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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 X3, so we've included reviews for other years of the X3 since its last redesign.
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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Fun little piece of junk.
Anon, 12/21/2024
2012 BMW X3 xDrive28i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Basically a tall 3 series. NOT built to last and NOT a daily driver. Designed for the "lease it and lose it" market. This is "hard mode" car ownership for the DIY mechanic. After 100k miles, expect chronic problems here and there. Fun project car to upgrade. Big community with lots of resources for tackling the challenges of just keeping it running. BMW do not like their vehicles lasting longer than 1 generation.
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2012 BMW X3 for sale near you
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- xDrive35i 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,995143 mi away
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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!!!