[John146]

I'm looking to buy my first BMW (and luxury vehicle); my two choices are a 2014 X3 xDrive 28i with 88k km, or a 2012 X3 xDrive 35i with 140k km. Cars here cost double the amount of anywhere else, so both of them are around $35k USD

Everyone says to avoid the N20 from those years, and that they have timing chain problems, and the N55 seems to be universally admired. I've seen both vehicles in person and they're pretty well kept.

Generally speaking, maintenance costs seem to be less than what they are in the US in terms of labor (I was told the dealership here charges $70/hr).. parts will likely have a 15-20-30% premium.

Which one would you get?

[Wgosma]

I'd pass on the 4-banger…..those motors had issues with timing chain guide failures in the years prior to 2015.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=22428084

Go with n55 in-line 6👍

[HPR]

Assuming equal routine scheduled maintenance for both, I'd go with the N55 in a heartbeat over the N20. You should be able to get many more miles out of it.

[n55david]

N55

[Aceway]

Get the N55 if it's been taken care of. I own a 2014 N20

[John146]

Seems like it's been taken care of. I got the dealership maintenance logs and it seems to have gotten a service every year/~10k km or so. There's a 2yr/11k km gap between 2020 and 2022, but I'm assuming that'd be COVID related.

Engine seems to have undergone a complete rebuild/disassembly (unclear from logs) in 2013 at 35k km.. nothing but routine service since (oil pan gasket seems to be biggest thing since)... sounds normal?

[Wgosma]

Oil pan gasket is not a small job, leakage not that unusual however. Perhaps you can get more detailed info about the engine rebuild, that seems an unusual repair at such low mileage. I generally have used BMW I buy pre-purchase inspected but independent Euro car mechanic, I'd recommend that in this case. You don't want to buy a car with potential problems, worth the money to pay a mechanic to look the car over before you buy.

[burningmango]

N55 for sure. If the water pump and thermostat haven't been replaced yet in the repair logs, be sure to account for that repair soon as your mileage is up there and the water pump is potentially on its way out.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by John146

I'm looking to buy my first BMW (and luxury vehicle); my two choices are a 2014 X3 xDrive 28i with 88k km, or a 2012 X3 xDrive 35i with 140k km. Cars here cost double the amount of anywhere else, so both of them are around $35k USD

Everyone says to avoid the N20 from those years, and that they have timing chain problems, and the N55 seems to be universally admired. I've seen both vehicles in person and they're pretty well kept.

Generally speaking, maintenance costs seem to be less than what they are in the US in terms of labor (I was told the dealership here charges $70/hr).. parts will likely have a 15-20-30% premium.

Which one would you get?

As great as the 6 banger also really consider N20 , 50k kms and age is a big difference that’s wear on other parts of the car and I presume the N20 is an LCI. In other parts of the world have always had the N20 issues in previous BMW 4 cylinder engines. Everything you need to know objectively is here on the N20.

[Dekero]

You couldn't give me an N20.... Not to mention the N55 spanks it hands down powerwise...

And if the oil pan gasket has been done??!?! Half the maintenance work is done... I'd question if the oil filter housing gasket has been done, and the valve cover and gasket...and serpentine belt/tensioner.... Beyond those the N55 is almost bulletproof.

[Bdavi011]

I have a 13 X3 with the n55. Basically been trouble free for the past 60k miles I've had it besides regular maintenance and replacing parts that are known to go bad (thermostat, water pump, oil filter housing gaskets etc...)

I'd go with the n55.