Popular German crossover bmw x3 of the second generation, was first presented for general review in July 2010, and its serial production began after only some 1.5 months. At the initial stage, the mass production of "treshki" was set up at a plant in Greer, South Carolina, USA, and a year later, assembly began to be carried out in Russia at a plant in Kaliningrad.

At the start of sales, for the residents of our country, dealers supplied cars from America. Those, in turn, were quite different from their local counterparts. So, for example, the level of sound insulation, the quality of finishes and the reliability of materials are an order of magnitude higher for the overseas counterpart, which is not surprising, because the client there loves comfort and appreciates convenience.

It's not a secret for anyone that eco-leather and artificial materials are used on Kaliningrad cars, while on foreign ones, exclusively natural materials. Hence the problem that on cars older than three years, there are often scuffs on the steering wheel and cracks in the trim in the sidewalls of the seats. Concerning appearance, then it immediately catches the eye that the second generation x3 has become an order of magnitude larger than the first variation. The body has got smoother and more inflated shapes, the size of the wheelbase has become almost on par with the "X-fifth", and there is much more space in the cabin.

For the domestic consumer, the car is available only in four-wheel drive, with several gasoline and diesel engines:

Inline petrol fours with a turbocharging of 2 liters and a capacity of 184 and 245 hp.

Six-cylinder in-line petrol turbo engine of 3.0 liters and 306 "horses"

Diesel, 184 and 190 strong in-line engines, with a displacement of 2 liters.

Top-end, three-liter diesel units with a capacity of 249, 258 and 313 forces.

It is worth noting that for some countries the "Bavarian" was produced with a 4x2 wheel arrangement, exclusively with rear wheel drive... Having met such a car in the secondary market, you can be sure that this is an export version imported from abroad.

Restyling 2014, what's new?

The update primarily affected the head optics, the radiator grille was modified, the front and rear bumpers acquired new shapes, the direction indicators appeared in the side-view mirrors, the central panel became more informative, and the interior acquired a new styling solution.

The weakest points of the BMW x3

1. Like many other models from this manufacturer, the battery is located in the rear of the body, and the power cable from the battery itself goes directly under the bottom. Constant exposure to moisture, dirt and road reagents does the trick. Over time, the cable begins to oxidize and corrode, which leads to a decrease in the operating voltage, and this in turn causes a number of errors in the operation of the ECU. BMW owners know about this disease not by hearsay, since this malfunction is not uncommon on other cars of the German concern.

2. The durability of the crossover paintwork is surprisingly very high. For example, cars 5-7 years old do not have a single hint of rust, chips on the hood do not appear willingly, and the varnish shines almost like a new car.

3. Since ancient times, BMW has been distinguished from other cars by its ideal handling and powerful engines, for which it is actually appreciated by its fans. But it should be noted that their motors often tend to overheat, in view of the strong forcing and work almost at the limit of thermal capabilities. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the temperature of the coolant, and in general, the health of the system.

Overheating of the engine, or even worse, its long-term operation in such conditions, can lead to costly repairs, from the cylinder head bulkhead to a complete engine replacement. Owners of "treshki" are strongly recommended to systematically monitor the level of the coolant, the absence of leaks, the serviceability of the liquid pump (pump) and the cleanliness of the radiators, which are recommended to be flushed at least once every 2 years.

4. Rear lightsinstalled in the trunk lid tend to burn out. This is due to moisture oxidation. electronic boards, as a result of which the lamps blink and "while away" some time with their life, after which they completely burn out. This disease is treated, alas, only by replacing it with a new headlight.

5. The front suspension of the BMW x3 F25 is a MacPherson strut with an anti-roll bar, the main problems rarely arise here, except that the shock absorbers must be replaced every 100 thousand km. Support bearings racks are sometimes nursed by two of their resources, but it is recommended to change them together with the rack, anther and bump stop.

6. Rear suspension, is more complex in the device than the front one and is a multi-link design. Here main drawback lies in the upper wishbones. Approximately 80 t.km. floating silent blocks are broken, which will begin to emit a creak when passing irregularities.

