BMW X3 F25 (2010-2017): known problems and buying guide

A risky used SUV, because the N20 timing chain and xDrive transfer case can cost more than the car is worth. Buy only with full records.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
xDrive20d, 190 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€517	€16,300	356	Diesel	B47D20A	Automatic (8)	2014–2017
xDrive30d, 258 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€596	€16,000	156	Diesel	N57D30A	Automatic (8)	2014–2017
xDrive35d, 313 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€623	€17,500	56	Diesel	N57D30B	Automatic (8)	2014–2017

Years: 2010 to 2017. The June 2014 facelift brought Euro 6 diesels and the B47 engine.
Reliability: 2/5. The N20 chain, xDrive transfer case and steering wear lower the score.
DIY: 2/5. Chain, transfer and steering jobs need a workshop; some checks need a BMW scanner.
Prefer: a 2014 or later B47 diesel with the EGR recall done, or an N20 with chain paperwork.
Avoid: early N20 cars with no chain record, and xDrive cars with jerking or mismatched tyres.

2.0 N20 petrol (N20B20A, 20i and 28i): chain and oil pump drive are below. German sources date the risk from March 2012 and about 2011-2015.
3.0 N52 petrol (N52B30A, 28i to 2012): VANOS faults cause a rough idle and power loss. No separate guide.
2.0 N47 diesel (N47D20C, 18d and 20d to 2014): chain and EGR cooler are weak spots in its guide; the KBA emissions recall 14099R is below. See the BMW N47 diesel.
2.0 B47 diesel (B47D20A, 20d from 2014): preferred diesel. EGR valve and turbo faults are in its guide; check the EGR recall. See the BMW B47 diesel.
3.0 N57 diesel (N57D30A, N57D30B, 30d and 35d): damper, bearings, chain and EGR cooler are in its guide. See the BMW N57 diesel.
ZF 8HP automatic: its guide covers the main faults; two Russian sites report planetary-carrier wear from 70,000-120,000 km. See the ZF 8HP automatic.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
N20 timing chain and oil pump drive	20i and 28i (N20B20A), 2011 or 2012 to 2015	70,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
xDrive transfer case and front driveshaft	xDrive cars	30,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
Steering rack knocks	All cars	100,000-200,000 km	No confirmed price
Front suspension wear	All cars	60,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
N20 oil leaks at the valve cover and filter housing	N20 petrol engines	Not stated	No confirmed price

Start cold and listen for a first-second rattle. Read codes P0016 and P0017 with a scanner. Bad result: a rattle, the codes, or no chain paperwork.
Drive slow full circles and accelerate. Feel for jerking, listen for a whine, read code 5F00 with a scanner. Ask for transfer oil changes every 60,000-80,000 km and matching tyres. Bad result: jerking, a whine, that code, mismatched tyres, or no oil record.
Listen for a front-right knock and check the steering for play. Bad result: a knock, play, or stiff steering with the wheel off centre.
Lift the car and check front links, shocks, ball joints and bushings. Bad result: play, leaking shocks or knocks over bumps.
After the drive, look for oil at the valve cover and filter housing. Bad result: fresh oil, burning smell, or drips on the exhaust.

Operational	€195
Workshop	€158
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€182
Total per month	€535
New-car depreciation (not included)	€113

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.