[203E90]

Just wanted to say hi and thanks to you all. I'm Sean, a long time forum member under on screen name or another. (I should learn by now not to use my current car model in my screen name because I haven't had an E90 in 4 years.)

I have a 2015 M4 and I just picked up my 2020 X3M a couple of hours ago. I spent about 4 months looking at them before I decided I wanted one and that I would keep the M4. I spent another month in this forum seeing what you guys are doing with them and how you're all enjoying them. I really appreciate all this knowledge on this side of the forum. A little more mature group here too lol. The F8X board gets rowdy at time lol.

I pulled the trigger last week and picked up today. ZERO regrets. It's a base and it's what I would call a "humble spec" lol. Not peasant spec but not loaded. I jumped on this one in particular because it only had 5K miles, clean flawless history, unmodified, and still has a year and some change on the warranty and included maintenance.

Love everything so far but after I finish typing this, I'm heading out to the garage to code a few things and probably end up tuning it by the weekend....After I just bought up that shiny warranty lol.

Im still getting used to such a big vehicle(compared to my M4) moving just as fast as my M4 but it's surprisingly well rounded. Just quiet for now. I thought I'd hate the ZF after living with a DCT for the last 3 years. Nope, it's actually quite refreshing. It can be smooth when you need it and fairly close to DCT speed at other times. I thought I'd notice the weight and not like the seating position. Also not true. At this point, the M4 might end up being a track toy and the X3M racking up a lot of miles fast. I'd post a pic but I actually haven't taken any yet and it's 1 of 500 PBM X3Ms in here. Do you really need to see what another one looks like lol?

Thanks again for all the knowledge and I look forward to possibly contributing but it looks like you guys got all the major build, gripes, fixes, issues, and "what oil do you use" threads going.

[evoix]

sorry but need pics.

Joking. Congrats and welcome. I have a phytonic blue and love it. Let the modding begin.

If you don't mind me asking what warranty did you buy?

[lagunablue1]

Welcome to the club! Fellow PB owner here as well - great color choice.

[SCCThree]

Welcome!

[TaroBaapG35]

Another CLT Owner! Sweet!

Come to C&C next month on May 6! There only a few of us with X3M's that show up but would be nice to meet another owner!

[95wildtt]

Welcome!

Pics are always welcome.

[ElCid08]

Congrats! Before I got my X3M I had a 2022 X3 M40 in Phytonic. Great color!

[EricP3]

Definitely need pics. And yes it is pretty tame here compared to the F8X forums lol. We still have our fun. Welcome!

[203E90]

Originally Posted by TaroBaapG35

Another CLT Owner! Sweet!

Come to C&C next month on May 6! There only a few of us with X3M's that show up but would be nice to meet another owner!

Absolutely. Are they back on for May? I usually make it to every cars and coffee and park with EuroMpire. Unfortunately, if it is back on for May, I won't make it. I'll be traveling that weekend but definitely will be at other Charlotte events.

[203E90]

Originally Posted by evoix

sorry but need pics.

Joking. Congrats and welcome. I have a phytonic blue and love it. Let the modding begin.

If you don't mind me asking what warranty did you buy?

I still have factory warranty and maintenance until next August I believe. After that, IDK what warranty I will go with IF I get one. Not sure if it'll be worth it If I mod, tune, and break something just to get it denied. Still thinking on that one.

[203E90]

Delivery day pics.

[EricP3]

Originally Posted by 203E90

Delivery day pics.

Attachment 3148859

Attachment 3148860

Attachment 3148861

Attachment 3148862

Attachment 3148863

Hot damn

[203E90]

Originally Posted by EricP3

Hot damn

I could've got one with more options or a X3MC but when I say this one is clean, it's like it never left a nice California neighborhood or saw rain or dust lol. 5k miles in 2 years. Cleaned up easily after dealing with this Carolina pollen.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Congrats... The X3 M base will still knock the snot out of most cars on the road.

[kzg1969]

very clean looking car - in a great colour too......if i do say so myself!

[M3Pilot09]

Loved my 2020 X3M and 2021 X3MC in Pytonic Blue. My 2021 is first pic, second the 2020

[203E90]

So I've had my F97 for 8 months and I originally planned on it being a daily so I can build my M4 a little more. Considered maybe just tuning it and calling it a day. Well....time makes a fool of us all lol. 8 months later I've put almost 20K miles on it, about $10k in mods, it runs a 10.5 1/4 mile with a 2.7 0-60 on all seasons lol. Easily the best vehicle I've owned. So versatile, comfortable (compared to my M4 on KWs), makes effortless power, and so far its reliable.

