[sdamike]

I'm sorry if this question has been beaten to death, I have tried searching it but not really coming up with any great conclusions here.

But I wanted to ask / hear about any M40i owners who are running 93 Octane tunes, with a downpipe, and maybe other typical mods, how happy are you with it? What/who's tune are you using? Does anyone have any draggy results or 1/4 mile times you could share?

I'm seriously looking at a M40i but have about zero availability to E85 around here but good 93 oct. is everywhere, so I would be sticking to 93 only for a tune. Granted, I'm not looking for a drag racing machine, but I want it to feel fun/fast on the street, and on some highway on/off ramps lol.

Also in the sake of not making another thread, how is the handling on the M40i? Any need to change the springs or anything like that? I know its not the X3M, but does it hold its own fairly well?

[mcdanielvzw]

Pretty basic here, 2021 M40i with a JB4 on Map3 - no additional mods, no DP, and I'm very satisfied. 2 previous cars had (a) downpipe(s), and they really opened up the cars.
The downpipe on the X1 with a JB4 was noticeable with the extra boost available even faster.
Even on the F10 550, with no tune, it unleashed the turbo spooling response and made a HUGE difference.

My M40i (tuned) feels just as fast as the 550 (no tune), at least off the line. Higher end acceleration in the twin turbo V8 is better of course.

[MagicJohnson]

I can’t speak to the first item.

I had to hustle to get to an appointment last weekend. That was the first time the car felt large to me. On throttle the sport diff creates a confident feel but off throttle I got a bit of the weeble wobbles while steering

Stiffness is fine with 20s and RFT IMO. I have no complaints about the ride height or wheel gap.

[Humdizzle]

alot of things you are asking about are relative.

speed and handling depends on what you are comparing it to. against its competitors on the market yes it is much faster and handles better. Against other 60-70k used sports car on the market no.

tune and dowpipe will get you just under 12.0 quarter mile. chasing power is losing game though. like riding the same roller coaster over and over it loses appeal quick.

[COM40]

I've had a long running debate with myself about tuning the M40i. The 'practical' side is winning but we'll see in a year or 2. It's extremely rare I find myself wanting for more power in the mountains - the deficit there is handling not power. And on the highway (which is where most speed traps are) I don't really want to get a ticket for going 25+ over, which means a mandatory court hearing in CO. And that's ridiculously easy to do even with the 'slow' 2019.

A coupe or sedan has inherently better handling but the M40i is good enough to have fun on a mt road and that's all that matters to me.

[vrships]

BM3 stage 2 93. I have to pump about 4 gallons E85 each tank because we have the obnoxious California gas

The engine runs almost clean timings and DME reports back 640Nm and 475hp in 4th gear at best.

Dragy is 3.4 to 3.5s 0-60mph most of the time. Didn't have chance to do 1/4 mile.

And MPG is about as good as stock as far as I can tell if that's something you care too

[SpeedOften]

Originally Posted by sdamike

I'm sorry if this question has been beaten to death, I have tried searching it but not really coming up with any great conclusions here.

But I wanted to ask / hear about any M40i owners who are running 93 Octane tunes, with a downpipe, and maybe other typical mods, how happy are you with it? What/who's tune are you using? Does anyone have any draggy results or 1/4 mile times you could share?

I'm seriously looking at a M40i but have about zero availability to E85 around here but good 93 oct. is everywhere, so I would be sticking to 93 only for a tune. Granted, I'm not looking for a drag racing machine, but I want it to feel fun/fast on the street, and on some highway on/off ramps lol.

Also in the sake of not making another thread, how is the handling on the M40i? Any need to change the springs or anything like that? I know its not the X3M, but does it hold its own fairly well?

I also, have zero e85 close by.
I don't have any draggy or 1/4 mile times, but I do have MHD OTS stage 2 tune, with the MST intake, Bimmernetwork DP and TU HPFP. I'm at 70k miles. I'm pretty happy with straight line performance. I need to change out injectors to go 2+. The OTS 2+ threw some injector related codes on me but the regular 2 has no issues.

A custom tune would provide bettter performance. I may go with Westtuned for this. I have not yet decided.

I am about to bite the bullet on springs to lower and maybe refresh some bushings / upgrade to the X3M swaybars. I am running a 275/40/20 setup which I enjoy.

It definitely holds it own fairly well.

[MayorMcCheezel]

I wouldn’t call a tuned M40i slow.

Attached Dragy 0-100kmh [62mph], 27C [80F], Stage 2+ 93 Map + Running 93.


