2013 X3 3.0 M Sport xDrive - buyers info?

[Rosscow]

Hi all,

Casting our net far and wide for a new family tow car to replace our aging A6.

What is the general consensus on X3’s of the following vintage/spec:

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

Looks like a decent tow car with 2400kg towing limit, along with a healthy dose of power.

Ownership thoughts? Thinks to look out for?

Any help gratefully received!

Thanks,

Ross

[mekondelta]

That car is pretty much what we bought last month. They're lovely cars, I bought an xLine version with the softer suspension compared to that one.

I would look out for the options though. Most of the listed options are the standard equipment. There are some really handy options that I very much miss from my 'loaded' 118i that I don't have on my X3 like electrically folding mirrors, electric seats, privacy glass and many others. The base car is really very good though, I can't tell you how reliable mine is, we've only had it a month. Ours was £21k for a 28k mile 2014 X3 30d with a BMW AUC 1 year warranty. Can't comment on the towing ability but dear lord it's fast (coming from a 118i though! :-) )

[billshoreham]

towed with a 2.0DSE, fine tow (i had ordered the factory fitted towbar which is very entertaining - it swivels out electrically)
had it 3 years no major problems, only warranty items were DAB head unit (about £3K if you are paying) and OSF door rubber seal
Sold it because the 2.0D engine is unrefined and not very nice, not an issue with yours,and the SE seats are uncomfortable. M sport seats very good though

[Charlie Croker mk2]

Used to have a 2015 30d , reliable fast with very good handling & grip on good tyres and surprisingly economical . Negs = Air con can be noisy , stiff springs and dampers .
Tyres need to be matched to avoid problems .
The one in the advert looks very nice and is excellent value !

[Luke.]

Is that a facelift?

[helix402]

Car in the ad looks fine. I guessed it had done 47k so not far out. It will probably need rear discs next pad change, but they are cheap enough.

It would look better with no X3 badge on the back.

[Rosscow]

Thanks guys, sounds like a promising option.

Don't worry, I certainly wouldn't be going for a 2.0!

The one in the link has come up too early for us this time round but that's the kind of thing I'll be after.

Out of interest, what are the main differences between xLine and M Sport?

Cheers!

[oop north]

Make sure you can live with the ride - I drove one (a 3.0d) with big wheels and mpsort suspension and struggled to believe how anybody could live with one - the ride was constantly jiggly - though it did confirm that 3.0 was the only engine worth considering (2.0 hideously horrid - power ok but noisy and rough)

[mekondelta]

Xline doesn't have the sports suspension and had different styling to the se otherwise not much over the se as I understand it. Personally I find sports suspension on a suv odd but I wanted power and comfort so xline on 18" wheels suits me fine.

[rassi]

Mine was an Xline on 18” and adaptive suspension and was excellent. An option (rare, perhaps?) well worth looking out for. Head up display is also great as is backup camera and even better the surround view.

[Rosscow]

Yes, the M Sport suspension on 18” or 19” wheels does concern me.

My uncle had an M Sport 35D X5 a few years back on 20” wheels and the crashy ride was simply awful.

Current A6 SE has adaptive suspension with 17” wheels and the ride is very good indeed. I’m not willing to sacrifice ride quality too much so will keep this in mind!

Thanks

[jv021]

We have a 2017 x3 30d for the wife.

Its a MSport with 20" wheels, ride is reasonable but a bit harsh.

Performance is very decent, I guess a 35d would be worth a reasonable premium...

We were looking for one with 19" wheels, but found a deal too good to turn down.

Get one with Xenons (adaptive if poss), Pro Nav, and if you like music, HK audio. Face-lifted version looks better and has a better interior (after 2014 i think).

Most options become personal preference but if buying again, panoramic roof would by worth looking out for.

[mekondelta]

rassi said:

Mine was an Xline on 18” and adaptive suspension and was excellent. An option (rare, perhaps?) well worth looking out for. Head up display is also great as is backup camera and even better the surround view.

