Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Although, they might have a certain number of "Get out of Jail Free" cards...
If they CPO it, and the MMR price is reasonable, so they can keep the price low, I bet they can move it.. The stick-shift will be their main issue, I think..
My wife wants an X3 for her next car.. I think she might kill me, if I get one with a stick..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I concur. In Aug/Sept last year, I did a comprehensive search for '04/'05 X3's within Arizona, Southern California, and Las Vegas. Of all the X3's I found, only one of them had a stick shift -- and it was not a CPO car. It wasn't exactly moving fast off the lot, either.
I didn't realize until I performed this search that BMW dealers can certify a car with up to 60K miles on it. I previously thought the limit was 50K. If BMW NA is offering good incentives on '05 X3's now, such as low APR and/or a couple months w/o payments, the dealer might just want to certify this car, regardless of the transmission.
I wouldn't mind an X3 with a stick, but my wife prefers automatic. The SUV is always her car (I always drive the sport sedan/coupe), and so this is ultimately her choice, not mine. I don't try to persuade her otherwise, because there is always the smaller issue regarding future resale...
I currently drive a 2001 Subaru Forester, and with 130K on the clock I'm thinking of replacing it. I had pretty much decided to get a 09 Forester, but have always loved my boss's BMW 5 series, and wanted to see if a used X3 might make more sense.
I went to a local lot, and looked at 3 X3's, all 2004's, with between 30-50K on the odos. On all three, the interior was shockingly worn. Examples: The plastic trim around the cupholders were bubbling. The pebble plastic dash was unevenly sun faded, trim pieces where starting to de-laminate, and the seats showed way more wear than I would expect for a car with
My el-cheapo car (the Forester) has probably the world's cheapest looking trim, and yet it's all in fine shape after 130K and 7 years, and I really don't baby this car at all. To compare, I looked at similarly aged 3 and 5 series sedans, and found the interiors in better shape.
Do you think I saw 3 bad examples (out of 3), or is this a known issue with the X3. Has the interior of the car been upgraded since 2004, and if so when. I was kind of bummed, as I always thought premium car would wear well.
Of course it's possible that I was seeing three bad examples, but it was a little surprised that they all looked as worn as these.
Once I'm no longer a dog owner, I'll get leather in my next BMW 1 series or X6.
That's been my experience as well. My 2004 X3 has 60K on the clock and leather.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Hence, I don't know what to say about your experience? I'm hoping it was merely 3 bad examples, and some rather unfortunate luck for you. Were they all found at the same dealer? Were they Certified (CPO) vehicles? I'm not an expert, but I expect BMW dealers to replace delaminated or bubbling trim pieces when they certify a vehicle. (Roadburner: Would you agree?)
In response to your other question, the interior of the X3 did not receive any real upgrade until 2007.
Incidentally, last year I experienced some very minor bubbling on the trim around one of my cupholders, but this problem occurred in my 3-series coupe. Fortunately, the BMW dealer replaced the cupholder assembly for free under warranty. I definitely haven't noticed any similar issue with our X3. Since we weren't the original owners of either vehicle, I can't say whether this is a YMMV sort of issue, or if these wear issues are due to uncareful handling.
Yes, although the quality of CPO BMWs does vary from dealer to dealer.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Got a trip planned for the Easter weekend, so we probably won't quite have the new X3 in our garage.
Counting down the days tho. . .
Kudos to Swope BMW in Louisville-in particular my Service Advisor Edwin-for taking the truck in at 10:00 AM(without an appointment) and having it washed and ready to go by 5:50 the same day.
By the time we put another 60K on it my son will be driving it... :surprise: :surprise:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Any chance that your wife may have a habit of leaving the parking brake engaged while driving from time to time?
The X3 gives the driver a continuous warning chime if you drive off with the parking brake handle lifted by just one notch. Even if that wasn't the case, BMWs have a separate parking brake assembly that uses shoes that act against a drum which is cast into the rear rotors- as can be seen here. I checked a couple of X3 boards that are much more technically oriented, and their members confirmed that the rear brakes DO tend to wear out before the fronts. My Service Advisor also stated that X3s are harder on the rear pads.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Do you know if that warning chime applies to all BMWs?
Glad to help.
