[Aceway]

Bought my 2014 X3 28i at 50k miles now a little above 81k. It seems to me the build quality of this car just isn't up to par with the rest of the BMW's I've owned. The adhesive that bonds the glovebox leather on the lid is falling off. Plastic piece behind the driver and passenger seat is coming off. Passenger seat occupancy sensor malfunctioned and the airbag light stays on. EVAP is starting to give me some minor issues.

All the issues manifested during my ownership. I remember reading somewhere that BMW started manufacturing these cars in USA or Mexico, can't recall which. I still like the car as a daily but I've been toying with the idea of trading in the car for a different model, maybe a X5 or something along those lines. Perhaps I just bought a bad egg?

Please share your experiences relating to these issues and perhaps how your X3 is wearing long term.

[bpwj76]

Mine has none of those issues. Interior is extremely well put together, as is the whole car actually. Interior still looks new with 69k miles. No squeaks or rattles either. I'm very impressed with the quality.

We did have one thing replaced under warranty. The rear hatch struts were replaced, because one or both of them made a groaning noise when if first opened.

It's been a great car for us so far. Bought it CPO a year ago with 52k miles.

[Wgosma]

2012 X3 2.8i (non turbo I-6), purchased at 53K, now at 76K.

-glovebox door delamination, common/known defect
- no other mech or cosmetic issues
- car is sort of base model, does have heated sport seats and convenience opening pkg. but that's it.

-had tranny and Xfer case fluids changed recently; noticeable improvement in shifting smoothness- worth doing this PM.

Car seems fine to me; I've owned 2 E39's and E36 past 15 years, DIY much of my work- F25 feels well built.

[donkey]

I just got my LCI X3 so I haven't got a ton of time in it, but initial impressions are that the build quality is miles better than the F30 I got out of. That thing rattled and squeaked like you wouldn't believe.

The X3s for sale in the US are made in South Carolina.

[HPR]

2015 F25 35i purchased new. 48k miles with no problems to report.

[cwpearre]

I have a 2016 X3 with 61000 miles - very well built, still looks brand new. It was pre-owned with 51000 miles on it, and drove like a new car. I continue to be impressed with the quality and build. I was aware of the problem with the delamination of the glovebox, but mine is ok so far.

[MichiganMike]

My wife and I own two 2016 BMW X3 35i purchased new. Both these X3 vehicles have been problem-free. Consumer Reports rates the reliability of the 2016 X3 at 4 out of 5.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

My wife and I own two 2016 BMW X3 35i purchased new. Both these X3 vehicles have been problem-free. Consumer Reports rates the reliability of the 2016 X3 at 4 out of 5.

How many miles on the cars Mike?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

How many miles on the cars Mike?

34K miles on my wife's car and 15K on mine. More than half the miles have been highway miles.

Health issues limited my driving for a period which partially explains the low mileage. I love the N55 engine.

[thenew3]

My wife's 2016 X3 has poor build quality too. Fresh from the factory it had the rubber window seals on the passenger side rear doors falling off. Took nearly a month for them to get the right part to fix it. Driver seat bottom has a lot of cracks after only 20k miles. They replaced the pleather cover but it's wrinkled.
Center console squeaks and creeks like crazy and they've installed a lot of felt tape but still can't get it to quiet up, dealer says it's normal for it to make those noises.
Interior just feels cheap with all the squeaks and creeks.
Our first BMW built in the USA. Not impressed with the build quality. My previous E46 that I put 175k miles on didn't have any of the squeaks and creaks of this F25 X3.

Maybe I just got a bad one. I've had several loaner X3 and X5's that felt much better put together.

Now after 27k miles the engine (N20) is making a whining noise below 2k rpms

[Wgosma]

thenew3: good luck, hope you don't get into any major issues with the 4 banger motor.
Year and half ago I sold my last E39 and bought 2012 X3, I read about the N20 timing chain guide issues and went for non-turbo I-6 motor instead.

I think the E46, E39 generation cars were perhaps the best design/build BMW has produced- the newer stuff is more cushy less sporty ride. Those older sedans were rock solid.

Curious, what city are you in on Central Coast? Very nice up there!
Take care/Bill

[doodlebro]

Sounds like OP's X3 is parked outside in a hot climate. Every car is going to fail in hot climates in their own ways. No real way around it aside from keeping it garaged.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Curious, what city are you in on Central Coast? Very nice up there!
Take care/Bill

I'm in Carmel by the sea.

I agree with what you said about E46/E39. I've had both of those and they were much better built. A friend of mine still has his 16 year old E46 325i and it has fewer creaks and rattles than my wife's 4 year old F25 X3.

I miss my E46 328i, only got rid of it because we couldn't fit all the baby stuff. Otherwise it was running and looking great at 175k miles.

I'm starting to get concerned with the N20. It's started burning a lot of oil the last 7k miles. During the first 20k it didn't burn any, but the last 7k it seems like it's burning about 1 qt every 1k miles. Plus the whining noise at low rpms. Hopefully it doesn't have failing timing chain guides that seems to be common on the N20's.

[Wgosma]

Carmel, VERY nice area!
Good luck with the N20; that oil consumption is now at pretty high rate, hmm....

[donkey]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Hopefully it doesn't have failing timing chain guides that seems to be common on the N20's.

It shouldn't if it's a 2015 or later.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by donkey

It shouldn't if it's a 2015 or later.

Yeah it shouldn't but who knows. The earlier N20's shouldn't be designed to have that issue either.

The whining noise is getting louder every day.

We were ready to order a 2020 X7 but the wife decided she didn't want to deal with BMW again. So now we have a 2020 GLS on order.

[langm1]

I am looking to buy a 2013 X3 with the N20. It currently has timing chain issues, but I have priced everything out to be what I believe is still a good deal. The biggest concern that I have is the long term issues with owning a BMW. I don't mind buying with the timing chain needing to be fixed and fixing it once, but if this is something that may turn into a long term issue, I think I am going to pass.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Wgosma]

Think you'd be OK with repaired 4 banger motor- but the 6 cylinder BMW engines are near bullet-proof; think it's overall a better choice for car that will see high mileage and long term ownership.

These cars are good for the long term ownership but one must be diligent on preventative/required maintenance regardless of the model.

[BIG_KID]

Did my research before buying our first BMW (wife mostly driven) I decided on the near bulletproof N52. After many months of looking found a 2011 with 80K miles. It now has around 125K. One exhaust vanos solenoid, glove box delamination and two rear tail light LED driver boards it's still running strong.

I have performed all maintenance items such as spark plugs, battery, belt/tensioner, ALL fluid/filters, brakes/rotors and oil changes.

PCV recall by dealer and they even gave her a X3 M40i for the day to drive.

[fullthrottle540]

My F25 X3 35i has not been bulletproof. From 50k to 90k, i've had:

-valve cover gasket failed to the point of billowing smoke
-wheel bearing failed
-water pump failed, X3 abruptly stopped my family in fast lane of a busy freeway
-electronic board in one of the tail lights failed
-one fuel injector failed (stuck wide open)
-glove box cover falling off


It drives great, despite falling apart as it is driven.

[TEF]

To my knowledge, the entire line of BMW SUV's are made in their South Carolina plant. These include those sold in the US and abroad. In fact, there is a Roll-On dock in Charleston where BMW's for export arrive by rail (from factory) and are loaded on to vessels for shipment. In short, buying an X5 made in the same facility would not change much if you're already unhappy with your X3.