2018 X3 20d xDrive

[Nastaliq]

Agreed 😁

@MR_Y How are the roads there ?
I will be going to Bergview in two weeks. Im considering taking my 530D to do a first long distance trip with it. Just want to check if the pot holes are to hectic, and rather not risk it and take my X3?

If youre on the N3, nothing to worry about. if going off the N3 then basop. The roads are bad, huge potholes and oncoming trucks laden with coal, maize and other ore are travelling at 120 in an 80 zone. The potholes are huge. Coming back from Clarens, nephew in the mini hit a pothole and buckled the rim, burst the tyre and the hole was big enough that the lower control arm was snapped.

I was in the F30 driving very gingerly. The young guy was flying and learnt too late.

 

[FILV]

If youre on the N3, nothing to worry about. if going off the N3 then basop. The roads are bad, huge potholes and oncoming trucks laden with coal, maize and other ore are travelling at 120 in an 80 zone. The potholes are huge. Coming back from Clarens, nephew in the mini hit a pothole and buckled the rim, burst the tyre and the hole was big enough that the lower control arm was snapped.

I was in the F30 driving very gingerly. The young guy was flying and learnt too late.

Wow thats like worst case scenario that your nephew had.
I normally take this route:

 

[MR_Y]

Wow thats like worst case scenario that your nephew had.
I normally take this route:
View attachment 30221

I would advise driving very carefully with a sedan. We saw an S3 at Cayley Lodge, so it can be done.
There are some crazy dips in the road, where I feel an SUV can handle them better compared to a sedan.
However, the Porsche Club went to Drakensberg earlier this year (from what I saw online), so slow and steady driving can pay off.

 

[AshG108]

what i have found on previous cars, is that the car cant be set to 16 degree celcius because it causes ice to build up. That ice then blocks airflow into the unit, causing pressure build up on the other side (after the unit)which causes ruptures/cracking.

I had this on the G30 driven from GP to DBN at 16 degree temp all the way, aircon started making noises around mooi river (probably where there is enough of a dewpoint differential). and then would blow any cold air. even if we switched it off for 20mins. Had to leave it off till we arrived in DBN, forgot about it when I jumped off with the excitement of seeing family.

Get in 4-5 hours later and switch it on, kicking like karate. 16 degrees no problem.

Didnt want to risk it, so took it to BMW umhlanga for an inspection, checked everything was okay, but was told the car cant be set to 16 for extended periods due to the ice issue. Drove it back up and never had an issue thereafter, with simply switching it off after 2 hours for 30 mins, then blasting it again.

On another trip up fro. DBN on the F30, had the same problem with freezing which wasnt resolved with a "switch off" cycle. BMW ABM then confirmed the similar diagnosis as above post, parts were ordered and replaced, refrigerant replaced and all seals rechecked.

What I have learnt from this entire story is there are operating parameters for the aircon which are not in the owners manual, but techs know them but owners dont. Some of what we consider regular behaviour involves operating things outside the applicable parameters (without knowing) and causing issues.

You 100% right, having not experienced this in my X3 yet because I have a habit of having the aircon on 19 degrees now since my aircon in my 2010 320d had the same issue. touchwood no issues since then in any of the cars.

 

[FILV]

I would advise driving very carefully with a sedan. We saw an S3 at Cayley Lodge, so it can be done.
There are some crazy dips in the road, where I feel an SUV can handle them better compared to a sedan.
However, the Porsche Club went to Drakensberg earlier this year (from what I saw online), so slow and steady driving can pay off.

From going every year,sometimes twice a year Ive seen its the luck of the draw as the owners of the lodges or farms fill the pot holes themselves.
So i was just checking what the current situation is, if you were there in the last month.
It can vary from a 100km'h drive or a Saigon test strip for a bombing run depending on your luck.

 

[MR_Y]

From going every year,sometimes twice a year Ive seen its the luck of the draw as the owners of the lodges or farms fill the pot holes themselves.
So i was just checking what the current situation is, if you were there in the last month.
It can vary from a 100km'h drive or a Saigon test strip for a bombing run depending on your luck.

I went in June. I would say better than when I went in 2022. The lodge did fix the big potholes on the road leading up to it.

 

[MR_Y]

what i have found on previous cars, is that the car cant be set to 16 degree celcius because it causes ice to build up. That ice then blocks airflow into the unit, causing pressure build up on the other side (after the unit)which causes ruptures/cracking.

