[hermshk]

Hi everyone, I have been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to post

I purchased a CPO 2019 BMW X3M40i in late 2023

So far I love this car. I did not really need an SUV (I am in my early 20s) but the combination of practicality and performance was extremely tempting, it also helps that for whatever reason used M40is were significantly cheaper than M340is

On to my question, while I love the way this car handles, I see that most people here are udnerhwelemd by it. I hear that the M sport diff fixes a lot of these issues. Unfortunately mine is not equipped with it

Is it possible to get this done aftermarket? How costly would it be?

Sorry if this is a stupid question

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by hermshk

Hi everyone, I have been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to post

I purchased a CPO 2019 BMW X3M40i in late 2023

So far I love this car. I did not really need an SUV (I am in my early 20s) but the combination of practicality and performance was extremely tempting, it also helps that for whatever reason used M40is were significantly cheaper than M340is

On to my question, while I love the way this car handles, I see that most people here are udnerhwelemd by it. I hear that the M sport diff fixes a lot of these issues. Unfortunately mine is not equipped with it

Is it possible to get this done aftermarket? How costly would it be?

Sorry if this is a stupid question

No such thing as a stupid question, one of the experienced forum members will advise on this, I’m sure!
Welcome to the forum by the way!

[5LEEPR_G01]

This thread sums up most of the questions you might have.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2033376

[COM40]

What are your issues with the handling?

And do you have the adaptive suspension? And what's your wheel/tire setup?

[hermshk]

Originally Posted by COM40

What are your issues with the handling?

And do you have the adaptive suspension? And what's your wheel/tire setup?

No issues personally but so many people in this forum seem underwhelmed by it, I feel like I may be missing out on something

I do have adaptive suspension, currently on the stock wheels and tires, the performance RFTs

[Alias1431]

Originally Posted by hermshk

No issues personally but so many people in this forum seem underwhelmed by it, I feel like I may be missing out on something

IMO, most here say it's fine without it, and that you won't even notice unless you are doing some real 10/10 driving.

[hermshk]

Haha I do love driving hard. I know that an SUV will be limited by physics, but it was just too good of an overall proposition to pass up on

[bocabimmer]

My biggest issue with the X3’s handling is that it’s a heavy and high SUV and that’s not something an LSD is going to solve.

Knowing that it wouldn’t handle like a 3 when I bought it, I’m not disappointed though. I’ve still taken it on many adventures lots of sedans wouldn’t dream of.

[BlueBlackM40]

I optioned it on my ‘24 M40i. Ancedotally it is awesome and worth every penny IMO. For an SUV, this thing sucks to and rockets out of tight curves. With enough gas in traction mode, you can kick the tail out fairly easy. The couple M40s I test drove over the past few years without the differential didn’t feel nearly as nimble.

I’m running 20” non-RFT stock, so that’s another point of differentiation vs the others I’ve driven.

[hermshk]

Originally Posted by BlueBlackM40

I optioned it on my ‘24 M40i. Ancedotally it is awesome and worth every penny IMO. For an SUV, this thing sucks to and rockets out of tight curves. With enough gas in traction mode, you can kick the tail out fairly easy. The couple M40s I test drove over the past few years without the differential didn’t feel nearly as nimble.

I’m running 20” non-RFT stock, so that’s another point of differentiation vs the others I’ve driven.

That’s what I thought. So would it be possible to get one on installed on mine even though it didn’t come installed from factory?

[hermshk]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

My biggest issue with the X3’s handling is that it’s a heavy and high SUV and that’s not something an LSD is going to solve.

Knowing that it wouldn’t handle like a 3 when I bought it, I’m not disappointed though. I’ve still taken it on many adventures lots of sedans wouldn’t dream of.

Yeahhh but I felt like the handling was close enough to a 3 series to not really matter. But I’m starting to regret not having the differential

[Rottweiler]

Have you already installed lowering springs or if your budget allows…KW’s?

I think you’d get far more bang for your buck doing that before a differential swap

[hermshk]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Have you already installed lowering springs or if your budget allows…KW’s?

I think you’d get far more bang for your buck doing that before a differential swap

I want to but I’m worried it will void my CPO warranty

[alex2364]

Are you going to be Lewis Hamilton driving through corners like every second counts? I have it on mine and can’t tell the difference at all. It’s a top heavy SUV and unless you’re going 9/10 through corners, you won’t feel anything.

Originally Posted by hermshk

I want to but I’m worried it will void my CPO warranty

Yet you want to install aftermarket differential?

[hermshk]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Are you going to be Lewis Hamilton driving through corners like every second counts? I have it on mine and can’t tell the difference at all. It’s a top heavy SUV and unless you’re going 9/10 through corners, you won’t feel anything.


Yet you want to install aftermarket differential?

With the differential I was more just curious if it is even possible. I feel like I have missed out by not looking for one with the diff (I’m probably just overthinking things)

[avi66]

Originally Posted by hermshk

Hi everyone, I have been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to post

I purchased a CPO 2019 BMW X3M40i in late 2023

So far I love this car. I did not really need an SUV (I am in my early 20s) but the combination of practicality and performance was extremely tempting, it also helps that for whatever reason used M40is were significantly cheaper than M340is

On to my question, while I love the way this car handles, I see that most people here are udnerhwelemd by it. I hear that the M sport diff fixes a lot of these issues. Unfortunately mine is not equipped with it

Is it possible to get this done aftermarket? How costly would it be?

Sorry if this is a stupid question

Some will associate an active electronic locking sport diff with going donuts etc, but I don't believe that's what BMW was attempting in this case.

The goal for the G01 active M Sport locking diff, is more about improving traction and safety on a variety of driving surfaces, cornering loads, and driver input. The more extreme any of those are the more the diff plays its bit.

The unit in the G01 is based on the M Sport unit in true F97 M in terms of concept but isn't the same unit/part no, or programmed for the same goal as a true M car diff.

The BMW active locking diff is electronically controlled and links into other electronic driving systems, so not just a dumb LSD. I suspect it would be expensive to retrofit a genuine BMW unit, and I don't know if there is a similar third-party offering.

Here's what BMW UK says about the unit, which is standard on G01 M40's here -