Discussion
I’ve decided an X3 is a good solution to my all round car needs. Question is, which one? I’ve been on the BMW approved website and the choice is utterly bewildering. My top budget is £30k, with a tiny bit of wiggle room. Pretty sure I don’t want diesel. I do only 8-10k miles a year, not many long journeys. Maybe a hybrid, but perhaps an unnecessary complication. Is there a specific year I should avoid, for instance just before an LCI version was launched? What packs are worth having? You can see how confused I am! I’ve been lucky to own some nice BMW’s over the years (M3, 440, 540) but the world of SUV’s is a complete mystery to me. Hoping some kind and enlightened souls out there will be able to help me. Thank you all.
I also decided that an X3 was a good solution for me and have gone with the M40i.
I'm sure the lower-powered ones are decent too (our friend has a 2.0 diesel and seems to like it) but for me, the M40i or the M40d were the ones to go for.
I can't advise on the packs, but I did read a few reviews saying that the adaptive damping is well worth having.
Mine comes with the Technology Package (including the HUD that I'm quite intrigued by), Comfort Package (keyless entry and heated steering wheel) and M-Sport Pro Package. I'm hopefully getting it next week so I will report back!
I'm sure the lower-powered ones are decent too (our friend has a 2.0 diesel and seems to like it) but for me, the M40i or the M40d were the ones to go for.
I can't advise on the packs, but I did read a few reviews saying that the adaptive damping is well worth having.
Mine comes with the Technology Package (including the HUD that I'm quite intrigued by), Comfort Package (keyless entry and heated steering wheel) and M-Sport Pro Package. I'm hopefully getting it next week so I will report back!
Edited by dirtbiker on Thursday 24th October 14:58
Hi Steve, I’ve had a couple of current shape (G01) X3’s. Looks like you’ve had some nice cars before, will be doing relatively low mileage, and so, since this is Pistonheads after all, I‘D agree with previous poster & recommend an M40i. The M40i I had was really all the car I needed, practical, reasonably efficient and a wonderful engine with great low down grunt, just within your budget but would be pre-LCI for that money I’d think.
I’d personally try for 2020 onwards if you can as thats when the fully digital dash with ID7 came in, which I’ve personally found much better than ID6. I think the MHT only came in with LCI, but I think only made relatively small efficiency gains. Spec preferences are subjective really, for me the panoramic roof, Harmon Kardon (which came in the Tech pack) & adaptive suspension (part of M Sport Pro pack) are the musts. My current car has Parking Assistant Plus which is great. Many cars have the Comfort Pack, nothing essential in that I think & it also adds Comfort (keyless) access which brings with it security challenges in London, so need a faraday pouch.
If you’re more flexible on engine you could get a younger (LCI) & higher spec car. LCI from 2021 brings a tidied up interior, but I’m personally less keen on the exterior changes with the narrow headlights, joined up kidney grille & ‘halo energy sword’ rear lights. If you do go for a smaller engine & LCI, just be mindful of the spec deletions applied to cars during 2021/22 because of post covid tech supply issues. If you buy BMW approved used, it should be clear in the spec details whats deleted, tends to be the wireless charging tray & touch feature on the idrive controller that get deleted, but some others too.
There’s also the X4 of course, again X3/X4 choice is subjective. I personally preferred the practicality & look of X3, but X4 worth considering if you can find one in a spec you like & within budget.
If you get a G01 X3 then you won’t regret it, both of mine have been great.
I’d personally try for 2020 onwards if you can as thats when the fully digital dash with ID7 came in, which I’ve personally found much better than ID6. I think the MHT only came in with LCI, but I think only made relatively small efficiency gains. Spec preferences are subjective really, for me the panoramic roof, Harmon Kardon (which came in the Tech pack) & adaptive suspension (part of M Sport Pro pack) are the musts. My current car has Parking Assistant Plus which is great. Many cars have the Comfort Pack, nothing essential in that I think & it also adds Comfort (keyless) access which brings with it security challenges in London, so need a faraday pouch.
If you’re more flexible on engine you could get a younger (LCI) & higher spec car. LCI from 2021 brings a tidied up interior, but I’m personally less keen on the exterior changes with the narrow headlights, joined up kidney grille & ‘halo energy sword’ rear lights. If you do go for a smaller engine & LCI, just be mindful of the spec deletions applied to cars during 2021/22 because of post covid tech supply issues. If you buy BMW approved used, it should be clear in the spec details whats deleted, tends to be the wireless charging tray & touch feature on the idrive controller that get deleted, but some others too.
There’s also the X4 of course, again X3/X4 choice is subjective. I personally preferred the practicality & look of X3, but X4 worth considering if you can find one in a spec you like & within budget.
If you get a G01 X3 then you won’t regret it, both of mine have been great.
I had two X3M and found the package (size, practicality and ergonomics) excellent but also thought that an X3M40i would have been a better allrounder with a much better ride (adaptive suspension is a must), and with an engine better suited (torque characteristics and the wonderful B58) to the heavy body.
Options: Harman Kardon, adaptive suspension, headup display and possibly rare, the upgraded merino rather than vernasca leather.
Options: Harman Kardon, adaptive suspension, headup display and possibly rare, the upgraded merino rather than vernasca leather.
rassi said:
Options: Harman Kardon, adaptive suspension, headup display and possibly rare, the upgraded merino rather than vernasca leather.
This was nice to read as the one I'm getting has all of the above! Just ordered the 50-year roundalls for it too, should look good against the silver paint.dirtbiker said:
rassi said:
Options: Harman Kardon, adaptive suspension, headup display and possibly rare, the upgraded merino rather than vernasca leather.
