Yeah, maybe my dealer is just a PITA, but I tried this very thing before I bought my E46 M3 which had CPO warantee. They told me they would not run the VIN unless I was the owner of the vehicle.

I talked my dealer into giving me the service information on the x3 I'm looking at buying. At 10,674 miles it was seen for defect code 1032034700 with a description of "idling while engaging/changing driving range drop in engine speed". Is this their description for the infamous transmission issue? I'm a bit bummed because of that and the salesman told me it had xenon lights but it isn't listed with the option information. It does have servotronic which might be good for my wife, but I don't know if I will like it.

There is no real way to determine if the X3 has the transmission issue until you drive it. Take a good test drive, Those with the problem say that places where the gearbox acts up are:

1. When making a turn at 15-25mph and accelerating (i.e out of a corner), the gearbox hunts for gears and does not accelerate properly.

2. When accelerating moderately from 40mph, the transmission hunts for gears and does not accelerate.

3. Downshifts when braking to a stop are unusually severe.

I haven't experienced any of these. I had a '08 X3 loaner, brand new, that was a 11/07 build and it exhibited no unusual problems. Sure, its not as responsive as my '04, but that's the way the new gearbox works. The torque converter is permanently locked right after take-off for a more direct feel and lower fuel consumption. The latest software patch was release in 10/07, and apparently '08 X3s built after 11/07 do not have issues.

Thanks for the reply!! I am going to go drive the car tomorrow. Even if there is an issue, I think I am getting a pretty good deal on it. It was built 10/06, has 16k miles, sport, premium, cold weather, 19" wheels, servotronic and the price is good :thumbup: I wish it had a few more options but I will likely try selling this one and get into one a bit newer with xenon lights and pdc. Again, thanks for your help!!

Wait, are you trying to flip this X3 for another one? Why don't you just buy one outright with the options you want? :dunno:

BMWs must have xenons. My loaner had Bluetooth but no xenons, and I would have glady wished it was the other way around.

I'm buying the car because I cannot resist and it is for my wife. She won't care if it has xenons as long as it has a cd player. May not flip it, but at the price I'm paying for it I can drive it a year or so and not lose much money. I had the opportunity to get exactly what I wanted this week but I would have had to have paid $4k more for it. Xenons and pdc are not worth $4k.

I thought I would give you guys an update if you are interested. I drove 2hrs to go look at the X3 and drive it. To my surprise it had xenons!!!:thumbup: I am so happy about that. I did drive the car a pretty good distance and I didn't pick up on any major tranny issue. I will wire the money on Monday and go back to pick the car up on Tuesday. I will take some pinstriping off, the dealer decal, and then give it some Zaino. I am really excited about this thing!! :bmw:

Congrats! Post pics (preferably in a new thread) when you can :thumbup:

Issue with 2010 X3s also?
 

Does anyone know if this is a common issue with 2010 X3s also? Mine hesitates sometimes, especially when going up hills, revs high and then takes off. Seems dangerous at times, as it speeds up suddenly. Dealer tells me it is "normal" for this model. Seems very odd to me.