[alexg62]

I'm seriously considering 2013 X3 35i, but I'm wondering how long will it last. I currently own 2000 ML430 (bought it new in 2000) with 260,000 miles and it still going ok. This would be my first BMW. What should I expect out of BMW?
Thanks

[DavC5000]

most cars will last for a long time with proper maintenance. the i-6 is a great motor that will last although the 35i does have a turbo which doesnt help i suppose. but im sure it will last as long if not longer than the ml430, but only speculation since no one has had a 2nd get x3 for very long...

[Beyu]

How long are you considering keeping your X3?

While I'm not sure how long the X3's longevity will be since I don't keep cars for long (8 cars in 10-12 years) I would imagine the X3 would last similarly as the ML 430. In addition both SUVs are made in the US which may or may not have an effect on the car's longevity.

[alexg62]

I'm planning to keep it as long as yearly maintenance costs stay reasonable. Normal wear and tear stuff and with no major repairs.

[lbjgh]

I think the warranty for rust perforation of 12 years/unlimited kilometers speaks volumes about expected durability of the body.

Most mechanical and electrical gremlins will appear under the 4yr/80,000 km warranty and then after that regular maintenance should provide many years of reliable driving.

One thing I'm on the fence about is the transmission. My current car has 215k KM's and the shift quality degraded after changing the transmission fluid so I don't know if I'll change the transmission fluid in the X3... but then again it would be very costly to repair.

[BSM328xi]

Originally Posted by alexg62

I'm seriously considering 2013 X3 35i, but I'm wondering how long will it last. I currently own 2000 ML430 (bought it new in 2000) with 260,000 miles and it still going ok. This would be my first BMW. What should I expect out of BMW?
Thanks

Take good care of it, keep it clean, perform service regularly, don't cheap out on OEM parts, etc., etc., etc. It will last as long as you want it to. BMWs are no different than other cars, just often more expensive to maintain. The extended warranty is generally a good value for most.

As you already know from your Mercedes, you did not buy an inexpensive car. You should be well aware of the cost of maintenance going in.

Come on over to the bright side!

[brissim]

This is also my first BMW and I was very wary about buying a new car so early in its product cycle. Because of these issues - and the fact we generally keep our cars for 4-5 years at least - we opted for both an extended warranty and sheduled servicing package for 5 years. Having put on nearly 15,000 km (9,000 miles) in 6-7 months, so far apart from some minor rattles - no major issues at all.

Tony

[mcorliss]

I also had a 2000 ML430 and sold it for the X3. The X3 is superior in every aspect of build quality and performance.

Enjoy!

[alexg62]

I'm keeping mine for now. I looked at new MLs as well, but will probably go with X3 if I can get a price closer to invoice.

[n55x3]

I think the biggest concern around seeing those kind of miles on an X3 or any of the newere motors with Direct Injection is the high likelyhood of large carbon deposits developing on the valves. There are already many reports of high mileage DI motors with huge amounts of carbon. Not a show stopper but it really sucks the performance out of the motor. Your old ML would have never had this issue due to the fuel injection setup (some minor carbon glazing can be expected in all internal combustion motors).

Other than that, I doubt the bearing in the Turbo will last 250k miles but in my mind a turbo is a wear item so that is to be expected.

I think in general though it all depends on how you treat the SUV and how it is maintained.

[alexg62]

Good point about Turbo. Hopefully current generation of Turbos is much better than my prior experience in late 80's (Mitsu Starion - failed turbo twice in 140,000 miles). If it needs maintenance once in 250K miles, I can live with that.

[colson79]

The current generation of Turbos are nothing like the turbos of the 80's. I am not expecting any issue with my X3 because of the Turbo.

[jk]

i have 2 subaru turbo vehicles, an '02 wrx and an '05 legacy gt, with 140k and 110k on them, respectively. no turbo problems to date.

[myBMWstory]

I bought my 2013 BMW new in May, 2012. I got the extended warranty of 10 years or or 100,000 km. I have had all the required maintenance done at the local BMW dealership.

