[Jet Mech]

Hello everyone. It’s been awhile since I’ve been here and owned a BMW.

A little about me. My past BMWs were a 98M3, 2001 S54 Mcoupe, and 2011 1M. We recently retired and are looking at getting a lightly used CPO or New X3 M40i. No more track days and it will be our first Automatic BMW. We still enjoy performance cars but our priorities have changed since retirement…fishing and Grandkids now is what we spend most are time on.

This is the last year of the current gen X3 and we are not fans of all the new touch screen thing like the X1. So that is why we are not waiting to see what the 2025 model will be like. We still like some buttons and knobs.

So here are my questions:

Was thinking of getting a CPO and saving a little bit maybe. Or do you think it might be better to order one? Maybe a discount since it’s the last year? Or is it too late to order? The price difference is roughly 8k less for similar optioned 2024 CPO with around 10k miles.

Looking around for the right CPO and finding the right color, options, mileage, without traveling a 1000 miles is going to be tuff. We can’t stand Black and White which is the majority. We really like the dark red, the Blues, and the Gray colors.

Not a big fan of run flats and I do most of my general maintenance while I’m still healthy…oil changes, tire rotations, etc. It looks like the only way to rotate is get the standard 19 inch setup and then change to no run flats. Who has the 19s and what do you think about them? What tires did you get and are there any issues with having the 19s over getting the staggered setup? I’m not tracking anymore and just enjoy some spirited driving on curvy country roads. Is it possible to go aftermarket with a 20 inch square setup maybe?

We like to listen to music when we travel and we always opt for the upgraded stereos in all the vehicles we have owned. We were happy with our past BMW HK systems and most other vehicle brands upgraded systems. But I’ve noticed some complaints about the current X3 HK setup. The upgrade is 850.00 to get it. How is the standard system sound? Has anyone gone aftermarket and if so, how much am I looking at for something decent?

That’s all the questions I can think about right now. Sorry for the long read. Any help or opinions is appreciated. Thanks.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Jet Mech

We like to listen to music when we travel and we always opt for the upgraded stereos in all the vehicles we have owned. We were happy with our past BMW HK systems and most other vehicle brands upgraded systems. But I’ve noticed some complaints about the current X3 HK setup. The upgrade is 850.00 to get it. How is the standard system sound? Has anyone gone aftermarket and if so, how much am I looking at for something decent?

That’s all the questions I can think about right now. Sorry for the long read. Any help or opinions is appreciated. Thanks.

Personally, I would go with the HK option. As for perceived audio quality, you will never see a consensus, as much is down to acquired taste.

No matter what current third party aftermarket products you add, the architecture of G01 iD7 (RAM) means the BMW HK digital processing and amplification cannot be replaced or even bypassed. The HiFi option is the same, in that it can’t be bypassed/replaced, but with a more limited decoding/processing capability and fewer, lower cost, speakers.

Here’s a data point of the current G01 HK system - https://totallyev.net/bmw-ix3-audio-...harman-kardon/

[TXGrey]

Opt for HK, while not great, it sounds fine turned up over 40ish %…. Can you not order square 20 inch setup as well on these? Though not as optically appealing IMO, 19s are a fine choice too.

Lots of threads on tire choices…

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Jet Mech

So here are my questions:

Not a big fan of run flats and I do most of my general maintenance while I’m still healthy…oil changes, tire rotations, etc. It looks like the only way to rotate is get the standard 19 inch setup and then change to no run flats. Who has the 19s and what do you think about them? What tires did you get and are there any issues with having the 19s over getting the staggered setup? I’m not tracking anymore and just enjoy some spirited driving on curvy country roads. Is it possible to go aftermarket with a 20 inch square setup maybe?

We like to listen to music when we travel and we always opt for the upgraded stereos in all the vehicles we have owned. We were happy with our past BMW HK systems and most other vehicle brands upgraded systems. But I’ve noticed some complaints about the current X3 HK setup. The upgrade is 850.00 to get it. How is the standard system sound? Has anyone gone aftermarket and if so, how much am I looking at for something decent?

That’s all the questions I can think about right now. Sorry for the long read. Any help or opinions is appreciated. Thanks.

