Finally made a purchase

[StuBeeDoo]

After 4 years searching for the right X3, initially looking at late-model E83 30d - until they were getting too old/high mileage for my liking - I found this F25 30d that ticks almost all the right boxes.  I'm collecting it Monday afternoon.

(I'm sure the selling dealer won't mind that I downloaded these 2 images from his advert)

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62-plate, 72k miles, Oyster sport leather, FBMWSH, never had an advisory on any of its MOTs.  The only thing missing is the sunroof - but that's getting rectified next month, courtesy of Webasto.

[graemeX5]

Hi

Congrats on you new X3 and sometimes you just have to wait to find the right car for you as they say.

I definitely like the colour a good choice 

Graeme

[StuBeeDoo]

Thanks, Graeme.  It's coming down your way to have the sunroof fitted - Executive Autocare in Hemel Hempstead.  :sun:

Bluewater was my second colour preference, Vermilion was top of the list.  My wife, being somewhat large, won't like the sport seats.

I'll be getting a set of winter wheels, style 304, and swapping the tyres between the sets so that the 305s become the winter set.

Better pics to follow. 

[marti]

Looks nice, yes the waiting game is always worth it...I waited 2 yrs until the right X6 came along...enjoy.

[StuBeeDoo]

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My photographic skills aren't the best.  The images I took of the interior need to be done again, when I've got time.

I used to be a modifier, but now I've reached my 60s I'm over all that.  I have no plans for the X3 other than to enjoy it.  I have had all the transmission fluids changed, and I've updated the map files to 2018-2.

I've bought a set of Style 304 wheels with winter tyres on but I'm going to swap them around so that they become the summer wheels as I prefer them to the 305s plus they are in better condition.

The sunroof is a must-have for me.  The car was cheap enough that the additional outlay still came to less than the asking price of any of the cars I saw with panoramics.  Also in the 4 years I was looking all over the UK for an X3 I never found a car with a factory-fit 'roof in any colour other than grey, silver, white or black.

[graemeX5]

Hi

The sunroof looks very good with a neat finish it even could pass as a factory fit

[StuBeeDoo]

[quote="graemeX5"]The sunroof looks very good with a neat finish it even could pass as a factory fit[/quote]
I'm really pleased with it Graeme.  Several people have said similar to you.  I've got some images of it from inside, but they haven't come out very well so I need to take some more.  I'll be adding them here when I do. 

[StuBeeDoo]

Missing images.

[StuBeeDoo]

No pics yet, but today I've had the wheels and tyres swapped so that the Style 304s I bought with winter tyres on are now the summer wheels and the original Style 305s (which really need a refurb) are now the winter ones.

I've also had a full alignment done.

[lezmtaylor]

That sunroof is brilliant, do you mind posting cost and installer for other X3 owners to file away ?

Lez

[StuBeeDoo]

[quote="lezmtaylor"]That sunroof is brilliant, do you mind posting cost and installer for other X3 owners to file away?[/quote]
It's a Webasto Hollandia 735.  It was fitted by Executive Autocare in Hemel Hempstead.  There is actually a Webasto agent 30 miles from me, but he wasn't interested in doing the job - to the extent that he told me he "could need the car a week or more" and he quoted over £500 more than anyone else.  I also got prices from Surrey Sunroofs in Dorking and Motor Mods in Cheltenham and they were similar quotes to what I actually paid, but Executive Autocare were the most convenient Webasto fitting station for me to get to.  The job cost me £1740 all inc.  It may sound a lot, but the cheapest X3 I could find with a factory-fitted 'roof was £4k more than I paid for mine, and for me the 'roof is a must-have.

I'd have no qualms about recommending Executive Autocare to anyone.  When I collected my car they had a Mini with a factory-fit panoramic roof in for repair.

[snrbrtsn]

That is a fantastic aftermarket install, “very” professional look and an amazing attention to detail, very surprised at the interior quality, loving the roof lining tuck im assuming that was replaced?
The switch is very VAG, though blends in well
Very nicely done

[StuBeeDoo]

No pics yet, but today I've had the wheels and tyres swapped so that the Style 304s I bought with winter tyres on are now the summer wheels

This is the best I can offer, for now.  The car really needed a wash, and the wheels had 300 miles-worth of brake dust on.

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[StuBeeDoo]

As of today, the car is on DIY 6000 mile oil change intervals.  I have yet to be convinced that c.20000 miles without a change is beneficial to engine longevity.  The oil may be able to keep doing its job for that long, but I'm dubious about the capability of a filter that small.....

I found that the 2 mounting bushes on the front underside of the engine cover are missing.  I'll try to get replacements tomorrow.

[StuBeeDoo]

I found that the 2 mounting bushes on the front underside of the engine cover are missing.  I'll try to get replacements tomorrow.

I sorted that one the following day for the princely sum of a fiver from the $tealers.

The car came with non-RFT P7s.  (NRFTs would have been my preference in any case as I'm not a lover of RFTs on several levels)  As a consequence I'm carrying one of my winter wheels as a full-size spare, and I have a bottle jack, jacking-point pad and breaker bar/17mm socket on-board.

Today I'm going to look into making a flat "floor" above the spare.  Pics to follow.