[AlexFL]

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The German Automann-TV is testing the X3M top speed and the 100-200 kmh time on the Autobahn. 290 kmh (180 mph) top speed for an SUV is kind of crazy, but those driving gloves definitely helped keeping the vehicle under control

[hilld]

My response.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by hilld

My response.

bizarre

[hilld]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

bizarre

Didn't mean to come across as bizarre, but that was exciting and fun. I do miss driving on the Autobahn. Not sure if you are/were a fan of Wayne's world, but that is where the scene came from.

[Poochie]

God, if I get this SUV, I'll probably end up in jail.. Never thought I would ever say that. Thanks BMW

[LLNM4]

Hilarious

[GOLFFRR]

rocket!

[f82fanatic]

Some people need to get a sense of humor.

That car is beautiful! I've test driven it, my biggest qualm with it is the lack of "soul."

Hard to explain it, but it does not inspire the same sort of emotion as the last generation M3 does. Less of a connection with the car.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

Some people need to get a sense of humor.

That car is beautiful! I've test driven it, my biggest qualm with it is the lack of "soul."

Hard to explain it, but it does not inspire the same sort of emotion as the last generation M3 does. Less of a connection with the car.

How does one define "soul"? I would wager that we all have different criteria. Is a soulless car one that basically drives itself and doesn't require any real tactile involvement? Is a soulless car one without mechanical issues that give it character?

Let some tell it, the outgoing M3/4 has/had no soul either. The E9X gained soul after it was discontinued. Prior to that, it was considered many things, but full of soul wasn't one of them. The E46 M3 gained its soul after it was discontinued too. It was a heavy pig before that.

So what really is soul?!?

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

Some people need to get a sense of humor.

That car is beautiful! I've test driven it, my biggest qualm with it is the lack of "soul."

Hard to explain it, but it does not inspire the same sort of emotion as the last generation M3 does. Less of a connection with the car.

That’s to expect from SUVs. Once you lower it and flash tune it, the soul comes back

[TheM3Boy]

That was the missing piece from their lineup. They should have made it long time ago!
IMHO Absolutely the perfect balance between usability and performance!

[paliknight]

Unless it's aerodynamics are better than the F80, I would NOT be driving that fast. I had a hard time controlling the F80 at 150MPH due to aerodynamic lift at higher speeds, I can't imagine this thing

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by paliknight

Unless it's aerodynamics are better than the F80, I would NOT be driving that fast. I had a hard time controlling the F80 at 150MPH due to aerodynamic lift at higher speeds, I can't imagine this thing

Experience the magic of M xDrive. It doesn’t just help with the launch, it also keeps the car nice and stable when shit happens at high speeds.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

Some people need to get a sense of humor.

That car is beautiful! I've test driven it, my biggest qualm with it is the lack of "soul."

Hard to explain it, but it does not inspire the same sort of emotion as the last generation M3 does. Less of a connection with the car.

Sadly that is becoming the case of a lot more cars than just the X3 M. Technology is overtaking the car world.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

Some people need to get a sense of humor.

That car is beautiful! I've test driven it, my biggest qualm with it is the lack of "soul."

Hard to explain it, but it does not inspire the same sort of emotion as the last generation M3 does. Less of a connection with the car.

I've had 3 generations of m3's and I really enjoyed the f80. Miss that car all the time.

You're going to find most of the performance suv's will lack "soul". Closest I've felt to one was the Macan, but that car is just too small and unpractical. if you are in the market for a performance suv, the x3m is a good one.

Problems for me is lack of sense of speed due to awd and weight. zf8 speed is no dual clutch for connection and snap.

sadly the new m3 will have these issues I think, considering the chassis is 3,9xx lbs, optional awd, and zf8.

[secretariat]

Soul my 1994 bmw 3 series is pretty much the definition of soul. One with the vehicle, I drove the car it didn't drive me. Hydraulic steering system felt everything on the road, knew exactly what my tires were doing. Definetly not a "pig". Confidence inspiring, made me a better driver. There that's my definition of soul. BMW lost that years ago no doubt. Being able to go fast 0-60 or 1/4 mile seems to be the criteria today. Going fast without any feel sucks.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by secretariat

Soul my 1994 bmw 3 series is pretty much the definition of soul. One with the vehicle, I drove the car it didn't drive me. Hydraulic steering system felt everything on the road, knew exactly what my tires were doing. Definetly not a "pig". Confidence inspiring, made me a better driver. There that's my definition of soul. BMW lost that years ago no doubt. Being able to go fast 0-60 or 1/4 mile seems to be the criteria today. Going fast without any feel sucks.

Sooooo, why aren't you driving the 1994 BMW 3? Was it an automatic or a 6MT? I find it hard to label any automatic vehicle soulful.

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Experience the magic of M xDrive. It doesn’t just help with the launch, it also keeps the car nice and stable when shit happens at high speeds.

I highly doubt Any form of X drive can mitigate aerodynamic issues

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by paliknight

I highly doubt Any form of X drive can mitigate aerodynamic issues

I’ve spent over twenty years of my life in Germany and 150 mph is a pretty common speed for BMW/Merc/Audi/Porsche cars on some parts of the Autobahn (e.g. A7 between Hannover and Frankfurt). I haven’t had any aerodynamic lift issues with my F82.

[ThumperMCS]

Originally Posted by paliknight

Unless it's aerodynamics are better than the F80, I would NOT be driving that fast. I had a hard time controlling the F80 at 150MPH due to aerodynamic lift at higher speeds, I can't imagine this thing

I've routinely had my X3MC up to 140+ on open roads...it is rock solid stable.
Hard to realize you are even going that fast

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I’ve spent over twenty years of my life in Germany and 150 mph is a pretty common speed for BMW/Merc/Audi/Porsche cars on some parts of the Autobahn (e.g. A7 between Hannover and Frankfurt). I haven’t had any aerodynamic lift issues with my F82.

Dont know what to tell you. That was my experience with my F80 and it only had about 500 miles on it. At 150 it was extremely wobbly and required massive steering correction constantly. Felt like I would have taken off had I sped up a bit more.

[hilld]

Originally Posted by paliknight

Dont know what to tell you. That was my experience with my F80 and it only had about 500 miles on it. At 150 it was extremely wobbly and required massive steering correction constantly. Felt like I would have taken off had I sped up a bit more.

I experienced similar in my M4 with OEM springs in comfort mode, but it was more stable in Sport and Sport+. After switching to Ohlins c/o's it was much more stable at high speeds.