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Worth It! Find a good, affordable mechanic.
Turbo Inline 6, 10/30/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
83 of 85 people found this review helpful
This is long but it’s the review I wish I had when I bought my BMW X3. I bought a preowned 2011 X3 35i in October 2019 and it’s a joy. A turbo charged inline 6 engine, I’m excited to drive it every day. Here’s what I learned: shop for your independent BMW mechanic before you even shop for the car. I think you’ll love your BMW! I love mine. However, you need to negotiate the lowest purchase price possible and have about $3,000 saved for repairs. The repairs will happen. You don’t want to be caught off guard. Before this, I drove a Toyota for 17 YEARS, almost 300k miles and sold it. It’s STILL out there going strong. Then, I had a Subaru Impreza for 1 year and I never liked it. Also sold it and it’s still out there going strong. I strongly debated buying a BMW. They are simply not as reliable as Toyota. BMW must have consistent care, where a Toyota will basically never die no matter what you do. When I was a dumb 20 yr old, I drove my Toyota for like a month with no oil and it Did.Not.Die. I only took it in when I heard a sound from under the hood, which turned out to be the 100% dry dipstick rattling in the empty oil reservoir. Now I’m older and more responsible. I decided to buy the car I REALLY wanted this time because life is short. I chose the more reliable X3 35i engine over the 28i that has terribly expensive timing chain failure issues. Don’t buy a 2011-2014 28i. Less reliable, less luxe, less fun to drive. I bought from a private seller and had my X3 inspected by a BMW shop pre-purchase. The car had solid maintenance history too. 5 days after I bought it...starter died, a $650.00 repair. I did everything right, and a surprising repair can still happen. Save a repair fund in advance so you aren’t going into debt. Know in advance which mechanic you’ll use. Know that on a preowned BMW, control arm replacement is gonna happen to you. It’ll be about $1200. Other common repairs after 70k miles: Water pump, $750. New battery, $300. Oil pump or oil pan, $650. You will love having a turbo BMW. You will be amazed and delighted by the luxury features and comfort. At the end of the day, any car could be a lemon money pit. Don’t stress and be afraid to buy a BMW, like I was. Research any car’s maintenance record and amount of owners. Have it inspected before you buy. Don’t trust a dealership to do all that legwork for you. Don’t overspend money you can’t afford to lose if the car is a dud.
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Over 130,000 miles and still going strong!
Rich Couturier, 05/03/2016
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful
Really a great SUV. Great visibility, great looks, strong powertrain, extremely functional, appropriate repair/maintenance costs. The in-line six cylinder engine is very strong and reliable. Two notable repairs. Replacement of water pump and supply/return hoses at 99,000 miles (covered under extended 100k warranty). Replacement of intake air valve actuators at 125,000 miles. This was a tricky problem that local BMW dealer could not figure out, but independent BMW shop did. Normally scheduled maintenance, tires and brakes. No oil leaks. Great 8-speed transmission that continues to shift strongly and crispy. Zero problems with electronic all wheel drive system. Getting ready to replace struts, control arms and tie rods at 150k. Squeaks and rattles are worse than expected. We've had 20" wheels with low profile tires, so this might be responsible for beating up the vehicle over time. I despise the navigation and Bluetooth. Navigation is "much dumber" and "much slower" then iPhone Maps. Bluetooth constantly loses pairing. Callers on other end of phone calls cannot hear you talk at all. All-in-all very happy w the X3. Would buy another one, except for the fact that this one is paid off and running very strong.
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2011 BMW X3 for sale near you
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Going to reach 200k Miles soon
McKinley W., 02/04/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
I bought this car because I wanted to keep the all wheel drive option and SUV body type after leaving an LR3 for 9 years. The BMW is a car you keep. I do my own maintenance and when you do, you appreciate the build quality of a car over the initial wow factor. I would say the weakness of the X3 are the amount of sensors in the car; if a sensor wears out the car will act like it is broken when it is not. Handling is just like any other BMW, awesome. The more powerful engine is the one to get if you plan on living with this car. This is not the car you get and keep for a couple of years. Some things to look out for are engine oil leaks, various modifications that are poor in standards, and unresolved electrical issues. Pluses are I don't think I need to replace the suspension yet, transmission shifts smooth as warm butter, and the technology that came with it originally is still to some degree better than cars 8 years newer. One bad point is BMW discontinued the BMW connected drive option for this car and the communication box is on a 2G network. If you can get over that, I say get this vehicle. Treat it right and you will have a friend for a long time.
