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The BMW X3 has a decently strong reputation among luxury SUVs. It’s not considered the greatest, but it’s a strong choice for used luxury cars. Despite this, a few used BMW X3 models are much more problematic than others. Some of these SUVs have significant mechanical issues, whereas others suffer from poor build quality. Here are three of the worst-used BMW X3 model years. 

The BMW X3 2013 is considered the worst 

2013 BMW X3
2013 BMW X3| National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/ via Getty Images

Regarding used models, the 2013 is the most strongly advised against. It’s perfectly fine regarding performance but has some rather expensive mechanical issues. Among them, the BMW X3 2013 experiences broken timing chain guides at a reasonably high rate. The problem is that the chains are metal, but the guides are plastic, meaning they break. This, of course, throws off the timing for the vehicle. 

Fixing timing chain issues in any vehicle is expensive, and it doesn’t hurt that this BMW model is so prone to these problems. In addition, the 2013 BMW X3 experiences engine stalls and even loss of power while driving. According to Edmunds, this used BMW X3 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 240 horsepower. It uses an eight-speed shiftable automatic transmission. 

2014 BMW X3

2014 BMW X3
2014 X3 | Oscar Siagian/ via Getty Images

Though not as problematic as the previous model, the 2014 model is also not one of the better years of the SUV. Its reliability score is only one out of five, and the customer satisfaction score is marginally better at two out of five. For the most part, the issues are related to the hardware of the car, with various cracks and malfunctioning parts. The BMW X3 2014 also has some minor engine problems.

Regarding performance, the 2014 X3 is the same as the previous model. It accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.1 to 8.9 seconds. It’s also decently fuel efficient, getting 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway. Still, the BMW X3 2014 is a pretty bad model.

The 2007 model also isn’t the best

2007 BMW X3 interior
2007 X3 | BMW

The BMW X3 2007 can be called the best of the worst regarding used models of this luxury SUV. Overall, it’s pretty reliable, but it still has its issues that make ownership not the most effortless undertaking. Among them, oil leaks are perhaps the most reported. The leaks come from deformed valve cover gaskets. Unfortunately, the higher mileage models have the most significant issues with this.

This model also has issues with overheating, as coolant leaks are also a problem. Regarding performance, the X3 2007 is a bit more powerful than the previously mentioned models. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 260 horsepower. It also has a manual transmission option and accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds.

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