Oooh I'd like to try the adaptive suspension. Pretty sure I don't have it but and the ride is great without it, especially on 18" wheels. I don't think the handling is that great, feels a bit ponderous but the adaptive suspension would probably sort that out.
I don't have the backup camera but you can get aftermarket kits for about £600 + fitting so maybe £1k in all? I'm considering it but the coloured chart display thing for parking is perfectly fine so far...

[anonymous-user]

I had a 30d xLine until recently. Really good car overall and never caused me any problems. Mine was a lease deal so I didn't put any options on it but if I was buying second hand then pronav and xenons would be essential options - plenty out there with them. HK speakers and sunroof nice to have if you can.

The ride was ok to start with on the xLine on 18" wheels but I quickly swapped to non run flat tyres and it was much better, much smoother on rough road conditions.

Mine returned 37mpg over the 25k miles I had it, pretty good for a big car with a decent turn of pace.

[mekondelta]

Sten. said:

Mine returned 37mpg over the 25k miles I had it, pretty good for a big car with a decent turn of pace.

37mpg! I'm getting 29mpg with all town driving and short journeys....

[anonymous-user]

mekondelta said:

Sten. said:

Mine returned 37mpg over the 25k miles I had it, pretty good for a big car with a decent turn of pace.

37mpg! I'm getting 29mpg with all town driving and short journeys....

Yeah, to be fair my commute was probably 80% motorway. I could get it to around 50mpg on a steady run but I that didn't happen often.

[Rosscow]

What about the spec on this one, guys?

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201807028035209...

It's an SE with the following options:

17" wheels (cheaper tyres, more comfortable ride)
Heated front seats
Folding mirrors
Panoramic roof
Climate Comfort windcreen
Powered boot lid
Adaptive headlights, Xenon
High beam assist
Sat Nav Pro
Reverse camera
Variable Damper Control

Not too worried about the styling not being M Sport, would rather a comfortable ride and good tow!

[Ranger 6]

Silver with Black leather - that's a good spec.

Mine's a 35d with the folding towbar amongst other options. My comments in caps

Rosscow said:

Options:

17" wheels (cheaper tyres, more comfortable ride) YES - AND WITH VDC YOU HAVE THE CHOICE OF UPPING THE WHEEL SIZE SHOULD IT BE TOO SOFT
Heated front seats - MY WIFE WOULD SAY - ESSENTIAL!
Folding mirrors
Panoramic roof - VERY GOOD - LOOK FOR THE GUIDE ON FITTING SOME FOAM PADS TO STOP IT SQUEAKING
Climate Comfort windscreen
Powered boot lid - A GOOD ONE TO HAVE
Adaptive headlights, Xenon - FABULOUS - THE AUTO MAIN BEAM LESS SO, BUT THE WAY THE LIGHTS SWING WITH THE STEERING REALLY HELPS NIGHT DRIVING
High beam assist - TOO SLOW IN REACTING TO BE OF VALUE
Sat Nav Pro - DOES IT HAVE THE ENHANCED BLUETOOTH AS WELL?
Reverse camera - MORE USEFUL THAN YOU'D THINK, ESPECIALLY WITH A TOWBAR
Variable Damper Control - EXCELLENT - I SWAP BETWEEN 17, 18 AND 20" WHEELS AND THIS IS A GODSEND IN MANAGING THE RIDE/HANDLING BALANCE

Not too worried about the styling not being M Sport, would rather a comfortable ride and good tow!

[Earthdweller]

I have one ... owned it 3 1/2 years and 44k miles, it’s an Xline with adaptive zenons, pro nav and sports seats

All it has needed is an 02 sensor in all that time, picked up on a service .. it’s been faultless otherwise

It’s comfortable, roomy and very practical

For me the only must have is the sports seats .. the basic ones are dire

With an M-Sport I’d be looking for one with the sports suspension delete and 19’s

The pro nav is good ... makes the dash look much better too .. but if you don’t really need it don’t pay extra for it

Privacy glass makes them look better imo

I’m planning on keeping mine .. for what it does id struggle to find something as good .. and dropping another £20k for a new one doesn’t appeal