[6speed_M2]

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking to swap my daily driver M2 for a new car. My two options are the X3M and the M3.

I don’t need to get an SUV. I’m not going off-road or using the extra space for anything, but I was considering it as an option because it is more spacious and I assume it’ll be a more comfortable and better daily driver overall.

Has anyone else been in a similar position and is able to provide any insight?

[ttx3m]

I’ve never driven an M3 personally but I was considering both prior to purchasing my X3M.

We have two kids and wife and I while we are still young enough we find it easier/more comfortable to get in and out of an suv in comparison to a car.

Ultimately my choice was made easier as M3s were going for way more if you could find one and a new one was going to be a long wait and again cost more.

I do love the looks of the M3 but went the more comfortable route for myself.

[6speed_M2]

ttx3m that’s exactly my train of thought, although a test drive for both would be a great idea.

I can get a xDrive M3 allocation for sticker. I got very lucky with that and I would be ordering a new X3M if I got one as well.

One of my fears is the M3 feeling too similar to my M2 in terms of comfort and after a few weeks or months I’ll end up wishing I got the more spacious car instead.

Even getting in and out multiple times a day is a small factor, especially with how wide the M3 is and it’s side skirts. Also, I’d order one with a moonroof and people openly and often express their discontent with that and I get it.

[Gfit]

Easy. M3. I have both. A 2022 M3 and 2023 X3M. The X3M is great but it’s not as good as the M3 because of weight and higher center of gravity.

[6speed_M2]

Gfit is there a noticeable difference in comfort?

You’re definitely in the perfect scenario. I need to be careful with my pick because it’ll be the only car I drive for the next 5-7 years.

If there was a difference in the comfort/useability side of things, I would be willing to trade the light weight benefits of the M3 for the X3M. I’ve always been in the lightweight coupes for 80% of my life and that extra performance isn’t as necessary for me as it once was before.

[ttx3m]

Test driving both if you can is obviously the best way to get an idea and hopefully get you to a decision.

What’s the wait time on your allocation? Back in November mine would have been 8 months.

Considering performance alone then it’s and obvious choice. Personally I think the m3 has more of a “cool” factor. I really like the front end although I know there are many that don’t. Outside of the car vs suv they are just so similar.

[Gfit]

Really depends on your definition of comfort. The X3 you step up into. The M3 your drop down into. Driving position feels much higher in the X3. Some prefer that. I prefer sitting lower. Much easier to get in and out of X3 and for doing daily errands. Not sure your future plans but I would imagine an X3 is more future proof if your needs change and are going to keep in that long. I change cars every 2 years or so.

[ASAP]

As an neutral party here... but a former M2 owner, get the M3... it's a true performance car.

The X3M is great car but ultimately it is a compromised performance vehicle.

[dmanb2b]

Reading your comments, I think it comes down to... do you want an SUV?. The X3M is the closest you are going to get to a G81 in the states. Drop it on some KW v3 and the gap narrows even more, but ultimately it's an SUV and not a sedan.

I have always been a coupe sedan person, I'm loving the X3M, but ultimately will either go back to the sedan/coupe platforms.

May also find this review helpful...I forget how much better the X3M drives on KWs

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1864566

[jclaib]

I have a 2018 BMW M2 the Black Shadow Edition manual and was in the same boat as you and just purchased an X3M Comp for a February build last week. I had been waiting in line for an M3 Comp X Drive allocation for 6 months when the X3M Comp became available.

It will be tough getting rid of the M2. What a great car. But as a daily driver in New England weather and traffic, it was time for a change. I also have a family and large dog.

I agonized over letting the M3 go, but once I made decision I was at peace with it. SUV practicality with ridiculous performance. And the X3M has a spare tire!

P.S. I also just could not get on board with the M3 front grille. I tried to convince myself that it was okay, and would look better in person. But no, it just looks bad. If you buy a car like the M3 you should love the way it looks.

[cutnsew]

If the extra performance isn’t as important to you as it once was, I think that answers your question. Even if you’re not hauling stuff on a daily or weekly basis, the first time you drop the rear seats and load something large into the back of your X3/4 you’ll feel like a boss. Just remember to secure it for when you forget your hauling stuff and drive aggressively.

IMO it’s also more fun to surprise people by being in a fast vehicle that doesn’t look that fast. That, and when you walk away from your car after you park who wants to look at a buck-tooth beaver??

[Gfit]

Post this over in the M3 forum and see what responses you get. Like I said,
I have both. I like both. But there’s a reason the X3M forum has about 95% less activity than the M3 forum.

[evoix]

Came from a f80 m3 bc I needed a suv for snow and commute. Missed the speed but the X3m has that and much more. It has space for Home Depot runs and space for the incoming baby. It is a boss SUV.