Gen 1 B58 with gapped plugs and running Full 98RON [93 Octane]

Mods at the time:

VRSF Downpipe
TU Pump
MST Intake
BM3 Flex Fuelhat install
xHP Stage 3


It’s quicker on E30, I have E85 on pump about 3km [2 mile] down the road, but day to day run straight BP Ultimate. Basic Mods and tune will make it plenty quick.

If you want more upgrade the turbo and fuel system.

[hermshk]

Can't speak much to the first part of your question.

As far as handling goes here is another thread I posted the other day about the same thing
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2105023

General consensus is that as far SUVs in this price range goes handling is about as good as it gets, maybe just short of Macan S.

An X3M40i will handle better Than some sedans as well, but it will fall short of cars like the M3 or M340i

[sdamike]

Thanks to all for the replies so far!

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

alot of things you are asking about are relative.

speed and handling depends on what you are comparing it to. against its competitors on the market yes it is much faster and handles better. Against other 60-70k used sports car on the market no.

tune and dowpipe will get you just under 12.0 quarter mile. chasing power is losing game though. like riding the same roller coaster over and over it loses appeal quick.

I totally understand what you are saying. It's all very subjective. But, I have owned and been in other vehicles, that are quite fast, that don't feel that fast. Sure your accelerating quickly, but it can feel uninspired, sterile and just not that fun. I like getting pressed back in the seat and feeling like something is fast, more so then making sure I get to 130mph before someone else or having some insane top speed. (Granted, I do like to win the occasional race I may get into though, I mean, who doesn't lol)

Ive done alot of searching on my questions and I've watched a ton of youtube videos too, but it seems like 95% of them involve people running some type of ethanol blend and I was looking for input / results without that. (I know how much more aggressive tuning can be with ethanol so its not a good yardstick to measure with in this case)

Same goes with handling, I'm looking for fun, it doesn't need to set track records, but if it feels scary or handles terribly then maybe I should keep looking for other options.

From what I can tell the M40i seems to be in a sweet spot. A nice blend of everything. I'm mid 40's and not sure I want to be in something obnoxious, loud, and that rides like shit. I've been there and done that so with so many other cars now. I like the idea that I could take something like a M40i, have a blast driving it on the back roads on my way to our monthly costco shopping trip.

I of course have been doing the X3 M40i vs X3 M debate as well. Is the price difference worth it, do I want the harsher ride, worse gas mileage, higher insurance, but overall quicker vehicle? For a while I was thinking a used Sq7 maybe, but TBH the reliability scares me.

[earlgsxbusa]

HI sdamike

I was like in the same boat a few years ago when i picked up my 20 x4 m40i. I wasnt sure if i was going to mod it, btw im 50 in July sooo....lolol But here I am with info from the forums and a good shop I have something Im happy with.

IM in NJ and I have 3 E85 gas stations around...15 miles to get to it. So I run 93.

For mods:
VFRS Catted DP
Full Supersprint Exhaust
KW3 Coilovers 1.5" inch drop
TSW rims / Square 10" on Conti DSWs
BM3 Stage 2 93 AGG tune
xHP Stage 3 tune
Dahler ATTC
No Dragy yet but in a few weeks I will

Run on Sport Indi - Setting Sport Plus Steering/Sport Plus Engine
Run Sport Mode in Trans and use it during some highway / street races
Butt Dyno - I would say its hi 3's maybe 4 on 0-60 Power Brake and launch
70-90, about 3 seconds..
Rolling 30 to 70 its about 3.5
but of course I need a GPS to accurately track my times

So with my setup, I run in auto crosses with this. It does really well against some E90/E46 and other 3 and 4 series. It launches hard, takes the turns tight, a bit of understeer, but makes it though the parking lot cones pretty quick. I will post some vids next week, I have an AutoX this sunday. For an SUV/SAC and the weight 4300+lbs, its surpising how it moves. Other car owners asked me last month how is the x4 moving this quick and stable.

I can say for sure on the highway the m40i isnt slow. But as others said, its relative. I have taken most races since most i have come across they wont go past 123 when im pushing to 130. The KW3 suspension is great in highway and street, it is a bit on the cost tho.

I have a few posts/responses on here for different things.

So should i have gone with an X4M or Comp, ya..but I would spent way more on money on mods on it. So the m40i for me is a sweet spot for me, I have beaten stock x3Ms in a light to light race. I spent a little less than a stock x4 Comp.

Im sure Ill be doing a bit more on my ride like a custom Stage 2 tune, installing dragy, hybrid turbo, upgraded FI's and intake...but Ill see how 2024 is with the races and daily driving im doing and if i have the $$$ :-)

GL with your hunt!

[Murf]

I'm coming from a G80 M3 so power is subjective but I'm running Stg 1 95oct MHD multimap OTS, with a base XHP tune to just remove any torque nannies, and I' very impressed with this little trucky thing. 0-100 feels like more than enough for a top heavy brick and I have no desire to chase a few more hp in a daily.

