Likes
- All the Euro appeal you could ever want
- Sporty driving experience, though a bit firm
- Luxurious interior finish
- Can be cheap on the used market
Used BMW X3 (F25) review
2011 - 2017
Dislikes
- Don’t tend to hold their value very well
- There’s a growing list of mechanical issues
- Some interior components are showing excessive wear and tear
Stuff you should know
The BMW X3, a luxury compact SUV, saw a significant transformation in its Australian iteration between 2011 and 2017. This model was a favourite among Australians who favoured the blend of performance, luxury, and practicality it offered.
The X3’s second-generation, the F25, was introduced in Australia in 2011. Notable for being larger and more spacious than its predecessor, the F25 was widely acclaimed for its improved interior quality and enhanced ride comfort. Several engine options were available, encompassing both petrol and diesel variants and all models offered an 8-speed automatic transmission.
In 2014, the X3 underwent a mid-cycle refresh, often referred to by BMW as a “Life Cycle Impulse” or LCI. This update brought about subtle changes to the exterior, most notably revised front and rear bumpers, updated headlamps with optional LED technology, and redesigned tail lamps.
The cabin benefited from higher-quality materials and an improved infotainment system. There was also a notable inclusion of additional standard features, further pushing the X3’s luxury appeal.
The powertrains were optimised for better fuel efficiency and performance. Some models saw improvements in power outputs, while the range saw the introduction of new engine variants.
Post LCI, the X3 continued to maintain its popularity in the Australian market. BMW further refined some of the engine options, ensuring compliance with stricter emission norms and improving fuel efficiency, particularly in the diesel variants. The X3 also boasted excellent safety ratings, complemented by a suite of standard and optional driver assistance features.
BMW’s all-wheel-drive system, named xDrive, was standard on most models, ensuring better traction in diverse driving conditions.
Across the board, the X3 delivered a spirited drive. Even the base models offered ample power, while the higher-end variants, particularly those with the ‘M’ badging, provided a more sporty, dynamic driving experience.
With a boot capacity of over 550 litres, the X3 was not just a luxury SUV but also a practical choice for families and those needing ample cargo space.
The X3 came equipped with the latest version of BMW’s iDrive system during this period, ensuring drivers had access to entertainment, navigation, and connectivity options at their fingertips.
Between 2011 and 2017, the Australian-delivered BMW X3 evolved both in terms of aesthetics and performance. Its mid-cycle LCI in 2014 further elevated its standing, ensuring it remained a strong competitor in the luxury compact SUV segment.
What goes wrong
Exterior:
- Many owners report issues with sunroof rattling and malfunctioning mechanisms.
- Though not an issue exclusive to the X3, the drainage channels in the sunroof can get blocked, meaning water doesn’t drain away, which will then make its way into the cabin.
- Thanks to a wide range of electrical issues, be on the lookout for malfunctioning window regulators, mirrors, and LED headlights.
- Reports of the rearview camera housing breaking off.
- The run flat tyres are reported to make the ride firm.
Interior:
- Some owners complain about how quickly certain plastics and interior features show wear and tear.
- There are many reports of infotainment shutdowns, though this can be fixed with a software upgrade.
- There are reports of the centre console latch failing
- Reports of the nav system malfunctioning and needing a factory reset at the dealer
Mechanically:
- The N20 petrol engine suffers from expensive timing chain problems and has issues with its plastic valve cover and rubber gasket that lead to oil leaks and burning smells.
- The N55 3.0L turbocharged straight-6 engine often have issues with boost and charge pipes detaching, primarily due to its design and excessive heat, as well as problems with valve covers, gaskets, electric water pumps, oil filter housing leaks, and early model high-pressure fuel pump and Vanos solenoid failures.
- Owners have needed the EGR valves replaced.
- Malfunctioning ABS sensors on wheels can trigger dashboard warning lights and put the car in limp mode, though typically easy to fix.
- There are reports of clunking steering wheel noises, with some replacements proving ineffective; while BMW offers a fix, the advanced Servotronic steering variant can lead to costly repairs.
- Many owners report transfer case issues in xDrive systems, often addressed under warranty or through simple fixes.
- Turbo failures in used BMW F25 X3s can result from poor maintenance and improper handling, particularly irregular oil changes and not allowing the turbocharger to cool before shutting off the engine.
- The BMW X3 F25 has rear differential issues, which can be avoided by changing the differential fluid and avoiding vehicles driven on rough terrain.
Recalls:
- August 2016 – BMW F25 X3 & F26 X4 vehicles from 2010-2016, totaling 17,889 units, are affected by a fault where under specific conditions, ISOFIX brackets could break due to vibration stress, potentially heightening the risk of injury in case of an accident.
