edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I go through 40 gallons of fluid in winter. Wal Mart brand works like a charm.
New to us 2018 BMW x3 30i
- Thread starter wander2039
- Start date
The conscious seems to be not to use any fluid with silicone. Unfortunately I like the Rainx but it does make a mess of things. I'll probably just use BMW's since we don't use alot. Letting it set seems to be another problem. It's not overall expensive.
I'll probably over maintenance like I usually do. Thinking every 50k for the driveline, haven't decided on coolant. That'll be 10 years if we even have it that long.
Very true.. It seems like I see mostly cars at that shop. Alot coming in on flatbeds LOL. I'll have to stop by someday. I wish we could cover ours or any of our vehicles but don't have that option.A couple things: the shop you mentioned that is always packed with cars sounds like a very good possibility to me. Sounds like our shop in Greensboro - Carr Industries. When we drop off my wife's X1 there it always looks like they service every BMW in town, lol. A good thing, imo. Do some reviews and/or stop in and talk to them and see what you think.
tw, I would always choose a specific to the vehicle shop over a general repair shop. A place that works on only BMWs will have done whatever you need likely many times vs a general shop will probably have to use a guide on one of those shop sites they pay for. Doesn't mean they can't do a competent job, but since it will cost the same to you either way, might as well use the place that works exclusively on your brand, imo
Yes, I always felt my wife was very safe in her X3 (and now X1) in bad weather like snow or harsh storms. BMW has definitely done their research on traction control and safety. We drove through 6" of snow one day, with tons of slush, and with 4 of us in the X3 and I was seriously blown away by how well it drove. Any bit of slippage and it would immediately recover. Amazing to me vehicles can do that.
Lastly one important detail I forgot to mention is that we always garage my wife's vehicle and keep mine under a cover at all times it's not being driven.. I cannot overstate how important this to the longevity of any vehicle. Not just to keep rain or snow off of them, but also sunlight which destroys everything slowly. Also stops leaves and plant matter that would normally get in the air intakes for the cabin. As well as (imo) saving a lot of repair costs brought about from the being exposed to the weather 24/7. We pay $100 extra a month for our garage and always have, but I believe it's worth it because its saved us so much money on both vehicles. I would never store vehicle outside in the elements.
Anyway enjoy your new vehicle.
I will say for how complicated BMW's are the community around them is very impressive. Very knowledgeable. You can find howto's and info just about anything, at least on the X3.
You'll enjoy the driving dynamics of the X3 for sure; I know I did for the 2.5 yrs we had our diesel X3. They are surprisingly easy to maintain, parts aren't terribly priced, lots of great options for fluids and a very helpful community.
As for driveline fluids, I wouldn't bother changing until 60K and then stick with 60K (100K km) intervals. I changed both diffs and the transfer case fluids at 62K on ours and they still looked/smelled good. That ZF transmission is a solid unit that'll serve you well.
However if yours is an X-drive, you'll want to keep an eye on the rubber flex disc just behind the transfer case (I think they call it a "guibo" see here) in case you start feeling some vibrations or rumbling down low.
Also, not sure if you're running the hideous "run flat" tires, but if so I'd suggest swapping to some good UHP all-seasons when you're due for tires. You'll be amazed at how much better it rides, handles, and generally how much quieter and smoother it feels.
Lastly, don't know if anyone has suggested this but if you don't have a BMW specific scan tool yet, get yourself the 2 best ones: BimmerLink and BimmerCode. They both work with Veepeak wireless OBDII dongles, among others. Probably two of the best purchases I made for my X3d that paid for themselves many times over.
As for driveline fluids, I wouldn't bother changing until 60K and then stick with 60K (100K km) intervals. I changed both diffs and the transfer case fluids at 62K on ours and they still looked/smelled good. That ZF transmission is a solid unit that'll serve you well.
However if yours is an X-drive, you'll want to keep an eye on the rubber flex disc just behind the transfer case (I think they call it a "guibo" see here) in case you start feeling some vibrations or rumbling down low.
Also, not sure if you're running the hideous "run flat" tires, but if so I'd suggest swapping to some good UHP all-seasons when you're due for tires. You'll be amazed at how much better it rides, handles, and generally how much quieter and smoother it feels.
Lastly, don't know if anyone has suggested this but if you don't have a BMW specific scan tool yet, get yourself the 2 best ones: BimmerLink and BimmerCode. They both work with Veepeak wireless OBDII dongles, among others. Probably two of the best purchases I made for my X3d that paid for themselves many times over.
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Totally agree with that, but that will send you in the LL17FE+ direction, which is what the man wants, and which is the most up-to-date stuff as opposed to LL-01. In general, these cars respond to attention and maintenance. The engine in the car is very strong, and I wish you the best on this big upgrade.
Guess I should hold off if thats the case. Might as well just enjoy it. It does have the rft’s. I was debating on what to run next. Theres about a $80 difference. Spare tire kit is around $300. But was thinking about just carrying a can of fix flat and plugs. Rides pretty good with the Duelers rft.
I seen the Bimmerlink and Bimmercode but haven’t did anything yet. I have the veepak so that is a plus. I’d like to add carplay someday.
Price wise makes the most sense. You can get 6 quarts of castrol for $49 from Amazon but still need to order filter. With filter and shipping make more sense to get a kit.
It’s more about getting the right stuff and the service. At that price, I am going with Liqui Moly 6600
Cruise is probably the easiest thing to use on this 
Love the indication and stays there if you have to kick if off. 150 miles in.. the range with 17.2 gallon is impressive. Bigger tank than our Escape and way better mileage than either one of ours so far. Alot cool features we’re discovering such as the headlights turning in a corner.. we’re peasants
Love the indication and stays there if you have to kick if off. 150 miles in.. the range with 17.2 gallon is impressive. Bigger tank than our Escape and way better mileage than either one of ours so far. Alot cool features we’re discovering such as the headlights turning in a corner.. we’re peasants
What I find odd is FCP Euro doesn’t list a kit for this one, ECS tuning does. Might cross reference some numbers just out of curiosity. Ordered the wifi antenna and wiper fluid from ECS tuning.. See how that goes. Hate companies that use DHL or USPS.
You can order the kit for 530 e from 2018 he uses the same filter and the same oil. You can also just do the filter and oil separately. When they did not have the transmission filter online for my model I called and they added it to the catalog you can probably do that as well for the oil change kit.
The LED self-leveling headlights are some of - if not - the best in any vehicle I've driven. The auto high beams are great too, as is the cornering feature.Cruise is probably the easiest thing to use on this
When we were driving the X3d cross-country from WI to FL we would often see north of 40mpg in the display and would get 38mpg hand calculated at the pump. That's with a fully loaded vehicle, 2 people and a 100lbs doggo in the back, cruising it 80mph with the A/C on. Basically, nothing beats it.
Nice x3!
I got this 19 a few months ago.
The front diff is a PITA to do.
I got this 19 a few months ago.
The front diff is a PITA to do.
Nice color! We have the blue Escape so we decided on another color this time, the white sure does show dirt though. The only thing I did maintenance wise was the coolant. I want to run one more tank of techron then I'll do a engine flush and early oil change. Noticed it was surging some on accel but after another tank of gas and techron not noticing it now. Wonder if the BMW dealer didn't put premium in it.
Thanks!
Yeah techron is good stuff and I use it in all my BMWs. It is actually my mom’s x3 but so far I’ve done front and rear diff fluid, transmission fluid/pan, rear brakes, and oil change because I don’t want 0w-20 in it.
