[Bimmerforlife]

This is not good news, here is a 2024 X3 build date 2023-08-23 per mdecoder. net
It has Cognac Vernasca leather and it is still missing driver and passenger side width adjustment.


https://www.bmwinocala.com/inventory...3dp08r9t71213/

[R N M]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Why is this an "upgrade"? They're bigger and heavier.

Its an upgrade bec the 20in wheels are staggered which gives you better handling and will also put the power down better.

The 19s are too small and the offsets make the stance of the car not as good.

Edit - if its not M40i then I guess 19s make more sense. I don’t really get why ppl get 4cyl version when the straight 6 engine is so much better.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by R N M

Edit - if its not M40i then I guess 19s make more sense. I don’t really get why ppl get 4cyl version when the straight 6 engine is so much better.

For me, adequate acceleration, slightly uncomfortable seats, lack of acoustic glass, and crappy stereo system (not to mention de-contented items) makes $50k+ easier to swallow vs $60-70k!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by R N M

Its an upgrade bec the 20in wheels are staggered which gives you better handling and will also put the power down better.

The 19s are too small and the offsets make the stance of the car not as good.

Edit - if its not M40i then I guess 19s make more sense. I don’t really get why ppl get 4cyl version when the straight 6 engine is so much better.

In daily driving, the staggered setup is unnoticeable. I had it as 18s on a 2 Series and gave it up in favor of a square setup of lighter weight 17s. Staggered is different than a square setup, but not objectively better, although you may prefer it personally. A lighter weight square 19 setup will accelerate faster, brake sooner, and ride more smoothly than 20s, although some differences are small. The dynamics are improved for jounce and rebound when the mass being controlled is lighter thus the lighter wheel/tire assembly.

Stance? Don't care. It looks fine to me as originally designed.

The 6 is not "better". It is different. It requires having a lithium battery onboard as it's a mild hybrid...no thanks. It is less efficient and the 4 provides more than adequate power for most purposes. This is a small SUV not a sports car, although there are plenty of enjoyable 4 cylinder sports cars not burdening the front end steering and suspension behavior by the extra weight over the front wheels of a 6. As I recall, Jalopnik preferred the 228i to the 235i when they launched for this very reason of vehicle dynamics.

The whole concept of something being objectively "better" is a fallacy. Things are only either identical or different. Valence is a human subjective filter. If you prefer one to the other, that is better for you, but it doesn't apply to anyone else unless they happen to agree with you..

[R N M]

The 4cyl in X3 is barely acceptable.
Its a big heavy car and needs the 6cyl to feel like a sporty SUV.

The straight 6 also makes the daily commute more pleasurable as its silky smooth with effortless torque.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by R N M

The 4cyl in X3 is barely acceptable.
Its a big heavy car and needs the 6cyl to feel like a sporty SUV.

The straight 6 also makes the daily commute more pleasurable as its silky smooth with effortless torque.

I respect your opinion that applies to you. Others will have different feelings.

[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by R N M

The 4cyl in X3 is barely acceptable.
Its a big heavy car and needs the 6cyl to feel like a sporty SUV.

The straight 6 also makes the daily commute more pleasurable as its silky smooth with effortless torque.

One reason I prefer the 6 cylinder is that it's effortless to get out ahead of other drivers from a stoplight. Too many people are lost in their phones, and it's nice to get away from them and have the road to myself. Reason #2: It is so much fun, it's intoxicating without using alcohol!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by R N M

The 4cyl in X3 is barely acceptable.
Its a big heavy car and needs the 6cyl to feel like a sporty SUV.

The straight 6 also makes the daily commute more pleasurable as its silky smooth with effortless torque.

Everything is relative and every person has their priorities. Before MB stopped making their 6-cylinder AMG GLC, I would imagine there was much more luxury in the AMG for nearly the same price as the M40i. I would have gotten that instead if I was buying at the time.

Of course this is w/the benefit of hindsight knowing the decontenting my car went through, castration of the audio system, etc.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by R N M

Its an upgrade bec the 20in wheels are staggered which gives you better handling and will also put the power down better.

The 19s are too small and the offsets make the stance of the car not as good.

Edit - if its not M40i then I guess 19s make more sense. I don’t really get why ppl get 4cyl version when the straight 6 engine is so much better.

I can think of $20,000 reasons. A 30i at 50k or an M40i at 70k. That doesn't matter to some of us, matters a lot to others. I do agree for the cost of a well-optioned 30i there are better deals out there.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by EWL5

For me, adequate acceleration, slightly uncomfortable seats, lack of acoustic glass, and crappy stereo system (not to mention de-contented items) makes $50k+ easier to swallow vs $60-70k!

That pretty well nails it. In fact after doing my 1000-mile trip last week, I predict I'll never do it again in that car. And for an around-town car, a 70k M40i X3 is a waste of space. If anyone feels differently, I fully respect your opinion and your right to do so, I'm not slamming anyone else who enjoys the X3.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

I can think of $20,000 reasons. A 30i at 50k or an M40i at 70k. That doesn't matter to some of us, matters a lot to others. I do agree for the cost of a well-optioned 30i there are better deals out there.

