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      05-07-2019, 08:37 AM   #1
supershaft
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purchasing a X3 M40i today and I have some questions

We're looking to get a SUV in the family and the X3 M40 is at the top of my list. I have a car specced to the gills but it has the M sport diff and the space saver tire. I see that people have retrofitted the normal trunk into the vehicle but I haven't really seen a general consensus on the M sport diff. Anyone have any thoughts or experience on it?

I have the option of another vehicle without the m sport diff and the adaptive M suspension but I'm not sure if I'll regret getting a car that's fully optioned out or one without the adaptive M suspension.
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      05-07-2019, 09:37 AM   #2
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I'm not an expert, but from what was written here, it's not very clear, what benefits are having M sport diff in daily driving. Be aware of the space save tire - it will raise the floor in the trunk a few cm/inches > https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1439941
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      05-07-2019, 09:41 AM   #3
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In hindsight, I would have gotten the adaptive suspension. It's a bargain for what it provides.
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      05-07-2019, 10:03 AM   #4
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Definitely get the adaptive M suspension!
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      05-07-2019, 10:09 AM   #5
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Skip the m-diff and go for the suspension, with staggered wheels there is pretty good rear grip under acceleration. The M-Diff only really makes a difference when your on the power really hard between the apex and trackout. It isn't something you'll be able to appreciate on public roads much, if ever. As others have said, you'll feel the difference the adaptive suspension makes all the time.
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      05-07-2019, 11:03 AM   #6
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Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately because I want the ventilated seats I only have two vehicles to choose from. One that does not have the adaptive suspension and another that does but also has the sport diff and space saver tire.

Building isn't an option as my wife's vehicle is totaled and I don't want her to wait that long
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      05-07-2019, 11:44 AM   #7
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As long as you're aware of all the complaints of the ventilated seats being very uncomfortable, good luck with your choice. I am going with no spare to get the most of the cargo area, including the spot to store the cargo cover under the floor and forgoing the sport diff due to the comments similar to those you've seen above. I was going to get ventilated seats, but the scores of complaints about them have convinced me not to do so now.
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      05-07-2019, 12:09 PM   #8
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I just bought a X3 M40i with ventilated seats...… they are comfortable enough, no real complaints there..... BUT the VENTILATION effect is MINIMAL at best.... in hindsight, I would not opt for the ventilated seats again
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      05-07-2019, 12:31 PM   #9
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We did order and did spec the m-diff, adaptive suspension and space saver tire and avoided ventilated seats. All this is personal preference based on your needs and desires. You do loose a bit of room with the tire, but compared to the loss of trunk space the option causes in the sedan/coupes, it's minimal. We are often driving in remote mountain areas where having a spare is important to me (got stranded in my Porsche with no spare once).

The M-Diff is definitely not necessary, but still desirable to me for hustling through said mountain roads. Other than price, it's not something that will make your daily driving any less enjoyable.

The non-ventilated seats are more comfortable in my opinion and do offer the adjustable side bolsters, which is also desirable to me. BMW ventilated seats are worthless, IMHO, since they don't cool are a big waste of money and in the case of the X3, comfort.

So I would obviously choose the one with M Adaptive, M Diff and spare tire. YMMV depending on your needs but the suspension alone would tip the scales if nothing else.
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Last edited by speeddeacon; 05-07-2019 at 01:21 PM..
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      05-07-2019, 02:20 PM   #10
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Agree with many others - so for me,

Adaptive suspension - definitely yes
Ventilated seats - definitely no
M Sport diff. And spare tires - optional depending on your own preference.
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      05-07-2019, 03:45 PM   #11
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Don't get the ventilated seats!!! They have NO side bolstering. When you are cornering (even slightly), you'll be sliding all over the place.

Trust me, the M40i has excellent handling and you are going to want to corner hard every chance you get....twisty roads, highway onramps and offramps, you get the picture. Go with the standard seats!
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      05-07-2019, 08:44 PM   #12
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I got the M-Diff, it feels like it makes a difference in daily driving (i drove one without the m diff as well).

Seems the turn radius is less with the m-diff as well and cornering is amazing
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      05-07-2019, 08:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supershaft View Post
Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately because I want the ventilated seats I only have two vehicles to choose from. One that does not have the adaptive suspension and another that does but also has the sport diff and space saver tire.

Building isn't an option as my wife's vehicle is totaled and I don't want her to wait that long


don't do vent seats. they change the design of the seat. no side bolsters!
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      05-08-2019, 07:54 AM   #14
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I live in a very hilly twisty area and I love the Mdiff one of the things I enjoy the most in this car, my last one did not have it and I can definitely tell the difference. That being said though I have to agree if you must choose between adaptive suspension and Mdiff go Adaptive. when my car is in sport and I go around a twisty hilly turn you can really feel the rear almost steering you and it feels like it would not let go until your eyes popped out of your head first. but I rarely feel it in adaptive and never feel it in comfort mode so having it without the adaptive struts would be pointless in my opinion. Also vented seats are not for me there is another thread pointing out its limitations and drawbacks.
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      05-08-2019, 10:03 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rowsey View Post
I just bought a X3 M40i with ventilated seats...… they are comfortable enough, no real complaints there..... BUT the VENTILATION effect is MINIMAL at best.... in hindsight, I would not opt for the ventilated seats again
We have the ventilated seats in our 2019 and I agree with your assessment. The seats are fine for us and were definitely not a deal breaker (we bought from dealer inventory). The ventilation is minimum, as you said, but having had them in a couple of other cars they met our expectations and are appreciated with the warmer weather finally here.
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      09-19-2019, 10:15 PM   #16
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I'm ordering my m40 tomorrow! I've been debating between getting the M-diff or not. I realized they remove the all seasons forcing the high performance tires on. Can one replace the tires with all-seasons after the fact? Someone mentioned on another post BMW advises against having all seasons with the M-diff. I have two sets for my 340 and really hate changing the tires.

If not, will I regret not getting the M-diff?
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      09-19-2019, 11:19 PM   #17
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chpnsus I had a 2018 without M-Diff and a 2019 with it. Honestly, I don’t know that I could tell the difference. That said, I confess I ordered on my 2020.

M-adjustable suspension is a must have.

Yes, you can replace tires. I ordered 21718M and third party tire/wheel combo for winter.
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      09-20-2019, 10:16 AM   #18
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I spent a day on the track at BMW with an M40i with the M differential and then received mine without. I have not felt any difference, although if I were to bring mine now to the track, I might. In everyday practical use, there is no difference felt at all in my opinion.
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      09-20-2019, 02:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chpnsus View Post
I'm ordering my m40 tomorrow! I've been debating between getting the M-diff or not. I realized they remove the all seasons forcing the high performance tires on. Can one replace the tires with all-seasons after the fact? Someone mentioned on another post BMW advises against having all seasons with the M-diff. I have two sets for my 340 and really hate changing the tires.

If not, will I regret not getting the M-diff?
Why would A/S tires be bad for the M-Diff?
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      09-20-2019, 02:07 PM   #20
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Just ordered loaded M40i. Adaptive suspension, M diff, 21's, and no spare. Should arrive within the next two weeks. Really wanting to see the results of the suspension with the 21's. And maybe feel the diff in some turns.
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      09-20-2019, 02:39 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TX3M View Post
Why would A/S tires be bad for the M-Diff?
Not sure BMW would see the A/S tires as 'bad' for the M-Diff. Isn't it more about the driving performance being limited by the A/S tires.
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