So, I have done all the required reading and searching before asking questions that continuously pop up...I am an experienced forum user after all, but not as much here. Sorry for the long post, but, I tend to be very thorough and I want to get all my details out there.
Anyway, I have been looking at purchasing an X3 for the wife. I want post 2006 because I think she will appreciate a little softer ride. A lot of them I have been looking at are MY2007's with lower miles (Around 30k) and priced between $23k-$26k. Trying to get one with at least 6 months mfr.'s warranty left. She wants an auto so that rules out the manuals...oh well.
So, my question is, how much should I be worried about premature transfer case issues? It seems that they pop up here more than I would care to see. Last thing I want is a $4000 repair bill sometime next year after the warranty expires. I am an avid DIY'er so replacing it myself is not out of the question. I see some people have found and replaced them with used ones, but, I would prefer new or factory refurbished.
I have no problem replacing fluids well before BMW's recommended never time line. Sounds like it will be one of the first things I do if I pick one of these up.
I have driven probably half a dozen now and all but one seemed fine. The one in particular seemed to exhibit many of the symptoms described in the auto transmission sticky so I passed on that one immediately. Unfortunately, the wife had to go drive one without me today because I was stuck at work. Of course this is her favorite one (based entirely on color after all). Good news is, it has the lowest miles of the bunch at 28k. However, she said that when she was turning, she "thought" she heard a faint moaning or groaning sound. I immediately thought low power steering fluid, but, some of my searches here have turned up the more sinister TC issues. I am going to go drive this one on Friday or Saturday so I will have a better idea then.
Thanks for any insight. You guys are a great bunch here and I see myself visiting more frequently if I jump into one of these e83's. Love all the DIY and technical info too. I am also an avid 80's Mercedes fan as I have a 1986 420 SEL that I have been restoring to factory spec. Cheers!
Anyway, I have been looking at purchasing an X3 for the wife. I want post 2006 because I think she will appreciate a little softer ride. A lot of them I have been looking at are MY2007's with lower miles (Around 30k) and priced between $23k-$26k. Trying to get one with at least 6 months mfr.'s warranty left. She wants an auto so that rules out the manuals...oh well.
So, my question is, how much should I be worried about premature transfer case issues? It seems that they pop up here more than I would care to see. Last thing I want is a $4000 repair bill sometime next year after the warranty expires. I am an avid DIY'er so replacing it myself is not out of the question. I see some people have found and replaced them with used ones, but, I would prefer new or factory refurbished.
I have no problem replacing fluids well before BMW's recommended never time line. Sounds like it will be one of the first things I do if I pick one of these up.
I have driven probably half a dozen now and all but one seemed fine. The one in particular seemed to exhibit many of the symptoms described in the auto transmission sticky so I passed on that one immediately. Unfortunately, the wife had to go drive one without me today because I was stuck at work. Of course this is her favorite one (based entirely on color after all). Good news is, it has the lowest miles of the bunch at 28k. However, she said that when she was turning, she "thought" she heard a faint moaning or groaning sound. I immediately thought low power steering fluid, but, some of my searches here have turned up the more sinister TC issues. I am going to go drive this one on Friday or Saturday so I will have a better idea then.
Thanks for any insight. You guys are a great bunch here and I see myself visiting more frequently if I jump into one of these e83's. Love all the DIY and technical info too. I am also an avid 80's Mercedes fan as I have a 1986 420 SEL that I have been restoring to factory spec. Cheers!