Proud owner of a 2004 X3 3.0l here with 254k miles on the ODO. Original Motor, original trans, original drivetrain components... he points these things out not to scare you people away from buying an X3, but to prepare and educate you for what to look for when considering buying one.... they can and will last a long time with proper maintenance
Von_Nightmare_ Luciferian I’ll be asking the dealership all of this on Thursday I pray it’s all good I’m just sad all I hear is dont use the sun roof n the summers coming
154000 miles, 2.8, manual, no iDrive and basic trim. Zero mechanical problems, original clutch, minor interior trim degradation, sunroof rattling and running perfect.
178k manual 3.0i and no mechanical problems until last week. Transfer case gear is shot. $3k+ if I go to the dealer or ~$50 for the gear and DIY. Doing the work myself as soon as the part comes in. Love this vehicle.
2004 X3 2.5i manual owner (7 years nows). 200k+ miles. Fogged headlights, pano sunroof breakage. Rubberized coating peeling around center console peeling. Rear driveshaft replaced (u joint, believe it was rust). Front diff failed. DISA replaced. CCV replaced. Oil pan gasket replaced. Beyond that, also have replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter, a couple of random sensors, plugs and coils, rear shocks (fronts are still original it appears). About to replace the clutch and flywheel. It's been a little bit more maintenance than I normally deal with on an older car, but outside of the diff issue, the car has started 100% of the time, and has never had an issue that left me stranded anywhere. Been in fairly deep snow, soft/wed/muddy yards, heavy rains, etc. Super easy to drive really slow (single digit speeds). Overall have been really happy with it. I also had issues with weird sounds that was fixed by getting better tires. Lesson learned there, I've only put high end tires on it since, and have had no wear issues.
Your list is so on point!!! Recently acquired a 2007 X3 with the N52n... only 52k miles on the ODO and have probably dealt with 75% of your list by now! Not a car recommended for anyone who doesn't know how to DIY basic mechanic/maintenance issues.
The vehicle in question was originally a family car that was passed down to my father. However, due to excessive repair costs incurred by dealerships and mechanics, which were causing financial strain for my father, I acquired the vehicle. I've been troubleshooting it with the help of RUclips videos and it has improved significantly. But still have a few hiccups that will need to be taken care by a real mechanic.
I bought my 04 X3 at an auction of all places with 114k miles 1 yr ago. Out of ur 30 issues u described the only problem I had was the rubberized coating(#3 I think). That's it. I put 25k hard miles since I've owned it and everything works like its brand new. Oh i had to change 1 ignition coil. Also a little tip, if u have moisture on the inside (not outside) of ur headlight take a paper clip and heat up the tip with a lighter until red hot and poke a small hole in any corner or any spot u wish in the headlight and u will never have that problem again. Cheers
You have so much Knowledge about BMW's it's amazing. I used to have an M package 2005 BMW X3 with the m54b30 and every problem you indicated in this video I had actually experienced. The engine would not die but everything else will. I do regret selling the car that straight 6 is just so smooth and powerful
I've read all the comments, and I'll tell you what the salesman told me when I bought mine. He said, and I quote.. " if you want something reliable, buy the Honda. Bcuz owning a BMW is kind of like dating a stripper. It's loads of fun.. looks cool.. gets attention.. but, you're gonna have some issues". Lol. He was right. It is a blast to drive, however, the manual clutch exploded on me last summer and cost me 2300 bucks for just clutch and pressure plate plus labor. The BMW dealership wanted 3400 bucks without even looking at it, AND had never seen an X3 with a 6 speed manual. Lol.
I generally h8 BMW"s. I wound up buying an 04' X3, 3.0 AWD with 94k miles at an auction of all places. Drove it harder than average for 2 years. 100+ miles per day. The only problem I had from this whole list was the rubberized coating which I bought it already peeling so the 2and day I had it I removed the seats and rubbed off every inch of where that coating is. In 2 years I only had to change the oil and front brakes twice. It's a machine, if u dont beat the shit out of your car and do general maintenance theres no reason it will give u unwanted issues.
Here is my list for 2007 x3 1- valve cover gasket causing stinky smell in the cabin 2- rear windows regulators plastic parts 3- the rubber in the top of the windshield 4- 2x rubber gasket near the oil filter leaks 5- actuator motor 6- rear suspension spring cracks 7- oil level sensor 8- heating element in the seats feel free to add more.
$115 for a valve cover? ! Holy crap! I paid $500 2 years ago; they're 550+ now. I just turned 110,k and have done a lot of preventative maintenance... I've replaced most of the suspension because I wanted a 1" drop. Rides better than new now. I would recommend Goodyear Eagle Sport tires. Very Quiet, great grip, wear well, just awesome. Better than the Pirelli's that were on it. Make sure you rotate those tires! The rear tow eats the inside edge over time... they need a break apparently. :) I found out the hard way. I've replaced a lot of things I didn't need to so I wouldn't have to worry about it later... like sensors and such.. and kept the old ones. If you're replacing the starter, might as well do the crank sensor.. etc. Make sure you use BMW transmission fluid when you do the exchange; take to a shop and have them do it by the book... unless you know how and are very confident you can get it right. I replaced the headlight bulbs recently and polished the covers. Way better now. The headliner sags now... so that's next on my list. I bought mine 4 years ago with 68,k on it for 12,k. All in all I've spent $5,k upgrading and maintaining this car over the past 4 years. And I think this car will likely last another 100,k and 10 years with what I've done.. and I'm sure there will be a few more things along the way... so maybe another 2,k? So, for 20,k I have a car that will have lasted me 14 years, gets 22mpg, is easy to drive, and truly a utility vehicle... and it's nice. It feels like a good quality vehicle. I rented a '22 Nissan Rogue, $35,k new. It felt cheap, tinny and disconnected to drive. No power, the hood rattled on the highway, drove terribly. I don't like where cars have gone from 2016 to now. EV is a joke. (an expensive one)... and now cars are $10,k per cylinder. Thanks, big government and corporate lobbying! I really appreciate that. NOT.
