Considering 2006 X3
 

Current E39 Owner, former E36 and E30 owner....

Looking at a local E83. The stealership is asking $18,100 (+ tax & title). This is after negotiations and they are not budging much more.

It is a 2006, 17,000 with the M Sport and Winter packages. Has 70k miles and it is in clean, showroom condition.

Any thoughts on price? I am in the Chicago Suburbs.

NADA prices it at $21 and KBB has it at $19.6k.

Can't help you with price, you have better info on your local market than I do.

I would be trying to find a 2007 with the facelift. Partly for some optional features, and new engine, but mainly for the better ride. Early X3 models rode roughly IMO. They got better a few times between 2004 and 2008, but the biggest improvement was in 2007 (released in Sept 2006). Related to this, the X3 rides more firmly than some other models. I wouldn't have a sport package in an X3, even though my Z4 and 535 both benefited from sport packages. The X3 was firm enough for my taste without it. The pre-LCI X3 M Sport I drove was uncomfortable to drive. If you drive it and like the ride, then no worries. Just something to be aware of.

Pre LCI had the M54, a great engine. But I like the increased power of the N52. And with a six speed it is fun to drive. Hard to find those, though.

Can't help you much on price either, but I think 2006 was a good year. A nice, sporty feel from the engine and most of the car and drivetrain is based on the E46 3er so that makes it slightly easier to work on. I've ridden in an M sport model and it rides fine for my tastes but I guess roads in certain parts of the US are pretty bad so take it for a thorough test drive, of course.

The 2007 builds tended to have some issues with the 6-speed automatic transmission that are more pronounced in urban driving. The drivetrain itself is softer and more efficient and there were some interior improvements but given the rarity of 6MT 2007 models, I'd play it safe and go for the 2006 if it's got a clean history.

I decided to walk on the stealer... Not so much about price, but he just could not talk about dollars and cents. I wanted to talk about the final price before we get into financing. He wanted to "Bundle" every thing, including a maintenance plan into nicely packaged monthly payment.... Typical sales tactic to help take your mind off of being ass raped.

Nonetheless, I found another one, albeit in a neighboring state that I like better. It has the M Sport, and premium packages, terracotta interior (which I really like) and a 6 speed. They are asking about the same money.

Pretty good on 'the walk away', imo...
Often potential buyers post here, simply consumed by the new car jones.

I always really liked the M sport pkg in those MY X3s, and the 6 spd is a topper, imo.
Good Luck with the final pounding, and the denouement.
BR, mD

Thanks for the info guys.

One thing that stood out on this model is that it had silver interior trim as opposed to the plastic wood. My wife and I really liked that and it seem to be hard to find.

Was this a popular option?

The aluminium trim is pretty rare in the US. It was a no-cost option but because it is a "substitute" option (dark burl wood is the default ordering choice) and most dealers don't bother, it's pretty hard to find unless the car was ordered by a customer who wanted the aluminium.

Brushed aluminum was definitely trending upward then and maybe now has peaked where every brand and price point has some sort of brushed aluminum or plastic 'brushed aluminum' look.

The wood option in the X3 is actually wood, not plastic.

The aluminium in BMWs is real aluminium. The silver trim (Matte Silver) is generally hard to find on US-models. For the E83 X3, it was the standard trim only in the 2,5i model.

(For the F25 X3, it is the standard trim for the xDrive28i model but that's a different car)

The aluminum might be real, but it's VERY thin almost foil like. Plastic underneath. An edge started peeling in my 06 shift lever and kept cutting me. I thought it was just a rough edge, so trimmed it and it started peeling a lot. I then had to peel it ALL off and then re-paint with some rattle can aluminum look stuff. Turned out OK. At least I don't need gloves on to shift safely anymore!