[ContactPatch]

I get my M40i in about 2 weeks, and for the money spent, I want the car to rocket me forward with unabashed authority on occasion. Gasoline engines will probably disappear in my lifetime; this is the last one I will thoroughly enjoy, it will be in the stable until the end. Oh, and then there is this thing called the Continental Divide...that requires some grunt!

[COM40]

Originally Posted by ASAP

the irony is that Honda's NA 3.5L V6 which is effectively stone age tech - the J series V6 has been made since 1996 just in slightly different versions... but ultimately it's the same engine (most people don't know this)... and somehow it's faster 5-60 than BMWs B48 4 Cylinder which has been made since 2014 and is extremely modern... both engines output similar power but in theory the B48 should have torque far lower due to small turbos hence be far faster but in real world tests, it appears the 5-60 is slightly better on the Honda

The Honda has ~30hp more and although it weighs more, it still has a slight power to weight advantage.

I've driven a bunch of different cars with 2.0ts and every single one is slow off the line. Not surprised the Odyssey takes the 30i from 5-60 but I figured the 30i would at least be closer in the mid range tests. And I thought BMW is known for underrating their engines - doesn't seem to be the case here, or if it is, Honda is doing the same.

I will say though, living at 6k ft and driving up to 10k+, that I've developed a strong preference for turbos. A 2.0t would feel far more sprightly at high elevation than a V6 car that's lost 30% of it's power. That's mostly just a Colorado problem though.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by COM40

The Honda has ~30hp more and although it weighs more, it still has a slight power to weight advantage.

I've driven a bunch of different cars with 2.0ts and every single one is slow off the line. Not surprised the Odyssey takes the 30i from 5-60 but I figured the 30i would at least be closer in the mid range tests. And I thought BMW is known for underrating their engines - doesn't seem to be the case here, or if it is, Honda is doing the same.

I will say though, living at 6k ft and driving up to 10k+, that I've developed a strong preference for turbos. A 2.0t would feel far more sprightly at high elevation than a V6 car that's lost 30% of it's power. That's mostly just a Colorado problem though.

Correct, but that's the point we are trying to make here... the Odyssey starts at 37K and is a MINIVAN... bad look for the RWD biased X3 sport suv to technically have less power and be slower with numerous tests...

Either way i'd still prefer the 2.0T because I am sure with the ZF8 it feels far better than anything dated Honda has... plus far better fuel efficiency.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by tom2021

I know it has been discussed in the forum.
I plan to trade in 4 cylinders 2017 F25.
I was thinking M40i as a step up, until I drove a loaner car yesterday: G01 30i.
It is pretty fast all right.
I did test drive G30 540i last year. G30 and M40i use the same engine:B58.
Based on memory, G30 540i with 330 hp engine is not much faster than G01 with 248 hp engine for driving in the city.
I may have to take more time comparing M40i and 30i.
Perhaps, 30i is already a step up. Why spend more money?

You hit it on the head with this point. YOU really have to drive both and determine which meets your needs and your personal preference and budget etc. It's a good thing that BMW (and others) offer the choices). Good luck.

[bcwalks2]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

I get my M40i in about 2 weeks, and for the money spent, I want the car to rocket me forward with unabashed authority on occasion. Gasoline engines will probably disappear in my lifetime; this is the last one I will thoroughly enjoy, it will be in the stable until the end. Oh, and then there is this thing called the Continental Divide...that requires some grunt!

You will be very pleased then sir! can confirm it’s a rocket. Throw a tune on there and you might rocket off of earth!

[bocabimmer]

This is just silly. I HAVE both an Odyssey and a 30i X3 we are debating.

I will put my money on the X3 any day of the week. The Odyssey in the real world is horrible. It can't put its power down (I go through tires every 15k miles) off the line. I blame the FWD for that. It torque steers you all over the place. The transmission does not know what gear to downshift into if you need to pass. Despite what you'd think, I have no idea what RPM range the power really kicks in its not high and not low either. Translation: there's a lot of noise with not much happening sometimes. Oh, and I'm getting at least 4 MPG better out of the X3.

The numbers do not translate into real world performance. Sorry.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

This is just silly. I HAVE both an Odyssey and a 30i X3 we are debating.

I will put my money on the X3 any day of the week. The Odyssey in the real world is horrible. It can't put its power down (I go through tires every 15k miles) off the line. I blame the FWD for that. It torque steers you all over the place. The transmission does not know what gear to downshift into if you need to pass. Despite what you'd think, I have no idea what RPM range the power really kicks in its not high and not low either. Translation: there's a lot of noise with not much happening sometimes. Oh, and I'm getting at least 4 MPG better out of the X3.

The numbers do not translate into real world performance. Sorry.

I don't think anyone mentioned the Odyssey would offer a better real world driving experience in general... given the Odyssey is a FWD minivan w a prehistoric NA V6 engine and a 10 spd japanese tranny that is mated to a transvere motor... it simply cannot match the driving experience or dynamics.

With that being said, the ancient V6 IS in fact approx 30 more HP powerful and the magazine testing shows 5-60 a tad bit faster than the X3 30i. Would I want to drive an Odyssey ever in my life? well no... and would never compare the dynamics of a RWD biased AWD system, the best auto tranny in the world (ZF) and without a doubt a more advanced modern motor... this is simply test numbers. They probably did the 0-60 test in a controlled environment with a perfect launch and the 5-60s may have been in gear tests... who the hell knows...

