Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Finally made a purchase

Post your photos of your vehicle in here!
User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:15 pm

After 4 years searching for the right X3, initially looking at late-model E83 30d - until they were getting too old/high mileage for my liking - I found this F25 30d that ticks almost all the right boxes.  I'm collecting it Monday afternoon.

(I'm sure the selling dealer won't mind that I downloaded these 2 images from his advert)
Ad pic 1.jpg
Ad pic 1.jpg (108.36 KiB) Viewed 32826 times
Ad pic 2.jpg
Ad pic 2.jpg (95.25 KiB) Viewed 32826 times
62-plate, 72k miles, Oyster sport leather, FBMWSH, never had an advisory on any of its MOTs.  The only thing missing is the sunroof - but that's getting rectified next month, courtesy of Webasto.
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

graemeX5
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1927
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:01 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by graemeX5 » Sat Jun 23, 2018 9:05 pm

Hi

Congrats on you new X3 and sometimes you just have to wait to find the right car for you as they say.

I definitely like the colour a good choice  :)

Graeme
Now: E70 X5 in Blue, 3 Minis Cooper S R53, JCW R56 & Cooper S Roadster R59 :drive:

Prev: Abarth 595C & 500C, E53 X5 4.4i, E88 135i M Sport, Audi TT Mk1 V6, 3 Smarts, 8 Vauxhalls, 4 Fords, 2 Triumphs, 1 Mini & Bikes

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Jun 24, 2018 6:19 am

Thanks, Graeme.  It's coming down your way to have the sunroof fitted - Executive Autocare in Hemel Hempstead.  :sun:

Bluewater was my second colour preference, Vermilion was top of the list.  My wife, being somewhat large, won't like the sport seats.

I'll be getting a set of winter wheels, style 304, and swapping the tyres between the sets so that the 305s become the winter set.

Better pics to follow.  :)
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Sun Jun 24, 2018 6:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
marti
Member
Member
Posts: 770
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:33 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by marti » Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:52 am

Looks nice, yes the waiting game is always worth it...I waited 2 yrs until the right X6 came along...enjoy.

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:41 pm

Sunroof ext 01.JPG
Sunroof ext 01.JPG (227.14 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
Sunroof ext 02.JPG
Sunroof ext 02.JPG (194.15 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
Sunroof ext 03.JPG
Sunroof ext 03.JPG (296.62 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
Sunroof int 02 landscape.jpg
Sunroof int 02 landscape.jpg (124.82 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
Sunroof int 01 landscape.jpg
Sunroof int 01 landscape.jpg (116.78 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
Sunroof int 06.JPG
Sunroof int 06.JPG (163.07 KiB) Viewed 32825 times
My photographic skills aren't the best.  The images I took of the interior need to be done again, when I've got time.

I used to be a modifier, but now I've reached my 60s I'm over all that.  I have no plans for the X3 other than to enjoy it.  I have had all the transmission fluids changed, and I've updated the map files to 2018-2.

I've bought a set of Style 304 wheels with winter tyres on but I'm going to swap them around so that they become the summer wheels as I prefer them to the 305s plus they are in better condition.

The sunroof is a must-have for me.  The car was cheap enough that the additional outlay still came to less than the asking price of any of the cars I saw with panoramics.  Also in the 4 years I was looking all over the UK for an X3 I never found a car with a factory-fit 'roof in any colour other than grey, silver, white or black.
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

graemeX5
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1927
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:01 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by graemeX5 » Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:33 am

Hi

The sunroof looks very good with a neat finish it even could pass as a factory fit
Now: E70 X5 in Blue, 3 Minis Cooper S R53, JCW R56 & Cooper S Roadster R59 :drive:

Prev: Abarth 595C & 500C, E53 X5 4.4i, E88 135i M Sport, Audi TT Mk1 V6, 3 Smarts, 8 Vauxhalls, 4 Fords, 2 Triumphs, 1 Mini & Bikes

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:22 pm

[quote="graemeX5"]The sunroof looks very good with a neat finish it even could pass as a factory fit[/quote]
I'm really pleased with it Graeme.  Several people have said similar to you.  I've got some images of it from inside, but they haven't come out very well so I need to take some more.  I'll be adding them here when I do.  :)
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:36 pm

Missing images. :(
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:06 pm

No pics yet, but today I've had the wheels and tyres swapped so that the Style 304s I bought with winter tyres on are now the summer wheels and the original Style 305s (which really need a refurb) are now the winter ones.

