BMW X3
Verified55 reviews
First and last BMW we will ever buy. The iDrive 9 system is full of bugs and requires doing a hard reset on a regular basis. Today the touchscreen (which controls everything in the car) stopped working again, completely frozen, can't access anything until the car was stopped, locked and then restarted. The foot operated motion sensor for the… Read more
tailgate probably only works 2 out of 10 attempts yet somehow while loading the boot it activated and the tailgate starting closing and hid me in the head, splitting my head open and causing it to bleed - this was while I had a baseball cap on! The engine and transmission are great but the user interface is a massive let down and so unsafe as I am constantly searching the menus trying to find something that should just be a physical button. It had the potential to be a great car but the software is a complete nightmare, I would NOT recommend buying this car.
I have owned my X3 30i since new in 2020, purchased much cheaper through a Melbourne based broker and freighted over. It has travelled a mere 7000Km. It was/is the biggest disappointment of my 80 years. It is an over-priced, over-rated pile of junk with one, the most arrogant SA dealer you would never wish to meet. It is currently pushed into… Read more
the garage and rarely used while I try to forget about my wasted money and drive my Mitsubishi ASX. It has a slow leak to one of the tyres which requires pumping up on alternate days but with the TPMS it is not just a matter if replacing a valve., so its back to the dealer again Now I learn the X3 has a suspect timing chain that can prematurely break destroying the motor. Apparently it is located at the rear of the motor suggesting an expensive big job to replace. There must be several similar sized SUV's on the market which would be far better and I will never buy a BMW again If I could get near to what I paid for it I would dump it in a flash
- +2
A jack of all trade SUV – This review will be coming from a daily driver DAD with 2 kids:-) We traded our X1 sDrive 20i to an X3 M40i and one of best decisions we made. We got one with 30k on mileage, but heavily optioned like lumbar support, ambient lightning, panoramic sunroof, 3 zone climate control, Harman Kardon etc. In addition, the Service Inclusive Plus still valid… Read more
for another 2 years which is great.
Transition from a smaller compact SUV is a bit of change, from a driver perspective it is taller, wider, but gives better views and driving experience is excellent. The sports seats have broad shoulders and lots of adjustment I can make which includes the front passenger ones and wife loves it. She indicated its very comfortable and she can sleep on long drives. Most of the days, its Urban driving, school drops off/pickup, work, shopping, and its easy to manuever within traffic and cruise accross town. The only downside I could say is it takes a while to move from a idle (light) but once I reach 20kms it moves so quickly and smooth. Steering wheel is fat but great on hands and also smooth and adapts to the current speed. With adaptive suspension the ride is soft even we have 21" wheels, passing through speed bumps were not that harsh and on the zone with 90k limit or higher and its really smooth, the only noise you can hear could be wind hitting side mirrors and through run flat tyres. On bend roads, its sharp and agile even its a bigger car, could be the wide rear tyres. We mostly on Comfort Mode but when there's an itch, move to Sports Plus to hear that crackling exhaust. No vibration on low speeds and the Hill Assist really works, not reversing itself unlike the X1 claims.
Fuel Efficiency, since its 3.0L engine with 6 cyclinder, its higher than my X1, average of 12kms/100L due to city driving but can go down to 10kms in rural areas, but with the M Performance engine, its surprisinly not the thirsty unless sometime I do erratic driving :-)
Airconditioning is also great, specially kids on the back seat have control on their vents. It has 3 Zone Climate control, It quickly cools down too, and on winter season the heated seats on front is a plus. The car has tinting as well on all windows and panoramic sun roof.
The 360 camera is really handy specially on tight parking spaces, never tried the assisted reverse or parallel parking as yet but I heard they are fully automatic compared to the X1 as it also automate the Gas and Brake for you.
The dealership, Joe from Medindie BMW in Adelaide is really amazing and customer service is excellent from day 1 I expressed my interest on the car. Due to my busy schedules and distance of the dealership from work is bit afar, most of the dealings were done on the phone and online. We only checked and test drive the car days before finance approval. On delivery, they got us free new Trunk mat and complimentary Apple CarPlay (cost around $450) since our car was manufactured December 2018 which is months away before they integrated CarPlay on later models. The dealings were quick and ride the X3 home in less than a week with free Full tank too.
After few months of daily use, I can say the X3 M40i is a comfortable, enjoyable car to drive. The engine sound specially on cold start is bit loud for a closed garage but pleasant to the ears, and during cruise you can hear its performing as it should be.
Practicality side, the seats are wide enought for me and wife on front, without hitting our elbows on arm rest. Back seat are also comfy, tried this on way back from party while wife was driving just to check how the view and comfort is on backseat, and I can say its great. I have asked my kids too and they said, they love the seats and how the windows are on their shoulder level which is great for visibility. Legroom and headroom are very good and since our family are not that tall and big, we have lots of rooms still available. The trunk allow us to store more luggage during our last interstate trip while still have plenty spare for something else not including the underside compartments.
Doors are so thick and heavy and sometimes kids are complaining that its hard to open, which I think is good as safety indication.
