Trying to buy a £15-20k X3 - are they ALL so shabby?

[talksthetorque]

Since the OH has decided randomly ( via golf r, slk, s3,s5,golf gti pp, evoque, 135i) to go for a 2012-14 X3.
Realising that there aren't any petrol ones, it was decided that a 30d or 35d M sport would fit the bill.
Black on Black was confirmed as the only colour choice so we travelled to see a few.
And I must say it has been the most disheartening search for a car since I got my licence back at 20 after a six month totting up ban and working out what i could afford to insure.
Inside they're a mess and outside they're all scratched and chipped to buggery.
Now I get that they're family cars, and after recent cars being z4, 330, golf gti they are possibly just not enthusiasts cars, but jesus, people pay 40-50k for these and then do THIS to them?

Have I just been unlucky or have they all been bought for someone who really wanted an X5/Cayenne/Macan and were so disappointed that they proceeded to take it out on their alternative purchase?

[Wills2]

There is a solution to that issue, get your hand in your pocket and buy a new one.

[mekondelta]

I think your budget is too low for that spec. It's more of a 2l budget I'd say. We paid almost £21k 6m ago for a 2014 30d xline with poverty spec from BMW. It'd just been reduced £3k by the dealer. You might get lucky but may be better off looking for more expensive cars that have been unsold for a while?

[talksthetorque]

Wills2 said:

There is a solution to that issue, get your hand in your pocket and buy a new one.

Even better idea, can you give me the extra 30k I don’t have?
I’ve never seen ALL the cars I’m looking at so badly marked before. I’m not unrealistic, I don’t expect all my girlfriends to be virgins.
But I would also rather they weren’t on the game with tramlines up their arms.

[talksthetorque]

mekondelta said:

I think your budget is too low for that spec. It's more of a 2l budget I'd say. We paid almost £21k 6m ago for a 2014 30d xline with poverty spec from BMW. It'd just been reduced £3k by the dealer. You might get lucky but may be better off looking for more expensive cars that have been unsold for a while?

You might have a point here. Just tipping over the 20k gives a few more options and seems to bring the mileage down.
I also wonder if the black interior is chosen by the abusers more as it doesn’t show wear/ dirt as much compare to the oyster. But she’s not wanting that

[Pica-Pica]

talksthetorque said:

Inside they're a mess and outside they're all scratched and chipped to buggery.

It is not unreasonable to expect a car with off road abilities to have some countryside markings.

Look at it this way. If you bought a brand shiny looking one, the first time you scratch it you will be furious with yourself (unless you are the type who prefers to blame others). Accept that a second-hand car will have marks on it, and price/value it accordingly. Or buy new, take the big depreciation hit, and the consternation when you first put a scratch on it.

[pvogue]

Not sure where abouts you are

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

X5 not better option? Grey on black

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273738031038

If you can change her mind on the interior....lol...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232872313444

Edited by pvogue on Sunday 3rd March 17:41

[Earthdweller]

Mines coming up to four years old now and it’s immaculate

But then it isn’t black on black

And it’s not for sale !

[talksthetorque]

pvogue said:

Not sure where abouts you are

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

X5 not better option? Grey on black

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273738031038

If you can change her mind on the interior....lol...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232872313444

Edited by pvogue on Sunday 3rd March 17:41

Thanks pv.
Have you seen the first car? A trip to Glasgow is not impossible. But they all look great in the photos. This is the problem. As soon as you get close, they look like they’ve all been towed behind a rear wheel drive car while it was gravel rallying.

[Olivera]

talksthetorque said:

but jesus, people pay 40-50k for these and then do THIS to them?

I'd be astonished if even 5% of new X3 buyers bought the car outright. They're driven for 3-4 years on PCP/lease then punted back.

[gizlaroc]

I would seriously consider looking at a new one, some good deals on them.

My mate just bought a new 30d M-Sport and it was on a deal with dealer and finance contribution.

Worked out at £344 a month with £4000 down over 48 months with an option to buy at £19k at the end or throw the keys back.

So just over £20k for the 4 years.

I reckon a 2012 30d at £20k now, will be worth £5k in another 4 years time, it will then be a 11 year old car. Look at how much you can buy a 2007-8 30d X3 for now.
So probably £100 a month more, but you are in a new car with full warranty, better MPG and all the new toys etc.

I'm not for financing, but imho the used prices over the last 12 months or so have been far too strong.

