X3 dilemma

[TIVA15]

Good day all.

This is a follow up to my thread last week.

I have identified 3 X3s .... initially looking for a diesel 3.0 only.

Choices presently
1. 2012 3.0 D. Has nav system. No other extras. New 17 tyres which is what I am looking for ideally from a comfort point. 60000km. MP expires Dec 2017.....big plus. I have seen and driven it. Condition good. External superficial scratches...mineral silver ( not my ideal colour choice). Beige leather , so not very appealing. Asking 399k.

2. 2012 3.0D . Exclusive with lots of extras.....sunroof,xenons, auto tailgate etc. Also has new set 17 inch tyres. Mileage 26000km. Car in CT at bmw so I have not viewed it. Space grey with black leather. Dealer says it was owned by foreign couple with a summer home in CT. Asking 419k. MP expires Jan 2017. Dealer says can negotiate but unlikely to be less than 400k.

3. 2012 3.5i . 85000km . MP until Feb 2017. Also space gray with black. Exclusive with extras as above . Asking 349k. Not sure of tyre condition. At a bmw dealership. 18 inch wheels.

No 2. is essentially a new car. Is it worth the money and risk once MP expires. 14 k to extend for a year .

No 3 ...petrol so consumption will be higher. I do between 15000 and 18000km per year. 70 k difference. I will probably not cover the difference in petrol expense. Maintainance costs may be higher than diesel.

I look forward to reading your different opinions and help me going forward.

This will be my daily drive and long distance/ holiday cruiser. In all likelihood I will sell my 2010 135i and replace with the X3.

Thanks

 

[Gizmo]

Hands down the 3.0d is the one to have, the other two will be heavy on fuel.

 

[TIVA15]

Hands down the 3.0d is the one to have, the other two will be heavy on fuel.

@Gizmo.....thanks. there are 2 diesels that I mentioned. Between them do I go for the lower mileage and higher spec and play the higher price for what is hopefully an almost new 4 year old car .?

Should I be concerned that this is a car that was used for a few months only per year and then parked off for long periods of time.....rubbers, seals etc wearing off / perishing .?

 

[Gizmo]

The X3 is a heavy car, the 2.0d is underpowered for such a heavy vehicle so will spend most of its life at full throttle, thus shortening its lifespan and being heavy on fuel. The 3.0d has much more power and way more torque so will spend its life at partial throttle which will increase its lifespan and still be decent on fuel. Drive the two back-to-back and see what I mean.

With a car that new and low mileage, I wouldn't worry about rubbers and seals going bad. Extend the motorplan for another 2 years and enjoy trouble free motoring for years to come.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Those 2.0ds make 400nm + torque wise. They won't spend their entire lives at full throttle. No it won't be as lively the 3.0d by any means. But it also won't be dead. The X3 2.0d is the most popular seller of the X3's and it wouldn't be if it was kak...

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[Nikhil]

Those 2.0ds make 400nm + torque wise. They won't spend their entire lives at full throttle. No it won't be as lively the 3.0d by any means. But it also won't be dead. The X3 2.0d is the most popular seller of the X3's and it wouldn't be if it was kak...

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Agreed :withStu:

 

[Nick]

:withStu: x2

 

[icechilli]

i have a 2012 30d with similar spec to no2 and if u can get it at 400 then grab it! I love mine as a daily - i have 19in runflats though. In my 4 years of ownership it only goes for usual services and brake discs and pads where changed. I am gonna decat mine and put a racechip

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[Gizmo]

I have driven a few of those 2.0d models up here at reef level and feel they are underpowered when coupled to a 1.8ton 4wd auto SUV. I had to drive the engine on all of them quite hard to get going from a stop light, the 3.0d is effortless in comparison and was so glad I went for the 3.0d.
The x3 2.0d is the best selling because it's the cheapest (bar the horrid 2.0i petrol), not because they are great. Just like the e90 320i was the best selling e90, because it was the cheapest, not because it was great.

