22.05.2017
BMW X3 (BMW X3) is a premium all-wheel drive crossover (SAV) with a modern design, a high level of handling, safety and dynamics. The onset of the financial crisis has spoiled the plans of many motorists, those who were only recently going to buy new car, now can count on the same model, only with mileage and at the age of 2-4 years. Buying a used car is always a big risk, as there is no guarantee that the car will not break down tomorrow. Or maybe everything is not so scary, especially when it comes to a good brand and a decent model. Today we will try to assess all the risks of buying a car at secondary market on the example of the second generation BMW X3 with mileage.
A bit of history:
Concept "xActivity" (BMW X3) was first presented in 2003 at the International Auto Show in Detroit. In the same year, the production version of the car was presented, which was assigned the index "E83". This crossover has become the second "off-road" model of the Bavarian brand. The production of cars was established at an enterprise in Austria; the Russian plant Avtotor was engaged in the assembly of cars for most of the CIS markets. In 2006, the model underwent restyling, during which it was slightly updated appearance and the interior, as well, the engines have been upgraded.
The debut of the second generation of the car was scheduled for October 2010, the presentation was to take place at the international auto show in Paris. However, the management of the BMW concern decided to bring the new car to the market in early autumn, and presented the new product in July 2010. Car production began on September 1, 2010 (sales in the CIS started in November 2010). BMW X3 2011 model year outwardly differs little from its predecessor, however, the crossover has become somewhat larger and received an increased by 12 mm ground clearance, but also a 15 mm larger wheelbase. In 2014, the model was restyled. In addition to external changes, the BMW X3 received a new generation 2.0-liter diesel engine.
Problem spots and disadvantages of the used BMW X3
The corrosion resistance of the body is quite high, there are no particularly rotting parts here, but, here, a layer paintwork thin. Today, few manufacturers can boast of high-quality body paintwork. But, BMW XZ has surpassed many, in it, even from the hit of a small pebble, a chip may appear not only of paint, but also of cataphoresis soil. Therefore, when chips appear, they must be processed immediately. The windshield also does not differ in durability; cases were noticed when the sandblasting effect was noticeable on cars with a range of up to 40,000 km. You can also spoil the windshield with the help of rough or worn out wiper blades (replacing the glass will cost 150-300 USD). Optics, like most modern cars, plastic and soft and, if the car is used for long journeys, clouding of the headlights is guaranteed. If you pay attention to this in time, the problem can be eliminated by polishing. To protect yourself from this problem in the future, it is enough to glue a protective film on the headlights.
Engines
BMW X3 has a fairly wide range of power units: petrol - 2.0 (184, 225 and 245 hp), 3.0 (306 hp); diesel - 2.0 (120, 184 and 190 HP), 3.0 (250, 258 and 313 HP). For many years now, motorists have been faced with the question of which engine to prefer, diesel or gasoline? Speaking specifically about this car, then in this case diesel looks preferable, both in terms of efficiency and reliability.
Diesel
Diesel engines are generally reliable, but, due to the long oil change interval established by the manufacturer, in our reality, the chain fails prematurely. Timing and tensioners. On 2.0 motors, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that the chain is located on the side of the box, and this significantly increases the cost of repairs. For cars used in metropolitan areas, it is recommended to change the oil every 7-10 thousand km. These recommendations are due to the fact that when traveling over short distances, the particulate filter does not have time to complete the self-cleaning process. With frequent unsuccessful attempts to start self-generation, the filter does not have time to burn unburned fuel, the excess of which gets into the oil and significantly reduces its quality.
If you neglect timely maintenance, then serious problems can begin on a run of 70-100 thousand km: the oil pump fails (a hum appears when the speed increases), the hydraulic chain tensioner (extraneous noise during a cold start and on idle), turbocharger (dips during sharp acceleration). Also, the disadvantages of diesel power units include a small resource of the belt pulley of the ancillary units and the EGR valve. With frequent refueling with low-quality fuel, after 100,000 km of run, problems begin with fuel injectors and injection pumps.
