The BMW X3 E83 made its debut just four years after its bigger sibling, the X5 E53, was introduced as the very first ‘X’ model. So then, this was the second SUV, or SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) as BMW likes to call it, from the Bavarian giant; and it was following in some big footsteps. With the first-gen X3, the manufacturer intended to deliver the same experience as the X5 in a more compact form. And thus, the BMW X3 E83 was born in 2003.
Now, nearly two decades since BMW first showcased it to the world, the X3 is in its third generation and has sold over 500,000 units in the U.S. market alone. However, the BMW X3 E83 remains a favorite amongst enthusiasts. Considering its age, prices for a pre-owned example are surprisingly low, and this is arguably one of the most affordable ways to own a BMW ‘X’ vehicle.
Now, taking its age into consideration, again, it’s likely that most BMW X3 E83 models out there will have extensive mileage. To help you avoid picking up a poorly maintained car, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on all you need to know about the first-gen X3 — from engine options available in our market to the common problems you might face as an owner.
BMW X3 E83 – Significance
The X3 E83 was based on the 3-Series platform and designed by BMW in collaboration with an Austrian automobile manufacturer, Magna Steyr. Interestingly, all of the first-gen X3 cars were manufactured by Magna Steyr at their plant in Austria.
When it was first showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW X3 E83 was the first car to feature that manufacturer’s now-popular xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The feature came with a 40:60 torque split between the front and rear axles, with the option to channel all torque to either end.
Available Models in North America
The BMW X3 E83 was in production from 2003 to 2010. Over its lifetime, it was available with multiple engine options. However, only a couple of them made their way to the North American market. If you’re looking for a pre-owned first-gen X3 in the U.S., you will only have the option of two engines— a 2.5L unit and a 3.0L unit. The 2.5L option was discontinued following the 2006 facelift (which we’ll discuss further below), while the 3.0L engine was updated. So, effectively, there are three engines powering the first-gen X3 in the United States.
The X3 was also sold with a 2.0L N46 engine in the X3 2.0i, but this model never made it to our shores. And as we just mentioned above, the N52-powered X3 2.5si was also not available here. Nor were any of the diesel-engine X3s; this includes the N47-powered xDrive18d and xDrive20d, the M47-powered 2.0d, and the M57-powered 3.0d, 3.0sd, xDrive30d, and the xDrive35d. Overall the engine options were fairly decent considering how smaller the X3 is compared to the original BMW X5 it was modeled after. This little SAV had plenty of kick for its size.
Here are the engines and models you’ll be able to find in the U.S.:
- 2004–2006 2.5L inline-six M54 in X3 xDrive2.5i, producing 189 hp at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
- 2004–2006 3.0L inline-six M54 in X3 xDrive3.0i, producing 228 hp at 5,900 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
- 2007–2010 3.0L inline-six N52 in X3 xDrive3.0si, xDrive30i, producing 268 hp at 6,650 rpm and 232 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm.
The 2006 Facelift
In 2006, the BMW X3 E83 received its mid-life update. It included a minor redesign to the exterior with revised bumpers, headlight, and taillight designs. The wheel arch and bumpers, previously black, were now painted to match the rest of the vehicle. Components like adaptive headlights and a panoramic sunroof were also made available.
More importantly, the X3 3.0i was rebadged as the 3.0si. This also brought a change of powertrain, with the M54 giving way to the more modern N52. Internationally, a similar change happened with the smaller X3 2.5i as well. It was rebadged as the 2.5si and received the same engine update. However, this did not occur in our market, and the 2.5L model was discontinued for the U.S.
This meant that the only variant of the X3 sold in North America from 2006 to 2010 was the 3.0si, raising the base price notably. This was one of the major factors contributing to its sales decline. The X3 sold just over 6,000 units each year in the US market in 2009 and 2010.
BMW X3 E83 Available Trim Levels
The X3 E83 may seem lacking in certain areas by today’s standards, but it was a reasonably well-equipped car for its time. It came with leather seats, an eight-speaker audio system, interior aluminum trim accents, keyless entry, and 17-inch wheels.
Buyers also could kit their car with add-ons like a ten-speaker audio system with Digital Sound Processing (DSP), a dashboard-mounted navigation system, heated seats, Xenon headlamps, sport seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels. These features could be added to the car individually or as part of one of multiple packages.
Premium Package
The Premium Package included Nevada leather upholstery, added lumbar support in the front seats, automatic dimming mirrors, and BMW Assist that enabled Bluetooth compatibility. This package also came with a BMW Universal transceiver that allowed you to control features like garage doors or home lighting systems.
Cold Weather Package
The Cold Weather Package came with front and rear heated seats, retractable headlight washers, and a cargo bag for equipment.
Sport Package
The Sport Package was available only on the X3 xDrive30i. It included sportier suspension, lighter alloy wheels shod in wider performance tires, and more aggressive bodywork, including side skirts and new front and rear bumpers.
This package included a three-spoke M Sport steering wheel and a different interior trim on the inside.
Sport Activity Package
The Sport Activity Package was a toned-down version of the Sport Package. It offered the M Sport steering wheel, alloy wheels, and brushed aluminum running boards. Additionally, it also added sun glare and heat-reducing privacy glass for the car’s rear section.
Which Engine to Get?
As mentioned above, the BMW X3 E83 is available with only three engine options in the United States. If you’re looking for the most affordable car you can get, the sensible choice is to get the X3 xDrive2.5i or an X3 xDrive3.0i that fits your budget.
That said, it’s worth noting that the post-LCI X3 xDrive3.0si — which is a better-equipped car with a more modern engine — won’t cost you significantly more. We recommend looking for a 2007 or 2008 model year vehicle as it’s largely similar to the ones that came after but will likely cost you less.
