[Andy98]

Hi All,

I live in Aus and I’m looking for my next daily car for the next 4-5 years. I am wanting to get some feedback and experience on having the BMW X3M or X4M as a daily and how reliable it is to have our of warranty?

I currently have a GLA 45 AMG 2017 with a stage one, making around 320kw and 510 torque at the engine.
Prior to that I had a stage 2 cla 250 which was fun and had no turbo lag however didn’t feel fast enough.

Out of all the cars I’ve looked into, I keep being drawn back to the X3M as being an all rounder for being fast, having good space inside (at least compared to my current GLA 45) and looking sporty but not too over the top- however my only concern is for my budget which is around $100,000 driveaway - I can only find ones that have had 40,000-50,000km done and no warranty.
There have been a few with around 45k ish that come with the BMW certified 6 month warranty but nothing after that.

My other options were either A45s amg or cla45s amg 2020/2021 which would come with 5 years warranty and would be around $85,000-$90,000 drive away - however whenever I compared them to the X3M basically every stat gets trumped by the X3M, only thing that may look better on the other two is the interior dash and lights.

So I’d love to get some opinions from people that may have been in my spot - unfortunately there are non to test drive in my state (SA) and I don’t see it worth spending an extra $35k on the LCI.

My mechanic/tuner said the X3M platform is amazing and everyone at the shop said get the X3M over the a/cla 45s - so that also has some weight to it since they service and tune both these cars weekly.

Would love to get some options - thankyou so much!

Andy

[thestimp]

If you can afford an X3M get it. If you can't, don't. Most people spend another $5k in mods in the lifetime of the car. Exhaust, tune, upgraded bolt ons etc...

[Andy98]

Thanks for that - I will be financing the car, it’s more so wanting to know if others experience with reliability
In 1-2 years after ownership I’d do a stage 2 on it for sure

[geramata]

i am a relatively low income owner of a 2020 x4m with 50k miles, i just purchased the car and my mechanical skill level is a 4 out of 10 so do some of my maintenance and very small repairs.
I love end of lease car deals (cars 3ish years old with no warranty) because they are super cheap and if you take care of them, maintenance is relatively low.
have been doing this for years now and have had almost all good experience with this kind of purchases.
granted, if a big expense comes up, it will be a tough pill to swallow, however, historically has never been the case, and if that ever occurs, i have years of savings on my back, to justify making a big repair on any of my rides.

[Andy98]

Hi geramata I really appreciate that insight - unlike you I don’t have the mechanical experience however have a great mechanic shop that takes care of me
From my understanding both the x3m and x4m are pretty damn reliable if maintained
I’ve found a 40,000km 2020 x3m for about $93k AUD and it’s been serviced and looked after which I’m thinking of getting

I hope you keep enjoying your car!

[Andy98]

Just wanted to also find out, with a new BMW x3/4 maybe coming out in next 18 months

Would you still say a 2020/21 X3M or X4M is a good car to keep and have for the next 5 years without feeling like it’s “old”?

Prices for a 2021 with 20k Miles is about $95,000 AUD - is that still good value?

[knali8]

I have a 2021 which I picked up 2 years ago with just under 5k kms. Only issue I had was a faulty front strut (right) which was fixed under warranty no questions asked.

[knali8]

Originally Posted by Andy98

Just wanted to also find out, with a new BMW x3/4 maybe coming out in next 18 months

Would you still say a 2020/21 X3M or X4M is a good car to keep and have for the next 5 years without feeling like it’s “old”?

Prices for a 2021 with 20k Miles is about $95,000 AUD - is that still good value?

There was a slight update of the instrument cluster on the 21, idrive 7 and also the steering wheel otherwise the 20/21 are the same.

I still feel the 21 is up to date currently compared to the newer interiors especially if you have the carbon fibre option.

I think anything under 100k is good for a 21. ~40k kms

[evoix]

They seem to be reliable but I bought a warranty as insurance and to give myself a piece of mind. I know some people say it’s a waste of money but parts and labor on these trucks are expensive if you have one or two bad experiences. My heated seat module burned out and that Alone was 1700 to fix and reprogram.

If you can afford to replace a motor out of pocket then I say gamble. But spending 5k on a warranty comes out to be 1250 a year over 4 years which makes sense for me.

[Andy98]

Originally Posted by knali8

I have a 2021 which I picked up 2 years ago with just under 5k kms. Only issue I had was a faulty front strut (right) which was fixed under warranty no questions asked.

Thanks for your reply - that’s awesome they did it under warranty. Currently a 2021 with around 25,000 km is around $105k AUD - if I can snatch one of that spec for $95k I’d be happy with the deal

[Andy98]

Originally Posted by evoix

They seem to be reliable but I bought a warranty as insurance and to give myself a piece of mind. I know some people say it’s a waste of money but parts and labor on these trucks are expensive if you have one or two bad experiences. My heated seat module burned out and that Alone was 1700 to fix and reprogram.

