F25 BMW X3 2011–2017 F25

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 240 hp, 2.0L turbo four, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 2.0L turbo diesel four

On record

6 warnings, 18 recalls

Sold as xDrive28i, xDrive35i, sDrive28i (2015–2017), xDrive28d (2015–2017)

The story

Unveiled at Paris in 2010, the F25 moved production from Magna Steyr to BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and grew almost to the size of the first X5. Edmunds calls it a full redesign, with an optional turbo engine and a standard eight-speed automatic. Edmunds, a published reference

CarGurus says it fixed the first car's ride complaints with a better suspension and a better interior. For 2013 a turbocharged four replaced the six in the xDrive28i. CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference

A facelift for 2015 brought new lights, grille and bumpers, and Edmunds says it added a diesel and rear-wheel drive. Edmunds, a published reference

Colors

• Mineral Silver Metallic2016
• Space Gray Metallic2016
• Melbourne Red Metallic2016
• Carbon Black Metallic2016
• Black Sapphire Metallic2016

Interiors

• Sand Beige and BlackNevada leather, 2016
• Beige and BlackSensaTec leatherette, 2016
• Black with Gray stitchingNevada leather, 2016
• Mocha with Orange stitchingNevada leather, 2016
• OysterNevada leather, 2016

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• xDrive28i: 3.0L inline-six, 240 hp, 2.0L turbo four, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• xDrive35i: 3.0L turbo inline-six, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• sDrive28i (2015–2017): 2.0L turbo four, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• xDrive28d (2015–2017): 2.0L turbo diesel four, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Engines

• 3.0L inline-six, 240 hp N52 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  240 hp and 221 lb-ft, without a turbo · 2011–2012

• 2.0L turbo four N20 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  240 hp and 260 lb-ft · 2013–2017

• 3.0L turbo inline-six N55 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  300 hp and 300 lb-ft

• 2.0L turbo diesel four N47 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  180 hp and 280 lb-ft · 2015–2017

Transmissions

• Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• Rear-wheel drive (2015–2017) Edmunds

Trims

• Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference

Packages

• Premium Package Edmunds
• Technology Package Edmunds
• Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds
• Cold Weather Package Edmunds
• Sport Activity Package Edmunds
• M Sport Package Edmunds
• Driver Assistance Package Edmunds
• Driver Assistance Plus Edmunds
• Lighting Package Edmunds
• xLine (2015–2017) Edmunds, a published reference

Figures

• Built: At BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1 September 2010 to August 2017 A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
• First rear-drive BMW SUV in the US: The sDrive28i was the first BMW SUV sold in the US without xDrive A published reference
• Size: Almost as large as the first-generation X5 A published reference
• Diesel: The four-cylinder from the European xDrive20d, with a urea-injected catalyst for the US A published reference

Years and what changed

1. 2011

   The redesigned X3 arrives with an eight-speed automatic and an optional turbo six. Edmunds

2. 2012

   No change recorded

3. 2013

   A turbo four replaces the six in the xDrive28i, and a power liftgate, auto stop-start and Driving Dynamics Control become standard. Edmunds, a published reference

4. 2014

   No change recorded

5. 2015
   Refresh

   A facelift brings new lights and bumpers, and the diesel xDrive28d and rear-wheel-drive sDrive28i join. Edmunds, a published reference

6. 2016

   No change recorded

7. 2017

   The optional navigation gets an updated iDrive, and the xDrive35i gains standard keyless entry and satellite radio. Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• N20 timing chain wear 2013–2017

  One source so far

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2013–2017 Recall 24V608000

  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

• 2013–2014 Recall 24V527000

  The driver's airbag inflator may explode when it deploys, because of a manufacturing defect. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

• 2014 Recall 23V797000

  The driver's airbag inflator may explode when it deploys, because of a manufacturing defect. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

• 2010–2011 Recall 23V707000

  The aluminum bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

• 2015–2017 Recall 21V907000

  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

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, whatever the car's computer says A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says long intervals are a main cause of N20 timing chain wear.

• Transfer case and differential fluid All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 40,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 40,000 to 60,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new