7. Steering. The Bavarian was created for ideal roads and highways, when operating under uneven and off-road conditions, the steering rack rarely survives more than 100 thousand km without knocking. Here everything is to blame, both the bushings of the toothed shaft and the bearing of the steering wheel shaft are broken. In addition to all, steering rack comes complete with an electric booster, replacement will cost a very large amount, and quality repair in this case it is practically impossible. Steering tips and rods are very reliable and go for a long time.

8. The breather of the transfer case ventilation is made without any valve or dustproof dust cover, hence the moisture that gets inside the unit. As a result, the shaft bearings are the first to suffer. This manifests itself in the form of vibration and hum emanating from the distributor, as a rule, closer to the run of 50-70 thousand kilometers.

9. Dignity power plants BMWs are primarily about their power, high torque and moderate appetite for fuel. But there are also some negative sides…

More about cons and pros of motors

The gasoline turbo engine, N20 classification, comes in two variations, namely 184 and 245 hp. There are practically no differences between the motors, the whole difference lies in the ECU firmware, which thereby sets different advance angles for ignition and quality-quantity fuel mixture... These engines use both timing chain drives and the oil pump (separately). These drives are not entirely reliable, as a rule, the chain is stretched and can jump onto the tooth, break or fly off.

If the oil pump drive fails, the consequences are obvious. Lubrication starvation will lead to seizures, both in the timing belt and in the cylinder-piston group, engine repair in such a neglected case will be very expensive, and in some situations even senseless. The output will be one or a new or contract motor.

As for the timing chain, its average resource is 100 thousand km, in most cases, at the slightest stretch, the indicator lamp on dashboard, there are also frequent cases of a drop in power and thrust.

I would like to include the variable valve timing couplings and turbines installed on the motors, which sometimes serve 250-300 thousand km each, to durable units.

Inline six cylinder gasoline engine N55, similarly to other X3 engines of the F25 family, is subject to not small appetites for oil. It is very important to change oil and filters on time or even earlier. Lack of proper lubrication destroys the camshafts and pastels of the block head.

Minus this engine , one can definitely consider the fragility of the timing couplings. There are rare cases when they work out 60 t.km.

The N47 diesel engine, like many others, is very afraid of overheating. When this happens, microcracks often appear in the cylinder liners. The repair will cost a pretty penny, and for the sleeve you will have to disassemble the entire motor or change the entire unit.

The timing chain serves an average of 100 thousand km. On warranty vehicles, many owners had cases of its replacement much earlier (by 20-30 thousand km.)

The fuel system is very sensitive to the quality of the fuel, so you should carefully choose a gas station. The approximate resource of piezo injectors is 150-200 t.km. Not a high-quality diesel fuel, it may well ruin them for 20 thousand run.

Pulley crankshaft, on all diesel bMW engines has a rubber damper. From constant heat loads, it tends to crack. This happens closer to a mileage of 100 t.km or from age (about 5 years)

The inline six-cylinder diesel engine N57 is installed in two configurations, with 1 and 2 turbines, the power from this, respectively, 249 (258) and 313 hp. respectively. This motor is very reliable, no major flaws were noticed in it. One has only to pay attention to the fact that, like all other motors, it is also prone to overheating and oil consumption.

As already mentioned above, all X3 engines have high power and torque, which could not affect reliability and durability. With a "torn" and aggressive mode of operation, a number of typical breakdowns quite logical.

There are a lot of cases when the owners of Bavarian crossovers drove them for 300-400 thousand kilometers without major repairs and they speak for themselves.

Reconciliation of contradictions is the basis for creating new cars. Consumers want each succeeding generation to be more spacious, safer, and better equipped. At the same time, the manufacturer must take care of reducing weight and fuel consumption, while maintaining a reputation and profitability.

Bmw x The second generation 3 is a typical mid-size SUV. Its length is 465 cm, and its wheelbase is 281 cm. It is somewhere between the BMW 5th and 3rd series.

