BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-29-2023, 05:02 AM   #1497
finn1969
BMW Fan
finn1969's Avatar
Germany
85
Rep
60
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3M40
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: K-Town

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW  [9.00]
2016 Z4 3.5I  [6.00]
I had a 2021 330XI and hated the steering feel. I took it into the service center as there was an obvious gap "feel" when driving on the highway. I could move it left and right of center approx 1cm each direction with no movement in the car...hated it!

My new X3M40 drives so much better and I haven't noticed any steering feel issues. Not sure if its a better system or application on the X3 vs the 330 but no comlpaints currently.

Quote:
Originally Posted by baloney View Post
As a new X3 owner (30i), I have to say I agree with the negative comments about the steering feel. It's pretty terrible. While the weight is decent, it feels artificially weighted. And it's pretty imprecise and has a detached feeling. This is my first BMW and I was really surprised how bad that aspect of it is. Lots of good things about the car, but steering is not one of them. I would hope it's better in the 40i.

On a positive note, I do like the feel of the steering wheel itself. Nice and thick and feels good to grip. Please keep your mind out of the gutter when reading that last comment.
__________________
2023 X3 M40I
2022 Wrangler 4xE
2016 Z4 Alpine White
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 05:47 AM   #1498
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2584
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
My understanding is that the 40i steering is the same. If you truly wanted the BMW feel from "way back when", you should probably step up to M cars. BMW is just catering to the general public who wants the X3 to be a comfortable daily driver (in that sense, mission accomplished as can be seen from sales!).
Just curious, does the US 30i have a Sports Plus mode ?
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 08:02 AM   #1499
EWL5
Major
EWL5's Avatar
United_States
822
Rep
1,138
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NE USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by avi66 View Post
Just curious, does the US 30i have a Sports Plus mode ?
My '23 30i does not but according to an online US manual, it appears the M40i does.
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 08:19 AM   #1500
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2584
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
My '23 30i does not but according to an online US manual, it appears the M40i does.
Thanks.

It was this paragraph on the BMW UK website that caught my attention re difference in steering between models with the 2VL option.

In the UK the 4 cylinder ice only variants don’t appear get this unless specced with M Sport.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by avi66; 10-29-2023 at 08:24 AM..
Appreciate 1
EWL5822.00
      10-29-2023, 01:13 PM   #1501
kavatski
First Lieutenant
Canada
147
Rep
304
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 30iX
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Nova Scotia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
My '23 30i does not but according to an online US manual, it appears the M40i does.
My 2023 30i has a Sport Plus mode, but given that there’s no Sport Plus option for the steering when you configure Sport Individual, I assume it just sets everything to the sportiest setting possible. For mine (w/o 2VL), that’s Sport for steering and Sport Plus for engine and transmission.
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 01:40 PM   #1502
EWL5
Major
EWL5's Avatar
United_States
822
Rep
1,138
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NE USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by kavatski View Post
My 2023 30i has a Sport Plus mode, but given that there’s no Sport Plus option for the steering when you configure Sport Individual, I assume it just sets everything to the sportiest setting possible. For mine (w/o 2VL), that’s Sport for steering and Sport Plus for engine and transmission.
Could you send a pic of your gear selector area that shows the Sport Plus? I guess I'm having trouble believeing 30i for US and Canada are different!
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 01:54 PM   #1503
avi66
Brigadier General
avi66's Avatar
United Kingdom
2584
Rep
4,110
Posts

Drives: X3 M40d LCI
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
Could you send a pic of your gear selector area that shows the Sport Plus? I guess I'm having trouble believeing 30i for US and Canada are different!
There is no Sport Plus button. It’s a mode toggle by pressing the “Sport” button more than once i.e Sport, Sport Plus, Sport Individual.

Does your car have the M Sport pack ?
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 02:06 PM   #1504
kavatski
First Lieutenant
Canada
147
Rep
304
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 30iX
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Nova Scotia

iTrader: (0)

Yeah, pressing the Sport button multiple times cycles through all the options, including Sport Plus.

I don’t have the M Sport package (if I did, I’d have 2VL too; at least in Canada you can get that on the 30i but only with M Sport).
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2023, 08:04 PM   #1505
EWL5
Major
EWL5's Avatar
United_States
822
Rep
1,138
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NE USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by avi66 View Post
There is no Sport Plus button. It’s a mode toggle by pressing the “Sport” button more than once i.e Sport, Sport Plus, Sport Individual.

Does your car have the M Sport pack ?
I do not. I'll try cycling through the Sport button to see if it shows up tomorrow.
Appreciate 0
      10-31-2023, 06:23 AM   #1506
EWL5
Major
EWL5's Avatar
United_States
822
Rep
1,138
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NE USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
I do not. I'll try cycling through the Sport button to see if it shows up tomorrow.
So it turns out I do have a "Sport Plus" mode on my 30i! I drove it the whole way on my commute to work and my overall mpg only dropped 0.1, which appears to be more than when I switch simply to Sport.

I'll have to find out more about it and when to use it.
Appreciate 0
      10-31-2023, 08:40 AM   #1507
bocabimmer
Found the Search Button
bocabimmer's Avatar
United_States
1521
Rep
1,103
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3 30i xDrive
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: South Carolina

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by EWL5 View Post
So it turns out I do have a "Sport Plus" mode on my 30i! I drove it the whole way on my commute to work and my overall mpg only dropped 0.1, which appears to be more than when I switch simply to Sport.

