Thinking about an X3 2.0d?

[rob05]

With prices now on the good side of 20k i'm thinking about trading in our 206d and getting one of these.
I'll be looking to buy around March April hoping that prices might be around the 18-19k mark by then.
Apart from the obvious (its no looker) what are they like to own?
What about the 2.0d motor any good?
They say the sport model is to firm but i do prefer a harder ride anyway?
Any thoughts opinions much appreciated
Many thanks
Rob

Edited by rob05 on Saturday 23 December 09:26

[Jubal]

You'd have to drive one. We had one as a loan car for several weeks, a 2.0d SE. I thought I was going to love it and as we were planning on buying one it was perfect timing for an extended test drive...but about the only thing we liked was the high driving position, oh and the big boot. The ride was awful, far too firm, so god knows what the sport must be like The engine is underpowered, for the vehicle's weight anyway, which made us thrash it and hence we were getting poor MPG. Overall, not a good experience.

[CatherineJ]

We had one on demo when we were thinking of buying one. The only car available was a 2.0D SE.

We were considering a 3.0SD facelift Sport, but were very impresed with the 2.0D facelift. We didn't have any problems with the performance. Best thing is to go drive one but make sure it is the facelift car. Aim for 8% discount if buying next year. I understand that 12% is not available next year.

In the end we bought an outgoing X5 3.0D Sport and we are very happy with it.

[rob05]

So is there a performance difference between the old model and the face-lift 2.0 d?
I dont really want to buy new and it really needs to be sub 20k.
This car really is mainly for my wife and the X5 is just to big so that's out,I'll of course have to drive one.
I have read that these engines can be chipped with good results?

Edited by rob05 on Saturday 23 December 19:06

[CatherineJ]

No there is no performance difference between the facelift car. The main difference was in quality of materials and I "think" some changes to the mechanics of the cars 4x4 system/suspension (I could be wrong on this)

You are quite correct that the 2.0D can be remapped/chipped with good results. The car I drove was not mapped/chipped as it was a dealer demo. I understand that DMS do a very nice upgrade for the 2.0D engine.

[hughjayteens]

I have a pre facelift 20.d and think it is a superb car. Post facelift it gets an uprated DSC system with hill start assist etc, and slightly nicer materials inside, but essentially the same car.

I get about 32mpg on average and it goes well enough out of the box.

I would avoid the sports suspension with 18" wheels as the ride can be a bit crashy - it is a no cost delete option on all new sport models, and I couldn't feel any difference in handling when I drove an 18" wheel SE model, but it rode much better.