[allen3ybq]

I just had a X4 M40i loaner today. Drove it under sport plus and it feels faster and more responsive than my 19 X3 M40i.
I am sure I am not being crazy. If anyone gets a chance to drive both let me know your thoughts.

[MechX3M40i]

Hmm... Everything identical between your car and the loaner beside the shape of the car? Same options? Mileage? Tires?

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Hmm... Everything identical between your car and the loaner beside the shape of the car? Same options? Mileage? Tires?

Well the differences are below which shouldn't affect the driving feel at the early stage of the car. I seriously found it super interesting.

My X3 vs Loaner X4
9900 miles vs 2500 miles
21" wheels vs 20" wheels
Executive vs non executive

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Hmm... Everything identical between your car and the loaner beside the shape of the car? Same options? Mileage? Tires?

Well the differences are below which shouldn't affect the driving feel at the early stage of the car. I seriously found it super interesting.

My X3 vs Loaner X4
9900 miles vs 2500 miles
21" wheels vs 20" wheels
Executive vs non executive

[Neo1130]

The X4 even weighs more by about a hundred pounds. I think I read somewhere though that gearing in the X4 was a bit sportier/shorter which would make it more responsive.

Doing extensive back to back test drives we also felt the X4 was faster and since my wife wanted more of a performance based vehicle, she went with the X4 over the X3. It is also supposed to handle better due to a slightly wider track, etc.

Scratch the gearing thing. They are the same across both platforms. Trying to see if I can find what makes the X4 sportier than the X3. Found it out there at one time...

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

The X4 even weighs more by about a hundred pounds. I think I read somewhere though that gearing in the X4 was a bit sportier/shorter which would make it more responsive.

Doing extensive back to back test drives we also felt the X4 was faster and since my wife wanted more of a performance based vehicle, she went with the X4 over the X3. It is also supposed to handle better due to a slightly wider track, etc.

I agree 100% on everything you just said.
So I was right and the difference was actually pretty obviously.
Thank you for the info

[Neo1130]

Also heard "rumors" that even though they share the same engine, the X4 possibly had a slightly more aggressive tune... But again, all rumors and I don't think we'll ever find out what the reasoning is behind this.

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

Also heard "rumors" that even though they share the same engine, the X4 possibly had a slightly more aggressive tune... But again, all rumors and I don't think we'll ever find out what the reasoning is behind this.

I can confirm the rumor is 100% true this time lol.
First time I stepped on the gas pedal today I was like what the heck!!!!!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

The X4 even weighs more by about a hundred pounds. I think I read somewhere though that gearing in the X4 was a bit sportier/shorter which would make it more responsive.

Doing extensive back to back test drives we also felt the X4 was faster and since my wife wanted more of a performance based vehicle, she went with the X4 over the X3. It is also supposed to handle better due to a slightly wider track, etc.

Scratch the gearing thing. They are the same across both platforms. Trying to see if I can find what makes the X4 sportier than the X3. Found it out there at one time...

Scratch the wider track thing too, their suspension and drivetrain components are identical!

It probably just a placebo effect due to the lower seating position and lower roofline making it feel more “sporty”.

[Orient330iNYC]

being a loaner its probably been driven hard (ragged on) which will change the transmission adaptations.

only other thing would be if the 21"s are heavier than the 20s.

on the tire side it looks like the 21" tires are lighter (less depth, 9/32 vs 10/32, plus less sidewall) but are the rims heavier?

[Neo1130]

Originally Posted by teaston

Scratch the wider track thing too, their suspension and drivetrain components are identical!

It probably just a placebo effect due to the lower seating position and lower roofline making it feel more “sporty”.

No, the track IS wider and it's due to the actual X4's BODY being wider. It may share components but the X4 is wider by 2 inches and longer by about an inch on it's track.

X3 specs
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html
X4 specs
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html

[LimiX4m40]

Thats the real monster

[skier219]

Maybe it's the throttle mapping, which learns your behavior. If you drive normally much of the time, it will gradually adapt to that and become less agressive. Every so often I reset this on my X3 and am amazed at the difference it makes. I don't know if this affects sport+ but it certainly affects other modes.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

No, the track IS wider and it's due to the actual X4's BODY being wider. It may share components but the X4 is wider by 2 inches and longer by about an inch on it's track.

X3 specs
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html
X4 specs
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html

Ok, the rear track is 1.2” wider, but the front track is identical at 63.2”, and the wheelbase is identical at 112.8”

[Doug Hoover]

I looked at BMW Specs on their website and I find almost identical specs.
Weight is X3 - 4,317. X4 - 4323.
The BMW specs are mechanically identical.
Leaving a higher state of tune.
Transmission adaptions. We have a X3 xDrive35i and after my wife drives it to work and back for a few days, I get in it and wonder what happened to the
power.
Optional equipment adds weight as does fuel at 7 (?) pounds a gallon, but to have a dramatic change in the car ???

[GT500R]

As much as I enjoy these types of posts... they will be the same speed until you take it to the track or draggy each one the same day.

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by GT500R

As much as I enjoy these types of posts... they will be the same speed until you take it to the track or draggy each one the same day.

I can assure you even on regular road you can't ignore the differences that I have experienced.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by allen3ybq

I can assure you even on regular road you can't ignore the differences that I have experienced.

Maybe the drive modes are all more sporty, i.e. Comfort on X4 is closer to Sport on X3, and Sport on X4 is closer to Sport Plus on X3 etc.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by skier219

Maybe it's the throttle mapping, which learns your behavior. If you drive normally much of the time, it will gradually adapt to that and become less agressive. Every so often I reset this on my X3 and am amazed at the difference it makes. I don't know if this affects sport+ but it certainly affects other modes.

+1. My thought exactly. The two cars spec are the same, just different computer training the X3 (one owner) and the loaner received (probably not even broken in correctly by the book).

My own example - I set the tire pressure recommendation in iDrive for the car driving below 100 mph. However, after adapting to my driving for several months, my X3 iDrive is now recommending me to adjust the tire pressure the same as if I would drive over 100 mph The car computer is definitely monitoring its driver...

[LimiX4m40]

Originally Posted by skier219

Maybe it's the throttle mapping, which learns your behavior. If you drive normally much of the time, it will gradually adapt to that and become less agressive. Every so often I reset this on my X3 and am amazed at the difference it makes. I don't know if this affects sport+ but it certainly affects other modes.

Thats true, but i dont know How you can reset that?

[Tchgrif]

theres a way of resetting the throttle mapping, or at least there use to be. you would hold the gas pedal all the way down turn on ignition, it wont start unless your foot is on the brake so DON'T HAVE YOUR OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. hold it there for ten full seconds and it resets the mapping

[LimiX4m40]

Originally Posted by Tchgrif

theres a way of resetting the throttle mapping, or at least there use to be. you would hold the gas pedal all the way down turn on ignition, it wont start unless your foot is on the brake so DON'T HAVE YOUR OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. hold it there for ten full seconds and it resets the mapping

Okei thanks i will try it :-)