11-01-2019, 08:29 AM | #1 |
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Featured on BIMMERPOST.com 2020 BMW X4 M Competition Is One of the Quickest SUVs We've Tested It may ride firmly and look funky, but BMW's fast-roof compact performance SUV is seriously capable on the road. Much about the 2020 BMW X4 M Competition's casual disdain for Newton's various laws of motion impresses us, but it this crossover's acceleration figures that truly encapsulate its ludicrous capabilities. While its hunchbacked styling and squat stance are more hatchback than crossover, the range-topping X4 still is one of the quickest SUVs we have ever tested. Indeed, it's also one of the quickest M cars. HIGHS: Hugely powerful turbo inline-six, impressive acceleration, massive grip. A 3.3-second zero-to-60-mph time is impressive in anything, let alone a 4539-pound crossover that clearly has been styled to impress. In posting that time, the X4 M Competition falls but a tenth shy of the figures we recorded for both the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S coupe and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, yet the BMW's 8.0-second pull to 100 mph is quicker than both. While the Lamborghini Urus still posts the quickest straight-line test results of any SUV we've sampled, the $81,395 X4 M Competition costs less than half its price. A Compact SUV Rocket This Bimmer's motivation comes from a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, codenamed S58, which also will find its way into the next-generation M3 and M4 models. It is the most powerful road-going six-cylinder engine that BMW has ever made and will happily snarl all the way to its 7200-rpm redline. While the S58 in the non-Competition X4 M employs 17.4 psi of boost to generate 473 horsepower, the Competition's compressors huff 18.9 psi into the engine for a heady output of 503 horses. The huge output reaches the road through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that incorporates the same electronically controlled torque-biasing rear differential that is fitted to the BMW M5 super sedan. LOWS: Firm ride, more expensive and less practical than the X3 M, inelegant hunchback design. Despite the muscularity of its hardware, the abiding impression of the X4 M on the road is how usable it feels. The engine is happy to burble along at low speeds, with the automatic gearbox shifting intelligently to disguise the fact that there is some noticeable turbo lag below 3000 rpm, which you really only can detect when using the manual-shifting paddles on the back of the steering wheel. This BMW rides on steel coil springs rather than air springs, and although these are on the firm side of comfortable, standard adaptive dampers keep the ride relatively pliant over broken Michigan blacktop. Some drivers felt that the dampers' firmer Sport and Sport Plus settings were too unyielding for use away from a glass-smooth racetrack, yet others seemed to tolerate the X4 M's occasional buckboard impact harshness with little grumbling. So Many Settings This being a modern BMW M car, there are a multitude of dynamic chassis and powertrain settings that drivers can tweak to their heart's content in an almost-endless pursuit of the optimal setup. The X4 M also gets the same slightly confusing sideways-orientated gear selector as the M5 and M6, with which you slide right to go from Neutral to Drive or left and up to engage Reverse. The lever incorporates a small toggle to select three different gearshift programs of increasing severity. There also are separate buttons for adjusting the engine's aggressiveness, the suspension's stiffness, and the electrically assisted steering's weight through three modes, plus another button for the stability control's settings (on, Sport, and fully deactivated) and yet another for opening the flaps in the active exhaust system. What's more, the X4 M's xDrive all-wheel-drive system can be put into a more rear-biased AWD Sport mode but only with the stability control switched off. Small wonder there are two red M toggles on the steering wheel that can activate separate, driver-selected profiles for all of the available settings. Our experience with the X4 M suggested that most drivers will quickly cut through the myriad of choices. We found little reason not to stick with the steering's softest Comfort setting, which allows some natural feedback to reach the rim without the artificial weight added by Sport and Sport Plus modes. Similarly, we can't see much use for the powertrain's Efficient setting in a 500-hp SUV, which seems to do little but kill the turbo-six's throttle response. The all-wheel-drive system works by sending as much torque as it can to the rear axle and diverting it forward only when slip is detected. The Sport and Sport Plus drive modes both raise the intervention threshold for slippage and make the car feel more edgy and exciting without becoming wayward. (Unlike the M5 and M6, there is no rear-drive-only mode.) Grip levels are massive, the X4 M generating a sticky 0.97 g of lateral acceleration around the skidpad on its 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires; the GLC63 S managed 0.94 g, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quad topped out at 0.95 g. On the road the X4 M shows impressive agility considering its considerable mass. Yet, while it turns keenly and accurately we noticed that the steering feels overly springy if you release the wheel with lock applied. Braking is handled by 15.6-inch rotors with four-piston calipers at the front and 14.6-inch rotors with single pistons at the rear, which are savagely effective, bringing the BMW to a stop from 70 mph in just 147 feet. Capable but Compromised Like the regular X4, the M is one of those crossovers where design is more important than raw practicality. It is a lifestyle statement. The rear