[LemansblueMsport]

I'm in the market of buying a BMW X3 (f25) model year 2011-2012 because I want an X3 with the N52 (inline 6 cyl naturally aspirated) engine.

My concern is the x-drive and the auto transmission. How reliable is the transfer case on the x-drive and the automatic transmission?

I really don't need x-drive (no snow in northern california) but looks like this specific X3 that I like only comes with X-drive and auto transmission.

THanks in advance for your help!

[Bdavi011]

My X3 35i is at about 96k miles. I've owned it since roughly 47k miles. I've done the transmission service and transfer case service twice and I have absolutely no issues with either component.

The transmission on these cars are some of the best in the market. The ZF 8 speed transmission is extremely reliable and well engineered. The transfer case I heard of a few people have issues but not enough where I would think it is a common problem. If you keep up on the services, I can see both lasting a good amount of miles.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Bdavi011

My X3 35i is at about 96k miles. I've owned it since roughly 47k miles. I've done the transmission service and transfer case service twice and I have absolutely no issues with either component.

The transmission on these cars are some of the best in the market. The ZF 8 speed transmission is extremely reliable and well engineered. The transfer case I heard of a few people have issues but not enough where I would think it is a common problem. If you keep up on the services, I can see both lasting a good amount of miles.

+1...my 2012 28i (N52 motor) at 98K miles; did tranny and transfer case fluid change at 75K, NO Issues...all running along just fine.

[evilchargerfan]

Originally Posted by Bdavi011

The transfer case I heard of a few people have issues but not enough where I would think it is a common problem. If you keep up on the services, I can see both lasting a good amount of miles.

makes ya wonder if those who have issues with their transfer case, are the same people who tout the benefits of "lifetime fluids" , and refuse to change their transfer case fluid

[pungo]

I few years ago, in my search for a 2011-2012 with non-turbo I6, I couldn't find one in the condition/miles I wanted that also had Xenon headlights. The Halogen headlights on the X3 are a joke and since I drive on many narrow dark back roads, I wanted the best lighting possible. I ended up with a garage queen 2011 x35i, which all have Bi-Xenon headlights. Sure, the turbo is one more thing to fail, but when looking at used vehicles, sometimes you need to make some compromises.

The ZF trans is solid and are not known to be unreliable, especially if the fluid and filter is changed at the trans manufacturers recommended intervals (~60-70k miles).
The transfer case is solid are not known to be unreliable, especially if the fluid is changed and re-calibrated every ~50-60k miles, same for the diffs.

As others have said, BMW calls these lifetime fluids, not sure what they consider lifetime, but if you want the vehicle's drivetrain to reliably exceed well in excess of 100k miles, these fluids should be changed at the proper intervals. It's not very difficult.

[Barbera335]

I bought my 2011 xdrive28i 10 years ago, it currently has 130,000 miles. I have never had any issues with the transmission or the transfer case. They both get serviced every 60k miles. The trans fluid always looks like new and the transfer case fluid is always dark but the car drives great, even to this day.

[Bdavi011]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

makes ya wonder if those who have issues with their transfer case, are the same people who tout the benefits of "lifetime fluids" , and refuse to change their transfer case fluid

I think it could be. Also in conjunction with that it could be due to people not knowing the proper "rules" of owning an all wheel drive car. Such as replacing all 4 tires at the same time. Making sure they are all the same brand/type/size/tread. If they don't, eventually it stresses transfer case and they blame the failure on the transfer case.

[Cariboospeed]

The ZF 8HP, is actually quite a bonus.
https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...f-eight-speed/

[LemansblueMsport]

Ok thanks for the replies, good to know that the transfer case on these x-drives and the 8 speed ZF 8 auto transmissions are reliable.

[LemansblueMsport]

Originally Posted by Cariboospeed

The ZF 8HP, is actually quite a bonus.
https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...f-eight-speed/

Wow this is nice info

[spudslatte]

Speaking of replacing 4 tires, I thought I read in a previous post you do NOT rotate them? Has that been other members' experiences as well? Every AWD SUV I had previously called for routine tire rotation. Thanks all

[Wgosma]

You can rotate front/rear. I found that on the X3 tire wear is Almost the same on both axles without rotating, therefore I don't rotate.

In general BMW has never recommended rotation on any of their cars as they feel it can adversely affect handling. I rotated tires on my BMW sedans, as long as one does it at relatively short intervals ~ 5K miles, there are no drivesbility issues, and on RWD cars it yields bit longer overall tire life as the negative rear camber on those cars tends to wear rear tires bit faster compared to fronts.

[gzalexta]

How to calibrate the transfer case after fluid change? I am using ISTA.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by gzalexta

How to calibrate the transfer case after fluid change? I am using ISTA.

Did you look under Power Train?