I brought a 2005 x3 with 119,000 got it cheap. Very clean looking. Found out somebody didn't replace the card in the right rear door. They where going to replace the window reg. Found a pool under the carpet.🤦 Pulled the seats and carpet out. Dried the carpet and foam. The double sunroof once open would not close. Fix that and the drain lines. It's a 3.0 very fast. Love the 3.0 had to replace both O2 sensors in the front . Front drive shaft from transfer case and both abs sensors in the rear. My brother works on German cars ..Thank God 🙏. Otherwise fun car to drive. Warning ⚠️. You must know about these cars before you buy them. Also if the drain is clogged for the sunroof the rear cargo right and left area will flood. Behind the special covers that pop off. Great video and so true. I also use Mobile one oil and 93 octane fuel. Also replace front struts with Bilstein. This is my daughter's first car. I feel very safe in this X3. 🐻🇺🇲
2005 x3 3.0i sport utility coolant lines burst, window acuator went, oil leaks but slowly so i just add oil every few months it drives smooth and is overall very fun it’s my first car so i’m learning a lot through all of the issues
Hi. God video. You forgot to mention that the rear coil springs are prone to break off. Common problem on these X3. Also, rear wheel sensors go bad and the instrument cluster lamps light up like a christmas tree, you get a heart attack when this happens but its not complcated to resplace these.
Karl.. God so true about ABS rear sensors. Scared the poop out me when the dashboard lite up like a Christmas 🎄.😳 Replace both sensors... X3 back to normal. Fun to drive. Even in manuel auto shift. 3.0 kicks a**! 🐻🇺🇲
My ‘07 blew a small hole in the #6 piston at 112k, no warning. I’ve continued to drive it for the last nine months. It accelerates poorly, idles rough but still runs fine on my non highway drives to and from work. If you see a silver x3 on the side of the road, that means it died and I left it there.
What do you mean ”blew a small hole”? Do you have a hole in you engine??? I have the exact same symptoms as you do, poor acceleration and runs very inconsistent on idle, had gotten worse and worse, feels like a vacum leak or something similair
@@richinfeels the mechanic did a leak test on all the cylinders. #6 showed a big loss of compression. He ran a camera scope and saw a 1/4” hole in the top of the piston. I’ll never buy another BMW.
A close friend of ours, gave me an M54 X3 2006, Yup it had a lot of issues and changed a lot of parts like hoses/tubes, Washer pumps, Valves, Coolant Tank. probably costs me 5K already on parts and Labor. She is running right now. Hopefully no more expensive stuffs may come. Just crossing my fingers here.
I just put a new used engine in the 2005 x3 I bought that looks just like yours with all but the headlight washer package. We just opened the sunroof to test it and it stuck lmao. Now you have me worried. Fortunately we have another whole 2005 x3 parts car, so I'm not too worried, but still.... Glad to watch your video though. We fixed almost everything you said already, so I have high hopes this car will be a great backup and bad weather vehicle for me. Been running a 2004 325i for 4+ years and it's over 200k still running strong. Great video and I appreciate the knowledge!
Also another thing that is fairly common on these is the motor mount bracket bolts shearing off. I learned the hard way, but it's actually a fairly simple fix. Just time consuming removing everything.
Spray peppermint oil under the hood and in the car and along the wiring harness. rats hate the smell of peppermint. I always spray peppermint on my Porsche.
Apparently these things are especially fussy about tyres and the sizes front to rear! A family member bought one of these with the N52B25 engine with the automatic gearbox and the M Sport package, so it had the narrow and wide wheel setup. Unfortunately the previous owner had cheaped out on the tyres, with different brands on the front compared to the rears, and the rears being directional, they were very noisy. So a different set of tyres of the correct sizes front and rear were fitted, but not the proper "BMW approved" tyres, and not too long after there were horrible drivetrain noises and odd performance issues. If you went over a speed bump and then accelerated, there was a noticeable stumble, and even more peculiar, if you were cruising at say 80 km/h (about 50 mph) with the cruise control on, and then briefly slowed down, then turned the cruise control back on to return to the higher cruising speed, it seemed to struggle and there was a type of sucking sound from the engine bay. The car was taken to a specialist and the first thing that was picked up on was that the transfer case needed repairs (can't remember the details) and then later on after the noise still persisted, it was found that the rear diff was ruined. The specialist also noticed the tyres and pointed out that they were the cause for the state of the drivetrain. At first we thought this was nonsense, but some reading up, and this is very commonly the problem. The front to rear tyre diameters HAVE to be exactly the same. This is easy with non BMW approved tyres if the wheels are not a narrow and wide set! With non BMW approved tyres of the correct sizes, the diameters very seldom the same, and the tyres that were currently on the car had almost a full centimeter difference in diameter when comparing the front to rear! So a full set of Dunlop BMW approved tyres were fitted, and immediately the stiff damaged diff was quieter while waiting on a replacement to be sourced. So, I think if I was going to own one of these, I would rather opt for the normal (non narrow and wide) tyre setup which can also be rotated. Another random remark: This car was bought with around 125k km on the clock, and according to the Motorplan invoices, earlier on in its life it got new Vanos solenoids, and then not too long after that, it got a whole new engine! And that was at around 80k km, so this car essentially came with an engine with around 45k km on it as a bonus.
all awd setups are fussy about tire sizes. yes, it is harder to find the tires of the same diameter for staggered wheels- this is what you're referring to as narrow and wide tire sets for the front and the rear. solution - convert your wheel setup from m-sport to regular. or just don't get a vehicle with an m-sport set up, it doesn't benefit regular commuter cars or suvs. especially old used suvs. 2.5 liter n52 is trash, only 3.0 n52 is OK.
It may but it also protects the hood from rocks chipping the paint. I'm old school and use the oem full bra on the front when I drive long distances. The impressions on the bra after the trip are scary and you know all of those marks would have damaged your hood and/or bumper. I'd rather it look temporarily unpleasant than having to repaint.
