not update the maps again, given that Google Maps on my phone is superior. But, I decided to burn some cash and splurged on a 2025 map update and 1 year of real time traffic updates 🙈.
The wife uses the car in the week and tends to use the in-car maps instead of Google Maps. I know that there are decent aftermarket Android systems, but happy with the OEM look. The send-to-car destination feature from the BMW App to the in-car navigation works well enough.

3. The Motorplan expires next month. That would be the 7th year and no option to extend. I am willing to bite the bullet on maintenance going forward. However, I may consider another BMW dealer for routine servicing and a decent aftermarket workshop if there are bigger jobs to do.

4. The Weelee valuation on the car is currently R390k. There is nothing out there that matches this car at the price point, unless I go the very used car route. I am keen on keeping it for a few more years before upgrading. No mods planned.

5. I still need to get the car properly detailed and take some pictures.

 

[DrussTW]

Some updates

1. The front brake discs and pads were replaced under Plan. BMW Midrand recorded a little video and uploaded it to the BMW App for me to view - screenshots below.
View attachment 30215

View attachment 30214
View attachment 30216

2. The integrated maps were from 2022. I had decided back then to not update the maps again, given that Google Maps on my phone is superior. But, I decided to burn some cash and splurged on a 2025 map update and 1 year of real time traffic updates 🙈.
The wife uses the car in the week and tends to use the in-car maps instead of Google Maps. I know that there are decent aftermarket Android systems, but happy with the OEM look. The send-to-car destination feature from the BMW App to the in-car navigation works well enough.

3. The Motorplan expires next month. That would be the 7th year and no option to extend. I am willing to bite the bullet on maintenance going forward. However, I may consider another BMW dealer for routine servicing and a decent aftermarket workshop if there are bigger jobs to do.

4. The Weelee valuation on the car is currently R390k. There is nothing out there that matches this car at the price point, unless I go the very used car route. I am keen on keeping it for a few more years before upgrading. No mods planned.

5. I still need to get the car properly detailed and take some pictures.

Have you ever had issues with your aircon? Do you service it on intervals?

I have a 2018 as well, found a leak on the condenser recently and had to get it replaced with OE (no aftermarket available it seems).

I felt it was quite unusual for the condenser to just go so soon with no impact damage found. Wondering if it’s just my hard luck.

 

[MR_Y]

Have you ever had issues with your aircon? Do you service it on intervals?

I have a 2018 as well, found a leak on the condenser recently and had to get it replaced with OE (no aftermarket available it seems).

I felt it was quite unusual for the condenser to just go so soon with no impact damage found. Wondering if it’s just my hard luck.

Yup.
My aircon broke down in summer heat on the way from KZN to GP in December 2024.
Under Motorplan, it cost R30k with parts and labour. BMW Midrand got a 3rd party aircon specialist to do the work.

 

[DrussTW]

Yup.
My aircon broke down in summer heat on the way from KZN to GP in December 2024.
Under Motorplan, it cost R30k with parts and labour. BMW Midrand got a 3rd party aircon specialist to do the work.

Coincidentally, I think that’s when mine started to leak as well! And I’m based in Durban. Sounds like it’s susceptible to heat then.

Did your compressor break? Thankfully mine was just the condenser. Cost 12k, extended warranty covered 10k.

 

[MR_Y]

Coincidentally, I think that’s when mine started to leak as well! And I’m based in Durban. Sounds like it’s susceptible to heat then.

Did your compressor break? Thankfully mine was just the condenser. Cost 12k, extended warranty covered 10k.

Scope of work

 

[modocrat]

Some updates

1. The front brake discs and pads were replaced under Plan. BMW Midrand recorded a little video and uploaded it to the BMW App for me to view - screenshots below.
View attachment 30215

View attachment 30214
View attachment 30216

2. The integrated maps were from 2022. I had decided back then to not update the maps again, given that Google Maps on my phone is superior. But, I decided to burn some cash and splurged on a 2025 map update and 1 year of real time traffic updates 🙈.
The wife uses the car in the week and tends to use the in-car maps instead of Google Maps. I know that there are decent aftermarket Android systems, but happy with the OEM look. The send-to-car destination feature from the BMW App to the in-car navigation works well enough.

3. The Motorplan expires next month. That would be the 7th year and no option to extend. I am willing to bite the bullet on maintenance going forward. However, I may consider another BMW dealer for routine servicing and a decent aftermarket workshop if there are bigger jobs to do.

4. The Weelee valuation on the car is currently R390k. There is nothing out there that matches this car at the price point, unless I go the very used car route. I am keen on keeping it for a few more years before upgrading. No mods planned.

5. I still need to get the car properly detailed and take some pictures.
View attachment 30217

Time for that 30d...

 

[FILV]

Time for that 30d...

Agreed 😁

@MR_Y How are the roads there ?
I will be going to Bergview in two weeks. Im considering taking my 530D to do a first long distance trip with it. Just want to check if the pot holes are to hectic, and rather not risk it and take my X3?

 

[Nastaliq]

what i have found on previous cars, is that the car cant be set to 16 degree celcius because it causes ice to build up. That ice then blocks airflow into the unit, causing pressure build up on the other side (after the unit)which causes ruptures/cracking.

I had this on the G30 driven from GP to DBN at 16 degree temp all the way, aircon started making noises around mooi river (probably where there is enough of a dewpoint differential). and then would blow any cold air. even if we switched it off for 20mins. Had to leave it off till we arrived in DBN, forgot about it when I jumped off with the excitement of seeing family.

Get in 4-5 hours later and switch it on, kicking like karate. 16 degrees no problem.

Didnt want to risk it, so took it to BMW umhlanga for an inspection, checked everything was okay, but was told the car cant be set to 16 for extended periods due to the ice issue. Drove it back up and never had an issue thereafter, with simply switching it off after 2 hours for 30 mins, then blasting it again.

On another trip up fro. DBN on the F30, had the same problem with freezing which wasnt resolved with a "switch off" cycle. BMW ABM then confirmed the similar diagnosis as above post, parts were ordered and replaced, refrigerant replaced and all seals rechecked.

What I have learnt from this entire story is there are operating parameters for the aircon which are not in the owners manual, but techs know them but owners dont. Some of what we consider regular behaviour involves operating things outside the applicable parameters (without knowing) and causing issues.