F25 X3 or Tiguan?
Discussion
Hello All!
I am looking at getting the other half a new (used) motor. We just sold her 2014 B200 CDI to buy a cheaper car.
It needs to be able to tow around 1400kgs for when we use the in laws caravan.
She wants Auto, and not too big (she is 5'), my 330e touring is too long and she doesn't like parking it. She likes the SUV driving position.
Budget is around £8k - £9k.
Ive narrowed it down to a 2011-2013 Tiguan TDI DSG and 2010 -2011 BMW X3 F25 both 20d and 30d in budget. Both cars seem to be similar age, similar miles, low owners with full history and similarly priced.
I am trying to read up on what would be the best from an owners point of view, I read the BMWs N47 4cyl 20d can suffer timing chain issues - I am not sure if this is the case for the N57 6cyl 30d too? I personally love the BMW gearbox's so that's a plus and personally I like the idea of the 30d for when I am using it
The Tiguan seems to have some better options such as xenon headlights, hidden tow ball, self park (misses uses it on her old Merc and my BMW), reverse camera. But I remember hearing about DSG horror stories - again I don't know if that relates to the DG500 in the tig.
I guess I am looking for some encouragement that I am not mad considering either of these cars and apart from buying a rare bad one (all used cars could be lemons I guess) they are generally reliable????
Tiguans shortlisted
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...
The misses favourite...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...
BMW shortlised
30d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...
30d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
20d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
I am looking at getting the other half a new (used) motor. We just sold her 2014 B200 CDI to buy a cheaper car.
It needs to be able to tow around 1400kgs for when we use the in laws caravan.
She wants Auto, and not too big (she is 5'), my 330e touring is too long and she doesn't like parking it. She likes the SUV driving position.
Budget is around £8k - £9k.
Ive narrowed it down to a 2011-2013 Tiguan TDI DSG and 2010 -2011 BMW X3 F25 both 20d and 30d in budget. Both cars seem to be similar age, similar miles, low owners with full history and similarly priced.
I am trying to read up on what would be the best from an owners point of view, I read the BMWs N47 4cyl 20d can suffer timing chain issues - I am not sure if this is the case for the N57 6cyl 30d too? I personally love the BMW gearbox's so that's a plus and personally I like the idea of the 30d for when I am using it
The Tiguan seems to have some better options such as xenon headlights, hidden tow ball, self park (misses uses it on her old Merc and my BMW), reverse camera. But I remember hearing about DSG horror stories - again I don't know if that relates to the DG500 in the tig.
I guess I am looking for some encouragement that I am not mad considering either of these cars and apart from buying a rare bad one (all used cars could be lemons I guess) they are generally reliable????
Tiguans shortlisted
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...
The misses favourite...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...
BMW shortlised
30d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...
30d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
20d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
Am watching this thread with interest.
I also like F25s and am considering one to replace our E91 330D. I definitely would go for the 30d, which in these is 258BHP and mated to the ZF8 would surely be lovely and miles better than either an N47 powered equivalent or a Tiguan.
However to get a decent spec I think you will need to spend more (I am coming to terms with this!). One like this for instance.
£11k gets you electrically adjustable and heated M-sport seats, xenons, wide screen nav and most importantly I am led to believe variable dampers. A stereo upgrade would also be good as standard BMW ICE is rubbish. I don't think the one I have linked has an upgrade although pro-nav might bring something with it?
There are a couple of X3 owners on here and hopefully one will be along to comment.
I also like F25s and am considering one to replace our E91 330D. I definitely would go for the 30d, which in these is 258BHP and mated to the ZF8 would surely be lovely and miles better than either an N47 powered equivalent or a Tiguan.
However to get a decent spec I think you will need to spend more (I am coming to terms with this!). One like this for instance.
£11k gets you electrically adjustable and heated M-sport seats, xenons, wide screen nav and most importantly I am led to believe variable dampers. A stereo upgrade would also be good as standard BMW ICE is rubbish. I don't think the one I have linked has an upgrade although pro-nav might bring something with it?
There are a couple of X3 owners on here and hopefully one will be along to comment.
SlowV6 said:
Am watching this thread with interest.
I also like F25s and am considering one to replace our E91 330D. I definitely would go for the 30d, which in these is 258BHP and mated to the ZF8 would surely be lovely and miles better than either an N47 powered equivalent or a Tiguan.
However to get a decent spec I think you will need to spend more (I am coming to terms with this!). One like this for instance.