It's not always about the money. I could have walked out with an iX if I wished, but had some criteria that guided my choice to spec a fairly loaded X3 SDrive 30i:

• I enjoy the feel/dynamics of a rear wheel drive BMW with a light weight front end that I don't feel similarly in others, even in daily driving on local errands, etc. Pure/most straight-line power is not my thing. Also why I chose a 228i and not 235i years ago, as Jalopnik agreed.
• I'll never spend a nickel on anything from VAG again (not VW, nor Audi, nor Porsche - same company that behaved badly for us). MB's quality record has been disappointing and I don't get the same feeling from most Asian cars, although I was pleasantly surprised by driving the Genesis GV70...if only it was a bit roomier inside. Our one local dealer's service department is not highly praised online.
• This is a family car/grocery-getter/dinner out or airport runner, so more power than 4 cylinder is not important. No work commuting anymore.
• BMW quality has become quite good over recent years
• My almost 10 year old excellent 2 Series "toy/keeper" wants a related sibling
• I don't want any powertrain with any form of lithium battery and the 6 cylinders are mild hybrid now. Otherwise, I would have had an X5. https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...fe-216613.html
• I have an outstanding service advisor I've known for years and takes great care of me
• I have high confidence in BMW's design structure for crash management
• I actually enjoyed the test drive and it feels better to me than my current 330iX GT

As I go through this mental process, the funnel of thought leads me to the car I ordered, even without my preference of paint color being available. Some compromises are acceptable. If I had been offered the identical car at the same price with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, my preference is the 4.

[R N M]

I could have leased a fully loaded 30i model for half of what I’m paying for the M40i when i got it back in June as they had special 39month leasing programs and much larger discounts.

To me the straight 6 engine is worth it. I have owned a BMW with turbo 6 going back to 2008 when i had the N54 in my 335i. They make the car really special.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by R N M

I could have leased a fully loaded 30i model for half of what I’m paying for the M40i when i got it back in June as they had special 39month leasing programs and much larger discounts.

To me the straight 6 engine is worth it. I have owned a BMW with turbo 6 going back to 2008 when i had the N54 in my 335i. They make the car really special.

It is interesting that what we prefer now appears to have some relationship to our individual personal BMW histories. My 1977 320i was 4 cylinder as were all the 2002s I drove before I actually owned my own BMW. When I see the architecture of BMW's HQ building in Munich, intentionally designed as a symbol, for me, it cements in my mind the historical roots of the light(er)weight, nimble, 4 cylinder Bimmer.

[ASAP]

Just as a side point... most modern ev's including the ubiquitous Tesla 3s and Ys which are the most common EVs in the USA are both faster even in their slowest form compared to the 30i... the torque of these vehicles is a major selling point for them and they are seen as the ultimate around town daily drivers... not my cup of tea but there is a reason they sell so well and the performance aspect decisions were made.

[brownsbuckeyes1]

I don't disagree about the 6-cylinder over the 4. It's a great engine in both the X3 and the X5. However, sometimes the boss overrules some things due to palpatations over the amount of money being dropped on other things (finishing basement, in ground pool, etc.) right now even if affordability isn't a concern.

In my case, given the other alternatives at the same price point, there wasn't a car that still is as fun to drive, handles well, overall driving dynamics tech, etc. as the 4-cylinder version still. Once the projects are done, I'm going to trade up for the better engine for sure. Just biding my time.

In terms of the Teslas, they are definitely faster for sure, but it starts to fall short in other areas comparatively. Especially the 3 and Y.

[trauma-doc]

stuck in QC for days now. waiting is killing me

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by trauma-doc

stuck in QC for days now. waiting is killing me

Perhaps a trauma doctor can save you?

[Bimmerforlife]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Perhaps a trauma doctor can save you?

I see what you did there ^ lol

[Firstof3]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

In daily driving, the staggered setup is unnoticeable. I had it as 18s on a 2 Series and gave it up in favor of a square setup of lighter weight 17s. Staggered is different than a square setup, but not objectively better, although you may prefer it personally. A lighter weight square 19 setup will accelerate faster, brake sooner, and ride more smoothly than 20s, although some differences are small. The dynamics are improved for jounce and rebound when the mass being controlled is lighter thus the lighter wheel/tire assembly.

Stance? Don't care. It looks fine to me as originally designed.

The 6 is not "better". It is different. It requires having a lithium battery onboard as it's a mild hybrid...no thanks. It is less efficient and the 4 provides more than adequate power for most purposes. This is a small SUV not a sports car, although there are plenty of enjoyable 4 cylinder sports cars not burdening the front end steering and suspension behavior by the extra weight over the front wheels of a 6. As I recall, Jalopnik preferred the 228i to the 235i when they launched for this very reason of vehicle dynamics.

The whole concept of something being objectively "better" is a fallacy. Things are only either identical or different. Valence is a human subjective filter. If you prefer one to the other, that is better for you, but it doesn't apply to anyone else unless they happen to agree with you..

I agree with your point on "...being objectively better is a fallacy". Personally I find the 4cyl X3 boring and not worth the price over it's japanese competition. I actually enjoyed driving my MY21' X1 more than the 4cyl X3. On paper most would probably say the X3 is "objectively" better than the X1.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Firstof3

On paper most would probably say the X3 is "objectively" better than the X1.

Probably so and they would be laboring under a false illusion. Most people buy into the idea that one thing can possibly being "better" than another thing. My philosophy is that nothing is objectively "better" than anything. It's all subjective human perception and personal preferences when observing differences.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

My philosophy is that nothing is objectively "better" than anything. It's all subjective human perception and personal preferences when observing differences.

Hope your philosophy doesn’t apply to engineering.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Firstof3

I agree with your point on "...being objectively better is a fallacy". Personally I find the 4cyl X3 boring and not worth the price over it's japanese competition. I actually enjoyed driving my MY21' X1 more than the 4cyl X3. On paper most would probably say the X3 is "objectively" better than the X1.

I'm curious what Japanese competition you may be thinking of. The ones I'm thinking of add features to check off boxes and proclaim a value proposition that is truly in the eye of the beholder.