[BOGX4M]

One months ago, I was invited to a BMW M Town Event where I had the chance to drive the M2, M4, M5, X5 50i, X4M and X3M. Great Cars!!!

I felt in love with the X4M and after I've read ALL your post on this Forum (Thank You All!) I decided to buy myself one!

For one week, I am the owner of a X4M Competition (ex test drive car, 2.500 Km, Toronto Red, production date May 2019). It was a good deal and It was available immediate.

What I like and what I hate after my first 1.200 Km?

What I LIKE?
1. The combination - It looks to me like it is the (almost) perfect combination between a sport car and a daily drive. You can drive it in comfort mode for hours (on high way and in town) without any problem. Not too noisy. Not to stiff (on good roads). Not too aggressive.
But when you want to have fun ... you can ”drive it like you stole it”!

2. The consumption - When you drive it in a ”civilized” manner, the consumption is about 13L/100km (18MPG). You can travel without looking all the time to the fuel indicator.
- I also have a X5 40d (F15) and the average is 11.5 L/100km (20 MPG)

3. The speed and the direction - For a 1.800 kg SAV, it is really FAST and really PRECISE! When you push the limits of the car, the feeling is great! (Hope I will not lose my driving license because of this car!)

What I DON'T LIKE?
1. The Turbo Lag - It is annoying! Especially in town, I really hate it! At very low RPM, it takes seconds = 2-3 seconds. I almost had an accident in a roundabout because the car is moving very slowly if you are at 1.000 RMP.

If anyone has any suggestion how I can reduce the turbo lag, please let me know!

2. The sound of the engine - It is too low for an M car. And there is almost no difference if you push the exhaust sound button (I don't know the exact name) or not. You can hear some difference if you are in SPORT+ mode.

3. The suspensions - Even in comfort mode and at low speed, when you are on bad roads, it is very unpleasant.

My conclusion: I love this car!

[ImmortanJon]

Congrats on your purchase - your car looks great ! I have the X3MC but 100% agree on your assessment. I don't have the answer on the turbo lag but given we know it is there you just work around it - I.e. kickdown or use the paddles when needed.

[TTR]

1. The Turbo Lag - It is annoying! Especially in town, I really hate it! At very low RPM, it takes seconds = 2-3 seconds. I almost had an accident in a roundabout because the car is moving very slowly if you are at 1.000 RMP.

If anyone has any suggestion how I can reduce the turbo lag, please let me know!

2. The sound of the engine - It is too low for an M car. And there is almost no difference if you push the exhaust sound button (I don't know the exact name) or not. You can hear some difference if you are in SPORT+ mode.

3. The suspensions - Even in comfort mode and at low speed, when you are on bad roads, it is very unpleasant.

Main reason - is catalyst, if you will do a straight downpipe, the will be no lag, cuz stock catalyst have a big backpressure and u need some time to spin turbos

2. Your car probably has OPF filter, it's also can be reason of turbo lag, mine has and i hate it, gonna remove soon

3. What tire pressure are u using? Put 2.2 bar fr and rear, will be better

[TTR]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663766

Check this therad, as i see your car is in Europe, and in Europe we all fucked up with OPF filter, what made super turbo lag and actually no sound of engine!


Best solution - put straight downpipes, after put a 200cell sport catalyst with low backpressure in the place of current OPF filter and remap car.

That's way to make a perfect M car with proper sound and respone)


I notice that button of exhaust don't work in all cars with OPF filter

[cfm56d7b]

@BOGX4M, very nice review. Thanks for sharing.

What's the verdict on turbo lag in US X4M vehicles?

[BOGX4M]

Thank you all very much for the advice!

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

@BOGX4M, very nice review. Thanks for sharing.

What's the verdict on turbo lag in US X4M vehicles?

It’s there and it’s annoying. I don’t have an OPF and the lag kills this car for me. If I build boost using LC for 3-4 seconds it doesn’t lag, but that’s not realistic.

My two F80s had zero lag from a dig and only struggled for traction. My TTRS was a mobster from a light without using LC and that was single turbo. Now I have an AWD, twin turbo SUV with 503HP that feel slow and lags until about 15-20MPH.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by TTR

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663766

Check this therad, as i see your car is in Europe, and in Europe we all fucked up with OPF filter, what made super turbo lag and actually no sound of engine!


