X3 Questions

[ScottHughes]

Hi all,
I have recently bought an X3 20d sport and feel that the suspension is abit harsh for my liking? I have been told that it can be adjusted electronically? is this right?

Also does anyone have any experiance of performance/econamy upgrades for the 150bhp 20d as mine only returns 33mpg on average and I was hoping for close to the claimed 39mpg?

Any comments/help welcome thanks

Scott

[StuB]

No electric adjustment on your suspension, so slap whoever told you that one. The X3 is noted as having a 'firm' ride! Let the tyres down a bit!

Lots of chip upgrades for the 2.0d, with better performance and economy from most.

[NIIKME]

I have the same car, but 08 plate with newer engine. When I was looking to buy it was quite common to see "sports suspension deletion" on the options list. Ours has this and it feels great. It might be worth seeing if a dealer can fix this for you as I know our ex-demo car for example was done retrespectively, how exactly im not quite sure.

[Ranger 6]

The sports suspension delete option was added at the late 07 facelift. The suspension retro-fit is very expensive, springs, dampers, ARBs and bumpstops need to be swapped. I've got used to mine as I had a 911 and now have another M-Sport BMW so the 'firm' feeling is the same across the cars.

From an economy perspective I wouldn't worry. Over 2 1/2 years mine has averaged 32mpg, from an estate car with the same engine prior to that I got 35mpg so I think it just shows how far removed from reality the mfrs figures are.

[NIIKME]

good point.... our engine's figures are quoted by BMW at 44 combined yet we seem to be stuck on 35 at the moment. I am also considering upgrading the 330ci to the newer hardtop model primarily for effiency gains (see other topic) but now I'm sceptical!

[gizlaroc]

NIIKME said:

good point.... our engine's figures are quoted by BMW at 44 combined yet we seem to be stuck on 35 at the moment. I am also considering upgrading the 330ci to the newer hardtop model primarily for effiency gains (see other topic) but now I'm sceptical!

Take one out for a day to test mpg.
The official figuress are done on a rolling road, the biggest consumer of fuel is actually moving the cars own weight and this is not taken into account on a rolling road.

The new 3.0 litre petrols are great for economy, but I doubt the cab will be as it is so heavy. Look at the urban figure and you won't be far off.

[Ranger 6]

I've got the same 265bhp engine in the 130 and using it totally for commuting without m-way it's giving 24mpg. When I've used it on a long run that leaps to over 30mpg so do make sure you're aware of the differences for that one.

[M3_chaz]

I had one for 2 years and 40K miles and in that time I got 33MPG from it. The best I seen was 36 on a long, slow, run.

As for the ride I thought mine was ok. I guess the only thing you could do is change over to the standard/SE spec set-up but I dont think thats going to be cheap.

[gizlaroc]

Hold on guys, you are both talking about a different engine here.

The new si engines were introduced from 2008 and have 272bhp, but more importantly they are around 25% more economical, they are very impressive.

[ScottHughes]

Thanks for the feedback guys..

I have been told by my local speciallist that if the hot air flow/mass air flow meter is worn it will drastically effect MPG and performance and they have had to replace these on some higher millage cars?? Although I also spoke to my main dealer today and they said that 31/32mpg is about right for this time of year due to the cold weather? they even agreed that 36mpg at 70/75 on the motorway was about right! I would have thought that at 70ish you would get the best out of the engine.

So now I don't know weather the spend the £250 on anew air flow meter or just put up with it?

Has anyone else heard of the MAF giving problems?

[hughjayteens]

ScottHughes said:

Thanks for the feedback guys..

I have been told by my local speciallist that if the hot air flow/mass air flow meter is worn it will drastically effect MPG and performance and they have had to replace these on some higher millage cars?? Although I also spoke to my main dealer today and they said that 31/32mpg is about right for this time of year due to the cold weather? they even agreed that 36mpg at 70/75 on the motorway was about right! I would have thought that at 70ish you would get the best out of the engine.

So now I don't know weather the spend the £250 on anew air flow meter or just put up with it?

Has anyone else heard of the MAF giving problems?

I ran one from new for 2 years/36k miles and averaged 31mpg. Could squeeze up to 35mpg on a gentle m-way run, but never any better than that. The same driving in my E92 325i gives me 26mpg, so maybe I just have a heavy right foot as these are both way off BMWs claims.

[Ranger 6]

ScottHughes said:

Has anyone else heard of the MAF giving problems?

Yes, you would know the MAF problems from the very sluggish response from the engine when driving.

Had it go on the Golf and replacing the MAF gave it a new lease of life. Do check around as a MAF can be easily changed. Do a search on www.bmwland.co.uk for more info on the MAF.

[gizlaroc]

Usually when the MAF goes there is a point in the rev range when it looses all power, then it will probably kick back in again a little further up the revs again.

Your MPG sounds fine for a heavy 4 wheel drive car.

I got 33mpg from a 120d auto over 10k miles, much lighter and only having to drive 2 wheels.

[pgilc1]

ScottHughes said:

Hi all,
I have recently bought an X3 20d sport and feel that the suspension is abit harsh for my liking? I have been told that it can be adjusted electronically? is this right?

Also does anyone have any experiance of performance/econamy upgrades for the 150bhp 20d as mine only returns 33mpg on average and I was hoping for close to the claimed 39mpg?

Any comments/help welcome thanks

Scott

Welcome to the world of heavy 4x4s. I think 33mpg is about right. I was getting around 42mpg in my 320d so something a lot heaver + 4x4, thats about right.

My first 535d averaged 37mpg, my 3.0d x5 28mpg. (round town 22mpg)

[Ranger 6]

pgilc1 said:

Welcome to the world of heavy 4x4s....

Just be grateful you've not got a Discovery - they're about 800kg heavier than the X3...

pgilc1 said:

I was getting around 42mpg in my 320d so something a lot heaver + 4x4, thats about right.

Not just weight, after all the X3s aren't that much heavier than a 3 series (IIRC about 50kg). It's aerodynamics and transmission losses too

Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 13th January 07:54