Quote:
Originally Posted by mfurse
Agree a solid roof would be lighter on any car but the M3 was genuinely lighter than its contemporaries all up and the carbon roof was standard to assist in achieving that goal (as well as it being marketing of course - not sure how many mortals could feel the difference the roof makes in the M3).
The X3 M has been unfortunately engineered to be heavier than all its contemporaries. That seems like a massive oversight to me from BMW to enter a category for the first time with a good looking SUV, proper M engineering and end up heavier than nearly everyone - even the Merc GLC63S which is equiped with more cylinders, air suspension and is more plush in general.
All that weight means needing a suspension setup to contain the mass riding up high and rather predictably that has spoiled the ride somewhat. Reducing over 2000 kg's worth of SUV by single digits removing the sunroof... like I said ... hardly worth it in reality but each to their own.
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The comparison to the GLC63S is interesting for things like weight.
You can't forget that the X3M is a bigger car - it’s longer, wider and taller than the GLC so that’s where the additional weight comes from. I’ll agree that it is unusual for an M to be heavier than the comparable AMG car though.
So for M the starting position with the X3 was already heavier due to the size. A carbon roof would save weight, but would that saving really benefit this car? I’d also still spec a pano roof anyway, I love it!