[Yosh]

I’ve been thinking of trading my 3 series BMW for an X3 and could use some advice about the differences between the first and second generation versions. My tendency is to buy used cars, I suppose because I’m practical and overly cheap so I’ve been thinking of a late first generation 2010 or early second generation 2011 or 2012. From the standpoint of look and size, I
prefer the first generation X3, but I’ve read many reviews that criticize its hard and stiff ride. I haven’t had an opportunity to drive one so I don’t know how bad it is, or if it’s a problem at all. I’ve driven a new 2013 X3 28i and like the way it handles, and it really isn’t much different from my 325xi.

Can those of you with experience with both generations offer some insight into the pros and cons of purchasing a used version of one or the other?

[halohead52]

I was looking for a late first generation when I got the 2nd gen. Like the look of #1, but the ride, interior quality, and features in the 2nd gen outshine the 1st by miles. The interior 1st gen is pretty tacky and tight compared to the F25. I've had my 2011 for just over 2 years, 22k miles, and I love it. It's a great vehicle, and the exterior look grows on you. Drive them both and see what happens....

[jknj]

Ok, so as an a owner of a 2005 x3, and a 2012 x3, I feel I have a valid opinion on this. The "original x3 was a very harsh riding car, but a very straightforward car to service. The newer x3 is much nicer, more plush, quieter, and much mor sophisticated. The older x3 got the old tech when it came out, and lasted until 2010, making it the last to be updated. The new x3 got great tech for its time, only recently (2014) being updated to the latest tech. This includes more than Nav and audio, but engine and suspension. The new x3 is a much better ride, with more "floaty" handling, IMHO. That being said, the new car wins hands down. The old car's ride was terrible, to the point where my wife hated to go with me.

In the end, I would tell you to skip the 2010 cars, and skip the 2011. Get a 2012 with the 6 cylinder engine if you want a good value. The newer N20 4 cyclinder is actually better pickup, but the other rap into'd in 2013, like ASS, make he 2012 a sweet spot.

[roadkillrob]

1st x3 was a nice try, 2nd was when they got it much more right.

Drive both and you will stop looking at them, it was based on the e46 platform designed in the mid to late 90's and not majorly ungraded from the e36, first gen feels 15 years old because most of it was!

[stumblingtrout]

I remember driving a 3.0d X3 M Sport Auto on a 57 Plate years and years ago when I was doing some driving work for a company I did some occasional jobs for.

I remember it blowing my mind. I remember driving it through absolutely mental rain and it felt invincible - very sure footed and very composed.

I don't remember the ride being THAT firm. I thought it was great.

I was, however, 18/19 years old and it was the first 4x4 vehicle I had driven.

Obviously things have moved on a bit and the interior is dated in the old model.

[yeahOK]

Originally Posted by jknj

In the end, I would tell you to skip the 2010 cars, and skip the 2011. Get a 2012 with the 6 cylinder engine if you want a good value. The newer N20 4 cyclinder is actually better pickup, but the other rap into'd in 2013, like ASS, make he 2012 a sweet spot.

As someone looking at getting a 2011 35i, what significant changes were there between 2011 and 2012? From the research I've done, the only significant change in the 35i is the iDrive update for the 2014 MY.

[saulgoodman]

if you definitely need 6 spd manual then 2010 model is the only option...else go with F25 chassis,

Both 2011 and 2012 xDrive28i are NA inline-6 (2012 is the final model year of the BMW's trusted naturally aspirated inline-6)...still has throttle delay issues and other nuances.

2013 xDrive28i is N20 twin-power turbo inline-4 (better mpg and torque) with 18" wheels, auto start/stop, eco-pro/sport/sport+ driving mode, power tail-gate, black high gloss instrument panel and chrome exhaust tips as standard features...all of these were optional items in '11 & '12 models

2014 xDrive28i has upgrade iDrive and 10 year eCall assist as standard.

So, 2013 xDrive28i will be your safe bet and better model year...2012 is still a great model but has some annoying issues and many TSB's.