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love hate relationship
GoWyo, 09/26/2016
updated 09/29/2017
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful
I bought the car brand new in 2011. I love how this car drives. Super fun and sporty. Hands down there is nothing on the market to compare to this little turbo six. Hence the love part. The hate part is the water pump going out with only 45,000 miles on it costing me over $1000. to fix. Constantly having battery problems with it in the cold winter, tail lights going out. The mechanic told me to save my money cause that"s how BMW's are. It's a high maintenance car but a blast to drive. It will be going down the road soon and will not be replaced by another BMW. I'm just not into the high cost of the maintenance regardless of how fun the car is to drive.
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Bought this used with 80k miles on it...
mark, 08/07/2017
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
If you're reading this you're buying used... I gave my son my X5 with 170k on it and still running strong. I have a couple of Porsches that I'm trying to keep the mileage down hence the X3... It drives like a new car. It was well cared for and serviced. the car runs strong, smooth to drive and effortless on long trips. The key purchase point for me... it could handle a wet golden retriever full of sand, plants from home depot, bikes and surf board... all or 16k. I'll give this to my one of my kids when it hits 180k...
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I got a lemon.
juniorlla, 07/30/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
I bought a brand new 2011 BMW X3 XDrive 35i from Autorgemana in Medellin, Colombia and I got a lemon. 1) The sunroof didnt work. It took 6 months to replace everything and still makes a clunking noise when it opens. 2) when you step on the brakes the car shakes. It was at the dealer 3 times and they couldnt give us a correct solution. They replaced all 4 disc brakes, pads and sensors. 3) The headlights fog up inside even if it doesnt rain. They havent been able to figure out why this happens so they said it is normal and a year later still happens. 4) The steering system was broken. It went to the shop 3 times and it took 8 months to replace it. As i write this, my car is 14 months old, it has 14.800 kms and it is in the shop for the twelfth time. I named it St. Joseph because it goes from the shop to the house and the house to the shop.
Love our X3
jims57, 08/31/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
We selected the X3 i2.8 at the end of our 2008 335 Convertible lease. You might think that after driving at 335 the X3 would be a disappointment; on the contrary, it's a much nicer car to live with. The 335 was fun, but somewhat impractical and had a very rigid ride; the X3 is surprisingly smooth and agile. We chose the 2.8 because, frankly, we had problems with the 335 engine... had to tow it back to the dealer with less than 20K miles. The 2.8 has plenty of power for "real-world" driving. It is smooth and sporty. The interior is quite large considering the external size of the the vehicle... especially the rear seat (compare it to the Mercedes GLK350).
The Best German Small SUV
rohanB, 04/21/2019
updated 10/31/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
The X3 is by far superior to the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLC in their respective generation. My X3 SUV is a 2011 a 2nd gen from BMW. The engine is not even comparable to any other, being a straight 6 turbo is miles above and beyond in performance and efficiency compared to V6's from Audi and Mercedes. Only mercedes came close in refinement, and in comfort is slightly better than BMW. The Audi is basically a glorified VW on some weak steroids with all visual trickery to lure one into buying it over the other vaunted German brands. The weight distribution in the Audi is terrible and ane can feel it on sharp turns. The steering is lifeless in AUDI, more like a Hyundai/Toyota. The X3's cargo area is also bigger than Audi's. The engine's exhaust note from X3 will put some sports sedans to shame . The negative I had for the X3 is the suspension is too taught on some occasions and can be jarring sometimes on sharpheight change can do with better tuning for lesser ride harshness over sharp bumps especially. Also, the placement of the steering wheel heater switch being on the steering column makes it impossible to see the visual light indicator to knowther its on or off. The high perched seating position and the larger all round glass area make it very easy to drive compared to other suvs. So far it has taken one rear end collison with my pregnant wife driving it and she was completely fine. The crash protection is good. The maintainence cost is less that some Japanese brands. I have in 9 years of ownership only spent money to fix broken coolant hoses, leaky oil filter housing gaskets and a new coolant pump and in total less than $2000 in repairs over these years.
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My new X3
north34949, 04/17/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
19 of 24 people found this review helpful
We took delivery of our new X-3 at the BMW Performance Center, Greer, SC. Anyone buying a new X-3 should take advantage of this opportunity, it was first rate. Our X-3 had the convenience package, premium package, tech package, and sports package. I wish BMW made more use of buttons than depending on the Idrive but it works well with a cutting edge car. I have test driven several X-3's over the years and found the ride to be choppy and the cabin less than comfortable. All has changed for 2011. At the performance center, we had the opportunity to drive the X-3's (theirs) at the edge of their performance envelope which demonstates how well these cars can perform. Pricing was negotiable!
My new X3....Next time, maybe I will buy a Hyundai
cww125, 09/17/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
21 of 27 people found this review helpful
I would like to know why I could go purchase a $14K Hyundai w/ less problems than I have in my $55K X3.... 1.Cup holder Has a broken spring mechanism 2.Heater button When pushed, it went into the bottom of the center counsel. 3.Gas cap It states diesel but the car uses gasoline. 4.Alignment The vehicle consistently pulls slightly to the right. 5.Owners manual states there is supposed to be a first aid kit, pg 232. None. 6. Squeak - Sounds like styrofoam rubbing together. 7. Jerky start - seems like the fuel pump/injector issue BMW has been having. Utterly disappointed with this vehicle....