Gasoline
Owners of BMW X3 with gasoline inline fours (20i and 28i) quite often encounter premature wear of the oil pump drive (a howl appears when the revs increase). If this defect is not noticed and eliminated in time, the turbine will slowly begin to die from oil starvation, and there is also an increased oil consumption. If you neglect the repair for a long time, everything can end sadly (the engine will jam). The most successful among gasoline units is the 3.0 engine (258 or 306 hp), but due to the high transport tax, such instances are not often found. On cars assembled in Russia, there is no gasket between the catalyst and the manifold. This leads to the penetration of processed gases into the passenger compartment, which is not only unpleasant, but also harmful to health.
Transmission
BMW X3 is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-band Steptronic automatic transmission. Both boxes have proven to be reliable and unpretentious units and rarely present unpleasant surprises. Even a clutch in mechanics, with careful operation, can last more than 150,000 km. Oh, here's the system all-wheel drive not famous for its reliability and may surprise you in the form of a "dead" transfer case... Transfer box "Kills" both untimely maintenance and a faulty servomotor - the so-called longitudinal moment module. Failure of the servomotor leads to continuous operation of the "hand-out" itself and "combustion" of the clutches.
If there are problems with the transfer case, jerks appear when accelerating, trying to turn the steering wheel and driving with completely turned out wheels (many people mistakenly think that the culprit for this behavior is a failed CV joint). Also, the ailment may be accompanied by a hum from the transmission side at a speed of 50-90 km / h. Most often, the problem manifests itself on a mileage of 80-100 thousand km; to eliminate this ailment, more than 2000 USD will be required. To extend the service lines of the transmission and transfer case, it is necessary to change the oil in them every 40-60 thousand km.
BMW X3 chassis reliability
Chassis BMW X3 is, in fact, an improved suspension from BMW-treshki. In the front there is a multi-link with a double-pivot shock-absorber strut, in the rear there is a five-link HA5 suspension, which is adapted. In general, the suspension is quite reliable and, with careful operation, can take care of more than 100,000 km without any problems. The disadvantages include the high cost of suspension parts. So, for example, silent blocks and ball bearings are changed assembled with levers (100-250 cu pcs.). BMW cars have always been famous for their rigid suspension and the X3 is no exception. Therefore, if you are going to buy such a car, try to find a copy not with the most big wheels and without low profile rubber. Because: firstly, a car with such wheels will be even tougher, and secondly, the suspension of such cars wears out faster.
When examining the car, you should pay attention to: front arm suspension bushings, ball joints, stabilizer struts, backlash on the suspension arms, shock absorbers, beam bushings. The main problem this model remains fragile steering rack (installed on a subframe in front of the engine). In automobile circles there is even such a joke "in whatever condition and with whatever mileage you buy a BMW X3, automatically get ready to replace the rail." If the car breaks down steering rack, the costs will not be small, since even a used rail will cost at least 400 USD, for a new one you will have to pay much more.
Salon
The build quality and finishing materials of the BMW X3 interior, traditionally for German manufacturer, High Quality... And, here, there may be problems with electronics (malfunctions electronic systems), therefore, many experts recommend that when choosing a used car, not to chase rich equipment. If the seller begins to tell you that the car was mostly in the garage, do not rush to rejoice, since the BMW X3 does not like long downtime. In this mode of operation, the battery is quickly discharged, and when the charge is low, the electronics begin to fail. Also, malfunctions in electronics are possible due to contamination of contacts. In terms of electrical equipment, the most often hassle is the electric drive for opening / closing the trunk - the guide rails of the lifting mechanisms fail (replacement of 400-600 cu).
Outcome:
Although this model, in a second-hand version, is less problematic than its older brothers X5 and X6, it is difficult to call it problem-free. BMW X3 is a special car that stands out from the lineup of the Bavarian brand, therefore, when choosing this car, you need to be extremely careful, because you should miss something and you can get to a very expensive repair.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.