I'll have to find out more about it and when to use it.
I’ve done some experimenting. Sport holds your transmission one gear lower than Comfort and Sport Plus is two gears. Throttle response is also more touchy than in Sport. You can play around with each individual setting to see how you like it by customizing your Sport Individual settings.
__________________
2022 X3 xDrive 30i M Sport, Brooklyn Grey / Cognac

Previous BMWs: 2018 330i (F30), 2014 i3 BEV, 2007 328i (E92), 2013 X5 35i (E70), 2014 i3 BEV, 2006 325i (E90)
Appreciate 2
EWL5822.00
ASAP10054.00
      10-31-2023, 09:18 AM   #1508
ASAP
Major General
ASAP's Avatar
10054
Rep
8,566
Posts

Drives: '23 X3 M40i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bocabimmer View Post
I’ve done some experimenting. Sport holds your transmission one gear lower than Comfort and Sport Plus is two gears. Throttle response is also more touchy than in Sport. You can play around with each individual setting to see how you like it by customizing your Sport Individual settings.
thats why sport to me is optimal... its also super responsive in comparo to comfort
__________________
2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
Appreciate 0
      10-31-2023, 09:49 AM   #1509
bocabimmer
Found the Search Button
bocabimmer's Avatar
United_States
1521
Rep
1,103
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3 30i xDrive
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: South Carolina

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAP View Post
thats why sport to me is optimal... its also super responsive in comparo to comfort
Ever since that RSU where it killed ASS in Comfort, I've been playing around with Sport Individual for daily driving and I kind of like engine: sport, transmission: comfort, steering: comfort. It's nice having the extra throttle response without having the transmission staying in higher revs all the time. If I want a higher rev range, I just flick over the gear lever. If I want tighter steering I just toggle back over to Sport.
__________________
2022 X3 xDrive 30i M Sport, Brooklyn Grey / Cognac

Previous BMWs: 2018 330i (F30), 2014 i3 BEV, 2007 328i (E92), 2013 X5 35i (E70), 2014 i3 BEV, 2006 325i (E90)
Appreciate 1
lfdal541008.00
      10-31-2023, 11:52 AM   #1510
lfdal54
Major
United_States
1008
Rep
1,176
Posts

Drives: G01 2023 X3 M40i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Eastern MA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bocabimmer View Post
Ever since that RSU where it killed ASS in Comfort, I've been playing around with Sport Individual for daily driving and I kind of like engine: sport, transmission: comfort, steering: comfort. It's nice having the extra throttle response without having the transmission staying in higher revs all the time. If I want a higher rev range, I just flick over the gear lever. If I want tighter steering I just toggle back over to Sport.
That's how I've got mine set up. Works great for the type of driving I do where the speed limits range from 20 to 50 mph.
Appreciate 0
      11-02-2023, 08:44 AM   #1511
Jolbex
Private First Class
45
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: X3
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Hate the brakes on heavy rain! First braking after a few minutes on wet always pulls to one side. On the second or third try the braking is perfect. Cant believe the 2019 M40i doesnt have auto pad drying function?
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2023, 10:55 AM   #1512
Len90
Private
70
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Tanzanite Blue
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Myrtle Beach

iTrader: (0)

How quickly it chews through tires…. Although that might be a user issue.
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2023, 12:28 PM   #1513
gphin
Second Lieutenant
gphin's Avatar
163
Rep
226
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 xDrive30i, 2021 X3 M40
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Philly/Bucks County, PA / Naples, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Len90 View Post
How quickly it chews through tires…. Although that might be a user issue.
Also a tire issue as well. If you are running runflats, especially Alenzas, don't expect much mileage from them.
__________________
Present: 2019 X3 xDrive30i, Mineral White/ Mocha Vernasca / 21" 701M and 20" Savini Black wheels / RaceChip
Present: 2021 X3 M40i, Alpine White / Oyster Vernasca / 20" 699M
Former: 2006 Z4, 1981 320i, 1973 2002, Jag XKE, SS396 Chevelle, 440 Dodge RT, 40+ others
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2023, 01:25 PM   #1514
ridetime
Private First Class
152
Rep
194
Posts

Drives: 2024 X3 M40i Tanzanite Blue
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Oklahoma

iTrader: (0)

I have low expectations from my Alenza RFT's. At least BMW admits it. This sticker was on my 24 M40i.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 6
EWL5822.00
ASAP10054.00
TXGrey1267.50
JJ 911SC21886.00
joft6144.00
      01-04-2024, 09:38 AM   #1515
SFCF
New Member
3
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 M40i
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

The seats! OMG the premium leather option with the perforated seats are incredibly uncomfortable. 4 hours in the car and I was sore for a week, felt like I pulled muscles. Now have to put a shitty pad on the seat to make it bearable, but it's still not comfortable.

That said, the rest of the car actually has exceeded every expectation. I really really love this car.
Appreciate 1
Alias1431794.00
      01-04-2024, 10:32 AM   #1516
Sportstick
Major General
Sportstick's Avatar
4606
Rep
5,980
Posts

Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southwest USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCF View Post
The seats! OMG the premium leather option with the perforated seats are incredibly uncomfortable. 4 hours in the car and I was sore for a week, felt like I pulled muscles. Now have to put a shitty pad on the seat to make it bearable, but it's still not comfortable.

That said, the rest of the car actually has exceeded every expectation. I really really love this car.
Into my third week and no "hate" to report for this thread at all. One electrical feature glitch, but loving the X3 otherwise. My wife and I are both finding the seats very comfortable for us, but these are Sensatec which I read may be softer, although I have not compared directly.
__________________
2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV
2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner
Appreciate 1
ASAP10054.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:11 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST