[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Tricky401

Maxwell many thanks for looking into this for me. Some very useful information for us to look over.

Foggy morning yesterday so took an image showing the cornering light on and off as my wife backed out of the driveway. Certainly seems to provide good illumination of the lateral front quadrants when turning. Tricky401 - did you get your headlight concerns resolved at your Svc Ctr?

[Max Well]

1 year update with the LCI

With 10K miles and 1 year owning the LCI vs 26K miles and 3 years having the pre-LCI, the positive LCI comments in the OP remain true. My wife’s 2022 X3MC continues to provide a more refined ride and cabin experience than my 2020 so we end up using it for longer trips. But both remain our favorite vehicles ever by providing us a great combination of utility, performance and handling. And it seems by keeping my 2020 current with annual ISTA-P updates subtle improvements have occurred along the way. Whether any of the changes specifically addressed ride and performance is hard to confirm but it subjectively seems that way. If M had allowed optioning the 2023 F97 without roof rails as I’ve been lobbying I would’ve been tempted to trade mine in, but I’ve really grown attached to my 2020 unlike any other vehicle I can recall so without that possibility I’m keeping mine.

M Division has its hands full in the design of the upcoming 2025 G97/98 series. Will have to wait to see how those models turn out, but as much as we like our current versions we won’t hesitate to keep them for years should BMW fail to raise the bar.

[Quadruple VANOS]

I understand completely. I hate panoramic roofs. Best of luck with the new ride.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

@Max Well - Great write up as usual. I fully agree these machines are comfortable monsters that you can drive on the street daily. There'e no chance I'm getting rid of the two that I have either!

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Max Well

1 year update with the LCI

With 10K miles and 1 year owning the LCI vs 26K miles and 3 years having the pre-LCI, the positive LCI comments in the OP remain true. My wife’s 2022 X3MC continues to provide a more refined ride and cabin experience than my 2020 so we end up using it for longer trips. But both remain our favorite vehicles ever by providing us a great combination of utility, performance and handling. And it seems by keeping my 2020 current with annual ISTA-P updates subtle improvements have occurred along the way. Whether any of the changes specifically addressed ride and performance is hard to confirm but it subjectively seems that way. If M had allowed optioning the 2023 F97 without roof rails as I’ve been lobbying I would’ve been tempted to trade mine in, but I’ve really grown attached to my 2020 unlike any other vehicle I can recall so without that possibility I’m keeping mine.

M Division has its hands full in the design of the upcoming 2025 G97/98 series. Will have to wait to see how those models turn out, but as much as we like our current versions we won’t hesitate to keep them for years should BMW fail to raise the bar.

Well said!!

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

I understand completely. I hate panoramic roofs. Best of luck with the new ride.

Agreed - I much prefer a smooth slick top (no pano OR rails). Porsche Macan and AR Stelvio Quad allow pano/rail deletion as options.

I keep hoping M will be able to convince Corporate to stop forcing them on those who don't want or need them - at least on the G97/98 models.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Agreed - I much prefer a smooth slick top (no pano OR rails). Porsche Macan and AR Stelvio Quad allow pano/rail deletion as options.

I keep hoping M will be able to convince Corporate to stop forcing them on those who don't want or need them - at least on the G97/98 models.

It's remarkable how much more sleek, coupier, and sexier the F97 looks without those tall roof rails on the top.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

It's remarkable how much more sleek, coupier, and sexier the F97 looks without those tall roof rails on the top.

Certainly a more aerodynamic performance slant befitting a true M, IMO. Considering the iX and XM roof designs, and how Porsche and AR make their models' pano/rails options (not standard), suspect aerodynamics must favor without rails as well.

[Max Well]

Appreciate IND-Distribution stocking INDIV's CFRP Center Console, and also ///minh and the other 13 Forum Members who provided positive reviews and images of it in minh's thread [ https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1926316 ]. As many have indicated, it really completes the look IMO, esp when paired with the OEM steering wheel insert and paddles.

Out of curiosity I weighed them both - OEM 566g (20.0 oz) and CFRP actually 80g more at 646g (22.8 oz).

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Considering the iX and XM roof designs, and how Porsche and AR make their models' pano/rails options (not standard), suspect aerodynamics must favor without rails as well.

I am a HUGE fan of the slick roof, but I'm not so sure about the aerodynamics favoring excluding roof rails. They probably have zero impact, but they could be an aerodynamic benefit. Porsche seems to be putting something similar (albeit more elaborately designed) on the next GT3 RS.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

I am a HUGE fan of the slick roof, but I'm not so sure about the aerodynamics favoring excluding roof rails. They probably have zero impact, but they could be an aerodynamic benefit. Porsche seems to be putting something similar (albeit more elaborately designed) on the next GT3 RS.

One would need access to M's CFD and wind tunnel data (which we'll never see) to know for sure, but I doubt the rails are being used aerodynamically for significant re-direction of roof air flow to gain down-force from the small spoilers we have on the F97 or for crosswind stability. I'm attaching a few links which suggest these systems are used mainly for lateral stability to diminish risk of going airborne in case of spins in race cars, and for the GT3 RS deck fins you show, probably for insuring airflow hits their rear wing/spoiler for down-force control.

And although I do know based on road grime flow on our X3MCs with and without rails that they do alter the airflow from the windshield and over the roof (as a layman's surrogate for wind tunnel/thread info) I'd agree with you as to whether it has any functional impact at usual op speeds. One could argue at high speeds like the track/drag strip/Autobahn the lateral flow off the roof of vehicles sans rails induces side vortices which may worsen drag which the rails may prevent, but then the rails induce aero drag hits, so...

These details are best left to elite racing teams, but I still find it interesting to understand how they design the aerodynamics of our X3MCs...

http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/n...-cup-chevrolet