Best regards, editors AutoAvenu
So, for the price of an almost "empty", but new "Duster", you can find a used BMW in the back of E83 (2003–2010). Isn't it tempting? Indeed, provided that all components and assemblies are in good working order, the Bavarian crossover is one of the most balanced cars in its class. Gambling and moderately comfortable chassis, cool motors, very spacious salon, a wide range of trim levels ... Of course, it is difficult to argue that compared to any of the X5, this "boomer" really looks like an ugly duckling. But this is just in our hands! Perhaps, the absence of the reputation of a pretentious and prestigious car inherent in any X5 saved many copies from a quick demise. The slogan “live fast, die young” is not about our protégé. The target audience played a key role in the good safety of these crossovers: many copies were used either by young ladies who were not devoid of the instinct of self-preservation, or as a simple family car. Well, let's not forget about design features: X3 is built on the basis of "treshki" in the back of the E46, one of the most massive models of the German concern. The result has paid off - we have before us one of the most successful BMWs in terms of price-quality ratio in the secondary market.
ENGINES
Most of the "X-thirds" that can now be found on sale were equipped with either in-line petrol "sixes" M54 with a volume of 2.5 liters (192 HP) and 3 liters (231 HP), or 3-liter turbodiesels (204 l. From.). In 2006, the six-cylinder engines were modernized, and their power increased: in the 2.5-liter engine up to 218 hp. with., in a 3-liter up to 272 liters. with., and the diesel "four" up to 286 liters. with. The popularity of modifications with such motors is justified: time-tested power plants are considered the most reliable, and are also well known to the workshop masters. The service life of these engines is impressive: even less powerful engines with a volume of 2 liters can easily reach 300 thousand km without any problems. What you need to remember is that gasoline units are very demanding on fuel quality and are prone to great expense oil, which can reach 1 liter per 2000-2500 km. This is not a defect at all, but in order not to miss the moment of refilling, it is better to pay more attention to the readings of the on-board computer more often. Small oil losses can also be caused by a faulty crankcase ventilation valve. Closer to 150 thousand km, the engine can disturb unstable work at idle, which is usually associated with a faulty Vanos valve timing control system.
The resource of gasoline engines is more than sufficient: with proper maintenance, 300 thousand km is not the limit for them
Also, the engine can be depressed due to dead spark plugs: platinum original candles go no more than 40 thousand km. More serious, but not too frequent problems include malfunctions in the intake manifold: if oil drips are noticeable on its body, it is not recommended to tighten it with repairs: broken flaps can get into the cylinder.
Endurance diesel units subject to high-quality fuel, it can be equated with gasoline, but the nodes that are at risk are already different here. The turbine, high-pressure fuel pump and injectors, in a good scenario and sparing operation, must travel at least 250 thousand km. And if the long service interval of gasoline engines is partly compensated by frequent topping up of oil, then diesel units are deprived of such a "make-up": the replacement frequency is usually 20-25 thousand km. Therefore, it is better to insure yourself and change it earlier, especially if there is a suspicion of poor quality diesel fuel. Also, when servicing in a service, you cannot ignore the EGR valve: in traffic jams and due to low-quality fuel, it is regularly clogged with soot, so the owners often turn off this system altogether. This "anti-ecological" measure saves from another trouble: an additional heat exchanger installed in the system often burns out and begins to let coolant into the exhaust system.
The chassis of the BMW X3 is a modified base of the all-wheel drive E46 three-wheel drive, as a result of which the crossover has become one of the most driver-oriented in the class.
TRANSMISSION
Most of the cars on our market are automatic. In our conditions, the resource of the automatic transmission (again, with adequate operation) approaches the resource of the motors: 250-300 thousand km is not the limit for them. But under the condition of aggressive driving, you can "get" to replace the clutch pack and torque converter much earlier. Mechanical boxes the range is less - they were mainly equipped with European crossovers. These units are even more durable: their repair is usually limited to replacing the clutch (usually after 150 thousand km). In the transfer case, not everything is so smooth: in the interval from 100 to 150 thousand km, there are cases of chain stretching, as well as failure of the servo drive of the multi-plate clutch. By this time, the crosspieces of the front universal joint may have worn out, because of which it will be necessary to change the entire shaft - it is non-separable.
By 150 thousand kilometers of run, there is a possibility of a chain stretching in the transfer case and a failure of the servo drive of the multi-plate clutch.
CHASSIS
The suspension of this crossover perfectly tolerates Russian roads, which is not very typical for BMW: the levers here are not aluminum, as in the X5, but steel. The stabilizer struts are traditionally the first to surrender (70-80 thousand kilometers), but the reason for the next trip to the service will not come soon: shock absorbers, silent blocks of levers, wheel bearings and ball joints rarely require replacement before 140-150 thousand km. The steering gear is also quite reliable: the rack usually serves more than 170 thousand km.