If you can afford to replace a motor out of pocket then I say gamble. But spending 5k on a warranty comes out to be 1250 a year over 4 years which makes sense for me.

Hi mate,

That’s very fair, that’s what I’ve done with my current gla 45 amg and it’s good for peace of mind. If it’s a good third party warranty does make it worth it for sure.

They seem like a solid car which makes me think they will be good if maintained properly

[Th3Walrus]

Originally Posted by Andy98

I’ve found a 40,000km 2020 x3m for about $93k AUD and it’s been serviced and looked after which I’m thinking of getting

Yikes, are prices in Australia that high? I'm in Canada, and last Friday just bought a CPO 2020 X3M with 45,000kms for $65,000CAD = ~$72,500AUD.

[Jnat]

Prices vary so much country to country, wow... GLWD

[chrisleo2001]

X3M will not be reliable. My 2020 X3M non comp had cylinder misfire at 35k miles. Dealer solved the problem by upgrading the software. I had three bmws before, but none of them had engine misfire this early.

[Edgar_FriendlyX3M]

Originally Posted by chrisleo2001

X3M will not be reliable. My 2020 X3M non comp had cylinder misfire at 35k miles. Dealer solved the problem by upgrading the software. I had three bmws before, but none of them had engine misfire this early.

Good indication an entire line of vehicles won't be reliable. 🤔

[Mnfamilyguy2020]

I have over 60K now on mine. Not one leak, misfire or shudder. Wish I could have said that for my F06 650.

Tons of fluid changes, two spark plug changes.

I did have some very squeaky brakes which the dealer replaced and a driver side burnt out
seat heater.

Oh, and I go through tires like they are toilet paper.....

[Andy98]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

Yikes, are prices in Australia that high? I'm in Canada, and last Friday just bought a CPO 2020 X3M with 45,000kms for $65,000CAD = ~$72,500AUD.

Hey mate!
Yeah they are stupidly high unfortunately.. it’s about $15-20k higher here minimum
And with only the standard 2 year warranty for model prior October 2022 it’s a steep ask at times

[rosemont83]

The reliability and maintenance cost is what pushed me to go for an X3 M40i and just tune it. It's a different car, and for me wanting it to be a daily, the maintenance of the M looks a bit annoying. Plugs every 20-30k, tires, oil change is super annoying and you have to move the plenum and strut brace around. Have to make sure it's under warranty, not sure about how things are in your country but definitely get an extended warranty

[Th3Walrus]

Originally Posted by Andy98

Hey mate!
Yeah they are stupidly high unfortunately.. it’s about $15-20k higher here minimum
And with only the standard 2 year warranty for model prior October 2022 it’s a steep ask at times

Since mine was CPO, I was able to pay an extra $4000 to get an extended warranty, 4 additional years/80,000kms.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by chrisleo2001

X3M will not be reliable. My 2020 X3M non comp had cylinder misfire at 35k miles. Dealer solved the problem by upgrading the software. I had three bmws before, but none of them had engine misfire this early.

Great logic here man. But you can't confidently apply this blanket statement assumption to the entire product line. You have a touch to learn here. My 2020 X3 MC had this same DME software revision fixed before it was available to sell brand new. So yours just wasn't revised straight out of the date like it should've been. The S58 is a bullet proof best.

Originally Posted by Edgar_FriendlyX3M

Good indication an entire line of vehicles won't be reliable. 🤔

Just look at the post count. LOL Class is in session & newbies might want to leave a great deal of the talk to seasoned veterans. Rookies get a few free passes at first I think. This statement didn't hold water from the moment it was posted.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by rosemont83

The reliability and maintenance cost is what pushed me to go for an X3 M40i and just tune it. It's a different car, and for me wanting it to be a daily, the maintenance of the M looks a bit annoying. Plugs every 20-30k, tires, oil change is super annoying and you have to move the plenum and strut brace around. Have to make sure it's under warranty, not sure about how things are in your country but definitely get an extended warranty

If replacing sparks plug & oil changes seems like too much work, it's no wonder you passed on a true M car. Both the simple items you mentioned are a true piece of cake.

[rosemont83]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

If replacing sparks plug & oil changes seems like too much work, it's no wonder you passed on a true M car. Both the simple items you mentioned are a true piece of cake.

No... I passed on a "true" M car because I already have an e39 M5, a 911 turbo, and have had an F82 M comp, so I know what M car things mean and I don't want to deal with that.. Idk how "true" of an M car an X can be though except on the maintenance.. lol