The BMW X 3 Series F 25, which debuted in 2010, is a clear example of tough compromises. In comparison with the previous generation BMW X3 of the E83 series (2003-2010), the crossover has increased by 7 cm, and the wheelbase has grown by only 1 cm.

The main innovation is the transfer of production in the United States to the BMW plant in South Carolina. The predecessor was going to Austria. It may seem to some that this does not matter. However, the result of the comparison of the interior quality is not in favor of the new model. Customers from overseas are not so demanding on the quality of plastic. For Russian market local assembly was organized at the Kaliningrad enterprise Avtotor.

In the photo it seems that the car is practically new. But there are already 160,000 km on the counter. No significant wear marks are visible. The only thing that gives out the mileage is the wear of the protective layer on the central display.

For the whole family

When it comes to practicality, the X3 F25 can be used as an example. Despite the longitudinal arrangement of the engine behind the front axle, which is typical for BMW (which should reduce the length of the passenger compartment), passengers find no reason to complain. The seating position of the driver is high - in an off-road manner without a shadow of sporting ambitions. The seat has a wide range of adjustments, as does the steering column. Two adults will sit comfortably in the back. Behind the driver's seat (taking into account the meter distance from the pedals), 73 cm remains. This is very good result... Few rivals can beat him, except perhaps Honda cr-v or Subaru Forester. Mercedes GLK is much closer.

Wide interior BMW X 3 is comparable to the Honda CR-V, and is only slightly behind the Japanese in terms of legroom.

The owner also has a huge 550-liter trunk. The load capacity can be increased by partially or completely folding the rear sofa with a backrest divided into three sections (40/20/40). There is a small compartment under the boot floor where the battery is located. On the right side of the trunk, there is a possibility of emergency opening of the fuel filler flap. Many cars have an electric boot lid. True, the drive cylinders wear out over time.

Left BMW X3 E83 and right F25.

Most crossovers are richly equipped, but the configuration of each instance is different. It's just that almost all the equipment required a surcharge, and the list of options itself consisted of several pages in small print. The most popular item is the iDrive controller with a 12-inch center screen. Poorer configurations have an 8.8-inch screen.

Comfort bet

It should be noted that rich equipment is not the main thing. Better to focus on finding low-mileage vehicles than lavishly equipped ones. A calm driver will hardly appreciate the Dynamic Damper Control active damper system or steering with variable gear ratio. But attention is paid to copies with front seats of the Comfort series and active cruise control.

Gasoline or Diesel?

All 4-cylinder petrol units are turbocharged and rated at 184 or 245 hp. (20i and 28i). The second option turned out to be less successful. Recently, more and more often, owners have to deal with premature wear of the oil pump drive. The only symptom is extraneous noise (howl) during the increase in speed. The defect leads to accelerated wear of the turbocharger, increased oil consumption and, in extreme cases, to engine seizure. The naturally aspirated 6-cylinder 3-liter engine (258 or 306 hp) is completely devoid of serious shortcomings. But there are very few such modifications, and the transport tax is unlikely to please anyone.

Share of ads with diesel versions F25 goes up to 60 percent. That's a lot. Among diesels, versions with a 2-liter turbodiesel with a return of 184 hp prevail. For your information: Europe is the weakest diesel modification developed 143 hp and had a drive only to the rear axle.

The main enemy of a diesel engine is too long an oil change interval, which loses its viscosity much earlier. This has a particularly negative effect on the condition of the timing chain, as many European users have seen. There, the recommended oil change interval is an incredible 30,000 km. The problem is compounded by the fact that the chain is located on the box side, which significantly increases the cost of repairs.

Frequent short-distance travel (eg in the city) may cause problems with the particulate filter. He simply does not have time to complete the self-cleaning process. If too frequent unsuccessful starts of the DPF self-regeneration filter, excess fuel is formed, which gets into the engine oil. Its lubricating properties are lost, which leads to wear of the turbocharger, the engine itself and the timing chain. An alarming sign is an increase in oil level between replacements.

