2018 X3 20d xDrive

[MR_Y]

Okay, wasn’t aware they split them up like that sometimes, that’s a bummer!


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Not complaining too much.
I wanted a used base spec car at a good price.
Unfortunately, if I wanted LED main lamps, those would likely be ordered mainly on M Sport cars with bigger rims, mixed size tyres, sunroof, etc. That would have driven up the price too much.
However, even though the main/high beams are poor, the standard dipped LED beams and the LED fog lights look quite good and illuminate nicely.

Here are my lights:

DRLs on:


Dipped LED beams on and LED fogs on:

 

[MR_Y]

Drove from JHB to KZN South Coast today. My consumption of 5.8 is with the car in Sport mode (engine, steering, gearbox in Sport), with the gearbox occasionally being shifted into S/M for some overtaking punch. Aircon on all the way, with outside temp at 30 degrees Celsius. Boot filled to the brim with spare wheel and luggage. Stop/start switched off.

 

[KevM]

That's pretty good consumption...I have never seen that on our F25... I usually get around 6.2.
Notice in your signature that you have a Macan. How does that compare to the X3?

 

[MR_Y]

That's pretty good consumption...I have never seen that on our F25... I usually get around 6.2.
Notice in your signature that you have a Macan. How does that compare to the X3?

Hi.

My Macan S Diesel thread is here: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/meet-ron-burgundy.98849/

In summary:
- X3 is more spacious in the rear vs the Macan
- X3 with standard suspension and tyres rides better and is more comfortable over gravel and rough roads. Even though my Macan has plumper tyres, smaller rims and has adaptive dampers, it can't beat the standard X3 for gravel road comfort.
- On tar, the Macan is in another league and beats the X3 for driving pleasure
- The interior of the X3 is well made but does not feel as bank vault solid as the Macan. I am also a Volvo fan and only Porsche (and maybe Audi for some of its higher up models) is of similar build quality to Volvo.
- The X3 has better tech (noting that my Macan is pre facelift).
- The Macan has a space saver spare wheel under the boot board. Yet, still manages to have decent boot space. The X3 has no spare wheel, unless you tick the option at the factory or buy a space saver spare from the parts department. Either way, the remaining boot space with a spare wheel (ironically, a space saver) is very poor.

Can't compare performance, since the X3 is a humble 20d while the Macan is a 3.0 V6 TDI. For what it's worth, the 20d is competent and economical but lacks higher speed punch.

 

[MR_Y]

Drove from JHB to KZN South Coast today. My consumption of 5.8 is with the car in Sport mode (engine, steering, gearbox in Sport), with the gearbox occasionally being shifted into S/M for some overtaking punch. Aircon on all the way, with outside temp at 30 degrees Celsius. Boot filled to the brim with spare wheel and luggage. Stop/start switched off.

View attachment 15677

On the upward trip from KZN south to JHB, the average moved up to 6.8 litres per 100km. The weight in the rear was the same and there was no traffic. Average speed was just over 100kmh. Temp was also around 30 degrees outside and aircon was on. Car was in Sport mode again.

I found that when fighting gravity, with a load, is where the car struggled a bit. Response below 120kph is good. Above that, when overtaking uphill, the gearbox had to be put in Sport (M/S) mode for that extra kick. In-cabin refinement also takes a small knock as the revs go up.

Regardless, even though it is not an effortless drive uphill, it makes up for that with still excellent fuel consumption.

However, I would advise against buying a new X3 20d (listed at over R1m currently) if you do regular interprovincial trips. By buying used, hopefully at a significantly reduced price, the limitations of the engine are more in line with the price tag.

 

[FILV]

Hi.

My Macan S Diesel thread is here: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/meet-ron-burgundy.98849/

In summary:
- X3 is more spacious in the rear vs the Macan
- X3 with standard suspension and tyres rides better and is more comfortable over gravel and rough roads. Even though my Macan has plumper tyres, smaller rims and has adaptive dampers, it can't beat the standard X3 for gravel road comfort.
- On tar, the Macan is in another league and beats the X3 for driving pleasure
- The interior of the X3 is well made but does not feel as bank vault solid as the Macan. I am also a Volvo fan and only Porsche (and maybe Audi for some of its higher up models) is of similar build quality to Volvo.
- The X3 has better tech (noting that my Macan is pre facelift).
- The Macan has a space saver spare wheel under the boot board. Yet, still manages to have decent boot space. The X3 has no spare wheel, unless you tick the option at the factory or buy a space saver spare from the parts department. Either way, the remaining boot space with a spare wheel (ironically, a space saver) is very poor.

