BMW X3 04-06 Anything I Should Know / Alternatives ?

[V8RX7]

Having looked at every car in the world my wife has finally decided on an X3 (probably)

It must be Auto, 5 seater, not too big and she likes the idea of an SUV as she hasn't had one and in fairness we do live in the countryside so seeing over hedges can be handy.

I'm insisting on - reliable, not hideous (the X3 is only just inside that criteria), able to be converted to LPG

It seems our budget (circa £5k) will get an 04-06 with circa 70-90k probably a 3 litre petrol which I'll convert to LPG.

The only car she prefers is the CRV for the clever tilting / sliding rear seats but I'm less than happy with it's lack of speed for when I drive it.

Any other SUVs to consider / anything I should know about an X3 ?

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

My Aunt was in the same position as you & I said get a 3.0i X3 as they're less bork prone than the X5 but I failed & she's now the very happy owner of a 2004 110k X5 4.8is with the LPG conversion already carried out gearbox rebuilt 6 months ago with 18 months worth of warranty all for the princely sum of £5400.00 needless to say 4 months in & she's very happy.

X5 4.8is these are good cars to LPG

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

X3 M Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Lexus RX350

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

The next lot have challenging looks I'll say no more.

Nissan Murano

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Subaru Tribeca

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Kia Sorento with the Gas conversion already carried out

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Cayenne 4.5 S

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I know the 3.0 X3 is the sensible choice from the above but the 4.8is is a ball, it took me three days to get it ready for my Aunt

[V8RX7]

ZX10R NIN said:

My Aunt was in the same position as you & I said get a 3.0i X3 as they're less bork prone than the X5 but I failed & she's now the very happy owner of a 2004 110k X5 4.8is with the LPG conversion already carried out gearbox rebuilt 6 months ago with 18 months worth of warranty all for the princely sum of £5400.00 needless to say 4 months in & she's very happy.

X5 4.8is these are good cars to LPG

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

X3 M Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Lexus RX350

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

The next lot have challenging looks I'll say no more.

Nissan Murano

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Subaru Tribeca

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Kia Sorento with the Gas conversion already carried out

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Cayenne 4.5 S

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I know the 3.0 X3 is the sensible choice from the above but the 4.8is is a ball, it took me three days to get it ready for my Aunt

I suggested an X5 as the kids are getting bigger but it's "too big" - in fairness for her usage she's probably right.

RX350 - she liked them but I rejected using the hideous card, also used on the Tribeca - by both of us.

Murano - I went off them after my friend wrote one off when the gearbox went at circa 70k and the price to fix it was more than the car was worth - no parts are available.

Kia - veto'd as she's a snob and the X3 is faster

Cayenne veto'd as I'm not willing to pay for the likely running costs !

[ecksjay]

I would vote kia. Sounds silly but a friend of mine has gone from a 5yr old sportage to a brand new evoque - they're likely going to be giving it back soon and going back to a kia, due to the sheer amount of issues they have had not only with the car, but with the dealer. kia were apparently a pleasure to deal with in comparison.

[Zebrs]

Bork factor on an X3/5 of this vintage could always be high. I ran an 05 X3 a couple of years ago, went through 2 suspension struts for some reason, and they really really really don't like mismatched tyres. Otherwise don't recall it being too bad in maintenance, but maybe was lucky.

[V8RX7]

Zebrs said:

Bork factor on an X3/5 of this vintage could always be high.

I ran an 05 X3 a couple of years ago, went through 2 suspension struts for some reason, and they really really really don't like mismatched tyres. Otherwise don't recall it being too bad in maintenance, but maybe was lucky.

Really ?

I thought they were effectively a 3 series with 4wd and petrols at least with limited electronics, no turbos, no high pressure pumps / injectors should be a reasonably safe bet.

[ZX10R NIN]

The soft spot on the X3 is the gearbox & as others have said the 4wd really doesn't like mismatched tyres.

[V8RX7]

ZX10R NIN said:

The soft spot on the X3 is the gearbox & as others have said the 4wd really doesn't like mismatched tyres.

If that's it then I'm happy.

Having had an 50k XC90 that ate bushes, went into limp for 6 months without a fault code, blew the main oil seal, broke the £2k radio and had a faulty dash £800.....

[Zebrs]

V8RX7 said:

Really ?

I thought they were effectively a 3 series with 4wd and petrols at least with limited electronics, no turbos, no high pressure pumps / injectors should be a reasonably safe bet.

I suppose it depends on your capacity for bork really. Granted these are not more modern tech, however they are heavy old cars and the age the OP is referring to means they've been running around for 11+ years so will require replacement of certain parts. As a percentage of the purchase price they can throw very large bills - such as for transfer cases should the worst happen. The advise is to change all 4 tyres at once so you won't get any change from £500 in the event of needing new, decent rubber.

[ZX10R NIN]

V8RX7 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The soft spot on the X3 is the gearbox & as others have said the 4wd really doesn't like mismatched tyres.

If that's it then I'm happy.

Having had an 50k XC90 that ate bushes, went into limp for 6 months without a fault code, blew the main oil seal, broke the £2k radio and had a faulty dash £800.....

In that sense then yes they're pretty robust bushes will be a factor but that's small fry & a problem on all older cars.