Talk to me about X3s and X5s
Discussion
Currently running a Landcruiser Amazon and a Honda CRV for the girlfriend. It's a stupid combination, they perform similar jobs but the landcruiser just does everything so much better than the honda.
I miss having a sports car, I don't want to sell the cruiser but the GF finds it too big and really doesn't like the idea of 3 cars...
So planning on selling both and buying a 986 S for myself and the an X3 which will be used as a run around for her and also long journeys with dog + potentially kids etc.
Budget wise was thinking 10k for the X3 which is firmly in E83 / E70 territory, is it worth spending a little more and getting a lower spec higher mileage F25? There are a number of Manual 2012 20d SE xdrive with approx 90k on the clock, one owner, FSH etc for 12k or so.
I prefer manuals generally but not bothered either way on this one.
Mileage would probably be circa 10k per year. I hate paying tax so would prefer to avoid the higher RFL bracket.
A BMW dealer told me in a social setting to avoid the E83, are the E70s and F25s any more reliable?
I miss having a sports car, I don't want to sell the cruiser but the GF finds it too big and really doesn't like the idea of 3 cars...
So planning on selling both and buying a 986 S for myself and the an X3 which will be used as a run around for her and also long journeys with dog + potentially kids etc.
Budget wise was thinking 10k for the X3 which is firmly in E83 / E70 territory, is it worth spending a little more and getting a lower spec higher mileage F25? There are a number of Manual 2012 20d SE xdrive with approx 90k on the clock, one owner, FSH etc for 12k or so.
I prefer manuals generally but not bothered either way on this one.
Mileage would probably be circa 10k per year. I hate paying tax so would prefer to avoid the higher RFL bracket.
A BMW dealer told me in a social setting to avoid the E83, are the E70s and F25s any more reliable?
I've driven a couple of E83 X3's over the years and wasn't impressed. Lacking in interior quality and space and the ride quality was poor on both.
F25 is a lot better from a quality standpoint but still lacking in space. Oddly feels smaller than a 3 series touring inside.
If it's got to be a 4x4 then the E70 would be my choice but for £10-12k I'd be looking at the F10 5 Series personally. Plenty of 5 year old, 60k examples around and they're a better car than any of the above. Nicer interior, more space, better to drive and cheaper to run.
F25 is a lot better from a quality standpoint but still lacking in space. Oddly feels smaller than a 3 series touring inside.
If it's got to be a 4x4 then the E70 would be my choice but for £10-12k I'd be looking at the F10 5 Series personally. Plenty of 5 year old, 60k examples around and they're a better car than any of the above. Nicer interior, more space, better to drive and cheaper to run.
Yeah, fair enough, it is a pretty dull subject...
We live in rural Dorset so it is useful to be able to see over the top of hedgerows etc and mount the verge when some muppet comes skidding past in the opposite direction.
I am struggling to get remotely excited about it though.
A quick check on autotrader shows a 62 plate 535d touring with 156k on the clock at £14k, that would certainly be a more interesting option... Hmmmn
We live in rural Dorset so it is useful to be able to see over the top of hedgerows etc and mount the verge when some muppet comes skidding past in the opposite direction.
I am struggling to get remotely excited about it though.
A quick check on autotrader shows a 62 plate 535d touring with 156k on the clock at £14k, that would certainly be a more interesting option... Hmmmn
F25 is just another world better than the previous model.
I bought one with 135k miles on it a year ago. It had one owner all the sports packs and was mint. Totally faultless, ZF 8 speed is effortless, 40+ MPG, will fit four 18" wheels/tyres in the boot - it just does everything.
I'd avoid the manual and make sure it's well specced. The basic spec X3 has some nasty plastic steering wheel, nasty seats and cheap looking small iDrive screen and controls.
They are almost identical in dimensions to the original X5 but are miles cheaper to run than the E70 X5. The F25 cheaper to fuel, tax and maintain.
I'm bored of slow 4x4s, thought, so looking to replace the X3 and my M3 for an M5 and a track car.
I'd probably advertise mine at around £12.5k, so not miles over your budget but it's a much better car than the X3/X5s you'll get for 10k, IMO.
