Decision Time

It seems to be trendy to ask for opinions on X3 purchases here, so I'm jumping on the band wagon. Plus, I trust this forum and the wisdom of its members.

First, if you hate the 2007 AT, please skip this thread. I've read other threads and don't see it necessary to duplicate them here.

Tonight I found an 2007 AT that I really liked. Price is good, dealer is great/friendly, and the car is super clean. I just have a few hold ups that hopefully you guys can help me with.

1. It has leatherette. It doesn't bother me but is the leather so amazing that I should wait until I can find an X3 with it in my price range?

2. No xenons. I really wanted xenons because they seem/look so cool. Again, are they tremendous enough that I should hold out? Can they be added after the fact?

3. The car is CPO with 40,000 miles. I inquired about maintenance extension and was quoted $1875, so I'd be fully covered until 100k or 2015. Is it worth it?

I have loved/researched the X3 for years and am excited I might be close to finally owning one. I just want to make sure I don't jump into the sale out of impatience.

Thanks, everyone.

1. It has leatherette. It doesn't bother me but is the leather so amazing that I should wait until I can find an X3 with it in my price range?

I prefer the leather over leatherette. I have heard the leatherette can crack in very cold climates. I don't know if I would call it amazing, but I prefer the natural stuff.
2. No xenons. I really wanted xenons because they seem/look so cool. Again, are they tremendous enough that I should hold out? Can they be added after the fact?

I don't have xenons either. I do on my 530xi. They are much nicer. Too expensive to do correctly after the fact for me. They are brighter and turn with the steering wheel for turns to help light the road. However, my halogens are still pretty bright. I would vote for xenons if you can get them.
3. The car is CPO with 40,000 miles. I inquired about maintenance extension and was quoted $1875, so I'd be fully covered until 100k or 2015. Is it worth it?

If you are handy and like working on cars, I would not do it. It is much cheaper to do the work yourself. Also, with the maintenance schedule, there won't be a lot done in that time. However, if you really don't feel like you can do the work, save yourself the aggravation and buy the contract.
I have loved/researched the X3 for years and am excited I might be close to finally owning one. I just want to make sure I don't jump into the sale out of impatience.

I would recommend testing one with/without leather and with/without xenons and decide from there. You should be able to find both options out there.

This is personal opinion, from someone who has had both an '04 and and '08. Also, I should warn you that I think X3s are great. (Specific replies in bold below.)

Originally Posted by AndyX3

It seems to be trendy to ask for opinions on X3 purchases here, so I'm jumping on the band wagon. Plus, I trust this forum and the wisdom of its members.

First, if you hate the 2007 AT, please skip this thread. I've read other threads and don't see it necessary to duplicate them here.

Tonight I found an 2007 AT that I really liked. Price is good, dealer is great/friendly, and the car is super clean. I just have a few hold ups that hopefully you guys can help me with.

1. It has leatherette. It doesn't bother me but is the leather so amazing that I should wait until I can find an X3 with it in my price range?

The leather is really nice. Cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and holds up better. Surprisingly, it has been easy to keep clean--grey in the 04, tan in the 08.

2. No xenons. I really wanted xenons because they seem/look so cool. Again, are they tremendous enough that I should hold out? Can they be added after the fact?

The 04 was my first vehicle with Xenons. If I had the option, I'd never go back.

3. The car is CPO with 40,000 miles. I inquired about maintenance extension and was quoted $1875, so I'd be fully covered until 100k or 2015. Is it worth it?

I have loved/researched the X3 for years and am excited I might be close to finally owning one. I just want to make sure I don't jump into the sale out of impatience.

Thanks, everyone.

Bottom line: either one (leather or xenons) would not be a deal-breaker for me, but missing both probably would be.

It isn't about hating the 2007-2009 AT, it is about it being defective.

It isn't an OPINION Dave. That was the distinction I was trying to make.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

It isn't about hating the 2007-2009 AT, it is about it being defective.

I think you were still included in his first statement, PPXYZ

Xenons are way better than Halogens. There is a significant difference imo, and they also look very cool.
The leather is very nice, holds up well, and is easy to care for. The leatherette is not nearly as nice.
My feeling is, you've waited this long and will probably keep it for a while. Don't grab the first thing that comes along unless it's right.
Look for leather at the very least, Xenons would be a nice plus.