[sdamike]

Originally Posted by earlgsxbusa

HI sdamike

I was like in the same boat a few years ago when i picked up my 20 x4 m40i. I wasnt sure if i was going to mod it, btw im 50 in July sooo....lolol But here I am with info from the forums and a good shop I have something Im happy with.

IM in NJ and I have 3 E85 gas stations around...15 miles to get to it. So I run 93.

For mods:
VFRS Catted DP
Full Supersprint Exhaust
KW3 Coilovers 1.5" inch drop
TSW rims / Square 10" on Conti DSWs
BM3 Stage 2 93 AGG tune
xHP Stage 3 tune
Dahler ATTC
No Dragy yet but in a few weeks I will

Run on Sport Indi - Setting Sport Plus Steering/Sport Plus Engine
Run Sport Mode in Trans and use it during some highway / street races
Butt Dyno - I would say its hi 3's maybe 4 on 0-60 Power Brake and launch
70-90, about 3 seconds..
Rolling 30 to 70 its about 3.5
but of course I need a GPS to accurately track my times

So with my setup, I run in auto crosses with this. It does really well against some E90/E46 and other 3 and 4 series. It launches hard, takes the turns tight, a bit of understeer, but makes it though the parking lot cones pretty quick. I will post some vids next week, I have an AutoX this sunday. For an SUV/SAC and the weight 4300+lbs, its surpising how it moves. Other car owners asked me last month how is the x4 moving this quick and stable.

I can say for sure on the highway the m40i isnt slow. But as others said, its relative. I have taken most races since most i have come across they wont go past 123 when im pushing to 130. The KW3 suspension is great in highway and street, it is a bit on the cost tho.

I have a few posts/responses on here for different things.

So should i have gone with an X4M or Comp, ya..but I would spent way more on money on mods on it. So the m40i for me is a sweet spot for me, I have beaten stock x3Ms in a light to light race. I spent a little less than a stock x4 Comp.

Im sure Ill be doing a bit more on my ride like a custom Stage 2 tune, installing dragy, hybrid turbo, upgraded FI's and intake...but Ill see how 2024 is with the races and daily driving im doing and if i have the $$$ :-)

GL with your hunt!

Thanks for the detailed reply!

It's actually great to hear, sounds like you enjoy it. And that would be awesome to see some AutoX videos of yours. I'm glad to hear you are autocrossing it and doing quite well!

Hows the ride on the coilovers?

But yes I'm definitely on the Hunt lol. I've been looking for what I'd call my ultimate all year vehicle (that I can actually afford lol). We get enough snow up here in upstate NY, so AWD or 4WD is a must. I like the utility of a SUV or a wagon... But I want it to be fun, speed and handling wise. After watching a bunch of youtube videos on these, they seem like they can be a blast IMO. They seem quite reliable too.

But yep the M vs M40i debate is a tough one. That down low grunty torque is appealing of the M40i, plus gas mileage is better, and yep its cheaper, I would assume insurance is cheaper too, maintenance, parts, etc.
The M is very appealing, BUT, I'm constantly asking myself, do I really need faster than 11's in a SUV? Cause I think thats what it comes down to between the M vs the M40i as far as speed goes. I'm oversimplifying it, but its like if you need 10's then go with a M, if 11's are cool go with the M40i. And I know, to some people, there is never enough speed, I have been that way, it IS addicting no doubt. But I've also gotten into trouble with too much speed lol. So I've found that for me, I prefer more of a fun feeling vehicle with a lot of TQ, more so then a fast vehicle that needs to be wound out. But thats just straight line shit...Handling wise I know is a whole other story / discussion lol.

And by no means do I think a M40i, tuned or not is slow. I'm old school and it's genuinely still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that we all have multiple choices if you want to run a 10-12 second 1/4 mile in a lightly modded SUV. I'm honestly blown away that a M40i with a tune and simple bolt ons is basically just as fast as a Durango Hellcat.

But, Im actually going to test drive a used M40i tomorrow, its bone stock but Im still kinda pumped to try it out.

[suby01]

Yes. Just a 93 OTS tune will be fast. You should be at low 12 seconds to high 11 seconds 1/4 mile. And just at 4 seconds 0-60.

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by suby01

Yes. Just a 93 OTS tune will be fast. You should be at low 12 seconds to high 11 seconds 1/4 mile. And just at 4 seconds 0-60.

Did you sell the X3?

[suby01]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

Did you sell the X3?

No way that’s illegal.

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by suby01

No way that’s illegal.

Was worried there for a second