Used BMW X3 3.0 petrol- good idea?

[Sa Calobra]

The X3 never came up on my radar before. I quite like the idea/look of them. Any ex/current owners and anything to avoid or look out for?

[fivepointnine]

Current owner here of a 54 plate 3.0i, I have also owned an 05 plate 3.0i and an 04 plate 2.5i.

-cooling system will need refreshed around 100k, same as any other BMW. Easier to do than an E46 due to the electric fans.
-Panoramic roof can fail on a small percentage, more to repair than its worth. Not the end of the world, just something to be aware of.
-Transfer case fluid needs to be changed out around 100k (lifetime fill is a joke) Will cost around £45 to do with special BMW fluid
-Rear springs can break at the last coil, MOT usually picks this up
-If you hear a clunk from the transfer case on slow speed operation (on off throttle in traffic for example) check the tyres, the X3 MUST HAVE THE SAME, MATCHED SET OF TYRES FRONT TO REAR or it can damage the transfer case.
-Speaking of tyres, the X3 loves a good set, I would RUN away from one if it had budgets on it.
-interior is usually pretty much trouble free, steering wheel trim can wear easily
-I would look for one with adaptive xenons, they are 1000% better than the halogen lamps.

Overall mechanically they are stout vehicles. I average 22mpg on B road/village driving, while the motorway will return 25mpg plus.

[morfmedia]

Currently have a 2.5i 2004 plate. As above really, great workhorse, pretty spacious with the rear seats down for trips to the dump. Pretty thirsty though, I am getting 17mog but lots of short <1 mile journeys

[NiceCupOfTea]

My dad had an early 3.0, think it was an auto. Early ones were typical spartan BMW spec, but it was a really nice place to be. He sold it on for a Saab 9-3 sportwagon and I wish he had let me know because I would have bought it. Engine is well suited to the auto box I think.

I now have a 330 touring of similar vintage but was very tempted by X3s. Were there many (any?) manuals?

I do seem to a variance in how they drive depending on sport suspension/runflats - iirc sport suspension with non-runflats was the sweet spot.

Oh, and second the chocolate BMW cooling system, my dad's had a broken fan and he had the heaters on on and windows down in a traffic jam on the M25 to get home!