Entertainment, since last car has similar iDrive version except the Apple CarPlay which we need to add on X3, and I raised this to the dealership and they have asked him if I am really desperate to have it as our car was manufactured December 2018, few months prior to models that have Apple CarPlay integrated to iDrive. And I said yes, and they installed this for free! A whooping $450 savings! Also, onlyh difference would be the orientation of the Apple CarPlay dock, it was on left hand side which was for LHD vehicles. It does not bother me a lot its just when I look into clock, I have to look further. I have not played much with Audio Settings so I have not reached sweet spot yet for this Harman Kardon set up, but with its default settings, the bass are already powerful enough.
Fuel usage, in comparison to my X1 which consumes an average of 8.9L/100kms, sDrive 20i its typical I got 13L/100kms on almost everyday due to Urban driving style. I tend to add around $20 or more from my usual budget per week.
Overall, great car, fun to drive and comfortable for family of four
Reviews with attachments
Good, Versatile SUV – Bought our '08 E83 X3 2.0 Diesel 2 years ago. First, the good: It's comfortable, handles beautifully, the full leather interior & panoramic sunroof are really nice. As it's an "M-Sport" it has the sports seats which are very, very comfortable & supportive. We've now done 2 fully-loaded Canberra - Queensland trips with non-stop drives on the way… Read more
home. Performance from the 2.0 Turbo-Diesel is surprisingly good with a small amount of lag. Fuel Economy is excellent. Also surprising is the level of off-road ability. The combination of excellent suspension, very effective traction-control, the automatic transmission & bags of diesel torque make it a very capable climber & a good beach-runner. I've owned 9 "real" 4WD's & I'd put it's abilities about on a par with my LWB Suzuki Sierra. It's no Landcruiser, but it is a lot of fun & a LOT more comfortable.
Now the bad: BMW's Parts & Service support is not just bad - it's atrocious ranging to daylight robbery. Parts supply (& this was PRE-Covid) is non-existent. We've now had 3 instances of a genuine part just not being available in the country & having to come from Germany - 5 weeks wait.
Problem 1: in the EGR system there's a small, flexible joint off the exhaust manifold. This broke in the Snowy Mountains on a Sunday leaving us with almost no turbo-boost. A long, slowish drive home. Part not available. Our Repairer was fortunately able to weld it up. (Small ongoing issue - the EGR flow is now disturbed which results in the Check Engine Light activating every couple of days.)
Problem 2: the Power-Steering Pump became noisy. The day before the car went in, the high-pressure hose blew at it's union with the pump. Part not available. No after-market version, no Hydraulic Hose-Maker prepared to make one. 5 weeks wait from Germany. When it did arrive, as expected we also needed a new p/s pump. 5 weeks wait... never mind - use the non-genuine pump please, Mr Mechanic.
Problem 3: happening now. Temp Gauge flicks around, jumps to "full hot", light & beeper going mental, engine goes to Limp Mode. Luckily near home. Engine is NOT hot - barely warm. Self & NRMA suspect a faulty Temperature Sensor. It goes in tomorrow to be checked - NOT by BMW. This part does seem to be available here - it's certainly on Ebay & in online Parts Shops. A common fault maybe?
Synopsis: beautiful car around town, highway or bush. Just be prepared for some big repair bills if anything fails.
2015 BMW X3 F25 LCI 3.0d Msport – I've owned a 2011 Audi Q5 3.0d Sline for a number of years and absolutely love the practicality, size, power, torque and economy of the V6 diesel. Recently sold my Audi S3 and wanted another SUV as our 2nd vehicle. I drive a current '18 BMW 530d for work and previously never had the BMW experience before. I really fell in love with the… Read more
performance and build quality of this car. The BMW service centre where I live are the best I have ever experienced as well.
So 5 months ago I grabbed a 2nd hand 2015 BMW X3 F25 LCI 3.0d Msport (Alpine white) with 48,000km on the clock. Was in really fantastic condition, always garaged, full service history and still under BMW extended service plan. Read a lot of reviews on the F25 LCI X3 prior to the purchase pointing out all the pros' and con's of this model so I was sort of aware what I was getting into. Well after 5 months I'll give my opinion....., absolutely love my X3. I'll list a few options that my X3 has; heated front seats, Panoramic sunroof, 20" alloys, premium HiFi 205W 9 speaker Audio, idrive Nav' professional, HUD, burled walnut timber accents.
Having a slightly older Q5 3.0d I can compare them a little side by side. The Q5 has slightly better fuel economy, is a little smoother in ride quality due to non run-flats (both having 20" alloys) and a more damper forgiving suspension than what the Msport dials up for you. The rear seat on the Q5 can be folded from release mechanisms on the rear internal sidewalls and also have fore and aft slide adjustment as well as tilt. However where the X3 excels is with a fantastic far more sophisticated DAB idrive system. Love how emails and text messages can be read on the 8.8" screen. The HUD is brilliant and I find it hard to live without it now. You can scroll through and dial contacts from the HUD as well having the Nav' maps displayed in full colour to a reasonably good detail in front of you on the glass. The HID Xenons are fantastic for driving at night and a fair bit better than the Xenons on my Q5. Also a big plus at night for the anti-glare external folding mirrors.
