I am just curious about how long is the expected life of my X3, or just SxS's in general? I seldom see any SxS that has a mileage of 10k or higher. I do see older years in general, but what should I expect from my X3?

I have a 2020 X3 RS/RR with some upgrades in performance and suspension. Running stage 4 tune, upgraded clutch, 34" tires, HCR trailing arms, Exit shocks, ZRP front suspension and some other mods. It has about 6k miles. But I am thinking, do I continue working and driving this machine or do I sell it and build a newer machine? I like the X3 but not sure of where to go next. I am older and retired so have time and resources for whatever I want, with me being the main limiting factor.

What do you all think?

So the 100% no BS answer is your sxs's life expectancy depends on you the owner. There are quite a few X3's out there with over 10k on them or more. Al Roden was over 30k on his engine and is was a plastic follower that failed BUT he could have replaced just and kept that engine alive. If you run good fluids, change them regularly including coolant, and do some preemptive replacing of parts like water pump as they have plastic inner parts at 5 to 7k miles and take care of other maintenance these motors will run a long long long time.

 

They can last a long time if taken care of properly.
I think there was a post a while back with someone that had like 80k miles on theirs. It’s all about how well they are taken care of and if they are abused or not. Tuning will for sure impact engine longevity though, how much is anyone’s guess.

Most of them don’t have many miles because a lot of people buy them thinking they will use them a lot and they just sit in the garage.

 

Well, that is good news for me so far! I do maintain the machine mostly by myself. Change fluids and minor repairs and additions. I don't ride hard or extremely fast. I like the expression "the exhilaration of acceleration ". I lost a rear axle last year and that has been about the worst I have experienced. I will check into the water pump soon, probably this fall.

I did not mention that my riding these days is mostly trail but really like the dunes. That is partly why I have tuned it to stage 4.

 

If you want it to last change all fluids early with good oils, double shear everything, let it warm up before laying into it.

 

Another area would be to watch that frame, especially if you ride hard or places where it takes abuse. They are known to crack alongs side the welds.

 

The motors and drive train will last a very long time and lots of miles. My first X3 had 8000 miles on it and the motor was running just as good as when it was new.

If you take care of your ride it will last.

Most SXS owners do not put a lot of miles on them and that is why you do not see a lot of higher mileage ones for sale.

 

That is good to know. Not sure of my own ability to outlast the machine? I still have a few years left in these old bones!
LOL

 

I concur on the frame cracks, especially on the front end. I have welded up multiple locations on this area and have a shock support to keep it ridged.

 

Just curious- do you have a shock tower brace only or a full double sheer setup?

 

I have wondered how much cracking is due to riding in cold weather. Metal definitely gets more brittle when it’s cold. Riding in the wet and then it freezing can also cause cracking. No doubt water can seep into imperfect welds and if it freezes (especially repeatedly over time) it will cause cracks. Almost always when I see pictures of cracks they are on or next to welds and there is also rust. Welds on sxs’s are notoriously less than perfect so that suspicion is always there.

Not saying all of that is necessary acceptable though, could be a bad choice of alloy or weld alloy. Just seems like I see it more on here from people that ride in cold and or wet weather than the desert folks.

 

I am seeing some good information and things to look for. Good to hear that the I have a machine that will probably outlast me. I think that I am staying where I am at with the current X3 RC/RR with stage 4 tune. I have to pay a little more for the 100 octanes, but I like the power and with the RS/RR I have 24" travel. More than I need for what I currently do! Let the good times roll, because I am running out of time!!!