A new M40i owner's first impressions

Jazzster · 08-06-2016, 10:11 PM

So I picked up my 2017 X4 M40i on Tuesday and although I've been busy as $*&% this week with moving back into our house (we were overseas for 2 years), I figured I owe you guys some first impressions.

Specs: Melbourne Red, every option package except the upgraded cruise control (I don't do much highway driving)

1) Colour: I went back and forth on this many times and it came down to Alpine White vs Melbourne Red. I wanted LBB but the wife overruled me. I also like Carbon Black but something kept drawing me back to the red. It looks great in the promo shots and I loved it in the showroom... but I also have seen it look a little orange under fluorescent or bright light. In the end, I went with my gut and got the red and I'm very happy so far. It's a fast car that tells everyone it means business with its growl so why not?

2) Speaking of that growl- this car, in Sport mode, is just double dog daring me to get a speeding ticket. My wife thinks it's over the top but I gotta tell ya, I have a permanent stupid grin on my face when I rev it up and downshifts are fun too. I also find myself putting my hand on the gear shift all the time because it makes me think I'm in an old muscle car with a stick.

3) iDrive 5 seems really good but as I'm new to BMW (I've owned Audi's and Benz's before though), I can't really comment on how much of an improvement it is. It will take me some time before I can use it intuitively. I really like the nav (huge improvement over my last car- an Audi which had MMI, so that is saying something). I don't seem to be able to get it to read my emails from my phone and the salesperson said not too many do it successfully yet. I have a new phone (ZTE Axon 7) so perhaps it will be supported later). I really like HUD, though I had to play with it a bit to get the height and brightness I wanted. The resolution of the screen is impressive.

4) I like the HK audio but I haven't tried it with any high res files flac yet, so I've yet to really test it. It's not overly bright or super bass heavy to my ears, so that's a good thing.

5) I will do some coding to get the European headlight function and probably a few other bits like auto side mirror fold-in.

6) Refinement - one of the most important aspects for me. Does the car feel and act like the money you paid for it? I would say emphatically yes. While there are a few hard touch plastics and I'd like a stitched dash, I'm a fan of the minimal BMW look and they do it very well.

7) Handling and performance- I can only give a few limited impressions here because I have not yet had a chance to give her a good push- mainly because I've been driving the family all over the place and hauling groceries and Ikea crap. On the few times I've been able to make a run to the beer store or pick up pizza on my own, I've had a ball. This is a beast of a car and as I said, it almost seems like it is calling you a pu$$* for not letting it go all the time. It is very comfortable in Comfort mode (thus the name I guess) and when I'm doing my errands, that's fine. But this car was made to go fast and be pushed hard in Sport mode. I need to find some time soon to do have some fun with it.

8) Gripes. So far, none other than brake dust

I will get the wheels coated to help with that. It's not the greatest on fuel economy but I knew that going in.

More to follow at some point...

As this thread would be worthless without, you know... I've attached a couple of quick pics. [now with front view of optional black kidney grills installed by the dealer]

Bimar · 08-08-2016, 07:54 AM

Nice welcome and yes the Red rocks! Curious what other cars you cross hopped with before landing with the X4.

Jazzster · 08-08-2016, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4guy

Nice welcome and yes the Red rocks! Curious what other cars you cross hopped with before landing with the X4.

1) Macan GTS, 2) Audi SQ5 and 3) BMW 340i GT. Impressions (in order): 1) Too expensive against a comparatively equipped X4; 2) Nice but missing a few features like HUD and not distinctive enough from a Q5; 3) Wife wanted SUV ride height.

Bimar · 08-08-2016, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzGMster

1) Macan GTS, 2) Audi SQ5 and 3) BMW 340i GT. Impressions (in order): 1) Too expensive against a comparatively equipped X4; 2) Nice but missing a few features like HUD and not distinctive enough from a Q5; 3) Wife wanted SUV ride height.

Had my X4 for 2 years really looking at the GTS, how was the exhaust note and ride quality compared to the X4M40i?

Jazzster · 08-08-2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4guy

Had my X4 for 2 years really looking at the GTS, how was the exhaust note and ride quality compared to the X4M40i?

To be perfectly honest- I didn't test drive the GTS because I knew I wasn't prepared to spend that much. However, if the price were equal, I don't think I could have turned down the GTS. I received a generous discount from BMW that made it a no-brainer for me. Perhaps one day...