I had this on the G30 driven from GP to DBN at 16 degree temp all the way, aircon started making noises around mooi river (probably where there is enough of a dewpoint differential). and then would blow any cold air. even if we switched it off for 20mins. Had to leave it off till we arrived in DBN, forgot about it when I jumped off with the excitement of seeing family.

Get in 4-5 hours later and switch it on, kicking like karate. 16 degrees no problem.

Didnt want to risk it, so took it to BMW umhlanga for an inspection, checked everything was okay, but was told the car cant be set to 16 for extended periods due to the ice issue. Drove it back up and never had an issue thereafter, with simply switching it off after 2 hours for 30 mins, then blasting it again.

On another trip up fro. DBN on the F30, had the same problem with freezing which wasnt resolved with a "switch off" cycle. BMW ABM then confirmed the similar diagnosis as above post, parts were ordered and replaced, refrigerant replaced and all seals rechecked.

What I have learnt from this entire story is there are operating parameters for the aircon which are not in the owners manual, but techs know them but owners dont. Some of what we consider regular behaviour involves operating things outside the applicable parameters (without knowing) and causing issues.

Thanks for the info 👍

 

[70007]

Why would you set the AC at 16 for long periods? I put mine on 20.5 and auto and leave it at that. When it’s really hot when I get in then I put it on max until the hot air is out and then back to auto? Or am I missing something?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MR_Y]

Time for that 30d...

I have been looking
The 20d is perfect for my wife's daily use and family use. A 30d will be nice, but I will want to use it more often and neglect the 911 as my daily 😄

 

[MR_Y]

3 year ownership milestone this month. No intention of selling it any time soon. Last visit under Plan was last week - no issues reported.

Mileage is at 97,000km. Works out to about 20,000km travelled on average per year of my ownership (car purchased at 36,000km).

Some recent pictures below. Nothing flashy.

 

[MR_Y]

Drive through N3, N17, including some traffic and road works (which lowered the average speed). Aircon on full. Car in Sport Mode all the way. Wasn't trying to drive economically, but was pleasantly surprised

 

[AshG108]

Great going, did a trip yesterday to Wingate Park, and the car was frugal...4.8l/100km on the way there and 5.1l/100km on the way back due to some traffic.

These motors are damn frugal!

 

[MR_Y]

Great going, did a trip yesterday to Wingate Park, and the car was frugal...4.8l/100km on the way there and 5.1l/100km on the way back due to some traffic.

These motors are damn frugal!

Eco mode?
I think Eco Mode also allows you to coast with foot off the accelerator (revs drop and feels like sailing along in Neutral).

 

[AshG108]

Eco mode?
I think Eco Mode also allows you to coast with foot off the accelerator (revs drop and feels like sailing along in Neutral).

Nope, Comfort mode all the way. I don't use Eco Mode...It was a novelty when I got the car then it wore off. After the Stage 1 map from Xcede, it went down quiet a bit.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Nope, Comfort mode all the way. I don't use Eco Mode...It was a novelty when I got the car then it wore off. After the Stage 1 map from Xcede, it went down quiet a bit.

I just cant drive my car in eco. I only use comfort and sport. Tried it on my first drive after collecting the car and 5 min into the drive went into comfort.
Only use it when my daughter drives the car cause she wants to use the same throttle input she does on her mom's 1.0Tsi polo🫣

 

[MR_Y]

Nope, Comfort mode all the way. I don't use Eco Mode...It was a novelty when I got the car then it wore off. After the Stage 1 map from Xcede, it went down quiet a bit.

I need to consider the Stage 1 map, at some point 🤔

I feel Comfort steering is light, so have it in Sport Individual (Steering in Sport, Engine in Sport, Gearbox in Comfort) all the time.

Maybe I need to visit Xcede to unlock the car's true abilities!

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I need to consider the Stage 1 map, at some point 🤔

I feel Comfort steering is light, so have it in Sport Individual (Steering in Sport, Engine in Sport, Gearbox in Comfort) all the time.

Maybe I need to visit Xcede to unlock the car's true abilities!

Do it. You wont regret that decision

 

[AshG108]

I need to consider the Stage 1 map, at some point 🤔

I feel Comfort steering is light, so have it in Sport Individual (Steering in Sport, Engine in Sport, Gearbox in Comfort) all the time.

Maybe I need to visit Xcede to unlock the car's true abilities!

For sure, you wont regret it at all...the little dip on the turbo availability through the range disappears. The drivability improves quite a bit, totally different car...wayyyy worth it.!