Hi, can I check what are the main things to consider while buying used BMW X1 or X3. Also, is there a service booklet apart from the service history in the iDrive? If I'm considering buying the car from penang or PD, would there be extra body wear and tear to consider due to proximity to the sea? Would appreciate all advice.

Idrive only on service. Any extra repair only recorded through service center

main things to consider "10k celery".

This post has been edited by BoomerangCircles: Oct 25 2019, 08:39 AM

Walk into SC to check the past service history and warranty, still got?

Which generation of X3 are you looking at? My dad has previously bought 2 E83 2.5L models [used] & they're still in use by my family. They're quite decent to drive, just a bit stiff in terms of suspension.

My boss informed he spend RM8 K to change the front absorbers of his 6 year old 3 series.

no service record booklet. You'll need to get it from the service center. But they'll not release it unless you are the owner of the vehicle.

Older models (pre 2013) do not have service history on idrive. Some newer models that would have the history but it's not 'complete' as the service center do not update it in the system.

Best is to go to the service center.

Owning a used beemer is either a hit or miss. So, it depends on your luck whether you get a great unit or a lemon.

OK thanks, wasn't aware there is no service booklet. I am considering 2015 or 2016 X3 but concerned what may the repair costs be after warranty is over. So of the basic service details are on iDrive how does one know what other parts were replaced or advised as needing replacement as iDrive doesn't give that much info.

Looking at X3 2015 or 2016 model post facelift. What would be a good price for that years model with say 70 or 80k done.

The ones you're looking at are the 2nd-gen [F25 designation] models.

I did a quick check on Mudah, seems the prices for facelifted models range from sub RM120K-170K.

What is your budget? And how much you plan to set aside for wear and tear/maintenance?

Budget not more than 140k or so but really depends in the condition of the car. Will bmw service centre entertain if I would like to confirm the mileage and service record on the car as once can't trust dealers. Also is there more body wear and tear for cars in penang due to sea, weather etc?

If buying 2015 model year, likely car is still under warranty by BMW?

If peace of mind is top of your priorities, why not take a look at BMW's own pre-approved units? Those cars likely come with some form of warranty by Auto Bavaria etc.

https://www.bmwpremiumselection.com.my/buy-used-cars

I used the site above and searched for X3s, the cheapest gen 2 model is already RM150K for 2014 year model.

So it pretty much depends. Sometimes you may get a better deal from used car dealers, and depends on your luck if your unit is a good one/lemon.

With regards to your comment on car based on island near sea; I believe Malaysia not so much of an issue - we have more issues with our rain and hot humid weather, and lately, floods too. I wouldn't think proximity to the sea will have an adverse impact on the car. Since you quoted Penang, are you looking at cars based there?

This post has been edited by woodentiger86: Oct 25 2019, 01:57 PM

OK thanks. Will look carefully at the options and am ready to wait so will grab if I get a good deal. Penang or even KL depends on the car. Will check out the bmw premium selection too although looks more pricey. Challenge is if I have to rely fully on iDrive if service centre has no time to entertain such requests, my friends tell me they are over booked and often have to wait 2 weeks for next service appointment. So based on trust is it. Sorry 1st time buying used car here so not sure how risky could it be.

When buying BMW, please go back to their authorized resellers for peace of mind. Although its a costlier option, the car is refurbished to their standards.

2nd hand dealers are a hit and miss unless you have a trusted mechanic that knows ins and outs of what to look for in a used car.

I see. Good luck with your hunt bro.

I believe got many options here in Klang Valley too. The BMW Premium Selection are in Shah Alam [Glenmarie likely] and Seremban, so not a fairly far drive if want to see those models. Any other alternatives to the X1/X3 that you have cast your eyes on?

kena slaughtered? My E90 only cost me RM2.5k

2015/ 2016 still relatively safe to purchase as the wear and tear issue will not arise until maybe 2023 or so. my family has been driving every 3series since 2002 and problem usuallly arise after 9 year of usage. and when the problem hits, oh it does hit buddy.

Keen on a suv, can be flexible. The premium selection cars are slightly higher priced than other dealers wondering if that is a better option because of proper service history etc. Unless I find a private seller which can be trusted more than dealers I guess.

the advice on used german cars are, be prepared to pay double, because it will cost the same to get fix and maintain the car too.

make sure you see the service history and inspect that stuff has not been added there for fun, and assume that the car was not maintained for selling (relying you to change the oils/regular parts).

Thanks, if iDrive is the only way to check given no service booklet issued to owners, are you saying one can add or remove things know iDrive. I thought only bmw service centres Van edit the iDrive service history. So if I buy a used X3 for say 140k, how much do you think I need to keep spare for repairs, assuming 1 year of warranty still left.

140k, because after the warranty runs out things will start to break.

Im not sure how secure iDrive is, but you can downplay the cost of the car if there is no service booklet, because its not like you can cross reference iDrive with the service center compared with the booklet.

The service booklet and car manual are 2 items that contribute to the cost of the 2nd hand car, so if they arent there, downplay the price but make sure you reference from where and why since they would have the attitude that if you dont pay their price they will just find another buyer.

He got duped or he’s lying

Thanks, agree with your suggestions. But from previous messages on this topic someone did say bmw doesn't give any service booklet and everything is on iDrive only, is that correct bmw owners? Why car manual - I thought that should be standard for any car, I mean it will have info about the model in general which may not help with the current condition of the unit. Sorry can you clarify this pls. And 140k for repairs is scary. Rather not buy a used unit then. Would you say 140k repairs for premium selection cars also?

F30 are using the electronic damper control. Rm8k could be possible if the owner changed it at authorized service center.

If outside shop, whole 4 pieces would roughly cost rm8k plus minus.

that would be partially right, to explain the attitude "we use a more advanced system that is secure against tampering" to be more exact, to maintain a german car you need to buy their expensive equipment as other things even the diagnostic computer which you plugin to the same DB port has to be proprietary. That does not mean someone can be unscrupulous at a repair center and claim to have done service on your car and not actually carry it out, which is why they tend to frown on dashcams and any other sort of recording stuff that they would just cover or remove it prior. Basically both the owners and the center would say "we are the future" in this sense. However a regulatory body may not car and simply ask for the booklet which is something that very rarely occurs but is procedural, hence why the booklets and manuals are considered significant for a used car should you service the car independently for the manual containing both user and servicing instructions.

In europe, forcing you to have to service at their place only is illegal if you do not have the choice to service yourself or at an independent place. Tools they can control, but not your right to do it and that is why the manual is important too, should say 10 years down the line a mechanic works on it, even if its a german service center they might not be versed with older cars and have to look it up. Though with the advent of the internet and internal manuals, that does not mean one should rely on them as that too could be down on the day of the service, just like here when you go to pos malaysia and its down because of ransomware so no work gets done.

That only applies to 328i m-sport and LCI 330i m-sport. The rest are regular non-adaptive suspension.

Thanks for sharing wisdom, you seem to have lots of info in this, great stuff. So bmw owners don't have service booklet or do they, I have heard no, so wondering what papers do owners maintain other than on the iDrive itself. Agree manual is a must. Also I checked with my local mechanic and he said he can hook on his computer or whatever to digitally check for any faults for a bmw. So hopefully if bmw cannot confirm because I'm not the owner of the car, I can get a shop outside to check the car.

Can I also check if it is possible to fix reverse camera on a bmw x3 f25 model that came without a reverse camera. Does fixing it void warranty? And how much would it cost to fix it. Thanks.

not much about cars, more on procedure and legal. Its easy to figure out if there is a law that covers something since the law tends to follow precise intentions.

not stock, but you can get an aftermarket one. Scotty kilmer suggested a decent one for about $100 which is about rm 400+ which has its own screen powered by USB, and a wireless camera which he shows how to hook it up. You can get someone to do the wiring and pull from regular/reverse power and just attach it to number plate.

Stock camera depends as part of it involves wiring. The stock camera could either be wired or wireless and the mounting for where it should be also has to be considered (on some cars you'll see a cut out where a part of the body looks like it was meant to be removed. Also the camera itself for the car is likely to cost quite a bit as well. So yes you can add the stock camera but you'll have to find someone to do it.

Great, thanks for all the tips.

Is the oil change service every 5k or 10k or earlier of 6 month's can you please advise.

You'll be given 12k km period or a year until next service. You'll receive notification for appointment when you've 2k km balance. 12k km is subject to your driving style. Sport mode all the way, then most probably 8k km, you'll be prompt for service. if normal driving, 12k km or more is achievable. My earlier days with F30, 9km already need to go service. After 6 years, 12k+ km. No more crazy speed.

OK thanks. Very helpful to know this. I have seen some cads advertised with iDrive showing service every 2 or 3 months with only 4k km done in that period. Wondering why the car would need to go so often to the service centre.

And is bmw really strict with warranty, if 1 service is late, do they void the warranty? As a buyer what proof do I get from the seller that warranty is still active, any experience with this please?

There’s a case where a user is denied from extending his warranty due to late servicing. Not sure on warranty termination. If servicing less than 5k km, u need to make sure whether it’s done at SC or outside since BMW only cover free service done at 12k km interval. If possible, check warranty with SC. They have all the details inclusive which components is still under warranty or not

OK thanks. If servicing every 2 or 3 months recorded on iDrive I am assuming it is done at authorised centres else bmw won't record it on iDrive, am I correct? Yes will check warranty with them but am worried they won't entertain as I don't own the car yet.

Not sure about that. Read it somewhere on the internet that you might have the capability to self update after DIY servicing using certain software. Hopefully u can find a dealer who’s willing to check the info as mostly, it will require the key fob to access all the data

Mahal siut...blistien b8 front and back only cost 4.5 for the 4 leg. BMW ori also blistien isn't it

Could be Sachs