Buying used X3

[Solo Man]

A friend of mine wants to buy a 2006 X3 2l diesel manual with just over 100k on the clock. What should he be looking out for in terms of possible hidden problems/faults. He lives up country so i will most probably collect the car for him and drive it to his home. I have had several BMW's in my life and presently run a 2003 X5 diesel so have a fair knowledge of BMW's in general. I have read on this forum about the transfer box being a possible problem, but how do you recognize the start of the problem and should he be expecting problems at the present kilometers?
Did the 2006 model year 2l have any turbo problems over and above normal wear and tear? It is the 110kw motor.
From the pictures the car looks very clean, with a full service history at BMW. Next service is in 14k time.
What kind of consumption is possible with the manual gearbox and cruising at 120kph? Do they normally have speed control as standard on the manual shift cars as well?

 

[Blue Shirt]

Get the transfer case checked out, as the early models were plagued with premature wear. Any grinding noise (like a worn wheelbearing) from the front is a sure sign of a failing transfer case, which will cost R25k+ to replace.

Typical transfer case failures happen from 130k km upwards.

Otherwise the X3's are pretty sold cars. My wife's car is at 150k km with no problems other than a failed transfer case at 120k km (just out of Motorplan).

 

[TOOFAST MP]

A friend of mine wants to buy a 2006 X3 2l diesel manual with just over 100k on the clock. What should he be looking out for in terms of possible hidden problems/faults. He lives up country so i will most probably collect the car for him and drive it to his home. I have had several BMW's in my life and presently run a 2003 X5 diesel so have a fair knowledge of BMW's in general. I have read on this forum about the transfer box being a possible problem, but how do you recognize the start of the problem and should he be expecting problems at the present kilometers?
Did the 2006 model year 2l have any turbo problems over and above normal wear and tear? It is the 110kw motor.
From the pictures the car looks very clean, with a full service history at BMW. Next service is in 14k time.
What kind of consumption is possible with the manual gearbox and cruising at 120kph? Do they normally have speed control as standard on the manual shift cars as well?

I have had my X3 X-Drive Motorsport. For a month now its a 07 with 101000KM on it also with full Bmw service history the car runs like clockwork I really enjoy it I went from a E60. 523 to the X3 the handling is really magic when you give it some stick into the bends
and I can't fault the car I did some research on the net and these transfer cases don't just go boom sometimes its just the oil or wrong size tires causing damage , I suppose it depends on how hard the cars life has been .My one has the speed control in but I think it differs between models and spec in them as there is a few different spec levels from the entry one on the engines you can put the vin into real oem and you can see what engine you have my ones a n47n2.

If you find a good one it won't disapoint it a great car

 

[Solo Man]

Blue Shirt, what year is your X3 and is it manual or auto. Has it got the speed control. From the pictures of the interior (steering wheel not very clear) but it seems as if the car my friend is buying has got the speed control. Hope so as it is a worthwile accessory.

 

[Blue Shirt]

My wife's X3 is 2005 3.0i petrol autobox. The cruise control was an optional extra at the time, look for the buttons on the MF steering wheel.

I agree with a previous poster, not all transfer cases will go bad. If it does, the noise will gradually drive you up the wall, it will not fail catastrophically and leave you stranded. The problem on mine was that the chain stretched, a bearing started to wear and then the chain ate into the housing. It sounded like a bad wheel bearing. Apparantly later models had uprated parts fitted to prevent early wear.

 

[Solo Man]

Thanks for the replies. Will see how the car is next week when we take delivery.

 

[docj]

Hi I am new to the forum - name is Doc.
If its of any assistance here goes....
I owned a X3 3.0i Sport from 2005-2007.
It was the car I owned for the longest time, I bout it with 20000km and sold it with 63000km. It was a 2004 model.

Pros:
Fantasic looking ( was Sapphire Black with running boards, Sports Pack with 18 inches in those days )
Unbelievable road holding and cornering and wet weather stability.
Very spacious - I know this is shocking but the interior, especially the boot is actually larger than the E53 X5!

Cons:
Hard ride - I know those with 17's are a bit more civilised.
Few quality issues - window rubbers squeaky etc

Overall excellent car.
A pal had a 2.0d same spec as mine and we would ride together long distances forever at 190+kph. He would knock me on a long uphill due to the torque too.

Hope this helps.

 

[TOOFAST MP]

I agree on the ride being hard sometimes you really feel it but it makes up for it when you put your foot down on a twisty roads it feels like its on rails

Hi I am new to the forum - name is Doc.
If its of any assistance here goes....
I owned a X3 3.0i Sport from 2005-2007.
It was the car I owned for the longest time, I bout it with 20000km and sold it with 63000km. It was a 2004 model.

Pros:
Fantasic looking ( was Sapphire Black with running boards, Sports Pack with 18 inches in those days )
Unbelievable road holding and cornering and wet weather stability.
Very spacious - I know this is shocking but the interior, especially the boot is actually larger than the E53 X5!

Cons:
Hard ride - I know those with 17's are a bit more civilised.
Few quality issues - window rubbers squeaky etc

Overall excellent car.
A pal had a 2.0d same spec as mine and we would ride together long distances forever at 190+kph. He would knock me on a long uphill due to the torque too.

Hope this helps.