I've had no problems with any rattles on my X3 like others have mentioned. If you park on a steep hill with the nose facing downhill the low oil light sometimes comes on the electronic vehicle information display. This initially freaked me out and I looked everywhere for oil leaks but it was like brand new underneath. I found the dipstick and it looked all okay. Researched this online and it appears as a known problem with the sensor location which feels the oil level is low when you turn it on. After leveling out and restarting it is all okay. Technology working against you here.
I grabbed a small professional air compressor and puncture repair kit that I can pack in if I go away on any long trips for piece of mind and the ability to repair the run-flats on the go in an emergency. The only real negative I'd give the Msport X3, and this is why I dropped it down by 1 star is with its firm ride quality from the sports suspension. DDC would be a massive plus but I have never seen this option listed in Australia on any F25 LCI for sale. I have it on my 530d and it's brilliant. As a result it's pretty similar in ride firmness to my S3 and consequently no real problems on the motorways but you'll feel it a little on undulating roadways.
So the BMW X3 F25 LCI is a fantastic high quality vehicle. It has a few of BMW little eccentricities but I'm very happy with it. 4 stars ****
Positive reviews
Superb M performance and practical too – We recently updated our X3 30i for the X3 M40i. Both cars have been really excellent. They both have a great mix of performance and practicality. The M40i comes fully equipped with all the vital extras including the panoramic sunroof. The engine is of course the magnificent B58 an inline turbo 6 - unbridled power. The economy has really impressed… Read more
for a six at under 10L per 100km combined and that’s only a litre more than the four cylinder 30i. Interestingly my wife likes a quiet ride and it is possible even in sports mode to reduce the engine sound if you don’t like that lovely engine growl. On the road the ride is comfortable and the adaptive dampers can stiffen the suspension if required. Steering is responsive and agile for a car of this size. Interestingly I tried the X5 which is larger and the X3 feels much more connected to the road. Visibility is excellent and it’s easy to accommodate different drivers with infinitely adjustable memory seats. The interior is practical and comfortable and carries that BMW DNA. The infotainment system is outstanding especially now that Apple Car Play is integrated. The X3 has a great amount of space for 4 adults and ample cargo space too. BMW have really integrated the best qualities of their cars in this one. Reliable and fun to drive.
A versatile performance SUV – We owned our X3 30i M sport for three years (70K). Fully equipped this vehicle is really outstanding. During the time we drove this vehicle we had no issues - it was extremely reliable and very comfortable. The engine was responsive and the driving experience was really excellent. Recommend this car to anyone. Recently bought another BMW X3 this time the M40i - hoping this car will provide as good an experience as the 30i. Show details
I love my BMW X3 3.0D E83 - best car I have ever owned! – I purchased my BMW X3 3.0D in April, 2017 from a Gold Coast used car dealer. It had 101,000k on the clock. The car was a bit untidy in a couple of places and hadn't been detailed by the car yard. The rear window washer didn't work and after some trial and error tracked it down to the washer motor. I purchased a brand new one on eBay for about $32… Read more
(I avoided the cheap Chinese knockoffs like the plague). I found the BMW dealerships far too expensive so I found good local mechanics to service the car. One in particular specializes in BMW's. I have the car serviced every 6months or every 10,000k whichever is sooner. One of the first things I had done to the engine was to have the swirl flaps removed and replaced with blanks. The car now has nearly 150,000k on it and the only mechanical failure has been the harmonic balance wheel. The rubber damper in it disintegrated. The drivers seat bottom half was well worn, so I had the leather replaced with good quality leather by an upholsterer ($450). I have used the car on several long trips 1. Brisbane to Canberra and return 2. Brisbane to Winton (via Charleville) and return. I have also taken some shorter 500k trips and return. On all my travels the car has never missed a beat - no problems at all. The secret to these vehicles is to address any small issue as soon as it occurs and turns into a major one. I recently had the transmission fluid and transfer case oil changed. I found the gear changes to be much smoother. With these cars its important to keep a close eye on even tyre wear and pressure. I love my X3 and it a great car to drive around town and the highway. I am amazed at the little problem it has caused me for a car which is now over 13 years old (first registered October, 2007). If you own one of these vehicles be prepared to carry out some of the maintenance yourself and keep away from dealerships unless you have deep pockets. I am gradually going over the car, particularly the interior, and restoring it to pristine condition.
Negative reviews
Disappointed for the quality – After only two weeks. Started to have problems. 1, The cargo cover can't be retracted. 2, Squeaky noise when turning the steering wheel. All these problems did not happen to my 4 years Subaru. Show details
Poor quality, Poor service – I bought x3 in Jun 2017, and I had very first service last year Nov at BMW service in Sydney. From service they found the air conditioner was not working well. and they said that the part needed to be ordered and it would take for ten days. But no update for 3 weeks and I called them and they said take another 10 more day . Now I am waiting for… Read more
it 2 months, still no update , no calls no email nothing. I don’t know how long do I have to drive this car with not working aircon in such a hot Summer. Not happy with such a lower standard service from BMW.
Half Satisfied – I have had this car brand new since 05/18 and could share a bit of my experiences here. This is the first BMW car I ever own, so I optioned it with M Sport Package, Comfort Package, panorama glass roof, wireless phone charging and fine wood trim. It is an enjoyable car to drive for my daily travel of an hour between home and work. It has many… Read more
safety gadgets that is mostly helpful and did get me out of troubles a few times. However, the "Adaptive Cruise Control" needs a much longer time to react when one switches from one lane into another lane. It is even more frightening if one is travelling at 60km/hr & moves into a right turn lane that has a big gap between your car and the car waiting in front, since it does not detect the stationary car fast enough and only reduces the speed abruptly when it gets too close for comfort.