Diesel engines M47 and M57 are not only more economical than gasoline units, but sometimes more reliable.
BODY AND INTERIOR
Corrosion resistance of the BMW X3 is all right: only the outer chrome-plated elements of the exterior, luggage rails or the hood with headlights, clouded by strong sandblasting, can lose their luster. Not found frequent problems and with an electrician of the salon, and with the quality of its finishing. Dampness can be an unpleasant surprise: water entering the passenger compartment can happen both due to clogged drainage of the hatch, and because of unsticked door seals.
pros
Secondary market liquidity, reliable suspension and powertrains, rich equipment.
Minuses
Demanding on the quality of fuel, the need for a qualified service station.
BMW interior is strict, laconic and comfortable
The tailgate is very practical when transporting goods
APPROXIMATE COST OF MAINTENANCE IN SPECIALIZED INDEPENDENT WORKSHOP, p.
| ORIGINAL S / H | NON-ORIGINAL S / H | WORK | |
| Spark plugs (6 pcs.) | 2000 | 1600 | 1500 |
| Changing the oil in the internal combustion engine | - | - | 1100 |
| Replacing the valve cover gasket | - | - | 2900 |
| Pump | 7000 | 4000 | 3200 |
| Fuel filter (diesel) | 800 | 500 | 1000 |
| Brake discs / pads (2 pcs.) | 5000 | 2000 | 2800/1590 |
| Rear hub bearing | 3500 | 1400 | 3100 |
| Spherical bearing | 2300 | 1300 | 1900 |
| Front shock absorber | 11 000 | 6000 | 1700 |
| Front upper arm | 4000 | 2700 | 1000 |
| Hood | 44 000 | 17 000 | 1600 |
| Bumper | 17 000 | 9600 | 1400 |
| Wing | 19 000 | 11 000 | 700 |
| Headlight | 56 000 | 37 000 | 500 |
| Windshield | 10 000 | 6000 | 2000 |
VERDICT
The above problems are unlikely to occur in one car, and if you don’t skimp on competent diagnostics, then at the price of a budget foreign car you can buy a much more interesting car. BMW X3 is perhaps one of the most suitable Bavarian cars for Russian conditions. On his side is a successful suspension, sufficient clearance for a crossover, powerful motors and comfortable lounge with quality finishes. The main thing is not to forget about regular maintenance after the purchase.
BMW x3 with mileage is a prestigious, reliable and quality car in every way. The final much depends on real mileage, operating conditions and competent Maintenance... Sometimes the question of whether to take a BMW X3 will disappear by itself, if you are confident in the seller and have carried out a full technical revision of the car, as a result of which different kind malfunction. The market of used cars pleases with prices and an abundance of offers for BMW x3.
In 1917, the airline BMW (Bayerisch Motoren Werke) was registered in Munich. Then her specialization was aircraft engines. But in 1928, several factories were bought in Eisenach and a license for the production of a small car Dixi was bought. Today, BMW factories are located not only in Germany, but all over the world. A modern feature famous brand BMW today is that the assembly of cars is done manually, without the help of robots. Latest Models BMW cars created using the latest technology. At every showroom you can see cars with great innovative solutions. Therefore, for many car enthusiasts, the BMW brand is considered a model of quality and respectability of the owner.
The achievements of BMW include the invention of an in-line six-cylinder engine, and much later - the creation of a digital engine, also the appearance ABS systems... The launch of the first German car with a 12-cylinder engine also belongs to this company. It is BMW engines that are recognized as the best in the world from year to year and receive international awards. One cannot ignore the magnificent design solution for the decoration of any car - this is a radiator grill with two ovals. It resembles the face of a predator, ready for a victorious battle with a problematic track and bad weather in the form of rain, ice and snow.
Among used BMW cars The X3 has an excellent reputation. It is quite possible to choose a used BMW X3 with low mileage, with good pre-sale preparation, without an accident and crime. The main benefit of buying such a used car is the price. It is much lower and available to more car enthusiasts than BMW's new premium crossover.
German legendary quality of production and advanced technology allows you to get xenon headlights, rain and light sensors, multifunction steering wheel, parking sensors, preheater engine, as an automatic transmission, and mechanical, upgraded audio system and other options. Rear or four-wheel drive, big choice motors. In any case, you will get a BMW x3 with a striking design, comfortable interior and excellent technical characteristics.
In the secondary market today you can find quite a few X 3 of various origins. These can be European variants, American ones, or Russian ones purchased from official dealers... In any case, you often do not know the real mileage. since the masters of twisting the run today do it beautifully, do not undermine. It is better to ignore the stories that the car has been in the garage for the last 5 years.
BMW x3 engine mainly gasoline, this is an in-line 6-cylinder 2.5-liter M54B25 or a 3.0-liter M54B30. Full aluminum cylinder block, with cast iron sleeves, aluminum cylinder head, reliable timing chain drive. The engine is practically no problem, but there is one technical subtlety that almost any buyer of a used BMW X3 should know. Particular attention should be paid to the elements of the engine crankcase ventilation system (valve, four tubes, oil dipstick O-ring). They are subject to mandatory replacement every 70-80 thousand km. Failure to comply with this rule threatens either with extraneous air suction in the intake tract and, as a result, uneven engine operation and even in especially advanced cases - burnout of the pistons of the 3rd and 4th cylinders (in case of rupture of the valve diaphragm). If the ventilation system is clogged with oil deposits, the pressure of the crankcase gases in the engine increases and everything begins to flow - the valve cover gaskets, the pan, the oil filter housing ... this.
Used BMW X3 diesel captivates with its low fuel consumption, but will it be possible to save. The endurance of X-third diesel units, subject to high-quality fuel, can reach 250 thousand kilometers. But what if the turbine, the high-pressure fuel pump breaks down, the particulate filter clogs, or the injectors die. All these elements are expensive, and with our low-quality diesel fuel, they may turn out to be consumable, so even saving on fuel can be unprofitable against the background of constant spending on the diesel X3.
It will not work to buy a used X3 and not invest money in it. An automatic transmission rarely travels more than 200 thousand kilometers, mechanics come across less often on the market, but it is much more reliable. The xDrive transfer case with its electronics can start to fail after 100 thousand kilometers. The suspension is very strong, but on our pits no stands do not last long, this must be borne in mind. It is better not to touch the timing chain drive, but if the mileage is large, then you will have to change the chain, sprockets, strips, in general, in full.
The popular German crossover BMW x3 of the second generation was first presented for a general review in July 2010, and its serial production began after just some 1.5 months. At the initial stage, the mass production of "treshki" was established at the plant in Greer, South Carolina, USA, and a year later the assembly began to be carried out in Russia at the plant in Kaliningrad.
At the start of sales, for the inhabitants of our country, dealers supplied cars from America. Those, in turn, were quite different from their local counterparts. So, for example, the level of sound insulation, the quality of finishes and the reliability of materials are an order of magnitude higher for the overseas counterpart, which is not surprising, because the client there loves comfort and appreciates convenience.
It's not a secret for anyone that eco-leather and artificial materials are used on Kaliningrad cars, while on foreign ones, exclusively natural materials. Hence the problem comes out that on cars older than three years, there are often scuffs on the steering wheel and cracks in the trim in the sidewalls of the seats. Concerning appearance, then it immediately catches the eye that the second generation x3 has become an order of magnitude larger than the first variation. The body has got smoother and more inflated shapes, the size of the wheelbase has become almost on par with the "X-fifth", and there is much more space in the cabin.
For the domestic consumer, the car is available only in four-wheel drive, with several gasoline and diesel engines:
In-line petrol fours with a turbocharging volume of 2 liters and a capacity of 184 and 245 hp.
Six-cylinder in-line gasoline turbo engine of 3.0 liters and 306 "horses"
Diesel, 184 and 190 strong in-line engines, with a working volume of 2 liters.
Top-end, three-liter diesel units, with a capacity of 249, 258 and 313 forces.
It is worth noting that for some countries the "Bavarian" was produced with a 4x2 wheel arrangement, exclusively with rear wheel drive... Having met such a car in the secondary market, you can be sure that this is an export version imported from abroad.
Restyling 2014, what's new?
