[clivem2]

I've had my G01 M40i for almost 4 weeks now. Over the 8 previous years I ran two F25s so the X3 is very familiar to me. Of course the G01 whilst it looks quite similar to the F25, it's pretty much all new.

Today I drove my first longish trip, about 5 hours total driving. I decided now would be a good time to report on my thoughts. I can't unleash the engine yet as I need to get some more miles driven first. Engine and handling are great so far but there's so much more to come.

Overall the car is so much more sophisticated and refined vs the F25. My G01 is just about fully loaded with all the packs we get in the UK, sunroof, driving assistant, Merino leather. It's Glacier Silver, a finish I arrived at by a process of elimination rather than it being a stand out 1st choice. I'm really pleased with the colour. The Merino leather is a nice touch of luxury too.

Today was supposed to be mainly motorway driving but a section of the M6 motorway was closed, I'm happy to report that the Nav system automatically re-routed me very successfully.

I had a play with the Engine Sound setting. Driving in Comfort / Adaptive I found the "Reduced" mode removed a very slight drone at motorway speeds, so this will be my setting for distance driving.

The HUD is wonderful but most know that. To think that I nearly didn't go for it. That's would have been a mistake.

I had a good play with ACC Stop & Go and the Steering Assistant. ACC is great, it works well. The Steering Assistant I'd tried before on an empty motorway and didn't like the way it drove up to the white lines before turning the wheel. Today I used it differently, for a start it was on a very busy motorway - this seems to get the radar sensors working, it's much better. The way I found it to benefit me was to not expect it to be like an autonomous car. I kept both hands on the wheel to guide the car just a little. It seemed like I was steering it all myself but when I turned it off, I found the car was doing most of the work. ACC and Steering Assistant together made for a very relaxing drive.

The HK system was sounding good. My only grumble is that I can't work out how to get it to stop when an album is finished, it goes back to the first track. I'm using FLACs, about 400 albums on a USB stick, these are fully tagged so the car recognises the music properly...but how to stop at the end of an album?

UK MPG - this is reported MPG from the car so no doubt it's optimistic. With all the traffic this morning I got 29mpg. Tonight was almost all motorway, I was driving a lot at 55 to 60 mph, with about 30% at 70/75. This showed 40mpg. Pretty good even if I was driving slowly...

I'm really loving my Silver Machine - Hawkwind comes to mind so I'd better name her Stacia!

[Meantime]

So, it is "she" after all?

Thanks Clive, very nice update! Looking back at the ordering days, anything you would configure differently?

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Meantime

So, it is "she" after all?

Thanks Clive, very nice update! Looking back at the ordering days, anything you would configure differently?

Haha, I wondered if you'd pick my up on that. The naming only happened today when I look at "her" an thought Silver Machine. Well....Stacia was know for her rather impressive assets - a bit like the big pair on the front of the car!

I wouldn't change anything but bear in mind I plan to keep this car for several years, ie at 7+ years so the high cost of all the options doesn't seem so bad over 7+ years. For myself the sunroof is mandatory, it lets so much light in, more than with the F25. If I were to economise it would the the Driving Assistant first and then the Comfort Pack...but that said for the sake of 2k/3k I wouldn't want to do this. I'm really pleased with the 699M with non-RFTs. The RFTs and suspension on the G01 are much, much better than previous generations but I suppose I'm over-critical due to 11 years on RFTs.

[clivem2]

Something neglected to mention. The rev counter on ID7 being the "wrong" way around now seems totally logical. It's how it should always have been designed.

[Supa Koopa]

Great write up and pleased to hear you are happy with your new car.

I've no idea how you are getting such good miles per gallon, mine is shocking. On a very similar run the best I got was 29mpg, it has never broken the magic 30 barrier, so I'm very impressed you have seen 40.

[clivem2]

I was surprised to see 40mpg even if it's only "indicated" rather than fully calculated. Aero makes such a difference. I think that being in traffic which wasn't stopping made the difference, I was made to go slowly but kept moving.

