Used F48 X1 or used F25 X3?

Bimmer North · 11-05-2018, 06:34 PM

Hello all. In the market for a used SUV for my wife. Not concerned about power or size, but more about reliability. It has come down between 2 SUV's.

Which has better reliability, a 2016 X1 or a 2015 X3?

Any advice appreciated.

The Libertine · 11-05-2018, 07:06 PM

I would avoid the model years of the X3 with the timing chain/guide issues; not sure if the fix BMW implemented was 2015 or a later year.

Candidly, the X3 never did much for me. So, I would be inclined to say go for the X1, especially whereas it is a model year newer than the X3 you’re considering.

Bilbofraggins · 11-05-2018, 07:31 PM

We have a 2015 X3 28i. 55000km trouble free. A nice run around for my better half. She test drove everything similar from Audi and Merc and still selected the X3. She absolutely loves it. Fun to drive and quite practical.

bucketfoot · 11-05-2018, 09:08 PM

Don’t know if it matters to you, but a 2016 or newer (F48) X1 will be FWD or FWD biased AWD.

NorthernDancer · 11-05-2018, 09:18 PM

X3

hopefully bought privately, maintenance records and mechanical inspection.

You're not only buying the car, you're "buying" the owner.

NinetyEight740 · 11-05-2018, 10:01 PM

X3 with n55.

Bufalo · 11-06-2018, 10:23 AM

I have an F25 X3 and I seem to often get X1 Service Loaners when the car is in for covered maintenance. Let me just say that I am ALWAYS eager to give back the loaner and get my X3 again.

Bimmer North · 11-09-2018, 01:03 PM

Thanks for all the responses. This N20 engine issue is enough to turn me off a '15 X3.

Shaw · 11-09-2018, 01:03 PM

Well I've had both (X3 F25) and (X1 F48).
The X3 F25 is an old generation BMW. I bought mine in 2011 and right until last year (2017) it was still the same gen.
The F48 however is the newer generation of BMW's with F48 being out only since 2016.
So between these two, it is a no brainer: X1. It has all the bells and whistles the old X3 has but better.
If you were talking about the new X3 though (G01), I would have said G01 definitely, but that depends on how much you are willing to pay for a vehicle. You can find a good used one, for around $40k in Canada?!

11-05-2018, 06:34 PM	#1
Bimmer North Private 69 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2018 430I grand coupe Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Used F48 X1 or used F25 X3? Hello all. In the market for a used SUV for my wife. Not concerned about power or size, but more about reliability. It has come down between 2 SUV's. Which has better reliability, a 2016 X1 or a 2015 X3? Any advice appreciated.
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11-05-2018, 07:06 PM	#2
The Libertine Major 1598 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X4 M40i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: SE, MA iTrader: (0)	I would avoid the model years of the X3 with the timing chain/guide issues; not sure if the fix BMW implemented was 2015 or a later year. Candidly, the X3 never did much for me. So, I would be inclined to say go for the X1, especially whereas it is a model year newer than the X3 you’re considering.
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11-05-2018, 07:31 PM	#3
Bilbofraggins Captain 285 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M, 2019 X3 M40I Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: North of the Wall iTrader: (0)	We have a 2015 X3 28i. 55000km trouble free. A nice run around for my better half. She test drove everything similar from Audi and Merc and still selected the X3. She absolutely loves it. Fun to drive and quite practical.
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11-05-2018, 09:08 PM	#4
bucketfoot Captain 1229 Rep 911 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW 230i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Centennial, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW 230i xDrive [10.00]	Don’t know if it matters to you, but a 2016 or newer (F48) X1 will be FWD or FWD biased AWD. __________________ This post sent using 100% recycled electrons.
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11-05-2018, 09:18 PM	#5
NorthernDancer Colonel 893 Rep 2,313 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	X3 hopefully bought privately, maintenance records and mechanical inspection. You're not only buying the car, you're "buying" the owner.
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11-05-2018, 10:01 PM	#6
NinetyEight740 Major General 235 Rep 5,691 Posts Drives: 2 - 2013 535i msport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 E91 [0.00]	X3 with n55.
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11-06-2018, 10:23 AM	#7
Bufalo Second Lieutenant 124 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Harrisburg, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	I have an F25 X3 and I seem to often get X1 Service Loaners when the car is in for covered maintenance. Let me just say that I am ALWAYS eager to give back the loaner and get my X3 again.
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11-09-2018, 01:03 PM	#8
Bimmer North Private 69 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2018 430I grand coupe Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the responses. This N20 engine issue is enough to turn me off a '15 X3.
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11-09-2018, 01:03 PM	#9
Shaw Lieutenant Colonel 334 Rep 1,812 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 35d Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW X5 35d xDr ... [0.00]	Well I've had both (X3 F25) and (X1 F48). The X3 F25 is an old generation BMW. I bought mine in 2011 and right until last year (2017) it was still the same gen. The F48 however is the newer generation of BMW's with F48 being out only since 2016. So between these two, it is a no brainer: X1. It has all the bells and whistles the old X3 has but better. If you were talking about the new X3 though (G01), I would have said G01 definitely, but that depends on how much you are willing to pay for a vehicle. You can find a good used one, for around $40k in Canada?!
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