Need Advice on a 2007 x3 please!

[TorqueMonster]

Hi everyone,

New here and new to the BMW world as well. I have recently had my eye on an 2007 BMW X3 3.0si with executive and m package at a local used car dealer. I've read a lot of the used car reviews on line and am torn on what to do and if I should take a leap of faith and buy this SUV. It's a one owner with only 55k miles which already seemed fishy as BMW never kept the car and sold it to a used car dealer. The car drove fine but I didn't feel the power in the lower gears and has now got me thinking if there are any transmission issues.

What should I be looking for? I did notice some oil around the oil filter but not sure if it was from a recent oil changes or leak. I will be getting it inspected at a local Indy shop but thought if there are common issues to look out for would be helpful before I end up buying something I regret. Anyways to test the transmission while test driving? Any sounds or things that are tell tale signs? Sorry I know that's bit open ended but really looking for guidance and not wanting to loose 15 grand either. The looks to a clean car and service records didn't show much other than some seat issues and oil changes. I'm going for a test drive soon so if anyone can provide some key things to look out for would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[BMWtech]

Oil filter housing gaskets are likely leaking, its very common on the N51/52/54/55 engines. The gaskets are pretty inexpensive and most mechanics will charge 2-3 hours to replace them. If you have a little mechanical knowledge you could do it yourself.

As far as the trans goes, use a diagnostic scanner to check for any stored faults in the EGS module, other than that and "feeling" how it feels there is no way to know what is going on inside of it.

[JCL]

Not surprising a dealer would wholesale it given the age. They want to focus on used vehicles up to 4 years old.

We have a 2007 X3 3.0si, owned since new. It has been a great car. Repairs to date have been the RH mirror (tilt function failed), battery at 6 years, timing belt and tensioner at 100,000 km, oil filter/oil cooler leak last year, and two broken rear coil springs. All are fairly common. I did them all myself, but I do have access to a shop. The coil springs rust through the final (small) coil where the coating breaks. Rear brakes at 100,000 km; still on original front brakes at 120,000 km. I do have a problem in the transfer case actuator for the x-drive. It hangs up and doesn't release quickly enough, causing a small bump at 10 km/hr in a 90 degree parking turn. I took the actuator off and replaced the plastic gear, but it appears to be inside the actuator motor. Check the rad hoses, as the oil leak can cause the top one to go soft. I had one with oil on it, wasn't soft yet, but I changed them due to age while I was in there.

With the automatic, check for smooth shifts and any 'bump' when coming to a stop.

Any specific questions, ask away.

Cheers

Jeff