[nvestr]

I would be very surprised if this is true globally for all markets. They are losing a direct competitor to the GLC43 and SQ5. The X3M is much more expensive and would compete with the GLC63. Would be pretty dumb to cut a model that is already designed (sunk costs) and leave that business to the other Germans.

[SO8]

Originally Posted by n9com

I believe the MY20 changes for the X3 have already been made on the configurator. All X3 M Sport trims will come with the Full Live Cockpit, as seen in the 3 series, X5 etc. Also in MY20, options such as rear sunblinds and display key have been removed.

The configurator was not available today ... changes still being out in place but the dealer read me an email he had saying what the differences were. The picture he showed me of the 'new' dash, on their email was not like the new 3 series - it looked 'normal' but maybe configurable ?

[n9com]

Originally Posted by SO8

The configurator was not available today ... changes still being out in place but the dealer read me an email he had saying what the differences were. The picture he showed me of the 'new' dash, on their email was not like the new 3 series - it looked 'normal' but maybe configurable ?

From what i've been told by dealer and BMW live chat, the MY20 X3 M Sport will have the full live cockpit. This is officially known as 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional'.


This has been live on the configurator for over a week in the UK.

[jphcbpa]

Does this apply to the US or UK Only ?

[Redman67]

I can’t imagine BMW would discontinue the M40i. With the million different models they have it would be dumb to cede this segment to SQ5 and GLC 43

I for one bought an M40i and had no interest financially to stretch or wait for an X3M. I would have purchased my runner up the SQ5.

That said, if I’d true, I feel even better about my purchase of a ‘19.

[n9com]

I just spoke to BMW again. It is discontinued in the UK only. Very strange.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Is Teaston a Genuis?????

[teaston]

Originally Posted by n9com

I just spoke to BMW again. It is discontinued in the UK only. Very strange.

That is a massive shame, for folks who do under 10k miles a year it’s one of the best, if not the best car currently available!

But we do get the M40d here, which they don’t get in America.

[SO8]

Originally Posted by n9com

I just spoke to BMW again. It is discontinued in the UK only. Very strange.

Well, not what I was told by BMW today at 3pm ... after buying one ... so they had nothing to gain ... and TRL says just re configuring ... guess it depends who you speak to ! Time will tell. I don't care as I've got mine now lol

The email was read to me - as TRL said, package changes and a digital dash. Lets see over the next week. I seriously can't see BMW dropping this as so many people are going to it.

[Arcanum-UK]

I'd be surprised if they were discontinuing.

The M235i wasn't discontinued when the M2 came out. In fact the M240i came out around the same time! BMW are consciously growing the M-Performance line as it's a sweet spot between full-fat M and the cooking models.

My M40i was mega optioned and I got it for around £56K (with discount, I think it was £60K list). By comparison an X3M is £80K. That's not a small gap and the X3M just is not worth it. If I was going to spend £80K on an SUV it would be a Macan Turbo, not an X3M, and I doubt I'm alone in this.

[n9com]

Originally Posted by SO8

Well, not what I was told by BMW today at 3pm ... after buying one ... so they had nothing to gain ... and TRL says just re configuring ... guess it depends who you speak to ! Time will tell. I don't care as I've got mine now lol

The email was read to me - as TRL said, package changes and a digital dash. Lets see over the next week. I seriously can't see BMW dropping this as so many people are going to it.

Yeah it doesn't make much sense, especially if they are going to continue to sell elsewhere. Just passing on what I've been told, hopefully we get more clarity soon.

Didn't you buy an already built m40i though?

[TX3M]

Could it possibly be that M40i sales in the UK are low (due to M40D popularity), and they don't want vehicles sitting on dealer lots?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Could it possibly be that M40i sales in the UK are low (due to M40D popularity), and they don't want vehicles sitting on dealer lots?

