[thatg]

disclaimer: looking for a cheaper fun compact suv beater - high miles are OK!

EDIT: After turning down some really great deals on x3s i've decided I NEED! to get a car with dhp(even though I've only driven 3 x3s without it).

Here's my question, how, without physically seeing the car can i tell if a car on autotrader ,cars, ebay etc. has dhp package. So far all i have to go off is decoding vins and looking for the 223 package. I'm really hoping that's not the only tell. Out of probably 100 cars i've looked at only 2 have that package. Hoping someone can shed some light. Thanks



Hey all looking to pick up a 2011-2016 x3 and am wondering what are must have packages that i’d regret not having later. I was ready to buy a 2013 i35 m sport with 65k miles for $17k yesterday when i realized it had the standard suspension and decided against it.

Currently i’ve got to have i35, m sport and i think the dynamic handling package code s223a instead of the standard suspension s225a.

Since decoding nearly 50 vins yesterday from cars on autotrader and cars I’ve found maybe 2 cars with the s223a electronic damping control option.

Are there other options I should be looking for as well? Is there an easier way to find cars with DHP then decoding every VIN number. I’d like the heads up display as well but its not a must.

The cars ive found with dhp are at 120k for a 2011 ($13.5k)and a 100k for a 2015($22k)

[TheCoolX3]

M pack is a must. If you can afford i'd get an LCI car. HUD is a very nice feature as well.

[Riick]

Must have?

2014+ is a must. 2013 and older cars do not work with BMWapps as ATT killed the service it worked on. It can be retrofitted but costs $1200 at the BMW dealer to upgrade the car's modem and functions are still limited compared to 2014+.

Other stuff? Comfort access. Technology package with top view camera, navigation, top of the line stereo. M Sport. Panoramic roof. Cold weather package (heated seats and steering wheel). Active cruise control.

Xenon headlights are not a must, but look cool.

Dynamic handling is super rare on X3's. I wouldn't worry about it. Remove the run flats for good summer performance tires and that'll fix any ride issues.

Oh, and don't buy an X3 (28i or 35i) with over 50k miles. BMW's are not Toyotas. Around the 75k-100k mark they start falling apart. A good BMW owner knows to sell their vehicle by around the 100k mark to avoid repairs that cost more than the vehicle is worth.

In terms of reliability? The 28i is more reliable and both the 28i and 35i both run 14's in the 1/4mi. The N55 has a plague of issues the N20 does not have, but it SOUNDS a lot better. The N20 is not a nice sounding engine.

If I was in the market for a used X3 today? I wouldn't buy an X3 unless it was LCI M-Sport (2015+) 28i those options listed above. Here in Florida you can pick up a 2015-2016 X3 M Sport 28i with all those options with 20-40k miles for around 25k all day long.

[najnad]

DHP is rare in X3's. I wouldn't hold out for one.
While I have a 2011, I would get 2015 and up now due to the tech advancements.
M-Sport is a must, Tech Package is a must (with HUD).
Xenon's are a must if you do any driving at night.
Get the 35i and ignore the 28i, unless mpg is more important to you than acceleration.
A good BMW owner does proper maintenance and the car lasts and lasts, but you already know that as you have an E93 M3.

[TheCoolX3]

Originally Posted by najnad

Get the 35i and ignore the 28i, unless mpg is more important to you than acceleration.

Having driven both, 100% get the N55 (35i) model.

Rick will preach all day that they have similar 1/4 mile times but the 28i just feels like it has no balls.

N55 is smoother than N20/6 just because it is an I6 over an I4.

If you take care of your N55 it will out live an N20/6 guaranteed.

[x3sm]

I have a 2011, I did a facelift on mines so I would suggest getting the 2015+ model with LED headlights
Definitely get the M-Sport package, it looks great
For sure go for the N55 over the 28i 4 cylinder
Make sure to get the navi, the 6.5" screen is embarrassing lol

[thatg]

From what i read about the dhp its a must if you want the car to feel any sort of planted.

I’m in the market for a compact luxury suv but when i approach the 20s i start to wonder what other options are out there. Ideally i could pick up a 2011 for 12-15. I just want something more useful than an e93 but still fun to whip around canyon roads. As far as tech all i need is bluetooth. Maybe i’d upgrade to one of the android systems ive seen people install.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Riick said the N55 sound better than N20, well, both sound not that great imo.

We are far from the N54 sound. N55 sounds like a Porsche flat 6 @low rpm, nothing too impressive.

- suspension is not a must, since there's many reliable inexpensive static option
- get all the package, but navi, since android units are inexpensive and loaded of custom options.

N20 (28i) only over 2014, check the engine code to be sure this is the revised one, without chain tensionner issues.

Before 2014, get the N55 (35i).

early F25 I6, got the n/a N52

[Riick]

Originally Posted by thatg

From what i read about the dhp its a must if you want the car to feel any sort of planted.

I’m in the market for a compact luxury suv but when i approach the 20s i start to wonder what other options are out there. Ideally i could pick up a 2011 for 12-15. I just want something more useful than an e93 but still fun to whip around canyon roads. As far as tech all i need is bluetooth. Maybe i’d upgrade to one of the android systems ive seen people install.