Just bought over week ago x3 2007 with 2l diesel engine. Have only 99k on the clock. Full service history and hope everything will go ok with this car for next few years
Got a 02 bmw x5 4.4i a couple of months ago looked on hear before getting it about all the horror stories about them and other bmw I just thought you only hear once should I buy a little environmental car that's good for the planet save the o zone sod that I just drive this around have some comfort in my old age and if it goes wrong I just have to take on the chin and get it sorted out great vid again
Got my 2002 X5 4.4 same time as your self. Can i suggest to you to remove your front driveshaft and check/ grease splines that go into the transfer case. When i removed mine i had a puff of rust dust come out, it was dry but splines looked ok. If this strips out you're in big trouble😟 Being a mechanic and the cheap price, great condition and 140K mileage on it were the only reasons i purchased it. I love driving this car mostly on weekends. Cheers from OZ 😎
Thanks for your advice I will get that checked out my one the paint work needs a bit of tidying but it's got 73.000 miles on it and a full bmw service history last service was 2000 miles ago that was one of the main reason I got it and I don't know about you a the moment I love it didn't pay a lot for it
Thank you, I've had my 07 e83 since 2016, I've only put 30k miles on it as a secondary vehicle. And this is the by far the worst bimmer I've ever owned, but with your help and what to expect, it's helped to identify some issues and fix them.
I could be wrong but I believe that the us only got the GM GA6L45R automatic transmission in the 07-10 X3's. Only Europe (maybe anywhere outside the US) got the ZF 6HP transmission.
So basically due to previous owners not performing preventive maintenance and 10k oil change intervals, the entire drivetrain is toast by the time you and I get the car(?). Which brings me to my next point and your favorite subject; LSx swap it😮. Imagine how many video hits you'ld get being the first X3/X5 documented LSx swap; You'ld be famous! A few guys have made their YT vid's on the swap but they didnt document it nor are they answering detailed questions.., you could be the first, come on over to the dark side; its not that bad over here Edit: BTW, thx for making your video
I also own a 100K mile BMW X3 and have spent $10k chasing smog issues, it eats coils every month, Check Engine Lights on you way to the smog station. Cheap Plastic, I will burn the car down before passing it to a new buyer. And 10mpg I will be driving my 97 Chev Truck with well over 100k from now on.
I have a 2008 3.0si - I have replaced the front cv axles, the oil pan gasket, the transfer case, the actuator, the rear struts, and the VTG module. I have made a horrible error.
I have half the mileage so I've had the lesser driven issues like windshield washer motor went and just dodged a bullet with the engine ground cable. It disintegrated in the technician's hand. So thankful I had it checked out before my cross country trip. I have a tan interior so even with the less driven miles things get dirty quicker...like the window switch plates (installed black ones) and the center console gets so dirty over time. The only other thing that has bothered me was the hood insulation. No mice but it does fall apart over time. I love my '06 manual. I get it but so sad they don't make manuals any longer. I guess folks will be looking at manuals like cranks in model Ts.Lol!
Sorry Nathan, but with an engine support bar, taking the subframe off and removing the oil pan probably takes 3 hours, it takes around 8 to remove the engine.
A/C Evaporator is another common issue in the 2007+ models. Another 2K plus repair, as the A/C condenser is buried inside the dash. (It ALL must come out!)
I bought a 2006 BMW X3 last year. I had a lot of other projects i was already knee deep in. Private party exchange for $,2750. Minor cosmetic issues. The key fob was taped together coz it was crushed. The car ran fine. Took it to the nearest BMW dealership and paid A LOT of money for 1 new key and programming. The battery was defective as it was 9 months old..."you can buy a battery from us and we can install it for $365.” NEXT! BOUGHT a second battery and it started five times and it went silent. Checked the battery again 12.4v. It's been my perception that its something to do with the anti-theft coz how it starts and then nothing. How do I substantiate or debunk my theory about the problem residing in the key fob?
We had the original 13+ y.o battery until 2021-2022 because we forgot to tighten the oil cap and the alternator sucked oil up and the battery wasn't charging
So from a reliability and low repair cost, what's the best year/model/configuration of BMW SUV for someone who is buying used and wants to drive to 150k+ miles.
I ordered the BMW Vanos solenoids through the UK Amazon site for around $150 each IIRC, including shipping to NC, about 6 months ago for my E70 N52. If this post gets any replys, I'll try and find the link. Did it preemptively as car has 181,000 miles.
Will a made key(not original key) cause it to have starting issues? It always takes me at least two times to start my BMW X3. The only time I don’t is when I just turn it off and start it
07 BMW X3 3.0si...with 106,000 miles very hesitant on acceleration...like it doesn't want to go/ move, when driving, then minutes later it seems fine..?
Exactly what mine does. This BMW x3 has been a complete piece of junk. Do not purchase an X3 go up one step and purchase an X5 no problems about 230,000 miles.
That happens to me just bought the 2008 x3 3.0si this weekend. The hesitation is driving me crazy. Went to BMW for checkup $2000 for oil pan a possible oil leak.🤯🤯
Hello. I have BMW x3 2.5 04 and I have 2 problem with it . Losing oil no liking no smoke i don't know what to do for this problem and the second one with Alarm sometimes works sometimes not no light blinking no alarm noise how can I fixit this 2 problems please.
In winter the e83 will be my first car, ill try to get an 3.0l with ca. 200.000 km for like 4-5.000€, just need it for 1-2 Years then ill buy an X5 or something like that, thoughts?
I like BMW, but they need to get back to the e30 level of quality. This whole 100K miles and it turns to a turd on wheels philosophy is causing a lot of people to switch to other brands.
So I wanted to ask may be that someone knows but I am actually getting one of those cars from 2010 for free with only 69000km. And would you recommend using it or should i rather sell it?
Hi,Nathan, I reversed transmission while driving forward. I felt noise and car slow. I immediately switch forward. Car drives fine so far. Was my transmission damaged? I know common car won't allow to reverse while driving. Another question is does 2010 X3 has idle control valve,. Throttle body on my car don't have, it directly connected to a plastic multiple joint. Great video always. Thanks!
I have a 2005 X3 2.5i with 195k miles. It is in excellent exterior condition. I love this car but I have sidelined it because of an issue that I can’t resolve. Particularly, in cold weather, while driving, I completely lose throttle response. It usually happens when I attempt to accelerate or sometimes, just while driving along. The car stays running but when I pull over, it bucks to a stop. My only remedy is to turn it off and restart. It usually happens several times of a short trip. I’ve rebuilt the vanos, replaced plugs and replaced the CVV and lines. I’ve also done and engine flush because it ran rough. Can you provide any suggestions?
last summer one window mechanism went out , got it fixed the next day another one, got it repaired, NO BS the third one went out the following week so I bought the one for the third door and the driver door as well. today the driver power seat is not working.Also the I replaced the rear hatch struts this week. On top of all that it had (I hope) a parasitic battery drain all through everything else , I replaced the standard acid battery with a AMG type ,so far it's has not drained. Bought it used 3 yrs ago.
