An Oddimotive-Worthy Crossover?

Why, yes, this is Oddimotive-worthy.  Here we have an unusual, manual-transmission-equipped BMW X3 3.0i.  Did your family recently expand to the point that you need a little more kiddo and cargo space?  If so, this could be a cool daily driver.  You’ll even have AWD should you need it.  It’s true you can get a super-rare X5 manual, but it will have the same engine as this and add over 500 pounds of weight.  That doesn’t make sense to us.

This was an underwhelming vehicle when it was new and one was expected to pay a new BMW price to obtain it.  As an affordable used car, however, this makes much more sense.  The performance, including braking and handling, was always praised on this vehicle; but certain cost-cutting measures screamed “cheap!” in the face of the $40K+ (11 years ago!) price.  Under 10K and in black, it’s all good.

The seller states this needs a trans mount replaced and it’s included in the sale.  The asking price is a bit high vs. the online guides; so we recommend a buyer willing and able to take on the mount replacement (and perhaps some other maintenance) go in armed with the KBB and NADA printouts and try to get at least a couple thousand off the asking price.  As the seller states, “the worst I can say is NO.”

Click for Craigslist ad
San Fernando Valley area,CA
$9,000 OBO

Normally, we’re not big Gen 1 X3 fans because all of the very non-luxury black plastic stands out vs. the paint.  This black X3 hides it all pretty well, though.

Again, the black X3 looks much better than any other color.  Overall look is fine for a crossover – more functional than visually stimulating; but it doesn’t look particularly dated at eleven to twelve years old.

These really were styled to be baby X5s.

Here’s the money shot with the 6-speed manual shifter.  This is not a navigation car, but that’s good at this age.  Find a quality shop to put in a CarPlay- and/or Android Auto-capable aftermarket unit and you’ll be good to go.  Note that this German vehicle actually has at least one cupholder!  Amazing!

There’s enough room back here for kids and adults can survive when you pick them up from the airport.  Isn’t that all you need?  These X3s had too much hard plastic to justify their prices when new, but we just don’t care on the used kid hauler market.

Personally, I like this functionality – not all CUVs can handle a bike in the upright position.   Notably, the 40% side of the rear seat is up and could still handle a car seat.

Here’s the 225 horsepower, 3-liter inline six.  Power delivery should be delightfully smooth.

Ad text:

9000 Or Best Offer – the worst I can say is NO.
Must sell as I’m leaving the state and can’t take this with.

If you appreciate a well built, safe and stylish car that can do damn near everything, this is a no-brainer. It is a great alternative to a wagon with low ground clearance that will have low ground clearance, be only 2 wheel drive and/or turbo charged. This car eliminated all of the issues I had with buying all of the wagon/suv options out there. No turbo lag and shitty power band on the freeway, no poorly built awd system, more room than wagons but not oversize and overweight like an suv. It will take you in the mountains for snow sports, the beach with the huge roof open and your boards safely laying down inside, or to the trails with your bike safely hidden standing up in the back.

111k miles
Black on tan leather
Heated seats
Electric seats with memory
Lumbar
Bluetooth connectivity
Panoramic Sunroof
Folding rear seats
Upgraded 17″ rims
Always synthetic oil used with bmw filter
AC very cold
Heat very hot
Full LED interior lights
LED side markers
Heavy tints an all rear windows
Lots of cargo room
28 mpg highway
Very versatile
And I’ll throw in my custom made bike mount that uses the factory cargo hook sliding rails. 

The transmission mount should be replaced eventually but I have a new one ready to go in. Just don’t have the time or space. It’s a 2 hour job tops with a basic floor jack.


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