[Klazu]

I am planning on posting loads of photos, so I hope you won't mind me starting my own photo thread for my 2021 X3M Competition in Donington Gray.

First, here are some photos from our delivery day last month (posted earlier in the delivery day thread).







In Canada the Competition model comes with the smart key, however day-to-day I prefer using the regular one. Whole the regular key is the same as for our 2017 X1, the bottom part is metal instead of plastic on the X3M key.





There was 24 kilometres on the odometer at delivery, but our drive home added another 50 kilometres. I am really loving the fully digital screen on the 2021 model year and waited until it was available for order back in June.



First proper drive gave us a chance to get familiar with the new car.

[Klazu]

I love my cars with some color and the two-tone Black/Midrand Beige Merino Leather interior is the perfect match and touch of color for the Donington Gray.







I really like the M wheel on this car but I have to admit that some of the buttons (like the volume buttons) do feel a tad plastic.



While I would prefer the touch screen being integrating with the dash like on the new X5, it doesn't look bad at all and the display is both sharp and bright. Idrive 7 is really nice to have.





Center console looks nice and the wireless charging is much appreciated. Nothing too special here but the Carbon Fibre Trim works well with this interior.



The sport seats look amazing and are in my mind very comfortable. I have yet to make a long road trip to really test them out,so the jury's out.





I like how the color scheme carries on with the back seats as well.





Overall, I am very pleased with our interior choice and it is maybe the most exciting option color-wise. More photos to come.

[r33_RGSport]

Congrats!!!
Man, don't I miss Vancouver.

[Agent 99]

Great choice in colors, Donnington Gray is the ultimate stealth sports car color...congrats on a great car. We didn't get the smart key with our 2020, does the smart key charge on the wireless charging mat?

[mojojojo231]

Congrats! Have the same spec MY20 and I love it. Chose the 2020 for the more traditional dials.

Enjoy the new wheels. It still blows me away the capabilities of this truck.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Agent 99

We didn't get the smart key with our 2020, does the smart key charge on the wireless charging mat?

Yes it does.

Originally Posted by mojojojo231

Chose the 2020 for the more traditional dials.

Not a bad choice at all! I wanted to future-proof my purchase and hence went with the iDrive 7 on MY2021.

[spuntyb]

Gorgeous!

I still don't know why they don't offer nicer quality front seat-backs on an M vehicle. Not a make-or-break, but that hard vinyl always gets me. Otherwise a nice cabin.

Cheers!

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Gorgeous!

I still don't know why they don't offer nicer quality front seat-backs on an M vehicle. Not a make-or-break, but that hard vinyl always gets me. Otherwise a nice cabin.

Cheers!

you can get these CF covers for the front seats. I really love them.

[M3coco]

The screen isn't touch screen?

[sittingmongoose]

Whattt I hope my 21 gets a smart key! Sucks you got the Conti tires Is the ride ok? I heard that the 21s got improved suspension but I haven't seem much concrete info on it.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Cocox3m

The screen isn't touch screen?

You mean the center screen? Yes, it is a touch screen.

Originally Posted by sittingmongoose

Whattt I hope my 21 gets a smart key! Sucks you got the Conti tires Is the ride ok? I heard that the 21s got improved suspension but I haven't seem much concrete info on it.

I am not sure about the US, but in Canada the MY21 cars come with one of each keys. If you don't get a smart key, I wouldn't worry too much about it as it is largely a gimmick and I let my wife use it.

I remember reading that 90% of the cars come with Continental tires, so you need to be lucky to get Michelins. I have no complains so far, but time will tell about the tire wear.

Hard to say about the suspension being softer on MY21 as it is still pretty stiff, although this is my first M car, so lacking a proper comparison point. Fortunately we have pretty good roads here in Vancouver, BC so it hasn't been an issue and the 20" winter tires I will be putting on shortly should help as well.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Congrats on the new car. Oh and it's called a Display Key not a smart key 😜

[Klazu]

More photos from around the town from the first week following the delivery...



I love the aggressive look of the front even without any mods.





One of the many skylines of Burnaby, BC.







Posing at Spanish Banks with Downtown Vancouver, BC in the background.







A lot more to come.

[Wills2]

Lovely pictures, enjoy the car.

[BrooklynG87]

Great photos! Congrats on a beautiful build!

[Klazu]

Found a nice colorful side street take take a few photos.

[Transfer]

Great shots! What size center caps did you go with on the winter wheels? My Niche caps are gonna have to go.

[Klazu]

Standard 68mm hub caps fit nicely. They are $20 off Amazon or eBay.

I will post more winter tire photos in the future.

[DucatiT1098S]

I've got the same spec but a MY20 and absolutely love this car.
Enjoy your new M and keep sharing the beautiful pictures.

[GOLFFRR]

sharp looking ride congrats OP

[mature banana]

Car looks great. This is the exact build I’m going to discuss tomorrow with a dealer. Any issues that prospective owners should be cognizant of?

[Klazu]

Been meaning to post these for some time now...

Just like everyone, it seems, I also kept going back and forth about the decision on how to solve the issue of winter tires. I have always owned a separate set for winter and wanted to do that also with the X3MC for its convenience.

I was originally looking to buy the 20" 764M OEM winter set, however it costs a ridiculous C$6,999 here in Canada and even after a dealer discount it would have been C$5,999 - no thank you. After a lot of research, I ended up buying Niche Vosso Matte Anthracite wheels at size 20x9 with +27 offset (SKU: M204209044+27) for C$1,653.

For tires themselves I wanted to get the best possible winter performance as weather on local mountains can get reallty bad at time, so I and opted for Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV in square setup 255/45R20 105T for another C$1,518. So, in total the winter set came to roughly C$3,250 ($2,540 USD) with TPMS sensors.







I ordered 68mm hub caps off eBay for C$20 to make the wheels look even nicer.











So what do I think about how the set looks like? I love the style of the Vossos but wish there would be a two-tone variant available. 20" wheels will look a bit small on the X3M regardless of of style and less sporty due to fat winter tires. Even then, I am pretty satisfied with the look, especially for the price.









We haven't been getting a lot of snow in Vancouver this winter and due to COVID we haven't either been driving up to the mountains. So, my chances to test out my new Nokian's in snow and ice has been limited but based on the little I can tell, they do grip very well and are also fairly quiet to run. Not quite as quiet as the Michelin's on my old X1, but good enough.

In terms of ride comfort, the winter tires of course feel very different to the summer tires in a positive way. The Nokian's are not made for performance driving so they can feel a bit squishy if pushing them in a corner which some other tires may not do, but that hasn't been a bit issue for me.





I know few people have also been going with Niche wheels and sounds like others have also been happy with their choice, so I can recommend them as a cost-effective winter setup.