My God, i have to keep reminding myself that this car is infact not some crappy kia, but another crappy bmw. I guess scotty kilmer was right in regards to beamers. Good thing my audi doesnt have even half of these problems.
Quick question. I have a 2004 X3 3.0i 6 speed manual.. and I recently replaced the radiator expansion tank. It was cracked. I put it back together and now it's leaking somewhere around the top of the tank where the hose attachment is. I didn't lube any of the O rings when I reattached them. Could that cause it to leak or do you think I may have cracked something taking it apart? I've been under this thing for 2 days, and it's still leaking.
Why is in the owner's manual? I don't understand why BMW did the owners book the way they did. It's been a month or so since I looked it over but its seems they added different model features that weren't available.
I never understand how BMW has stayed in business this long. Anything made after 2002 is garbage. All their models have some kind of issue going on. If it's more than 3 years old it's a grenade.
That's really not true, they had a grey patch during the mid 2000s but even then the majority of their cars were still bulletproof, and modern ones are built like tanks again. Mercedes were wayyyy worse than BMW in terms of reliability, but again, they're solid again these days.
imkirbo they just need attention, and routine maintenance, staying on top of oil leaks, and always saving up money to replace parts, because at some point something is gonna break, reliability on these vehicles are mostly based on the drivers, and some people that like to drive, and not pay attention to these vehicles, they are usually in for a nightmare.
I had a 2004 BMW X5 gave it away at 230,000 miles; never had a problem. I am now driving a 2009 BMW x3 and it is a complete piece of junk at 118,000 miles. Everything going wrong.
Honestly it's bull what he says I have an 05 X3 with 150thousand miles and zero issues 🤷 I don't even do the oil changes on time hahah I just replaces the headlight bulb that's all.
Makes you wonder if some of these people raced the bmw to have these problems. I’ve seen a guy race the sht out of his. It’s got electronic problems no telling what else now. Tho it’s still running. He’s probably has it fixed few times. Hmm 🤔. 🥴😑
I have a 2004 x3 159k miles i fixed the actuator small gear and it took off the abs, 4x4 warning lights but when I drive it feels like it’s slipping gears and haven a hard time catching when accelerating also it has a error code saying vacuum leak if anyone has info on transmissions or has the same issues and found out what it was let me know what I can do to fix issue
Proud owner of a 2004 X3 3.0l here with 254k miles on the ODO. Original Motor, original trans, original drivetrain components... he points these things out not to scare you people away from buying an X3, but to prepare and educate you for what to look for when considering buying one.... they can and will last a long time with proper maintenance
Aaron Will I’m about to purchase a 2006 3.0 with 156,000 I pray I miss these problems
@@michaelgudger8076 Message me if you have questions, I've seen it all lol.
Von_Nightmare_ Luciferian I’ll be asking the dealership all of this on Thursday I pray it’s all good I’m just sad all I hear is dont use the sun roof n the summers coming
You haven't mentioned how much money and maintenance you have spent on it. Its literally a money pit. B.ring M.ore W.allets.
@@nsrracing1 B reak M y W allet
I used to have a whining noise on my E60, but I got divorced and it went away.
:D :D :D Pro :D
best joke I heard in a long time
@@crustyrustymayo4716 LOL
The problem with BMWs is most of the time that whining noise and hole in your pocket are still there after you do get divorced
😂
Proud owner of an 07 M Package E83 with 180k miles and still going strong. As long as you maintain them, you'll be just fine.
154000 miles, 2.8, manual, no iDrive and basic trim. Zero mechanical problems, original clutch, minor interior trim degradation, sunroof rattling and running perfect.
178k manual 3.0i and no mechanical problems until last week. Transfer case gear is shot. $3k+ if I go to the dealer or ~$50 for the gear and DIY. Doing the work myself as soon as the part comes in. Love this vehicle.
2004 X3 2.5i manual owner (7 years nows). 200k+ miles. Fogged headlights, pano sunroof breakage. Rubberized coating peeling around center console peeling. Rear driveshaft replaced (u joint, believe it was rust). Front diff failed. DISA replaced. CCV replaced. Oil pan gasket replaced. Beyond that, also have replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter, a couple of random sensors, plugs and coils, rear shocks (fronts are still original it appears). About to replace the clutch and flywheel. It's been a little bit more maintenance than I normally deal with on an older car, but outside of the diff issue, the car has started 100% of the time, and has never had an issue that left me stranded anywhere. Been in fairly deep snow, soft/wed/muddy yards, heavy rains, etc. Super easy to drive really slow (single digit speeds). Overall have been really happy with it. I also had issues with weird sounds that was fixed by getting better tires. Lesson learned there, I've only put high end tires on it since, and have had no wear issues.
Your list is so on point!!! Recently acquired a 2007 X3 with the N52n... only 52k miles on the ODO and have probably dealt with 75% of your list by now! Not a car recommended for anyone who doesn't know how to DIY basic mechanic/maintenance issues.
why did you go with a bmw instead of a toyota sequoia/4runner arond the same year?
The vehicle in question was originally a family car that was passed down to my father. However, due to excessive repair costs incurred by dealerships and mechanics, which were causing financial strain for my father, I acquired the vehicle. I've been troubleshooting it with the help of RUclips videos and it has improved significantly. But still have a few hiccups that will need to be taken care by a real mechanic.
This is the best generation of the X3 and the e53 is the best X5, cause they looked awesome and are very distinctive, now they look like any other suv
They look like any other suv because the BMW design was copied.
I bought my 04 X3 at an auction of all places with 114k miles 1 yr ago. Out of ur 30 issues u described the only problem I had was the rubberized coating(#3 I think). That's it. I put 25k hard miles since I've owned it and everything works like its brand new. Oh i had to change 1 ignition coil. Also a little tip, if u have moisture on the inside (not outside) of ur headlight take a paper clip and heat up the tip with a lighter until red hot and poke a small hole in any corner or any spot u wish in the headlight and u will never have that problem again. Cheers
interesting, to vent it????