If you want something more useful than an E93 but want something that can actually whip around a canyon road? Buy an X1 35i. It's just a E90 335ix with a different body. Same suspension, motor, etc. Total rippers around a road course. If I didn't need 3500lb towing capacity I would have bought one of those not an X3.

PS, X3 isn't a luxury suv. The X5 is.

[thatg]

Heres the one i’m eyeing. But realize its got an accident. I’ve never had a 100k mile car let alone a bmw. I tend to do most work that doesnt require a lift on my own so hoping to get a cost savings on any repairs there. Cars got every option, but wish miles were a little lower.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight

[Riick]

I understand that you want to own a BMW for whatever reasons, but let's be honest.. it doesn't seem like you can afford one. Buying a 2015 with 100k miles is basically signing your bankruptcy papers. BMW's are not Hondas, they are not "just broken in" at 100k, that's the end of their life.

To see a BMW with 150k miles is super rare, they're usually recycled by then.

[lawdude]

Originally Posted by Riick

If I was in the market for a used X3 today?

Your dad would have to buy it for you. Not enough money in flipping burgers.

[cadman50]

One thing to be aware with DHP is the repair cost of the struts. It will be expensive! But the ride is great. I've got a 2012 35i with DHP and 115000 miles. Just had the front struts replaced to the tune of $3000.

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by cadman50

One thing to be aware with DHP is the repair cost of the struts. It will be expensive! But the ride is great. I've got a 2012 35i with DHP and 115000 miles. Just had the front struts replaced to the tune of $3000.

Amen. Not worth enduring the costs of replacement parts for DHP.

PDC and 360 camera are musts. HUD is nice too but, in Colorado, it's not worth it due to the number of rocks on the road. It's 2x-3x the price to replace that glass.

[Greg2010]

35i + MSport + DHP.

I've driven other X-models (X1's, X2's, X3's and X5's) and this set up has far better performance and ride quality IMO.

Also would strongly recommend fidelity extended warrantee once beyond 4-year manufacturers warrantee period.

Another alternative is to get a used Macan Turbo (with or without air suspension) but perhaps not a popular alternative on this forum

[najnad]

the reason people in this forum (Second Generation BMW X3) don't typically compare it to the Macan is the simple fact that the Macan compares closer to the X4...they are both lifted hatchbacks.

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by najnad

the reason people in this forum (Second Generation BMW X3) don't typically compare it to the Macan is the simple fact that the Macan compares closer to the X4...they are both lifted hatchbacks.

And price. The Macan is much more expensive.

[thatg]

If i were willing to go to the 20k range id probably start considering a 2013 x5m or a older cayenne turbo. Lol to the guy about 100k miles and not being able to afford things.

[Greg2010]

Originally Posted by najnad

the reason people in this forum (Second Generation BMW X3) don't typically compare it to the Macan is the simple fact that the Macan compares closer to the X4...they are both lifted hatchbacks.

Actually, the Macan has long been compared to the X3 Gen 2 and more recently to the X3 Gen 3 (less so against the X4).

There was a long list of improvements that members on this forum pulled together a few years ago suggesting to BMW how to make improvements to the X3 when designing the Gen 3 as many were bailing out over to the Macan (my suggestion was around #70 that suggested to coat the brake rotor hats so do they don't rust (and I would like to add another suggestion "to prevent the X3 Gen 2 roof rail paint from peeling" lol) !

Granted, the Macan and the X3 have their differences, but they also have many similarities. I own both so am pretty familiar with each (and fully love driving both of them

[Merlin82]

I have to say i really enjoy having the HUD in mine. I feel like its a feature that i would really miss if i were to go to a different vehicle. But agreed the windshield is a lot to replace. I ended up getting glass coverage because of how expensive it is. Otherwise I agree with what most people have said, 35i is the choice for me, DHP is nice, but Im sure i could live if it didnt have it, I love having the xenon lights, and M sport package makes it look great.

[najnad]

Originally Posted by thatg

Heres the one i’m eyeing. But realize its got an accident. I’ve never had a 100k mile car let alone a bmw. I tend to do most work that doesnt require a lift on my own so hoping to get a cost savings on any repairs there. Cars got every option, but wish miles were a little lower.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight

Did you get it? The accident doesn't really bother me, but the miles do...the first owner put 30k miles/yr on it! Double the amount I normally would want in a used car. But the price does reflect that, and the accident. So I would be tempted, assuming it drove well and they had some amount of maintenance history for you and that it doesn't need brakes/tires/etc soon.

[thatg]

Originally Posted by najnad

Did you get it? The accident doesn't really bother me, but the miles do...the first owner put 30k miles/yr on it! Double the amount I normally would want in a used car. But the price does reflect that, and the accident. So I would be tempted, assuming it drove well and they had some amount of maintenance history for you and that it doesn't need brakes/tires/etc soon.

Its really well optioned but would prefer a lower mile car. I found a 2015 with 75k miles but no dhp for the same price, better colorway as well. Its kind of impossible to find one of these things with dhp. Ive only found 2 out of maybe 100 m sport 35i with the s223a package.