[golferdude]

Hi everyone. I’ve got a 2022 X3M Comp and I’m contemplating selling it and looking for a lower mileage E90 M3. The X3M is a beast and fun to drive, but I miss the older BMW feel and I don’t see myself keeping the X3M long term so I figured I’d sell while I can still get a good amount and search for an M3, most likely 2011. I’ve had two E90s in the past and I really miss them. I would like to find one with lower miles and in excellent condition because I plan on keeping it for a long time.

Has anyone made this move or have any thoughts? I’m very torn about it because we love the X3M but we have a Raptor that serves family duties so that isn’t our priority, but we can still use the M3 for drives and cars and coffee, etc.

My wife and I both work from home and don’t NEED two cars which is why just having the truck for the time being shouldn’t be an issue.

I know this a first world problems post but I know my fellow car/BMW enthusiasts can relate in some way haha.

Thank you.

[thestimp]

V8 is cool, but sounds like you need an M340 more. Cheaper, modable for fun, and less hassle than a higher mileage e90.

[golferdude]

Originally Posted by thestimp

V8 is cool, but sounds like you need an M340 more. Cheaper, modable for fun, and less hassle than a higher mileage e90.

An M340i has definitely crossed my mind. Also a G80 and F80. Also F90 M5 or my dream car E60 M5. I’m all over the spectrum at the moment but I think what it comes down to is that I want a car and maybe practicality isn’t as much of a requirement.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

First world problems would be a substantial understatement here. LOL And be prepared to fork out quite a bit of dough to keep any E90 M3 (regardless of year & mileage) in proper working order & fine tuned over the long haul. Every single part of that car is pricey. Not to mention all the labor for fixing things. Even the smallest items will nickel & dime you on that car. It's not a budget friendly DD like the F97 is.

We get it, you're missing the sound & purr of a V8. Aren't we all at some point in our lives? But that car has 295 lb of torque & has to be rung out near redline to access most of that power. Lets put it this way, the M3 looks & sounds cool. And yes, great steering feel. I have one of the very last E90 335i M-Sports built with every off the shelf oem / M3 component you could possibly find on the BMW shelves. BUT... it has the N55 which doesn't sound as cool, but makes a crap ton more power from idle to redline with minor mods.

On the street the E90 M3 sounds cool & feels nice. But that's about it. And yes, I would love to have one too. Check out EAG (Enthusiast Auto Group). But once you see how much one in excellent / showroom condition goes for, you may rethink this proposition in your head all together. At one time I had an OG F87 M2, a E90 335i M-Sport with lots of mods & 2 X3 MC's. The X3 M is the M3 of the SUV world + did everything I needed it to. And it performs much better then a Raptor unless you take it off road. It's a classy SUV, a sleeper muscle car fighter & a luxury wagon all in one. So it's like 3 for the price of one.

Just my .02 cents.

[kzg1969]

I have a 2019 X3M and 2008 E93 M3.

Other than the infotainment system, the specs are not to dissimilar and both lovely places to sit.

If i didnt need towing and dog carrying capability, the X3M would be the one to go. But a close call!

[stoked335d]

OP.

Sell the Raptor and keep the X3M if you are not off-roading at all.

I thought about getting an E90 M3 manual as well but Indont have the parking space and already have 3 cars (1 of them in storage) for someone who does not commute via car.

[omniphil]

If you are going to get an older car with a history of rod bearings and throttle actuator problems why not just get the E60 M5 instead?

(I had an E92 M3 and got good at rebuilding the throttle actuators, my older dream car would certainly be the V10 M5 however)

[Bimma360]

An M SUV will never give you the same experience an M sedan/coupe will give you. If you can tolerate the older interior styling and feel, I can't see how you would enjoy any of the M cars you listed less than the X3M. Especially if you prefer the feel of the older cars.

I have owned and driven plenty of old M cars. I recently had the X3M in for service and the dealer gave me an i4 as a loaner. Although I care very little about electric cars, and the X3M is the better car in almost every way, the SUV just doesn't even come close to the sedan experience. No I would never take a non M sedan over the X3M, but driving that i4 for a few days really solidified my opinion on the X3M even further. It's awesome for what it is, and depending on someone's use case it might be the best choice. But no, it doesn't hold a candle to a sedan. Anyone that thinks it does is fooling themselves.

Having said that, I'd say go big. Just get the E60 M5. Know that you may need to drop some serious money on it for the maintenance, and just enjoy the heck out of it.

[MADBMWX5MC]

OP, Interesting dilema...what is your incline?

[stefan]

I've had the E90 M3. Around town, the motor is totally useless. It needs to be rung out to feel any kind of emotion or power from it, which means you're breaking every speed limit in 2nd gear. Below 4000rpm it feels very slow/lumbering. But.. over that... different beast. Coming from a peaky turbo motor like the S58, it'll feel slow sorry to say. Have you considered the absolute gem from that generation that is the 335is?

Handling wise I think it's insane people compare these X series cars to the Fxx and older BMWs. The E90 M3 will handle like an M car with a hyper communicative rear end that is very easy to modulate and throw around. This just isn't the case with the X3M.

[golferdude]

Thanks everyone for the insight, advice and ideas. I just sold my X3M today because I got a good offer. Now I can focus on finding what I REALLY want.

This has been an excellent board and I know I’ll miss the X3M but excited about what comes next. Thanks for all the great info and discussions over the last few years.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by golferdude

Thanks everyone for the insight, advice and ideas. I just sold my X3M today because I got a good offer. Now I can focus on finding what I REALLY want.

This has been an excellent board and I know I’ll miss the X3M but excited about what comes next. Thanks for all the great info and discussions over the last few years.

Best of luck in your decision process, and come back to visit...

[Bimma360]

Congrats. You have to come back and let us know what you end up getting next.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by stefan

I've had the E90 M3. Around town, the motor is totally useless. It needs to be rung out to feel any kind of emotion or power from it, which means you're breaking every speed limit in 2nd gear. Below 4000rpm it feels very slow/lumbering. But.. over that... different beast. Coming from a peaky turbo motor like the S58, it'll feel slow sorry to say. Have you considered the absolute gem from that generation that is the 335is?

Handling wise I think it's insane people compare these X series cars to the Fxx and older BMWs. The E90 M3 will handle like an M car with a hyper communicative rear end that is very easy to modulate and throw around. This just isn't the case with the X3M.

Those are my thoughts too. I small V-8 that lacks lots of low end torque is going to feel slow on the street. Even my friends with health E90 M3's have ridden in my E90 335i M-sport & the immediately say, the car is quicker in every way. As a daily driver, I would have to drive the M3 pretty hard to really enjoy it. Despite this , congrats OP & let us know what you get next.