[SctsOut06]

Hi all,

Starting to shop for a new car… and looking for some honest feedback from X3M owners who have cross shopped some other models/makes.

I am coming from a 2018 M550i that had a few things done to it. I sold it before I left for a deployment but need to start narrowing down choices.

The X3M is at the top of my list… I’m intrigued by the style and performance. But I’m also cross shopping an X5 M50i, Macan GTS, RR Sport, or even buying another M550i.

Would love to hear some thoughts from the group. It’ll be my daily driver - I have a decent commute…about 50-65 miles a day.

What do you love about your X3M? What would you look for in a different car?

Pics below of my M550i.

[thestimp]

I love it because it carries more, like more two large Bernese mountain dogs and military junk as well. I would maybe opt for the x5m50i if you want the v8 again and the space. But the X3m is a 9 second monster with all the trimmings. I came from an F80. My next car will be the m5 Wagon if it ever comes out. (used of course 150k is insane).

[Strigz]

I've had my 2020 X3M for a week now and I absolutely love it. The 16mpg isn't the best thing in the world (coming from a fuel efficient car) but you don't buy one of these SUVs with fuel efficiency in mind. I still have until April 2024 or 50k miles for my warranty (sucks because I already bought downpipes, but will stay stock for the remainder). In recent years, I owned a bolt on 335xi, which would get absolutely gapped by this thing even in stock form. The space is great and practical and the creature comforts are amazing to have (even though the cooled seats don't work great, still nice to have). If you can get one with less than 40k miles, clean carfax, and in good condition for 50-55 thousand, I would pull the trigger. The resell value on these won't depreciate too quickly simply due to the fact that it's a newer M and is already sitting in that mid 50s price range. Its nice to be in an SUV, I'd still consider a Macan GTS if you like them, but these X3M's are one hell of a platform.

[Stereolab42]

My big worry was all the FUD about a rough suspension, which turned out not to be the case at all. Suspension feels perfect. I've had cars with rough suspensions before, and this ain't it. (Namely a 2013 SLK55 AMG which felt like it was running on concrete tires. Nothing I could do, it was within factory spec and nobody made replacement components, and was the main reason I sold it.)

[evoix]

It’s a great baby hauler and a race car in one. Ride is stiff but my daughter is able to sleep comfortably.

Mpg’s are around 16 but worth every penny hitting that accelerator and gapping a sports car. (When the kid is not in the back)

[R0ot.Us3r]

I love my 2023 but that 5 series lookin like a snack

[Jnat]

For a perspective i just purchased my 20 X3M pre owned with 16k miles for mid 50's. It is one owner clean carfax and the truck is clean. Prior to this purchase i had a 17 240xi with 60k miles that i literally just did everything you could possibly think of preventative maintenance wise up to and including a mild turbo upgrade (Vargas GC) and it was a clean car. I'm a car enthusiast true and true and really enamored with the S58 but the M3 M4's are out of my comfort zone price wise at this point. I was aware of the X3M but not ready to move to an SUV just yet. And then i see one in Toronto Red for what i consider a reasonable price and i didn't hesitate, more then i wanted to spend BUT... The best thing i can say is i don't regret purchasing at all, it does everything better then any vehicle i've ever owned and then some. No regret's other then i really wish i hadn't dumped close to 10k in my 240 prior. Good luck with your decision.

[Gfit]

I have both a 23 X3M and 24 X5M. Like them both. The X3M goes about it’s business in a much more roudy nature than my X5M so I would imagine coming from a 5 yourself that’s something to consider. Doesn’t bother me. I enjoy it but it’s way different than my X5M. I can corner with both at similar speeds but the X5M handles the road imperfections much more gracefully which is probably similar to your 5.

[SctsOut06]

Appreciate all the replies! The suspension harshness chatter that’s all over the car mag reviews had me concerned - given it will be a daily. I also have to admit that, while I know it’s an M car, the mpgs seem pretty dismal. I could creep north of 28 in my M550.

Anyone have an opinion on the interior quality vs a 5er or X5?

Also, did moving to an M have a significant impact on your insurance?

I feel like I’ve never been so indecisive in my life. I actually have my name on the wait list for an M3 allocation too… I’m not thoroughly convinced I’m going to go through with that…

[Gfit]

We do mostly around town driving and average just 12. The interior is nice but the 5 interiors are more luxurious for sure. Neither is a big deal for me. Insurance barely budge for the X3M. My M3 caused my rates to go up about 300 a year coming from an Alfa Stelvio Quad. Interesting that my X5M rate is exactly what my M3 rate was even though it cost $40,000 more. Must be related to claim rates.

