High mileage owners?

MartinHattingh · 01-15-2015, 09:15 AM

I just bought a 2012 XDrive 2.0i with 52k miles, have had it for about two weeks. I was hoping to get some thoughts on potential maintenance issues from those who have high-mileage X3s.

(I'll state figures in miles even though we measure in kilometres in South Africa, seeing as most people here are in that frame of mind...)

In SA, all BMWs are sold with a 5yr/100k km motorplan, which covers literally everything but tyres and fuel, so it's still covered for about 9500mi. It's intended primarily as a weekend trip vehicle with a few short trips during the week, I only do 9000-10000mi annually. My plan is to drive it until about 95000mi.

Two points:

1) During my remaining motorplan period, I'm entitled to complain about pretty much anything that would usually fall under warranty, over and above all services. I'm planning to identify and sort out as many niggles as I can during this period, so am paying very close attention to every single sound/vibration/rattle I can detect. What would really help is getting input from those of you with high-mileage examples on what to look out far in terms of problems you've had sorted. Actually, any input on symptoms of underlying issues would also be appreciated.

So far, I have the following on my list:
- White smoke on cold start after the car has been standing overnight, more smoke the longer it's been standing.
- I can feel a clunk in the steering when stationary and wiggling it around.
- When the steering is in full left position and driving down textured car park ramps, I can hear substantial rattles coming from the direction of the right front wheel. Could be above the wheel and somewhere in the steering column as well (RHD), but not sure. Sounds like hard plastic rattling, not metallic.

The first two points seem to be known issues (from browsing these forums).

2) Anyone have real-world experience with maintenance costs and typical issues above 60000mi? From the motorplan history, the car's had 2x brake pad replacements (both front and rear) so far, so expecting rears to need replacement soon.

plymjack · 01-15-2015, 11:28 AM

Not much to add, ours is 30 months old, done 27000 and only had its one service. Nothing changed and no niggles to note. Planning to keep to 2017/8 to replace with new model then.... guessing will be at 60000 miles and 6 years old.

Andy_o · 01-15-2015, 05:02 PM

We've got a 12 plate one at work that has done 98000 miles

Don't think it's had a major work other than routine servicing

MartinHattingh · 01-16-2015, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_o

We've got a 12 plate one at work that has done 98000 miles

Don't think it's had a major work other than routine servicing

OK, well that's initially encouraging to hear!

Upstate_X3 · 01-29-2015, 09:05 PM

Just got out of my 2013 X3, had 49,000+ miles and never required anything but standard service. Ran great and was never in the shop of any unscheduled reason. One concern I had was my brakes were nearing replacement (standard service is supposed to be 79K which seems very unlikely). I'd suggest a close look at your brakes as a brake job can be a very expensive repair (at my center rotors and pads runs $1300 USD).

MartinHattingh · 01-30-2015, 02:10 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I had the saleslady print out the full service history on mine when buying, both front and rear discs (rotors to Americans

) have been replaced under motorplan already, you're correct it looks like it was quite pricey. The rear pads are up for replacement in 3000km, which will still be covered under plan. Fronts according to iDrive have 40,000km+ left on them so should be fine.

m_alnimah · 01-30-2015, 03:33 AM

Well, Smoke is something Normal as long as it stops a while after startup... I think you can extend your plan for another X Year(s) (that's what i do with my dealer here in Qatar) and any pictures of the car?

LMLdm · 01-30-2015, 10:38 AM

When I got my 2004 X3 2.5i with 144,000 km, to certify it I had to replace the back axle, 4 new shocks, front head light and a break light on the trunk. costing $4500. Then it was all good from when I got it this November then in early January the PCV value got clogged up with sludge and build pressure in the engine head, value cover bursted and the oil caught fire costing around $1000 in repairs. So check it and clean it every now and then, make sure there isn't too much moisture in the engine.