The update primarily affected the head optics, the radiator grille, front and rear bumper acquired new forms, direction indicators appeared in the side-view mirrors, the central panel became more informative, and the interior acquired a new style solution.
The weakest points of the BMW x3
1. Like many other models from this manufacturer, the battery is located in the rear of the body, and the power cable from the battery itself goes directly under the bottom. Constant exposure to moisture, dirt and road reagents does the trick. Over time, the cable begins to oxidize and corrode, which leads to a decrease in the operating voltage, and this in turn causes a number of errors in the operation of the ECU. BMW owners know about this disease not by hearsay, since this malfunction is not rare on other cars of the German concern.
2. The durability of the crossover paintwork is surprisingly very high. For example, cars 5-7 years old do not have a single hint of rust, chips on the hood do not appear willingly, and the varnish shines almost like on a new car.
3. Since ancient times, BMW has been distinguished from other cars by its ideal handling and powerful engines, for which it is actually appreciated by its fans. But it should be noted that their motors often have a tendency to overheat, in view of strong forcing and work almost at the limit of thermal capabilities. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the temperature of the coolant, and in general, the health of the system.
Overheating of the engine, or even worse, its long-term operation in such conditions, can lead to costly repairs, from the bulkhead of the cylinder head, ending with a complete replacement of the engine. Owners of "treshki" are strongly recommended to systematically monitor the level of the coolant, the absence of leaks, the serviceability of the liquid pump (pump) and the cleanliness of the radiators, which are recommended to be flushed at least once every 2 years.
4. Taillights installed in the trunk lid tend to burn out. This happens due to oxidation from the moisture of electronic boards, as a result of which the lamps blink and "whittle away" for some time with their life, after which they completely burn out. This disease is treated, alas, only by replacing it with a new headlight.
5. Front suspension BMW x3 F25, is a MacPherson strut with stabilizer lateral stability, the main problems rarely arise here, except that the shock absorbers must be replaced every 100 thousand km. The support bearings of the struts sometimes take care of two of their resources, but it is recommended to change them together with the rack, the boot and the bump stop.
6. Rear suspension, is more complex in the device than the front one and is a multi-link design. The main drawback here lies in the upper wishbones. Approximately to a mileage of 80 t.km. floating silent blocks are broken, which will begin to emit a creak when passing irregularities.
7. Steering. The Bavarian is made for ideal roads and autobahns, when operating in conditions of unevenness and off-road conditions, the steering rack rarely survives more than 100 thousand km without knocking. Here everything is to blame, both the bushings of the toothed shaft and the bearing of the steering wheel shaft are broken. In addition to everything, the steering rack is assembled with an electric booster, replacement will cost a very large amount, and a high-quality repair in this case is almost impossible. Steering ends and rods are very reliable and go for a long time.
8. The breather of the transfer case ventilation is made without any valve or dustproof dust cover, hence the moisture that gets inside the unit. As a result, the shaft bearings are the first to suffer. This manifests itself in the form of vibration and hum emanating from the distributor, as a rule, closer to the run of 50-70 thousand kilometers.
9. Dignity power plants BMWs are primarily about their power, high torque and moderate appetite for fuel. But there are also some negative sides…
More about the pros and cons of motors
The gasoline turbo engine, classification N20 comes in two variations, namely 184 and 245 hp. There are practically no differences in the motors, the whole difference lies in the ECU firmware, which thereby sets different advance angles for ignition and the quality-quantity of the fuel mixture. These engines use both timing chain drives and an oil pump (separately). These drives are not entirely reliable, as a rule, the chain is stretched and can jump onto the tooth, break or fly off.
If the oil pump drive fails, the consequences are obvious. Lubrication starvation will lead to scuffing, both in the timing belt and in the cylinder-piston group, engine repair in such a neglected case will be very expensive, and in some situations even senseless. The output will be one or a new or contract motor.
As for the timing chain, its average resource is 100 thousand km, in most cases at its slightest stretch, the indicator lamp on the dashboard will light up, and there are also frequent cases of a drop in power and traction.
I would like to include the variable valve timing couplings and turbines installed on the motors, which sometimes serve 250-300 thousand km each, to durable units.