The engine noise is so subdued for a 3L diesel, so the cabinet feels much quieter than my original 2016 Benz 350d. It does feel more lively and punchier as well. The consumption stays at 9L/100K, for most city driving.
The change from a car with normal tyres to one with run-flat tyres will need time to get used to. Even with this adaptive suspension fitted, it took me a while to get accustomed to the stiffer & harsher feel of the ride. It is highly recommended to have this adaptive suspension, as it does help improve the ride on all surfaces.
The internal feels quite spacious for my family of 4, and the boot is more than enough for a ski trip. Everything is finished with top-notch workmanship. My whinges here are the shopping hooks are a bit low for our typical shopping bag handles. The factory supplied boot liner slides back and forth, because it relies on the few Velcro tapes under it to stop from moving and that is not very effective after a while.
Here comes the annoying things that not just BMW, but many first generation car could have encountered. First one is the built-in oil gauge that started to show "Oil Level Over Max. Level" after 2 months of driving the car. It went off after the oil was replaced and setting reset. However, it came back after I clicked 20k on the odometer. Now after reaching 30k, it shows up again. The really annoying thing here is not to get to the service centre more frequently than its regular service, it is the warning message keeps popping out and block the screen every morning when one tries to reverse out. On top of this, it takes a month to wait for a loan car for the service, so one has to put up with this irritation. If the car can wait for a month to be serviced, why couldn't have the message scheduled to remind the owner weekly?
Recently, we just realised someone staying inside the car cannot get out, by releasing the latches from all doors, or press the unlock central locking bottom, if the car is locked by remote control key from the outside. When I reflected this to the technical adviser at BMW Northshore Service Centre, the reply is on the setting, but after the service, the problem remains and the service manager Morris Tisi advised me this is a "Great Feature" for most European cars. I was flabbergasted by this, as my Benz does not have this "security feature". I wrote to BMW Aust. for clarification to no avail. I received a rather indifferent and unsympathetic email from their PR officer that places their faith in their franchised service centre. I am not sure how BMW Aust. values their customers' lives & concerns about their cars, but it does reflects some facts about the management's mindset here. (I need to clarify this by stating BMW's car is adherent to Australian Vehicle Design Rule, as it has a horn to be activated if the car is in full locking mode. Though it may not be so desirable in case of emergency in my personal view.)
Well, enough for the blabbering, but hope my experiences give you some insight about becoming a BMW owner. I will just move back to my less-troublesome Benz after this less satisfying ownership.
Recent reviews
Luxury, efficiency and style – I share this car with my dad, but I have to pleasure of driving the beauty throughout the week. First things first, the price tag is hefty. For a sport SUV, the massive price was partially split between my dad and myself, and it did hurt my bank account a fair bit. Other complaints I have are to do with the lane departure warning, which is a bit… Read more
too sensitive at times. I also have a hilly driveway, meaning that the ABS activates when it detects the flat road after the hill and it locks the brakes. Even though you can override it, the sensors falls short when distinguishing the road and an actual hazard.
Aside from those small complaints, this car shines everywhere else. The diesel engine is extremely efficient, especially in Eco Pro mode (which our car is almost always on), so we've only filled up the car 4 times over the 3 months we've owned it! Speaking of the engine, driving is smooth, quiet and powerful. Never struggles, as expected from a BMW. Blind spot detectors are a blessing. The ones on the X3 are always spot on, never too sensitive or incorrect. The steering wheel locks when you accidentally try to change lanes with the blind spot detector on, and it has saved me once. Interior is really sleek with extremely comfortable seats and brilliant design and accent colours. Great for the slow haul through peak hour on the Monash Freeway.
Even though it hasn't been a long time since we bought the X3, it has had no faulty parts or issues or anything. Everything about this car is solid, from the driving experience to the safety features, design, ConnectedDrive system and the comfort. A great family car that everyone will love, if you can afford it.