The ultimate driving machine....
AlexDriver, 12/03/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
This ultimate driving machine will take you everywhere you need, and constantly drop a knowing chuckle into your urban life. It's size is big enough to comfortably carry four adults with a child seat in the middle, and a dog in the back, out of the city to go wine tasting, but still small enough to find a parking spot between two curb cutouts. It's shape is short, wide, and tall. After the successful wine excursion you may test your luck in the mountains and take a 600 mile road trip camping around the state. This car is comfortably as fast as any vehicle on the open road. But for a smile, try 40 miles of winding, narrow, potholed back roads going 40-50mph, which would be crushingly fast and scary in your Subaru, but feels so sublime and calm in this beast the dog remains asleep and the wife is chatting and looking at her phone like nothing is happening - you're just laughing inside. After, head up 3 miles of gnarly, washed out and rutted, steep back country dirt forestry roads - everyone is paying attention now, as the traction control quietly helps the 5000 pound behemoth on 45 series tires, up an 18 degree slope to the perfect camp ground. The car is very capable off road, has good clearance, but has almost no suspension travel, so its not exactly a cushy ride. A night under the stars using the relatively high flat open tailgate like a picnic table to prep and cook and then back out the other side of the mountain range for some high speed 110-130 MPH desert dueling with a Porsche. Crash a night in a hotel and then back up boring I5, where the car settles down into a comfortable 90 MPH cruise. Again, easily joining the fastest-on-the-road left-lane group. Other experiences abound over time. You chuckle quietly as some kid in a Doge muscle car noisily blasts by on a mountain pass, only to see them pump the breaks and scarred as hell as you take the inside lane at 95 around a a big G corner - that smooth engine, and tight steering barely break a sweat. Occasionally you take it out of soccer dad/mom mode and hit sport mode to carefully race a couple of yahoo’s on motorcycles. You laugh out loud when passing - it takes about it takes about 2 seconds to go from 40-80, and it will do it up a hill nearly as fast. The breaks are so assuring, but the transmission is such pure genius that even in very spirited driving, they are almost never necessary. Yeah, its not a track car, but who other than car reviewers actually like driving those - try packing the family in one for a ski trip, or the dog for a hike. Realistically, what is now defines “ultimate” is go anywhere, do anything, and do it fast, safe, fun, and comfortably. For that, this is the ultimate driving machine. For reference, we have the X3 M-Sport, which for some reason Edmunds does not list separately. It has some different aerodynamics, a different wheel package (offset 40 and 45 series tires set on 19 inch wheels), which I think make considerable difference as you push it's performance limits, and a bunch of M emblems tossed in so your neighbors can ask questions ;) We've had it about 15k miles, and it is nearing 100k. It's reliable, but as with all BMW this age/milage require's regular mech. The engine is very reliable and we have had zero issues. Some small electronic issue have cropped up (tail light LED boards went bad, and recently the heated passenger seats stopped working). All in all, it's well worth it - but expect 2-3K a year in maintenance cost.
First SUV -It's a Good One!
bimmer_dude, 06/27/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
I wanted something different in my next car. Have been driving BMW's for 15+ years - mostly 3 series an M's. Test drove the new X3 35i and was smitten. Wanted to buy it there on the spot but the dealership didn't want to sell it to me so I went looking. Found one at another dealership. Had 1 option I really wanted (HiFi Stereo) but soon realized I could live w/o it. This is my first SUV (SAV) and I'm enjoying it very much. Not agile as a 335i - but darn close to it, especially with adjustable chassis and throttle settings. Getting 26.6mpg average. VERY impressive. Got that with my last 335i. Comfortable; Quite and Fun!! Get one!!
Very Nice
jrr25, 04/10/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
One thing I can say is that the X3 drives like a sports car. Handling is exceptional as is its acceleration. The turbo engine and 8-speed transmission are a great marriage. Its power deliver seems limitless. Yet, the the ride is smooth and composed. It can be very relaxing when you want it to be and a canyon carver when your in the mood. I really this like this little SUV a lot - mainly because it doesn't feel like one, if you know what I mean. The navigation screen is a wide screen set up allowing for maps to be displayed beside radio stations/songs/artwork if you like it that way. The standard stereo system sound very good as well. So far, seven months and no problems.
x3 needed new transmission
Julio Hwu, 10/22/2015
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bought it used at carmax with maxcare warranty After 1 year using the car the transmission broke and need a new one($9000.00).Max care warranty don't wanna pay for a new one.They will put a used one instead. It was supposed to be done in a week and took a month.Of course because of their fault i will have to pay for all this time the rental car.The on;y pay for 7 days of rental. First they don't agree with the Bmw dealer than i have to tow to their mechanics and they send a supervisor and try to cut corners giving me a used transmission. Next time i will buy Cpo from the Lexus that is the most reliable brand. The Bmw X3 is excellent but unreliable.