Can't compare performance, since the X3 is a humble 20d while the Macan is a 3.0 V6 TDI. For what it's worth, the 20d is competent and economical but lacks higher speed punch.

Out of curiosity how do you rate build quality, nvh levels of the v60 you comapred to the X3 (keeping in mind your X3 is a whole generation newer of course)

 

[MR_Y]

Out of curiosity how do you rate build quality, nvh levels of the v60 you comapred to the X3 (keeping in mind your X3 is a whole generation newer of course)

My 2007 Volvo C30 felt better built than my X3. The V60 Cross Country even more so.

The X3 is solidly put together. But, the doors and panels feel relatively lightweight compared to Volvo.

Also, the leather is less supple than Volvo.

Volvos (at least the P3 chassis) have massive front seats that feel like lounge chairs. The downside is that they eat into rear passenger legroom. This explains why my V60, while a long car, had limited leg room compared to my X3. The X3 has thin seats, so to maximize leg room all round, but these seats cannot hold a candle to Volvo or Macan (Porsche has also gone the lounge chair route for their SUVs).

I would say my EcoSport doors have the same heft as my X3 doors. Noting that the EcoSport is one of the more solid budget cross overs. Volvo doors are like bank vault doors.

As far as NVH, the X3 is almost as good as Volvo. The BMW engine is more refined. As far as road noise goes, the V60 had noise insulated glass from the factory.

Overall, Volvo has the edge over most of the Germans on build solidity and build quality. However, the cheaper V40 is at a marginally lower level.

 

[FILV]

My 2007 Volvo C30 felt better built than my X3. The V60 Cross Country even more so.

The X3 is solidly put together. But, the doors and panels feel relatively lightweight compared to Volvo.

Also, the leather is less supple than Volvo.

Volvos (at least the P3 chassis) have massive front seats that feel like lounge chairs. The downside is that they eat into rear passenger legroom. This explains why my V60, while a long car, had limited leg room compared to my X3. The X3 has thin seats, so to maximize leg room all round, but these seats cannot hold a candle to Volvo or Macan (Porsche has also gone the lounge chair route for their SUVs).

I would say my EcoSport doors have the same heft as my X3 doors. Noting that the EcoSport is one of the more solid budget cross overs. Volvo doors are like bank vault doors.

As far as NVH, the X3 is almost as good as Volvo. The BMW engine is more refined. As far as road noise goes, the V60 had noise insulated glass from the factory.

Overall, Volvo has the edge over most of the Germans on build solidity and build quality. However, the cheaper V40 is at a marginally lower level.

That's interesting. I have always eyed out a v60 Cross country like you had, or a XC60. I just have no experience with Volvo's what so ever, so was curious about their build quality and interior feel. Now i know that they are definitely worth while looking at, especially if looking at an F25 x3.

 

[MR_Y]

That's interesting. I have always eyed out a v60 Cross country like you had, or a XC60. I just have no experience with Volvo's what so ever, so was curious about their build quality and interior feel. Now i know that they are definitely worth while looking at, especially if looking at an F25 x3.

Big but.....

- Parts availability are not as good as BMW.
- The 4 cylinder diesel and petrol Volvo motors are not as reliable or punchy as BMW. The old 5 cylinder Volvo diesels are bulletproof but very hard to find.
- The Volvo gearboxes are slow to react and no match for BMW ZF boxes

If getting a P3 chassis (i.e. previous shape) Volvo, then the XC60 D5 5 cylinder diesel would be a good choice. The V60CC D4 (which is really a 5 cylinder) is also good, but rear space is tight for adults.

However, for long term satisfaction, an X3 20d F series is a good compromise. Unless, you have a good Volvo mechanic...

 

[CK4LIFE]

That's interesting. I have always eyed out a v60 Cross country like you had, or a XC60. I just have no experience with Volvo's what so ever, so was curious about their build quality and interior feel. Now i know that they are definitely worth while looking at, especially if looking at an F25 x3.