M40i sales are certainly not low here, I’d be surprised if it was far off 50/50 i & d

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by teaston

M40i sales are certainly not low here, I’d be surprised if it was far off 50/50 i & d

Interesting, perhaps because they are so similar continuing to sell both in the UK is just not sensible?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Interesting, perhaps because they are so similar continuing to sell both in the UK is just not sensible?

Not sure. Sometimes BMW can’t be bothered to make a RHD version of a car, like the M550i & M550d

[Keca10]

This is pretty bad marketing communications process on BMW UK’s part.

If I was in their marketing department I would be so pissed at the ‘geniuses’ for disclosing this information, which should be confidential until officially released. It’s not how customers should find out.

Also it sucks they are removing it to drive X3 M sales because M40 is a perfect goldy locks product for many customers. I bet a much larger majority (like 90%+) of M40 customers picks the base X3 (or a competitive product) instead of forking out even more for an X3 M. M cars are a different segment.

It actually doesn’t make a lot of marketing sense, so I would take this information with a grain of salt until it’s in an official press release.

[Crassus]

At £549 deposit and £459/month the M40i is a bargin for a performance SUV.

20i buyers can stretch themselves into one but not into an MX3 which will require a substancial deposit to achieve reasonable monthlies.

[n9com]

Originally Posted by Keca10

This is pretty bad marketing communications process on BMW UK’s part.

If I was in their marketing department I would be so pissed at the ‘geniuses’ for disclosing this information, which should be confidential until officially released. It’s not how customers should find out.

Also it sucks they are removing it to drive X3 M sales because M40 is a perfect goldy locks product for many customers. I bet a much larger majority (like 90%+) of M40 customers picks the base X3 (or a competitive product) instead of forking out even more for an X3 M. M cars are a different segment.

It actually doesn’t make a lot of marketing sense, so I would take this information with a grain of salt until it’s in an official press release.

I actually asked them why no official press release/announcement and they said when things are discontinued there normally is no formal announcement. When the MY20 price list/brochure is released, i guess that's when it will be 100% confirmed if true.

[X3M40i_Nev]

Wonder if this is similar to what Audi have done making their SQ5 and S4-S7 diesel only. Conflicting reasoning from VW Group invested so much in diesel Tech they need to flog more, to EU legislation meaning diesel models help bring down overall CO2/Emissions across their range.

As others have said, just glad I have mine now, and likewise going from £45k-£55k M40i manageable, X3M @£80k + a serious stretch, unless they discount down to the £60k’s as they have been known to do with M’s

[ClaretFozzy]

Originally Posted by Crassus

At £549 deposit and £459/month the M40i is a bargin for a performance SUV.

20i buyers can stretch themselves into one but not into an MX3 which will require a substancial deposit to achieve reasonable monthlies.

Where have you seen one for that price?!

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by X3M40i_Nev

Wonder if this is similar to what Audi have done making their SQ5 and S4-S7 diesel only. Conflicting reasoning from VW Group invested so much in diesel Tech they need to flog more, to EU legislation meaning diesel models help bring down overall CO2/Emissions across their range.

As others have said, just glad I have mine now, and likewise going from £45k-£55k M40i manageable, X3M @£80k + a serious stretch, unless they discount down to the £60k’s as they have been known to do with M’s

Car manufacturers are in a predicament. Co2 targets will get super strict in 2020-2021. Post dieselgate consumer are asking for petrol models but models are technically worse for CO2 targets than diesels.

Electric cars aren't yet cheap enough to sway the average car buyer while hybrids are best of the worst.

Originally Posted by ClaretFozzy

Where have you seen one for that price?!

Stratone BMW, TRL and numerous others. The M40i is just £100-130 more on finance than a 20i or 20d.

[london_v]

Originally Posted by Crassus

At £549 deposit and £459/month the M40i is a bargin for a performance SUV.

20i buyers can stretch themselves into one but not into an MX3 which will require a substancial deposit to achieve reasonable monthlies.

I think you're missing a zero in your deposit number.