Do you know if that warning chime applies to all BMWs?
I believe that all new BMWs have the warning chime, but I don't know when it was first introduced. I do know that my 1995 3 Series doesn't have it, and our 1997 528i also lacked the feature.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Me too... :P
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
A similar thing happened with my '05 325Ci a couple months ago, although I don't know which wheel. Basically, one of the outside pads was down to "0%" by the time the inside pad was low enough to activate the wear sensor. The good news is that the brake pads and rotors were replaced at all 4 corners, at no cost, thanks to BMW's maintenance plan.
Who did the brake work for your X3? I'm guessing it was an independent shop who specializes in BMWs, correct? Is this one area of maintenance where $$$ are saved by using an independent shop? May I ask how much this service cost you?
One reason I'm asking is because a service advisor (not my "regular" advisor) warned the brake services for an X3 are very expensive -- more expensive than on the 3-series cars. If so, I'm guessing it is only because the rotors are larger? He was advising me to consider buying the extended maintenance plan; but considering all of my X3's brake pads are fairly new, and our X3 is now 4 years old today, I didn't think it was a smart move.
In this case I used the dealer, for a couple of reasons. Normally I would have used my independent shop, but when I discovered the scored rotor I thought it was possible that the caliper was seized- which would be covered under the CPO warranty. Secondly, my indie shop is usually booked a couple of days ahead, and the X3 is the only car my wife drives(it's the only one with an automatic). The dealer was able to get it in and out the same day. The main cost was the parts- $620 for rotors and pads at all four corners. The final damage was a tick over $900. Not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but the cost per mile was about the same as my wife's old 528i- which needed front pads every 20K and rotors every 40K. The rear pads and rotors lasted @ twice as long. To put things in perspective, my indie shop charged @$600 to R&R the pads and rotors on my 318ti, using BMW rotors and Axxis Metalmaster Pads. That said, in 100K miles the 3er went through only one set of rotors(F&R), 2 sets of front pads and one set of rear pads. At least the X3 wont need any brake work for another four years...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
We do a lot of highway miles. Had brakes at 35k and at 70k, both no cost on warranty or service plan, so I don't think dealer was taking advantage of us. Not the greatest intervals.
But... Just Brakes advertises replacement of all four brakes for only $99! You could've saved $800! :P
Seriously, that number is less than I expected. I was expecting the cost to run between $1200-$1500, for replacing all 4 sets of pads and rotors at the dealer.
NOW you tell me!!! :mad:
Seriously, that number is less than I expected. I was expecting the cost to run between $1200-$1500, for replacing all 4 sets of pads and rotors at the dealer.
I checked my reciept and the actual amount was $981.79 after my BMW CCA discount. I think that my dealer's service prices are definitely on the low side; I read about one poor sod who got hit for $900 just to R&R the front pads and rotors on an X5... :surprise:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I parked my car in the garage and several hours later when I went back to it, all four windows had opened-- including the sunroof. No, it's not poltergeists. Later that same week, the same thing happened again.
Also, there are times when the remote key will unlock the driver's side door but not the passengar's. After several attempts the remote will not even re-lock the door and the dashboard mounted locking button won't even open or lock the doors. The only way to unlock the front passengar door is with the inside handle release.
I've taken it back to the dealer and they cannot find anything wrong with it.
Any suggestions?!
The refinements are numerous and perhaps for some folks, subtle.
My wife loves the new 260HP 225 lb ft power first and foremost. She is also impressed with HD radio and the many near lux or entry level lux upgrades.
The new one is almost silent, even at speed, compared with the '05.
We have the SAV package, this time, NOT the sport package -- the improvements in ride are not sublte -- it rides and handles much more like the last 3 series we were loaned when the X3 was in for service.
Couldn't be happier -- in fact, at this point, the X3 is (for her, for us) the best overall Bimmer for the money.
36 months 48K miles, $632/mo, No sec dep, Sales tax on lease, first month and prepaid miles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
For the '05 you traded in, did you have the 2.5 or the 3.0 engine?
Thanks
Bruce
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
You do know that the X3 already has a front strut brace, right?
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It seems I just missed you... My son and I were on the way back from the kennel that day, dropping off the pooch, as we were leaving on vacation...