You have so much Knowledge about BMW's it's amazing. I used to have an M package 2005 BMW X3 with the m54b30 and every problem you indicated in this video I had actually experienced. The engine would not die but everything else will. I do regret selling the car that straight 6 is just so smooth and powerful
I was considering buying an old BMW X3, but after watching this video, I think I'll buy something else.
Yup
I have 2007 X3si w/178k on the odometer and it runs like a champ! It’s pretty quick too, it surprises the crap out of me!
Even the '05 is insane....Had it ten years, it still mangles other cars on the expressway.
I've read all the comments, and I'll tell you what the salesman told me when I bought mine. He said, and I quote.. " if you want something reliable, buy the Honda. Bcuz owning a BMW is kind of like dating a stripper. It's loads of fun.. looks cool.. gets attention.. but, you're gonna have some issues". Lol. He was right. It is a blast to drive, however, the manual clutch exploded on me last summer and cost me 2300 bucks for just clutch and pressure plate plus labor. The BMW dealership wanted 3400 bucks without even looking at it, AND had never seen an X3 with a 6 speed manual. Lol.
I married a stripper. Now she's going to nursing school and great mom to our 2 kids. I hope I can say the same thing for my next BMW! LOL!
I generally h8 BMW"s. I wound up buying an 04' X3, 3.0 AWD with 94k miles at an auction of all places. Drove it harder than average for 2 years. 100+ miles per day. The only problem I had from this whole list was the rubberized coating which I bought it already peeling so the 2and day I had it I removed the seats and rubbed off every inch of where that coating is. In 2 years I only had to change the oil and front brakes twice. It's a machine, if u dont beat the shit out of your car and do general maintenance theres no reason it will give u unwanted issues.
I’m thinking of buying a 2004 X3 3.0I with 130,000 miles on it. It looks like it’s been well cared for. Would you recommend it?
Also, what kind of gas do you use?
@@KevyNova yes, buy it ASAP.
Here is my list for 2007 x3
1- valve cover gasket causing stinky smell in the cabin
2- rear windows regulators plastic parts
3- the rubber in the top of the windshield
4- 2x rubber gasket near the oil filter leaks
5- actuator motor
6- rear suspension spring cracks
7- oil level sensor
8- heating element in the seats
feel free to add more.
Rear hatch switch, flaky railing supports, and replace the upper radiator hose at 100k intervals. (So cheap, so big consequences!)
$115 for a valve cover? ! Holy crap! I paid $500 2 years ago; they're 550+ now. I just turned 110,k and have done a lot of preventative maintenance... I've replaced most of the suspension because I wanted a 1" drop. Rides better than new now.
I would recommend Goodyear Eagle Sport tires. Very Quiet, great grip, wear well, just awesome. Better than the Pirelli's that were on it.
Make sure you rotate those tires! The rear tow eats the inside edge over time... they need a break apparently. :) I found out the hard way.
I've replaced a lot of things I didn't need to so I wouldn't have to worry about it later... like sensors and such.. and kept the old ones. If you're replacing the starter, might as well do the crank sensor.. etc.
Make sure you use BMW transmission fluid when you do the exchange; take to a shop and have them do it by the book... unless you know how and are very confident you can get it right.
I replaced the headlight bulbs recently and polished the covers. Way better now.
The headliner sags now... so that's next on my list.
I bought mine 4 years ago with 68,k on it for 12,k.
All in all I've spent $5,k upgrading and maintaining this car over the past 4 years.
And I think this car will likely last another 100,k and 10 years with what I've done.. and I'm sure there will be a few more things along the way... so maybe another 2,k? So, for 20,k I have a car that will have lasted me 14 years, gets 22mpg, is easy to drive, and truly a utility vehicle... and it's nice. It feels like a good quality vehicle.
I rented a '22 Nissan Rogue, $35,k new. It felt cheap, tinny and disconnected to drive. No power, the hood rattled on the highway, drove terribly. I don't like where cars have gone from 2016 to now. EV is a joke. (an expensive one)... and now cars are $10,k per cylinder. Thanks, big government and corporate lobbying! I really appreciate that. NOT.
I brought a 2005 x3 with 119,000 got it cheap. Very clean looking. Found out somebody didn't replace the card in the right rear door. They where going to replace the window reg. Found a pool under the carpet.🤦 Pulled the seats and carpet out. Dried the carpet and foam. The double sunroof once open would not close. Fix that and the drain lines. It's a 3.0 very fast. Love the 3.0 had to replace both O2 sensors in the front . Front drive shaft from transfer case and both abs sensors in the rear. My brother works on German cars ..Thank God 🙏. Otherwise fun car to drive. Warning ⚠️. You must know about these cars before you buy them. Also if the drain is clogged for the sunroof the rear cargo right and left area will flood. Behind the special covers that pop off. Great video and so true. I also use Mobile one oil and 93 octane fuel. Also replace front struts with Bilstein. This is my daughter's first car. I feel very safe in this X3. 🐻🇺🇲
2005 x3 3.0i sport utility coolant lines burst, window acuator went, oil leaks but slowly so i just add oil every few months it drives smooth and is overall very fun it’s my first car so i’m learning a lot through all of the issues
I got the same year also
"I wouldn't dare open the Sunroof!"😂😂😂😂😂
Hi. God video. You forgot to mention that the rear coil springs are prone to break off. Common problem on these X3. Also, rear wheel sensors go bad and the instrument cluster lamps light up like a christmas tree, you get a heart attack when this happens but its not complcated to resplace these.
Karl.. God so true about ABS rear sensors. Scared the poop out me when the dashboard lite up like a Christmas 🎄.😳 Replace both sensors... X3 back to normal. Fun to drive. Even in manuel auto shift. 3.0 kicks a**! 🐻🇺🇲
Only on earlier models.
My ‘07 blew a small hole in the #6 piston at 112k, no warning. I’ve continued to drive it for the last nine months. It accelerates poorly, idles rough but still runs fine on my non highway drives to and from work.
