[weez]

If money were no object, X3M all the way!

[JustChris]

Dammit. Been spending some time on the X3M configurable....tempting

[MC-X3]

I'm curious how many here have driven an E9x or F80 M3? The ride quality with the M Adaptive suspension is quite good. Much better than the M-sport models IMO. Long road trips in our E92 M3 were no problem at all comfort wise.

I also find the interiors much nicer than the non-M models.

Now to the question of who would by an X3M? People like me that have an X3 for winter and trips with 4 people or lots of stuff (note that an E92 M3 has a huge trunk) and an M3 for fun. I think either an X3M or an all wheel drive M3 could be the ticket. Which one would depend on priorities.

[RevNev]

[QUOTE=Transfer;24720491]
I'm sure the M40i is fantastic and great for the vast majority but I really push the limits driving on the street and if I'm going from E92 M to an X3/QUOTE]

I've never driven an E92 M car hard but I can tell you now, my M40i with Eibach springs and increased track handles great for an SUV but my M4 (stock) blows the M40i it into the weeds in handling. One particular corner the M40i starts to drift at 90kmph and it takes 120kmph same corner to unsettle the M4, that's the difference on smooth roads.

On bumpy roads, the M40i is easier to drive and puts power down better with 4 wheel drive off the corners than the M4 but it doesn't take too many smoother corners for the M4 to walk away. The X3M will likely have great versatility but it's a performance SUV and isn't intended to match a dedicated sports car like the M4.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by PureModelsOnly

I have both the M40i and a F80 and I sort of regret getting the M40i instead of the 30i. I need my SUV to be a comfy cruiser for my wife and kid. The M40i bounces all over the place and wakes up my kid all the time. I guess if you were single and only had room for 1 car the X3M would be perfect but for those with families a stable with dedicated fun car(s) and utility car(s) makes more sense. The ride quality of the F80 is quite good but it's not comfy by any means especially with the 20" wheels.

I've never felt that my M40i bounces all over the place and that is with 21" wheels and no adaptive suspension. My two kiddos have passed out in the X3 on several occasions without any issues. Lol.

[Bmock17]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

I've never felt that my M40i bounces all over the place and that is with 21" wheels and no adaptive suspension. My two kiddos have passed out in the X3 on several occasions without any issues. Lol.

Same here. We have a 6 and 4 year old and have no issues with them falling asleep in their car seats. They prefer to go in the bmw over my wife's MDX when given the choice.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Bmock17

Same here. We have a 6 and 4 year old and have no issues with them falling asleep in their car seats. They prefer to go in the bmw over my wife's MDX when given the choice.

Awesome...your kids are definitely future "car guys/gals"!

[MostlyHarmless]

Originally Posted by PureModelsOnly

Mine has adaptive and 19" wheels. Maybe the crappy RFTs are due for replacing but only have 9k miles. Personally I think it's acceptable but my wife is always complaining in the back seat. You know what they say comes after unhappy wife comes...

I've got the 20" wheels with Pirelli PZero runflats and about 11,000 miles. Looking forward to replacing them with Michelin Sport 4s non-runflats!

I'm very happy with the M40i. If the X3M had sub-four second 0-60 and was more visually distinctive (flared fenders would be a huge plus) then it would be very tempting but it would be hard to convince my wife to spend that much more money.

[Bmock17]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Awesome...your kids are definitely future "car guys/gals"!

For sure. They were so disappointed when I got rid of my Grand Cherokee SRT for the X3. For a while they kept telling me how slow the X3 was and they wanted another race car.

[Redman67]

Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless

I've got the 20" wheels with Pirelli PZero runflats and about 11,000 miles. Looking forward to replacing them with Michelin Sport 4s non-runflats!

I'm very happy with the M40i. If the X3M was had sub-four second 0-60 and was more visually distinctive (flared fenders would be a huge plus) then it would be very tempting but it would be hard to convince my wife to spend that much more money.

I assume that since you have the runflats you don’t have the spare option. Are you going with the fix a flat type repair kit? I specced the performance tires on the 19s figuring either oem tire wasn’t going to be any good anyway, so I didn’t get the top speed limited.

Obviously, the available options in runflat aren’t great so changing to non runflat plus repair gunk kit would open up many more options. I’m having a hard time commuting to the fix a flat cab option though.

I really wish the spare option didn’t require that goofy 3 inch raised trunk floor.

