[kevink1]

Yet when I switched between Run Flats and Non run flats, I didn't notice much of a difference. Guess tolerances between people vary on this.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by tom2021

I did the test drive today. Power is excellent. The ultimate driving machine is true and real. I enjoy driving the car. Now, I can see why many men love BMW. However, the ride was bumpy on fine roads. I suspect the shock absorber need to be replaced. The sales guy said all BMW’s are like that. Difficult for me to accept his reasoning.

Sounds like you may not be used to the feel of European vehicles, which typically have a firmer feel, yet more precision handling. You didn't say if it had M trim, which could have the sport suspension, giving it a firmer ride. Worn shocks would make it feel more like a Japanese vehicle with a softer ride

[tom2021]

After thinking more about it, I came to the conclusion the car I test drive is not the right one for me. No sunroof, no navigation, the gate/trunk has to be manually lifted.

I am looking for another 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28 at the BMW dealership in town. It comes with Premium Package Enhanced.

I really like the saddle brown Nevada leather on this car. My concern is the mileage is quite high (75,711 km = 50,474 miles). I think I will ask for a one year extended warranty, for peace of mind. Does the power train warranty include the transmission, axles and drive train?
What other expensive items to ask for in an extended warranty?

I really appreciate all of you helping me think this through. Thank you very much.
I can see we all share the passionate toward BMW cars. It is not just a car. It is an ultimate driving machine!

[tom2021]

I asked about the extended warranty. Three years comprehensive coverage and zero deductible cost $4,645 (CAD). Pricey. I will check the car on Saturday and will take time to decide.

[shoman24v]

Buy a low mileage car and skip the warranty.

[tom2021]

I will ask to see the maintenance records. Then, I can make informed decision. Anybody has experience with BMW dealer about looking into maintenance records during purchase?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by tom2021

I will ask to see the maintenance records. Then, I can make informed decision. Anybody has experience with BMW dealer about looking into maintenance records during purchase?

In the States any BMW Dealer can access the service/repair history from BMW NA's database - but that information is limited to work done during the car's original warranty period. Work performed after warranty ends, if done by BMW Dealer is only retained in that local dealer's records, it's not 'shared' or accessible by other dealers.

Something to keep in mind if you only get records reflecting what looks like the car's warranty period; i.e. there may have been other work done after warranty ended, unless the selling dealer was the one doing that work you'll likely not be able to know what if anything was done.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by tom2021

I will ask to see the maintenance records. Then, I can make informed decision. Anybody has experience with BMW dealer about looking into maintenance records during purchase?

The dealer I purchased mine from printed me a detailed copy of all the service records from when the vehicle was new to current at 56k miles for a 2011. It was purchased new, serviced and sold used at this same dealership.

[tom2021]

Test drive today. This car has winter tires on. The ride is not bumpy/harsh like the other one. This time, I noticed the sound with all windows were closed that I didn't pay attention to, on the first test drive, on the different car. It was like roaring of racing car, but much much softer. The sound was also pronounce when I slowed down the car. The salesman said because of turbo engine work harder in the winter. However, GMC terrain with turbo engine does not produce sound like that. I drive this car on regular basis.

The dealer showed me maintenance records since day one. Regular maintenance, the only repair was rear axle oil leaks.

I like driving X3. It is SUV, but maneuvering like sedan. Now, come to the decision time and negotiation for sure.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by tom2021

After thinking more about it, I came to the conclusion the car I test drive is not the right one for me. No sunroof, no navigation, the gate/trunk has to be manually lifted.

I am looking for another 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28 at the BMW dealership in town. It comes with Premium Package Enhanced.

I really like the saddle brown Nevada leather on this car. My concern is the mileage is quite high (75,711 km = 50,474 miles). I think I will ask for a one year extended warranty, for peace of mind. Does the power train warranty include the transmission, axles and drive train?
What other expensive items to ask for in an extended warranty?

I really appreciate all of you helping me think this through. Thank you very much.
I can see we all share the passionate toward BMW cars. It is not just a car. It is an ultimate driving machine!

Tom, my 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i was purchased in 2019 at 50,000KM (31,000k miles), and as of 2021-February, it's at 115,000KM (72,000k miles).

So I don't think that x3 is driven as much and don't consider it to be high IMO, but yes, buy lower mileage and request maintenance records. All the best!

[tom2021]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

Tom, my 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i was purchased in 2019 at 50,000KM (31,000k miles), and as of 2021-February, it's at 115,000KM (72,000k miles).