Is BMW X3 E83 Reliable?
Spotting a BMW X3 E83 out on the roads is not an uncommon sight, and this is a testament to the car’s reliability. A well-maintained X3 will run problem-free for miles on end without giving you much reason to worry. However, no mechanical object is truly problem-free.
And considering that even the newest X3 E83 out there is at least a decade old, there are some things you should be wary about when you’re looking to buy a pre-owned one.
Pre-Purchase Inspection — Known Issues
The BMW X3 E83 was a solid car for the most part; however, owners have reported the following issues.
Ignition Coil Failure
It’s no secret that both the N52 engine and M54 tend to go through ignition coils faster than they should, and definitely faster than most BMW owners expect them to. We’ve written about this issue extensively in our other car reviews and elsewhere. The best way to combat this problem is to use quality ignition coils and to replace them all at the same time.
If one is gone, there’s a chance the others are close to failing as well. Stick to Bosch, Eldor or Delphi and you should be good. We’ve done a complete guide on BMW ignition coils that should help you find the best set of coils for this X3. Are all X3 prone to eating ignition coils? Not really, but in case you run into one, know that it’s nothing to lose sleep over.
Water Pump Failure
The N52 came with an electric water pump in place of a mechanical unit used by its predecessors. While this brought many perks, like enabling the ECU to alter flow rate according to the engine’s running, it was still a nascent technology for the German manufacturer. There have been multiple reports where the water pump has failed due to its poor build quality. While they’re supposed to last over 100,000 miles, you will find owners who’ve had to replace theirs as early as 40,000 miles.
The most common symptoms of a water pump failure are excessive engine overheating and steam from the radiator. To rectify the issue, you can replace the OEM plastic impeller with a longer-lasting metal one; check if the previous owner of the X3 has already made this change.
VANOS Failure
The N52 came with double VANOS, or BMW’s variable valve timing system, for the intake and exhaust valves. The valve timing is controlled by solenoids that help change the flow of oil to the actuators, which move the cam gears, opening and closing the valves.
A commonly reported problem with the N52 was that these solenoids would fail unexpectedly. Fortunately, your engine will still run if this happens, albeit with a significant drop in performance and other symptoms like a rough idle.
The good thing is that the solenoids are pretty inexpensive to replace. If the engine is maintained well, it should run for about 70,000-75,000 miles, but we still recommend getting them checked earlier and replacing them if required before they fail.
Hydraulic Valve Lifters
The hydraulically adjusted valve lifters on the BMW X3 E83 tend to wear out quickly. You’ll find multiple posts on forums complaining about a ‘ticking’ noise coming from the engine, and in most cases, this is caused by a faulty valve lifter. To see if an X3 that you’re looking at faces the issue, let the owner know that you’d like to start the engine cold; the ticking noise is most prevalent on cold starts.
Worn-out lifters seldom cause a drop in performance, but the ‘tick’ can turn into a loud, bothersome rattle if left unattended. This happens when enough oil isn’t reaching them. The root of the problem was a suboptimally designed cylinder head and lifters, the design of which was changed in 2009.
Valve Cover and Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leaks
The BMW X3 E83 features a valve cover made of a plastic composite and valve cover gaskets made of rubber. Considering the high-temperature environment these parts operate in, their quality will deteriorate in time. The prolonged exposure to multiple heat cycles causes these components to harden and eventually crack, resulting in an oil leak.
More often than not, one can easily spot an oil leak. A burning smell may permeate the passenger cabin if leaking oil drips onto the exhaust or other high-temperature components. This is a classic sign of an oil leak under the hood.
Keeping track of oil levels will also help you determine the possibility of a leak. An unexplained, sudden drop in levels very likely means there is one. Typically, an oil leak won’t cause any immediate, severe damage to the engine. However, if an engine is deprived of oil for prolonged periods, the components inside will wear out quicker.
Oil Filter Housing Leak
The oil filter housing is another component subject to extreme operating conditions and prone to failure. If the housing cracks, it too will result in an oil leak. Remember that a broken oil filter housing can have more severe consequences than a standard oil leak. This is because oil from the housing can leak onto the serpentine belt, which may slip off into the front crank seal and the engine.
Interior and Exterior
The BMW X3 E83 was a well-put-together car, but some aspects have caused several owners problems. The most prominent of these is arguably the panoramic sunroof. BMW introduced this feature along with the 2006 facelift, and while it was a popular accessory at the time, it has developed a bad name over time.
The sunroof on many of the older X3s is quite noisy and rattler, even when slightly open. Owners have also reported leaky sunroofs, and this is a much more severe issue because the entire unit may have to be replaced to rectify the problem, which can be very expensive. If you’re looking at a pre-owned X3 with a sunroof, check to see if the floorboard under the rear passenger foot mats is damp — it could mean that water leaked in through the sunroof.
Another commonly reported water seepage-related problem with the X3 is to do with the A-pillars. Several owners have found that the inside panel gets loose and lets water in. You must also check the car for window rattles and faulty door seals.
Is the BMW X3 E83 Worth Buying in 2022?
The BMW X3 E83 is possibly the most inexpensive way to own a piece of the German manufacturer’s ‘X’ lineup. It’s an SUV that’s stood the test of time and is enjoyed by thousands of people years after it was first launched.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense German SUV, there’s almost no reason to look further than the original X3. Sure, it lacks a lot of the tech and features that cars that followed offer, but it’s an enjoyable car to drive and effortlessly encapsulates the essence of the BMW SAV.