If new vehicle order entry for G01 hasn't already ended, it is likely in the very near future. I'd reach out to the dealer immediately to see if they can edit an existing wholesale order to your preference. I have a personal bias toward new vs used that overwhelms the cost concern. It is a bias, so availability, financial effect, and enjoyment of being new are factors only you can weigh to reach a personal decision.

As to your questions, although I have a 30i, I can offer these thoughts on your two topics.

First, I had not been a fan of RFTs due to prior history with noise and harshness, although I did find some pleasing Michelin Primacy 3 ZPs for my now-gone 330iX. I have the 19" Bridgestone Dueler RFTs and my personal impression seems to match online reviews that these are surprisingly good. Comparing ratings, it seems owners of the Duelers are more satisfied than those who have the Bridgestone 20" Alenzas that come when wheel size is increased. I was prepared to replace the Duelers after delivery, but after driving them, I find no reason to make that change. Duelers are not harsh, ride smoothly, and handle spirited daily driving quite well. I always drive in Sport mode and I'm enjoying our local traffic circles. I'd order the 19s and judge for yourself. Worst case, you can get some UHPAS or Summers in 19 if you are not pleased with the Duelers.

I took the $850 HK upgrade and am enjoying that as well. I am not a high-level audiophile, but I find this system to be very pleasing. I have not done an A/B comparison with the standard system, but this sounds so good to my ears that I am happy with the choice and would recommend it.


Good luck and best wishes with your purchase!

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by avi66

Personally, I would go with the HK option. As for perceived audio quality, you will never see a consensus, as much is down to acquired taste.

No matter what current third party aftermarket products you add, the architecture of G01 iD7 (RAM) means the BMW HK digital processing and amplification cannot be replaced or even bypassed. The HiFi option is the same, in that it can’t be bypassed/replaced, but with a more limited decoding/processing capability and fewer, lower cost, speakers.

Here’s a data point of the current G01 HK system - https://totallyev.net/bmw-ix3-audio-...harman-kardon/

"On the whole, the iX3’s Harman Kardon audio system is spectacular"

Seriously? I would challenge their definition using that particular word.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by spangle1980

"On the whole, the iX3’s Harman Kardon audio system is spectacular"

Seriously? I would challenge their definition using that particular word.

I’ve sat in listening rooms with kit costing way more than an M40, and guess what ? People in the same room, listening to the same system, at the same time, claimed it sounded great, yet others claimed it sounded poor.

Hence, why I said it’s a data point because I wasn’t in the reviewers car and don’t have his ears or brain. So feel free to challenge his review of what he experienced. ��

It’s the human condition, and there is no definitive answer as it’s individual acquired taste. Think of it as arguing with a person who has coffee with 4 sugars, and telling them it tastes much better with no sugar. It’s highly likely if you served them coffee with 0 sugar, they would take to the internet complaining how crap it is.

[COM40]

Unless it was abused, a 10k mile car is indistinguishable from a new one. I would definitely take the savings and go CPO there. If it's only a year old then you lose nothing in terms of warranty coverage.

I have 19s and they're completely fine. I did put on DWS-06s once the Alenzas were done for. You might gain a tiny bit of cornering performance with 20s but the benefit is mostly cosmetic.

[Jet Mech]

Thanks for everyone’s comments so far. Keep them coming.

[bocabimmer]

A lot of the people in the school pickup line with M40s have the 19” M wheels as well. Probably 50/50 the all season tires and the horrible roads here.

I have the 19”. I usually itch to remove the RFTs for a set of Michelin non-RFT but this time around I actually kept the Pirelli Cinturato P7s that came with the car. They ride extremely comfortable, and I am relatively happy with the performance of them.

[Plimmie]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

I have the 19”. I usually itch to remove the RFTs for a set of Michelin non-RFT but this time around I actually kept the Pirelli Cinturato P7s that came with the car. They ride extremely comfortable, and I am relatively happy with the performance of them.

I agree with you. The 19” factory setup is very comfortable.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by COM40

Unless it was abused, a 10k mile car is indistinguishable from a new one.

Abuse an M40i? Who would dare?