So I don't think that x3 is driven as much and don't consider it to be high IMO, but yes, buy lower mileage and request maintenance records. All the best!

Thanks for the input. The dealer has another car about the same, 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i with Premium Package Enhanced. The mileage is 48,500 km = 32,333 miles. However, the car has been into accident. The damage was at the left rear end, cost $3,751 for repair. The price is only $800 more. Pricewise, I choose lower mileage. But, the repaired due to accident is a concern.

I have a lot to consider and think about.

[tom2021]

I read all your feed backs and take them seriously into my consideration . Thank you all, again.

I understand 6 cylinders engine is better. However, it is a small city where I live. Nearest bigger cities are thousands of miles away. And Corvid complicate things if you buy a car in a different city than where you live in. A few 6 cylinders engine X3's available in the market. But the cars are older (2016 or older) and with high mileage. One private seller has a good one, but he told me that he did maintenance with a mechanics in his small rural town. Oil change only. No problem so far. That tells me is a big no no.

So, I can live with 4 cylinders X3. I live in prairies, not much of hills or mountains. I know, I will go out of town one day, to the rocky even. But, we can take other cars for those occasions.

Back to the car being sold by a BMW dealer in town.

The car has winter tires for test drives. It is cold climate where I live in Canada. For American folks, imagine Northern Minnesota or Michigan. The sell of the car only includes all season tires. Two tires are new, one tire is 70% and the fourth tire is only 56%. I asked them to give me a new tire, not the 56% one. They didn't want to listen and kept arguing the car passed government safety and BMW CPO inspections. I told them I expect better tire than 56% when I buy a BMW. Then, they argued again it passed safety and BMW has high standard. In my mind "oh yah, high standard and you expect customers to accept one 56% tire". I came to doubt their entire high standard BMW CPO inspections.

They offered $500 credit to purchase new tires "when the tire need to be replaced." I want that tire gone now, not later.

They still don't listen to a customer who doesn't want to pay them cash and drive away a BMW with one 56% tire. Now, I come to think that 70% tire is not good together with the other three new tires.

So, here is where I am now. Still looking for my first BMW.

[Vikingstaff]

With the xdrive, you’d typically try to replace all tires together. Conformity of tire wear and tread is optimal for computer/AWD. The fact 2 are new, one is 70% and yet another is at 56% is puzzling, and not optimal. EITHER someone has damaged tires, and opted to replace only damaged tire for cost (kind of understandable with expensive tires), or they simply did not maintain tire rotation and got un-uniform wear amongst their tires. Anyway, just putting out there that it’d be an issue in my book. If 2 of the tires are new and 100% tread, I’d make sure the other two are the same type and new as well.

Also, I live in Michigan so I can encounter some bad winter roads like our friends to the north such as yourself in Canada. Going form a performance RF all season to non-RF winter tires this past winter was a HUGE improvement: stoping, starting, traction and stability, and ride comfort. Night and day difference. I’ll be switching back to my RF all seasons late March. Not looking forward to the stiffer ride again, but they have lots of life left in them. Eventually they’ll be replaced with an all season non-RF to just help with ride comfort.

[tom2021]

I am going to check out another car Saturday. 2017 X3 xDrive28i with 32,300 km (21,500 miles). Is it odd a leased return car with such a low mileage? In my mind, most leased return cars have been driven 40,000 - 50,000 miles. Does BMW has lease option with very low mileage allowance?

[tom2021]

Hi Folks, I am pleased to inform you that I am officially an owner of a BMW now.

Did the test drive today. Checked the maintenance records: only regular service and oil change for the past three and half years. So, I paid down the deposit. The car will be clean up and be ready for pick up early next week.

It is a 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i, Premium ENHANCED Package, IVORY WHITE LEATHER INTERIOR, Black exterior.

I can't wait to drive the car home. I plan to take a day off for the D DAY.

Thank you all.

[najnad]

Love the ivory interior. I used to always get black interiors before I got my X3 with ivory.

[tom2021]

I drove the car home today. The car is equipped with with Apple CarPlay, Heads Up Display, Navigation, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Front End Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and rearview backup camera. It is not only ultimate driving machine, but also a high tech electronics machine, like KITT in Knight Rider. 😀

On top of those, the sound system is excellent.

It is really fun, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive and ride in this car. My family is pretty happy with the car as well. Feel great that we made the right decision.