New Owner w/a few questions

[PSUEng]

So, after waiting an additional year to be able to get into a nice, used 2007 X3, I picked one up on a private sale last week. Here are the specs:

2007, Montego Blue on Black Leather, 40,700 miles. Two owners.
Premium pack
Cold weather pack
Heated Steering Wheel
Privacy glass
Cargo net
Xenon
Servo
CPO till 3/13
Extended Maintenance till 3/13

Car is in great shape, fully maintained, all books, keys, window sticker, receipts.

I've noticed a few things that I thought I'd ask everyone about:

1: The wipers chatter. The blades were just replaced two weeks ago. A friend of mine had an 05 model and he said his chattered. Is this "normal"?

2: The wiper arms don't lift up when in the parked position due to interference on the hood--is this normal?

3: Steering wheel switches peel--they were recently replaced under warranty, but do they peel due to rings hitting them or just regular contact with fingers?

4: Is there a DIY on the alarm install?

And just for the record: The transmission is a little iffy off the line and on the 1-2 shift. Smooth starts are difficult, but doable. On the other hand, in manual shift mode, this thing is smooth as butter.

I really am enjoying this car. I have an E46 M3 and this X3 is just very very comfortable to drive. I am glad I didn't go for the sport package, as the regular suspension and 17" wheel is plenty firm.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by PSUEng

I've noticed a few things that I thought I'd ask everyone about:

1: The wipers chatter. The blades were just replaced two weeks ago. A friend of mine had an 05 model and he said his chattered. Is this "normal"?

2: The wiper arms don't lift up when in the parked position due to interference on the hood--is this normal?

3: Steering wheel switches peel--they were recently replaced under warranty, but do they peel due to rings hitting them or just regular contact with fingers?

4: Is there a DIY on the alarm install?

And just for the record: The transmission is a little iffy off the line and on the 1-2 shift. Smooth starts are difficult, but doable. On the other hand, in manual shift mode, this thing is smooth as butter.

I really am enjoying this car. I have an E46 M3 and this X3 is just very very comfortable to drive. I am glad I didn't go for the sport package, as the regular suspension and 17" wheel is plenty firm.

Congratulations on the new car!

Wiper chatter is not normal. Clean the windshield, replace the rubber inserts with good quality ones, and if you still have a problem, look at the wiper arms to see if they are twisted a little. You can fix it by bending them so that they sit perpendicular to the glass, too much of a trailing edge makes them chater on the return sweep.

To get to the wiper arms, turn the key off with the wipers in the up position.

Never had a steering wheel switch peel on any BMW. Others seem to be plagued by it. I suspect it has more to do with chemicals and rings than the switches themselves.

Never saw the point of the alarm. You have an immobilizer, and that is what matters IMO. I find alarms to be just a nuisance. I haven't seen a DIY, but if you buy the BMW alarm it will have instructions, as it was always a dealer-installed item.

Some have complained about the 1-2 shift and starting off with the X3 automatic. I avoid the issue by specifying vehicles with a third pedal.

I agree with you on the sport package, IMO it is unnecessary on the X3 and degrades the ride.

Enjoy it!