Bought my 2015 xc60 in 2021. First service last year required gearbox service @R15k at dealer. 2 weeks ago I did timing belt service. R25k at dealer but my Volvo mechanic did it for R15k, due for replacement again in 8 years. All year round, travel free.

 

[MR_Y]

Update

Recently overtaking performance has felt more sluggish than usual. The wife has been using the car for short trips (not highway) for a few weeks.

I wonder if the DPF is clogging up (or at least getting there).

A long drive is required.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Not complaining too much.
I wanted a used base spec car at a good price.
Unfortunately, if I wanted LED main lamps, those would likely be ordered mainly on M Sport cars with bigger rims, mixed size tyres, sunroof, etc. That would have driven up the price too much.
However, even though the main/high beams are poor, the standard dipped LED beams and the LED fog lights look quite good and illuminate nicely.

Here are my lights:

DRLs on:
View attachment 15698

Dipped LED beams on and LED fogs on:
View attachment 15699

We should chat and get those globes changed with some RENNZPORT led globes. Will make a world of difference

Hit me up when you ready

065-950-6027


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[MR_Y]

We should chat and get those globes changed with some RENNZPORT led globes. Will make a world of difference

Hit me up when you ready

065-950-6027


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the offer.
Will see what the wife prefers.

 

[MR_Y]

The interior silver painted trim around the centre console is peeling off 😠

Seems like it is a very thin coat painted over the gloss black plastic and it scrapes off easily with a finger nail.

Definitely not German quality.

BMW would regard this as normal wear and tear for a 5 year old car, I assume.

Any suggestions on who I can contact to repaint this? I guess they would need to repaint the entire section around the gearlever, to bend in the new paint with old paint.

 

[Spanky]

Not ideal

Another option would be to wrap it (and all the other trim pieces)

 

[KPM3_30]

Colourglo would be able to sort this out for you - alternatively does the gloss black look out of place, maybe worth peeling all the silver and leaving it as GB? Haven't seen the affected area.

 

[MR_Y]

Not ideal

Another option would be to wrap it (and all the other trim pieces)

The wrap seems like a good option.

 

[MR_Y]

Colourglo would be able to sort this out for you - alternatively does the gloss black look out of place, maybe worth peeling all the silver and leaving it as GB? Haven't seen the affected area.

It was a small spec when I bought the car. Hardly noticeable. But that small unpainted spec has since grown. If you just rub your finger nail slightly over it, it is enough to remove more paint.

If I remove all the paint, it will look a bit odd, since that silver paint extends around the gearlever and iDrive controller in one solid section.

Anyway, not really a major issue. But will consider a wrap sometime in future.

It is a clearly a cost cutting sign that BMW chose to paint black plastic trim silver rather that using proper aluminium.

I miss Volvo quality. Even my budget EcoSport has better painted silver trim than this

 

[MR_Y]

I did something stupid ☹️....

So, the G01 comes standard with emergency PDC automatic braking. If you are moving at slow parking speeds and if the car senses an object that it is getting too close to, it will brake automatically.

I switched this feature off because when reversing up a steep slope (when off-road), the car auto brakes because it assumes that the slope is a wall.

I switched this setting off permanently in the menu. See screenshots below.





Anyway, today I was reversing into my driveway and was not paying attention to the reverse camera or the PDC sounds because I know that I have a small gap behind the Macan.

I failed to realise at the time, that I parked my Macan a bit closer to the to the edge of the driveway last night.

Anyway, a crunch was heard. The X3 had reversed into the lower, rear left bumper of the Macan and broke a piece of the reflector plastic/glass on the bumper. Also, the painted section of the Macan lower, rear bumper is scuffed.

The angle of impact meant no damage to the X3.

So, long story short, (apart from paying attention to your surroundings) rather leave the emergency PDC automatic braking system switched on. If you are reversing up a steep slope and the car autobrakes, then just accelerate slightly to temporarily deactivate the autobraking. Refer note below from owner's handbook.



The Macan is already booked for a wheel recolour to a darker grey, so will ask them to fix the bumper as well.

 

[ChrisPy]

Wouldn’t it be awesome if the software in the BMW threw up a message after detecting the bump saying “Should have kept it on”