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When you compare the BMW stats of the 2.0d vs the 3.0d you see the 2.0d fuel consumption is only slightly better than the 3.0d. In a real world scenario you will find the 2.0d will use more fuel in stop-go traffic as it has way less power/weight ratio and needs to be floored to get going. But don't take my word for it, take both on an extended test drive and see for yourself.

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My dad bought a white 2015 X3 3.0d MSport a few months back after we had test driven a bunch of X3's including the 2.0d, we both agreed the 2.0d is a woman's car as it had absolute zero in terms of performance and went with the 3.0d as it was light years ahead on performance yet returned similar if not better fuel consumption on our test drives.

So if you don't care for performance and just want it for the school run then yes the 2.0d will do that just fine. If you do like a little excitement in your life or wish to tow a trailer/caravan/boat ect on holiday then the 3.0d is the one to have as it can maintain its speed on uphills towing something, you spend much less time in the oncoming lane while overtaking trucks as the 3.0d has effortless overtaking capabilities.

I live by a saying: Its better to have power and not need it than to not have power and need it.

 

[gavsadler]

I've driven plenty of X3s this year as well, almost all model variants in fact. Do a search and you will find the thread with my detailed reviews.

The 2.0d is fine for the most part, quite nippy in town too, my biggest gripe was at highway speeds. To overtake actually needs to be planned in advance as very little happens when flooring it to kick down and overtake. The 6cyl models don't suffer from this, plenty of grunt.

If the petrol head in you wants to enjoy this vehicle, get a 6cyl. If you set the expectations up front that it is a SUV and not really supposed to be a performance car, get the 20d.

Fuel consumption wise, yes the diesel is better, but the 35i is a remarkable engine, and not as bad as you may think, if I remember correctly on my drives it didn't go over 12l per 100kms. In my 130i I average about 10.5l per 100 with a similar driving style and that a much smaller car, lighter body and no turbo.

 

[Gizmo]

@Gizmo.....thanks. there are 2 diesels that I mentioned. Between them do I go for the lower mileage and higher spec and play the higher price for what is hopefully an almost new 4 year old car .?

My apologies, I thought I read the first one was a 2.0d. Don't buy it if you don't like the colour, plus the beige interior will wear out quickly VS black interior.

Car number 2, have a clued-up Cape Town fanatic like Splintheter or AdiS check the car out for you and give you a report on it. The fact that is has very little mileage and all the extras makes it worth the extra money asked.

 

[tman]

If you want a diesel, why are you looking at a petrol model?

 

[Maljan]

Here is my R0,02. Take the "new" diesel, spend the 14K on extending the plan. The dealer is negotiable, so work it into the 419K asking price. Have them put the car on a northbound truck, also included in the price. Or take some leave, fly down, collect car, have a nice road trip back home.

 

[AdiS]

I think the low mileage one with lots of extras is the one to have!

 

[KevM]

No 2 without a doubt.
At R400k it is a steal...see it listed on autotrader for R460k, which is a bit steep for a 2012.
Go for it, you won't regret it.

 

[prospect]

Can't tell you which one to buy but can tell you the x35i is impressive for an SUV.

 

[TIVA15]

hi all.

thank you for your responses.

@tman....only reason I looked at a petrol, is that there is a significant capital outlay difference. can get a same year model 3.5i for about 60 to 80k less.

I will probably make an offer on vehicle 2 in CT , inclusive of all costs and extended 1 year MP.

Will keep you all informed.

 

[frs1]

3.0d forsure, the 3.5i is cheaper because of the consumption figures. I've got a mineral silver with beige interior, was very sceptic at first but love it now.
For R400 with only 26000km ?? Its a steal

 

[tman]

Go for diesel. U won't regret it.

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[frs1]

I see they advertise the low milage one as BMW premuim select.
Then it must have minumum 25000km and 1 year left on plan. I scored 12 months extra on motorplan at their expense due to the "false" advert. They emailed the photos to me and when I went to sign for the car I asked where is the 12 months MP ?? The car only had 11 months left, well I got an extra 12 months.
Looks like a good buy