[rajp]

Good writeup.... I just wish the side mirrors heated up faster then they do at present.. takes ages to clear up the mirrors... also, I wish the Engine Start button was on the door side of the steering and not inside.. makes it easier to start with the right hand drive... also wish, the rear camera was covered when not used and would pop out when set in reverse so as to not collect due/water drops on it. apart from that, I am liking my car...+

[mikeoz]

Could not agree more on the Silver picked my 2020 spec up yesterday...
Iv also seen a similar mpg on a mixed drive...

[clivem2]

Here's my Silver Machine called Stacia. I was going to post a picture of the human Stacia but I don't want to be banned from this site!

[mikeoz]

Nice colour seats btw...
Does the other Stacia like sticking her rear out of bush also?

Does she have P Zero RFTs btw?

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Nice colour seats btw...
Does the other Stacia like sticking her rear out of bush also?

Does she have P Zero RFTs btw?

Well....Stacia in her heyday was more about frontage. They weren't run-flats at all!

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Nice colour seats btw...
Does the other Stacia like sticking her rear out of bush also?

Does she have P Zero RFTs btw?

Sorry, I didn't answer the tyre question. They are P Zero but they aren't RFTs.

[ColinDuff68]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Could not agree more on the Silver picked my 2020 spec up yesterday...
Iv also seen a similar mpg on a mixed drive...

Originally Posted by mikeoz

Could not agree more on the Silver picked my 2020 spec up yesterday...
Iv also seen a similar mpg on a mixed drive...

I love the dash on your car. Is that standard now?

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by ColinDuff68

I love the dash on your car. Is that standard now?

Yes on 2020 spec cars such as X3 and also M340i...guess it will roll out across rest of range at some point..

It is good you can do various changes and info on it etc

[clivem2]

I'm now almost at 3 months with my M40i. I'm still loving it and am surprised to yet again to have seen an indicated 40mpg (this is UK, it's 33.3mpg US).

I didn't get the car to drive slowly but my trip on the M6 / M42 / M40 was fairly busy with traffic although it was free flowing. As there's not much fun to be had on the motorway I set the ACC to 70mph and hit Eco Pro. Over 99 miles I got that indicated (ie not properly measured on fill-ups) 40mpg. You can see in the photo that my average speed was 57.7mph so the journey wasn't so very slow.

When I set out I had a range of 301 miles. After my trip the range became 314 miles - this because normally I'm getting mpg in the low 20s.

I'm pleased the car can deliver good economy, even if it won't happen very often!

[jjl]

I would order silver if a black trim package was available in the US in place of the cerium accents. Silver looks great to me with the black trim, a little less so with the cerium bc i don't think there's enough contrast w the silver paint. Nice looking cars you have..

[Sammy_V]

Hello clivem2

Thank you for the review and impressions. Very interesting as I am from Belgium (not too far away) and waiting for my White 2020 M40i to be delivered. (ordered mid dec, delivery mid april)


I’m also happy I found a new 2020 Euro spec driver to ask some questions as most are from the US

What I’m a bit worried about is the sound the exhaust makes. Apparently the “fun factor” is significantly reduced due to the opf or something filter. Do you notice a big difference between your sound (sport & sport plus) and the older M40i’s you see in real life or on the internet? And if yes, are you still happy about the sporty sound?

Other question is about the engine. Do you now have the updated B58TU with 380+ bhp?

Thank you very much and have a wonderful day
Sam

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Sammy_V

Hello clivem2

Thank you for the review and impressions. Very interesting as I am from Belgium (not too far away) and waiting for my White 2020 M40i to be delivered. (ordered mid dec, delivery mid april)


I’m also happy I found a new 2020 Euro spec driver to ask some questions as most are from the US

What I’m a bit worried about is the sound the exhaust makes. Apparently the “fun factor” is significantly reduced due to the opf or something filter. Do you notice a big difference between your sound (sport & sport plus) and the older M40i’s you see in real life or on the internet? And if yes, are you still happy about the sporty sound?

Other question is about the engine. Do you now have the updated B58TU with 380+ bhp?

