[AndyX3M]

I currently own an E92 M3 and a Golf R. I am looking to consolidate down into one vehicle, and the X3M seems perfect. The issue is I live in Montreal and our roads are really bad. I find the ride on my Golf terrible; the M3 is like an S-Class in comparison.

I have a test drive scheduled with an X3M40i, and I am looking around for an X3M to test drive. Am I wasting time looking at the X3M if I'm looking for some level of comfort?

[jwong77]

I have no experience with an X3M, but I own the softer M40i. I find the ride quality very soft compared to my other cars (s2000, Porsche 993), but it’s far from the softness of my wife’s RX350, which is very plush. With that said, we have no issues with the M40i and it’s our dedicated road trip car, because of the fuel efficiency and performance. Some on this board have complained that the M40i is too harsh, so it may depend upon which wheel/tire combination you get. Mine has the softest setup with the 19 inch wheels. I suggest you test drive both back to back.

[Mirko]

I went from a z4m on stock suspension as well as mcs suspension. X3m is fine. It's what I expected from an m car. It could be a bit more comfortable but then it wouldn't handle as good as it does. I compare it to my other daily an f25 x3. That is comfortable but it cant take the corners without feeling the weight/height. X3m would be nicer if it was a bit more compliant but I didn't expect it to be so I am fine with it.

After reading all the complaints I expected the worst on my test drive. I walked away from it wondering what all the fuss was about. Even went on broken country roads. Each person has a different feel/opinion so best to try for yourself but coming from the m3 and golf r I think you will be like me. Let us know

[AndyX3M]

Originally Posted by jwong77

I have no experience with an X3M, but I own the softer M40i. I find the ride quality very soft compared to my other cars (s2000, Porsche 993), but it’s far from the softness of my wife’s RX350, which is very plush. With that said, we have no issues with the M40i and it’s our dedicated road trip car, because of the fuel efficiency and performance. Some on this board have complained that the M40i is too harsh, so it may depend upon which wheel/tire combination you get. Mine has the softest setup with the 19 inch wheels. I suggest you test drive both back to back.

Thanks for the input. Finding an X3M to test drive has been a bit tough but I will track one down before I make a decision. I've heard nothing but great things about the M40i, I just worry that coming from a pretty solid DD/weekend car situation, it won't give me the 'fizz' I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by Mirko

I went from a z4m on stock suspension as well as mcs suspension. X3m is fine. It's what I expected from an m car. It could be a bit more comfortable but then it wouldn't handle as good as it does. I compare it to my other daily an f25 x3. That is comfortable but it cant take the corners without feeling the weight/height. X3m would be nicer if it was a bit more compliant but I didn't expect it to be so I am fine with it.

After reading all the complaints I expected the worst on my test drive. I walked away from it wondering what all the fuss was about. Even went on broken country roads. Each person has a different feel/opinion so best to try for yourself but coming from the m3 and golf r I think you will be like me. Let us know

Happy to hear from a fellow Canadian with bad roads Appreciate the opinion.

[jwong77]

I don’t think you’ll find the “fizz” since the M40i would be a step back from a real “M” car. We actually enjoy it for all of the non performance aspects while still retaining a reasonable amount of acceleration. If you value driving dynamics, I think you’ll be disappointed with the M40i. It’s a fine car, but it’s not an M car. I hate to steal another maker’s tagline, but there is no substitute, at least not in the regular BMW lineup.

[The_janitor]

For the first few weeks its gonna feel stiff as F***, but you wont notice because your foot becomes a lot heavier...

[JABCAT]

I have a '23 g87 M2 & '22 X3MC (21" wheels). The X3 is significantly harsher than the M2 in any setting. Our roads are not great, but not horrible, but I wouldn't daily the X3MC on our roads.

[Swen6]

We went from the Mk7.5 Golf R to our 3d X3, haven't looked back and only dropped 50bhp....although I've started laying the foundations about changing to a late '20 X3M with the upgraded Cockpit Live, but i need to play the long game lol

[javax3m]

Originally Posted by Mirko

After reading all the complaints I expected the worst on my test drive. I walked away from it wondering what all the fuss was about. Even went on broken country roads. Each person has a different feel/opinion so best to try for yourself but coming from the m3 and golf r I think you will be like me. Let us know

This 10,000%. Take all the opinions you read with a grain of salt and test drive both on a few different road surfaces, because things that bother others might not bother you or vice versa. I was dead set on an M40i due to all the comments about the X3M being “teeth-chattering” and “back-breaking”. One test drive in the M was all it took to change my mind. I didn’t think it was all that much rougher to begin with, and the M Sport seats alone make any extra stiffness worth it in my opinion, as they’re way more comfortable than both the Sensatec and Vernasca. I rented a nearly new X3 w/ Sensatec for a road trip and found myself having to adjust a ton to stay comfortable for some reason.

Just be realistic and don’t go in expecting a super cushy ride. It’s a tall high-performance wagonish sports car, there had to be compromises somewhere to adhere to the laws of physics. And remember that some of the feedback you’ll read will be from 20-21 owners who don’t have the slightly improved ride for 2022+.

[65fastback]

I have owned a a E92 M3 and a F80 M3 both firm / not good on bad roads.

The X3M I now own is a 2020, to me the " firm or harsh " ride is a lot of what makes it still feel like a M car and NOT a suv.

IMO the x3M is a quieter ride in general with less road noise compared to all of the M cars ive owned, that I liked.

I will say some bumps can be very jarring ( parking lot speed bumps! ) which I didn't experience in my m cars. Ive test driven a few m40i and if the X3M rode that smooth and compliant I don't know I would have bought one....odd to say I know.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by AndyX3M

I currently own an E92 M3 and a Golf R. I am looking to consolidate down into one vehicle, and the X3M seems perfect. The issue is I live in Montreal and our roads are really bad. I find the ride on my Golf terrible; the M3 is like an S-Class in comparison.

I have a test drive scheduled with an X3M40i, and I am looking around for an X3M to test drive. Am I wasting time looking at the X3M if I'm looking for some level of comfort?

This "exact same subject matter" has been discussed in nauseam man. With all due respect, please do both yourself & us a favor... If you don't mind, feel free to do a quick search in the future before bringing this back up. Since you're brand new here, you get a free pass because you're still in rookie mode. An X3 M Comp (pre-LCI) with nice PS4S tires properly inflated & aligned is never harsh, bumpy, crashy or hard to live with on rough roads. Many people tend to be hypochondriacs & want a buttery soft, float like on a cloud of air Cadillac type of ride. This isn't called the M3 of the SUV world for nothing. Some people also wine & moan that the seat is too firm. Just goes to show, there's a substantial part of the market where pissy people will never be happy with anything.

The LCI version has softer springs. Therefore, it isn't as taught, dynamic, responsive, agile & sharp. But for the old guys who have super sensitive tendencies & uber perceptive abilities (or so they claim) they will have less to ***ch about. And the end of the day, go ride in an OG F87 M2, then come back & "try" to tell me the ride is too harsh for your liking -or- this thing tends to ride like a truck. Ride quality is subjective & everyone has a different point of reference. The F97 X3 M is not harsh by most means & I highly suggest you go drive a used one with decent tires before you form an opinion / assumption based on what you may read here with your eyes. Not everything is what it seams to be. But you would have to experience these things in real life to determine it for yourself. And no, this isn't S-58 lust talking.

[JABCAT]

^^^and yet you took the time to not only read it but post a lengthly contradictory post about the perceived ride quality of the X3M

[knali8]

Originally Posted by AndyX3M

I currently own an E92 M3 and a Golf R. I am looking to consolidate down into one vehicle, and the X3M seems perfect. The issue is I live in Montreal and our roads are really bad. I find the ride on my Golf terrible; the M3 is like an S-Class in comparison.

I have a test drive scheduled with an X3M40i, and I am looking around for an X3M to test drive. Am I wasting time looking at the X3M if I'm looking for some level of comfort?

Lets assume you like the X3M, because you probably will after a test drive, there are a number of aftermarket options that will allow you to fine tune the ride to your liking.

[e30 4 life!]

I live in NY and have been to Montreal plenty of times. The stock suspension rides like shit compared to a G8X. Not that it's harsh, but it is darty, even on MPS4S. The tramlining and side to side jostle on expansion joints is pretty disappointing, but many like it or learn to live with it. That said, installing KW V3 completely transforms the ride, still firm but so much more planted and compliant.

[Potatohead-M2]

One thing nobody ever talks about are the tire pressure settings. Certainly when the press vehicles were lent to reviewers they were on the higher >100 mph tire setting, which is about 8-10 psi higher (IIRC) than the <100 mph setting. That alone makes a huge difference.

