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BMW X3 Reliability

41 messages,  Last post on Feb 23, 2013 at 2:01 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 4

#31 of 41 Re: X3 reliability and cheer leading for zero effect [woodyww] by pp2009pp

May 10, 2010 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: woodyww (Apr 20, 2010 11:38 am)
The car has a few thousand miles on it and it has been back at the dealership too many times with no resolution. It isn't enough to trigger the state's lemon laws (yet) but is enough to cause a WTH moment when it bounces down the street or stops abruptly for no known reason.
 
I have come to the conclusion that it is what it is and BMW cannot or does not want to fix it. Maybe the new bodystyle from the stateside plant will fix it...or not. It could also make things worse.
 
Have you actually tried to LL a vehicle? It has to be in the shop for a designated number of days and/or have serious safety problems. Just because someone builds a bad car does not make it a lemon in the eyes of the law.
 
As long as I own this car it will have these problems because they are not getting fixed.

#32 of 41 Re: X3 reliability and cheer leading for zero effect [pp2009pp] by steve_ HOST

May 10, 2010 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: pp2009pp (May 10, 2010 6:38 pm)
The lemon law is ridiculously weak here in Idaho. But it's not an exclusive remedy here - instead of suing under the lemon law, you can just sue under a breach of warranty claim. It still "helps" to have the car in the shop a number of times but the safety issues probably aren't as big a factor.
 
It might be hard to find an attorney willing to take the case though because your damages may not be high enough to make it worth pursuing. But lots of bar associations offer cheap or free initial consultations if you decide to look into it.

#33 of 41 Re: X3 reliability and cheer leading for zero effect [steve_] by edwardsf

May 14, 2010 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (May 10, 2010 8:42 pm)
Also, the owner could sue the dealer/manufacturer in small claims court (up to $7500 in CA) and report them to the BBB. But these angry posts don't seem to be about issue resolution. They also don't seem to reflect statistically significant repair problems and thus are not helping me, a potential X3 buyer. CR does indeed rate the X3 as having more problems than average but as the host mentions, not any worse than the other German manufacturers and better than many models. German cars are more fun to drive and there is a cost to it.
 
Also, there are indeed lemons in the world, which PP apparently has. But iIt might be a better use of PP's time to use all this anger to advocate on child welfare or oil spill issues than battle people on how bad his dealer is. Uh oh... maybe I am next..

#34 of 41 Re: X3 reliability and cheer leading for zero effect [edwardsf] by roadburner

May 15, 2010 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: edwardsf (May 14, 2010 4:54 pm)
Uh oh... maybe I am next.
 
I'm thinking you are correct...

#35 of 41 Re: X3 reliability by franklinx3

Jul 10, 2010 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (May 15, 2010 2:36 pm)
Roadrunner, you seem to be very knowledgeable about BMWs. In February, I purchased a 2007 X3. It is my first German car, first BMW. I was really concerned before purchasing it reading all of PP's comments, but my husband and I decided to go with it anyway. I do see now the extreme difference in handling and riding between Japanese cars and the BMW. I absolutely love the handling, braking, and everything but the rough ride. I am still "afraid" of the maintenance costs though -- especially looking at the end of the warranty period. I currently have 38,000 miles on it and I drive approximately 25,000 miles per year. My husband is very mechanically inclined and we have not paid for a brake job on any car in 25 years. However, I have been told by others that he will not be able to change the brakes on this BMW. Is that true? Does it require specialized tools or BMW maintenance knowledge to do so? We got a great deal on the X3, and I am considering trading it for a Japanese car just to get out of it to avoid the frightening maintenance costs. Am I over-reacting? Thanks for your honest input.

#36 of 41 Re: X3 reliability [franklinx3] by roadburner

Jul 10, 2010 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: franklinx3 (Jul 10, 2010 7:56 pm)
I am still "afraid" of the maintenance costs though -- especially looking at the end of the warranty period.
 
See post #3318 in the "BMW X3" topic for an update on the maintenance requirements of my wife's 2004 X3. It currently has over 96,000 miles on it and maintenance costs are still averaging 5 cents per mile- and that number included two sets of Pirelli PZero Nero All Season tires. The only warranty repair has been a passenger seat airbag sensor. We haven't needed to use the CPO warranty at all.
 
However, I have been told by others that he will not be able to change the brakes on this BMW. Is that true?
 
Whoever you talked to is woefully ignorant about BMWs. Much of the misinformation about BMWs is generated by individuals who haven't even sat in a BMW- never mind driving or servicing one. The brake system on an X3 is utterly conventional. Changing pads and rotors shouldn't take much over one hour- if that long. Here is just one DIY tutorial. A set of pads and rotors for all four wheels from Zeckhausen Racing will cost less than $500. In any event, you probably won't need a brake job before 60,000 miles. I'd also recommend joining the BMW Car Club of America; you'll get an excellent monthly magazine and many dealers and shops give club members discounts of up to 25% on parts and/or labor.
 
I am considering trading it for a Japanese car just to get out of it to avoid the frightening maintenance costs. Am I over-reacting?
 
If you have a good dealer and/or an independent BMW shop that you trust I'd say that you have little to worry about. However, I would service the car a bit more frequently than BMW recommends. In particular, I would change the oil midway between the services that the cars service information system calls for, using a BMW filter and Mobil 1 0W-40 oil. I'd change the automatic transmission fluid and transfer case fluid at 50,000 to 55,000 miles. And I'd change the coolant(using only BMW brand coolant) every three years.
And if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

#37 of 41 Re: X3 reliability and cheer leading for zero effect [edwardsf] by pp2009pp

Sep 23, 2010 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: edwardsf (May 14, 2010 4:54 pm)
The dealer?
 
No, I lay the problems with this car at the foot of the manufacturer. The dealer can only do so much with what they are given to sell and service.

#38 of 41 Considering a 2005 BMW X3, input needed :) by carlamoreno

Jul 08, 2011 (4:22 pm)

Good deal? Give me your thoughts
 
18k
- 60 K service completed.
- New Tires
- SMOG check done .
- Registration paid for until June 2012.
 pics here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93894566N00/sets/72157627123943462/

#39 of 41 Re: Considering a 2005 BMW X3, input needed :) [carlamoreno] by roadburner

Jul 17, 2011 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: carlamoreno (Jul 08, 2011 4:22 pm)
I think that it's worth between $15k-$17k; $18k could get you a 2006. As always, I'd want to have it inspected by a qualified BMW tech.

#40 of 41 Re: Consumer Reports & BMW X3 Reliability [hb3749] by bluegrove84

Jul 31, 2012 (10:58 am)

Replying to: hb3749 (Apr 08, 2007 9:58 pm)
My 2004 X3 started falling apart at 80K - I should have traded it in. I am now at 100K and the sunroof mysteriously fell to pieces and costs $2000 to repair. So my recommendation is to enjoy it for a 3 year lease (it was great in early years) but trade in before 50K miles. Also, do not order the panorama moonroof. BMW corporate would not assist with repairing it. My next car will not be a BMW because of BMW poor corporate response.

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