BMW X3 buying advice

positivenote

Hi guys,
Y wife wants to get an SUV for around 8-9k and she has come across this X3 ( link below). It ticks a lot of boxes for her, leather upholstery, manual, diesel and under 2ltr. We are also looking to trade in her 2006 Picasso as part of the deal.
Does anyone have any advice or opinions on this X3 before we go and gave a look? Or is there better value out there?
http://m.sarsfieldmotors.ie/photos.php?ad_id=1822887

bazz26

A neighbour of mine had a 2007 one similar to that gave here endless trouble with the turbo, DPF, etc. I think that model was built outside of Germany so fit and finish quality is not as good. Also don't forget the obligatory BMW N47 timing chain issues.

If she wants something reliable imo look at something else. A similar age Honda CRV would be worth looking at especially in petrol form if she is not doing huge mileage.

For example:
http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1824298&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D284%26r%3D2008%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

positivenote

bazz26 wrote: »

If she wants something reliable imo look at something else. A similar age Honda CRV would be worth looking at especially in petrol form if she is not doing huge mileage.

For example:
http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1824298&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D284%26r%3D2008%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

thanks for the advice. We are considering this model following your advice... my main concern is the milage. Should this be a concern? and if I am looking through the history is there anything specific that I should be looking to have already been done to the motor?http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1798358&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D32%26o%5B%5D%3D284%26d%3D4000%26e%3D12000%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

THanks

celtic_oz

great value uk now https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/ford/b-max/CF63LWG

bazz26

positivenote wrote: »

thanks for the advice. We are considering this model following your advice... my main concern is the milage. Should this be a concern? and if I am looking through the history is there anything specific that I should be looking to have already been done to the motor?http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1798358&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D32%26o%5B%5D%3D284%26d%3D4000%26e%3D12000%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

THanks

91k miles on a nearly 10 year old Honda petrol engine wouldn't be anything to worry about. Honda petrol engines are pretty much bomb proof. The fact that car only had 1 owner from new is a bit plus too. I think those engines have a timing chain so no belt change to worry about either. I know the VCS/ABS module on the Accords gave some problems back then but not sure if it affected the CR-V or not.

Leonard Hofstadter

bazz26 wrote: »

91k miles on a nearly 10 year old Honda petrol engine wouldn't be anything to worry about. Honda petrol engines are pretty much bomb proof. The fact that car only had 1 owner from new is a bit plus too. I think those engines have a timing chain so no belt change to worry about either. I know the VCS/ABS module on the Accords gave some problems back then but not sure if it affected the CR-V or not.

QFT. 91k is barely run in on a Honda, there's another 100k in that engine for sure.

The first generation X3 wasn't even a nice car back in the day (admittedly the particular one linked in the OP looks lovely and has loads of nice extras) and then there is the well known problem with the N47 and the timing chain on top of that.

As a BMW owner I'm a big fan of how the cars drive, the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' is more than just marketing gobbledegook, but I'm under no illusions about their (un)reliability either. If you're not too bothered about driving pleasure (and let's face it, if you were, you wouldn't be buying an SUV anyway) then the Honda is definitely the better choice by a mile.