I am someone who is a little excessive with preventative maintenance though. I try to do OEM+ builds and only change things that make a positive difference.

Current mod list:
VRSF Catless DPs
Active Autowerkes Equal Legnth Midpipe (R&D unit #5)
Eventuri CF Intake
OEM CF Strut Crossbrace
CR Racing CF Strut Braces
Vossen HF 5s 21x9.5 21x10.5 265/295 Pilot AS4s
Motorsport Hardware Stud Conversion Kit
VTT Rear Diff Insert (Just ordered)
VTT Rear Diff Front Inserts (Just Ordered)
VTT Transfer Case Insert (Just Ordered)
JXB Driveshaft Support Upgrade (Just Ordered)
Aero Republic Universal CF Mud Flaps
CF Sideskirts
CF Front Lip
CF Front Bumper Trim
CF Grill Trim
CF Side Vent Trim
Goldenwrench Engine Cap Set
Downstar Dress Up Bolts

XHP Stage 3 Trans Tune
BM3 OTS E30 Tune

Next Steps:
KW V3 Coilovers
Dinan Bumpstops
VTT Diff Lockdown Brace (Shipping soon)
VTT CF Driveshaft
CF Rear Diffuser
Active Autowerke Axel Back
6 Piston Brake conversion (M5/X5M brakes) would be nice to get my hands on some reasonable Carbon Ceramics. Putting M Sport brakes on a 2 ton M SUV was nuts.

We all know there are 2 things that are weak on the F97/98. That dang diff mount and the Harmon Kardon lol. I ultimately want to strengthen up the drivetrain, lower weight/unspung mass, and then start real tuning for a little more power. The wheels saved me around 10 pounds vs the stock 20s but I may go with a set of Vexten wheels. I have a friend that has a set of their 20s on his M8 and the fronts weigh 21 pounds. 26 in the rear. Incredible. Removing the slop in the drivetrain with the VTT and JXB bits combined with shaving some rotational mass will do wonders for the response and stability. Plus reliability (in my head).

My stock muffler is starting to self-destruct with pretty much a straight pipe set up. No cats or resonators. Shaved almost 40 pounds there but definitely wouldn't recommend that. I jumped on the EL midpipe early to help with the development to bring it to market but there is a rasp at 2K rpms. Baffles in the muffler are loose. Same on my M4 but that still has secondary cats and resonators so it just sounds like a S55. Adding the axel back and possibly resonators.

Overall, this might be a keeper for me. Does everything well. Not the fastest but quick enough to shock everyone. Reliable so far. Enough features/options to not feel outdated already. Most of all, I can drive it year-round and go places the M4 will never see.

[PNW_F10]

lol, great post thanks for sharing, what a monster! I have a 2020 non comp I'm just going to live through you!

Someone needs to post the spongebob meme............"A few moments later"......

Its so funny how us car guys are wired. I can't tell you how many cars I've told my wife - it's plenty fast just the way it is I'm not doing anything...........$10k later. I did the exact with my F10. Same with my F-150 - I'm not going to lift it, I'm also going to keep the wheels and tires stock.....yeah right. :-)

[pyo]

Thanks for sharing your build 203E90

Question for you. Why are you planning on the pairing the KW V3 with the Dinan Bumpstops? Do the KW's not come with their own? (Paging BrockDM for additional input)

[TacReload]

More inspiration. That's sick. Well done.

[DCC]

Welcome and great find on that X3M


PB is very nice indeed.


How did you like the ride on the original 20s vs the 21s you fitted after purchase?

[Bimma360]

I purchased my PB non comp exactly 5 months after you. Looks great so far! You really got on the mods!

Originally Posted by PNW_F10

Its so funny how us car guys are wired. I can't tell you how many cars I've told my wife - it's plenty fast just the way it is I'm not doing anything...........$10k later. I did the exact with my F10. Same with my F-150 - I'm not going to lift it, I'm also going to keep the wheels and tires stock.....yeah right. :-)

I seem to be doing the same thing with this one. Only thing thing I told myself/wife I was going to do with mine was wheels and blacked out grills. I am still restraining myself, but it's not going to be just those two items... haha.