I bought one with 135k miles on it a year ago. It had one owner all the sports packs and was mint. Totally faultless, ZF 8 speed is effortless, 40+ MPG, will fit four 18" wheels/tyres in the boot - it just does everything.
I'd avoid the manual and make sure it's well specced. The basic spec X3 has some nasty plastic steering wheel, nasty seats and cheap looking small iDrive screen and controls.
They are almost identical in dimensions to the original X5 but are miles cheaper to run than the E70 X5. The F25 cheaper to fuel, tax and maintain.
I'm bored of slow 4x4s, thought, so looking to replace the X3 and my M3 for an M5 and a track car.
I'd probably advertise mine at around £12.5k, so not miles over your budget but it's a much better car than the X3/X5s you'll get for 10k, IMO.
Edited by mpit on Thursday 5th January 09:28
Do you have the F25 20d or the 30d?
Is the 20d horribly underpowered?
There's a 30d on Autotrader for 13k but with 156k on the clock, are the auto boxes good for high mileage or is that still an issue?
To get lower miles it's looking more like £17k and whilst the budget isn't set in stone, I can't really justify £17k for what it will be used for.
What's the reasoning for avoiding the manual? Are there more issues compared to the auto box?
I would generally choose a manual over an auto, even my landcruiser is manual... Will likely keep the car for a long time so not overly bothered about resale.
I put the 5 series to my GF and she flat out refused to even consider it. To be fair she pointed out that on a trip to the farm shop that day a similar car had grounded out along the track, and one of it's primary tasks will be dog walks often involving muddy tracks.
Thanks, James
Is the 20d horribly underpowered?
There's a 30d on Autotrader for 13k but with 156k on the clock, are the auto boxes good for high mileage or is that still an issue?
To get lower miles it's looking more like £17k and whilst the budget isn't set in stone, I can't really justify £17k for what it will be used for.
What's the reasoning for avoiding the manual? Are there more issues compared to the auto box?
I would generally choose a manual over an auto, even my landcruiser is manual... Will likely keep the car for a long time so not overly bothered about resale.
I put the 5 series to my GF and she flat out refused to even consider it. To be fair she pointed out that on a trip to the farm shop that day a similar car had grounded out along the track, and one of it's primary tasks will be dog walks often involving muddy tracks.
Thanks, James
Mine is the 20d.
It's not underpowered, and is pretty spritely when the gearbox is in "sport" but the gearbox is very much eco-centric in normal mode, which means it can be apprehensive to kick down from 8th after cruising at 70-80 for a while.
Not an issue on the manual, but I thought the manual box felt a bit crap and the auto box is so ridiculously smooth, I'd definitely recommend you at least try one.
I went for the 20d for the long distance economy - there's just no other suv that manages over 40mpg, which is a big plus point when I do 15k on the motorway each year before I consider my normal daily usage!
It's not underpowered, and is pretty spritely when the gearbox is in "sport" but the gearbox is very much eco-centric in normal mode, which means it can be apprehensive to kick down from 8th after cruising at 70-80 for a while.
Not an issue on the manual, but I thought the manual box felt a bit crap and the auto box is so ridiculously smooth, I'd definitely recommend you at least try one.
I went for the 20d for the long distance economy - there's just no other suv that manages over 40mpg, which is a big plus point when I do 15k on the motorway each year before I consider my normal daily usage!
23K is what the garage are paying me, its white, M Sport and loads of extras. Private offer would have to be significantly higher as I don"t want the hassle. I could put you in touch with the dealer as they may be interested in a quick sale. 1 owner from new, F BMW SH, never missed a beat. Great cars. Should be available before the end of the month.
Yeah, understand about not wanting the private sale, I'll have 2 of those to deal with shortly, joy.
Thanks for the offer, but the colour would be the deal breaker for me unfortunately, my brother is trying to unload his 2013 Defender on me for trade, but that is white too...
Enjoy your new ride.
Thanks, James
Thanks for the offer, but the colour would be the deal breaker for me unfortunately, my brother is trying to unload his 2013 Defender on me for trade, but that is white too...
Enjoy your new ride.
Thanks, James
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