£11k gets you electrically adjustable and heated M-sport seats, xenons, wide screen nav and most importantly I am led to believe variable dampers. A stereo upgrade would also be good as standard BMW ICE is rubbish. I don't think the one I have linked has an upgrade although pro-nav might bring something with it?
There are a couple of X3 owners on here and hopefully one will be along to comment.
Hello hello, join in haha. Have you been in one? Are they a smooth ride with good sound insulation? A common complaint on the misses 2015 B200 - had AMG kit, and the ride was hard and the car was very loud on the motorway -dont know if this was sound insulation problem or just low profile tyres.I also like F25s and am considering one to replace our E91 330D. I definitely would go for the 30d, which in these is 258BHP and mated to the ZF8 would surely be lovely and miles better than either an N47 powered equivalent or a Tiguan.
However to get a decent spec I think you will need to spend more (I am coming to terms with this!). One like this for instance.
£11k gets you electrically adjustable and heated M-sport seats, xenons, wide screen nav and most importantly I am led to believe variable dampers. A stereo upgrade would also be good as standard BMW ICE is rubbish. I don't think the one I have linked has an upgrade although pro-nav might bring something with it?
There are a couple of X3 owners on here and hopefully one will be along to comment.
That's a lovely X3 but for our needs, we couldn't justify an extra £4k for xenons and variable dampers over say this one which has the larger screen, heated M sport seats https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...
EDIT: How was your 330D for reliability and the like? I assume good if your looking to replace the car with the same engine?
Edited by Rooster2212 on Wednesday 18th August 16:32
Rooster2212 said:
That's a lovely X3 but for our needs, we couldn't justify an extra £4k for xenons and variable dampers over say this one which has the larger screen, heated M sport seats https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...
EDIT: How was your 330D for reliability and the like? I assume good if your looking to replace the car with the same engine?
Ah I didn't spot that SE had the M-Sport seats. That could be a good buy at that price then.EDIT: How was your 330D for reliability and the like? I assume good if your looking to replace the car with the same engine?
Our 330D has been well behaved for approaching the 5 yrs we have had it - we have removed the swirl flaps and replaced thermostats & glow plug controller along the way and had to fix poor radio reception due to broken wires in the tailgate - standard E91 stuff. Engine wise it is a late M57 rather than an N57 though, so not sure if relevant. It's getting a bit leggy at 13yrs old and 145k and with a fair chunk of town driving. I have not yet been in an F25 - my attention recently was replacing our dead CMax with a Mk4.5 Mondeo TitX estate. Great car but lacking the required oomph to satisfy.
It's the red X3 that's the pick from your list & having the 3.0d's extra torque won't do you any harm when towing either 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105162...
I'd also say keep an eye out for the Infiniti EX they're very good SUV's & also benefit from being CAZ/ULEZ compliant too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105283...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105162...
I'd also say keep an eye out for the Infiniti EX they're very good SUV's & also benefit from being CAZ/ULEZ compliant too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105283...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124864992732
Lovely 2015 3.0d Msport.
Assume some kind of scam as too cheap? All their cars prices seem too good to be true. What is the scam likely to be?
Lovely 2015 3.0d Msport.
Assume some kind of scam as too cheap? All their cars prices seem too good to be true. What is the scam likely to be?
SlowV6 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124864992732
Lovely 2015 3.0d Msport.
Assume some kind of scam as too cheap? All their cars prices seem too good to be true. What is the scam likely to be?
Hacked account from a legit seller. They’ll ask for a deposit and you’ll never see the money again. Lovely 2015 3.0d Msport.
Assume some kind of scam as too cheap? All their cars prices seem too good to be true. What is the scam likely to be?
Regarding the Tiguan, mind that the DSG transmission can often require frequent fluid changes for the mechatronics unit - I think it's every 40k miles / 4 years for the DQ500 transmission but it's a fairly straightforward and inexpensive job. The ZF transmissions in the BMW are a little more involved and expensive for the fluid change but it's typically 60-70k miles frequency.
Another thing to consider with the DSG is the clutches which can wear out much faster if you are stuck crawling in rush hour traffic a lot, but possibly also when maneuvering the caravan (if doing it a lot) - especially when taking into account the extra weight and subsequent stress. There's no such issue with the ZF transmission thanks to it being a torque convertor.
Another thing to consider with the DSG is the clutches which can wear out much faster if you are stuck crawling in rush hour traffic a lot, but possibly also when maneuvering the caravan (if doing it a lot) - especially when taking into account the extra weight and subsequent stress. There's no such issue with the ZF transmission thanks to it being a torque convertor.
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