I didn't have xenons in my first X3.

I didn't know what I was missing until I got another X3 with them.

I won't buy another vehicle without them.

Originally Posted by evlengr

i won't buy another vehicle without them.

+1!

I purchased an '07 with leatherette and xenons at the beginning of the summer. Didn't get the extended maintenance (dealer was asking I think $2,100)

Here are my thoughts:

1. Leatherette's fine. Leather's nicer, but this is not a dealbreaker. I have black leatherette and was concerned it would be hot and sticky in the summer, but so far no problem at all. Haven't gone through a winter yet, so I don't know how much colder it gets.

2. Xenon's are great, especially if you have a significant amount of rural driving. If 95% or more of your driving is urban with city lights, not a dealbreaker. If less than that, or you just want the ability to have carefree night driving even on the rare occasions you're out in the boonies, hold out for xenons.

3. Extended maintenance can be purchased up to 49,999 miles, so you don't have to decide on this now. Of course, price could go up, and BMW could discontinue the whole program, but I still think it's better to wait until you have a driving history with the vehicle.

1. I am perfectly happy with Sensatec, but other family members never let me forget that we should have opted for the real thing in a BMW.
(Don't let that happen to you!)
NOTE: It is fairly easy and not too expensive to switch to leather seating surfaces at a later date.

2. Xenons are definitely worth holding out for. Worth every penny, whether you drive a lot at night, or not so much.
NOTE: Adding them later is a formidable task and very expensive, as others have indicated.

3. If you know you are going to be putting a lot of miles on, and either don't have the time or ability to DIY,
and enjoy taking coffee and pastries in BMW customer lounges, extended maintenance can even provide a return on investment.
Especially if you can negotiate the price down, and labor rates continue their ascent over the next few years.

Xenon was a must for me on the X3, I could never go back to halogen.

I have leatherette, and hate it. Thats the only thing I wished my CPO'd X3 had. But I will do scrap yard and try to find a full leather interior.

I'd hold on one just as you want it, it just takes patience. I recommend as said before "the real thing" mine has the Terracotta Montana Leather and I love it, it is pushing 5 years and it looks like new (with some very minor) traces of wear on the left bolster driver seat. And the smell is priceless.
I can leave with no Xenon's because the halogen are really good, and I don't do rural driving. Our e46 has them and I think they look pretty cool and gives the car and "updated" touch.

So, be patience and get what you REALLY want, after the fact is going to be too late.

Thanks, guys. I knew I could count on all of you being a wealth of information. I'm taking your advice and waiting until I can find exactly what I want. The search (and the wait) continues.

Originally Posted by AndyX3

Thanks, guys. I knew I could count on all of you being a wealth of information. I'm taking your advice and waiting until I can find exactly what I want. The search (and the wait) continues.

Wise choice Andy... I just bought an '06 w/32k mi on, and love, love it! Agreed on all counts, leather is a who really cares (BMW's leatherette is really decent), but mine has the adaptive xenons which as someone mentioned above follow your steering wheel in the direction car is going. Hold out for these xenons! Insist on a test drive at night! I have had many cars with xenons over the years, but never the adaptive. As was said... they're amazing to light the way ahead!!

Count me in as another who says to hold out for a car with Xenons. I've had halogen, halogen "projectors", angel eyes, etc., and since I think you can find a car with Xenons for the same price as one without, I would keep looking.

And leather is nice but I think other option packages, like Cold Weather, are worth considering and finding. Heated seats are great not just in cold climates. Here in NorCal, I use them after going to the gym on a cool evening. Keeps the back and legs warm just fine!

-pd.

It is a buyer's market. Hold out for what you want. The leather interior and xenon lights will not add all that much to the cost of the car and are really nice to have. Make sure the car has seat heaters. I can't understand why BMW and Porsche make these an option. Lower mileage is also a big plus.

As far as the extended warranty, DIY maintenance savings is a non-issue. Plan on paying for some extra oil changes and other minor items. You need it in case something expensive goes wrong with the car. A single repair can easily exceed the cost of the insurance.