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The ultimate driving machine, SUV edition
pbschroeder, 06/20/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
We have had this car about 2 weeks. While not as fun to drive as our 335 coupe was, it is great for an SUV. It is faster than every competitor except itself in the turbo version. The seats are supremely comfortable and it has lots of cool storage features. We only got this because we needed a 4 door car, but we have been pleasantly surprised by how much we like it, since we are sports car people. Except a Porsche Cayenne S, nothing else even comes close to this.
My new X3
ijs2003, 08/12/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I just bought the car a week ago. I notice this car is having problem during low speed, stop and go condition, you can feel the transmission is shifting hard from 1st to 2nd gear under slight acceleration and this is really annoying during traffic jam.
Best SUV in the Market.
mike0205, 10/02/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for 11 months and put on 14200 miles on it. I have driven all four seasons now and can say that this is the best SUV I have driven. Performance is Awesome. I would say that BMW has built this like a mirror of your mood. If you slam on the gas it is the fastest with accurate handling control with (17mpg). My friends say that they could see a big difference in my driving style. If you drive it slow you get the best possible mileage (31 mpg). I drove 270 miles non stop and I looked fresh as I started to drive. Get the Premium Audio and it is one of the best&Every Penny is worth it. If you get this car from a reputed dealer it will not disappoint you.
Love the X3
jpriii, 08/18/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have owned my X3 for about 6 weeks and have 3000+ miles. It is comfortable, quite and a hoot to drive. The gas milage is great and big step up from my previous V8 SUV.
BMW has lost their quality
jolie714, 10/03/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
16 of 24 people found this review helpful
I've owned 4 BMW's and this will be my last. There is a problem with the transmission that BMW knew about and didn't fix. They continued to make cars with this problem. When the car is not on, you cannot put it on neutral. Which means you cannot tow your car. I have only had this car for 7 months and I've had to tow it 2 times. They do not provide you with a spare tire. I got a flat and had the tow the car to the dealership. The run flat tire feature did not work. Why pay more if you get less? I would not recommend this car to anyone.
Will not start, louisy Customer Service
nobmw3, 05/24/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
The car only has 300 miles and the battery died three times! Dealer (Motorweks) claoims everything is according to specs and battery runs down because of all electronics and that I must drive the car 3-4 times a week or use a trickle charger at all times!!! Contacted BMW customer service and they send me a standard staement that they bild "The Ultimate Machine" and that I must contact the dealer. I asked if I must take a very long extension cord for the charger when I travel for more that afew days but no one thinks it is funny! Would seem to me that electronics can be interlcked with the start switch so the only run when car is started???
Major problems with the 2011-BMW-X3
thecriticsays, 10/20/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
49 of 80 people found this review helpful
The vehcile is great when it works. I have had major problems with the 2011 X3, vehicle is less than 6 months old: 1-Engine coolant leak, cracked reservoir. BMW said it's normal at first, then repaired upon insistance. 2-Driver's door does not open, broken cable. 3-Excessive brake noise and squealing, BMW says it's normal. 4-Excessive wind noise from poor outside door seals, BMW says it's normal. 5-Grinding window noise when closing/opening window. 6-Windshield wipers do not rest in their low position, they sit up. 7-Passenger's side door was misaligned and sticked out, BMW said it's normal, then attempted to fix upon insistance. All parts take 2-weeks to come !!!
My first BMW
joeb57, 07/30/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
We have owned this vehicle just over six weeks and absolutely love it. The style, RIDE, performance and MPG is as advertised. We test drove several other models and kept going back to the X3. Plus it's built in the USA and even my last Chevy was not. A little expensive but with their warranty and my lower mileage, it just made sense.
I like it but...
antfern, 05/16/2013
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
2011 X3 35I is my first BMW, I am a Honda Accord 3.0 6 cylinder regular. X3 is a beautiful, fun to drive small SUV. Its quick at high speed. It has roomy interior, front and rear. Good sound system as well as the blue tooth phone interface. This vehicle is really for luxury and not an economical alternative.
I'm very picky and I love this car.
swalker1, 10/30/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
I drove my past car for 12 years because I never like anything else enough to buy it. I waited for this X3 to be available hoping that I would like it. I am so happy I waited. I Love It! I got it loaded with sport package, tech package, convenience package, cold package. I have 6000 miles on it and I haven't had any problems. I do have a broken spring in a cup holder as someone else mentioned, but that is minor. I love all the technology and the comfort. I had a difficult time deciding what color to get; I thought they could have had better colors to choose from. I got Mineral Silver with Beige Leather and I am happy with it.
