[belfastone]

I'm tempted to trade/upgrade my 330d for an x3..
I know lots of people don't like them but I do, although I haven't even test drove one as it's early days.

I'm thinking the 3.0d engine hopefully with the nav, pan roof etc.. Anyone else have one?
Recommend or stay away?!

Cheers guys

[davyk31]

Is it the new model or previous? I had a 30d M Sport 2006 model, was great, went really well ans had loads of toys.

[G_M_S]

Interestingly I bought an E91 330d when I was looking for an X3 (E83) as I liked both vehicles in different ways - couldn't find an X3 of the right spec / engine - probably didn't help that I was looking when we still had white stuff lying around.

Happy hunting

[belfastone]

I would love the new gen, spotted one coming out of boucher last week on test drive and loved it! But my budget wont stretch that far.
Im thinking 2006/7 with less than 50k (around £15K?)

How come you moved on? - Just fancied a change?

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by G_M_S

Interestingly I bought an E91 330d when I was looking for an X3 (E83) as I liked both vehicles in different ways - couldn't find an X3 of the right spec / engine - probably didn't help that I was looking when we still had white stuff lying around.

Happy hunting

I know it will take time before I find one that ticks the boxes I have! - Took me a year to find my current e90!

[Jamie_E92]

personally i'd go for an e91 over an x3. pretty usless as a 4wd. i'm not a massive fan of the e9* range.
i've got an e92 coupe , but i'm not in love with it like i was with my e46.

however if big 4x4 type vehicles are your bag i'd be on the lookout for a series 3 disco.

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by Jay325i

personally i'd go for an e91 over an x3. pretty usless as a 4wd. i'm not a massive fan of the e9* range.
i've got an e92 coupe , but i'm not in love with it like i was with my e46.

however if big 4x4 type vehicles are your bag i'd be on the lookout for a series 3 disco.

I wont be doing any off roading, would certainly be usefull during the winter months though..

[pjs]

Bought one last month, 2004/54 3.0i Sport. I love it, but its juicy as ****, Drives really well, built like a tank, good driving position. But its all relative - it handles well, but an e90 would leave it for dead on the twisties. Some decent info on bmwland forum in the 'x' section, but you need to search - its not as busy as this forum.

[m1bjr]

That is not an upgrade.

[rogerxp]

I've got the exact car you're looking for mate . Shame for you my wife won't let go of it .

I think it's a brilliant car, plenty of space to throw everything in without much thought, cracking engine (3.0d), and all the toys certainly help.

It's a little thirsty (pre-ED), ours averages 27/28mpg, but only potters about so it's not that bad really.

Things to watch out for are 56-57 plate cars (Sept 06 - Sept 07) 3.0d cars are in the highest tax bracket. BMW released the xdrive version in Sept 06-ish, just when the Government changed the tax categories, BMW then tweaked the emmissions in Sept 07. Mine costs £460p/a but, because of all the goodies & price at the time, I thought the extra was worth having (the extra tax would cost about £1k over a 5 year ownership which won't kill me - still pisses me off though).

Also, if you're after an M Sport with 19s (because they look mint), make sure you test drive one. The ride is very harsh. It drive me mental but, oddly, doesn't bother the wife . Stick with the 18s to improve things or get an SE (later SE models actually look pretty good on certain alloys). It is possible to deselect the M Sport suspension on an M Sport X3 but, as you're buying used, you'd have to be fookin' lucky to get one.

Apart from the harsh ride & high tax we've been well pleased with ours.

Just shout if you need to know anything else.

[HighlandPete]

My son was running an X3 2.0d M-sport manual, on 18" wheels and I was surprised how well it drove and the quality of the ride. So much more smooth than my 330d on 17" run-flats. I'd heard the M-sport was harsh, but even on our bad roads it still soaked up the road imperfections.

Time to upgrade and he was looking to get a 330/335d touring, or another X3 with a 3.0d auto setup. Even looking nationally and watching the market, a late model X3 with a 3.0d engine was as rare as hen's teeth. A 3.0sd M-sport appeared at Aberdeen in the spec' he was looking for, he snatched it up without even visiting the garage.

He's so pleased with it, it is running 19" wheels and he says it is not far off the other X3 for ride, just a bit front heavy due to the bigger engine setup.

Going back for a second helping says something, the x-Drive is part of the appeal for winter use up here.

Even I'd like to have a new X3, but my mother can't get in the things, so it a non starter for me.

HighlandPete

[davyk31]

If you are considering a 3.0d X3 perhaps you should look at the E53 X5. Much more plentiful and if you buy something like the last LeMans Blue editions you get plenty of toys and a great vehicle. I only had my X3 about 9 months and then got tempted by a well priced X5.

[E902717]

I've got an x-drive E70 X5, don't be under any illusion that they are good in the winter! might be alot better with winter tyres but the X5 isn't much better than an E90 on normal tyres. Yes it is a 4x4 but with skinny road tyres combined with the weight of the bloody thing when it starts to slide...its difficult to stop!!

[davyk31]

Yes I'll second the thoughts on one for the winter, my E70 X5 was plain frightening in the ice, the weight just meant it slipped on at any occasion. X3 never saw any poor weather as only had it 9 months but plenty of weight and big road tyres I can't see it would have been too good.

[HighlandPete]

There is a lot of 'winter' without snow and ice, we are virtually in winter conditions up here at the moment.