I've also had a full alignment done.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
lezmtaylor
Member
Member
Posts: 966
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:25 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by lezmtaylor » Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:10 am

That sunroof is brilliant, do you mind posting cost and installer for other X3 owners to file away ?

Lez
2002. 4.4lpg,ledAE's,Xenons,paddleshift,compass mirror,inst rings,led int lights,rear camera,crystal tailights,eisenmann road exh,Schnitzer pedals,chrome indicators,colour co-ord headlamps & bonnet grilles,hualigim entertainment system.dash and rearcamera,comfort seats.hud,bull bars,engine instalube

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:17 pm

[quote="lezmtaylor"]That sunroof is brilliant, do you mind posting cost and installer for other X3 owners to file away?[/quote]
It's a Webasto Hollandia 735.  It was fitted by Executive Autocare in Hemel Hempstead.  There is actually a Webasto agent 30 miles from me, but he wasn't interested in doing the job - to the extent that he told me he "could need the car a week or more" and he quoted over £500 more than anyone else.  I also got prices from Surrey Sunroofs in Dorking and Motor Mods in Cheltenham and they were similar quotes to what I actually paid, but Executive Autocare were the most convenient Webasto fitting station for me to get to.  The job cost me £1740 all inc.  It may sound a lot, but the cheapest X3 I could find with a factory-fitted 'roof was £4k more than I paid for mine, and for me the 'roof is a must-have.

I'd have no qualms about recommending Executive Autocare to anyone.  When I collected my car they had a Mini with a factory-fit panoramic roof in for repair.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
snrbrtsn
Member
Member
Posts: 449
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 10:57 am

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by snrbrtsn » Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:15 am

That is a fantastic aftermarket install, “very” professional look and an amazing attention to detail, very surprised at the interior quality, loving the roof lining tuck im assuming that was replaced?
The switch is very VAG, though blends in well
Very nicely done

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Tue Aug 28, 2018 8:18 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote:No pics yet, but today I've had the wheels and tyres swapped so that the Style 304s I bought with winter tyres on are now the summer wheels
This is the best I can offer, for now.  The car really needed a wash, and the wheels had 300 miles-worth of brake dust on.
Wheels 304 2 public.jpg
Wheels 304 2 public.jpg (179.52 KiB) Viewed 32772 times
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:14 pm, edited 3 times in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:38 pm

As of today, the car is on DIY 6000 mile oil change intervals.  I have yet to be convinced that c.20000 miles without a change is beneficial to engine longevity.  The oil may be able to keep doing its job for that long, but I'm dubious about the capability of a filter that small.....

I found that the 2 mounting bushes on the front underside of the engine cover are missing.  I'll try to get replacements tomorrow.
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Thu Aug 30, 2018 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

User avatar
StuBeeDoo
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Gateshead, Tyneside

Re: Finally made a purchase

Post by StuBeeDoo » Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:47 am

StuBeeDoo wrote: Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:38 pmI found that the 2 mounting bushes on the front underside of the engine cover are missing.  I'll try to get replacements tomorrow.
I sorted that one the following day for the princely sum of a fiver from the $tealers.

The car came with non-RFT P7s.  (NRFTs would have been my preference in any case as I'm not a lover of RFTs on several levels)  As a consequence I'm carrying one of my winter wheels as a full-size spare, and I have a bottle jack, jacking-point pad and breaker bar/17mm socket on-board.

Today I'm going to look into making a flat "floor" above the spare.  Pics to follow. 
Last edited by StuBeeDoo on Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
Image

Post Reply