Best solution - put straight downpipes, after put a 200cell sport catalyst with low backpressure in the place of current OPF filter and remap car.

That's way to make a perfect M car with proper sound and respone)


I notice that button of exhaust don't work in all cars with OPF filter

Pardon my ignorance, seriously ignorant when it comes to exhaust, but does the downpipe delete the cat? I'm looking for a solution to improve the turbo lag, but I'm not willing to delete a cat and have a beautiful, new car that smells like the 1970s. My F97 has no OPF filter. Your thoughts?

[TTR]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

Pardon my ignorance, seriously ignorant when it comes to exhaust, but does the downpipe delete the cat? I'm looking for a solution to improve the turbo lag, but I'm not willing to delete a cat and have a beautiful, new car that smells like the 1970s. My F97 has no OPF filter. Your thoughts?

No no, i found a perfect way, to improve lag and sound and leave car almost stock


1. You change a downpipes to Decat, straight
2. After you put a sport 200cell sport cat (where the OPF filter on EU cars)
3. remap the car
4. profit

Without remaping the ECU to delete OPF and CAT checking it's impossible to reduce lag and sound(

[TTR]

For example

1. Decat: https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bm...pe-kit.aspx#!/

2. MidSection: https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bm...t-left.aspx#!/

thats enought

[MrItaly]

And the decat primary won't result in a stinky car?

[Transfer]

wtf people you're talking about significant chopping and tuning on an $80k car to fix these things? That's really not good. What about just not driving it below 2000 RPMs? Doesn't the tranny have 3 shift programs if you don't want to shift yourself? Seems like if you keep it 2-3k at all times you'll be golden.

[TTR]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

And the decat primary won't result in a stinky car?

But will be sport cat after primary decat, should be all fine

[M Coupe]

Originally Posted by Transfer

wtf people you're talking about significant chopping and tuning on an $80k car to fix these things? That's really not good. What about just not driving it below 2000 RPMs? Doesn't the tranny have 3 shift programs if you don't want to shift yourself? Seems like if you keep it 2-3k at all times you'll be golden.

Fox Alpha!

[Mako]

Originally Posted by BOGX4M

3. The suspensions - Even in comfort mode and at low speed, when you are on bad roads, it is very unpleasant.

what did you drive before this? Even though its a SAV/SUV its still a full blown M car, its not meant to be soft on the roads.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by Transfer

wtf people you're talking about significant chopping and tuning on an $80k car to fix these things? That's really not good. What about just not driving it below 2000 RPMs? Doesn't the tranny have 3 shift programs if you don't want to shift yourself? Seems like if you keep it 2-3k at all times you'll be golden.

I agree on not hacking up our new SUVs.

Regarding lag, even in the most aggressive settings. The lag is only really present/annoying from a dead stop (dig). When rolling around past 15-20MPH and up, downshift to the correct gear and "buzz" at just the right RPM to avoid lag. That's not the issue.

Where I live I do a lot of "light to light" driving on surface streets (rarely go on the highway). So for me the lag with virtually zero power from a dead stop is the concern. Once rolling it's fine. But trying to shoot the gap from a dead stop without using LC is close to impossible.

People used to say this about the GT350. However, I swear my NA Voodoo had more power below 2-3RPM than the X3M Comp.

[BOGX4M]

Originally Posted by Mako

what did you drive before this? Even though its a SAV/SUV its still a full blown M car, its not meant to be soft on the roads.

X6 40d (E71) and X5 40d (F15)

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by Mako

what did you drive before this? Even though its a SAV/SUV its still a full blown M car, its not meant to be soft on the roads.

It's subjective I suppose but for the given use case, it should still be acceptable. I think BMW M division probably struck a balance they felt was right -- but it will never be the perfect fit for everyone. I bet he's just not use to this type of vehicle, but it sounds like he really doesn't care that much and the pros outweigh the cons!

Wife's 320 lease is up soon and will likely be getting one. This platform sounds very tunable and practical -- but I would still expect the vehicle to be quite comfortable given it's still an SUV. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint!