[GFK007]

Originally Posted by MattTheCarNut

The outside looks fine. BMW should offer full leather on this platform b/c the sensatacky dashboard and door-tops do not make this car feel special at all. Sit in an X3M and go..."Hmmm....doesn't feel $80k to me..."

Completely agree. The sensatec pisses me off every time I'm in it.

[heavyD^2]

Only thing I'm going to really be jealous of is those wheels. They look much more sporty and aggressive.

[larsmin]

Hoping laser lights and darker tail lamps.

[sayemthree]

Its the Huge m3 snout grilles!

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by Saejin

Yeah, no more crap cars. Actually, by trying to get an all one car you end up compromising. The X3M, great M characteristics, but does it provide the same amount of driving experience than a true M3. And for winter driving, you're gonna need to switch out to winter wheels/tires and then it may be capable but I'd still be hesitant to drive my $80K X3M in really bad winter condition just because of other drivers. And on the family hauling and space front, the X3M just doesn't have as much room as the X5M and X7 M50i.

Depending on the stage of life you're in family wise and financially wise, having a specific car for specific reasons make sense. Can you do a beater in the winter and splurge in the summer on the nice M3, sure, but that's no fun.

I think the SUV sized for your needs can function perfectly for all year round driving. However, for true track days or B-road driving the SUV isn't going to cut it even if it's an X3M. I just think there's something to be said about being in a true sports car that has you sitting a foot or so from the road and slinging it around corners. You can't replicate the experience you get from wringing out an M3, M4, or better yet Porsche.

I thought about trading in my X3 M40i for an X3M, but then thought of the above and decided to use money allocated for that upgrade to start my Porsche GT4 fund for next year.

Remember it's all owner dependent so to each their own. Just get out there and drive.

i went from an F80 6MT to the F97. I'm enjoying it more truth be told. And .. you're worried about driving an $80K car in the winter, but not worried about tracking it?

[Jason]

Latest photos of the X3M and X4M LCI![/I]

BMW X3M LCI Prototype

BMW X4M LCI Prototype

[J-RO]

Looks like a normal BMW grille.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by J-RO

Looks like a normal BMW grille.

I think they will grow slightly bigger. Probably similar to the current X5M/X6M grille.

[Mako]

I guess I am in the minority who is completely fine with the non leather dash. It still looks nice with the stitching and is soft touch, I don't need leather in places I will never touch, waste of money and well it's still freakin animal skin wasted on a dash board (I still like leather products, don't get me wrong but gotta draw the limit somewhere). I had it in my last M3 and won't get it again as I don't miss having It. Same with carbon fiber exterior parts. When replacing plastic with it solely for the look that's really wasting money, at least at the asking prices. Does it look cool? yes, is it worth a family vacation to get? No...

Having gone from a M3 to X3M and having a couple M roadsters before that yes it's a compromise but one I needed to make with two kids, soon to be teenagers and both in travel sports. So much easier and don't have to worry about ride height issues or rocks messing up my rear fenders.

Still not sure if I will get this LCI (how much is really changing) or go back to M3 now that it has AWD which is so nice to have in the winters and for traction (huge issue with my last M3).

Do wish they brought the wagon to the US, would be perfect.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by lsal

I'll never understand the X3M shopper... Sure, the car's a beast, and a true M. I'm not dogging it... but it feels like a compromise... I'd much rather have an M3/4 as a dd (depending on the kid load ), and a cheap SUV for the winter/utility days.

My case is I live in the country. With a dirt road that leads to my house. The road gets worse on rainy days. I’ve also ran over dead deers, and skunks driving my ZL1 1LE on back roads going home. With a higher car that would have been avoided. Plus this X3M is fast.

[spuntyb]

I can't believe I'm about to order one of these months before the LCI comes out...

[xcusem3]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

+1

It's still a nice cabin, but they really need to open up the Individual paint and interior options for the F97 program

Maybe because it's a stupid SUV and no one takes a second glance at an SUV no matter what brand or colour it may be... only exception goes to the Urus and even from afar it looks like a Q8 lol

[PARTS@STBMW]

Hmmmm

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Doesn't (from what we can see thus far) look like there are any earth shattering big changes. Revised head and tail lights along with some subtle tweaks on the front and rear bumper fascias...

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

I can't believe I'm about to order one of these months before the LCI comes out...

Get the X3M now. And by the time your X3M lease is over, they will come up with a post-LCI G80 with a pretty face.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Get the X3M now. And by the time your X3M lease is over, they will come up with a post-LCI G80 with a pretty face.

Nothing stopping me now. Just deciding on color combo and options. Will hit up Ben for parts before she arrives

[il Nemico]

Who has the LCI speculative renders?..
post up!!

[TheAMackAttack]

So which model year will the LCI be? 2022?

[FrankieNuo]

Originally Posted by TheAMackAttack

So which model year will the LCI be? 2022?

Yes.

[Drj161]

not liking the headlights direction. the lci 5 series doesn't look like a BMW and the lci x3m is also getting similar drls

[W///]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Nothing stopping me now. Just deciding on color combo and options. Will hit up Ben for parts before she arrives

So you're sold on F97 huh? Nice!

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by W///

So you're sold on F97 huh? Nice!

Absolutely. Took a nice long test drive on different types of roads. Once I sent it on the highway, I was sold. Around town it was just fine. Not as much torque down low as my tuned F80, but also not a huge difference, and it's to be expected.

I have some nitpicks, but this motor, drivetrain, and rear diff are fantastic. Highly recommend anyone coming from an M3/4 (any variant) give it a proper thrashing if you think you need the space or AWD. I don't technically need either, but I do find myself requesting to drive my wife's Macan a lot, so figured I might get my own.



EDIT: I like Matt's take on it. Was very similar to my own impressions. Rides a bit stiff, but is utterly competent at silly speeds, and unlike the F90, is truly engaging all the time, and not as "isolating", as he calls it. I loved the F90, and was planning to get one, but it definitely wasn't as balls out fun as my F80. The F97 is though.