Thank you very much and have a wonderful day
Sam

Another 2020 Euro spec M40i here

Our cars have the TU engine, however the installation of a PPF (petrol particulate filter - or OPF Otto particulate filter as it’s sometimes referred to) to meet EU emissions regulations means we lose some of that power hike and (allegedly) only put out 360bhp, only 5bhp up from the 2018 spec but with the same torque.

The other side effect of the PPF is to mute the crackles and pops of the 2018 models, so yes - it’s a bit quieter than the older exhaust, but still pretty decent IMHO.

Some of the guys in the UK - X3M40i_Nev has I think - had the OPF removed and the exhaust sounds a lot better, though I think the days of injecting petrol into the system to get some outrageous noise are gone - at least in Europe

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Sammy_V

Hello clivem2

Thank you for the review and impressions. Very interesting as I am from Belgium (not too far away) and waiting for my White 2020 M40i to be delivered. (ordered mid dec, delivery mid april)


I’m also happy I found a new 2020 Euro spec driver to ask some questions as most are from the US

What I’m a bit worried about is the sound the exhaust makes. Apparently the “fun factor” is significantly reduced due to the opf or something filter. Do you notice a big difference between your sound (sport & sport plus) and the older M40i’s you see in real life or on the internet? And if yes, are you still happy about the sporty sound?

Other question is about the engine. Do you now have the updated B58TU with 380+ bhp?

Thank you very much and have a wonderful day
Sam

Hi Sam, I've been to Belgium many time on business, enjoying your beer on many occasions!

I echo Blacktemplar's reply. I'll add that it's unclear whether the 382 bhp spec is more to do with upping the number to reflect what i always was anyway - though the engine have changed. The only way we'd know is to have a US and Euro spec car side-by-side on rolling roads.

The exhaust I'm sure is quieter. It's good on a cold start. I used to have a 335i Vert - very noisy but frankly embarrassingly so. The car is brilliant - you will not be disappointed!

[Soulstar]

Hi clivem2, and thanks for your writeup! You have a very good looking car. I am about to spec my car, and I too will go with the silver, for the same reasons as you. Furthermore I am hesitating about the 21" or 20s.

How do you find the Tartufo interior? Also, at your 5h trip, how did you find your seat comfort? Did you find a good driving position? Did you feel relaxed when you returned?

For me who is "normaly" built, 180 cm and 90 kg, I find the sport seats to be a bit narrow? I find myself sitting on the chair rather than in it. It is the seats side bolsters that is a bit narrow. I tried the optional M-sport seats, and they where a bit firm, but also gave an excellent support and looked awsome. The downside were that they were even more padded on the seat, so I ended up sitting in a slightly akward position togeather with my legs.

The seat comfort is my biggest worrie, I really love everything else about the car - drivetrain, engine, looks and quality.

Thanks and greetings from Sweden

//J

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Another 2020 Euro spec M40i here

Our cars have the TU engine, however the installation of a PPF (petrol particulate filter - or OPF Otto particulate filter as it’s sometimes referred to) to meet EU emissions regulations means we lose some of that power hike and (allegedly) only put out 360bhp, only 5bhp up from the 2018 spec but with the same torque.

The other side effect of the PPF is to mute the crackles and pops of the 2018 models, so yes - it’s a bit quieter than the older exhaust, but still pretty decent IMHO.

Some of the guys in the UK - X3M40i_Nev has I think - had the OPF removed and the exhaust sounds a lot better, though I think the days of injecting petrol into the system to get some outrageous noise are gone - at least in Europe

You called Blacktemplar 😂?

Haven't had OPF removed but just a backbox "mod" done by PCWMods

If you want louder you could get a resonator delete or mod, but I am very happy with this as is a bit deeper, but no drone on motorway and muted in comfort.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by X3M40i_Nev

You called Blacktemplar 😂?

Haven't had OPF removed but just a backbox "mod" done by PCWMods

If you want louder you could get a resonator delete or mod, but I am very happy with this as is a bit deeper, but no drone on motorway and muted in comfort.

My bad Nev - thought you’d gone for the full delete