We swung by there, to see if we could spot your car... around 0930 AM.. Just a little too soon..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Wrong! It works just fine.
Loving the power and now the economy is improving with over 500 miles on it.
Very quiet, 6 speed adaptive auto is a joy -- this is my wife's first automatic car, and she has no regrets.
HD radio -- WHO KNEW? There are so many stations in our big town (Cincinnati) that have HD2 channels of completely new and different stuff -- even AM sounds better for Pete's sake.
The only typical option (typical for my wife) not on the thing is the upgraded radio speakers -- but we had it on the 2005 and compared the standard to the upgraded, even using our own CD (U2 rattle and hum) and noticed what would appear to be an upgrade in the base system (more bass, actually) and since she listens mostly to Sirius, which, good as it is, is still compressed audio -- didn't see the need for the upgrade.
Instead went with a $475 paint upgrade and the SAV package (not the sport package -- and my fillings and kidneys are so glad.)
The interior -- the two tone leather option -- looks more upscale than the somewhat coarse and, er, rugged interior of the 2005 vintage. The dash is so much nicer, I'll guess they brought out the first crappy dash (although at the time it was OK) perhaps because no one ever expect the X3 to be such a brisk seller (at least here in the moderate snowy region of the US, it is.)
Accessory: custom kleen wheels which keeps those SAV package 18" wheels looking shiny, never dull.
Tires: Pirellis -- HP All seasons -- only comment so far, THEY ARE STONE SILENT.
Heated steering wheel, very nice -- too bad it is not offered with the sport package.
A pushbutton smart key and back up camera (which is offered aftermarket, don't you know) would be sweet, too.
Needs a factory standard alarm system at this price ($49K).
All in all, for $632 per month, 36 months 48K miles (we prepaid the miles and the state sales tax on the lease, no sec dep, first month's payment) -- a very nice upgrade from the 2005.
The X6 is now here -- and, truth be told, it is too big. My hope and dream is that the replacement X3 has the "8/10's X6 look," the 300 HP i6 turbo engine and a 7 speed auto offered and here in 2011 just as the wife gets her new car at that time.
All in all, very very pleased.
People carp about the MSRP -- and I agree.
But, an Acadia lease with a sec dep is about the same -- BMW subvents these leases so the MSRP is somewhat not relevant, unless, of course, you are buying -- then they stick it to you, from a certain point of view :surprise:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That would be, from above and behind. If one has the appropriate tatoo, they can enjoy the view while they're at it.
Glad to hear your family is enjoying the new X3, but having just bought (yeah, I never learn) a new vehicle, having driven the old one most of eight years, I'm still interested in that piece of the puzzle.
Most aren't, I realize.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
My wife still likes her '04, but I think she'd really prefer a 128i or a Mini Cooper S Clubman. Maybe when our son starts driving the X3...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I'm a big believer in the fact that cars are very well made and if properly (read: anally) maintained should last between 8 & 10 years.
When our lease is up, we'll be looking to buy our next vehicle. Maybe a Passat Wagon or A4 2.0T Avant. I'd consider another X3 too.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
What do you mean by touch signalling? Can you please explain? I have an 08 X3 also, but would like to have the same feature as you.
I've seen the angel eyes as the daytime running light on the 328 and 335 coupes, also the new X5s. I am wondering why the X3 has the dim yellow light instead. It will be cool to have the daytime running angel eyes.
:P
The angel eyes, too, are on our car and they and the DRL's are now on the moment the key is turned to the ON position.
We had the auto door lock feature turned on, too.
There are a bunch of dealer only turn on features (controlled by idrive in other BMW's,) they are detailed in the manual.
The voice command is listed as "separate manual" -- there is NO separate manual -- it is just there and you can say "help" and it will list the commands it understands.
Pretty cool, even works with the blackberry my wife is never without.
"Dial number:
etc etc etc"
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I am using premium gas now, but with gas price keep raising, if I could use regular, it will save me about $30 a month. Any advises? Mine is a 3 year leased car.
Yes. Use premium fuel. That is what the motor was designed for. If you use a cheaper grade the ECU will roll back the timing to adjust and the usual result is a decrease in fuel economy. You probably don't want to hear this either, but using a Top Tier gasoline is also a good idea.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive