[Smithy2014]

With my next X3 due within the next week or so I thought I would give a brief round-up of my 3 years ownership of my 2014 X3 after 45000 miles

Performance - 4.5/5 I'm not a speed demon so the 20d was sufficient for my needs but even that engine has a surprising level of power, silky smooth gear changes and excellent fuel economy, usually around the 44mpg mark but have on a couple of times reached 54mpg! Engine sound is a bit noisy at tickover but once driving its almost silent!

Comfort - 3.5/5 The combination of runflats and sports suspension do give a rather firm ride but its generally not that bad. It does tend to fidget over our imperfect UK roads though!

Handling - 5/5 Perfect, point the steering wheel in a direction and it turns, very planted on the road and never felt uneasy about taking a bend at speed

Fit and Finish - 3/5 Would have been a 5 as everything is well screwed together but badly let down by creaky door seals in cold weather, numerous attempts at a fix by myself and the dealer have failed so end up turning the radio up. The creaky sunroof was another issue but was a simple fix

Driving Position - 4/5 There's too much manual adjustment! It takes me an age to get the driving position back to where I want it after the car has been serviced, yes electric seats would solve that problem but as I am the only driver it seemed an unnecessary expense. Excellent steering wheel adjustment and all controls are in easy reach, I drive system is a peach!

Visibility - 5/5 Excellent, large windows all round make parking a breeze

Infotainment - 5/5 Superb simple as that, best system I have ever used, having come from two cars with touch screens I was wary of the idrive system but its so easy to work

Space - 5/5 Plenty of room in front and back and boot is huge with some useful touches such as the place to store wet items, under floor storage, bag hooks etc

Reliability - 5/5 Never had any mechanical issues at all, only warranty issue was rear boot struts (electrical boot) that went really slow a couple of times, dealer replaced them but they leaked on the retractable parcel shelf so they replaced them again and put a new parcel shelf in

Dealer - 4/5 Cannot argue with the standard of customer service and cleanliness of my vehicle each time it has been in for service. The only negative and point drop is for the dealer trying to hard sell wear and tear items such as brake pads etc, during my last service in March 2016 they said I only had 1000 miles left on the rear pads - 12000 miles on and they are still fine!

The X3 may now be a little dated inside and out but I think its still a handsome beast. There is a lot of newer opposition but hopefully the GO1 will sort them out when it arrives end of the year. For me I am going with the LC1 as I have managed to secure a cracking deal on one and its enough of an upgrade over my current F25 model to justify. Should I have waited for the GO1? Perhaps but without knowing exactly what it looks like inside or out it could have been a bit of a gamble, I have never been a fan of the current X5 and prefer the older ones - hopefully the X3 won't suffer the same fate! Another advantage is that everything on the LC1 is tried and tested and should hopefully be fault-free.

[nickb3]

I am just completing my first year of ownership, and have similar experience. I have 30d with the obvious uplift in performance, but it comes at a cost as my mpg is between 35mpg and 41mpg (usually the lower end of that range)! I went for the comfort pack option, so have the electric memory seats which have been great.

I am sure handling will improve if some weight can be shaved off the G01. But I would be cautious about buying a G01 in the first 12 months after launch.

[Peter_R]

Good review in my opinion. I have one of the last pre Lci 30d's and agree about the fuel consumption. I have too many extras including the sunroof to list here.

I have read many times on this forum about squeaks and rattles, but have never had one such case.

[VikingOne]

I owned my (from new) 2011 X3 F25 for 5.5 years, reached 95,000 miles in that time, mainly motorway driving.

I agree with your findings. Although, despite not being an aggressive driver or any off roading, towards the end, I started to get various issues. New steering rack needed (BMW supplied for free), suspension stop went on front nearside, control rods needed on near and offside front, one xenon bulb replaced and then the transfer case was starting to cause judder at low speeds. This transfer case was going to be (according to BMW) a £5,500 replacement.

So looking at what the dealer had in their pre-owned area, inquired about a 2015 3.0d LCI xLine (2,000 miles) they agreed to give me £12,000 trade in on my 2011 despite its pending issues, so snapped it up. Got a one year old £49,000 initial cost car (almost full options loaded), for £23,000 plus the trading in. Absolutely loving it so far.... except the mpg.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by nickb3

I have 30d with the obvious uplift in performance, but it comes at a cost as my mpg is between 35mpg and 41mpg (usually the lower end of that range)!

Bwahahahahahah 35mpg, we get about 18mpg in city driving with the 35i.

[Smithy2014]

yes but fuel is cheaper than water over the pond....

[crolandc]

Not so much in Canada.

[hoho_leung]

Can't agree 5/5 for Visibility . It has pretty bad blind spots.

[nickb3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Bwahahahahahah 35mpg, we get about 18mpg in city driving with the 35i.

Of course, my 35 mpg relates to UK gallons. I think the UK equivalent of 18 mpg is low 20's?

The 35i engine is undoubtedly a lovely thing, but it highlights the cost/performance trade-off that has to be made when making an engine choice. With my annual mileage and UK fuel costs, the 30d works for me. But I wouldn't want to see mpg much below the mid-30's range!

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by nickb3

Of course, my 35 mpg relates to UK gallons. I think the UK equivalent of 18 mpg is low 20's?

In Canada they use Imperial (UK) Gallons. It is the US that has the smaller unit of measurement.

[nickb3]

At a real-life mpg of 18, it's easy to see why the X3 is not offered with a petrol engine option in the UK market!

[VikingOne]

Originally Posted by nickb3

At a real-life mpg of 18, it's easy to see why the X3 is not offered with a petrol engine option in the UK market!

I wonder what will happen when UK Gov start clamping down harder on diesel ownership from now on. Maybe a G01 Hybrid or PHEV with petrol?!? BMW will need to improve on the ~30 mile on battery limit.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by VikingOne

I wonder what will happen when UK Gov start clamping down harder on diesel ownership from now on.

Not going to happen for a long long time. Big factories turning out diesels with very very clean technology. Euro 6 + more. Vested interests.

Big trucks and buses are known to kick more poison than cars.

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by hoho_leung

Can't agree 5/5 for Visibility . It has pretty bad blind spots.

If you compare it with other SUV which have windows the size of an A4 paper, the X3 offers pretty darn good visibility of what's around you. Reversing might be challenging but that's where the reversing camera comes into play.

Originally Posted by Smithy2014

Performance - 4.5/5 I'm not a speed demon so the 20d was sufficient for my needs but even that engine has a surprising level of power, silky smooth gear changes and excellent fuel economy, usually around the 44mpg mark but have on a couple of times reached 54mpg! Engine sound is a bit noisy at tickover but once driving its almost silent!

If you have ever driven a BMW with the 30d engine, you wouldn't give the punchy but occasionally laggy 20d 4.5/5. It's a capable and adequate engine but not smooth and linear in its power delivery.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Crassus

If you compare it with other SUV which have windows the size of an A4 paper, the X3 offers pretty darn good visibility of what's around you. Reversing might be challenging but that's where the reversing camera comes into play.



If you have ever driven a BMW with the 30d engine, you wouldn't give the punchy but occasionally laggy 20d 4.5/5. It's a capable and adequate engine but not smooth and linear in its power delivery.

Absolutely

[plymjack]

We have had our X3 coming up for 5 years now... only done 45k miles - avg 38mpg but ave got over 45 on some runs. Mostly motorway & A roads as we have the i3 for town driving.
Agree with all your comments, our dealer get 5/5 and performance is 4/5 as previous noted - the 2.0d is good but the 3.0 is much better!

Since we both drive the electric seats are invaluable and near on essential.

We use runflats and are happy with the them .. lasted around 30k miles so not issues there.