[MostlyHarmless]

Originally Posted by Redman67

I assume that since you have the runflats you don’t have the spare option. Are you going with the fix a flat type repair kit? I specced the performance tires on the 19s figuring either oem tire wasn’t going to be any good anyway, so I didn’t get the top speed limited.

Obviously, the available options in runflat aren’t great so changing to non runflat plus repair gunk kit would open up many more options. I’m having a hard time commuting to the fix a flat cab option though.

I really wish the spare option didn’t require that goofy 3 inch raised trunk floor.

Probably will get one of these bad boys...

[M4 GTS]

Originally Posted by CAMOETO

Purchase price - The m40i would literally need to have every single option on it just to get close to the base price of the x3m. It's fairly common to receive a 15% discount for a m40i while the x3m will likely be sold at MSRP or above for at least the first year. In real world prices that means a fully loaded m40i will cost at least $10k-$15k less than a stripper x3m.

Running costs - The x3m will use more gas, have higher insurance rates, and more expensive maintenance and repair costs.

Comfort - The x3m will have harsher tuned suspension and likely be louder across the board. If you value everyday comfort, a m40i with an adaptive suspension is the way to go.

+1

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Bmock17

For sure. They were so disappointed when I got rid of my Grand Cherokee SRT for the X3. For a while they kept telling me how slow the X3 was and they wanted another race car.

Was the Grand Cherokee SRT much faster than your M40i? On paper they look fairly close 0-60?

[Bmock17]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Was the Grand Cherokee SRT much faster than your M40i? On paper they look fairly close 0-60?

On paper they are very close; 0-60's are about a .1 difference. The Jeep has a big 6.4l V8 in it that was absolutely horrendous on gas and tires. With that being said it was one of my bucket list cars and I loved it. I honestly got comments and questions on it everywhere I went. I drive a lot for work and was filling up 2.5 times per week so it just didn't make sense financially. I wasn't even looking for a new car when I bought this M40i a few months ago. I happened to see one on the road and really liked it and couldn't believe it was an X3. When I started researching the car I was shocked with the performance numbers and reviews. I went and test drove it and that was it.

The two drove completely differently though. You could feel and hear the Jeep when you stepped on it and it wasn't nearly as smooth as the BMW. From a dig they are both very impressive because of the AWD. The X3 also feels a lot lighter when driving it if that makes sense. I lowered the SRT so it handled better then stock, but it would still float when taking turns too aggressively. This is the first vehicle I have had that is ha a turbo on it and I like it. I especially like hearing the turbo with the BMS intake.

[SROC3]

Originally Posted by MC-X3

I'm curious how many here have driven an E9x or F80 M3? The ride quality with the M Adaptive suspension is quite good. Much better than the M-sport models IMO. Long road trips in our E92 M3 were no problem at all comfort wise.

I also find the interiors much nicer than the non-M models.

Now to the question of who would by an X3M? People like me that have an X3 for winter and trips with 4 people or lots of stuff (note that an E92 M3 has a huge trunk) and an M3 for fun. I think either an X3M or an all wheel drive M3 could be the ticket. Which one would depend on priorities.

I've had both - E9x and F80 M. I actually only have the X3 30i now and love it. If i had to choose - I'd get the the X3M....its way more expensive than the M40i but well worth the upgrades

[Crassus]

Different strokes for different folks.

M-lites are good by thoroughbred M cars are special and offer a visceral experience that makes every drive feel like an occasion. You only live once and if you can afford an X3M then go for it.

What’s my choice, M40i or X3M?

Neither. My girlfriend will mainly drive our G01 20i when it arrives and when I am behind the wheel I will not drive spirited with my two young kids in the car. So the power of the flagships would be unexploited and we prefer ride comfort on long family journeys.

As a complement to the X3, I am going to place an order for an M140i Shadow edition that does 0-62mph in 4.6sec. The finance cost for both the well specced G01 and M140i is equivalent to a well specced X3 M40i.

Basically I get the best of both worlds, a luxury car and a performance car for spirited drives/tracking. A winning and financially sound choice if you ask me.

[RevNev]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

The M40i bounces all over the place and wakes up my kid all the time.

I took the 21" wheels and run flats off mine and fitted 20" wheels and non run flats with Eibach springs and this takes the M40i with adaptive suspension to next level comfort and handling wise, massive difference! I think a few will buy X3M's and won't like them as they do with M3/M4's once they realise they've bought a hot rod and not the luxury car they anticipated it to be.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by Crassus

Different strokes for different folks.

