BMW X3 2.0 diesel

[Dieselnut59]

My mother is considering a BMW X3 suv with the 2 liter turbo diesel. It is a 2016 model, 4wd, off lease Florida car with 46,000 miles. Have any of y'all had any experience with this vehicle/engine? If she buys this one, I am going to purchase her 86,000 mile, 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (that still gets 45mpg because she never had the emission recall done). I need a cheap efficient runabout, have always enjoyed mamas car but I LOVED that diesel BMW we drove today. If she does not get it, I might consider it. They seem loved in other parts of the world, but anyone here feel the same way?

 

[Wayne M.]

I would consider it, but it’d have to be warranted to the teeth forever. I just don’t think it’ll give the same service that the TDI gave.
Unrelated, but maybe not, we got a new guy at the job, and he’s a career Benz tech. He was recently showing off the online MB diagnostics and reporting pages that the dealer uses on his laptop. Since he does jobs on the side, he showed me a file on a actual car, and they permanently log every time that car came into the service lane for whatever reason, and this ‘12 C class (garden variety) had a exhaustive warranty and cash history of work. I just couldn’t believe the frequency this car had been to a dealer. And it wasn’t for repeat issues. Just issues.

 

[JR]

Timing belt and water pump is about due on the Jetta. I have an ALH (older gen) and had roughly $500 in parts and specialty tools, which they require a good bit of. Probably double or triple that for a dealership to do. Is it a DCT (auto trans?) Those services used to be frequent and $$$. Not sure where they are now. That vintage VW is really hit and miss. It's got a HPFP that when/if it grenades scatters metal debris through the entire system trashing everything in it's wake. The tank has to be dropped and cleaned, fuel filter housing and lines blown clear, new lift pump, HPFP, rail, and injectors. If a dealership does it they replace everything to the tune of $8-10k. And reliability isn't the greatest either on those pumps. Might wanna check out TDIclub for more/better info before jumping on that one.

Edit: Here is a little reading to get you started if your interested.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=286380

Lots more on that website if you poke around a little.
I'm not saying they are bad cars just know the shortfalls before committing. If you get the family discount and it's well cared for I'd probably go for it anyhow. The way my family is I'd be paying book value!

 

[Dieselnut59]

Thanks for the replies. I probably wont keep the car for many years, just till something else comes along but we made the deal. She got the X3 and loves it. I am getting the Jetta from her this week for $4000, after a full service at the dealer. She has had it serviced there since new. It says the timing belt is good for 120,000 miles but I am skeptical of going that long. I did one on the Jeep Liberty CRD that I had and it was a PITA, but I imagine this one would be worse.
JR, it is the auto, unfortunately. I miss my manual transmissions!

 

[Ozymandias]

120000M or 6 Years, whatever happens first.