One thing I really like about the GTS is getting PASM and a few other goodies included. On the S, they are optional and Porsche has done a better job packaging some of the most important options on the GTS as standard.

m7mad · 08-09-2016, 11:00 AM

Congrats on your X4 M40i. I was wondering whether they fix the wind noise issue on new X4 or not. Did you notice any wind noises coming from left window at 60-70mph??

Jazzster · 08-09-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m7mad

Congrats on your X4 M40i. I was wondering whether they fix the wind noise issue on new X4 or not. Did you notice any wind noises coming from left window at 60-70mph??

Haven't heard anything but I will listen closer next time I'm on the freeway and will report back. To be honest, it's hard to hear anything over me giggling and my wife telling me to slow the %*#& down.

Duke I · 08-09-2016, 08:43 PM

Congrats on the car. Gonna love it.

Question, how does one go about re-coding? And what can be recoded? I would like to turn off all of the annoying cabin warning tones.

Thanks, D

Jazzster · 08-09-2016, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke I

Congrats on the car. Gonna love it.

Question, how does one go about re-coding? And what can be recoded? I would like to turn off all of the annoying cabin warning tones.

Thanks, D

Thanks.

I haven't done it either but the little bit of reading of the forums here tells me that with the right cable, a laptop and some available software, it's not rocket surgery

However, if you search craigslist or kijiji in your area, I'll bet someone is willing to do it for not too much $.

ando · 08-11-2016, 07:40 AM

Congrats and great review.

FSociety · 08-12-2016, 07:46 AM

Welcome!!

The pictures do not do justice, I test-drove X4 35i M-Sport in Red and that sealed the deal for me lol. But I got LBB

spmd11 · 09-05-2016, 09:28 PM

Nice write up!

We got our M40i two months ago. We currently have 2 e92 M3's. As an M owner, this car has really surprised us. We absolutely LOVE it! It is a blast and has completely outstripped our expectations. It has M genes in spades. Everyone in my family is fighting for the keys every day. Absolute winner.

ahfa1987 · 09-06-2016, 04:23 AM

Congrats!!! Hahaha We originally got LBB too and after going to the autoshow and my wife saw it in person, she overruled me too

hahah and we went with Carbon Black, for the first few months I was so bothered with the color as LBB is our signature but I got over it lol. As our car is so special already and eventually everyone will know. Hell we might even wrap it Matt blue or something lol. Anyways have fun!

ahfa1987 · 09-06-2016, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke I

Congrats on the car. Gonna love it.

Question, how does one go about re-coding? And what can be recoded? I would like to turn off all of the annoying cabin warning tones.

Thanks, D

Theres a famous guy with DD coding that works out of England. For approx $200 CAD he can do all the coding for you remotely. There is a huge list he sent me and they are all very attractive functions that our car is actually able to have. I'm having mine done soon!!

Duke I · 09-07-2016, 07:23 AM

Contact info pls. Thanks.

FSociety · 09-07-2016, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahfa1987

Theres a famous guy with DD coding that works out of England. For approx $200 CAD he can do all the coding for you remotely. There is a huge list he sent me and they are all very attractive functions that our car is actually able to have. I'm having mine done soon!!

Pls do a live video when he's doing it on your car so we can see
I'll most likely take the time to learn how to code myself lol its free and $10-20 cable

DBU · 09-09-2016, 05:40 PM

New to this forum (1st post actually). Reading through this thread cracked me up. The wife and I saw a Melbourne Read X4 M-sport at the Welt in 2014. She is a happy X3 (Blue E83) driver and fell in love with it. I was so-so...

Fast forward to the release of the '17 M40i and me being ready to retire my blue 530 (E60). Of course I fell in love with the LBB. Our CA eventually was able to show us a LBB X5 M-sport. I loved it and we ordered the X4 40i in LBB that day. She was "OK - but not totally happy" with the color. As "luck" would have it, it took a couple of weeks to get a production number. During this time, the LBB kind of became "too much" - even for me and we settled on a gray one. But it is funny to see that more than one other (male) owner has had to succumb to wife's pressure to drop the LBB.

DBU · 09-09-2016, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahfa1987

Theres a famous guy with DD coding that works out of England. For approx $200 CAD he can do all the coding for you remotely. There is a huge list he sent me and they are all very attractive functions that our car is actually able to have. I'm having mine done soon!!

