[aleph-one]

Hi all,

I'm typically indecisive. I adore the B58 platform and would love to trade in my M40i for a 440xi 6MT for the handling and the stick shift, but the X3 is too practical for my life right now and I have a hard time seeing myself part with it.

So, is there any secret sauce to improving the handling on these cars? I have some sticky Hancook ventus V12 evo2's all around and will probably move to pilot sports for the next set of summers. Also heard lighter wheels can help drop rotational mass so that's something to look into. I'd like to drop it a bit with H&R or MST springs (plenty of literature there) which should stiffen it up a bit in the corners, maybe coilovers if they have a much bigger improvement over springs.

Are there other ways to make the big girl handle? Any X3M arms/sway bars that can get ported over? Would love to hear what others are doing in the community.

I know it will never handle like a car half its size, but I like the idea of leaning into the performance of an already great all-rounder.

Thanks!

[suby01]

Forged wheels - thousand options out there
Titanium lug nuts.
Sticky tires.
Suspension you already have plans on.
And then add all to cart from Aleks Racing.

https://www.aleksracing.com/search/?...scription=true

[ASAP]

Don't waste your time... its an comfortable sporty suv... buy the car if thats what you want.

[aleph-one]

Originally Posted by suby01

Forged wheels - thousand options out there
Titanium lug nuts.
Sticky tires.
Suspension you already have plans on.
And then add all to cart from Aleks Racing.

https://www.aleksracing.com/search/s..._category=true

Out of curiosity, why suspension parts from the G02? Are they different from the G01?

Edit: Never mind, I see now!

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by suby01

Titanium lug nuts.

???

[suby01]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

???

Lug bolts. I mean BMWs are cool with bolts vs nuts.

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by suby01

Lug bolts. I mean BMWs are cool with bolts vs nuts.

Thank you. I’ve been looking at them…

[aleph-one]

Originally Posted by suby01

https://www.aleksracing.com/search/?...scription=true

Can you or anyone on here vouch for the aleks racing hardware? Does it noticeably stiffen up the chassis and change the driving feel?

[suby01]

Originally Posted by aleph-one

Can you or anyone on here vouch for the aleks racing hardware? Does it noticeably stiffen up the chassis and change the driving feel?

No idea. I am like 50 50 in just buying it all. Lol but I have no idea if it will do anything?
In theory all these brace points put together should have a impact on handling from stock. But no clue.

[bpang1]

I wish there were just a good set of Sway Bars and End Links. I always prefer changing out the sway bars first rather than going full blown KW V3...especially being that it's just a daily driver for me and I have a track car.

Lighter wheels are a must on these cars. The stock wheels are so heavy. They won't fix handling per se but will help with acceleration and turn-in (less weight on the wheels typically makes it easier to turn the steering wheel and feel the road through the steering wheel).

I have the strut bar and it works for what it is, but it won't solve everything. Basically just makes it turn-in faster / sharper. Which is good for the amount of money you spend.

[Alias1431]

Originally Posted by suby01

No idea. I am like 50 50 in just buying it all. Lol but I have no idea if it will do anything?
In theory all these brace points put together should have a impact on handling from stock. But no clue.

Doooo it, Doooo it

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Don't waste your time... its an comfortable sporty suv... buy the car if thats what you want.

^^^^^ This.

It’s an SUV, with all the negative handling characteristics that entails no matter what you do.

[dmicah]

Yeah yeah, it's a sport ute, and it'll never be a sedan, yada yada. But lighter wheels and better rubber will improve handling with few downsides and dealers can't really gripe about this type of mod. And this is already a great handling sport ute.

[suby01]

Some guys here are definitely fun at parties. SHeesshh.

[cky]

I have installed the following and I'd say most of them improved the handling but in different %:
1. MSS lowering springs
2. Spacers
3. Lighter wheels and PS4S tires
4. X3M/ X4M sway bars & lower strut bar
5. CPM strut plate: http://cpmtech.jp/product/?cat=1#%EF%BC%9CCSRP-B401
6. Dinan tension strut ball joint (G20 one works on on my MY21 G02): https://www.dinancars.com/products/s...arts/D280-0022

I would say spacer, X3M/X4M lower strut bar, CPM strut plate and dinan kit improved the steering handling feeling quite a lot

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by cky

I have installed the following and I'd say most of them improved the handling but in different %:
1. MSS lowering springs
2. Spacers
3. Lighter wheels and PS4S tires
4. X3M/ X4M sway bars & lower strut bar
5. CPM strut plate: http://cpmtech.jp/product/?cat=1#%EF%BC%9CCSRP-B401
6. Dinan tension strut ball joint (G20 one works on on my MY21 G02): https://www.dinancars.com/products/s...arts/D280-0022

I would say spacer, X3M/X4M lower strut bar, CPM strut plate and dinan kit improved the steering handling feeling quite a lot

I'll admit to passing on the strut brace because I found the aesthetics absolutely fugly

I will look into the strut ball joint replacement tho...

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by cky

I have installed the following and I'd say most of them improved the handling but in different %:
1. MSS lowering springs
2. Spacers
3. Lighter wheels and PS4S tires
4. X3M/ X4M sway bars & lower strut bar
5. CPM strut plate: http://cpmtech.jp/product/?cat=1#%EF%BC%9CCSRP-B401
6. Dinan tension strut ball joint (G20 one works on on my MY21 G02): https://www.dinancars.com/products/s...arts/D280-0022

I would say spacer, X3M/X4M lower strut bar, CPM strut plate and dinan kit improved the steering handling feeling quite a lot

How much stiffer are the X3M sway bars in comparison to the M40? Did you change both front and rear?

Does anyone know the OD of the X3M sway bars over the M40?

[Chris Pringle]

Instead of getting into a rabbit hole with so many mods that may or may not work, have you considered test driving the X3M or X3MC? Then, if you like how those race Ute’s feel to you, then simply trade in your M40i for one of those.

Also, do consider test driving the Porsche Macan but only in the GTS or previously-owned Turbo trims. What you’ll lose in cabin/cargo space, you may feel to recoup it handsomely in handling and driving dynamics.

IMHO, the X3 M40i is the most well-rounded sports SUV I have test-driven and bought it for that same reason, but to achieve that middle ground, a few compromises had to be made that may not satisfy everyone, especially those longing for even more racing traits.

[Keefy]

I’m not looking to upgrade anything, it’s more of a curiosity thing for me….as my M40d is good enough.

[cky]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

I'll admit to passing on the strut brace because I found the aesthetics absolutely fugly

I will look into the strut ball joint replacement tho...

Haha the strut brace is definitely fugly but the improvement is very noticeable. I have installed the UR racing (white one) before, the handling was worsen, the CPM one works like a champ.

Go for the strut ball joint, you will notice the difference as well

[cky]

Originally Posted by Keefy

How much stiffer are the X3M sway bars in comparison to the M40? Did you change both front and rear?

Does anyone know the OD of the X3M sway bars over the M40?

Yes I changed both front and rear. If my information is correct, M40i one should be around 22.5mm and the X3M around 25mm. I did wheel alignment after installing the sway bars, I would say the rear has more grip or more stable when passing uneven roads

[cky]

Originally Posted by Keefy

I’m not looking to upgrade anything, it’s more of a curiosity thing for me….as my M40d is good enough.

I suggest you may start with lowering springs, you get a better look and lower central gravity by less body roll.