BMW X3 opinions ?

dnme

Further to my CSUV research, I was wondering what people think of the X3? I know nothing about BMW's so could anyone tell me what all the numbers mean in this example

BMW X3 X3 2.0 D SE PD12 5DR E83 M47
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/X3/X3-2.0-D/201332217651844/advert?channel=CARS

How are these things for reliability in say a 5-6 year old?
Diesel or Petrol ? (15k PA)

661mit

E83 - chassis code

M47 - engine code

simples

dnme

661mit wrote: »

E83 - chassis code

M47 - engine code

simples

I'm none the wiser!

Is an M47 a specific size? fuel type ? year ?
Is E83 a kind of marque does it inform a face lift ?

661mit

dnme wrote: »

I'm none the wiser!

Is an M47 a specific size? fuel type ? year ?
Is E83 kind alike a marque does it inform a face lift ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X3_(E83)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M47

dnme

I was afraid that I would be in the minority for thinking it was ugly, but for once thank god for Clarkson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2LLMxlkT-Y

Have to say though, looking at the X3 has led me to discover the X5 which I do like the look of. I wonder is it any good ?

bazz26

A neighour has a 2007 X3 M Sport, it had a new turbo fitted last year and the clutch/fly wheel will need replacing soon.

dnme

bazz26 wrote: »

A neighour has a 2007 X3 M Sport, it had a new turbo fitted last year and the clutch/fly wheel will need replacing soon.

Yea I read a lot of reports of turbo going at the 40-60k miles mark. Seemingly you have to let the thing warm up when starting, and cool down before switching off engine. God almighty.

dnme

dnme wrote: »

Yea I read a lot of reports of turbo going at the 40-60k miles mark. Seemingly you have to let the thing warm up when starting, and cool down before switching off engine. God almighty.

This procedure should be followed with every turbo car. Don't drove it hard until warmed up and either drive very easy for the last while before turning it off or leave it to sit for a few mins before turning it off.

ei9go

Some of the Jap imports used to have "Turbo Timers" to prevent you switching off the engine until the turbo had stopped.

You locked and walked away from the car with it still running.

pred racer

dnme wrote: »

Further to my CSUV research, I was wondering what people think of the X3? I know nothing about BMW's so could anyone tell me what all the numbers mean in this example

BMW X3 X3 2.0 D SE PD12 5DR E83 M47
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/X3/X3-2.0-D/201332217651844/advert?channel=CARS

How are these things for reliability in say a 5-6 year old?
Diesel or Petrol ? (15k PA)

Have you been in one? They are horrible (imo) drive an x5 and then get into an x3 and you wouldnt think the same company made it.
Tbh I would buy something else, you will get alot more for your money.

dnme

Louie Lively Scalpel wrote: »

This procedure should be followed with every turbo car. Don't drove it hard until warmed up and either drive very easy for the last while before turning it off or leave it to sit for a few mins before turning it off.

Like I say, god almighty! Who has the time. It's 2013. Time for modern engineering to solve these issues. But anyway, the general consensus seems to be, keep away from this awful box.

dnme

dnme wrote: »

Like I say, god almighty! Who has the time. It's 2013. Time for modern engineering to solve these issues. But anyway, the general consensus seems to be, keep away from this awful box.

It's not much effort at all, takes no time at all to get going just don't rev the crap out of it till it's warmed up (which you shouldn't do with any car anyway) and if you have been driving hard don't turn it off straight away. If you want to turn it off straight away then drive easy for the last few miles.

It's not as big a deal with modern turbos but every little helps.

If more people followed these simple things that take little time, turbos would be lasting longer.

dnme

Louie Lively Scalpel wrote: »

It's not much effort at all, takes no time at all to get going just don't rev the crap out of it till it's warmed up (which you shouldn't do with any car anyway) and if you have been driving hard don't turn it off straight away. If you want to turn it off straight away then drive easy for the last few miles.

It's not as big a deal with modern turbos but every little helps.

If more people followed these simple things that take little time, turbos would be lasting longer.

Louie Lively Scalpel wrote: »

This procedure should be followed with every turbo car. Don't drove it hard until warmed up and either drive very easy for the last while before turning it off or leave it to sit for a few mins before turning it off.

Like I say, who has time to sit and wait in a car until the thing is happy for you to turn it off.

dnme

dnme wrote: »

Like I say, who has time to sit and wait in a car until the thing is happy for you to turn it off.

You are taking about waiting maybe for a minute or two not half an hour and if you can't wait then just don't drive hard for the last few miles, though even then I usually give it maybe a minute especially after a long drive to be extra cautious.

But to answer your question I always have or make time to make sure my car is treated correctly.

dnme

Louie Lively Scalpel wrote: »

You are taking about waiting maybe for a minute or two not half an hour and if you can't wait then just don't drive hard for the last few miles, though even then I usually give it maybe a minute especially after a long drive to be extra cautious.

But to answer your question I always have or make time to make sure my car is treated correctly.

The point Im making is in this day and age, these sort of issues should be engineered away. It's all about usability. I always wondered why in gods name this cant be done. After all, it's just an air pump. Anyway, I'll say no more on the matter.

bazz26

To be fair, the things I mentioned with my neighbour's X3 could easily happen to any other modern day diesel car too. The X3 is not that nice a drive though which is what a BMW is primarily about imo. The first generation is not that well built either.

This will probably do the same job:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/CR-V/2.2-CTDI/37613770773449010/

dnme

bazz26 wrote: »

To be fair, the things I mentioned with my neighbour's X3 could easily happen to any other modern day diesel car too. The X3 is not that nice a drive though which is what a BMW is primarily about imo. The first generation is not that well built either.

This will probably do the same job:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/CR-V/2.2-CTDI/37613770773449010/

With a 2 year warranty also. Could be worth a call to see if he'll NCT it in January.