seat is cramped for adult occupants, who will suffer a shortage of both knee and headroom and also will have to endure the upright angle of the seatback. The mechanically identical BMW X3 M is considerably more spacious inside, as well as handsomer (if less visually striking) on the outside. In addition to the Competition model's increased power output, it also brings a standard sport exhaust system, larger anti-roll bars, and 21-inch wheels, plus the all-important Competition badge that sits beneath the X4 M emblem on the rear hatch. Whether all this justifies the $7000 premium that BMW charges for the Competition over the regular X4 M is a fair question, but for the car's target market, such considerations are unlikely to matter too much. If you want the quickest SUV under $100K, this is the current champion Testing Data VEHICLE TYPE front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback PRICE AS TESTED $86,495 (base price: $81,395) ENGINE TYPE twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement 183 cu in, 2993 cc Power 503 hp @ 7300 rpm Torque 442 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CHASSIS Suspension (F/R): strut/multilink Brakes (F/R): 15.6-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.6-in vented, cross-drilled disc Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, F: 255/40R-21 (103Y) ★ R: 265/40R-21 (105Y) ★ DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 112.8 in Length: 187.5 in Width: 75.9 in Height: 63.8 in Passenger volume: 96 cu ft Cargo volume: 19 cu ft Curb weight: 4539 lb C/D TEST RESULTS Rollout, 1 ft: 0.2 sec 60 mph: 3.3 sec 100 mph: 8.0 sec 150 mph: 21.5 sec Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.1 sec ¼-mile: 11.6 sec @ 119 mph Top speed (governor limited, mfr's claim): 161 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 147 ft Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.97 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 15 mpg 75-mph highway driving: 26 mpg Highway range: 440 miles EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 16/14/19 mpg
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11-01-2019, 08:44 AM | #2 |
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Great report. Matched my Dragy numbers that I posted in August exactly. 3.3 0-60mph and 11.6 at 119mph on the money. M’s have bones !
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11-01-2019, 08:48 AM | #3 |
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Really impressed with skid and 0-60, 1/4 mile
But a little surprised at 5-60 time of 4.6 (slower than the other SUVs they tested a while ago by a decent margin) and also the top gear times look slower than Mercedes and Alfa. Maybe that's the "turbo lag", makes sense as launch control revs engine to avoid the lag. Also makes sense now why my M3 felt about same or quicker without using launch control (had 5-60 times of 4.2-4.4 in tests). Still amazing numbers and I have no regrets on trading my M3 for the X3M. The grip is amazing, as the numbers confirm. 0.97 skid and never searching for traction. Can't wait to see the numbers on a 700 lb lighter M3. Wonder if they can tune the engine a little to avoid this initial lag before that comes out. |
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11-01-2019, 11:36 AM | #4 |
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Damn! 3.3 sec 0-60!! Now I'm thinking a tuned (610+ hp) X3MC should be closer to 3 seconds flat 0-60! This is going to be one REALLY fast SAV!
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/
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11-01-2019, 12:03 PM | #5 | |
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M3C on the other hand should hit 3.0 since it will be around 700 lbs lighter, that will make a huge difference. might even match the new Corvette |
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11-01-2019, 12:07 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
And YES, the M3/4C at 600-700lb lighter will be a BEAST!! 2.8-3.0 sec 0-60 for sure!
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11-01-2019, 12:26 PM | #7 |
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Quick reference compared to biggest competition (granted those 3 were tested under different conditions and in the summer...)
Weight: 4539 X4MC 4340 Alfa Quad 4517 AMG63S 4488 Turbo Perf HP/Torque: 503/442 X4MC 505/443 Alfa Quad 503/516 AMG63S 440/442 Turbo Perf 0-60: Strange C&D claimed X4MC was 0.1 slower than Alfa and Mercedes but their article shows both at 3.3 3.3 X4MC 3.3 Alfa Quad 3.3 AMG63S 3.5 Turbo Perf 5-60 street start: 4.6 X4MC 4.3 Alfa Quad 4.2 AMG63S 4.3 Turbo Perf 0-100: 8.0 X4MC 8.4 Alfa Quad 8.1 AMG63S 9.4 Turbo Perf 30-50/50-70 top gear: 2.7/3.1 X4MC 2.4/2.6 Alfa Quad 2.3/2.7 AMG63S 2.4/3.1 Turbo Perf 1/4 mile: 11.6 X4MC 11.8 Alfa Quad 11.7 AMG63S 12.1 Turbo Perf Skid: 0.97g X4MC 0.95g Alfa Quad 0.94g AMG63S 0.94g Turbo Perf 70-0 breaking feet: 147 X4MC 155 Alfa Quad 158 AMG63S 156 Turbo Perf Car and Driver tested all four at 15 mpg kicker is the X3M/X4M is the cheapest of all four (X3M by a good amount) and comes with 3 years maintenance and has the best lease deals. Looking at these numbers X4M is clear winner but they have to figure out that turbo lag and hopefully fix it for M3/M4 and even future X3M/X4M model years, that crippled it in the 5-60 street start and guessing the top gear times as well. Last edited by Mako; 11-01-2019 at 12:33 PM.. |
11-01-2019, 12:35 PM | #8 |
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Good to hear more subjective opinion on the lag and ride comfort that matches what a lot of owners are saying, that neither issue is that bad. Those numbers are pretty nuts (especially skidpad) but as someone who has never and will never use launch control, the 5-60 time is somewhat unfortunate. Still fast to be sure.
