XSeries-forum

I found an X3 I'm considering...high miles as con be expected...the family has to move the country so will let it go for 1500. Is the M54 engine in this car?
She says it doesn't start and was told I needs an alternator.
Any guidance given here to make the purchase?

If you can get hold of the VIN, it will confirm the engine and you can get the build sheet from somewhere like mdecoder on line.

Doesn’t start could be a number of causes - fuel pump, filter, injector/injection fault.

I’d get a code read done at the very least.

What engine? As in size and production month?

It might be an N-series by then. If so, you need to be asking about how it’s been serviced - particularly oil changes. The 2-litre N-series (and some 3 litre) are prone to timing chain failures unless the oil is changed regularly. I do mine at well under 2 year intervals because of this. The timing chain is at the back, so it’s an engine out job. High mileage increases the risk. BMW switched from a duplex chain to a simplex (single width) and it was a bad call.

Ah! Good info...Great insight!
I think N52 engine