2017 vs 2018 BMW X3

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2017

  • N20 timing chain wear 2013–2017 One source so far

    What to check: Listen for chain rattle at a cold start, and ask for records of chain replacement.

    Euro Premium Parts calls it critical, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and says a chain that skips or snaps can ruin the engine.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Electric water pump and thermostat All years One source so far

    What to check: Watch the temperature gauge, and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

    Euro Premium Parts says both fail between 60,000 and 90,000 miles on the four-cylinder, and calls the pump a common failure on the six as well.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • High-pressure fuel pump All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for a rough idle, misfires or hard starting.

    Euro Premium Parts says the N55's pump can wear between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Oil leaks All years

    What to check: Look for oil at the valve cover and oil pan.

    CarGurus names oil leaks and occasional electrical faults, and Euro Premium Parts calls the valve cover gasket a near-universal job past 70,000 miles.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Early automatic gearbox problems All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for harsh or hesitant shifts on an early car.

    CarGurus says early cars of this generation had automatic transmission problems.

    CarGurus

  • Diesel EGR cooler and fuel pump recalls 2015–2017

    What to check: Make sure the EGR cooler and high-pressure fuel pump recalls were done.

    NHTSA lists an EGR cooler that can leak and melt the intake manifold, and a high-pressure fuel pump that may fail, on the xDrive28d.

    NHTSA

2018

  • Valve cover and oil filter housing leaks All years

    What to check: Look for oil along the top of the engine and around the oil filter housing.

    Euro Premium Parts calls valve cover leaks the most common issue on both engines, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and says a leaking B58 filter housing can drip onto the exhaust. CarGurus also names oil leaks.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Cracked coolant expansion tank All years

    What to check: Look for hairline cracks in the plastic coolant reservoir.

    Euro Premium Parts says it commonly leaks on four-cylinder cars between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. CarGurus names cooling system issues.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Cracked charge pipe All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for a sudden loss of power and listen for a whoosh under boost.

    Euro Premium Parts says the M40i's plastic charge pipe can crack between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

2017

  • 16V333000 2011–2017

    The lower anchor bars for child seats may not be strong enough. Dealers weld a reinforcing bracket to the bars and the body. NHTSA

  • 16V704000 2017

    The contact pins on the electric power steering control unit may not have been welded properly. Dealers repaired the car before sale. NHTSA

  • 18V755000 2015–2017

    The EGR cooler can leak inside, and soot mixed with coolant can smolder and melt the intake manifold. Dealers replace the cooler as needed, and the manifold if it has leaked. NHTSA

  • 21V586000 2015–2017

    The high-pressure fuel pump may fail. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 21V907000 2015–2017

    The EGR cooler can leak inside, and soot mixed with coolant can smolder and melt the intake manifold. Dealers replace the cooler and inspect the manifold. Cars fixed under 18V755000 need this repair too. NHTSA

  • 24V608000 2013–2017

    A badly sealed electrical connector on the water pump can let water in and short circuit. Dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and fit a shield. NHTSA

2018

  • 17V719000 2018

    An error in the instrument panel software can stop the display lighting properly. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

  • 18V154000 2018

    The rear spoiler may not have been attached properly or may be missing screws, and could come off while driving. Dealers inspect it and fix its attachment. NHTSA

  • 18V374000 2018–2019

    The steering wheel may not detect when the driver's hands are off it. Dealers inspect the wheel and replace it if needed. NHTSA

  • 18V431000 2018

    The outer rear turn signals light red while the inner ones light amber, so the car does not meet the federal lighting standard. Dealers inspect and replace the lamps as needed. NHTSA

  • 18V453000 2018–2019

    The rear brake caliper pistons may not be coated enough, which could reduce rear braking. Dealers bleed the rear brake circuit. NHTSA

  • 19V563000 2018–2019

    The front seatback frames may have been welded badly, so a seatback could fold forward or back unexpectedly. Dealers replace the front seats. NHTSA

  • 19V684000 2018–2020

    The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

  • 20V152000 2018–2020

    The instrument panel casing may not have been fastened properly to the passenger airbag. Dealers replace the casing. NHTSA

  • 21V521000 2018–2019

    The front passenger seat's occupant classification system may have been assembled badly and read the seat as empty, switching off the airbag. Dealers replace the seat foam with the system. NHTSA

  • 24V534000 2018–2023

    The mounting for the interior cargo rail can be damaged in a rear crash, letting the rail come loose. Dealers replace the mounting bolts. NHTSA

  • 24V764000 2018–2022

    The mounting for the rear cargo rail can be damaged in a rear crash, letting the rail come loose. Dealers replace the mounting bolts. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2017, up to and including 2018.

  1. 2018G01 begins.
  2. 2018The redesigned X3 arrives as the xDrive30i and M40i. Edmunds

What it came with

2017

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 2.0L turbo diesel four (2015–2017) Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive (2015–2017) Edmunds
Packages
Technology Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds, Sport Activity Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Plus Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, xLine (2015–2017) Edmunds, a published reference

2018

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six, 355 hp (2018–2019) Edmunds
Packages
Convenience Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Plus Edmunds, Parking Assistance Package Edmunds, Executive Package Edmunds, Luxury Package Edmunds, Shadowline Package Edmunds

Both years

Engines
2.0L turbo four Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
Trims
Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference
Packages
M Sport Package Edmunds, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2017

  • Sought after: An xDrive35i, ideally from 2015 on All years One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says most experienced buyers favor the xDrive35i's six as smoother and more durable, and calls the 2015 to 2017 cars the best choices. A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: An xDrive28d without proof of a new timing chain 2015–2017 Walk away One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says the diesel should be avoided unless the timing chain has recently been replaced, with documented proof, because the chain sits at the back of the engine. A seller's guide (unofficial)

2018

  • Sought after: The M40i All years One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts calls the M40i's B58 six the best balance of performance, refinement and long-term reliability, and names the 2022 facelift and a well-kept 2019 or 2020 M40i as the safest choices. A seller's guide (unofficial)