grumpyoldman

I'll take that as a yes then. Had an extra dilemna over the weekend. Assuming I go for a 3 litre petrol, do I pay the 'up to £8k' to get a 80k miler or save some money and accept one with say 120k? As you can tell, it won't be my main car but the few pounds (£2k?) I save could end up being spent on repairs on a higher mile car. I've only got as far as 60k in any BMW so far before changing (328i coupe to 330ci to 130i) so no experience of running costs when the miles rack up. At the moment, I can't bring myself to cash in the 130 and add the £8k-ish to the equation (maybe up to about £12k-ish) in case I don't like the X3. My wife won't sell her Mini and use the 130 so that idea is out and I owe her so many brownie points that I wouldn't consider pushing the point. I've looked at hiring one for a week but it would be a new one and about £700!!! From past experience, trying to get a test drive of more than a run round the block is almost impossible, especially on older cars. Sorry about waffling on - I'm usually pretty sure about what I'm doing but this is a bit of a departure for me.

Thanks to everyone for their help - I have now transferred this over to the X3 Club as I am convinced, subject to driving one, that a 3 litre petrol X3 is what will suit me most. Also not so big physically, which helps. Your comments have been really helpful and gratefully received and a pleasure to read compared to the relatively offensive abuse everyone gets from a small but persistent group on the Landyzone forum.

Having posted the topic below on the X5 Club forum, things are leaning towards an X3 Prime choice seems to be a 3 litre petrol on an 04/05 plate for between £7k and £8k. The X5 seems to be coming out rather large compared to my old Freelander, which is big enough already. I've already got a 130i M Sport and having another lovely engine (albeit the older one) is tempting enough. Not massive use - maybe 5k a year with some towing of a 3 bike trailer. Mostly road work but will need to work on slimy grass and rough farm type tracks - NOT 'offroading'. Do not want wallowing - I have fitted spring assisters in the LR to help that issue. Needs a decent sized boot - most for sale photos seem to ignore that bit - say to take a 21" bike wheel. Cycles would go on a tailgate rack. Any thoughts beyond those already expressed on the X5 side?

Guinness.....or is that the ultimate stereotype? ;)

:( :( :(

By the way Gav, I still miss my 330ci - same age as yours. I just got bored with the auto box and never got to bother with the manual override much.

It seems to get slagged off for ride and for being a 3, not a 5. Makes initial decisions difficult so need to get out and drive both.

No problems with a manual Gav - would prefer it really - but don't see many around. The 1er isn't exactly pretty from a rear view so used to it.

Cheers guys - refreshing unbiased opinions. Forum members usually defend their vehicles to the hilt. I do have a slightly ulterior motive as I would probably look to something like the X5 being my only car in 4 or 5 years time, with my wife our 'ordinary' car. However, the gearbox cost puts me right off. I'm not in a postition to go for a more recent model yet either so I guess i need to look elsewhere. Is the X3 as 'bad' as they make out? I do need to enjoy driving it. Cheers David.

Thanks guys - I'm a happy soul really. It's just that I agree with virtually everything said on the celebrated TV programme so i must be one.

I changed my E46 330ci for a 130i M Sport about 3 years ago but got stuck in the snow in 2010 and bought a cheap and cheerful Freelander for winter use. I have begun to like the 4x4 life but not to the extent of selling the 130 so I'm thinking of getting an X5 (or maybe an X3?) for up to £7k as a third car/workhorse. It won't get used for more than about 5k miles a year and I want the best performance I can (within reason) so am looking at 3 litre models - not concerned if petrol or diesel if chipping a diesel will help overtaking urge but I have always had an anti on diesels until now. Also not sure about turbos. I guess the V8's are a bit silly and would cost a fortune to service. I will use it for occasional towing my 3 bike trailer and also maybe carrying my trials bike on a rack but that bit is not a deal breaker. Fuel consumption isn't hyper-critical as it would rarely be used for long journeys but will need to negotiate farm tracks, muddy fields and snowy conditions but not 'off road' work. Opinions on this idea would be welcomed and advice on what to look out for bearing in mind it will probably have done 80 to 100k miles. Are there any scary costs (ignoring tyres) compared to BMW car ownership. I have heard negative comments on X3's compared to X5's but the X3 maybe a more sensible physical size. I would ignore Clarkson's X3 diatribe unless others agree with him. Thanks for trawling though this. David. Sorry about blue background, i cut and pasted the words and can't get rid of it.

Just signed up even though I have been a BMW owner for around 10 years. Currently (for 3 years+) driving a 130i M Sport and loving it. Previously a 330ci for 6 years and a 328i coupe for a year before that. My wife has an 03 Mini Cooper. Also a member of Babybmw forum and Pistonheads (occasionally). Joined up to ask questions about an X5 to replace my cheapo Freelander so please see separate post.

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