WORST CAR EVER BUILT! – X3 BMW There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with this brand. Here is a quick snapshot of my experience with my beautiful X3. Rather than rave about this and that, I'll just tell you in point form what happened, with this normally driven, and serviced like clockwork each and very time it was due, serviced by BMW. Bought X3 brand new, fitted out with… Read more
the best accessories. 2013. Within 12mths and since then:
Cruise control flick switch rubber worn smooth from normal use, had to replace. Hatch release button illuminated symbol broken off the switch, had to replace. Timing chain stretched, had to be replaced, involving removal of engine. Main Drive Differential Unit noisy, had to be imported from Germany and replaced. Workshop imported wrong one so had to re-import. Took almost 2 months to complete. Approx $13k, but done under extended warranty (which itself cost nearly $3,000 at time of buying X3). Writing on ignition button started to fade, but left it. Sunroof malfunctions, no maintenance schedule in existence. Car leaks water, carpet soaked, since there is no maintenance schedule and drainage channels were blocked due to inferior design of sunroof. Had to pay to clear channels. Battery needed to be replaced, just under $1,000. Rear LED brake light assembly had to be replaced, cost nearly $800. Cooling system burst hose, had to tow vehicle to workshop. Thousands to fix. Cooling system failure again, this time EGR cooler within engine, over $1,000 to fix. Cooling system failed again, this time below fill tank. Had to pay to get fixed. Front seats synthetic leather upholstery failed, had to be replaced under warranty. Front seat sides failed, had to replace. Mid Console Compartment latch spring failed, had to be replaced under warranty. Headlight controller unit failed, had to be replaced, twice. Rear camera housing retainer failed, due to the fact it's made from flimsy plastic, had to be fixed. Front tyres wear unevenly, due to poor wheel alignment methodology done by BMW and no maintenance protocol in place for alignment. Navigation screen badly worn in the middle, since they used inappropriate surface for unit. Navigation system malfunction (seized) and had to be hardcore reset in workshop. Navigation system unable to truly calculate best route (algorithms flawed). EGR valve failed, had to be replaced. Cost about $2,000. Apart from a few other things, I can't really think of anything else.
Other than that, it's a great car to drive, and handles superbly around corners and never ever bogged in muddy terrain. Paid $100,000 in 2013. Market value is less than 30k in 2019. What a great looking car, I thought, at first. I had owned an older (25year old) bmw, so I wanted to get something reliable, so looked for fuel economy, reduced pollution output, refuel range and long-drive comfort.
Find out how BMW X3 compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
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Best 4WD I owned – We haven’t owned a BMW car previously and after did some research & test drive, my husband bought this car almost 5 years ago and I have been using it until now for work and family weekend. This is such a great family 4WD! Spacious, smooth drive, nice modern look, even after 5 years people still commenting how it looks new and nice! The machine… Read more
never gives us trouble, reliable, no rattling sound, A/C temperature always great, cold/ hot like we wanted, all buttons functions properly and signs inside car are easy to read or use. This car is also great with petrol, it’s very economical considering the size and weight of it. And I love the front and back sensors, really helpful! We’re really pleased with our first BMW and thinking to buy another one like the big brother X5 for my husband.
Best SUV – It drives like a dream. It handles well & rides well. High fuel efficiency. Diesel engine perform well & plenty of torque. BMW has improved a lot in the past 10 yrs. Show details
Excellent SUV - Just brilliant – Purchased as a well priced demo (4,000 kms) in 2016 from Brisbane BMW I was delighted with my 2.0D X3 after a tragic experience with a possessed by the devil Volvo XC60. The X3 is perfect in many ways - not too big and not too small. The 2.0L Diesel is powerful enough, yet does have a small amount of turbo large. Inside the X3 is not as plush… Read more
as the Volvo XC60 was - but it was still a nice place to be and in true BMW form, it was a delight to drive.
Over the 2 years I owned the BMW, I did 50,000 KM's - all trouble free. The servicing was a tad expensive, but no more then my Mazda 6 I owned some years back. Brisbane BMW where also a delight to deal with - a noticeable step above everybody else - nothing was too much trouble.
Having recently traded the X3 in on a new BMW - I still had original tyres on the car. It was near perfect in many ways and I only have praise for the BMW X3.
Money Pit - Stay away from BMW's – Couldn't disagree with some on the comments. My only advise is to stay away from BMW X3 or infant overall BMW range. They may be good under warranty as soon as you are out of warranty BMW or Dealership dont cares any more. Incident 1 - For me around 160K kms mark it all started with 3 light death combination, Airbag + 4x4 + Cant remember. … Read more
Inspection by BMW Dealership was advised to change entire Transmission, Motor etc with an estimate of over $18K
They charged premium to just diagnose the fault as local mechanics don't have fault description. BMW Hold it tightly the entire secret.
At the end found a local guy who replaced a small gear at cost of $260.
Complaint to BMW or Dealership result in only frustration as they didn't acknowledge the fault at all.
Learning 1 - Stay away from Big guys, they are only there to empty you bank account
Incident 2 - Started with a Engine Light around 170K Kms, took straight to Excellent local mechanic, I found previously, his equipment where not sophisticated to deal with the issue but he suggested DPF issue and he advised if its real DPF look in a range of $5K to get it fixed.
Found another DPF expert on Internet, set me back $1500 to get rid of the light
Learning 2 - There is no real after sale support or one point to go to, for every issue you keep looking for another service stations.
Incident 3 - This time Little Spring Indicator light around $185K kms. Took to last know mechanic cost another $1500 to fix.
Learning 3 - Stay away from BMW, by this time totally frustrated and trying to sell this crap
Incident 4 - $187K and almost all light on the dashboard, i started calling then christmas lights. A visit to mechanic and a fix was estimated to $4K-$5K. They where not sure till they open up few components.
Learning 4 - Decided not to spent any more and took it back just with the code reset.
Currently Situation - Decided to keep driving till it goes to junk yard. Spoke to few wholesaler and they estimated the car worth $3000 in current state and $1500 if it stop working.
Driving till it die down and will sent it to Junk Yard.