The inline six-cylinder gasoline engine N55, similarly to the other X3 engine of the F25 family, is subject to not small appetites for oil. It is very important to change the oil and filters on time or even earlier. Lack of proper lubrication destroys the camshafts and pastels of the block head.
Minus this engine , we can definitely consider the fragility of the timing couplings. There are rare cases when they work out 60 t.km.
The N47 diesel engine, like many others, is very afraid of overheating. When this happens, microcracks often appear in the cylinder liners. The repair will cost a pretty penny, and for the sleeve you will have to disassemble the entire motor or change the entire unit.
The timing chain serves an average of 100 thousand km. On warranty vehicles, many owners had cases of its replacement much earlier (by 20-30 thousand km.)
The fuel system is very sensitive to the quality of the fuel, so you should carefully choose a gas station. The approximate resource of piezo injectors is 150-200 t.km. Not high-quality diesel fuel, it may well ruin them even for 20 thousand run.
Pulley crankshaft, for everyone diesel engines BMW has a rubber damper. From constant heat loads, it tends to crack. This happens closer to a mileage of 100 t.km or from age (about 5 years)
The inline six-cylinder diesel engine N57 is installed in two configurations, with 1 and 2 turbines, the power from this, respectively, 249 (258) and 313 hp. respectively. This motor is very reliable, no major flaws were noticed in it. One has only to pay attention to the fact that, like all other motors, it is also prone to overheating and oil consumption.
As already mentioned above, all X3 engines have high power and torque, which could not affect reliability and durability. With a "torn" and aggressive mode of operation, a number of typical breakdowns are quite logical.
There are a lot of cases when the owners of Bavarian crossovers drove them for 300-400 thousand kilometers without major repairs, and they speak for themselves.
Reconciliation of contradictions is the basis for the creation of new cars. Consumers want each succeeding generation to be more spacious, safer and richer in equipment. At the same time, the manufacturer must take care of reducing weight and fuel consumption while maintaining reputation and profitability.
Bmw x The second generation 3 is a typical mid-size SUV. Its length is 465 cm, and the wheelbase is 281 cm. It is somewhere between the BMW 5th and 3rd series.
The BMW X 3 Series F 25, which debuted in 2010, is a clear example of the combination of difficult compromises. In comparison with the previous generation BMW X3 of the E83 series (2003-2010), the crossover has increased by 7 cm, and the wheelbase has grown by only 1 cm.
The main innovation is the transfer of production in the United States to the BMW plant in South Carolina. The predecessor was going to Austria. It may seem to some that this does not matter. However, the result of the comparison of the interior quality is not in favor of the new model. Customers from overseas are not so demanding on the quality of plastic. For Russian market local assembly was organized at the Kaliningrad enterprise Avtotor.
In the photo it seems that the car is practically new. But there are already 160,000 km on the counter. No significant wear marks are visible. The only thing that gives out the mileage is the wear of the protective layer on the central display.
For the whole family
When it comes to practicality, the X3 F25 can be used as an example. Despite the longitudinal arrangement of the engine behind the front axle, which is typical for BMW (which should shorten the length of the passenger compartment), passengers find no reason to complain. The seating position of the driver is high - in an off-road manner without a shadow of sporting ambitions. The chair has a wide range of adjustments, as well as steering column... Two adults will sit comfortably in the back. Behind the driver's seat (taking into account the meter distance from the pedals), 73 cm remains. This is very good result... Few rivals can beat him, except perhaps Honda cr-v or Subaru forester... Mercedes GLK is much closer.
Wide interior BMW X 3 is comparable to the Honda CR-V, and is only slightly behind the Japanese in terms of legroom.
The owner also has a huge 550-liter trunk. The cargo capacity can be increased by partially or completely folding the rear sofa with a backrest divided into three sections (40/20/40). There is a small compartment under the boot floor where the battery is located. On the right side of the trunk, there is a possibility of emergency opening of the filler flap fuel tank... Many vehicles have an electric boot lid. True, the drive cylinders wear out over time.
Left BMW X3 E83 and right F25.
Most crossovers are richly equipped, but the configuration of each copy is different. It's just that almost all the equipment required a surcharge, and the list of options itself consisted of several pages in small print. The most popular item is the iDrive controller with a 12-inch center screen. Poorer configurations have an 8.8-inch screen.
