Considering an X1 or X3 ... help please!

[Gemmot]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you would be able to offer me some help please.

We are looking to upgrade from our current run about to an X1 or X3. We would look to use it on family holidays and as we have 3 kids aged 12, 8 and 3, we need a decent amount of space. Budget is up to £27k (including a guestimate £2k for our px).

What car would you reccomend and how best to actually buy the thing? In your opinion do BMW offer decent finance or is personal loan a better route... or finally do we use our savings?

Only wishlist items are leather, auto and heated seats. Other than that, we are open to suggestions.

Cheers in advance

[A4 cabrio]

Personally I’d be looking at the X3, with 3 kids an X1 would be too small imo. Engine wise I’d be looking at the 30d, the MPG would be around 35mpg in an X3 I’d imagine, I used to get around 40mpg from a 330d. Buying used from a main dealer expect interest rates of around 10.9%, although people have said these can be negotiated slightly lower, a personal loan could be the way to go as you could probably get a loan at around 3-4% on a good credit rating, you maybe able to negotiate a better deal by taking out finance with BMW & then paying it off with a personal loan straight after.

[Smuler]

Gemmot said:

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you would be able to offer me some help please.

We are looking to upgrade from our current run about to an X1 or X3. We would look to use it on family holidays and as we have 3 kids aged 12, 8 and 3, we need a decent amount of space. Budget is up to £27k (including a guestimate £2k for our px).

What car would you reccomend and how best to actually buy the thing? In your opinion do BMW offer decent finance or is personal loan a better route... or finally do we use our savings?

Only wishlist items are leather, auto and heated seats. Other than that, we are open to suggestions.

Cheers in advance

Family needed a small SUV a year ago and so I purchased a 20d X Drive M Sport Auto X1, brand new. It's the current model (2015-) and it's far superior to the previous.

I didn't need the extra space of a X3 or wish to pay more as with the X3 (on point of principle) I would have gone for at least 30d There's no six cylinder options on the X1 to tempt me!

As a keen driver I was worried about a vehicle that has a FWD bias , but at least in M Sport guise I've been very impressed with how it handles. My other car's a M3 to put it in context. SUVs are never going to be sporty so even if the X3 is better, won't be by next level.

There is plenty of space in the X1's boot, I helped a friend move house and I was shocked at how much fitted in and that's without the underfloor storage as I have a spare wheel there.

M Sport trim came with heated seats and LEDs which are amazing. As I have a bad back, I specced lumbar support and electric seats to make minor adjustments on long journey. I chose 18s because the ride is much better and with non RFTs. I found the adaptive dampers (only 150£) pointless cos the ride is so comfortable. Driver comfort pack gave me these ambient lights which are cool and make me think I'm in the cockpit of a plane at night and front parking sensors which are useful. I also have folding mirrors , useful as whilst a short (ish) vehicle which helps for parking it's wider than my other cars and handy to fold in on the go.

I'm not sure whether a X3 in your budget will have the same features standard, but the recommendation applies.

I paid cash, but that was due to unusual circumstances.

I know that 6 months earlier (autumn 2016) my father bought from BMW and found a loan for the amount he needed (he had a high value part ex) was much better. He chose Sainsburys Bank. But see what BMW offers. They may have the right finance option that allows you to get into a brand new car and/or higher spec one than you'd planned. Without looking , I'd imagine 27k would buy you a 2017 model used, low miles, same trim as my X1?

With 3 kids, I'm guessing you could well be leaning towards the X3 as you might as well have more space. But if you've any specific ?'s on the X1 let me know.

[S54Love]

What engine are you looking for? Petrol or Diesel?

My mother was looking at the X1 and X3s but wanted to get a petrol due to her mileage. She could not get an X3 at all, due to the outgoing model being diesel only, and when looking at the X1, she found that trying to get a used petrol model would be £5k+ more expensive than the equivalent diesel.