01-15-2015, 09:15 AM	#1
MartinHattingh Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 XDrive 2.0i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cape Town iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 2.0i XD ... [0.00] 2012 BMW 118i Urban [8.00]	High mileage owners? I just bought a 2012 XDrive 2.0i with 52k miles, have had it for about two weeks. I was hoping to get some thoughts on potential maintenance issues from those who have high-mileage X3s. (I'll state figures in miles even though we measure in kilometres in South Africa, seeing as most people here are in that frame of mind...) In SA, all BMWs are sold with a 5yr/100k km motorplan, which covers literally everything but tyres and fuel, so it's still covered for about 9500mi. It's intended primarily as a weekend trip vehicle with a few short trips during the week, I only do 9000-10000mi annually. My plan is to drive it until about 95000mi. Two points: 1) During my remaining motorplan period, I'm entitled to complain about pretty much anything that would usually fall under warranty, over and above all services. I'm planning to identify and sort out as many niggles as I can during this period, so am paying very close attention to every single sound/vibration/rattle I can detect. What would really help is getting input from those of you with high-mileage examples on what to look out far in terms of problems you've had sorted. Actually, any input on symptoms of underlying issues would also be appreciated. So far, I have the following on my list: - White smoke on cold start after the car has been standing overnight, more smoke the longer it's been standing. - I can feel a clunk in the steering when stationary and wiggling it around. - When the steering is in full left position and driving down textured car park ramps, I can hear substantial rattles coming from the direction of the right front wheel. Could be above the wheel and somewhere in the steering column as well (RHD), but not sure. Sounds like hard plastic rattling, not metallic. The first two points seem to be known issues (from browsing these forums). 2) Anyone have real-world experience with maintenance costs and typical issues above 60000mi? From the motorplan history, the car's had 2x brake pad replacements (both front and rear) so far, so expecting rears to need replacement soon.
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01-15-2015, 11:28 AM	#2
plymjack Nuclear Chief of the Watch 120 Rep 637 Posts Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D, i3 BEV Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK iTrader: (0)	Not much to add, ours is 30 months old, done 27000 and only had its one service. Nothing changed and no niggles to note. Planning to keep to 2017/8 to replace with new model then.... guessing will be at 60000 miles and 6 years old. __________________ BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3
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01-15-2015, 05:02 PM	#3
Andy_o Captain 77 Rep 746 Posts Drives: X3 20d Xline Melbourne Red Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Uk - Lancashire iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	We've got a 12 plate one at work that has done 98000 miles Don't think it's had a major work other than routine servicing __________________ Gone: E90 crimson red/black Gone :X1 23d Msport manual, Space/Beige Pro Nav, Adaptive zenons, privacy glass, 18's, ext storage, Current: X3 20d Xline auto, Melbourne/Beige, Sport seats, Viz pack, heated steering wheel, Folding mirrors, privacy glass, luggage net, pro nav Current: E85 Z4 3.0si roadster titanium/Syrah individual Current: F31 320d touring black/black work hack
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01-29-2015, 09:05 PM	#5
Upstate_X3 New Member 6 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2015 X3 xDrive28i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	Just got out of my 2013 X3, had 49,000+ miles and never required anything but standard service. Ran great and was never in the shop of any unscheduled reason. One concern I had was my brakes were nearing replacement (standard service is supposed to be 79K which seems very unlikely). I'd suggest a close look at your brakes as a brake job can be a very expensive repair (at my center rotors and pads runs $1300 USD). __________________ 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28i Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Leather Oyster Nevada 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i Vermillion Red Metallic/Leather Nevada Mojave, Retired with 49,750 miles
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01-30-2015, 02:10 AM	#6
MartinHattingh Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 XDrive 2.0i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cape Town iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 2.0i XD ... [0.00] 2012 BMW 118i Urban [8.00]	Thanks for the feedback. I had the saleslady print out the full service history on mine when buying, both front and rear discs (rotors to Americans ) have been replaced under motorplan already, you're correct it looks like it was quite pricey. The rear pads are up for replacement in 3000km, which will still be covered under plan. Fronts according to iDrive have 40,000km+ left on them so should be fine.
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01-30-2015, 03:33 AM	#7
m_alnimah Lieutenant 70 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Doha, Qatar iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 [10.00]	Well, Smoke is something Normal as long as it stops a while after startup... I think you can extend your plan for another X Year(s) (that's what i do with my dealer here in Qatar) and any pictures of the car? __________________ 2015 X5 xDrive35i M Sport, Black Sapphire on Terra Dakota Leather, Lane Change Warning, Lighting Package, 6WB, ConnectedDrive Services... (Sold) 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Fully Equipped. (Sold) 2016 Audi A6 35 TFSI 2017 X6 xDrive50i Pure Extravagance, Space Grey on Coral Red, Fully Equipped.
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01-30-2015, 10:38 AM	#8
LMLdm Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW 2004 X3 2.5i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	When I got my 2004 X3 2.5i with 144,000 km, to certify it I had to replace the back axle, 4 new shocks, front head light and a break light on the trunk. costing $4500. Then it was all good from when I got it this November then in early January the PCV value got clogged up with sludge and build pressure in the engine head, value cover bursted and the oil caught fire costing around $1000 in repairs. So check it and clean it every now and then, make sure there isn't too much moisture in the engine.
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