This was nice to read as the one I'm getting has all of the above! Just ordered the 50-year roundalls for it too, should look good against the silver paint.I'm in a similar place, with a similar budget, although I've pretty much ruled out the X3, following my 330i experiences.
You have a choice - you'll get a high spec 3.0, but older and higher mileage. Or you have a 2.0 that's younger and lower mileage. Personally, I wouldn't run either one of these without an extended warranty, so you need to factor in how long you can extend the warranty for. With an AUC (and I wouldn't buy anything else), that's usually 10yrs / 100k miles for the 'full' warranty paid monthly.
The question is - how much mileage do you do, and how long do you plan to keep the car, vs the limits of the warranty?
You have a choice - you'll get a high spec 3.0, but older and higher mileage. Or you have a 2.0 that's younger and lower mileage. Personally, I wouldn't run either one of these without an extended warranty, so you need to factor in how long you can extend the warranty for. With an AUC (and I wouldn't buy anything else), that's usually 10yrs / 100k miles for the 'full' warranty paid monthly.
The question is - how much mileage do you do, and how long do you plan to keep the car, vs the limits of the warranty?
Don't rule out the iX3. They are roughly halfway between a 20d and 30d in performance, cost buttons to run on an EV tarriff and are pretty high specc'ed as standard.
Theres no option hunting as they only came in Premier Edition (M Sport on the LCI) and Premier Edition Pro (M Sport Pro on LCI), the latter coming with virtually every option as standard. The former still better specced than the average ICE X3.
They are good value used as they were too expensive to begin with and alot of anti EV noise, but at 2-3 years old are now good value.
However as you do low mileage if you wanted something a special you might get into an earlier M40i for that money.
The only thing LCI gives you other than the external looks are the bigger screen for iDrive and redesigned dash/centre console that looks like the G20 3 series.
Any MY20 (so later 2019 onwards) Pre-LCI still got iDrive 7 and the newer dials.
Theres no option hunting as they only came in Premier Edition (M Sport on the LCI) and Premier Edition Pro (M Sport Pro on LCI), the latter coming with virtually every option as standard. The former still better specced than the average ICE X3.
They are good value used as they were too expensive to begin with and alot of anti EV noise, but at 2-3 years old are now good value.
However as you do low mileage if you wanted something a special you might get into an earlier M40i for that money.
The only thing LCI gives you other than the external looks are the bigger screen for iDrive and redesigned dash/centre console that looks like the G20 3 series.
Any MY20 (so later 2019 onwards) Pre-LCI still got iDrive 7 and the newer dials.
If you want more room than the X3 inside, consider the X1. Transverse engine allows cabin to expand.
LCI version 2019 on. We bought a well specced 2 1/2 year old 2.0i xDrive for £27k in June.
Prior to that we had a 2016 X1 2.0 diesel. We did go for a £50k 2019 Macan S in between, but it was absolute rubbish in comparison. Yes, really.
LCI version 2019 on. We bought a well specced 2 1/2 year old 2.0i xDrive for £27k in June.
Prior to that we had a 2016 X1 2.0 diesel. We did go for a £50k 2019 Macan S in between, but it was absolute rubbish in comparison. Yes, really.
I have a 2.0d G01.
Love it
It has more than enough grunt for day to driving, and I can get a genuine 60mpg+ on a gentle motorway run and I get around 53mpg most days to and from work.
I do a lot of miles and it’s been faultless
4WD is excellent, 50cm wading depth is useful, as is hill descent.
I came from a 320d touring and it’s just so much better in every way.
Love it
It has more than enough grunt for day to driving, and I can get a genuine 60mpg+ on a gentle motorway run and I get around 53mpg most days to and from work.
I do a lot of miles and it’s been faultless
4WD is excellent, 50cm wading depth is useful, as is hill descent.
I came from a 320d touring and it’s just so much better in every way.
DJMC said:
If you want more room than the X3 inside, consider the X1. Transverse engine allows cabin to expand.
LCI version 2019 on. We bought a well specced 2 1/2 year old 2.0i xDrive for £27k in June.
Prior to that we had a 2016 X1 2.0 diesel. We did go for a £50k 2019 Macan S in between, but it was absolute rubbish in comparison. Yes, really.
Interesting to hear that, DJMC. You did very well to get that car for £27k. It looks like a £30k plus car at a BMW dealer from my research. Was yours relatively high mileage or do I need to just go in and haggle hard? LCI version 2019 on. We bought a well specced 2 1/2 year old 2.0i xDrive for £27k in June.
Prior to that we had a 2016 X1 2.0 diesel. We did go for a £50k 2019 Macan S in between, but it was absolute rubbish in comparison. Yes, really.
Thank you everyone for your contributions on here. I’m much the wiser now.
I picked mine up on Tuesday and am delighted with it. The adaptive dampers seem great, HK hifi sounds miles better than my previous Audi and the HUD is a nice touch. I wish the exhaust was a little bit louder, so I may pull the fuse for that to keep the valves open in Comfort mode, but I can see myself having many happy miles with it.
I have a M40i and has been said a great all rounder, I would look for one with a Pan Roof really lightens the interior.
Did find that without the comfort pack the insurance was cheaper and less risk of theft without the keys. The ride without adaptive is a little firm but you get use to it. HK is a must the standard set-up is poor, I'm looking at ways to improve it.
Saying all that I have had mine 5 years and not sure what I would replace other it with.
Paw
Did find that without the comfort pack the insurance was cheaper and less risk of theft without the keys. The ride without adaptive is a little firm but you get use to it. HK is a must the standard set-up is poor, I'm looking at ways to improve it.
Saying all that I have had mine 5 years and not sure what I would replace other it with.
Paw
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