Cheap E83 X3 3.0 litre M sport - petrol punt

[magic Monkey Dust]

I just bought a 2005 E83 X3 straight six powered SUV with a possible M sport option pack i think. No paperwork other than service receipts .. As a daily town smoker i impulsively saw a 3 litre with a good mechanical description on EBAY and was the new owner within a few hours,

It has the black headliner and 18 inch sport wheels so i'm guessing its the m sport option. No sunroof is a tick. Auto box is a kind of tick. Owned for 5 years by previous mechanic owner is a big tick.

At 170k miles its nearly run in. So far I've discovered it loves E5 petrol. A LOT. Can i use E10 on this engine??
The insurance is twice my previous MINI Cooper. Road tax isn't bad at 375 quid. It actually handles really really well and its fairly rapid on A and B roads. No knocks or rattles but a bit of a weep from header tank next to radiator and parking sensors are AWOL.

Seems like a lot of car for the money.

Is it?.

[g3org3y]

Yes, M54 engine, so you shouldn't have any issues. Might run sweeter on the E5/Super unleaded though.

Like all old BMWs, it's fine until it isn't. Some people have reported a lot of niggles with these, others totally fine. Keep an eye on the tyres (ideally the same pattern and approx wear front and rear to avoid transfer box issues).

Any pics?

[d_a_n1979]

As above

But deffo get the cooking system overhauled ASAP for peace of mind (stat, water pump, top & bottom hoses and a full coolant flush)

And after that get the gaskets changed (so rocker cover, spark plug gaskets and the oil filter housing gasket).

Other than that, service it, run it and enjoy it

[Luke.]

magic Monkey Dust said:

Seems like a lot of car for the money.

Is it?.

Dunno... How much was it?

[magic Monkey Dust]

Paid 1500 quid.
not sure how to add photo
but drives nice. Recent gear box oil change and service and new front radiator so quite confident.
Couple of my neighbours have new ones and they were north of 40 grand.I dont have mood lighting but for the saving i can stomach that.
Also the sharp edged design has grown on me

[magic Monkey Dust]

[magic Monkey Dust]

[Touring442]

Looks alright.

Don't go pissing money away on new bits it doesn't need because your cheap X3 will become a not so cheap one.

Just keep an eye on levels and so on, fix what needs fixing as and when.

The engine and catalytic converters are nearly worth what you paid for it.

[gf15]

Good luck with it.
We had a 2004 one on 90k miles, which was well specced. It was a nightmare.
No matter how it was driven, it returned 18 mpg. Made our 650 seem economical.
Triangle of doom lights. front driveshaft buggered, numerous electrical issues.
Even on winter tyres it couldn't get up the drive in ice.
Glad to see the back of it.


Pros;
Great tip run car.
Lovey engine.
Check ebay for winter oem bmw wheels and tyres.
Loverly engine.

Only car I've never gelled with.

I wish you a better experience with yours than we had with ours.
Did I mention the engine is peach.