The 3-liter turbodiesel of the N57 series, for the same reasons, is not tolerant of frequent short journeys. The timing drive is also located here on the side of the box. Fortunately, chain problems are much less common than in 2.0d. Among the disadvantages: the low resource of the belt pulley of the ancillary units and the EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation system).

Transmission

Unlike other BMW models, the X3 F25 has a slightly different transfer case system design. all-wheel drive xDrive. Instead of gears, a chain is used here. According to experts, such a solution is more reliable, and any problems are associated only with neglecting oil changes. All-wheel drive system malfunctions will be indicated by jerks (jerks) when driving with completely turned-out wheels. Mechanics recommend changing the oil as often as possible - every 40-60 thousand km. Subject to regular oil changes (every 60-80 thousand km), there are no complaints for a long time about the operation of the 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Not everything goes smoothly again

The trade-offs mentioned at the outset are likely to have resulted in excessive cost savings. BMW Owners X3 often complain about various malfunctions. For example, for many, after several tens of thousands of kilometers, the steering rack begins to knock. The ZF unit is a real wreck. According to the spare parts catalog, it has been modernized several times already, but complaints about knocking appear again and again, regardless of the model year of the car. Some were lucky enough to install a third rail.

Like most modern carsThe X3 does not tolerate long periods of inactivity. The battery drains quickly, which can lead to startup problems and electronics errors. Fortunately, the suspension does not pose a major problem - repairs are expensive.

The above is also confirmed by mechanics dealership BMW, which claims that the main problems of the X3 F25 are the steering rack and oil pumps of the 2-liter N20 series petrol engines (245 hp). Everything else is rare, and little things about electrics are usually caused by dirty contacts.

Conclusion

In the aftermarket, a sharp decline in prices for the second generation BMW X3 has already begun. Some proposals have even broken down the psychologically important mark of 1,000,000 rubles. So is the X3 F25 worth your attention? Is it really the optimal family car - roomy, great steering and superbly equipped? Probably not, unless you are an ardent BMW fan and you are willing to bear the costs. The reliability level is significantly lower than the first generation model, and the cost possible repair will cause a heart attack. When purchasing a second X3, first of all, you should be ready to restore the steering rack. All the rest? If we get lucky. Service history is paramount.

22.05.2017

BMW X3 (BMW X3) is a premium all-wheel drive crossover (SAV) with a modern design, a high level of handling, safety and dynamics. The onset of the financial crisis has spoiled the plans of many motorists, those who were just recently going to buy new car, now can count on the same model, only with mileage and at the age of 2-4 years. Buying a used car is always a big risk, as there is no guarantee that the car will not break down tomorrow. Or maybe everything is not so scary, especially when it comes to good brand and a decent model. Today we will try to assess all the risks of buying a car in the secondary market using the example of the second generation BMW X3 with mileage.

A bit of history:

Concept "xActivity" (BMW X3) was first presented in 2003 at the International Auto Show in Detroit. In the same year, the serial version of the car was presented, which was assigned the index "E83". This crossover has become the second "off-road" model of the Bavarian brand. The production of cars was established at an enterprise in Austria, the Russian plant Avtotor was engaged in the assembly of cars for most of the CIS markets. In 2006, the model underwent a restyling, during which the exterior and interior were slightly updated, and the engines were also subject to modernization.

The debut of the second generation of the car was scheduled for October 2010, the presentation was to take place at the international auto show in Paris. However, the management of the BMW concern decided to bring the new car to the market in early autumn, and introduced the new product in July 2010. Car production began on September 1, 2010 (sales in the CIS started in November 2010). BMW X3 2011 model year outwardly not much different from its predecessor, however, the crossover has become somewhat larger and received a ground clearance increased by 12 mm, as well as a 15 mm larger wheelbase. In 2014, the model was restyled. In addition to external changes, the BMW X3 received a 2.0-liter diesel engine new generation.

