E83 or F25?
 

My youngest daughter is heading off to college in the fall. Her three older brothers all drive BMWs: 1 e36 convertible and 2 e90 sedans. She has her heart set on an x3. I'm looking specifically at the N52 engine cars because I have more experience with those. I consider myself to be a YouTube certified mechanic. LOL

So I guess I'm looking at 2007-2011. Any advice on E83 vs F25? I definitely want to stick with the naturally aspirated non-turbo engine. Other than styling are there other differences to consider?

Thanks for your input!

Greetings from Texas, I hope you're safe and warm during these freezing times.

I've had an E83 for 12 years and based on my experience I would go for the F25. The F25 had huge improvements in its interior quality and it holds up better than the E83.
Wheel Bearing replacements are easier on the F25.
The F25 has the ZF8HP transmission which is way better than the GM6L45
Safety ratings are probably better on the F25.

Good luck!

I think an F25 with the 8 speed & N55 is a well kept "BMW secret", if you will. Thing is probably a rocket... a baby X3M so to say, & not very expensive. E83 is going to be cheaper of'course, but as user above me stated, i think you are getting way more bang for your buck with an F25.

There are pros of the E83. Cheap, relatively reliable. I basically maintain my neighbors E83. It has the older M54, & despite his best effort he cannot manage to run the thing into the ground. It just goes & goes & goes. The facelift model with the N52 i cant speak on. I've read the N52 is problematic but my buddy who purchased one seems to not have many if any issues at all. To be fair, his car is relatively low miles (under 100k). I know what i would do... 8hp + N55 all day long.

Thanks for your reply. So far, we are safe and warm. Having owned an e83 for 12 years makes your opinion very valuable. Experience trumps opinion. Are there things to watch out for on the E83? How many miles do you have on your e83?

Thanks for your input. It's good to get the input of someone who's actually worked on a vehicle. Maintenance is the key to keeping them going.

17 year E83 owner here and can chime in with as long as maintenance is upkept it just goes and goes.

Mine is a base model 2.5i and has been on many at least 6 multi state (thing La to CA) trips.

Thanks for the response. How many miles?

I've owned an m54 E83 as well as the N52 and used them both as a delivery driver in the city...aka running 10-14 hours a day doing HARD city miles like a taxi cab.

Focusing strictly on the engine aspect the M54 is going to be MUCH cheaper to fix if you have any issues.

The N52 has some expensive bits like the electric water pump, eccentric shaft motor/sensor and to address any CCV issues you replace the entire valve cover (or you can try your hand at the unofficial CCV replacement off ebay)

N52 has more oil gaskets which are guaranteed to leak at some point as all BMWs tend to do.

Also it seems like every time you do anything on the N52 it calls for new aluminum bolts since you're not supposed to reuse them.

Other than that I think they're both great vehicles and VERY capable in the snow which normally wouldn't apply to Texas....:stickpoke

Currently at 177k

In the end she chose an E70 X5. Thanks for all your input.