[Gfit]

In the last 4 years I’ve owned or still own a 20 & 23 X3M, 22 M3, 24 X5M and 25 M8. The X3M still makes me laugh how I literally rise out of the seat on even minor road imperfections. It’s my wife’s daily and we both don’t mind the ride but it’s not subtle and by far the most jarring of any M I’ve owned. Still fun to drive and I actually preferred it over my recently departed X5M because it was more engaging.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by Gfit

In the last 4 years I’ve owned or still own a 20 & 23 X3M, 22 M3, 24 X5M and 25 M8. The X3M still makes me laugh how I literally rise out of the seat on even minor road imperfections. It’s my wife’s daily and we both don’t mind the ride but it’s not subtle and by far the most jarring of any M I’ve owned. Still fun to drive and I actually preferred it over my recently departed X5M because it was more engaging.

Now that's a good reference for the F9x versus other M platforms.
Thanks!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Gfit

In the last 4 years I’ve owned or still own a 20 & 23 X3M, 22 M3, 24 X5M and 25 M8. The X3M still makes me laugh how I literally rise out of the seat on even minor road imperfections. It’s my wife’s daily and we both don’t mind the ride but it’s not subtle and by far the most jarring of any M I’ve owned. Still fun to drive and I actually preferred it over my recently departed X5M because it was more engaging.

It will always be much more engaging then the heavy X5 M & a proper set of lowering springs eliminates 80-90% of the bounciness you're speaking about over large bumps at high speeds. A bumpy ride & a harsh ride are two different things.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

^^^and yet you took the time to not only read it but post a lengthly contradictory post about the perceived ride quality of the X3M

And yet you took the time to post a pissing post on my post that didn't add anything to the OP's question. LMAO Talk about irony from another Vette owner. If you're going to bark at someone, at least mention what you're barking & fussing about. The ride quality issue that only exists to a select few is a relatively non existent matter to others. Those who are inclined to continually bring this up often tend to have no remotely comparable reference point to pivot from & are often the ones bringing this up despite never riding in any other super SUV's in factory stock trim. Care to explain & enlighten us since you felt the need to say my words were contradictory (to you in your eyes)... ?

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

It will always be much more engaging then the heavy X5 M & a proper set of lowering springs eliminates 80-90% of the bounciness you're speaking about over large bumps at high speeds. A bumpy ride & a harsh ride are two different things.

Probably but I’ve owned a lot of cars and nothing I’ve owned comes close to the lack of composure of the X3M. The X5M is well sorted. I had a Stelvio Quad that handled incredibly but was still decent over bumps. The point is, BMW could have done a whole lot better with this. Again, I bought another even knowing this so I’m a fan of the car overall.

[bk_g80_m3]

Well, I know I'll likely get flamed for this, but this is a stiff car. I need to qualify this observation. I'm from the Bay Area - and for the first time over the weekend I drove this car on 680 from around north east SJ to Pleasanton area. This car is brutal on that road. There are tons of cracks, potholes, grooves, and whoops on the freeway. 4-5 times my family actually had our butts lift off the seats from these bumps. This car is likely one of the roughest cars I've owned.

It's fairly odd because just loafing around town the car is fine, but when you're doing 75ish on the highway then hit these bumps it's really stiff. I was running the suspension in comfort mode, with the tire pressure set to the recommended pressure on the door jamb sticker (I think 33/38psi F/R).

It's unfortunate because I love the car for all the other reasons, quick, looks good, great interior. But the suspension is STIFF.

So no shame on the car I like it for every other reason - but if you live in an area with trashed pavement you should know.

I'm thinking about doing that spring mod - but don't want to give up the handling in the twisties - but comfort on the road isn't great.

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by bk_g80_m3

Well, I know I'll likely get flamed for this, but this is a stiff car. I need to qualify this observation. I'm from the Bay Area - and for the first time over the weekend I drove this car on 680 from around north east SJ to Pleasanton area. This car is brutal on that road. There are tons of cracks, potholes, grooves, and whoops on the freeway. 4-5 times my family actually had our butts lift off the seats from these bumps. This car is likely one of the roughest cars I've owned.

It's fairly odd because just loafing around town the car is fine, but when you're doing 75ish on the highway then hit these bumps it's really stiff. I was running the suspension in comfort mode, with the tire pressure set to the recommended pressure on the door jamb sticker (I think 33/38psi F/R).

It's unfortunate because I love the car for all the other reasons, quick, looks good, great interior. But the suspension is STIFF.

So no shame on the car I like it for every other reason - but if you live in an area with trashed pavement you should know.

I'm thinking about doing that spring mod - but don't want to give up the handling in the twisties - but comfort on the road isn't great.

No flaming. I agree. I’ve gone airborne in my seat many times at that speed