Comfort bet
It should be noted that rich equipment is not the main thing. Better to focus on finding low-mileage vehicles than lavishly equipped ones. The calm driver is unlikely to appreciate the Dynamic Damper Control active damping system or steering with variable gear ratio. But attention is paid to the copies with the front seats of the Comfort series and active cruise control.
Gasoline or Diesel?
All 4-cylinder petrol units are turbocharged and rated at 184 or 245 hp. (20i and 28i). The second option turned out to be less successful. Recently, more and more often, owners have to deal with premature wear of the oil pump drive. The only symptom is extraneous noise (howl) during the increase in speed. The defect leads to accelerated wear of the turbocharger, increased oil consumption and, in extreme cases, to engine seizure. The naturally aspirated 6-cylinder 3-liter engine (258 or 306 hp) is completely devoid of serious drawbacks. But there are very few such modifications, and the transport tax is unlikely to please anyone.
The share of ads with diesel versions of the F25 reaches 60 percent. That's a lot. Among diesels, versions with a 2-liter turbodiesel with a return of 184 hp prevail. For your information: in Europe, the weakest diesel modification developed 143 hp. and had a drive only to the rear axle.
The main enemy of a diesel engine is too long an oil change interval, which loses its viscosity much earlier. This has a particularly negative effect on the condition of the timing chain, as many European users have become convinced of. There, the recommended oil change interval is an unimaginable 30,000 km. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the chain is located on the side of the box, which significantly increases the cost of repairs.
Frequent short-distance travel (eg in the city) may cause problems with the particulate filter. He simply does not have time to complete the self-cleaning process. With too frequent unsuccessful starts of the DPF self-regeneration filter, surplus fuel is formed, which gets into engine oil... Its lubricating properties are lost, which leads to wear of the turbocharger, the engine itself and the timing chain. An alarming sign is an increase in oil level between changes.
The 3-liter turbodiesel N57 series, for the same reasons, is not tolerant of frequent short journeys. The timing drive is also located here on the side of the box. Fortunately, chain problems are much less common than in 2.0d. Among the disadvantages: the low resource of the belt pulley of the ancillary units and the EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation system).
Transmission
Unlike other BMW models, the X3 F25 has a slightly different transfer case design for the xDrive all-wheel drive system. Instead of gears, a chain is used here. According to experts, such a solution is more reliable, and any problems are associated only with neglecting oil changes. All-wheel drive system malfunctions will be indicated by jerks (jerks) when driving with completely turned-out wheels. Mechanics recommend changing the oil as often as possible - every 40-60 thousand km. Subject to regular oil changes (every 60-80 thousand km) for a long time, there are no complaints about the operation of the 8-speed automatic box Steptronic transmission.
Not everything goes smoothly again
The trade-offs mentioned at the outset are likely to have led to an excessive reduction in production costs. BMW X3 owners often complain about various malfunctions. For example, for many, after several tens of thousands of kilometers, the steering rack begins to knock. The ZF unit is a real wreck. According to the spare parts catalog, it has been modernized several times already, but complaints about knocking appear again and again, regardless of the model year of the car. Some were lucky enough to install the third rail.
Like most modern cars, the X3 does not tolerate long periods of inactivity. The battery drains quickly, which can lead to startup difficulties and electronics errors. Fortunately, the suspension does not pose any major problems - repairing it is quite expensive.
The above is also confirmed by the mechanics dealership BMW, which say the main problems of the X3 F25 are malfunctions of the steering rack and 2-liter oil pumps gasoline engines series N20 (245 hp). Everything else is rare, and little things about electrics, as a rule, are caused by dirty contacts.
Conclusion
In the aftermarket, the start of a sharp decline in prices for the second generation BMW X3 has already begun. Some proposals have even broken down the psychologically important mark of 1,000,000 rubles. So is the X3 F25 worth your attention? Is it really the optimal family car - roomy, great steering and superbly equipped? Probably not, unless you are an ardent BMW fan and you are willing to bear the costs. The reliability level is significantly lower than the first generation model, and the cost possible repair will cause a heart attack. When purchasing a second X3, first of all, you should be ready to restore the steering rack. All the rest? If we get lucky. Service history is paramount.