[Strigz]

Originally Posted by SctsOut06

Appreciate all the replies! The suspension harshness chatter that’s all over the car mag reviews had me concerned - given it will be a daily. I also have to admit that, while I know it’s an M car, the mpgs seem pretty dismal. I could creep north of 28 in my M550.

Anyone have an opinion on the interior quality vs a 5er or X5?

Also, did moving to an M have a significant impact on your insurance?

I feel like I’ve never been so indecisive in my life. I actually have my name on the wait list for an M3 allocation too… I’m not thoroughly convinced I’m going to go through with that…

The mpg definitely hurts a bit. I came from a Camry, so i was probably getting 22-27. As for my insurance, the X3M is my first plan on my own, and off of my fathers insurance it only went up about $200. Thats with full coverage, $500 deductables, and as a 23 year old with my own plan, so insurance isnt too bad at all, atleast for an X3M

[Mscarn2014]

Honestly, for your use, I think the X5 m50i would be a better fit. Better suspension, v8 power, better MPG than the full x3m, more space. X3m is great and I've done road trips, but still, the X5 I think is better for your purposes.

Macan for me was too small. RR I'd only lease with their reliability.

[Oldgixxer]

I had a 2020 M550i so it had slightly more hp/tq than your '18,that being said...I miss the instant V8 tq while driving around town running errands,etc. The X3MC(even w the RaceChip) feels laggy as hell compared to an M550 in the lower rpm's as it should since it's an 3.0L I-6 with 2 large snails vs a 4.4L V8tt. Once past 3k rpm it's a wash.
My '20 M550 bone stock ran 11.46@121 compared to my bone stock X3MC which ran 11.67@117.
I prefer the stiffer suspension while ripping around in the X3MC vs the M550 which felt like a whale handling wise although if cruising down the highway the M550 is significantly more comfortable for me since my half of my spine is fused.

Overall,I'm much happier w the X3MC than the M550i(mine had a shitload of issues and spent half the time at the dealer). I do miss the V8tt torque so when my lease is up next summer I'm stepping up to an X5MC

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

I had a 2020 M550i so it had slightly more hp/tq than your '18,that being said...I miss the instant V8 tq while driving around town running errands,etc. The X3MC(even w the RaceChip) feels laggy as hell compared to an M550 in the lower rpm's as it should since it's an 3.0L I-6 with 2 large snails vs a 4.4L V8tt. Once past 3k rpm it's a wash.
My '20 M550 bone stock ran 11.46@121 compared to my bone stock X3MC which ran 11.67@117.
I prefer the stiffer suspension while ripping around in the X3MC vs the M550 which felt like a whale handling wise although if cruising down the highway the M550 is significantly more comfortable for me since my half of my spine is fused.

Overall,I'm much happier w the X3MC than the M550i(mine had a shitload of issues and spent half the time at the dealer). I do miss the V8tt torque so when my lease is up next summer I'm stepping up to an X5MC

If you want to make a change get some quotes on an early turn in. Last year I got $7,500 (forget exactly but about that) on my wife’s 2020 X3M with 2 car fax reports and two weeks ago I got just under $15,000 on my 22 M3. Both a year early.

[GOLFFRR]

that's a clean 5er, nicely done!

x3M is a rocket, obv a totally different vehicle compared to the 5er. The post states you have a pretty long commute, so I would assume that comfort is one of your concerns? The x3M will def have a stiffer ride than your current set up but that will depend a lot on perception of the driver. Ive driven a x3M a few times on some decent commutes over the years and honestly I didn't notice any issues with comfort, however I would also say one of the few concerns/complaints people have told me about that own x3Ms, is that they feel the ride is a little stiff and that was their only complaint.... so I guess that would be the only thing I could say regarding the x3M from what I have exp and heard.

[FastRedPonyCar]

Originally Posted by SctsOut06

Appreciate all the replies! The suspension harshness chatter that’s all over the car mag reviews had me concerned - given it will be a daily. I also have to admit that, while I know it’s an M car, the mpgs seem pretty dismal. I could creep north of 28 in my M550.

Anyone have an opinion on the interior quality vs a 5er or X5?

Also, did moving to an M have a significant impact on your insurance?