If you see a silver x3 on the side of the road, that means it died and I left it there.
What do you mean ”blew a small hole”? Do you have a hole in you engine???
I have the exact same symptoms as you do, poor acceleration and runs very inconsistent on idle, had gotten worse and worse, feels like a vacum leak or something similair
@@richinfeels the mechanic did a leak test on all the cylinders. #6 showed a big loss of compression. He ran a camera scope and saw a 1/4” hole in the top of the piston.
I’ll never buy another BMW.
A close friend of ours, gave me an M54 X3 2006, Yup it had a lot of issues and changed a lot of parts like hoses/tubes, Washer pumps, Valves, Coolant Tank. probably costs me 5K already on parts and Labor. She is running right now. Hopefully no more expensive stuffs may come. Just crossing my fingers here.
I just put a new used engine in the 2005 x3 I bought that looks just like yours with all but the headlight washer package. We just opened the sunroof to test it and it stuck lmao. Now you have me worried. Fortunately we have another whole 2005 x3 parts car, so I'm not too worried, but still.... Glad to watch your video though. We fixed almost everything you said already, so I have high hopes this car will be a great backup and bad weather vehicle for me. Been running a 2004 325i for 4+ years and it's over 200k still running strong. Great video and I appreciate the knowledge!
Also another thing that is fairly common on these is the motor mount bracket bolts shearing off. I learned the hard way, but it's actually a fairly simple fix. Just time consuming removing everything.
Thanks. Bought a 2004 a month ago. Guess i was lucky😅
I actually changed the oil pan gasket on my wife’s E83 without taking the engine out but I had to drop the subframe and suspension.
Simo Azmah
How many miles did it have when you needed to do that?
@@aidenp5768 7⁷7777ùuuùùu6,⁷⁸⁸⁸ùù⁷⁷uuùù7⁷77⁷78.28 7.3
You tutorials is really educating and it has helped me alot and will know my X3 well now
Spray peppermint oil under the hood and in the car and along the wiring harness. rats hate the smell of peppermint. I always spray peppermint on my Porsche.
Apparently these things are especially fussy about tyres and the sizes front to rear! A family member bought one of these with the N52B25 engine with the automatic gearbox and the M Sport package, so it had the narrow and wide wheel setup. Unfortunately the previous owner had cheaped out on the tyres, with different brands on the front compared to the rears, and the rears being directional, they were very noisy. So a different set of tyres of the correct sizes front and rear were fitted, but not the proper "BMW approved" tyres, and not too long after there were horrible drivetrain noises and odd performance issues. If you went over a speed bump and then accelerated, there was a noticeable stumble, and even more peculiar, if you were cruising at say 80 km/h (about 50 mph) with the cruise control on, and then briefly slowed down, then turned the cruise control back on to return to the higher cruising speed, it seemed to struggle and there was a type of sucking sound from the engine bay. The car was taken to a specialist and the first thing that was picked up on was that the transfer case needed repairs (can't remember the details) and then later on after the noise still persisted, it was found that the rear diff was ruined. The specialist also noticed the tyres and pointed out that they were the cause for the state of the drivetrain. At first we thought this was nonsense, but some reading up, and this is very commonly the problem. The front to rear tyre diameters HAVE to be exactly the same. This is easy with non BMW approved tyres if the wheels are not a narrow and wide set! With non BMW approved tyres of the correct sizes, the diameters very seldom the same, and the tyres that were currently on the car had almost a full centimeter difference in diameter when comparing the front to rear! So a full set of Dunlop BMW approved tyres were fitted, and immediately the stiff damaged diff was quieter while waiting on a replacement to be sourced. So, I think if I was going to own one of these, I would rather opt for the normal (non narrow and wide) tyre setup which can also be rotated.
Another random remark: This car was bought with around 125k km on the clock, and according to the Motorplan invoices, earlier on in its life it got new Vanos solenoids, and then not too long after that, it got a whole new engine! And that was at around 80k km, so this car essentially came with an engine with around 45k km on it as a bonus.
all awd setups are fussy about tire sizes. yes, it is harder to find the tires of the same diameter for staggered wheels- this is what you're referring to as narrow and wide tire sets for the front and the rear. solution - convert your wheel setup from m-sport to regular. or just don't get a vehicle with an m-sport set up, it doesn't benefit regular commuter cars or suvs. especially old used suvs. 2.5 liter n52 is trash, only 3.0 n52 is OK.
yeah, the sport tire set up is death, pretty laughable really.
I’m sorry but the plastic cover on the hood has to go, makes a BMW look sooooo cheap
Euro Cars yes I agree, this bmw does look very cheap.
No .. I think this x3 is the ugliest bmw ever
It may but it also protects the hood from rocks chipping the paint. I'm old school and use the oem full bra on the front when I drive long distances. The impressions on the bra after the trip are scary and you know all of those marks would have damaged your hood and/or bumper. I'd rather it look temporarily unpleasant than having to repaint.
Definitely
Just bought over week ago x3 2007 with 2l diesel engine. Have only 99k on the clock. Full service history and hope everything will go ok with this car for next few years
how is going?
How'd you get an X3d in the US? (are you in the EU?)
N52 engine they don't all have plastic valve covers. Mine is metal. Also remove that decorative cover it keeps the coils etc too hot. But upto you.
Got a 02 bmw x5 4.4i a couple of months ago looked on hear before getting it about all the horror stories about them and other bmw I just thought you only hear once should I buy a little environmental car that's good for the planet save the o zone sod that I just drive this around have some comfort in my old age and if it goes wrong I just have to take on the chin and get it sorted out great vid again
Got my 2002 X5 4.4 same time as your self. Can i suggest to you to remove your front driveshaft and check/ grease splines that go into the transfer case. When i removed mine i had a puff of rust dust come out, it was dry but splines looked ok. If this strips out you're in big trouble😟 Being a mechanic and the cheap price, great condition and 140K mileage on it were the only reasons i purchased it. I love driving this car mostly on weekends. Cheers from OZ 😎
Thanks for your advice I will get that checked out my one the paint work needs a bit of tidying but it's got 73.000 miles on it and a full bmw service history last service was 2000 miles ago that was one of the main reason I got it and I don't know about you a the moment I love it didn't pay a lot for it
Use my sunroof everyday no issue beyond peeling material
Thank you, I've had my 07 e83 since 2016, I've only put 30k miles on it as a secondary vehicle. And this is the by far the worst bimmer I've ever owned, but with your help and what to expect, it's helped to identify some issues and fix them.
