[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by sor

I do agree, that's just all that was available at the time. I might have been able to get a transfer if I'd have gotten really serious about it.

These links won't age well, but here are some examples ~$100k+ GTS builds if you're curious as to how it could get there. They really aren't that common, perhaps I just had bad luck.

https://goo.gl/gfxccY
https://goo.gl/dTAAwg

Those links are blowing my mind. Those builds are horrendous. The second one is also a paint to sample, so there's that, but still...

[stylinexpat]

.36 Cd on my Macan GTS and .29 Cd on new X3 M40i is quite a difference. Must be much more quiet at higher speeds. Not sure though about how stable and planted the new X3 M40i will be compared to Macan GTS though.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

.36 Cd on my Macan GTS and .29 Cd on new X3 M40i is quite a difference. Must be much more quiet at higher speeds...

Actually, the marketing images and write-ups are a bit confusing as they show what looks like the M40i and attached is the 0.29 Cd, but that is for the lower-powered models. The M40i has a Cd of 0.33 (stat sheet attached). And they still show the M40i as having active Breathers on the website (screen capture just now attached), but those are non-functioning in the G01 models released so far. Will be interesting to see if they are active on the X3 M.

[ND40oz]

The SQ5's in depth review is up now, but they didn't include the X3 in the comparison charts.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...h-model-review

I still don't think they're using launch control for its acceleration numbers.



Brakes are impressive.



It's the only one that comes close to matching the X3 in observed fuel economy.

[sor]

It drives me crazy how their graphs are skewed.

On the braking, the first half of the bar represents 145, and the second half is only 30? It makes the difference between 148 and 154 look a lot bigger.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by sor

It drives me crazy how their graphs are skewed.

On the braking, the first half of the bar represents 145, and the second half is only 30? It makes the difference between 148 and 154 look a lot bigger.

I'd like to know why the Macan S is 155 feet in the SQ5 review and 160 feet in the Velar review...

[admranger]

Saw the X3 M40i in carbon black at BMW of Alexandria today (took the E90M3 in for airbag and electrical recalls -- it's still there...). Place was packed with people in for service; line of cars out on to the street from when I arrived at 920a until I left at 1115a in the loaner car. Lots of folks wandering the showroom and even thought the X3 was on the back side of the showroom, it was popular. Several people looking at it at once was not uncommon.

Looked nice. $66k sticker w/premium and exec packages and a few stand alone options. Seems legit.

The thing that caught my eye was the narrowness of the tires on the 20" wheels. Compared to the ones on my '16 X5 40e, they looked downright skinny. I think that might be part of the skidpad number problem.

I didn't check the tow rating on it but wish I had. What is it?

[sor]

Originally Posted by admranger

Saw the X3 M40i in carbon black at BMW of Alexandria today (took the E90M3 in for airbag and electrical recalls -- it's still there...). Place was packed with people in for service; line of cars out on to the street from when I arrived at 920a until I left at 1115a in the loaner car. Lots of folks wandering the showroom and even thought the X3 was on the back side of the showroom, it was popular. Several people looking at it at once was not uncommon.

Looked nice. $66k sticker w/premium and exec packages and a few stand alone options. Seems legit.

The thing that caught my eye was the narrowness of the tires on the 20" wheels. Compared to the ones on my '16 X5 40e, they looked downright skinny. I think that might be part of the skidpad number problem.

I didn't check the tow rating on it but wish I had. What is it?

The 20’s are staggered with 245s in front and 275s in the rear. You get a choice of all seasons or performance tires. I think the 21” wheel option has the same width. They actually seemed wide to me, though not Porsche wide. Do you know what your X5 has?

As far as these tests go, looks like the Merc has 255s/285s in performance summer tires, just a tad larger and probably won’t account for the difference. You could definitely fit that same size on the X3 wheels if it were the issue. Isn’t clear if these are all seasons or not.

As someone else mentioned, this isn’t really set up as a comparison test where the options match between cars. It’s a compendium of individual car tests, then they select the ones they want to show. One might have upgraded suspension and brakes, the other might not. The days, weather, and even locations vary. Isn’t exactly fair or clear, but understandable given the volume of testing and comparisons they probably need to do.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by admranger

I didn't check the tow rating on it but wish I had. What is it?

"The X3 is the first BMW crossover SUV in the US to come with a factory-installed 2-inch trailer hitch for a 4,400-pound towing capacity for even more practicality."

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...orthy-m-badge/

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

"The X3 is the first BMW crossover SUV in the US to come with a factory-installed 2-inch trailer hitch for a 4,400-pound towing capacity for even more practicality."