But definitely need the appropriate tyres to get the best out of an X3/X5, as you do on any vehicle in real winter conditions. All seasons would be a better choice for normal use, and dedicated winter tyres for the colder months. That's what I would have on an X3, if I was drving one.

HighlandPete

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

There is a lot of 'winter' without snow and ice, we are virtually in winter conditions up here at the moment.

But definitely need the appropriate tyres to get the best out of an X3/X5, as you do on any vehicle in real winter conditions. All seasons would be a better choice for normal use, and dedicated winter tyres for the colder months. That's what I would have on an X3, if I was drving one.

HighlandPete

Cheers guys... Certainly not a lot of negatives, I honestly thought I was going to be reading a lot of Noooooo's!

[oscarguitar]

I had one of the post launch ones when they first came out.

Black 3.0i sport with sun roof. Simply aweful. Dreadful ride, nasty sharp edges on the window surrounds cheap old fashioned interior. Drank fuel. Had it for about 3 months and then pursuaded BMW to take it back at cost and swapped it for a 530d Touring.

Now have a 2005 X5 3.0d Sport that I have had from new which is brilliant. Covers all bases, comfy, big enough for the whole family, smart enough to go out in and capable enough not to get stuck in snow if you know what you are doing. Forget the old X3 find a good old shape X5 3.0d Sport and have a proper SUV.

This is my genuine ownership experience, love the X5 hate the X3, no comparison in my book.

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by oscarguitar

I had one of the post launch ones when they first came out.

Black 3.0i sport with sun roof. Simply aweful. Dreadful ride, nasty sharp edges on the window surrounds cheap old fashioned interior. Drank fuel. Had it for about 3 months and then pursuaded BMW to take it back at cost and swapped it for a 530d Touring.

Now have a 2005 X5 3.0d Sport that I have had from new which is brilliant. Covers all bases, comfy, big enough for the whole family, smart enough to go out in and capable enough not to get stuck in snow if you know what you are doing. Forget the old X3 find a good old shape X5 3.0d Sport and have a proper SUV.

This is my genuine ownership experience, love the X5 hate the X3, no comparison in my book.

Thanks for this Oscar! - Think I need to hear more of this to be honest im still not 100% sure on the x series.
Just fancy something different (to what im used too).

[rogerxp]

Test drive me thinks is on the cards...

Thinking about it, I'd personally be very happy with the 2.0d engine, purely because of its improved mpg & lower tax bracket - I wouldn't overlook it. 57 plated cars onwards improve the efficiencies of the 3.0d car so reducing the tax and improving mpg; I'm not sure if they tweaked the 2.0d at this time of not (there was no real need as it was the 3.0d getting battered by tax).

Do you really need the extra grunt of the 3.0d engine. Yes, it may be more refined than the 2.0d, but at what cost. If this is going to be your daily driver then maybe the extra grunt would be nice for you. I only drive the X3 at weekends & on family holidays so I'd personally be very happy with a 2.0d (the wife probably wouldn't even notice the difference).

Would my opinion differ if I owned a 57 plated 3.0d car; probably . So, I suppose, what I'm trying to say is avoid if you can a car registered between 56-57.

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Test drive me thinks is on the cards...

Thinking about it, I'd personally be very happy with the 2.0d engine, purely because of its improved mpg & lower tax bracket - I wouldn't overlook it. 57 plated cars onwards improve the efficiencies of the 3.0d car so reducing the tax and improving mpg; I'm not sure if they tweaked the 2.0d at this time of not (there was no real need as it was the 3.0d getting battered by tax).

Do you really need the extra grunt of the 3.0d engine. Yes, it may be more refined than the 2.0d, but at what cost. If this is going to be your daily driver then maybe the extra grunt would be nice for you. I only drive the X3 at weekends & on family holidays so I'd personally be very happy with a 2.0d (the wife probably wouldn't even notice the difference).

Would my opinion differ if I owned a 57 plated 3.0d car; probably . So, I suppose, what I'm trying to say is avoid if you can a car registered between 56-57.

Test drive I think too! - I spotted this, but its too expensive for me
http://www.usedcarsni.com/70876456

Another option may be to wait a few months and upgrade the missus's car (VW Polo) get the x3 2.0D... decisions decisions.
(All this without a test drive though! - I need time out of work..lol

[HighlandPete]

I know early models were not up to the mark for quality, according to some users, but the revisions BMW introduced sorted most of that. I've looked closely at the two in the family and although a different finish in parts compared to other BMW models, I don't see/find lack of quality in fit and finish.

I know the "buy an X5" is often quoted, but it is like saying "get a 5-series, it is better than a 3-series". Absolutely true, but not everyone wants a bigger vehicle.

From used X3 prices, it seems the demand is still holding, perhaps even greater than ever, for used X3 models. Someone wants them.

I'd certainly test drive and work from there.

HighlandPete

[belfastone]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I know early models were not up to the mark for quality, according to some users, but the revisions BMW introduced sorted most of that. I've looked closely at the two in the family and although a different finish in parts compared to other BMW models, I don't see/find lack of quality in fit and finish.

I know the "buy an X5" is often quoted, but it is like saying "get a 5-series, it is better than a 3-series". Absolutely true, but not everyone wants a bigger vehicle.

From used X3 prices, it seems the demand is still holding, perhaps even greater than ever, for used X3 models. Someone wants them.

I'd certainly test drive and work from there.

HighlandPete

Cheers Pete! - And yeah I always hear, "buy an X5".. but I dont want an X5!!..lol

Marty