In Dec 2017 with 97,000 km on the car I had 2 major oil leaks in the engine repaired and the steering column repaired. The $6,000+ cost was covered by warranty. I was told the steering column problem was very rare. I had BMW do the end of warranty check.

in June 2018, I took the car to the BMW dealership to change the tires and an alignment. While doing the required maintenance of an oil change and filters the BMW dealership found brass filings in the oil filter. They told me they strongly suspect it has something to do with the bearings in the engine and the repair will be expensive. They wanted 9 hours mechanics time ($1000+) to check this out and the repair will likely involve a rebuilt engine ($15,000) or a new engine ($25,000). The car is not drivable as they said the engine could seize. I was also told this is very rare for this to happen.

I bought this expensive high end superior SUV car expecting it to last for years (as my perviously cars have including the GMC). The BMW barely made 100,000 km.

Now would anybody buy a $80,000+ car to last only 100,000 and 6 years.

So BMW what are you going to do for me????????????????????

[Iowa X3]

Did they show you the filter with the filings in it? If it were me, I wouldn't just take their word for it before committing $1,000 to go on a fishing expedition.

If the only fix is a new/rebuilt engine, I'd just drive the current one until it actually seizes up...IF it actually seizes up. You'd probably get some advance warning of such a failure anyway.

[kevink1]

100,000 km is not actually very much of an extension. The normal warranty in the states is 50,000 miles, which is approximately 80,000 KM.

Not knowing the options of your car, at a rough guess that price sounds like more than the car is worth.

And would be enough for me to say there are a lot of other brand options in the future.

I have nearly that many miles on my 2015 with nothing breaking yet other than some wheel speed sensors under warranty.

[oVeRdOsE.]

what engine with these fillings?

Engine ''swaps'' should never be done with the dealer.

There's a ton of specialized garage that can change the engine in a day.

Find a insurance srap yard, where they get all recent and expensive totaled cars.

i.e., B7 audi S4 had major issue with timming chain on their V8 (just like 1st gen N20).
I found a engine in great shape : 3000$
Redone tensionner since its out : 1500$
10 hours labor @67$/h.

a good reliable S4 back on the road for a ''decent price''.

N20 and N55 engines are everywhere in bmw cars, shouldnt be that hard to find. 5000-8000$ and you'll be back on the road.

Or redone the rods beraing, just like v10 M5, shouldn't be thatttt expensive. at least less than 25k$ ( if its the bearing. it could be the chain/tensionner)

[najnad]

I am the second owner of my 2011 X3 35i M-Sport. I did get from my BMW dealer the history they had in the computer of the X3 for its first three years, so I had a 2 yr gap from when I bought it. As far as I can tell, in over 100k miles the only real reliability issue it has had is the oil filter housing leaked and got onto the alternator belt, causing it to shred. Everything else has been normal wear and tear/maintenance. I fully expect it to last to at least another 100k miles.

As others have said, as with any vehicle, if you keep up on maintenance and use quality replacement parts, you shouldnt have any significant problems. It may be pricey at times, of course.

As for myBMWstory (1 post, so suspect right there): no vehicle has a 100% issue free across the thousands that are made of a particular model. So its possible you just got unlucky with yours. Or its possible someone did something wrong during one of your maintenance trips. Or its possible the dealer is making a mountain out of a molehill. I would take it to a indy shop for a second opinion. And they would likely charge less to rebuild the engine if needed.

[oVeRdOsE.]

oil can do major difference.

I learned that most audi/bmw oil certified, got a additive that keep the plastics in good shape, avoiding drying and degradation.

I own a non-very-reliable car, which is a A4 B7 avant with the 1st 2.0t gen, boosted, and very often at WOT, no issue at all. Good maintenance , and liquimolly leichtlauf

[pokerface]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

oil can do major difference.

I learned that most audi/bmw oil certified, got a additive that keep the plastics in good shape, avoiding drying and degradation.

I own a non-very-reliable car, which is a A4 B7 avant with the 1st 2.0t gen, boosted, and very often at WOT, no issue at all. Good maintenance , and liquimolly leichtlauf

Yep, B8 2.0T, no major issues as long as keep up with maintenance. Oh and little to no carbon buildup, partly due to WOT all the time