BMW X3 (2011 - 2017) xDrive20d BluePerformance SE 5d (2012/12) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
-
Summary
What does this car say about you?
I suppose it shows me as a dedicated BMW man who now needs a car that will get me through the harsher winters we have up in the frozen north. While it is not an off roader it does cope with the winter well.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
They think it's a nice looking car and practical as it has loads of boot space and even more with the 40:20:40 folding rear seat arrangements. They also like the heated rear seats in the winter!
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes. Good quality build and engineering and despite the initial glitches I believe that you can expect a good level of service from the dealership.
What are you likely to buy next?
I would like to go for another X3 but with a better spec in relation to the variable suspension gizmo.
-
Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchised
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£32,000
When did you buy the car?
June 2011
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes. Good trade in on 320d and have dealt with dealers before.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Change from 3 series 320d. Engine and trim shown on this website not listed. It's an X3 X-drive 2.0 d (not shown on list, nor does Year and plate show).
What was the dealer like?
Having dealt with this dealership before, I found that again they bettered trade in value compared to local dealer, so I was happy to travel 110 miles to effect changeover.
-
Driving it
What's it like to drive?
As with all my previous BMWs, it's a joy to drive with excellent acceleration when it is needed. Long distance drives are relaxing with the cruise control making motorway driving easy. On country roads I have been told by back seat passengers that it wallows a bit and so next time round I would opt for the suspension firmness gizmo to allow for a firmer ride.
What's it like to park?
With both front and rear parking sensors it is a dawdle to park and there is a very useful screen on the dashboard (which also acts as the on-board computer screen) that gives you a clear view of what the sensors detect with an audible warning to accompany the screen view.
-
Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Yes. The software on the car was faulty and although I took it to local dealership under warranty they claimed to find nothing wrong with the car when patently there was a fault causing the engine to hesitate. Eventually the fault got so bad, with the engine beginning to sound like an old Hackney Cab cold at start up, that I took it back to dealers from whom car was purchased. The fault was traced immediately and sorted, courtesy car was provided for a week and my own car was brought back to me (110 mile trip for the dealership driver then another 110 mile return trip for him). Excellent service but black marks to the dealership they being the ones who said there was nothing wrong with the car.
What's most practical about your car?
Good driving position.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Heated seats and steering wheel. Particularly comfortable in the winter months!