Edit: Here are C&D numbers to compare the X3 M40i. M40i is a very quick SUV as well and for the street may be considered "more appropriate" than the real M, but we all want more... 2018 X3 M40i: Weight 4308 HP/Torque 355/369 (2020 model adds 27 hp) 0-60 4.4s 5-60 5.3s 0-100 11.2s 30-50 2.8s 50-70 3.4s 1/4 mi 13.0s at 107 mph 70-0 braking 158 ft Skidpad 0.85 C&D economy 19 mpg And the 2020 M340i (RWD) for further presumptive comparison towards G8x M3/4: Weight 3813 HP/Torque 382/369 0-60 3.8s 5-60 4.7s 0-100 9.4s 30-50 2.4s 50-70 2.9s 1/4 mi 12.3s at 114 mph 70-0 braking 156 ft Skidpad 0.96 C&D economy 23 mpg Last edited by Transfer; 11-01-2019 at 01:14 PM.. |
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11-01-2019, 12:54 PM | #10 | |
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owning one, I can tell you that is really the only time I feel the lag, when first accelerating from a dead stop, once going especially in sport/sport+ mode there is no lag and its just crazy fast. But it can be frustrating at the start. As I have said in a few other posts, anyone coming from M3/M4 or similar ride quality will be thrilled with the ride comfort of the X3M/X4M. Even on 21" wheels it blows away my old M3, ignore the critics who are trying to compare it to the likes of a GLE400 with air suspension. That is amazing that it has better skidpad and breaking numbers than the M340i given its size/weight. But at stop light looks like it might be a pretty close race, unless you are going past 60 than the X4M will pull away. Even the M340i has better top gear times than the X4M, something is off with that. |
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11-01-2019, 01:21 PM | #11 |
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MPG seems off.... 26 highway? EPA is rated at 19.
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11-01-2019, 01:28 PM | #12 |
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Motor Trend just tested the Urus vs $91,000 Hellcat, X3M is faster than the Hellcat 0-60 and 1/4 mile, LOL
Urus is stupid fast though, 11.3 1/4 mile for a 4900 lb car |
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11-01-2019, 01:38 PM | #13 |
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Urus is def. fast. Was not impressed when I sat in one for the price. Also, $11,000 side steps, lol. Don't get me wrong, I get the cost due to the name and it sounds great. But I'd probably never buy one even if money was literally unlimited.
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11-01-2019, 01:57 PM | #14 |
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High 11s with 117-119mph traps is madness for an SUV.
Wish there was a way to hold LC for a longer or shorter amount of time. The brakes will literally not hold it over 4 seconds. So timing has to be just right. The horrendous turbo lag is 100% the reason for the slow 5-60 street start. With LC being finicky and hard to time this makes it a bit frustrating. At least now I know I can destroy some Jeep TrackHawks,especiallyat my elevation/DA levels.
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11-01-2019, 02:48 PM | #15 |
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All of these "tests" would be far more informative and valuable if they emphasized real-world, every day use, instead of mythical drag strip-like environments after the driver takes several minutes to select all the optimal settings including launch control.
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11-01-2019, 03:11 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
When NOT using LC from a dead stop, it takes time to get her wound up and rolling so KIA's may very well be faster or get that jump
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11-01-2019, 03:50 PM | #17 |
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Thanks for sharing the information, joshua. Pleased with the skid pad and braking distance numbers, and to finally have formal comparisons within C/D's data set. Hope to be able add additional 1/4 mile information (Eff, Sport, Sport+, then LC) within the month.
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11-04-2019, 03:52 PM | #19 |
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Wow, this is super impressive. X3MC really at the top of my list now!
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11-04-2019, 03:57 PM | #20 |
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