I love to drive my BMW X3
Christine Boyer, 10/16/2016
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
True leather seats, not the Nevada leather (terrible), will make a huge difference in how this vehicle feels as far as quality. I have true leather and have been in the vehicles with Nevada leather--so I recommend true leather absolutely. This vehicle handles so well. I drove some of the BMW cars and I think this vehicle feels better built and more solid. It handles and accelerates every bit as nicely as a BMW car in my opinion and is an absolute pleasure to drive. It is just the right size, not too small or to large. There are few things to dislike. Fuel economy is not great but I wouldn't want the solid feel and weight of the vehicle to be compromised in an effort to obtain better mileage. My only concern is BMW's track record with reliability/cost of repairs. I am simply not in a position to handle the costs involved for the type of repairs I know come up for too many BMW vehicles. I plan to trade the vehicle in after my extended warranty 100,000 miles is up. I would consider another going with another X3 with the extended warranty to cover repairs and maintenance.
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2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i
gazeboarder, 02/10/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
6 of 11 people found this review helpful
This is my first BMW. I've had the car for 5 months. I previously owned an Infiniti FX35. I like the X3. The feel on the road is nice and solid. Heated steering wheel is great in cold temps but the location of the button sucks. BMW could improve their ergonomics and sound system. The iPod connection system has a mind of it's own. The sound system in my Infiniti had better sound. I love the look of his car from the front. $1200+ for a trailer hitch is a joke. Yakima and Thule does not have a roof rack compatible with this vehicle. Initial acceleration is a bit slow at times which is weird for a car that claims the Ultimate Driving Experience.
I like it, but...
lwprescott, 06/01/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I am in month 10 and while I love the incomparable BMW handling, every time I drive it I am frustrated by the unnecessarily complicated shifter and the door locking system. I would not buy this car again if it had the same awkward shifter or if the door locking could not be reprogrammed. I am constantly pulling on locked door handles, but have been told by my dealer that this cannot be changed for safety reasons. Funny that Lexus does not have that concern. I also don't like the navigation display. Not enough street names are clearly identified and the background colors make it hard to read. By comparison, my wife's Lexus SUV has a dazzlingly clear and complete navigation screen.
Another "like it but"
crsbeem, 05/30/2014
updated 06/05/2023
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
Comfortable, largely well-handling and a great value vs. our previous series of Jeep Cherokees. Acceleration after slowing has improved versus earlier year versions. I still would like to avoid the electronic perking brake as It is either on...or off, i.e. no careful handing of a brake failure situation. My only other "gripe" relates to ergonomics as the labels on panel controls are near invisible from the driver position. I also wish there was a CD player!! Otherwise, we do love the car for handling, efficiency, convenience, eic.
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First German car.
Noe Miranda, 10/19/2015
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
6 of 12 people found this review helpful
So I want to start off with that I’ve never owned a German car before. So my notes and my review will be coming from that stand point. This information will hopefully help those thinking of buying a used BMW. Car facts: One owner No accidents Non smoker Millage was: 33374 Bought the X3 from a non BMW Dealership but it wasn’t one of those used car lots. BMW warranty had run out (due to over 4yrs) Bumper to bumper warranty (would only cover 6 years from when the car was originally bought so only about 1 yr and 9 mnths) it cost a lot about 4k so said no Maintenance warranty was about 3k (would only cover 6 years from when the car was originally bought so only about 1 yr and 9 mnths) so said no My thinking is that in 1yr and 9 mths I shouldn’t rack up over 7k in repairs and if it starts down that path we will have to get rid of it. The car was clean inside and out no body damage and no accidents. Only 2 issue with X3 1) the glove box cover had been pulled up from the lower left corner not sure how this happen but the Dealer agreed to repair it as part of the we owe you agreement 2) the dealership had changed the oil and fixed the breaks but the lights hadn’t been reset and since they are not an BMW dealership they said they can’t reset those service lights. So part of that we owe you agreement they said they would get that all fixed and reset. Why did I buy the X3? I test drove and looked at all the other competition I was looking for an all-wheel drive SUV for the wife something upscale. I narrowed it down to the X3, the Q5 and the RX and we went with the X3 due to price and the mileage and the car was a 1 owner car. Thoughts so far only have had it for a week but so far so good. No issues. Took the X3 in to get the “We owe you” repairs done. I will try to update as things happen. If you guys have question I will try and answer.
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Have a backup vehicle
ByeByeBMW, 07/27/2018
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
6 of 13 people found this review helpful
I have owned my BMW X3 35i for 3 years now. In that time, I have spent almost $6500 in repairs. It it not a reliable car and I am surprised by this given the BMW reputation. I am looking to get ride of this car ASAP. I will never own another BMW again.