I could be wrong but I believe that the us only got the GM GA6L45R automatic transmission in the 07-10 X3's. Only Europe (maybe anywhere outside the US) got the ZF 6HP transmission.
So basically due to previous owners not performing preventive maintenance and 10k oil change intervals, the entire drivetrain is toast by the time you and I get the car(?). Which brings me to my next point and your favorite subject; LSx swap it😮. Imagine how many video hits you'ld get being the first X3/X5 documented LSx swap; You'ld be famous! A few guys have made their YT vid's on the swap but they didnt document it nor are they answering detailed questions.., you could be the first, come on over to the dark side; its not that bad over here
Edit: BTW, thx for making your video
Still whip n this in 2020
I’m about to get an 05 with 92k miles.
I also own a 100K mile BMW X3 and have spent $10k chasing smog issues, it eats coils every month, Check Engine Lights on you way to the smog station. Cheap Plastic, I will burn the car down before passing it to a new buyer. And 10mpg I will be driving my 97 Chev Truck with well over 100k from now on.
I have a 2008 3.0si - I have replaced the front cv axles, the oil pan gasket, the transfer case, the actuator, the rear struts, and the VTG module.
I have made a horrible error.
Only 30? Must be one of the good ones.
I have half the mileage so I've had the lesser driven issues like windshield washer motor went and just dodged a bullet with the engine ground cable. It disintegrated in the technician's hand. So thankful I had it checked out before my cross country trip. I have a tan interior so even with the less driven miles things get dirty quicker...like the window switch plates (installed black ones) and the center console gets so dirty over time. The only other thing that has bothered me was the hood insulation. No mice but it does fall apart over time. I love my '06 manual. I get it but so sad they don't make manuals any longer. I guess folks will be looking at manuals like cranks in model Ts.Lol!
YEAH, those tan interiors on an SUV, no go, should have got all black man!
What do you use to treat the door panels with?
Sorry Nathan, but with an engine support bar, taking the subframe off and removing the oil pan probably takes 3 hours, it takes around 8 to remove the engine.
Where can I get the rubberized paint in a can?
A/C Evaporator is another common issue in the 2007+ models. Another 2K plus repair, as the A/C condenser is buried inside the dash. (It ALL must come out!)
I bought a 2006 BMW X3 last year. I had a lot of other projects i was already knee deep in. Private party exchange for $,2750. Minor cosmetic issues. The key fob was taped together coz it was crushed. The car ran fine. Took it to the nearest BMW dealership and paid A LOT of money for 1 new key and programming. The battery was defective as it was 9 months old..."you can buy a battery from us and we can install it for $365.”
NEXT!
BOUGHT a second battery and it started five times and it went silent. Checked the battery again 12.4v. It's been my perception that its something to do with the anti-theft coz how it starts and then nothing. How do I substantiate or debunk my theory about the problem residing in the key fob?
My dad had a 2007 X3 2.0d for 3 years it had about 246k km or like 120k miles i think, biggest problem we had was our drive belts falling off.
We had the original 13+ y.o battery until 2021-2022 because we forgot to tighten the oil cap and the alternator sucked oil up and the battery wasn't charging
Great information Nathan.
I'm just seeing the video to stare at the car
As an L1 master tech of 20 years, my advise on buying these cars used, is and always will be, NO!!!
Those engine out problems would cause most of the cars to be junked. Sadly. Though i can't bear to do that to another car.
So from a reliability and low repair cost, what's the best year/model/configuration of BMW SUV for someone who is buying used and wants to drive to 150k+ miles.
I ordered the BMW Vanos solenoids through the UK Amazon site for around $150 each IIRC, including shipping to NC, about 6 months ago for my E70 N52. If this post gets any replys, I'll try and find the link. Did it preemptively as car has 181,000 miles.
My 2009 X3 e83 is awesome But it's been looked after. I use the sunroof all the time
Thanks Nathan for another video. Your awesome bro!!👍🏾
Very good video, much appreciated!
Hello , it is possible to convert HID headlight to Halogen headlight for BMW X3 E83 2004 ? Please thanks
Will a made key(not original key) cause it to have starting issues? It always takes me at least two times to start my BMW X3. The only time I don’t is when I just turn it off and start it
Oh god, and i thought the videos about the top 20 problems in bmws were bad, now its 30? dang these cars r rlly not for anyone besides mechanics
Def can't be afraid to turn a wrench
German iron off warranty is not for the faint of heart.
David J Incorrect. My W203 has been nothing but stout
#StandYourGround anything from the last 15 years will not be.
My X3 has been reliable and my 2006 was rated 8/10 for reliability and it’s been pretty good.
07 BMW X3 3.0si...with 106,000 miles very hesitant on acceleration...like it doesn't want to go/ move, when driving, then minutes later it seems fine..?
Could be those vanos solenoids.
Exactly what mine does. This BMW x3 has been a complete piece of junk. Do not purchase an X3 go up one step and purchase an X5 no problems about 230,000 miles.
That happens to me just bought the 2008 x3 3.0si this weekend. The hesitation is driving me crazy. Went to BMW for checkup $2000 for oil pan a possible oil leak.🤯🤯
Hello. I have BMW x3 2.5 04 and I have 2 problem with it . Losing oil no liking no smoke i don't know what to do for this problem and the second one with Alarm sometimes works sometimes not no light blinking no alarm noise how can I fixit this 2 problems please.
I have a 2007 X3 my high beams stay on and won't come off and my left signal light stays on as well , can you please help me
how much pricy this car is to fix than for example Golf class or even Audi A6 car?
In winter the e83 will be my first car, ill try to get an 3.0l with ca. 200.000 km for like 4-5.000€, just need it for 1-2 Years then ill buy an X5 or something like that, thoughts?
Zasada generalnie jest taka: jak Cię nie stać na utrzymanie danego samochodu, to go nie kupuj.
