2018 X3 20d xDrive

[MR_Y]

Just shows what an excellent motor/drivetrain this is 👌

Many people argue that the 30d outperforms the 20d, but having owned both, I find the 20d to be the better all-around choice. While the 30d does offer more power, there are very few real-world driving conditions where that extra performance truly makes a difference.

Please consider a downpipe and ECU remap. It will transform the vehicle!

There are some plans to make a change in 2026

 

[MR_Y]

To keep my spare wheel sale thread clean:

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/g01-space-saver-spare-wheel.102882/

Here is my story...

At 102,000km I have no issues with my X3.
I just want something newer and with more luxury features. I also don't want to blow the bank, since I am planning on keeping my 911 (out of Plan) for a while longer. So, this rules out a 30d and the like. No fire breathing SUVs. The 911, especially as a daily driver and weekend blaster, meets all my performance requirements

I decided on a low mileage 2024 XC60 B5 AWD Essential spec, with Polestar Optimisation software tune (188kw/400Nm). This would be my 4th Volvo* and based on my track record with Tom Campher Volvo a good deal was done. The car would be the wife's car and the family car.

Seperate thread to follow post 17 Dec

For what it's worth, BMW offered the worst price for the X3. Weelee came to the party and also considered a bump up, given proof of the ZF service done. Volvo built upon the Weelee offer. I also contacted MitMak and was politely told that this car does not suit their floor at this time 😂

*Volvo history:
2007 C30 2.0 manual
2016 V60 Cross Country D4 AWD Polestar Optimised
2017 S60 2.0 Polestar Engineered

 

[Solo Man]

Wow, this is just what my sister and her hubby should have bought. Pulled the trigger last week on previous gen X3 m/s with slightly less kms! What were you offered for your car if i may ask??

 

[MR_Y]

Pictures and comments

A decent looking car in base spec. Apart from the 19 inch wheels and PDC, this is what a base 20d X3 looks like.
White paint is metallic, but has a pearlescent look to it in low light conditions.
This X3 generation is as large as (if not slightly larger than) the 1st gen X5.
White and silver paint makes it look smaller than it actually is...
Also, for a 4 year old car, the previous owner took good care of her.

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The stuff of legends. B47 2.0 diesel. Not the most in powerful or characterful sounding engine but has the best mix of performance/frugality/usability in its class. No wonder resale on cars with this engine is bloody strong.

Just a bit disappointed that there is no sound/heat insulation material underneath that bonnet. Not saying that the car needs it, but it would look a bit classier for a car in this league.
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LED headlights are standard. Have not driven the car at night, so can't comment yet on how it holds up in the dark.
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Fake air vent looks off in a car of this league. Serves no purpose.
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245 50 19 tyres are an upgrade from the standard spec 225 18s. Surprisingly, these 19s ride really well and pair well with the standard suspension to be comfortable over gravel roads, but still feel nicely planted on winding tar roads at speed. Also, happy that the tyres are the same size all round, so can be rotated to ensure even treadwear. Unless you only drive on manicured tar roads and have an X3 M40i/d or X3M, the M Sport suspension and 20+ inch mixed wheels are totally unnecessary on a 4 cylinder X3. This is certainly the best riding SUV in its class, with standard suspension.
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Car comes with optional retractable, electric towbar. Because I am (a) paranoid about this complex electric system going kaput and (b) mindful of someone rear ending the car and denting the rear bumper, I chose to keep the tow bar permanently open/erect.
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Rear cargo space is decent.
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Under floor storage has my usual emergency items.
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Space saver spare wheel takes up a little space. Cargo net keeps it in check. Will consider a roof box for luggage after weighing up pros and cons in future
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Tyre pressure guide seems too low to me for my 245 19s. 2.2 bar is a bit low...
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Standard seats were optioned with full leather, but seats are very basic and lack lumbar support and side bolstering. Sad to say this, but my aftermarket leather seats on my EcoSport feel better than these seats. I guess M Sport seats, with lumbar, would feel better. I need a long road trip to properly evaluate these seats.
Rear leg and head room is very good and easily beats my Volvo station wagon (V60) for passenger space.
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Standard screen is tiny but at least includes satnav and audio streaming and the usual Connected Drive features (though as an added cost subscription).
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Basic spec driver instrument dials are really basic. Even my 6 year old Volvo has better graphics and more configurability than this. Granted, you can get fancier dials at a significant cost when ticking the right option box on a new X3. Given what I paid for the car, not really complaining though.
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Excellent steering wheel. Not so much the actual feel on the road (which feels over assisted even in Sport mode), but how the wheel feels in your hands. The rim is not super thick (I hate M spec thick steering wheels on non M cars) and the wheel feels easy to swirl around. I also like the simple design and the leather rim feels good to touch. Also, good job BMW on not having a hollow sounding plastic mid/lower spoke on the wheel. My F30 LCI M sport had an annoying hollow mid spoke (when you tap your finger on it, it sounded cheap and hollow).
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Car was bought at 36,000km back in Sep 2022. Today it is at 103,000km and being prepped for a trade in.

Summary of issues during my ownership experience:

- Not a fault of the car, but a fault of BMW Sandton. When I purchased my E85 Z4 from BMW Sandton a year later (Aug 2023), my independent workshop found traces of accident damage on the Z4. I then ran a VIN check on both the Z4 and the X3. Both came up with accident damages - nothing noted on Motorplan and BMW Sandton claimed that they did not see any damage when they checked. On the Z4, I didn't care much given the car's age but on the X3 I was furious given the car was still on Plan. Anyway, after venting on this thread 2 years ago, it made sense to let the sleeping dog lie especially since my hail damage (Nov 2023) repair confirmed that the accident damage was not structural and my Plan was still being honoured. Fast forward to today and neither the previously undisclosed 1st owner damage nor my hail damage claim had any impact on my resale value 🤷‍♂️ - both Weelee and Volvo were happy that the damage was not major (I disclosed all the damages to them).

- On purchasing the car, the steering wheel clock spring needed replacement. Was small issue and resolved quickly.

- As posted on this thread, the AC compressor packed up during a summer's drive from KZN to GP in Dec 2024. Extended maintenance plan helped - R30k to replace relevant parts

- The telematics battery in the roof (not important if you don't want to link your car on the BMW App or have BMW SA keep in contact with your car). This went out in 2024 (6th year). SOS system battery replacement and system recalibration (due with age) - R3,000 ex VAT

- Faulty driver door lock (affected a few early G01s) - R5,000 ex VAT. Replaced under plan in 2024.

- Poor quality silver trim on centre console and driver door side. Not sure if it's just my car impacted. Anyway, I replaced the centre console plastic trim (around gear lever) when BMW had a parts special last year. I can't recall exact cost, I think it was well under R2k all in.

- Main car battery went after 6 years. Replaced under Plan. Can't recall cost.

- Not a fault of the car, but mother nature. Hail damage in Nov 2023. Naked insurance covered all costs under BMW ARC Midrand.

- Bridgestone Alenza tyres picked up a few nails in the first few months of ownership. Could have been bad luck, since the tyres I purchased earlier this year are still in good condition. The poor grip in rain is noted.

- Two recalls noted. The luggage rails in the boot were replaced, or rather the hooks that sit in them. The bigger recall was the recent starter motor recall that could lead to a fire hazard as water could cause shorting. Both recalls were resolved.

I can't find anything major that spoiled my ownership experience. Besides the undisclosed accident damage, the other issues were dealt with painlessly. No oil or coolant leaks noted. I did apply more frequent oil changes (10,000km) since last year.

The ZF services (gearbox, transfer case, differential) was done earlier this year. The proof thereof will be sent to the new owner for peace of mind.

As noted earlier in this thread, there is nothing wrong with this car. However, I have no appetite for a 3 car garage (having had a 3-4 car situation in the past), so this car will have to go to make place for a newer (more feature packed) car for the wife and family duties. Full review on the 2024 XC60 B5 AWD Polestar Optimised model to come next week.

Will I come back to BMW? Yes. Once the new X3s start dropping a bit (rather, a lot) in resale and M50 starts becoming a feasible used car buy in future.