avi66 wrote

I didn’t say it was the same exact diff, in fact I said they are different parts but shared the same active electromechanical approach.

Yes, I’ve driven an X3 M Comp, and owned plenty of very fast sports cars, but the F97 or M40 isn’t a very fast sports car, it’s a capable family SUV.

As for drifting, buy a car designed for that if it’s your thing. I can’t say my what do a I want from an SUV list has ever had drifting on it, but something that improves traction performance and offers better handling would be.

I almost bought an X3M for a few reasons... namely-

1) a much faster and more responsive steering rack
2) a suspension that allows you to actually take hard turns without lean
3) an appropriate rear diff setup

What held be me back was all the folks yelling about how uncomfortable an X3M was and during Covid it was hard to get an allocation... i drove one when they finally got them and found it to be very similar to the m40i... in any case, in hindsight - a 2 car setup is better... i'll get a sporty car to match the m40i in due time.

ASAP wrote

I almost bought an X3M for a few reasons... namely-

1) a much faster and more responsive steering rack
2) a suspension that allows you to actually take hard turns without lean
3) an appropriate rear diff setup

What held be me back was all the folks yelling about how uncomfortable an X3M was and during Covid it was hard to get an allocation... i drove one when they finally got them and found it to be very similar to the m40i... in any case, in hindsight - a 2 car setup is better... i'll get a sporty car to match the m40i in due time.

It’s a hard compromise to find a car that an easy family daily and a “true” sports car. I think your two car approach is the only solution to avoid too much compromise.

ASAP wrote

Right... all I am saying is... it's kind of irrelevant if its the same exact diff if it can't be used the same exact nor similar way.

In the X3M it's a performance setup... in the M40i, its a safety / traction setup.

Also - many people are looking to slide / drift their suv... have you driven an X3M? It bends physics...

For what it is worth. Own a X4 M40D 2023 (tuned to 380hp/780nm) with the M-diff which is standard in Germany. Drive a lot in mountains and drive very spirited… Have tried an X3 30d (also tuned) without the M-diff in same mountains. The M-diff in the X4 really makes a difference how the car takes the turns and in particular how it gets out of the turns. In the M-lite it may be set up slightly differently vs the real M, but even in the M-lite the M-diff makes a big difference- and I will always opt for it even if I had to pay extra

avi66 wrote

It’s a hard compromise to find a car that an easy family daily and a “true” sports car. I think your two car approach is the only solution to avoid too much compromise.

100% agreed. As much as I love my M40i, calling it a sports car is really stretching it too far. I have two other cars that fall more in line with what folks consider a real sports car and it is no contest. However, I cannot fit my family in either my S2000 nor my Porsche.

jwong77 wrote

M model as in the real M cars or the M Performance ones like our M40i? I had assumed I had an open diff, since I didn't remember seeing any mention of a diff in my build sheet.

Top M to clarify, M performance optioned only not standard.

Dinan_Rated wrote

Top M to clarify, M performance optioned only not standard.

This depends where in the world you are. As mentioned above, it is standard in Germany among others