M-lites are good by thoroughbred M cars are special and offer a visceral experience that makes every drive feel like an occasion. You only live once and if you can afford an X3M then go for it.

What’s my choice, M40i or X3M?

Neither. My girlfriend will mainly drive our G01 20i when it arrives and when I am behind the wheel I will not drive spirited with my two young kids in the car. So the power of the flagships would be unexploited and we prefer ride comfort on long family journeys.

As a complement to the X3, I am going to place an order for an M140i Shadow edition that does 0-62mph in 4.6sec. The finance cost for both the well specced G01 and M140i is equivalent to a well specced X3 M40i.

Basically I get the best of both worlds, a luxury car and a performance car for spirited drives/tracking. A winning and financially sound choice if you ask me.

I did spec a 20i M Sport when I was looking to order but the M40i was only £4K more at that time so became a easy choice and very happy I did, it can be as docile as any other car when you want or not when you don't and is very comfortable

I'm not a M car guy I suppose so personally don't think the extra £25k would be worth it for me even if it was available at the time

Looking at this thread though it seems BMW is right to have both models available and look forward to seeing one on the road

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

Looking at this thread though it seems BMW is right to have both models available and look forward to seeing one on the road

Absolutely. There are consumers who are performance enthusiast or prestige conscious, have high discretionary income and simply want the best. M-Lite and even Mercedes line of 35/43 AMG models have become long needed alternatives to the Audi’s S models which have always had a good proposition.

The good news, is that we finally have an X3 generation with aa wealth of petrol engines to choose from.

[bm3tuning]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Sounds like a lot of M40i owners drive like they're scared of power and handling so of course they don't want an X3M. I'm a potential X3M buyer but will cross shop GLC 63, Stelvio QV, and M40i as well. Already crossed Porsche Macan Turbo off my list. I haven't driven an M40i but will plan to drive one back to back with X3M and see if I think it's worth the extra $150-300/mo on a lease for the M.

I'm sure the M40i is fantastic and great for the vast majority but I really push the limits driving on the street and if I'm going from E92 M to an X3, the only reason I wouldn't get the high performance model would be price/value. I don't have a family but I drive fast and do multiple outdoor recreation activities that are best served by an SUV. So I'm excited to see what this X3M is all about!

This +1

Originally Posted by MC-X3

I'm curious how many here have driven an E9x or F80 M3? The ride quality with the M Adaptive suspension is quite good. Much better than the M-sport models IMO. Long road trips in our E92 M3 were no problem at all comfort wise.

I also find the interiors much nicer than the non-M models.

Now to the question of who would by an X3M? People like me that have an X3 for winter and trips with 4 people or lots of stuff (note that an E92 M3 has a huge trunk) and an M3 for fun. I think either an X3M or an all wheel drive M3 could be the ticket. Which one would depend on priorities.

Agree

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Bmock17

On paper they are very close; 0-60's are about a .1 difference. The Jeep has a big 6.4l V8 in it that was absolutely horrendous on gas and tires. With that being said it was one of my bucket list cars and I loved it. I honestly got comments and questions on it everywhere I went. I drive a lot for work and was filling up 2.5 times per week so it just didn't make sense financially. I wasn't even looking for a new car when I bought this M40i a few months ago. I happened to see one on the road and really liked it and couldn't believe it was an X3. When I started researching the car I was shocked with the performance numbers and reviews. I went and test drove it and that was it.

The two drove completely differently though. You could feel and hear the Jeep when you stepped on it and it wasn't nearly as smooth as the BMW. From a dig they are both very impressive because of the AWD. The X3 also feels a lot lighter when driving it if that makes sense. I lowered the SRT so it handled better then stock, but it would still float when taking turns too aggressively. This is the first vehicle I have had that is ha a turbo on it and I like it. I especially like hearing the turbo with the BMS intake.

That all makes sense. One of my neighbors had a really nice Grand Cherokee SRT, I was always admiring it and wondering how it drove.

[RevNev]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Was the Grand Cherokee SRT much faster than your M40i? On paper they look fairly close 0-60?

The M40i is faster than the SRT, there's about a car length in it over the standing 1/4 mile and the M40i handles better on tight corners.