Any chance you can share his list? Would love to see what options we have. Mind you, my X4 M40i is still waiting for a train for the ride to the West Coast.

ahfa1987 · 09-10-2016, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBU

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahfa1987

Theres a famous guy with DD coding that works out of England. For approx $200 CAD he can do all the coding for you remotely. There is a huge list he sent me and they are all very attractive functions that our car is actually able to have. I'm having mine done soon!!

Any chance you can share his list? Would love to see what options we have. Mind you, my X4 M40i is still waiting for a train for the ride to the West Coast.

Hey guys, heres a list of possibly options. I believe it will work for ALL F models. Hope you can actually see it

ahfa1987 · 09-10-2016, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke I

Contact info pls. Thanks.

Look up DD coding on facebook and you can contact him there, you can even search on google and youtube there are lots of videos and posts about his work

DBU · 09-10-2016, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahfa1987

Hey guys, heres a list of possibly options. I believe it will work for ALL F models. Hope you can actually see it

Thanks - but unable to read anything. Can you share his contact, please?

Update: I found the document somewhere else (and saved the PDF file). Good stuff.

FSociety · 09-14-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBU

Thanks - but unable to read anything. Can you share his contact, please?

Update: I found the document somewhere else (and saved the PDF file). Good stuff.

What is it called?

