BMW X3 M40i Service Adventure: An Update on a Few Issues

A couple of updates back, we reported our 2018 BMW X3 M40i was suffering from a leaky sunroof, a creaking suspension, and a busted cargo net. I brought it in to get all of that sorted and to take care of routine service and learned that not all BMW dealerships are created equal.

This was my third time going to this particular dealership, and every time I get a non-BMW loaner from its Enterprise rental partner. If I owned the X3 and bought into the BMW experience, I would not be happy.

Due to the X3's unforeseen extended stay, I had to return to the dealership to swap into a dealership-provided loaner because the Enterprise rental is only good for three days. To add to the headache, after an hour of waiting I learned its loaners are limited to 150 miles a day. That would be plenty for most, but I had a previously planned road trip that would easily blow that limit. This might not reflect your local dealer, of course, but it's worth remembering that buying a luxury car doesn't automatically mean a full luxury ownership experience. Do your research.

After the X3 spent a week in the dealership, I got my car back and immediately noticed a new clunking noise I could feel through the wheel; it worsened into loud banging during initial acceleration. So back to the dealer it went. After a day, I got it back after they found a loose lower panel due to a missing screw. How?

Oh yeah, about the stuff I brought the car in for: The broken storage net was replaced, not under warranty but thankfully out of good will. The sunroof leak was found to be caused by a loose connection for the sunroof drain and was resecured. To fix the suspension creaking, they replaced both front tension struts. I have no idea what those are, but after a few days, the noise was back, so spoiler alert: They didn't fix it. At least it was covered under warranty.

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After three trips to this dealership and a week and a half out of commission for the X3, the same creaking is still there. But hey, at least my sunroof doesn't leak onto my lap, and I got a free cargo net.

This was all pretty frustrating, but at the end of the day, I get a free X3 M40i to drive around for a year. Can't really complain.

Read more about our long-term 2018 BMW X3 M40i:

• Arrival
• Update 1: The Switcheroo
• Update 2: M Means More
• 2018BMW X3M40i:9 Cool Features on the Sporty Crossover
• Update 3:Not an Ultimate Reliability Machine
• Update 4: The One Feature I Can't Stand