BMW X3 2.0d M Sport Purchase?
Discussion
Hi everyone, just wanting to ask about purchasing a BMW X3. I know there are two different engines pre 57 and post 57 engines which got the newer 177hp engine. It is cheaper to tax (£245 vs £190) and i have been told that the newer engine car is the way to go and the older engine can be known to clog up a bit. The thing is the newer engine car costs over £20,000 for a car with leather. More like 22-25 for a 09-59 plate. The pre 177hp car is more like £15-17,000 for a M Sport with leather. We don't want to get over 40,000 miles. Is it really worth paying around £5,000 for the newer car when it is only the engine that is different?
Cheers.
Cheers.
Big Tav said:
...Is it really worth paying around £5,000 for the newer car when it is only the engine that is different?
Yes, am on my second X3. The facelift is well worth paying the extra for, it's like a completely different model. My first was an '05 2.0d which we had for 5 years and put 60k miles on it. Probably one of the best and most reliable cars we've ever owned.Having said that the facelift cars are far better. When you see the spec change for the 177 engine there's just so much done under the skin which isn't obvious to those who haven't lived with both. The facelift cars have different interiors, door cards, dash, leather etc etc - the suspension is completely changed which has a huge affect on the ride quality. The early cars are very firm which drew criticism when first tested, that and the Clarkson'isms which get repeated ad nauseam have tainted the X3s perception.
When looking don't believe the title, check the emissions - I looked at quite a few cars which were advertised as 177s but turned out to be the wrong spec - even in BMW dealers. You should be looking for 172 g/km or if you're searching the BMW dealers it's the ones on the list with 42.2mpg.
A quick look round on the BMW website shows an M-Sport in Bristol for £19k - 45k miles is not far out of what you're after.
Overall - yes - get a facelift. Also, don't dismiss the 3.0d, mine's giving good economy and excellent range, in fact very similar to the 2.0d (550 miles to a tank)
Mine's an 08 and has the new engine - late 57s can have the new engine as well.
There's not many X3 owners on here, try http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=24
There's not many X3 owners on here, try http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=24
Wifey has a '56 plate X3. The sort of semi facelift with the coloured bumpers etc.
Its been a fantastic car. By now we would normally change but we just cant justify getting rid as it still looks good, has the right kit and drives spot on. The new engine may be better, but what would put me off if I were you is that the 'old' X3; facelifted or not will be getting hit hard by the new X3 that is just out. I feel the facelift will lose more than the older pre facelift as its higher up the depreciation curve. For me to pay out another £5k and lose more at a greater rate then it would need to be very special indeed. Especially as it is the wifes car
Its been a fantastic car. By now we would normally change but we just cant justify getting rid as it still looks good, has the right kit and drives spot on. The new engine may be better, but what would put me off if I were you is that the 'old' X3; facelifted or not will be getting hit hard by the new X3 that is just out. I feel the facelift will lose more than the older pre facelift as its higher up the depreciation curve. For me to pay out another £5k and lose more at a greater rate then it would need to be very special indeed. Especially as it is the wifes car
Just to add we're running a '57 plate X3 (3.0SD) for my wife and it's been superb over the 2 years and 30k miles we've had it for. Despite the negative press these cars get it's been a pleasure to own and I intend to keep it for a good few years. I've never driven the 2.0d but by all accounts it is very good - for that sort of money I would be surprised if you couldn't get a 3.0d or SD though obviously at the expense of increased fuel and insurance costs - the latter really is a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing.
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