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...orthy-m-badge/

4400 pounds

[Larryatl]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Actually, the marketing images and write-ups are a bit confusing as they show what looks like the M40i and attached is the 0.29 Cd, but that is for the lower-powered models. The M40i has a Cd of 0.33 (stat sheet attached). And they still show the M40i as having active Breathers on the website (screen capture just now attached), but those are non-functioning in the G01 models released so far. Will be interesting to see if they are active on the X3 M.

Where are you seeing that they're not functional?

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

Where are you seeing that they're (ref Air Breathers) not functional?

Long story, but short summary - Calvin Luk, Designer of the G01, indicated such back on 26 Jun 2017 when a film team interviewed him. PalBay confirmed with spy photo shots available on this forum some weeks ago. And here is a photo of our 2018 G01 X3 M40i's decorative-only Breather area taken a few moments ago in our garage. I have attached an active Breather photo I took 3 years ago from an X5 showing how it should be open to the wheel well.

The mystery remains why this design element, which has been an integral part of BMW's EfficientDynamics Aerodynamic enhancements, was dropped seemingly near the end of testing. The other three key elements (Blades, curtains, and active kidney grill vents) made it into production. And to be honest it isn't clear when the decision was made that it was no longer needed to enhance the G01's aerodynamic profile as BMW hasn't shared the why/when. But it seems it must have been fairly late in the process as their marketing materials still suggested they were active at the release in June (and in the website screen capture I showed earlier in this thread from just last week).

Perhaps it will be opened for the X3 M?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by sor

Do you know what your X5 has?

275/40R20
315/35R20

[sor]

Originally Posted by admranger

275/40R20
315/35R20

I can see why they’d look small. However, after reviewing several other cars on tirerack it seems the M40i tires on 20s or 21s are on the large side for its class.

[Larryatl]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Long story, but short summary - Calvin Luk, Designer of the G01, indicated such back on 26 Jun 2017 when a film team interviewed him. PalBay confirmed with spy photo shots available on this forum some weeks ago. And here is a photo of our 2018 G01 X3 M40i's decorative-only Breather area taken a few moments ago in our garage. I have attached an active Breather photo I took 3 years ago from an X5 showing how it should be open to the wheel well.

The mystery remains why this design element, which has been an integral part of BMW's EfficientDynamics Aerodynamic enhancements, was dropped seemingly near the end of testing. The other three key elements (Blades, curtains, and active kidney grill vents) made it into production. And to be honest it isn't clear when the decision was made that it was no longer needed to enhance the G01's aerodynamic profile as BMW hasn't shared the why/when. But it seems it must have been fairly late in the process as their marketing materials still suggested they were active at the release in June (and in the website screen capture I showed earlier in this thread from just last week).

Perhaps it will be opened for the X3 M?

Does front opening in grill allow air to pass into the wheel well?

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Larryatl

Does front opening in grill allow air to pass into the wheel well?

Yes - it is still an air curtain it just does not take air out through a vent behind the wheel

[JSY]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Long story, but short summary - Calvin Luk, Designer of the G01, indicated such back on 26 Jun 2017 when a film team interviewed him.

Yes, I remember when he said that and then one of the reviewers also confirmed (I think AJ from Autogefeuhl). Not sure why they didn't just open it up. When I see things like this - it makes me think that it was a last minute addition where they were able to modify the body, but not the machining of the wheel well.

Anyway, you can always make your own opening with an axe or something.

[Slalom]

As others have suggested, it may be functional on the X3M, but I suspect that that model will have a slightly wider fender made of a different, lighter material. At this point it is a non-functional design element that has become common to the brand, like the Hofmeister kink, this is generally a curve but in X3's is segmented.

[edcrane]

It seems odd to me that C&D still hasn't released an updated review/instrumented test of the X3. The Velar article shows that they've tested the new X3 more than a month ago. Why would it take them so long to release the review?

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by edcrane

It seems odd to me that C&D still hasn't released an updated review/instrumented test of the X3. The Velar article shows that they've tested the new X3 more than a month ago. Why would it take them so long to release the review?

I have not picked up a copy of C&D in a while. How much does BMW advertise in it? That may be part of the issue. News stand sales of most auto mags in the US go up when there is a Ferrari or a Porsche on the cover, not so much for a BMW, Audi or Merc.

[edcrane]

C&D’s “first drive” review of x3 now up: https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/x3

Not instrumented test (and still shows C&D’s “estimates”, notwithstanding that they’ve released tested numbers in Velar review), but seems pretty positive with respect to M40i.

[Ranger8]

To look at just one, or even very few, limited performance aspects does not do the M40i justice.
I drove the AMG 43 and the Macan S (GTS is a different price range) before deciding on the M40i. While all of them have some strong points I felt that the BMW offered the better, overall total package in terms of performance, practicality, and cost. No regets thus far.