[jknj]

The throttle issue was drastically improved after a software update. The 2011 worked out most of the issues. The N20 is a great engine, but long term has yet to be proven. The N55 is the most proven engine in BMW's history, and is smooth and sounds great. The 4 banger sounds Whiney at times, but I must say hauls a** more than the 6. No deals yet on '13s however. The 14 has a bad option mix, but does include more standard stuff at a higher price.

[pharding]

Second generation is much better and a great vehicle to own. One caveat is that one should not expect it to handle as well as a 3er, like your current ride. The X3 does well in its class. It has many fine virtues, but the 3er handles better and has a sportier feel.

[liverman]

I owned a '05 E83 3.0i. I would not have parted with that car had it not been rear ended and pronounced unsalvagable by the insurance company.

My wife and I wept. We loved that car. What some call rough riding, I call tight.

We were forced to buy a new one. Buying an X3 was a foregone conclusion.

At the risk of being disloyal to my ol' chili-pepper red X3...I am SO GLAD that car got totaled.

The F25 interior is like moving into the main house from the barn. The 35i engine is like riding an Atlas booster rocket compared to my old normally aspirated 3 liter. And the tech toys are like moving from tube radio to HD TV with surround sound.

[JimmyTheHand]

having had similar specs E83 & F25 (both 3D SE ) - the E83 major problem for me was harsh ride but It felt more "precise" on the road than the F25 (not hugely, but enough to notice)

The boot size on E83 seem small, but didn't really cause me much issues and the “trip computer” felt like a major penny pinching. I am not sure I felt interior in mine was worse than F25 (but might have been because I had leather trim)

My F25 has 8 speed auto – which seems better than the 6, the engine is more powerful, ride is better - in fact the only things I really missed about E83 version is the proper handbrake and the Pirelli all season tyres (during the 5 days of snow we had this year), and the cash needed to buy the F25

The only other worry – is the rear brake pad wear some people seem to suffer on F25

[richard in NC]

I had an '06 30i and really liked it. I'd simply call the ride tight, not harsh. The interior was spartan and minimally equipped compared to the F25 gen.
I really like my '13 X3 35i, quicker, smoother, much more quiet, and all the latest tech. The handling is still good but doesn't quite have the same responsive feel, although Sport mode helps. The big downside is the GY Eagle LS tires. Not impressed. Although now with 3000 miles, their grip seems improved.

I can't comment on the problems in the first years but I'm sure the newer, the better. However don't sacrifice on the options like Sport Activity or M Sport with the better seats, the adjustable suspension, nav, and more are all worth having.

[The X Men]

We would not even consider the E83 when we were car shopping 5 years ago, the car was too small, ride too stiff and the interior was horrible. We ended up with the Audi Q5. This time around, the F25 beat out the Evoque and the ML350. It is still the best handling of the bunch and the N55 engine is intoxicating. Interior is vastly improve and the ride is more civilize for the everyday commute.

[osxcode]

I've had a few X3's -- Quite simply, if the F25 is within your budget, go that route hands down. It makes the older X3 look like a model-t. The F25 is just outstanding, BMW really went back to the drawing board on this model and made us a wonderful vehicle, for so many reasons.

So if you can afford it, Go F25 and get the better new ride with a warranty!

[jknj]

One small factor in the e83's favor is a much wider availability of after market "stuff" and a big one - no RFT, which I realize is safer, but I would prefer the spare, especially on longer trips.

The older car definitely handled tighter, or at least felt like it did. The f25 seems to go just as fast on my favorite windy roads, but doesn't seem to struggle as much transferring sudden g force directly to me, which I think is what made me think the e83 was tighter at first.

The e83 was very "hack able" from an electronics standpoint. The newer car is a much more closed system, but also much less in need of hacking. The older car used DVD based NAV, but the sexy mechanical up down of the screen was starting to show signs of failure on mine after 7 years.

One more note: the f25 has real rear seat air and heat, while the e83 had very poor rear seat airflow, and quite cramped rear seats as well.

I loved my e83 when alone, but now my whole family loves the f25

[nonagon]

Only thing I miss about the E83 was the steering feel but DHP makes up for it in the F25. The F25 is a better overall vehicle, period.

[Yosh]

The information is very useful.

Tom