I feel like I’ve never been so indecisive in my life. I actually have my name on the wait list for an M3 allocation too… I’m not thoroughly convinced I’m going to go through with that…

From the reviews, they got the suspension stiffness sorted out for the LCI models.

I was on the fence between ordering a new M340i and a used X3M and ended up having the dealer build the 340 but it's stuck in build purgatory with no delivery in sight and after giving it more thought, I've put a deposit down on a used X3M.

I'm a gigging musician so back trunk space is a big deal and somthing I've only been able to deal with in a sedan currently because I'm in a Tesla Model 3 which has a lease ending this week. I really don't want to have to play Tetris with gear in the back of a 3 series.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by Gfit

If you want to make a change get some quotes on an early turn in. Last year I got $7,500 (forget exactly but about that) on my wife’s 2020 X3M with 2 car fax reports and two weeks ago I got just under $15,000 on my 22 M3. Both a year early.

I hear ya on that,I have a decent amount of equity on the X3MC but,as of now my dealer doesn't have an allocation yet(I'm 1st on the list)and I have no desire to call other dealers looking for one.
Trust me,getting the $8k equity from the X3 convo has been brought up many times with my better half but I'm fine with sitting patiently and waiting.

[Fingerblaster007]

Just got my 2020 X3MC on Friday. The thing is an absolute beast. And I think the insurance considers it as a regular X3 so my insurance increase wasn’t bad at all. Im upgrading from a 2011 subie and it’s my first bmw so there’s a little learning curve to figuring out everything this monster does but so far I love it. It’s like it’s begging me to go fast. Thank god for th heads up display so I can quickly see how fast I’m speeding and slow down. Lol

[doooooooook]

Originally Posted by SctsOut06

Also, did moving to an M have a significant impact on your insurance?

I went from a 2016 S4 to a 2020 X3 M Competition and my insurance dropped $400 a year. The BMW shows up as BMW X3, so I’m sure that helps a ton.

[cshawkeye]

I love my 2020 X3M. It was my "divorce" car as it gives me exactly what I wanted. The fun of an M and the functionality of an SUV. I had an E90 M3 and loved it and then moved to a 2019 RDX and loved it but it was missing that fun factor that a BMW gives you.

[SctsOut06]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

I had a 2020 M550i so it had slightly more hp/tq than your '18,that being said...I miss the instant V8 tq while driving around town running errands,etc. The X3MC(even w the RaceChip) feels laggy as hell compared to an M550 in the lower rpm's as it should since it's an 3.0L I-6 with 2 large snails vs a 4.4L V8tt. Once past 3k rpm it's a wash.
My '20 M550 bone stock ran 11.46@121 compared to my bone stock X3MC which ran 11.67@117.
I prefer the stiffer suspension while ripping around in the X3MC vs the M550 which felt like a whale handling wise although if cruising down the highway the M550 is significantly more comfortable for me since my half of my spine is fused.

Overall,I'm much happier w the X3MC than the M550i(mine had a shitload of issues and spent half the time at the dealer). I do miss the V8tt torque so when my lease is up next summer I'm stepping up to an X5MC

This is a great perspective. I’m afraid that I’m going to feel like I’m missing out on something coming from the M550i. It was tuned and proper fast - plus the interior was great and I could haul the kids in it.

I just can’t quite stomach the price of an M5 or an X5M unless I bought a 21 with significant miles on it. Not sure I want to go that direction either.

Moral of the story is I’m incredibly indecisive right now.

[SctsOut06]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

that's a clean 5er, nicely done!

x3M is a rocket, obv a totally different vehicle compared to the 5er. The post states you have a pretty long commute, so I would assume that comfort is one of your concerns? The x3M will def have a stiffer ride than your current set up but that will depend a lot on perception of the driver. Ive driven a x3M a few times on some decent commutes over the years and honestly I didn't notice any issues with comfort, however I would also say one of the few concerns/complaints people have told me about that own x3Ms, is that they feel the ride is a little stiff and that was their only complaint.... so I guess that would be the only thing I could say regarding the x3M from what I have exp and heard.

Originally Posted by Mscarn2014

Honestly, for your use, I think the X5 m50i would be a better fit. Better suspension, v8 power, better MPG than the full x3m, more space. X3m is great and I've done road trips, but still, the X5 I think is better for your purposes.

Macan for me was too small. RR I'd only lease with their reliability.

I’m struggling with the price point on the Macan - as beautiful as it is. I just feel like you get so much more with a BMW.