Why Are BMW X3 So Cheap?

Wouldn’t it be nice to get your hands on a luxury car like the BMW X3? You might be surprised to know that buying a used is extremely possible, in fact, it’s fairly cheap. Although BMWs are luxury vehicles, they depreciate quickly. Why is this?

BMW X3s run cheap after a few years of use because the market is saturated and they can be expensive to keep. Even though BMW X3s are luxury cars, their high maintenance fees and frequent need for repairs make them an unrealistic choice for most people.

It can be tempting to impulsively buy the first cheap, luxury car you see. Before you buy that BMW X3, stop to ask yourself, why is that vehicle so cheap? Keep reading to learn more about the BMW X3 and is quickly diminishing price tag.

Supply and Demand

BMW offers several leasing programs to its customers. Drivers can get the pleasure of owning a BMW without having to pay through the teeth to get it. When a driver leases a BMW, they are essentially renting it. At the end of the lease, the owner can either return the vehicle or pay the remaining amount to purchase it.

Because BMWs are so expensive, most drivers choose to return the vehicle in favor of a newer model. What does BMW used with all the used X3s? BMW pumps them back into the market.

With so many BMWs available, dealers have to lower the price enough to compete with other non-luxury brands. Since the majority of the market can’t afford to buy a $60,000 used car, used BMWs are sold around $20,000.

It all revolves around supply and demand. When the demand is high and the supply of BMWs is low, then the price goes up. It stays up until the customer base loses interest, or when demand goes down. This makes the supply increase, so manufacturers lower the prices to tempt drivers to buy.

That $20,000 price tag you’re seeing is because there are too many BMWs on the market and not enough interest. The manufacturers are trying to get your attention with a low figure.

Problems to Expect

If you do decide to splurge and go for the cheap BMW, congratulations! Since you likely bought it used, you should be aware that without having proper maintenance, (and sometimes even despite proper maintenance), your new car is likely to have some costly problems:

• Engine: By far the most worrisome and most expensive repairs will be done to the engine. Unfortunately, the engine is the part that has the most problems with used BMWs, and even some new BMWs. It’s common for BMW X3s to experience engine leaks or to overheat. Both problems could be dangerous, and might even require the engine to be replaced.
• Timing Chain Guide: Because the timing chain is metal, the timing chain guide needed to be made out of plastic. Combining a plastic cover with a powerful engine means that the cover is prone to breaking. If the cover breaks (a common problem in X3s) then the timing chain could break too. If this happens the engine will seize.
• Rattling: This problem is more of an annoyance, but in a luxury vehicle, you would expect there to be little to no annoyances. Sometimes in the X3, the windows and sunroof will rattle while the car is moving. This is an easier fix, but still not something you should have to endure in a luxury vehicle.
• Window Problems: Besides rattling, you might experience leaks in the sunroof, or the window regulator could be prone to failure. When the window regulator fails, you lose the ability to open or close your windows. If the window gets stuck in the open position it makes the vehicle prone to theft and even water damage.

Maintaining a BMW X3

Unfortunately, BMWs are not the most reliable vehicles. However, if you take good care of your BMW X3, it should last for quite some time.

Like with any car, giving your BMW X3 routine checkups, oil changes, and tire rotations will help keep it in working condition. On top of these routines, there are a number of suggestions given by Luxury Auto Works in Austen, TX that can draw out the life of your BMW:

Plan Trips: When you have an errand to run, try and think of other things you need to do while you’re out. In other words, try and limit the frequency of your excursions and do all your shopping, banking, and shipping in one go. Driving when your engine is still warm will help your BMW do better.

Buy Clean Gas: BMWs require premium 93 gas to run smoothly throughout its lifetime. If you skimp on gas, or fill your tank with gas from a dirty or diluted tank, it will negatively impact the lifespan of your BMW X3. Avoid filling up your tank at a station where the gasoline tanker is filling the station’s tanks to get cleaner gas.

Avoid the Sun: When possible, avoid keeping your car in extreme temperatures. The sun’s rays can damage the interior and exterior of your car. Another weather feature to look out for is the cold. The cold can make it harder for your battery to start up. Keep your BMW X3 in the garage, and plugged in during the winter, as much as possible.

Keep Good Records: Keeping a log of how much gas you fill up with and how good your milleage is can give you the first hint that something is wrong with your car. If your gas mileage suddenly decreases, it would be a good idea to take your BMW to the mechanic for a checkup.

Should You Buy A Used BMW X3?

Knowing that a used BMW X3 is likely to need costly repairs shortly after you buy it, we would suggest that you probably should steer clear. That said, it is possible to find a used BMW in good condition. If you continue to take good care of it, your used BMW X3 could last you for years.