F25 BMW X30d M Sport review (3500-26k miles)

I thought it high time I put finger to touchpad, and gave anyone who chooses to read, my thoughts on the LCI 3.0d X3. This thread will be updated as we plan to keep her for many years.

For those that don’t know me, this is my 5th BMW in a row, and something I can’t seeing changing in the future. I enjoy the marque and it’s blend of style & functionality.

After years with an E39 SE 5 series, and then the E60 Msport, I fancied a change. My kids and wife suggested another 5 series, but the thought didn’t excite me, not due to the cars, but the fact I had stepped out of one 5 series and into another a couple of times , so an SUV it was. The X5 was just too big for driving and parking in Central London, and we didn't need the extra space afforded by the bigger SUV. Running costs and fuel consumption were also a factor in our decision.


Having sold the 530d in August of 2015, I stayed car-less until January 2016 when this vehicle came up for sale.

Build: MY Oct 2014 (first of the Life Cycle Impulse)

First registered “Y” to BMW UK with only 3500 miles

5AC/522/524 Adaptive (Xenon) Headlights with power washers

5A1 LED fog lights

Extended Storage

Sun Protection Glazing

563 Interior/Exterior lights package

Professional Media

Powered Tailgate operation

DAB

Heated seats (front)

Black Leather with White stitching

8 Speed automatic with flappy paddles

What really made my mind up about the car , was BMW Tring willing to throw in a 5 year maintenance pack (at £670 + £900 discount on advertised price), as I would effectively be the first owner outside of BMW.


Always more attracted to the M Sport models of any BMW I’ve owned and this one in Saphire Black , with piano black facia certainly did it for me. I was well aware of the upcoming struggle that Diesel owners were facing, and opted to increase my budget and buy a Euro 6 specification.The ride is firm, but preferred over the more pliable SE suspension. It makes very flat cornering in fast wide corners, and feels very car like.

So what’s it been like to own and drive? BRILLIANT

It has the raw power to make overtaking a breeze, takes our family of 4 adults (both kids are now in their 20's) with ease, and enough room (just), for our overnight bags and their multitude of gadgets. The biggest surprise has been the way it’s become the “go to” vehicle for everyone, even though 2 other cars are at our disposal. My wife’s C Class Merc is only used for work and food shopping, and our son always prefers riding shotgun in the X3 over his Golf.
It's practical, and to give an idea of what it can do .... we have carried …

· 6ft snooker table

· Washing machine

· enough wood to make a log cabin

· 3ft x 2ft footstool (DFS wanted £50 delivery fee)

· Road bike without removing the wheels (I cycle with others frequently, when away from home)


The high driving position took me a couple of weeks to a adjust to properly, but now driving the other cars feels plain weird. Overtaking and lane hopping is a breeze, with great views ahead and behind , courtesy of the large wing mirrors.

The first service was done in January 2017 (18k miles) and cost me nothing as the 5 year maintenance package covered everything.


August 2017 saw the need to change the summer tyres. The initial 6 months had seen 3 separate punctures, which were plugged successfully, thus saving me the cost of replacing all 4.

BMW’s X Drive system is very susceptible to issues with different tyre depths across an axle, and front to rear. The original tyres gave good levels of traction and fair wear rate, but tyre roar was something I couldn’t live with, especially coming from two BMW 5 series before the X3.

The new tyres had to be * rated, and eventually settled for Pirelli Rosso P Zero which are in affect the non rft version of the originals. This has been the best transformation, as the car no longer skips over road seams, and tyre roar is decibels quieter, so much so that my wife commented on it!

Another positive is with same mileage and same roads, we have not had a single puncture or issue. I carry a tyre inflator, tyre plug kit, tyre slime and have BMW auc warranty (with breakdown service), to cover most eventualities. For the winter tyres I have stayed with rft’s, but due to the increased tyre wall size and smaller cross sections, they handle very well with minimal tyre noise. I also didn’t fancy having to stop on the roadside in the dark, wet winters


-VED is £190

-insurance is around £500 (with business class 1 cover) for me and my wife.

-Combined fuel consumption is 36mpg, which I’m pleased about as I regularly drive into Central London, but offset by the long trips up into the West Midlands every couple of weeks.