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First time BMW owner
jrr25, 10/15/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
14 of 34 people found this review helpful
Best SUV period. Drove the Mercedes GLK (nice SUV, styling inside and out a little old fashion), The Audi Q5 (excellent exterior looks, interior is very nice, steering felt odd within an unusual firming up - 2nd place choice) and the Acura RDX (very agile, nice steering feel but needs to be quieter on the highway). The turbo X3 was the clear winner for me. Smooth, yet sporty ride, very quiet, nice engine note, business like interior, excellent cargo space, the engine and transmission work flawlessly together (except for initial acceleration from a stop which takes some getting used to) and acceleration is unmatched by any in the class.
Poor handling
regisd, 05/16/2013
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Has anyone experienced this issue and was there a resolution to this SUV's poor handling stability? I used to own a 2008 X3 which had the traditional great performing stiff hydraulic power steering, now this X3 comes with some kind of "electric" assist on steering which may or may not be the cause for an unstable ride when driving on uneven pavement (especially wheel gutters from nordic states spring thaw). The car is simply unstable in its direction, it feels like you constantly need to fight the direction with oposition move on steering wheel to prevent it from swaying to right or left. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Please help, this car is great otherwise.
A sexy, pimped out Forester!
Levi W, 08/08/2022
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I ended up getting this car after switching out from a '07 Subaru Forester that had leaky gaskets and was in for a costly gasket replacement. I like Subarus, but this Subaru in particular I was never terribly in love with (it was a hand me down and honestly I only drove it because it had low miles at the time and it was a Subaru w/ AWD), and it was starting to leak oil fairly bad. I decided to begin looking for a new car. I ended up buying another car, a '13 Ford Escape, which I ended up bringing back because I discovered the turbo was going out, plus it was only FWD, no good for living in Wyoming, and as I was looking around the lot, a salesman who I'd worked with previously guided me towards a 2011 BMW x3 35i. I had spotted it earlier and thought it had a build similar to a Subaru Forester, the compact suv type style, which I liked for having room to take stuff around, but still not so big that you're having trouble trying to park. I normally don't go for the luxury car brands, but I admit I do appreciate a nice, sharp looking car (I love something with a sense of style), as well as a car that moves fast. As I got behind the wheel and put the gas pedal down during my test drive, my mouth instantly formed a big, wide, smile as this 6 cylinder turbo compact SUV launched me down the road much faster than my 4-banger Forester could. To top it off, it was all black, nice interior, leather seats, lots of nifty features I hadn't had in many vehicles, and it was in my price range (one of the other things that has held me back from luxury cars)! It had about 147k on it, but it's history looked solid. The previous owner I was told was a doctor, and they had seemed to spare no expense in upkeep of the vehicle. It looked in great condition for its mileage, and so I ended up taking it home. Since then, every time I take this car out, I just feel good. The sleek look, nice cold AC, nice acceleration for passing on highways (or just getting a nice adrenaline rush), a smooth ride... it's just a lot of fun. I've only owned this car so far for about 3-4 months, but so far have had no issues. Mine did have a few small issues: the passenger windows squeaks a bit when you open/close it, the console control knob doesn't click to the left properly. The interior panel of the backdoor must be missing some clips cuz it comes loose whenever I mess with it, but I'm not too picky. Some of the buttons on the steering wheel are faded from use, but all in all, still a very sharp vehicle, and a joy to drive. The console software is probably the most obviously dated point of the vehicle, but it still hooks up to your phone and plays music, which is all I need. I wouldn't bother using the built-in GPS, as you can't search for addresses and have to enter the address manually character by character using the control knob. The rest tho, is great! Mine came with the tech and premium packages, and everything about the car is awesome. I'm looking forward to taking it on some long road trips, as I feel this is where it really shines. Such a smooth ride, not loud, and good AC and all keeps you comfortable inside the vehicle. I'm waiting to see how the car lasts, as it is already up to almost 150k, but I love it, and right now I'm looking to drive this thing until it dies. If I'm still driving this at 250k, I'll be ecstatic.
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Classy, comfortable, and a thrill!