- August 2018 – BMW X3 & X4 Series vehicles manufactured, 395 units affected, due to a possibility of air being trapped in the hydraulic braking system, posing a hazard of extended brake pedal travel or even brake failure in extreme cases.
- March 2022 – Software update issue in BMW X3, X4, and 5
Exterior:
- Many owners report issues with sunroof rattling and malfunctioning mechanisms.
- Though not an issue exclusive to the X3, the drainage channels in the sunroof can get blocked, meaning water doesn’t drain away, which will then make its way into the cabin.
- Thanks to a wide range of electrical issues, be on the lookout for malfunctioning window regulators, mirrors, and LED headlights.
- Reports of the rearview camera housing breaking off.
- The run flat tyres are reported to make the ride firm.
Interior:
- Some owners complain about how quickly certain plastics and interior features show wear and tear.
- There are many reports of infotainment shutdowns, though this can be fixed with a software upgrade.
- There are reports of the centre console latch failing
- Reports of the nav system malfunctioning and needing a factory reset at the dealer
Mechanically:
- The N20 petrol engine suffers from expensive timing chain problems and has issues with its plastic valve cover and rubber gasket that lead to oil leaks and burning smells.
- The N55 3.0L turbocharged straight-6 engine often have issues with boost and charge pipes detaching, primarily due to its design and excessive heat, as well as problems with valve covers, gaskets, electric water pumps, oil filter housing leaks, and early model high-pressure fuel pump and Vanos solenoid failures.
- Owners have needed the EGR valves replaced.
- Malfunctioning ABS sensors on wheels can trigger dashboard warning lights and put the car in limp mode, though typically easy to fix.
- There are reports of clunking steering wheel noises, with some replacements proving ineffective; while BMW offers a fix, the advanced Servotronic steering variant can lead to costly repairs.
- Many owners report transfer case issues in xDrive systems, often addressed under warranty or through simple fixes.
- Turbo failures in used BMW F25 X3s can result from poor maintenance and improper handling, particularly irregular oil changes and not allowing the turbocharger to cool before shutting off the engine.
- The BMW X3 F25 has rear differential issues, which can be avoided by changing the differential fluid and avoiding vehicles driven on rough terrain.
Recalls:
- August 2016 – BMW F25 X3 & F26 X4 vehicles from 2010-2016, totaling 17,889 units, are affected by a fault where under specific conditions, ISOFIX brackets could break due to vibration stress, potentially heightening the risk of injury in case of an accident.
- August 2018 – BMW X3 & X4 Series vehicles manufactured, 395 units affected, due to a possibility of air being trapped in the hydraulic braking system, posing a hazard of extended brake pedal travel or even brake failure in extreme cases.
- March 2022 – Software update issue in BMW X3, X4, and 5 Series vehicles from 2016 to 2020, affecting 107 units, may cause engine failure while driving, posing an accident risk and potential harm to occupants and others on the road.
Exterior:
- Many owners report issues with sunroof rattling and malfunctioning mechanisms.
- Though not an issue exclusive to the X3, the drainage channels in the sunroof can get blocked, meaning water doesn’t drain away, which will then make its way into the cabin.
- Thanks to a wide range of electrical issues, be on the lookout for malfunctioning window regulators, mirrors, and LED headlights.
- Reports of the rearview camera housing breaking off.
- The run flat tyres are reported to make the ride firm.
Interior:
- Some owners complain about how quickly certain plastics and interior features show wear and tear.
- There are many reports of infotainment shutdowns, though this can be fixed with a software upgrade.
- There are reports of the centre console latch failing
- Reports of the nav system malfunctioning and needing a factory reset at the dealer
Mechanically:
- The N20 petrol engine suffers from expensive timing chain problems and has issues with its plastic valve cover and rubber gasket that lead to oil leaks and burning smells.
- The N55 3.0L turbocharged straight-6 engine often have issues with boost and charge pipes detaching, primarily due to its design and excessive heat, as well as problems with valve covers, gaskets, electric water pumps, oil filter housing leaks, and early model high-pressure fuel pump and Vanos solenoid failures.
- Owners have needed the EGR valves replaced.
- Malfunctioning ABS sensors on wheels can trigger dashboard warning lights and put the car in limp mode, though typically easy to fix.
- There are reports of clunking steering wheel noises, with some replacements proving ineffective; while BMW offers a fix, the advanced Servotronic steering variant can lead to costly repairs.
- Many owners report transfer case issues in xDrive systems, often addressed under warranty or through simple fixes.
- Turbo failures in used BMW F25 X3s can result from poor maintenance and improper handling, particularly irregular oil changes and not allowing the turbocharger to cool before shutting off the engine.
