BMW X3 : Views please

Catanonia

Catanonia

Catanonia

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The wifey wants a new car, SUV type car to replace her 1.6D Fiesta.

Initially I looked at the X5 as they can be had very cheaply under £8000 and under £100k for a 10 year old car. She only does 8k miles a year and it seemed to be an ideal choice from my point of view. Quality and luxury 50k car for a fraction of the price.

We went to look at one and didn't even test drive it. Too big and thankfully she told me straight off.

So then we saw a nice X3 passing another place and that suited her much more. Not test driven and we both have never driven an X3

So what to look for, views, good and bad points.

I know they are carp at off road, but it will be a Chelsea tractor for 3 of us and the German Shepherd, but mainly for her commute of 40 miles twice a week down country roads.

Looking at a 2004/6 - 2.0l Diesel model with leather and all the mods other than Sat Nav that seems hard to find and may as well put in a £200 Tom Tom for her rather than pay the 1-2k premium for sat nav

So what are the general GD Motors opinions on the X3 other than it being a poor X5 and carp off road car as I know nothing about them?

Thanks
 
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All I know is my neighbour had one (same spec) and without doing proper mileage ie all it ever got was driven on the school run and down the shops it literally was in the garage more than in his possession.

He took a massive hit on it to get shot of it.
 
It is essentially a 4wd E46 3 Series Estate that's jacked up so it shouldn't be too complex, though I'd imagine many of the 2 litre diesel ones are affected by the timing chain issue and the swirl flap problems.

They are incredibly dated inside, being e46 based. It's very 90s and as a result the navigation is not the essential it is in newer models as it runs the same DVD based system as the E39 and E46.

I think I'd suggest the petrol version instead.
 
Is it the BMW badge wanted ?
Is it 4WD she wants, or just the higher driving position, body shape etc ?

There are many SUV/Crossovers out there to choose from. As just one example, my missus has just changed from a mitsi ASX to a Mazda CX-5. She's previously had a VW Touran and a Toyota Verso.
 
Thanks all,

We are at the beginning of the process and looking at all of the cars in this category, but have a price bracket of around £7000

To clarify as there seems to be a degree of woman / SUV hate around and hence the requests to delete posts.

She does about 40 return trip twice a week through rural Shropshire as a commute. I have the Z4 and we need a family / dog / mountain bike car. It will be her daily car, but will be used for the chores and weekends out with the dog and will do about 10k miles a year all in.

We have looked at the
X5 = too big for her
Landrover = Too Big
Lexus = To expensive
Volvo = Too big and not to taste

Nissan Quasqui (sp) - Maybe
Ford Kuga - Maybe

The Nissan and the Ford have the modern feel and technology, but just feel "cheap" and plastic if that makes sense.

I have owned several E39's and know the "older" BMW tech and feel of the the interiors and she is more than happy with comfort over tech. As long as it has Bluetooth for hands free then she is happy.

Not really after the badge, although admittedly BMW does easily come to my mind as they seem to offer a lot more refinement albeit missing tech. But ultimately it is up to her and how she likes the car as to what we get.

I suppose it is down to newer and plastic or older and refinement in our price bracket.

(Not trying to offend anyone, just my way of trying to explain our thoughts on the cars we have looked at)

Thanks all
 
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peterwalkley said:
Is it the BMW badge wanted ?
Is it 4WD she wants, or just the higher driving position, body shape etc ?

There are many SUV/Crossovers out there to choose from. As just one example, my missus has just changed from a mitsi ASX to a Mazda CX-5. She's previously had a VW Touran and a Toyota Verso.
Click to expand...

Not really sure to be honest. The main reason is the dog, bikes and she wants some comfort compared to the Fiesta. Admittedly she does like the higher driving position, especially on her country road / high hedge commute.
 
We have the 2.5 litre petrol on a 54 plate. I think it's been a good car for the past 2 years, practical family car and can fit two one tonne builders bags of garden waste with the back seats down. Firm ride, definitely get leather but skip Nav. Feels like w proper sturdy car, needs to have 4 tyres with even tread else the 4x4 system goes mad and clunks a lot. Any questions just shout.
 
How about a Mazda CX7 / Nissan Murano. Both come fully loaded with toys as there was only one spec. Thirsty quick petrols on older models. Later models had an economical diesel option.
 
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