viking bard, 04/22/2023
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2011 x3 35i at 145k last year. I'd never driven luxury cars, and honestly would normally scoff at "fancy cars", but when I got to the dealership looking for a replacement, stepped into this nice leather interior with a panoramic sunroof, wood trim, and then hit the pedal to the floor... I was sold. Cars drives smooth, accelerates fast, and is SOOOOO much nicer on long drives where you're needing to pass people on hills, the power from the turbo charged six cylinder gets you up to speed with ease. The acceleration is a bit abrupt when taking off from a stop, but after driving it a year I've gotten a better feel for its character. The ride is stiff, so taking it over speed bumps or sudden dips is best done slowwww, but it feels great going through turns in mountain roads. The braking is strong and confident. Inside noise is low, and paired with a nice sound system, it's great for listening to music. Leather I love, and leather seats is totally my style of getting a taste of things that are classy and eye catching. The heated seats and steering wheel are AMAZING in the winter. Within just a minute or two of taking off, the feel of warmth on your hands and body against the cool air inside makes those early morning winter commutes something to look enjoy. Oh, and another thing that I really love about the vehicle is the surprisingly good gas mileage it gets once you get on the highway. I recently had a 14 hour road trip where I was able to get 31mpg, in a straight 6! Around town, I typically get around 21-23, which honestly is better than my last car, a Subaru Forester 2.5l. I think the biggest thing that isn't great is the onboard GPS, which is fairly dated for 2023. It does work, but entering addresses character by character with a spin-dial in 2023 is just not something anyone does anymore. It's far easier to plug in your phone and pull up your google or apple maps. I do however like keeping a map up on the screen when I'm traveling to see the bird's eye view satellite maps as well as street names and such. Otherwise, while the rest of the console tech generally may not be the latest and greatest, it's perfectly functional for what is needed, i.e. checking system status, listening to music, etc. Some qualms: The fact that this vehicle doesn't have an area for a spare, and makes you either dish out cash for run-flats, or risk getting stranded with regular tires, is something I wish could be included. I'll likely stick to run-flats, but I'd like a broader choice of tires and run with even a compact spare in an emergency. So far I haven't experienced a flat tire (knock on wood), so as far as experiences actually using them, I have yet to experience that situation. I think that's honestly one of only qualms. Some good/bad features: It does take premium fuel, which costs a bit more, but eh, I love the car so I don't mind the cost. BMW's need a special type of mechanic, I've been turned away from some shops because they're not comfortable working on this type of car. Additionally, for BATTERIES most autoshops won't install a battery for you because of BMW's reset and re-code process. I ended up reading up on it, and understand it only needs to be reset (not re-coded) if a battery is the same amp hours and battery type and all, and when I replaced my battery I did it myself and threw in a replacement, then just reset the battery w/ an OBD reader. I haven't seen any issues so far, and the general consensus I've read is this won't be an issue, so that was a nice way of avoiding paying a BMW dealership $550 for a new battery. As far as how I got my BMW, mine was previously owned by a doctor, and part of my deciding to buy was that it had been VERY well taken care of, with regular trips to the dealership. Not something I personally was planning to continue, as I can take care of my own cars and when a job does get too big, I take it to my local mechanic, but knowing they were paying to have it done made me that much more confident in the vehicle's history. After doing research on this particular model, with this particular engine (the N55), as well as the transmission (ZF8) I was even more convinced this will be a car I'll driving for years to come. I've had it about a year now, with no serious issues. The battery was getting a little low, so when it was cold it'd start turning off accessories after turning off the vehicle, but a battery was easy enough to take care of. I'm planning on getting new spark plugs and coils, then preemptively replacing the water pump and solenoids, after which I'll start looking at replacing the oil housing gasket, and eventually get to a new oil pan gasket. That may be a job I'll have to dish out a bit for even w/ a local mechanic, but as I can take care of most of the rest, I don't mind paying a little every once in a while. I'll also look at installing one of the upgraded charge pipes, and maybe looking at replacing any of the other hoses and connections as needed as time goes on. My main concern in my vehicle is the transmission, as I'm unsure if there's been any regular flushes on that item, and at 155k miles, I'm hesitant to try a transmission fluid replace. If I end up keeping it for the long term, I imagine that may be one of the things that would mark the end of the life of this car, unless I'm ready to pay to have a new one put in. I love this vehicle, and I honestly am hoping to see it continue running for another 10 years!
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14 Year Old X3 Thinks it's still new!
Tiger6, 12/04/2023
updated 06/10/2024
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
3 weeks ago I bought a used BMW X3 with 152,058 miles on it. Two owners. A 2011 with Turbo and automatic ZF trans. Did Carfax. All okay. Dealer did inspection and needed a new right taillight. But other than that it passed. Driving it the X3 feels new. Just like my z4 feels. It goes for oil change in a week and I'm signing it up for BMW's new 3 year unlimited oil change program. But, the X3 performs as expected when it was 2011! Gas mileage is 19.4 to 20.6 in town consistently. Hi way it's 28 at 73 mph but 34 to 36 at 60 or 63 mph. I checked this both with onboard computer and with fill ups. This may be a good used one. Has backup cam that works great. Even my BMW guy is impressed w no leaks. It's ABS got a work out last week when a car swerved into my lane not knowing I was there. Again, great brakes. No rattles, quiet with Michelin tires. And, an important thing as I'm older, few deaths in the X3. It's on the top 10 list every year since 2011 for safety and low fatalities. Shop around, but this X3 is an SUV that can do it all. Tows 3500 too. And thinks it's 2011 not Dec of 2023. MIZ-ZOU. As of June 2024 still no issues. But in sport plus mode it really is a driver's car. Great road holding and curve carving...and I think it's just slightly faster at 0 to 60 than my Z4... 5.5 secs...and going on 15 years!!! Very safe, and no rust....brakes feel as if brand new, the tap shift mode actually saves gas if used regularly...but again people don't think it's 15 years old, more like 5 years old....