I bought our 2013 one in 2014 for £23k from BMW, it was a very nice spec. with xenons, pano roof, nav prof, blah blah blah, but only a 20d xDrive, however, the 30d at the time were only £3k more, I just decided if I couldn't have petrol may as well have the 20d, map it and get decent MPG.
2 years ago a 2013 30d was going for £15k retail, with 40-50k on it, when I looked again a couple of weeks back they are all going for even more than that now.

I think if you drop £20k on one now you will get burnt.

I would much rather buy a Cayenne on a 2012 for £24k, that will still be worth £15k in 4 years time.

[gizlaroc]

I will just add, I hate black interiors as they get older, imho the age so much worse.
Think it is because people ignore them more, and then it is too late, but also shows the dust far more and just looks tatty.

This was ours at nearly 6 years old with 80k on it....

[pvogue]

talksthetorque said:

Thanks pv.
Have you seen the first car? A trip to Glasgow is not impossible. But they all look great in the photos. This is the problem. As soon as you get close, they look like they’ve all been towed behind a rear wheel drive car while it was gravel rallying.

You can always ask them to send you a high res picture of the arse end!

two in the midlands going by your profile

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by pvogue on Sunday 3rd March 22:21

[VerySideways]

Sadly i think many of the cars you're looking at will simply have been abused as family wagons - throw the kids and the dog in, and get it washed twice a year at the local handwash place.
If you want a decent one you're probably going to have to up the budget. The really clean ones will be few and far between, but probably have the spec (and price) to match.
Try looking at £25k and work down from there until you find something you can haggle your way in to.

[aeropilot]

VerySideways said:

If you want a decent one you're probably going to have to up the budget. The really clean ones will be few and far between, but probably have the spec (and price) to match.

You're also looking at the F-25 pre-face lift as well, and upping the budget a little if you can will bring into the facelifted F25 which came out in late 2014, which is a much better prospect.

You should however have plenty of choice with wanting ghastly black on black option, although, as you've worked out, this is probably not the right choice of colour scheme if searching for a car that has been well looked after

[talksthetorque]

Thanks for all your thoughts and comments, it basically looks like an X3 at the standard we want doesn't exist at the price we're willing to pay. Think that's called life.

A result though - the better half now thinks they're all going to be like that and has decided she might like a M135/140i instead.

Still wants a black interior though, but considering more colours on the bits that get wet.

At least as these are more of an enthusiast's car we stand a chance of a clean looking one.

[VerySideways]

talksthetorque said:

Thanks for all your thoughts and comments, it basically looks like an X3 at the standard we want doesn't exist at the price we're willing to pay. Think that's called life.

A result though - the better half now thinks they're all going to be like that and has decided she might like a M135/140i instead.

Still wants a black interior though, but considering more colours on the bits that get wet.

At least as these are more of an enthusiast's car we stand a chance of a clean looking one.

You'll definitely find a well looked after M135i for less than £20k.
An M140i might be more of a push, depending on how fussy you are about spec and mileage and so on.
Either will be more fun to drive than an F25

[talksthetorque]

Whilst I was looking forward to a proper grownup’s car being in the house ( and her doing some of the long trips driving) I must admit I’m chuckling to myself a little from this fortunate turn of events.

She had a Z4 M coupe before the golf she has now, and ( when I was allowed to drive it) I often tried to leave roundabouts and junctions sideways ( and without indicating of course - because BMW)

[325iMSport]

There are good cars around at the right price.

We bought a 2012 X3 from a BMW dealer 18 months ago for £16k. Obviously this included AUC warranty and has got great spec.

2.0d M Sport
Space grey
Red brown leather interior
Automatic
Variable damper control
Servotronic variable sport steering
Reverse camera with top view
Electric towbar
Sun protection glass
Electric folding mirrors
Storage pack
Heated seats
Individual split fold seats
Adaptive xenon lights
High beam assist
Pro Navigation
Internet
Light package
DAB

Probably missed a few options too!

If we paid £16k 18 months ago, they should be cheaper now.

It will probably be worth 8/9k in 2 1/2 years time meaning it would of cost us around £8k for 4 years motoring. Were more than happy with that.

[HoHoHo]

My wife has a 65 plate X3 and we're thinking of chopping it in (just over 3 years old and with a BMW warranty)

Spec as follows:

2.0D sport.
Reverse Camera
Heated seats
Sunroof
Grey with black leather
Full Sat Nav

30,000 miles and absolutely spotless to the point where I really don't think it has a scratch on it. Only this week all four wheels have been changed by BMW under warranty.

If you want pictures and might be interested I can see what the settlement figure is and go from there - will be more than £20k but if the dealer takes it back they'll pay the same as you would.