I don't really like to create threads for new cars, but given the "rarity" of the color, I figured I'd post to let everyone in on the ownership experience of the car.
Background:
I'm actually coming into the X3M by way of a 2020 X3M. Despite the crazy fantastic deal I got on the car, there were a few things that I didn't love. First, was the color. I just cannot stand black cars: they're hard to maintain and a little boring for my tastes. For context, over the last four years, I've had an Austin Yellow F80, Misano Blue x2 M35, Nitro Yellow Toyota Supra, Melbourne Red M235, and the black x3m.
The other gripe with the x3m, was the seating position. Given that my car was a non-comp pack, it also came with the non M-Sport seats. As such, I felt like a UPS truck driver, sitting well above an ideal seating position. As a frame of reference, on the non-M x3s, the seats let you go much lower, too.
Finally, I wasn't too keen on the low end torque, but that's not a significant issue as I could get around that by way of driving style.
Lateral Moves:
Despite the above, many of my car friends see this as a lateral move. And, while it may be to a certain degree, there's a few things that make this car feel a bit more than a lateral move.
Rather than detail the differences/reasons, I'll bullet them out:
1) Financial Incentive - a few (not all) BMW dealers were offering me a TON on my trade and this dealer came in at the highest net trade-in value. For comparison, Vroom wanted 8k less than what I was offered by this BMW.
2) Negotiating on Dealer Markup - Yes, I paid markup. I'd rather not say, but let's say the dealer and I met at a place that I was happy to pay and they were happy to accept.
3) Individual color - colors matter to me and this car was a great way to get into an individual color without waiting however long I needed to wait for it. It also had ALL the specs I wanted (executive, ventilated seats, comp pack, black calipers). It's missing a wireless charger, but that wireless charger never really worked too well in my 2020.
3) 2022 vs 2023 pricing - 2023 model year cars are higher by comparison and so now I get the car that I want now without paying the premium (which was technically washed out the the markup but it made me okay with eating a markup).
4) Low-End Torque - I can feel the difference, even with giving it mild throttle inputs.
5) Comp Exhaust - I love the way this sounds from the factory; the non comp models have a muffled exhaust that's really uncharacteristic of a sports vehicle
6) Comp package - and on that note of the exhaust, the comp package overall offers a significant advantage by way of driving feel. At least that's the impression I get from my 50 or so miles behind the wheel on some twists and turns.
7) Features - android auto and ventilated seats are a must on any car
Pictures:
Fresh photos are to come, but here are teasers... (note, I had issues uploading vertically oriented photos so these will suffice for now).