- The BMW X3 F25 has rear differential issues, which can be avoided by changing the differential fluid and avoiding vehicles driven on rough terrain.
Recalls:
- August 2016 – BMW F25 X3 & F26 X4 vehicles from 2010-2016, totaling 17,889 units, are affected by a fault where under specific conditions, ISOFIX brackets could break due to vibration stress, potentially heightening the risk of injury in case of an accident.
- August 2018 – BMW X3 & X4 Series vehicles manufactured, 395 units affected, due to a possibility of air being trapped in the hydraulic braking system, posing a hazard of extended brake pedal travel or even brake failure in extreme cases.
- March 2022 – Software update issue in BMW X3, X4, and 5 Series vehicles from 2016 to 2020, affecting 107 units, may cause engine failure while driving, posing an accident risk and potential harm to occupants and others on the road.
Should you buy it?
There’s no doubting the F25 BMW X3 is fabulous to look at, luxurious to sit in and, despite being too firm for some, offers a great driving experience. Plus, if you’re powerless to the draw of wanting a Euro-badged SUV in your driveway, an X3 might just be the car for you.
But, don’t be fooled into thinking that buying a German car is a one-way ticket to automotive nirvana. The term “German-build quality” is nothing short of a marketing buzz term.
Of course, it’s important to say that not all BMW X3s will have all or even some of the issues listed above, there will be plenty of X3s out there that won’t give you any more grief than any other car, but the list of potential issues is difficult to ignore. Given the X3 was sold with a 3-year warranty, short by today’s standards, there won’t be any on the market with factory support, meaning it’ll be you who’s on the hook for repairs should anything go wrong.
Combine this with the premium you’ll pay on parts and labour, the financial burden of the F25 X3 is going to weigh heavier should you get one that’s prone to problems. Even day-to-day, everything associated with the X3 will come with a premium. Tyres, brakes, insurance, and other consumables need to be high quality to get the most out of the X3, so expect to pay for it.
For this reason, if you’re absolutely compelled to have an F24 BMW
There’s no doubting the F25 BMW X3 is fabulous to look at, luxurious to sit in and, despite being too firm for some, offers a great driving experience. Plus, if you’re powerless to the draw of wanting a Euro-badged SUV in your driveway, an X3 might just be the car for you.
But, don’t be fooled into thinking that buying a German car is a one-way ticket to automotive nirvana. The term “German-build quality” is nothing short of a marketing buzz term.
Of course, it’s important to say that not all BMW X3s will have all or even some of the issues listed above, there will be plenty of X3s out there that won’t give you any more grief than any other car, but the list of potential issues is difficult to ignore. Given the X3 was sold with a 3-year warranty, short by today’s standards, there won’t be any on the market with factory support, meaning it’ll be you who’s on the hook for repairs should anything go wrong.
Combine this with the premium you’ll pay on parts and labour, the financial burden of the F25 X3 is going to weigh heavier should you get one that’s prone to problems. Even day-to-day, everything associated with the X3 will come with a premium. Tyres, brakes, insurance, and other consumables need to be high quality to get the most out of the X3, so expect to pay for it.
For this reason, if you’re absolutely compelled to have an F24 BMW X3 in your life, get the newest, lowest kilometre one you can find, and spend the few hundred dollars to get a pre-purchase and a history report, doing so might save you thousands down the line.
Should you buy it?
There’s no doubting the F25 BMW X3 is fabulous to look at, luxurious to sit in and, despite being too firm for some, offers a great driving experience. Plus, if you’re powerless to the draw of wanting a Euro-badged SUV in your driveway, an X3 might just be the car for you.
But, don’t be fooled into thinking that buying a German car is a one-way ticket to automotive nirvana. The term “German-build quality” is nothing short of a marketing buzz term.
Of course, it’s important to say that not all BMW X3s will have all or even some of the issues listed above, there will be plenty of X3s out there that won’t give you any more grief than any other car, but the list of potential issues is difficult to ignore. Given the X3 was sold with a 3-year warranty, short by today’s standards, there won’t be any on the market with factory support, meaning it’ll be you who’s on the hook for repairs should anything go wrong.
Combine this with the premium you’ll pay on parts and labour, the financial burden of the F25 X3 is going to weigh heavier should you get one that’s prone to problems. Even day-to-day, everything associated with the X3 will come with a premium. Tyres, brakes, insurance, and other consumables need to be high quality to get the most out of the X3, so expect to pay for it.
For this reason, if you’re absolutely compelled to have an F24 BMW X3 in your life, get the newest, lowest kilometre one you can find, and spend the few hundred dollars to get a pre-purchase and a history report, doing so might save you thousands down the line.
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of August 28, 2023
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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