Problematic places and disadvantages of the used BMW X3

Corrosion resistance of the body is quite high, there are no particularly rotting parts here, but, here, the paintwork layer is thin. To date, few manufacturers can boast of a high-quality body paintwork. But, BMW XZ has surpassed many, in it, even from a small pebble, a chip may appear not only of paint, but also of cataphoresis soil. Therefore, when chips appear, they must be processed immediately. Does not differ in durability and windshield, there were cases where the sandblasting effect was noticeable on cars with a range of up to 40,000 km. You can also spoil the windshield with the help of rough or worn out wiper blades (replacing the glass will cost 150-300 cu). Optics, like most modern cars, are plastic and soft, and if the car is used for long journeys, clouding of the headlights is guaranteed. If you pay attention to this in time, the problem can be eliminated by polishing. To protect yourself from this problem in the future, it is enough to glue a protective film on the headlights.

Engines

BMW X3 has a fairly wide range power units: gasoline - 2.0 (184, 225 and 245 HP), 3.0 (306 HP); diesel - 2.0 (120, 184 and 190 HP), 3.0 (250, 258 and 313 HP). For many years, motorists have been facing the acute question of which engine to prefer, diesel or gasoline? If we talk specifically about this car, then in this case, diesel looks preferable, both in terms of efficiency and reliability.

Diesel

Diesel engines are generally reliable, but due to the long oil change interval established by the manufacturer, in our reality the chain breaks down prematurely Timing and tensioners. On 2.0 motors, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that the chain is located on the box side, and this significantly increases the cost of repairs. For cars used in metropolitan areas, it is recommended to change the oil every 7-10 thousand km. These recommendations are related to the fact that when traveling short distances particulate filter does not have time to complete the self-cleaning process. With frequent unsuccessful attempts to start self-generation, the filter does not have time to burn unburned fuel, the excess of which gets into the oil and significantly reduces its quality.

If you neglect timely maintenance, then serious problems can begin on a run of 70-100 thousand km: the oil pump fails (a hum appears when the speed increases), the hydraulic chain tensioner (extraneous noise during a cold start and on idle), turbocharger (dips during sharp acceleration). Also, the disadvantages of diesel power units include a small resource of the belt pulley of the ancillary units and the EGR valve. With frequent refueling, do not quality fuel after 100,000 km of run, problems begin with fuel injectors and injection pump.

Gasoline

Owners of BMW X3 with gasoline inline fours (20i and 28i) quite often encounter premature wear of the oil pump drive (a howl appears when the revs increase). If this defect is not noticed and eliminated in time, the turbine will slowly begin to die from oil starvation, and it is also observed increased consumption oils. If you neglect repairs for a long time, everything can end sadly (the engine will jam). The most successful among gasoline units is the 3.0 engine (258 or 306 hp), but due to the high transport tax such specimens are not common. On cars assembled in Russia, there is no gasket between the catalyst and the manifold. This leads to the penetration of processed gases into the passenger compartment, which is not only unpleasant, but also harmful to health.

Transmission

BMW X3 is equipped with a six-speed mechanical box gears and eight-band automatic transmission "Steptronic". Both boxes have established themselves as reliable and unpretentious units and rarely present unpleasant surprises. Even a clutch in mechanics, with careful operation, can last more than 150,000 km. And, here, the all-wheel drive system is not famous for its reliability and can surprise you in the form of a "dead" transfer case. Transfer box "Kills" both untimely maintenance and a faulty servomotor - the so-called longitudinal moment module. Failure of the servo motor leads to continuous operation of the "hand-out" itself and "combustion" of the clutches.

If there are problems with the transfer case, jerks appear during acceleration, trying to turn the steering wheel and driving with wheels completely turned out (many mistakenly think that the culprit of this behavior is a failed CV joint). Also, the ailment may be accompanied by a hum from the transmission side at a speed of 50-90 km / h. Most often, the problem manifests itself on a mileage of 80-100 thousand km; to eliminate this ailment, it will take more than 2000 cu. To extend the service lines of the transmission and transfer case, it is necessary to change the oil in them every 40-60 thousand km.

