[Bimma360]

New member. Picked up an 18k mile 2020 X3M about 3 weeks ago to replace the current family hauler (e53 X5 4.8is). It’s phytonic blue over sakhir orange. I love this thing and will post about my impressions when I have a bit more time.

I wanted to start a thread for pictures and any mods that happen. Nothing really crazy planned. The most immediate is black comp front/side grills, G8X M3/M4 paddles, and 892M wheels.

Just a single shot for now.

[Strigz]

So nice dude congrats

[Y0jjimb0]

Congrats! Good color spec. Ours replaced an E53 as well. I feel like it's a good replacement. Almost exactly the same size, just a million times faster.

[Bimma360]

Originally Posted by Strigz

So nice dude congrats

Originally Posted by Y0jjimb0

Congrats! Good color spec. Ours replaced an E53 as well. I feel like it's a good replacement. Almost exactly the same size, just a million times faster.

Thanks guys! The whole thing was a little serendipitous. I hopped online to specifically see what X3M's were on sale, and saw this thing at a McLaren dealer 9 miles away from me. The mileage, price, and especially spec were perfect. It would have been better if it was a Comp, but I can more or less do all of the Comp bits I like myself so I really didn't give it any thought. I just went in and bought it.

The first week I had a little too much fun with it. Averaged 10mpg on the first tank!!! I have owned old "fast" bimmers all my life basically, and I am pretty sure I have never been down to 10mpg haha. I did learn a valuable lesson though. Despite what people and auto journalists say, you'll never really know what something is like until you try it yourself. I was always under the impression that all of these modern performance cars, with their electric everything, are numb and un-engaging. But after driving this thing, I can only imagine how much better the M3/M4's are. And I had basically written off those things. My version of fun and engaging might just be different these days, I don't know. But I can certainly see an M3/M4 sitting next to the X3M at some point in the future.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by Bimma360

Thanks guys! The whole thing was a little serendipitous. I hopped online to specifically see what X3M's were on sale, and saw this thing at a McLaren dealer 9 miles away from me. The mileage, price, and especially spec were perfect. It would have been better if it was a Comp, but I can more or less do all of the Comp bits I like myself so I really didn't give it any thought. I just went in and bought it.

The first week I had a little too much fun with it. Averaged 10mpg on the first tank!!! I have owned old "fast" bimmers all my life basically, and I am pretty sure I have never been down to 10mpg haha. I did learn a valuable lesson though. Despite what people and auto journalists say, you'll never really know what something is like until you try it yourself. I was always under the impression that all of these modern performance cars, with their electric everything, are numb and un-engaging. But after driving this thing, I can only imagine how much better the M3/M4's are. And I had basically written off those things. My version of fun and engaging might just be different these days, I don't know. But I can certainly see an M3/M4 sitting next to the X3M at some point in the future.

I replaced my 4.8 E70, and I’m pretty sure I hit 10MPG a few times in it, but it wasn’t anywhere near as much fun as the F97/8.
That big V8 was thirsty.

Enjoy!!

[Strigz]

Originally Posted by Bimma360

Thanks guys! The whole thing was a little serendipitous. I hopped online to specifically see what X3M's were on sale, and saw this thing at a McLaren dealer 9 miles away from me. The mileage, price, and especially spec were perfect. It would have been better if it was a Comp, but I can more or less do all of the Comp bits I like myself so I really didn't give it any thought. I just went in and bought it.

The first week I had a little too much fun with it. Averaged 10mpg on the first tank!!! I have owned old "fast" bimmers all my life basically, and I am pretty sure I have never been down to 10mpg haha. I did learn a valuable lesson though. Despite what people and auto journalists say, you'll never really know what something is like until you try it yourself. I was always under the impression that all of these modern performance cars, with their electric everything, are numb and un-engaging. But after driving this thing, I can only imagine how much better the M3/M4's are. And I had basically written off those things. My version of fun and engaging might just be different these days, I don't know. But I can certainly see an M3/M4 sitting next to the X3M at some point in the future.

Great to hear this my friend, everything besides the mpg atleast definitely hurts a little but the smiles make up for it 10 times over! Great to hear it was close to you as well, mine was in Ohio (i live in jersey!) but when its mean to be, its meant to be. I too dont have a comp, but with my color i really liked the chrome either way. Great to hear it worked out for someone else as smoothly as it did for me!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Phytonic Blue is a super nice color. I started off with an X3 M base as well. Then about a year later I wanted more & got a comp. You can't go wrong either way & I fully agree this F97 is so much more then what you see on paper. And the harsh ride critics are 95% hypochondriacs.

[GOLFFRR]

nice set up enjoy it
PB is a great choice as well

[Bimma360]

The funny thing is when I first bought my e53 I was thinking “great a comfortable car finally.” But nope, that thing was surprisingly stiffer than I expected. I’ll say that honestly the F97 in comfort doesn’t really feel much stiffer. With that said, the f97 shouldn’t be this stiff in comfort mode but it really isn’t the end all some make it out to be. It’s not that bad. Although, when we drove to the shore the day after I got it, we were on this one stretch of road where the speed and bumps must have been just right to resonate in the cabin in such a way that we could feel it in our eardrums. It turned the car into a subwoofer. For a split second I was like “oh oh.” Luckily this occurred just that one time haha.

[Gfit]

Congrats. If you are getting more than 10mg then you aren’t driving it right.

With an X3M and X5M in our garage our average is usually single digits. Fun though

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Bimma360

The funny thing is when I first bought my e53 I was thinking “great a comfortable car finally.” But nope, that thing was surprisingly stiffer than I expected. I’ll say that honestly the F97 in comfort doesn’t really feel much stiffer. With that said, the f97 shouldn’t be this stiff in comfort mode but it really isn’t the end all some make it out to be. It’s not that bad. Although, when we drove to the shore the day after I got it, we were on this one stretch of road where the speed and bumps must have been just right to resonate in the cabin in such a way that we could feel it in our eardrums. It turned the car into a subwoofer. For a split second I was like “oh oh.” Luckily this occurred just that one time haha.

Once you get those loud hard Continentals tires off, some Michelin PS4S will do wonders for ride quality & overall comfort over rough broken roads.

[Sayzar]

Congrats, I have a X4M Comp that I've owned for 9 months. I truly love this thing. Enjoy it man and best of luck with it.

[Bimma360]

Thanks gents. Got a delivery today! Ended up changing my mind on the factory M3/M4 paddles and going with these instead. I always thought I’d prefer metal ones, so I don’t know why I didn’t think of these in the first place.

[Bimma360]

And installed…

[Bimma360]

Picked up a Dinan Axelback during Black Friday. Really love the sound. I have a few clips on my phone. I'll post them up once I get them up on YouTube.





And this stuff is amazing btw. A great way to preserve your SS exhaust, while also making it incredibly easy to clean.



And installed...

[GOLFFRR]

I remember seeing one of your threads before. Maybe your car is too hot for the forums bud lol they had to erase them

[Bimma360]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

I remember seeing one of your threads before. Maybe your car is too hot for the forums bud lol they had to erase them

Hahaha I'll take that! Thanks man. I do love this combo a lot, Phytonic Blue over Sakhir Orange.

[Bimma360]

Recorded some sound clips of the exhaust. A very quick cold start, and one with some rev's when warmed up.

[Bimma360]

Installed Ryan's 14mm Diff Bolt kit now that the car is out of warranty. Haha turns out the factory bolt was still straight as an arrow after 23k miles.





Writeup here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2102344