Considering Following 2005 X3

[stayinalive]

2005 3.0L Auto
Flamenco Red Metallic (*cringe*)
Grey leather
Heated seats (no ski bag)
Premium Package?
Bluetooth
34k miles
No xenon
No sport package (thankfully)
No CPO
Clean CarFax (for what it's worth)

$16995.

Note: I've previously owned two e46's and do much, but not all, of my own maintenance (e.g., install new control arms, change oil, install new steering wheel & airbag, install gauge trim rings, replace wood trim, install new sway bars, install rear shocks, install new brake pads & rotors, replace door seals, replace moon roof guide, etc.).

Opinions are appreciated!

[stayinalive]

35 views and no one?

[ngcreese]

Low mileage... check
Handy around a BMW... check.

Do you really like the color?

[stayinalive]

Not my first choice but I think I can get used to it. The only interior I would want with it is gray, which it has, so that's good.

Originally Posted by ngcreese

Low mileage... check
Handy around a BMW... check.

Do you really like the color?

[ngcreese]

Just keep in mind you'll probably have other options for cars.
A car's color is kinda key. You could set yourself up to hate the car and want to get something different even while you're paying on this one.

[JCL]

Colour - can you live with it? Not sure from your comments.
Xenon would be nice to have.
Not having the sport package is a definite plus IMO.
Similar to your E46 models to work on.
Decide if the automatic transmission shifting feels OK to you from rest, and pulling up to a stop. Some issues with owners complaining about shifting. If it shifts fine in your opinion, then no worries.

IIRC, I think the 2005 rode a little harsher than later years. They went through a few iterations of ride improvements; our 2007 is light years ahead of a 2004 we tested. Not sure what year the big improvement happened, a 2006 may be OK as well. If you can live with the ride quality, then it isn't an issue. You may want to test a 2007 to see the difference.

No comment on price, your market is different than ours here.

I would worry less about the lack of CPO with an X3; they have fewer expensive systems to fail than an X5 has.

Good luck.

[stayinalive]

The color isn't so bad that I know I can't live with it, so I'm willing to give it a chance. I used to own a metallic red/maroon accord and I didn't think I'd like it at first but eventually I did like it (just not as much as silver).

My '02 330ci was non-xenon and my '00 323i is xenon, so I know what you mean.

I think auto is more of a stumbling bloick than color, but as I probably sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic more than I actually get to really enjoy the manual tranny on my last two 3er's, I hope the comfort factor of not having to shift 1000 times in traffic will justify itself. TBD.

My current 323i was outfitted with sport suspension, and it is stiff. I'm hoping that the non-sport X3 isn't more so, but if it is, I can always look into retrofitting '07 suspension components to soften it. I'm already considering retrofitting '08 door insulation, as I heard that they reduced road noise/clanging door sounds in later models.

Thanks for the info, JCL!

Originally Posted by JCL

Colour - can you live with it? Not sure from your comments.
Xenon would be nice to have.
Not having the sport package is a definite plus IMO.
Similar to your E46 models to work on.
Decide if the automatic transmission shifting feels OK to you from rest, and pulling up to a stop. Some issues with owners complaining about shifting. If it shifts fine in your opinion, then no worries.

IIRC, I think the 2005 rode a little harsher than later years. They went through a few iterations of ride improvements; our 2007 is light years ahead of a 2004 we tested. Not sure what year the big improvement happened, a 2006 may be OK as well. If you can live with the ride quality, then it isn't an issue. You may want to test a 2007 to see the difference.

No comment on price, your market is different than ours here.

I would worry less about the lack of CPO with an X3; they have fewer expensive systems to fail than an X5 has.

Good luck.

[shupadupa]

I have an '05 with the sport package, xenons, and 6MT. Car is a ton of fun and honestly to me the ride isn't that rough, but then again i have an Evo and a '96 Tacoma with 237K on the odo, so none of my cars ride like a Buick.

That price is great for the mileage, go for it.

[motordavid]

While I don't have a strong opin on the car, just wondering if you have plugged in
X3s into BMW's car search tab; most are CPO, (slightly pricier), but some days the
available inventory for X3s/X5s, et al, is surprisingly large. You can limit the "distance",
so you aren't looking at cars in Iowa or, the LeftCoast.
GL, mD

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