BMW X3 chassis reliability

Chassis BMW X3 is, in fact, an improved suspension from BMW-treshki. In the front there is a multi-link with a double-pivot shock-absorber strut, in the back there is a five-link HA5 suspension, which is adapted. In general, the suspension is quite reliable and, with careful operation, can take care of more than 100,000 km without problems. Of the shortcomings, it can be noted high cost suspension parts. So, for example, silent blocks and ball bearings are changed assembled with levers (100-250 cu pcs.). BMW cars have always been famous for their rigid suspension and the X3 is no exception. Therefore, if you are going to buy such a car, try to find a copy not with the most big wheels and without low profile rubber. Because: firstly, a car with such wheels will be even tougher, and secondly, the suspension of such cars wears out faster.

When examining the car, you should pay attention to: front arm suspension bushings, ball joints, stabilizer struts, backlash on the suspension arms, shock absorbers, beam bushings. The main problem with this model is the fragility of the steering rack (installed on a subframe in front of the engine). In automobile circles, there is even such a joke "in whatever condition and with whatever mileage you buy a BMW X3, automatically get ready to replace the rail." If a steering rack breaks down on a car, the costs will not be small, since even a replacement rack will cost at least $ 400, you will have to pay much more for a new one.

Salon

The build quality and finishing materials of the BMW X3 interior, traditionally for a German manufacturer, high Quality... And, here, there may be problems with electronics (malfunctions electronic systems), therefore, many experts recommend that when choosing a used car, not to chase rich equipment. If the seller begins to tell you that the car was mostly in the garage, do not rush to rejoice, as the BMW X3 does not like long downtime. In this operating mode, the battery is quickly discharged, and when the battery is low, the electronics begin to fail. Also, malfunctions in electronics are possible due to contamination of contacts. In terms of electrical equipment, the most often hassle is the electric drive for opening / closing the trunk - the guides of the lifting mechanisms fail (replacement of 400-600 cu).

Outcome:

Despite the fact that this model, in a used version, is less problematic than its older brothers X5 and X6, it is difficult to call it problem-free. BMW X3 - special car, which stands out from the lineup of the Bavarian brand, therefore, when choosing this car you need to be extremely careful, because it is worth missing something and you can get to a very expensive repair.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editors AutoAvenu

BMW x3 with mileage is a prestigious, reliable and quality car in every way. The final much depends on the actual mileage, operating conditions and competent maintenance... Sometimes the question of whether to take a BMW X3 will disappear by itself if you are confident in the seller and have carried out a full technical revision of the car, as a result of which different kind malfunction. The used car market pleases with prices and an abundance of offers for BMW x3.

In 1917, the airline BMW (Bayerisch Motoren Werke) was registered in Munich. Then her specialization was aircraft engines. But in 1928, several factories were bought in Eisenach and a license for the production of the Dixi compact car. Today bMW factories located not only in Germany, but all over the world. A modern feature famous brand BMW today is that the assembly of cars is done manually, without the help of robots. Latest Models bMW cars created using the latest technologies... At every showroom you can see cars with great innovative solutions. Therefore, many motorists bMW brand is considered a model of quality and respectability of the owner.

The achievements of BMW include the invention of an in-line six-cylinder engine, and much later - the creation of a digital engine, also the appearance aBS systems... The launch of the first German car with a 12-cylinder engine also belongs to this company. It is BMW engines that are recognized as the best in the world from year to year and receive international awards. One cannot ignore the magnificent design solution for the decoration of any car - this is a radiator grille with two ovals. It resembles the face of a predator, ready for a victorious battle with a problematic track and bad weather in the form of rain, ice and snow.

Among used bMW cars The X3 has an excellent reputation. It is quite possible to choose a used BMW X3 with low mileage, with good pre-sale preparation, without an accident and crime. The main benefit of buying such a used car is the price. It is much lower and available to more car enthusiasts than BMW's new premium crossover.

German legendary quality of production and advanced technology allows you to get xenon headlights, rain and light sensors, multi-wheel, parking sensors, preheater engine, as an automatic transmission, and mechanical, upgraded audio system and other options. Rear or four-wheel drive, big choice motors. In any case, you will get a BMW X3 with a striking design, a comfortable interior and excellent technical characteristics.

In the secondary market today, you can find quite a few X 3 of various origins. These can be European variants, American ones, or Russian ones purchased from authorized dealers. In any case, you often do not know the real mileage. since the masters of twisting the run today do it beautifully, do not undermine. It is better to ignore the stories that the car has been in the garage for the last 5 years.

BMW x3 engine mainly gasoline, this is an in-line 6-cylinder 2.5-liter M54B25 or 3.0-liter M54B30. Full aluminum cylinder block, with cast iron liners, aluminum cylinder head, reliable timing chain drive. The engine is practically no problem, but there is one technical subtlety that almost any buyer of a used BMW X3 should know. Particular attention should be paid to the elements of the crankcase ventilation system (valve, four pipes, oil dipstick O-ring). They are subject to mandatory replacement every 70-80 thousand km. Failure to comply with this rule threatens either with extraneous air suction in the intake tract and, as a result, uneven engine operation and even in especially advanced cases - burnout of the pistons of the 3rd and 4th cylinders (in the event of a valve diaphragm rupture). If the ventilation system is clogged with oil deposits, the pressure of the crankcase gases in the engine increases and everything begins to flow - gaskets valve cover, pallet, body oil filter... That is, if you are offered to buy a used X3 with an engine that is up to its ears in oil, then most likely the problem is that.

Used BMW X3 diesel captivates with its low fuel consumption, but will it be possible to save. The endurance of the X-third diesel units, subject to high-quality fuel, can reach 250 thousand kilometers. But what if the turbine, injection pump breaks down, the particulate filter clogs, or the injectors die. All these elements are expensive, and with our low-quality diesel fuel, they can generally be consumables, so even saving on fuel may turn out to be unprofitable against the background of constant spending on the diesel X3.

Buying a used X3 and not investing in it will not work. Automatic box rarely goes more than 200 thousand kilometers, mechanics on the market come across less often, but they are much more reliable. The xDrive transfer case with its electronics can start to fail after 100 thousand kilometers. The suspension is very strong, but on our pits no stands do not last long, this must be borne in mind. It is better not to touch the timing chain drive, but if the mileage is large, then you will have to change the chain, sprockets, strips, in general, in full.

The clumsy, angular appearance and rather modest, by premium standards, interior trim of the X3, which debuted in the fall of 2003, caused a lot of controversy among ardent BMW fans. The popularity of the car has gained quite limited - including in Russia. Despite the ubiquitous "parquet" fashion and, in general, quite adequate price, for seven years we have sold only eleven and a half thousand younger "X". At the same time, the circulation of the more prestigious X5 surpassed this figure by seven thousand ... however!

And yet, the buyer, who chose the smaller of the two "X", subsequently rarely regretted his choice. In addition to the pluses characteristic of most off-road vehicles - a high "far-sighted" driving position and an increased ground clearance - the crossover, built on the platform of the 3rd series, was hardly inferior to the latter in handling. Even the weakest of its engines - 4 cylinders, 2 liters and 150 hp - at the very least, but allowed to reveal the advantages of the chassis. In addition, it was on X3 that intelligent system all-wheel drive "X-Drive", which is now widely used on other Bavarian cars. Yes, the Germans did not install sophisticated electronic systems on the crossover, like the “Dynamic Drive” shock absorbers regulating stiffness, but this can hardly be attributed to the significant disadvantages of the “X”: it is well known that any design is more reliable the simpler it is.

Keeps its shape (body and its electrical equipment)

For the production of their crossover, the Bavarians engaged the Austrian plant of the company "Magna-Steyr", and X3 only benefited from this. The mechanics servicing the car did not and did not have the slightest complaints about the quality of assembly and painting. Parts of trouble-free copies and at the age of five are not subject to corrosion. As for the electrical equipment and interior equipment, there are a minimum of weak points here: a jammed rear section panoramic sunroofin the airbag control circuit touch mat passenger seat, air conditioner radiator and motor rear wiper ... It is worth noting that the failure of the hatch and sensor is, as a rule, due to the decent age of the car - from five years and older. The last two problems are most often characteristic of cars that are operated in Moscow: parts die from interaction with salt and other anti-icing chemicals. In order not to pay at an authorized service for an expensive replacement of the hatch frame, it is wiser to drown it at the informal for 4,000-5,000 rubles.

Overall reliable (transmission)

Most of the copies presented on the secondary market are equipped with "automatic machines". Regardless of the engine power, the 5-band hydromechanical gearboxes of the German company ZF and the 6-speed units that replaced them after the 2007 restyling live happily ever after: runs of 200 thousand kilometers are not the limit for them. The drive hinges, provided that the anthers are intact, are also quite durable. The mechanics have no complaints about manual transmissions, which were installed on cars with 2-liter engines - gasoline or diesel. The clutch resource with adequate operation is 130-160 thousand. However, you should change the driven disk at the first sign of a malfunction (difficulty shifting or slipping) - otherwise, there is a risk of getting to replace the expensive dual-mass flywheel.

Overall, the X3's drivetrain is very reliable. The only problematic place in it is transfer case servo all-wheel drive systems. It happened that the person responsible for the connection front axle the part failed even in warranty period... Installing a new servo drive, although it will turn out to be a very expensive undertaking, is much cheaper than buying a whole handout, which owners of "X-fifths" often face with the need to replace.

Less hassle with petrol (engines)

Inline petrol "sixes" of the M54 family with a volume of 2.5 and 3 liters, as well as the more modern engines with the N52 index that replaced them in 2007, mechanics recognize as optimal for the X3. Yes, overruns on old oil can lead to failure of the Double Vanos valve timing actuator, and neglect of cleaning the radiator can lead to overheating. But if the engines are not mocked and fed with high-quality fuel, then they calmly nurture 250-300 thousand km. The starting problems that sometimes occur in the winter with the N52 are easily treated by replacing expensive platinum spark plugs with cheaper ones designed for installation on the previous M54.

It is wiser to refuse from the weakest 2-liter gasoline unit (N46). The in-line "four" is very demanding on the quality of fuel, it is noisy and unstable at idle, and besides, it has seen repeated breaks in the timing chain, which is often fatal for the engine. The 2.0L and 3.0L diesels that have been installed on the X3 since 2006 can bring unpleasant surprises. The fact is that both engines have variable-length intake manifolds with swirl flaps... The latter tend to become loose, and then at one point the air flow draws them into the engine cylinders. Since there is only one repair size for these motors, and the scuffs from metal flaps may be deeper than the processing tolerance, no treatment will help - only the replacement of the unit. To avoid such troubles, it is wiser to simply replace the manifold with a new one with a mileage of 100,000 km. Another option is to find an instance produced up to 2005 inclusive with a 204-horsepower 3-liter diesel engine, the intake manifold of which is devoid of any dampers.

Does not tolerate amateur performance (chassis and steering)

We have already mentioned that "X-third" can boast of excellent handling. However, all the efforts of engineers who have spent a lot of time searching for the ideal chassis settings can be easily ditched at one point by installing wheels and tires that do not meet the passport requirements. Moreover, by dressing up their BMW in wide sandals, people not only deprive themselves of driving pleasure, but also kill the suspension by unnecessarily loading its elements. On the right wheels and disks, the X3 is able to drive for a very long time without any problems - 100-120 thousand. By this time, shock absorbers may have surrendered, and the average resource of silent blocks and wheel bearings extends to 140,000 km. Approximately the same number of steering rods and tips are nursed. And the front and rear levers the mechanics were changed only on cars that had an accident in their track record.

Good endurance inherent in the components brake system... The front pads rarely have to be changed before 30,000 km, and the rear ones easily reach fifty dollars. Wheels, like most other cars, last twice as long as pads.