Eventually, she settled on a 218i Active Tourer, which is actually pretty decent. Looks wise in the cabin, it's almost identical to an X1 besides the climate control being in a different place. The unit itself is carried over, however. Might be slightly too small for your needs, but have you thought about a 2 Series Gran Tourer? A tad ugly at first, especially at some angles, but in the metal, it does grow on you. Same car underneath as an X1, whilst the boot is marginally bigger than the X3 by 10 litres.

If you really need the xDrive nature of the X1/X3, then they make a 220d xDrive: https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201711081060769 This one seems of a high spec, and does meet those requirements of auto, leather 'n heated seats. Similar performance as 20d X1s/X3s as they share the same engine.

Will this be something to think about?

[RBrown]

My wife has 2nd generation X3 20d.

She got a really good deal as new model was coming out. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about it. But I have been hugely impressed with it. I woukd suggest you look for with the adaptive system suspension as it helps the ride. I like it so much, I have a new X3 M40i coming in March.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[ghost83]

RBrown said:

My wife has 2nd generation X3 20d.

She got a really good deal as new model was coming out. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about it. But I have been hugely impressed with it. I woukd suggest you look for with the adaptive system suspension as it helps the ride. I like it so much, I have a new X3 M40i coming in March.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Can you let me know what you think of the M40i I’ve been to look at the x3 today and I love the looks of the car

[Username...]

We were looking at changing our 1 series for a nearly new X3 30d.

First impressions of the X3 were good; it looks great on the outside, but once you step inside we really noticed the dated interior. It felt far too similar to our 1 series and definitely a couple of generations behind BMW's other models. The 30d does go well though and the drive is decent.

We liked the look of the new VW Tiguan as an alternative so popped to our local dealership. The car in R-line spec looks really smart on the outside but I was more impressed by the interior and the level of equipment included - way ahead of the BMW. We drove the 190bhp 2.0tdi mated with DSG gearbox. It might not have been quite as smooth or as potent as the BMW but it was still very refined, smooth and easily quick enough. Interior space is also excellent, seemed on a par with the X3.

In the end we went for a nearly new Tiguan R-Line 190 Tdi 4motion. The car came with DSG, interior lighting pack, adaptive LED headlights, virtual cockpit, touch screen, NAV, panoramic sunroof, bluetooth, heads up display, heated front and rear seats, etc. We paid £29k after a bit of haggling.

It's a great car and I'd highly recommend you take a look.

Edited by Username... on Tuesday 16th January 14:52

[rassi]

Username... said:

We were looking at changing our 1 series for a nearly new X3 30d.

First impressions of the X3 were good; it looks great on the outside, but once you step inside we really noticed the dated interior. It felt far too similar to our 1 series and definitely a couple of generations behind BMW's other models. The 30d does go well though and the drive is decent.

We liked the look of the new VW Tiguan as an alternative so popped to our local dealership. The car in R-line spec looks really smart on the outside but I was more impressed by the interior and the level of equipment included - way ahead of the BMW. We drove the 190bhp 2.0tdi mated with DSG gearbox. It might not have been quite as smooth or as potent as the BMW but it was still very refined, smooth and easily quick enough. Interior space is also excellent, seemed on a par with the X3.

In the end we went for a nearly new Tiguan R-Line 190 Tdi 4motion. The car came with DSG, interior lighting pack, adaptive LED headlights, virtual cockpit, touch screen, NAV, panoramic sunroof, bluetooth, heads up display, heated front and rear seats, etc. We paid £29k after a bit of haggling.

It's a great car and I'd highly recommend you take a look.

Edited by Username... on Tuesday 16th January 14:52

Nearly new X3? Current or previous generation? The new one is a huge step up interior wise, even if the previous one was not bad (I had a fully loaded one). The 30D is a fantastic engine!

[Ranger 6]

A4 cabrio said:

Personally I’d be looking at the X3, with 3 kids an X1 would be too small imo. Engine wise I’d be looking at the 30d, the MPG would be around 35mpg in an X3 I’d imagine, I used to get around 40mpg from a 330d....