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

Look, the BMW is ahead, enough said:

I think you forgot to put the sq5 behind them

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

People are getting silly now, comparing a 30i X3 to a minivan ??? Like I said before, because of family size I’ve had to own a couple of minivans. I must have missed out , because neither of them even came close to comparing to the ride or speed of the X3 . Really ?

Car and Driver included a minivan, for the first time ever, in their 2023 lightning lap. Silly times indeed!

[BlackBMW888]

Originally Posted by g11hoonigan

Car and Driver included a minivan, for the first time ever, in their 2023 lightning lap. Silly times indeed!

BMW marketers reading this will soon include minivans, pickups and buses in their production plan.)))

[huggy509]

i’d go for it just for the straight 6 engine, so smooth and it drives itself without effort

[glennbk]

Originally Posted by huggy509

i’d go for it just for the straight 6 engine, so smooth and it drives itself without effort

If it worked for Volvo, BMW with out a doubt.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by turbobeagle

To be fair, some minivans are in the 6s in terms of 0-60. If the 30i and the minivan both gunned it at a light, I don’t think the X3 would be able to pass before getting to the typical next light. Cars are just really fast these days.

Motortrend:
Honda Odyssey: 6.6s
X3 30i sdrive: 6.5s

Those Motortrend numbers are flat out wrong for 0-60. This is the same MT that said the new gen MDX was faster than the previous gen MDX despite having the same exact engine and being heavier and longer (defying the laws of physics!). The review was subsequently changed but not before we had a little fun with it on Acurazine! The subsequent posts quoting the numbers from C&D are correct.

I was a previous minivan owner but that phase of life is now over. If I were to get a minivan now, I wouldn't be getting the Odyssey. I'd get the Sienna Hybrid and laugh all the way to the bank w/the fuel savings! I don't need a minivan to be nearly as fast as my 30i! I need it to hold a lot of stuff/people in comfort.

[turbobeagle]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Those Motortrend numbers are flat out wrong for 0-60. This is the same MT that said the new gen MDX was faster than the previous gen MDX despite having the same exact engine and being heavier and longer (defying the laws of physics!). The review was subsequently changed but not before we had a little fun with it on Acurazine! The subsequent posts quoting the numbers from C&D are correct.

If anything in anyone’s mind changes because the numbers go from the X3 being 0.1s slower to 0.2s faster against the Odyssey, then I fear the point has been lost.

[sorocknroll]

I got an M40i after owning a 28i. My old car was reasonably quick 0-60, and unless you really hammer it, you won't practically notice a huge difference.

Where I find it much more responsive is at higher speeds. If you want to do 80 to 120km/h for a pass, it is super quick and effortless in the M40i whereas the 28i didn't have as much power here.

When towing as well you can really feel the power different. The M40i can pull up a hill in 8th gear, whereas the 28i needed to downshift 1 or 2 gears.

[PhytonM40i]

After owning nothing but 4 CYL and then owning a G37S and GS350 F SPORT, a six was a must.

Test drove both 4 and 6 and confirmed I loved the 6. Thank god I'm WFH but this has to be the most enjoyable car I ever had. This was close the the G37S but the B58 is something else.

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by BlackBMW888

BMW marketers reading this will soon include minivans, pickups and buses in their production plan.)))

I probably wouldn't mind as long as they put S58 or N63 on them. Ha!

[dmanb2b]

I'm sorry but a 4k lb SUV with 250hp is slow in today's world. Adequate for daily driving? Absolutely, but far from thrilling. I's a good daily and a decent step up from the N20, certainly a more reliable motor. The B58 is a real step above.

[6734202]

I was trying to make this decision coming from a 328i. I just wanted something with a little pep, nothing crazy. As soon as I test drove the 30i I knew I wouldn’t be happy and ordered the M40i instead. I love it.

[W///]

My worthless 2 cents: I have an S52, S54, S65 and S55 in the garage on a permanent basis. The B58 is truly one of the best engines BMW has ever made.

I will stand by that statement, especially for daily driver duties. Smooth, torquey, sounds wonderful, gets good MPG and from everything I've seen, is very reliable. I don't think you can ask much more from an engine.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by W///

My worthless 2 cents: I have an S52, S54, S65 and S55 in the garage on a permanent basis. The B58 is truly one of the best engines BMW has ever made.

I will stand by that statement, especially for daily driver duties. Smooth, torquey, sounds wonderful, gets good MPG and from everything I've seen, is very reliable. I don't think you can ask much more from an engine.

It obviously doesn't have the top end exhilaration that a true M motor such as an S55 or S58 has but it's also not supposed to as a DD motor...but I agree it feels torquier down low than both of those and is far more fuel efficient.

When comparing to the older N54, N55... yea the B58 is an absolute gem just based on reliability alone.

[abbike18]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i think this is one of the most important points here and it's something people in the general public don't understand...

having a larger motor, provides far more torque at a lower rev range... this makes the car FAR more comfortable to drive daily without having to rev it... that's not to say the 4 lacks but the 4 definitely needs to be revved far more to achieve similar results... this hurts MPGs and just becomes annoying

everyone always thinks its about acceleration and speed but there are other intrinsic factors at play here... the is why ironically the mixed mpg rating on these cars is only 3 MPG different

This is exactly my sentiment. I own an M40i, but have rented the 30i when I was in NJ on a vacation. The 30i is constantly downshifting to deal with the fast/slow nature of easy coast highway traffic. My M40i doesn't need to downshift, it just has the torque you need. It's a lot less dramatic when driving casually.

If you don't love pedal to the metal, but want the low down torque so you can speed up without drama, the M40i is for you.