I have an 07 x3 runs great in high gears but misses/pops in low gear !no one seems to know what it is !any ideas anyone 🤔
Is it possible to take off roof rails ? And replace it with trim or something .
I like BMW, but they need to get back to the e30 level of quality. This whole 100K miles and it turns to a turd on wheels philosophy is causing a lot of people to switch to other brands.
Nice sport interior
What’s up with the n52 and 3 stage intake? How’s it driving? Get the coding all figured out?
156000 - valve cover issues, oxygen sensors (all) and a no start! up until that, just enjoy yourself
So I wanted to ask may be that someone knows but I am actually getting one of those cars from 2010 for free with only 69000km. And would you recommend using it or should i rather sell it?
Anyone have a diagnosis for exhaust smoke coming from bonnet on cold starts. Also exhaust smell in cabin. For X3 2007 Diesel
Hi,Nathan, I reversed transmission while driving forward. I felt noise and car slow. I immediately switch forward. Car drives fine so far. Was my transmission damaged? I know common car won't allow to reverse while driving. Another question is does 2010 X3 has idle control valve,. Throttle body on my car don't have, it directly connected to a plastic multiple joint. Great video always. Thanks!
It doesn't, there is valvetronic on this engine which controls the idle
Thanks, you are rıght, the dealer told me there are two flaps.
I have a 2005 X3 2.5i with 195k miles. It is in excellent exterior condition. I love this car but I have sidelined it because of an issue that I can’t resolve. Particularly, in cold weather, while driving, I completely lose throttle response. It usually happens when I attempt to accelerate or sometimes, just while driving along. The car stays running but when I pull over, it bucks to a stop. My only remedy is to turn it off and restart. It usually happens several times of a short trip. I’ve rebuilt the vanos, replaced plugs and replaced the CVV and lines. I’ve also done and engine flush because it ran rough. Can you provide any suggestions?
Clean the MAF.
Did you manage to resolve this?
@@whatta7793 I never got it running properly. I gave it away. I’m still curious, though, if you have insight. Thanks!
Did you ever pull codes? Any major system should have reported a problem to the ecu.
10 dislike who dont agry with a guy who explain everything right?
AWESOME F-ing video!! Thanks Nathan.
Can I check the oil with that red pull stick?
Could have said some prices of the things.
The ultimate disintegrating machine
last summer one window mechanism went out , got it fixed the next day another one, got it repaired, NO BS the third one went out the following week so I bought the one for the third door and the driver door as well. today the driver power seat is not working.Also the I replaced the rear hatch struts this week. On top of all that it had (I hope) a parasitic battery drain all through everything else , I replaced the standard acid battery with a AMG type ,so far it's has not drained. Bought it used 3 yrs ago.
Treat plastic trim with what?
My God, i have to keep reminding myself that this car is infact not some crappy kia, but another crappy bmw. I guess scotty kilmer was right in regards to beamers. Good thing my audi doesnt have even half of these problems.
Quick question. I have a 2004 X3 3.0i 6 speed manual.. and I recently replaced the radiator expansion tank. It was cracked. I put it back together and now it's leaking somewhere around the top of the tank where the hose attachment is. I didn't lube any of the O rings when I reattached them. Could that cause it to leak or do you think I may have cracked something taking it apart? I've been under this thing for 2 days, and it's still leaking.
Did it get fixed?
@@NomadNiiji yes. After watching many RUclips videos about it.. I have become quite the BMW technician. Lol
Hating on the e83's
Dude, E83s didnt have iDrive. Ever
Why is in the owner's manual? I don't understand why BMW did the owners book the way they did. It's been a month or so since I looked it over but its seems they added different model features that weren't available.
Exactly haha wth he talking bout
Whats the auto boxes like in these
I never understand how BMW has stayed in business this long. Anything made after 2002 is garbage. All their models have some kind of issue going on. If it's more than 3 years old it's a grenade.
That's really not true, they had a grey patch during the mid 2000s but even then the majority of their cars were still bulletproof, and modern ones are built like tanks again. Mercedes were wayyyy worse than BMW in terms of reliability, but again, they're solid again these days.
imkirbo they just need attention, and routine maintenance, staying on top of oil leaks, and always saving up money to replace parts, because at some point something is gonna break, reliability on these vehicles are mostly based on the drivers, and some people that like to drive, and not pay attention to these vehicles, they are usually in for a nightmare.
I had a 2004 BMW X5 gave it away at 230,000 miles; never had a problem. I am now driving a 2009 BMW x3 and it is a complete piece of junk at 118,000 miles. Everything going wrong.
Pls i need engine for my X3 2006 engine to buy, how can you assist me?
2.5i engine
04 bmw X3 2.5 I 222 mile old ok.
Just do an LS swap!
Bmw uses alot of plastic and that is a biggest disadvantage,you can only enjoy driving it within 18mnths
So I will not baying??
Welp. I’m almost on verge of changing my mind of getting one. 🥴😑
Did you get one or nah
Honestly it's bull what he says I have an 05 X3 with 150thousand miles and zero issues 🤷 I don't even do the oil changes on time hahah I just replaces the headlight bulb that's all.
I’ll say a prayer for you 😂
@@pono321 still doing good? Im looking at a 2008 x3 3.0si I love the way it looks but idk sh÷t about cars honestly
I have an 06 ..How do I know what engine I have?
Jay Kriesel it should me on the title
Most likely E83
Makes you wonder if some of these people raced the bmw to have these problems. I’ve seen a guy race the sht out of his. It’s got electronic problems no telling what else now. Tho it’s still running. He’s probably has it fixed few times. Hmm 🤔. 🥴😑
Basically, everything.
Underpowered, clunky transmission, cylinder coils go out one at a time. Other than that, I love my '08 (cough).
Ohhh
I bought a 2006 x3 for 4,500 93k miles I regret it.
Why?
I have a 2004 x3 159k miles i fixed the actuator small gear and it took off the abs, 4x4 warning lights but when I drive it feels like it’s slipping gears and haven a hard time catching when accelerating also it has a error code saying vacuum leak if anyone has info on transmissions or has the same issues and found out what it was let me know what I can do to fix issue
Were you able to figure out what was wrong with your car, im having the same exact issue
0:14 more like shit box 🤣🤣🤣