The BMW six is a fantastic engine and worth paying for over some toys. I certainly wouldn't choose a well spec'ed 4 cyl instead. The comment about being 'dated' only really refers to the sat nav, the newer ones have Car Play. Having looked at the new one it's not that much different, just the same stuff re-arranged a bit.

I've had mine for nearly 4 years and it's a lovely car, it's my third X3. The 35d is a bit of a sleeper and the 30d is an underestimated family car. £29k would get you a well equipped 30d and that's what I'd go for.

We occasionally take 3 in the back and it's a decent size over my neighbours X1. Don't know much about the 2 series, if you don't need the extra height then I guess the Tourer is worth a look.

[Username...]

rassi said:

Nearly new X3? Current or previous generation? The new one is a huge step up interior wise, even if the previous one was not bad (I had a fully loaded one). The 30D is a fantastic engine!

The model we looked at was the previous generation and is what the OP will be considering with their £27k budget. The new generation looks to be at least £45k for the 30d.

I'm not saying that the X3 was a bad car, it just felt very dated on the inside and wasn't nearly as up-to-date or advanced as the Tiguan, which is a brand new model.

Agree that it's a great engine in the BMW... in fact I'm looking at a 430d myself.

[cerb4.5lee]

Username... said:

I'm not saying that the X3 was a bad car, it just felt very dated on the inside and wasn't nearly as up-to-date or advanced as the Tiguan, which is a brand new model.

I agree, and when I was swapping the 640d for something a little more practical...the X4 35d was on the shortlist...until we sat inside it in the showroom.

I don't know whether after 7 Bmw's I'd got a little bored with them, but the interior just felt like the 3 series I had 10 years ago...so very plain and bland.

Looked at and sat in the X4/Audi Q5/Merc GLC all on the same day, opted for a Merc GLC350d in the end and the interior just felt that little bit more special...or maybe it was just different to the Bmw's I'd become so familiar with.

If the new X3 had been launched a little earlier, I think that would have been in with a massive shout though for sure.

[Username...]

Ranger 6 said:

The comment about being 'dated' only really refers to the sat nav, the newer ones have Car Play. Having looked at the new one it's not that much different, just the same stuff re-arranged a bit.

When we sat in the X3, my wife said "this feels just like my 1 series", which is a 14 year old model now. It just felt way behind all other BMW models of the same era and isn't only down to the NAV in my opinion.

All I can say to the OP is go have a look at the X3, but before you make your mind up check out the competition. For us the Tiguan was a clear winner in R-Line trim.

Edited by Username... on Tuesday 16th January 16:32

[Gemmot]

Thanks for all your replies.

I think it will defo be an X3 we will be going for based on comments about size. My wife has always wanted a BMW so really other manufacturers arent going to get a look in this time.

With how diesel is going to get crucified soon would it be silly to look at petrol options as we will be doing about 12k a year in it?

Again, the only musts are auto, leather and heated seats

[Smuler]

Gemmot said:

Thanks for all your replies.

I think it will defo be an X3 we will be going for based on comments about size. My wife has always wanted a BMW so really other manufacturers arent going to get a look in this time.

With how diesel is going to get crucified soon would it be silly to look at petrol options as we will be doing about 12k a year in it?

Again, the only musts are auto, leather and heated seats

You'd need to go for the current generation X3 to get petrol. Retail starts at 37k so I believe out of budget?
But speaking generally, 12k sounds more like a petrol.

[DJMC]

We looked at X1 and X3 in 2016. Rear luggage space seemed smaller in X3? I don't recall a hidden space under the floor like the X1 has. In any event we chose the X1 2.0d xDrive. Noisy engine at tick over but otherwise it's the best "second" car we've had.

Ave. 43mpg. Took the 5 year service pack - consider this depending on mileage per annum.

DO NOT go for the 19" wheels with run flats - ruin the ride. Stick to 18s with non-RF.

[Ranger 6]

From a quick google the X1 has 505l and the X3 550l.

Yes, my X3 does have a space under the boot floor (which wasn't in the early model).