A g80 was on my list and I was going to make it work, but I can’t stand the ugly front grills. Cannot be proud to say that is my car. Hideous no matter how hard I try to make myself like it.

[joon.]

I came from the F80, and while I miss the raw, visceral M3 driving experience… the F9X experience is something special. I never sit in my car & think “I wish it were quicker…” It’s definitely different from the M3/4 experience, but its not a lesser experience being in an “SUV” that fucks off. In the end tho, it just comes down to wether you “want” an SUV or not. I dont think there’s a wrong choice.

[BOEING]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking to swap my daily driver M2 for a new car. My two options are the X3M and the M3.

I don’t need to get an SUV. I’m not going off-road or using the extra space for anything, but I was considering it as an option because it is more spacious and I assume it’ll be a more comfortable and better daily driver overall.

Has anyone else been in a similar position and is able to provide any insight?

I have both a 2022 X3MC and a 2023 M3.
They are both great cars however very different.The X3MC you get some body roll due to it being higher while the M3 feels like its on rails during hard cornering.The M3 shifts much quicker than the X3MC.
At the end of the day its whats more important to you.For me I wanted the M3 as a weekend car and the X3M my daily and to haul things.

[Commanderwiggin]

I personally can’t do the G8X chassis due to the grille…won’t do it. But I’m very happy with the X3M and keeping my M2C and E46 M3 so a different situation.

Drive both and go with whatever suites your fancy; they’re both equipped with the best powertrain BMW has made.

[6speed_M2]

ttx3m I was going to order the M3 in November/December & it was expected to arrive around March. xDrive build at MSRP.

The M3 is definitely way more cool and better handling. I think my position is unique because I’ve had the M2, E90 M3 and 135i. The extra handling doesn’t carry the same weight for me as it would for most given my experiences in the last ten years.

Also, I’m not a 9/10ths or 10/10ths type with handling turns. I like to be smooth and enjoy myself without sweating through every turn. The straight line performance and general comfort is more important. I won’t be tracking either car anytime soon and I’m not big into canyons either.

The differences have to be with the ease of getting in and out. The visibility, seating position, headroom, interior space, etc. How much of a difference is what I need to figure out on a test drive.

[6speed_M2]

Gfit You made an excellent point with the ease of getting in and out of the cars. That makes a difference over multiple times a day for years on end.

I think sitting lower is always better for performance driving but in terms of daily driving, I’m not sure. I’ve never owned a crossover/SUV. I do love the feel of the G wagon in terms of visibility and driving position if the X3M has any resemblance to that.

I usually end up sitting a bit higher in my cars though. I’m not the type to lower the seat to its max.

I believe a while back I did post this on the G8x forum and people thought there was no point in getting the X3M unless I had to get one for whatever reason but I don’t completely agree. I do see where they’re coming from. Although if I did the same on the M2 forum, no one would pick the X3M either. I thought this would be a more unbiased group to ask.

[6speed_M2]

ASAP that is well said. It is compromised in comparison to the M3, but if that compromise leads to a “better” daily, I wouldn’t mind at all. I’ve never been truly content with any daily I’ve had in terms of space and comfort. The E90 was close, but I wished it were a tiny bit bigger, smoother driving, and it was in all fairness a bit slow with the torque and so on. Otherwise I loved it.

[6speed_M2]

dmanb2b thanks for the reply.

I can’t say I want a SUV like it’s that or nothing, but my fear is the sedan will eventually feel too similar to the coupes I’ve had. When I sat in the M5 and drove it, it did feel more like the M2 in its interior space than I would’ve wanted. It’s obviously much bigger but I think I was expecting more of a difference.

Maybe the SUV is what I need. It’ll be a nice change without compromising the fun of a performance car.

[6speed_M2]

jclaib A former M2 owner!

The M2 is an amazing car. I love the way my build turned out. 425whp, 435 wtq on ethanol. Tuned for any scenario, ready for a track day in hot weather. I wanted it to be as close to bullet proof as possible. Wheels/coil overs/etc.

As great as it is, I think I bought the wrong car. I got over it quick but it was a phase I needed to go through. I also had a similar build with my 135i, so totaling the time spent daily driving both stick cars came out to 10 years plus. That is a major factor here for me.

I think it comes down to practicality, space and comfort versus pure handling. I fear that my style of driving is better off with the SUV. I don’t go on tracks or drive THAT hard in corners.

The grill is unique on the M3. I can’t say I love it but the energy I sense from the M3 is best served as a weekend car. It probably isn’t the car I’d daily if I had a X3M as well.

[6speed_M2]

cutnsew I agree.

It would be hilarious having a 10 second car (ethanol or race gas tuned) SUV with friends doing launches and gliding effortlessly through corners. It does also look like the car id want to drive over the M3. It has a more smooth and professional demeanor to it.