-rear Brake pads £380 ( I will use a trusted BMW independent next time)

-Ed @Cotswold BMW provided screen wash and a X5 lifting Jack, so I’m able to swap tyres twice a year and give them all a deep clean, polish and wax.

- depreciation is my biggest loss, but as I plan to keep her for 8-9 years, this will even out in later ownership.

- mileage has been around average at 11k a year, which I see decreasing once the wife’s X1 arrives in 2018



Summer of 2016, I started looking for some winter alloys …

1. A sliding 4 x 4 is never a good look

2. Both 5 series were terrible in winter (on summer tyres)

3. Keep the 19” staggered alloys in pristine condition

4. 245/45/19 and 275/40/19 tyres cost a lot more than 225/60/17’s



A new set costs £1500 from BMW, and tyre depots were around £1200. Not the kind of budget I wished to spend on something that will be used for 4 months per year. Bought a near perfect second hand set complete with Pirelli Sottozero II and 7mm tread all round for £300 on Ebay. Only snag was they came off a 2012 X3, which doesn’t use TPMS sensors. BMW supplied and fitted these for £420, so total cost was £720 which is half of BMW. They have proved to be a brilliant upgrade, making the traction in all winter weather very good indeed. Now on my second winter and can see the tyres lasting another season before replacement is due.




Nov 2017 – received a bespoke quote for AUC warranty and the car had done 24k miles. We renewed after much discussion at £520 + £100 excess. The winning argument being anything on a BMW will cost a few hundred pounds, so why not take the comprehensive cover and roadside assistance in one package.


Summary:

I absolutely love this SUV, and plan to keep it another 6-8 years, which would make it 8-9 years old.

Whilst looking, nearly bought a few 20.d variants, but so glad I took my wife’s advice and went for the bigger engine. It’s effortless driving and has the get up and go of a low slung sports tourer.

Elderly parents love the easy entry/exit. Younger family members enjoy the high up seating. The entertainment system and iDrive are a breeze to use. I didn’t think the previous 530d M Sport E60 could be beaten …. I was wrong!

 

Very Informative write up, sounds like the car is everything you want and need plus a bit more. Know what you mean about tyre roar , it s the one thing I don t like about Run Flats.

 

Thanks Murray, the plan is to add pictures and ownership events over time, and give others an insight.

 

I’m still amazed by the warranty quote, oh and the VED - mine is £190 per year.

 

We have the same car and I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said.

 

We are looking at an SUV for the next car and a used X3 3.0 Lci will be on the list. Ride is seriously important so may have to ditch the RFT's and go with Cross Climates on no more than 19's.

Do they have the option of EDC/VDC?

Also from what I have read VED is £190 on the 3 litres.

A latest shape X1 is also large enough but have heard they are not very refined at 70mph - maybe a petrol one would help.

 

Sorry all, typo with VED. It is indeed £190 (will edit).
There is an option of EDC/VDC, but in all my searches, I never found one that had the option.
Are cross climate's available in * rated 19's?

 

Very informative, as the range has grown (models are getting bigger) I think the x3 is well placed at being just the right size.
They do make for an impressive package

 

I test drove one with EDC but the ride wasn’t for me.

 

Great review and great to read you're so chuffed with your X3.

I wonder which (age) category I would fall into, but I would surely enjoy both.

 

Only thing missing is some illustration.... In the form of pics

 

gratuitous photos as dictated by forum rules

 

I like the way the screen is integrated into the dash, the one in mine looks as if it's been plonked on top as an after thought. Unfortunately with touch screens nowadays there will be more looking just as unsightly

 

Pretty happy I waited for an example with Professional media. It means the screen is as wide as the binnacle opening. The standard business screen is smaller with blanking plates either side!

 

Looks like you could do with an audio upgrade?

 

And one of these 10.25 screen..
I’ve been putting off the enevitable, though it’s going to happen soon with the Apple airplay offering

 

It's on the list Ian, and remember the thread on upgrading your system (can you repost it?).
Have done many home installations ( the last being rear speakers and wiring) for son's Golf MK6 , so probably do the speakers myself and get some professional help regarding amps, cut-overs and sound deadening

 

Agree, an informative review.

Parked near the same model X3 this morning, makes the 5-series look quite small. Seems to me the X3 is close to cabin size of a 5-series, the X5, the 7-series.

Peter

 

BMW s are like children .......they just keep growing .