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I have two 2.8's that I bought used
markm, 08/21/2024
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my first X3 with 60k miles on it years ago... my son now drives it and has over 155k miles on the odometer... it runs great... the only repair was the expansion tank... service with a local shop that also services my Porsches... I just bought a second 2.8 used with 86k miles... loaded with every feature, paying 10k... my mechanics went through it... it was flawless with the exception of a ding on the hood... this has the sport package and my sons does not... I like the option... this will take two golden retrievers to the beach and the vet besides a pseudo pickup truck... I'm planning on 200k miles plus like my old X5 with the same motor.
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INSANE
personaltrain, 12/30/2012
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
14 of 44 people found this review helpful
I just don't even know where to begin with this hunk of [non-permissible content removed]!! First I'll start by agreeing with every negative comment I've read on this review board. Just purchased this junk on wheels less than one year ago and its already going back to BMW for service for the fifth time! I had to bring the car in for its first service owning it for three days. Little did I know this was just the beginning. PLEASE PLEASE listen to all the reviews on this board. Consider something else!!!
Nicknamed “Break My Wallet” for good reason
Deez Nutz, 04/08/2019
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
Break downs & repairs will wear you down. The pros include the interior design, navigation & dash screen. Every 6 months there is a major repair. Wheel sensor for chassis stability, TPM sensors, sunroof stuck open, major oil leak X2. There’s a reason why the warranty is only 3 years, 40K miles. They make more money fixing the damn things. I’m so close to paying it off it’s better to keep it than sell it. Never again to BMW, stick with Mercedes, Lexus or Acura for a luxury alternative. My C250 is older, has more miles and has only been in for repair once.
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NIGHTMARE VEHICLE 2011 BMW x3 28i
Mel Kay, 03/14/2022
updated 12/01/2022
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
Update Dec‘22 Final goodbye to 7 year nightmare of a vehicle. Had to let it go for practically nothing, didn’t want to do brakes & battery again, plus seatbelt and sunroof malfunctioned. Couldn’t avoid new starter. As a courteous driver, it was fun to drive when it did work, but in all honesty, I noticed a real disdain for the BMW on and off the road. I have owned many cars driving 45+ years. Owned GM and Honda and bought first BMW in 2015 at BMW dealer with supposed used car certification - a complete farce Rear defogger replaced Windshield defog only clears 2/3 Front suspension springs replaced Battery replaced twice despite trickle charge Engine light intermittently on no solution Suspension repaired Stay away from BMW unless you like forking out huge money on repairs. It must be driven and cannot sit for lengthy periods, you know like in a pandemic.
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Worst BMW ever
Richard m boston mass, 05/06/2016
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
4 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought this vehicle use with low mileage only 28,000 miles at 52000 miles I spent over $3,000 and work some of the work was covered under warranty the alternator let go it has a front engine crankshaft seal leak check engine light went on like 3 times and check battery and low control system 2 at the dealership could not find anything wrong with it air flow sensor damage when to replace it with a 2013 but they have a 4 cylinder turbo engine for a vehicle that weight of a 3000 pound what's going to happen 5years down the road I would not recommend BMW to anybody
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this BMW 2011 3x 28I money pit
palm man, 06/10/2024
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
if you make a lot of money either put your money in the garbage or give it to BMW company!! and sit home with no car. or never buy ant BMW period !!!!!, this vehicle made for people just show off with a car is good to drive 4-5 miles a day. pure rubbish
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A dream
Eva, 09/28/2020
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
Absolutely Fabulous!!
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Driving machine
mkmbw, 04/25/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
3 of 20 people found this review helpful
bmw x3 35 i 2011 nice SUV to ride. I trade of my Jeep 2008 hemi v8 for bmw x3. good mileage about 18 in city. very handy to drive on city roads. lots of features, but very expensive compared to america cars with all those options. never mind bmw is much fun to ride than jeep. and only good about jeep is it was to good on heavy snow roads.
sets the bar above the rest
bmwrat, 03/29/2011
2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 102 people found this review helpful
total redesign for 2011, the exterior a perfect balance between what sporty and luxurious should be. driving impressions feel solid and responsive. powerful v6 engine even for the 28i model. interior design and technologies completely brought up to date, unlike many luxury car makers whos interiors look like from 1985. idrive is improved but still too many sub menus, somewhat difficult to adjust while driving. priced slightly higher than competitors but well worth the money. you wont be disapointed.