Thanks

08-06-2016, 10:11 PM	#1
Jazzster Enlisted Member 41 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2017 X4 M40i (Melbourne Red) Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	A new M40i owner's first impressions So I picked up my 2017 X4 M40i on Tuesday and although I've been busy as $&% this week with moving back into our house (we were overseas for 2 years), I figured I owe you guys some first impressions. Specs: Melbourne Red, every option package except the upgraded cruise control (I don't do much highway driving) 1) Colour: I went back and forth on this many times and it came down to Alpine White vs Melbourne Red. I wanted LBB but the wife overruled me. I also like Carbon Black but something kept drawing me back to the red. It looks great in the promo shots and I loved it in the showroom... but I also have seen it look a little orange under fluorescent or bright light. In the end, I went with my gut and got the red and I'm very happy so far. It's a fast car that tells everyone it means business with its growl so why not? 2) Speaking of that growl- this car, in Sport mode, is just double dog daring me to get a speeding ticket. My wife thinks it's over the top but I gotta tell ya, I have a permanent stupid grin on my face when I rev it up and downshifts are fun too. I also find myself putting my hand on the gear shift all the time because it makes me think I'm in an old muscle car with a stick. 3) iDrive 5 seems really good but as I'm new to BMW (I've owned Audi's and Benz's before though), I can't really comment on how much of an improvement it is. It will take me some time before I can use it intuitively. I really like the nav (huge improvement over my last car- an Audi which had MMI, so that is saying something). I don't seem to be able to get it to read my emails from my phone and the salesperson said not too many do it successfully yet. I have a new phone (ZTE Axon 7) so perhaps it will be supported later). I really like HUD, though I had to play with it a bit to get the height and brightness I wanted. The resolution of the screen is impressive. 4) I like the HK audio but I haven't tried it with any high res files flac yet, so I've yet to really test it. It's not overly bright or super bass heavy to my ears, so that's a good thing. 5) I will do some coding to get the European headlight function and probably a few other bits like auto side mirror fold-in. 6) Refinement - one of the most important aspects for me. Does the car feel and act like the money you paid for it? I would say emphatically yes. While there are a few hard touch plastics and I'd like a stitched dash, I'm a fan of the minimal BMW look and they do it very well. 7) Handling and performance- I can only give a few limited impressions here because I have not yet had a chance to give her a good push- mainly because I've been driving the family all over the place and hauling groceries and Ikea crap. On the few times I've been able to make a run to the beer store or pick up pizza on my own, I've had a ball. This is a beast of a car and as I said, it almost seems like it is calling you a pu$$ for not letting it go all the time. It is very comfortable in Comfort mode (thus the name I guess) and when I'm doing my errands, that's fine. But this car was made to go fast and be pushed hard in Sport mode. I need to find some time soon to do have some fun with it. 8) Gripes. So far, none other than brake dust I will get the wheels coated to help with that. It's not the greatest on fuel economy but I knew that going in. More to follow at some point... As this thread would be worthless without, you know... I've attached a couple of quick pics. [now with front view of optional black kidney grills installed by the dealer] Attached Images Last edited by Jazzster; 08-12-2016 at 06:18 AM.. Reason: added a picture
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08-08-2016, 07:54 AM	#2
Bimar Colonel 800 Rep 2,599 Posts Drives: Bmw X Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Www iTrader: (0)	Nice welcome and yes the Red rocks! Curious what other cars you cross hopped with before landing with the X4.
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08-09-2016, 11:00 AM	#6
m7mad Private First Class 101 Rep 137 Posts Drives: G30 540i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: KSA iTrader: (0)	Congrats on your X4 M40i. I was wondering whether they fix the wind noise issue on new X4 or not. Did you notice any wind noises coming from left window at 60-70mph??
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08-09-2016, 08:43 PM	#8
Duke I Second Lieutenant 107 Rep 272 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Rockies iTrader: (0)	Congrats on the car. Gonna love it. Question, how does one go about re-coding? And what can be recoded? I would like to turn off all of the annoying cabin warning tones. Thanks, D __________________ Duke 2018 X5 50i 2015 911 C2S 2017 X4 M40i (gone); 2010 X5 (last of the NAs); 2007 550i (still missed, except in the snow); 1991 525i manual (great 17-year run)
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08-11-2016, 07:40 AM	#10
ando Colonel 2001 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: i5 eDr40, G80 and F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5 eDr40 [10.00] 2022 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Congrats and great review.
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08-12-2016, 07:46 AM	#11
FSociety IG @bmwF9xG80 3813 Rep 7,593 Posts Drives: G80 M3, X4M, G07 X7m50 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NYC to NJ to Orlando FL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 BMW G80 M3 [0.00] 2020 BMW X4MC [0.00] 16' BMW X4 M40i [10.00] 06 Cadillac STS [0.00]	Welcome!! The pictures do not do justice, I test-drove X4 35i M-Sport in Red and that sealed the deal for me lol. But I got LBB __________________ 60-130mph 6.5s X4M #HCP 60-130mph 5.0s G80 M3 #OrlandoAutowerks Sauce IG: @bmwF9XG80
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09-05-2016, 09:28 PM	#12
spmd11 Major 290 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (4)	Nice write up! We got our M40i two months ago. We currently have 2 e92 M3's. As an M owner, this car has really surprised us. We absolutely LOVE it! It is a blast and has completely outstripped our expectations. It has M genes in spades. Everyone in my family is fighting for the keys every day. Absolute winner. __________________ 2020 X3MC, 2018 Porsche Macan, 2019 X3 3.0i, 2016 981 Cayman S
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09-06-2016, 04:23 AM	#13
ahfa1987 Private 45 Rep 75 Posts Drives: BMW X4 M40i Carbon Black Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Markham, ON iTrader: (0)	Congrats!!! Hahaha We originally got LBB too and after going to the autoshow and my wife saw it in person, she overruled me too hahah and we went with Carbon Black, for the first few months I was so bothered with the color as LBB is our signature but I got over it lol. As our car is so special already and eventually everyone will know. Hell we might even wrap it Matt blue or something lol. Anyways have fun! __________________ '05 RSX-Type S Pearl White 6MT GONE '13 BMW 128i M-Sport Black 6MT GONE '04 Acura TSX Silver GONE '13 Mercedes Benz C-350 Opal Red GONE '16 BMW x4 M40i Carbon Black W/ Mocha INT Current!
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09-07-2016, 07:23 AM	#15
Duke I Second Lieutenant 107 Rep 272 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Rockies iTrader: (0)	Contact info pls. Thanks. __________________ Duke 2018 X5 50i 2015 911 C2S 2017 X4 M40i (gone); 2010 X5 (last of the NAs); 2007 550i (still missed, except in the snow); 1991 525i manual (great 17-year run)
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09-09-2016, 05:40 PM	#17
DBU Captain 233 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 2022 X4MC - Marina Bay Blue Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Orange County, California iTrader: (0)	LBB vs Wives New to this forum (1st post actually). Reading through this thread cracked me up. The wife and I saw a Melbourne Read X4 M-sport at the Welt in 2014. She is a happy X3 (Blue E83) driver and fell in love with it. I was so-so... Fast forward to the release of the '17 M40i and me being ready to retire my blue 530 (E60). Of course I fell in love with the LBB. Our CA eventually was able to show us a LBB X5 M-sport. I loved it and we ordered the X4 40i in LBB that day. She was "OK - but not totally happy" with the color. As "luck" would have it, it took a couple of weeks to get a production number. During this time, the LBB kind of became "too much" - even for me and we settled on a gray one. But it is funny to see that more than one other (male) owner has had to succumb to wife's pressure to drop the LBB.
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