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Old 02-23-2011, 06:02 PM
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Shopping older X3s what to look for

New forum member. With kids off to college we are trading in the Honda van and looking to buy an early X3 (in our price range). We are looking at a 2004 with 60K, looks clean and drives well. Didn't notice any issues. Can anyone offer some tips on problem areas to look for. Thank you!

I have searched the forum and am aware of the Roof panel issue. Other than that .. can't really spot any major common problems.
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Old 02-24-2011, 12:32 AM
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1) Assume you have driven one. The early X3 models (2004-2006) had a reputation for riding roughly. Sports package made it harsher, so many avoided it. It is just a matter of personal preference, if it feels good to you then it is fine. I drove an early X3 sports package, and a few years later drove an M-Sport, and both felt very harsh. Our 2007 model was leagues ahead.

2) Some issues with automatic transmissions, just starting off, just in first gear. Once the vehicle was moving it was fine. If it drives fine, it is OK. If you get hesitation from idle when starting off, that sounds like the original symptoms. There can also be issues with tranmissions losing reverse gear due to an internal issue, but that is a specific problem that I wouldn't let influence a purchase decision, as long as the gears engaged properly when selected.

3) Panoramic roofs had failures in the mechanism, repair involves a whole new cassette. We never open ours (maybe twice in four years) and haven't had any problems. Probably not a good example.

Can't recall other common issues. The X3 is pretty solid, it is an E46 underneath, so all the bugs were worked out.
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Old 02-24-2011, 12:35 AM
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See if the original owner mixed and matched tires. The transfer case can be finicky on mixing tires with largely differing amounts of tread or different brands, and result in premature failure. At 60k miles, I would get the transfer case fluid, power steering (uses ATF), and coolant fluids changed for longevity's sake. See if the engine air filter, located behind in the black box behind the left headlight, has been changed.

The window guides, the plastic framing around the windows can be creaky and/or squeak on bumpy roads. Mostly a first year defect, shouldn't be a huge deal breaker but can be annoying.

Otherwise the X3 is generally reliable, so if it drives fine and has a good maintenance record, it should be good.
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Old 08-06-2011, 02:51 AM
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just got a 2004 3.0 with 47xxx miles a few months ago and love it. chnged all th fluids and its good to go. it was a single owner an taken care of.
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Old 08-18-2011, 08:27 AM
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Good to know as i've been shopping for one too....just can't seem to find one...maybe in a little bit, or early next year....in the meantime....i grabbed a 05 325xi....
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