Note: I have not mentioned other issues like timing belt, Bluetooth, Power Steering etc as I am thinking they are general wear and tear.
awesome-feel drive – I own this car just over a year and I am in love with it--I use it mostly over the weekends as a family car--Love driving it--though it is SUV but feels like a sedan-I am simply in love with car and highly recommend everyone--Love the panoramic sunroof--SUV but compact !! Show details
BMW X3 30d an unassuming rocket! – I have now owned my BMW X3 30d for 6 months Performance is 5 star, absolutely fantastic, super quick for a diesel. The fuel efficiency is excellent when driven sedately. Finish and ergonomics are perfect Road noise is present but I believe my tyres may be the culprit. I have given the BMW X3 4 stars, it deserves 5 stars but price is the only… Read more
negative.
I forgot to mention the fun factor when pulling away from the lights leaving many fancy pants vehicles in your rear view mirror!!
Sporty Firm Ride mid-sized entry-level luxury X model SAV/SUV – Owned a MY2015 X3 F25 LCI 20d xDrive with M Sport package (panoramic sunroof, 20" M light alloy wheels Double-spoke 310 M wheels) for 2.5 years, traded it in for a F87 M2 in early 2018. Fuel consumption: Overall it's a good mid-sized family SUV, fuel consumption is consistently below 10L/100km for Sydney urban driving. Outside of Sydney… Read more
metropolitan area, it can go well below 7L/100km on the highway.
Chassis / Suspension / Ride quality / Ride Comfort The chassis/suspension is on the firm side, especially paired with 20" wheels and Run-flat tyres (totally ruins the ride comfort, the only pro is that you can push hard when cornering due to firm suspension settings and wide rear tyres, very little body roll, but what's the point to do that in a X3?). Ride for passengers can be quite harsh, especially when go over speed humps. Seats are not fluffy enough (especially rear). Overall interior design is about 5 years behind Mercedes-Benz and Audi competitors. The G01 X3 is catching up but still not good enough.
Handling is first class in its segment/class (GLC, Q5). Powertrain (4 cyl. diesel) is average, B47D20 + ZF 8HP provides no excitement for its size (1700kg+). In addition, the way a diesel engine works is totally different from petrol engines, people need to understand what they are buying before making a decision. I'd never buy diesel-powered passenger car again (it was my 1st and last), especially with DPF. Even the straight six 30d doesn't offer good NVH (low speed low rev vibration, diesel noise from outside of the cabin. I don't drive enough to benefit from diesel engine (less than 10,000km per year).
If you want to buy a pre-owned F25 LCI X3: my suggestions are 1. pick one with DDC (dynamic damper control - similar to adaptive suspension - VERY RARE in Australia), mine didn't have it and that's why ride quality was so bad. 2. Don't go for wheels larger than 19", it doesn't help to run faster. Last but not least, don't buy if you don't have to ;-)
Reliability issues: 1. rear door window had a window seal rubber failure 2. Door and interior noise (lubricate rubber needed) 3. Front wheel speed sensor failure 4. as a result of #3, electronic parking brake failed (this is my first car with electronic parking brake and it did fail!!! so I rolled back to a F87 with handbrake!).
Out of warranty ownership can be bad for this generation. Consider twice before buying.
Very satisfied – Great car. Drives very well with good control. Loads of features and Diesel engine gives great mileage. I tried Merc GLC but I found it a bit delicate ( not my type). The sporty version looks a bit sturdy. I am happy with this car. I might go for a bigger engine next time. Show details
Terrible Quality Seat Covers – We purchased a new BPW X3 in July 2012. We wanted to buy leather seats but we were advised by sales staff that manmade leather the default was equally good and hard wearing. Seat cover started cracking in June 2015 (just before warranty expired). Seat cover was replaced by BMW under warranty. Now in 2018 February Seat cover again has same… Read more
problems. The standard seat covers supplied with a premier car does not even last three years. It is shocking to see such poor quality material being used by a leading luxury brand car in Australia.
Find out how BMW X3 compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
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The car drives well until you get a fault light up then get out your wallet – Handles and drives well. good power from the turbo diesel motor. Interior is fine. The ride is a bit hard in the back. We bought this car from the dealer at 25,000km (little old lady owned, church on Sunday scenario). We started having issues after 80,000km. Unfortunately there have been multiple issues with the transfer case (repairs $10,000),… Read more
DPF (repairs $4,500), exhaust valve relay (repairs$8,000) and vibration caused by recall repairs replacement of the timing chain (ongoing $$$). The vehicle does a 100km round trip with minor small trips so not sure why the DPF would fail or block so early. The transfer case ended up being a $20 part and a $170 repair. The fault up for the exhaust valve issue we got reset from another mechanic and has not reappeared yet BMW quite happy to slug me $8,000 to fix. Its been 16 months of back and forth with the vibration issue and ended up getting another mechanic to look at. he found three bolts that were missing from the front diff that were removed when they did their timing chain recall.
Why BMW could find this simple problem themselves astounds me. Just happy to stick the diagnostic machine on and let the computer do the work. Hint: a computer can not see poor workmanship and missing bolts!
Handling, drive and comfort - Excellent (in the front)
Reliability - Terrible. Constant issues with a low kilometer vehicle which is sold as a premium product. Mutton dressed as Lamb
Repairs, Warranty, Services - Dodgy at best. Untrustworthy, liars and cheats.
Customer service and support - Worst I have come across ever!
April 30th 2018 Update: More Issues, different day. 130,000kM and out of action
Not the language I would generally use but after dealing with BMW locally with no joy, BMW nationally with no joy and BMW globally, it has come to my attention that they do not have a concern for any of their customers that are having ongoing issues with their cars. I have posted over 50 (other customer) terrible reviews on their Web Page to highlight their customer’s distress and they basically don't care. Maybe with the Ford case that has just been to court they might sit up and listen! Class action you say? This is what needs to happen using the thousands of BMW customers that have been affected from, not poor service, but total disrespect and in some cases fraudulent behaviour.
Just a recap. I took my X3 BMW into West Terrace for a transfer case issue which I later found out was an inherent problem with this model and should have been a recall issue. They charged me $8,000 to repair the problem which i said was ridiculous. They then said that they would wear half the cost and do it for $4,000. I took it to another European car specialist and they repaired it for $170.00!
While the car was in the workshop BMW informed us that we needed to have the timing chain replaced as part of a recall. BMW gave us no notice, no loan car and had our car for 5 days! When the car was given back it had a very bad vibration. This was noticed before getting less than a block away. I took it back and was told that this was normal and that the electronic timing system had to find itself and this would take a thousand Km's or so. After taking the vehicle back and also complaining numerous times over an 18 month period it got so bad that it couldn't be driven. We took it to another mechanic and they found that three bolts that hold the motor to the front diff were missing. BMW on West Terrace had either left three bolts out or they didn't tension them correctly. A basic issue that they couldn't find themselves or didn't bother checking. Complete arrogance! They did diagnose an entirely different problem they said would cost another extreme amount to repair which I later found out was false. Another dealer cleared the alarms and we drove for two weeks, went back and no alarms were found! Self-generated? Wrongly Diagnosed? Pretty poor for a BMW dealership!
Now there has been the online PMing of BMW letting them know of the issues I have been having and extending this through to illustrate other customer’s plights also. All I get is either a computer generated response saying that "We are very sorry that you Blah Blah Blah........." and 6 weeks later when you are still trying to get an answer another seemingly computer generated response tells me that "You matter has been dealt with and closed out in our system Blah Blah Blah......." Pathetic and yet another closed door.
The public relations person from West Tce BMW returned my call 5 days after I had left a message to say that she was very sorry and that she had this at the top of her list to resolve. She said that she would look into the notes and get back to me. I called back a week later and was told that she was just stepping into a meeting and would get back to me straight after the meeting. Another week later I rang again only to be told the same excuse again "word for word". Who do these people think they are? Now the DPF filter has gone and the turbo also. The car has only done 130,000kM with constant running from the hills to the city every week. I should have bought a Toyota!
Who is up for a Class action? Message me back and let’s show these clowns we are serious. In the interim I will chase up the solicitors that were responsible for the FORD fiasco!
Reliable Car with fancy badge – Love this car, it's fancy from outside and looks great for any occasion. The interior is simple yet classy, will stand for so many years ahead. It's quite friendly and not too hard to use. Love the seats because it's adjustable in every way. All mechanic seems smooth and have no problem at all for the last 3 yrs we owned it. Although I wish the… Read more
Air Con can be more cooler. But this maybe because of the petrol efficiency and the machine stops everytime red traffic light and on again when it's green.
Best car ever – Best car we ever brought. Very comfortable and has enough leg room. One of the best features it allows is the pre conditioning where you turn the ventilation of your car on via your mobile before you get to the car, making he temperature inside the car to better suit you. very friendly staff at Adelaide BMW. Show details
Great operational single driver – Performance of BMW is unquestionable. IT IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE! handling is probably the best in its class. very good in maneuvering. just a noise reduction is not as good as the merc. been using this X3 since July 2013. I would say it does everything quite good. the only downfall is BMW didnt provide comfort shock or what they… Read more
call adaptive something which makes the car runs comfortable for bumps.
other than that, amazing 4WD compact car!
Some good features, expensive to run, customer service is very disappointing – The engine and transmission are mostly good other than annoying lag at times. Interior is quite OK without being great. Seats tend to be hard which when combined with run flats makes for a fairly hard ride. Run flat tyres are a pain as they make the ride too hard, they wear too quickly (around 30,000kms) and punctures are more difficult to deal… Read more
with. I have had more punctures in this car than any previous vehicle.
Brakes also wear comparatively quickly and are very expensive to replace.
3 years 60,000ks warranty and optional service package is poor in comparison to what is offered by other brands. This amounts to about two services which are little more than vehicle inspections. Don’t expect any consideration from dealership once out of warranty.
Waverley BMW are disappointing to say the least, quick to charge inflated prices for doing very little, not to mention not listening to what the customer tells them and therefore repeating work previously done while ignoring what was requested. Repair of blocked sunroof drainage system quoted in excess of $1200 plus $250 to diagnose problem. But didn’t bother to dry out the soaking wet footwell & carpet caused by this fault even though they had the vehicle for the whole day
No urgency in carrying out work, don’t expect a service (inspection) to be completed in a couple of hours.
Sat nav is ok, though updates are a rip off and infrequent.
This will be the first and last BMW I ever buy. Just not worth the premium price tag especially in view of the poor customer service.
A Great Team at Hawthorn BMW – I love my X3, and a big THANK YOU to Chris, Matthew and Christo at Hawthorn BMW for providing excellent service when purchasing my X3. The BMW seats are so comfortable, and I am thrilled with the panoramic sunroof. The bootspace is perfect for my needs. I was able to purchase 10 year fixed price servicing pack, which is a real bonus, given I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time. Show details
Incredibly good car – We've had this for 15 months now, replacing our previous X5 and complementing our 320d. It is an ideal size, although rear luggage space isn't as good as the X5. Driving dynamics are excellent, and being able to switch between Comfort and Sport is ideal when you have two drivers who have very different driving expectations. The 2.0d engine… Read more
is very fuel-efficient and refined, although I still prefer the rougher yet slightly gutsier (yet older) 2.0d in my 3-series. The 2.0 turbo petrol (28i) would also be worth a look - this is a cracker of an engine in the 3-series.
My partner liked our X5 but dislikes my 3-series, being an M-Sport version. Although the X3 is an M-Sport, we both find it an excellent compromise.
Think Carefully Before Choosing – I have had my X3 30d for just over a year before writing so my experience would be holistic. This is the 5th BM I have had and I loved the previous models so I didn't question buying another. Doh! I should have. Pros: It has heaps of power, solid build, good vision, comfortable adjustable sports seats, easy access for old timers like me.… Read more
Reasonable fuel economy for a 3 ltr. The dash is ok. The Heads Up display is a good idea.
Cons:
*Run flat tires make the ride exceptionally hard and the older they get, the harder the ride is.
*There is no spare! BMW fits different width tires from front to back (this is an unwanted option), so depending upon which Tyre you get the puncture on, you may not get it fixed for a 3-4 days as these tires are not common at tyre stores. Run flats are meant to be a fuel saver, but in country Oz, they are a pain when you are stranded. The 250km you can drive on them is not quite true. The Bimmer forums are full of failed run flats.
*The Auto brake has to be manually turned on to use it, in other cars this is automatic.
*The econo mode has to be manually turned on each time you start the car, in other makes this is automatic.
*The old model had a split tailgate which protected the bumper from loading scratches, this is no longer the case, so expect the rear bumper to be scratched over time.
*The design of the rear funnels dirt and dust on the rear door and bumper, so every time to access it, you WILL get covered in grime, yet another dry cleaning bill.
*BMW still have the manual air temp switch as the auto aircon split doesn't function properly to keep the temperature constant.
*The auto engine off and auto brake combination is rough and feels like a truck to drive. With hard tires, this makes the car an effort and very unenjoyable.
*Large turning circle for a BM.
*The washer bottle clogs up regularly due to a design flaw and cost $200 to get fixed each time. It is not in an accessible place for a home job. Common problem across all BMs.
*The car bleeds grease from every drain hole in the panels covering the car.
*The GPS has a lag, so by the time you at are the location on the GPS, you have passed it.
*The Heads up display design is flawed. If you have sun glasses on, you cannot see it.
*Finally, a quick scan of the BMW servicing agents reviews reveals a worrying trend, they are almost all bad with a lot complaints to BMW Australia. BM service agents are tasked with changing over whole units rather than fixing the issues as this is one way to increase revenue. Not all service agents do this some are very good, but the reviews and forums are telling the same experiences of this approach. So beware and question any repairs, and it is better to get a second opinion before proceeding.
Would I buy another? No. The X3 is uncomfortable after a time, tiring and is a worry with the run flats, grime at the back, washer bottle clogging up etc... So many small annoying issues that make it unpleasant.
Previous models had innovate niches that made their cars worth getting and driving. These days, a Nissan will do the same job or better.
Sporty & responsive – Performance: The drive modes are accurate, quick change of modes, very responsive in Sport mode Likes: Lots of driver assist and safety features, cruise control is smooth, seat memory is useful. Dislike: GPS lacks speed warning, No dash cam, possible suspension calibration issues as you feel road contour Costs: 10.7 l for 100 Kms, not bad, not great. Show details
Great SUV – BMW X3 handles well but a little soft around corners. the interior is well build but design is rather simple. legroom is very good even in the back seats. diesel engine means very good fuel economy but you do feel the diesel gruff whilst stationary. Go for the panoramic sunroof as it is huge ! Show details
Muscular was a word used often in its presence, partly because of its lower stance and aero pack – The driver has a fantastic view out from the high-set seat, with plenty of adjustment from both the steering wheel and perch. The big central screen and big instrument pod are all easy on the eye and simple to use. Six airbags, ABS, brake assist, brake force distribution, stability and traction controls, rollover sensor all add up to five ANCAP stars. Show details
No regrets! – I am a convert! Not a big fan of BMW outlook to start with, but fell in love during our test drive experience. The comfort and effortless driving pretty much sell itself. Use the corporate program to get 5 years free servicing and warranty. So far it's been great, can't fault the car in any ways! Show details
Rubish quality – Within one year shows multiple malfunctioning warning. Doesnt look safe from it's warning and malfunctioning during the drive. Show details
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This is the additional comment on this vehicle in terms of the Oil issue. After a year of wait,… Read more