[Transfer]

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I bought my X3MC to be fast, fun, and a true sport activity vehicle. This includes using it on unpaved roads to get into the mountains with some frequency. Today I took it off the tarmac for the first time and up a 3200 foot ascent on a 10 mile potholed, washboarded, dusty forest service road to go mountain biking.

I was not expecting much and thought I would really not enjoy this car on these types of roads. Nonsense! It was fantastic! I kept it in comfort suspension, sport throttle, and manual shifting and it was a hoot without beating me up. Also no issues with ground clearance but there was nothing crazy on this road. I had two friends in the car and they were both surprised by the capability and the relative comfort even if it was a bit bouncy through some of the largest slow speed potholes.

So who else has gone "off-road" with their Ms? What were your experiences?

[DucatiT1098S]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I bought my X3MC to be fast, fun, and a true sport activity vehicle. This includes using it on unpaved roads to get into the mountains with some frequency. Today I took it off the tarmac for the first time and up a 3200 foot ascent on a 10 mile potholed, washboarded, dusty forest service road to go mountain biking.

I was not expecting much and thought I would really not enjoy this car on these types of roads. Nonsense! It was fantastic! I kept it in comfort suspension, sport throttle, and manual shifting and it was a hoot without beating me up. Also no issues with ground clearance but there was nothing crazy on this road. I had two friends in the car and they were both surprised by the capability and the relative comfort even if it was a bit bouncy through some of the largest slow speed potholes.

So who else has gone "off-road" with their Ms? What were your experiences?

I drive in the mountains of the Carolinas and have nothing but positives about the multi terrain capabilities of the X3M & M40i.

[evo-mike]

Love it, mine goes in Tuesday for ceramic. After that I might have to find a dirt road.

[bigfoot1523]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I bought my X3MC to be fast, fun, and a true sport activity vehicle. This includes using it on unpaved roads to get into the mountains with some frequency. Today I took it off the tarmac for the first time and up a 3200 foot ascent on a 10 mile potholed, washboarded, dusty forest service road to go mountain biking.

I was not expecting much and thought I would really not enjoy this car on these types of roads. Nonsense! It was fantastic! I kept it in comfort suspension, sport throttle, and manual shifting and it was a hoot without beating me up. Also no issues with ground clearance but there was nothing crazy on this road. I had two friends in the car and they were both surprised by the capability and the relative comfort even if it was a bit bouncy through some of the largest slow speed potholes.

So who else has gone "off-road" with their Ms? What were your experiences?

Same here. Shockingly good and pleasant on a dirt track. Going in, thought I'd come out of that trip with a slip disc, but no. It was awesome. Wife, baby and dog did not say a word.

[sayemthree]

Dirt road is not really OFF road. I thought BMW always advertised thier X vehicles as all roads? Or was that AUdi?

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

Dirt road is not really OFF road. I thought BMW always advertised thier X vehicles as all roads? Or was that AUdi?

I agree, but not all dirt roads are created equal. I would say this drive was a 3 out of 5 on the nasty dirt road scale. I call it off road with a wink when it comes to any BMW X. The fact that the M car can do it at all and with decent comfort is amazingly impressive IMO.

[floating.spirit]

Attaboy! What kind of bike u got? I'm on a Trek top of the line something, but from 10 years ago!

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by floating.spirit

Attaboy! What kind of bike u got? I'm on a Trek top of the line something, but from 10 years ago!

I've got two bikes and which one I'm on depends on the ride: the big rig which I rode yesterday is a Transition Sentinel, and the lightweight bike is a Transition Spur.

[floating.spirit]

Wow, serious wheels. Thanks for showing. I hadn't heard of them.

When I got my bike, I received a ticket within an hour of taking possession. (Riding on subway platform.) Hope I do better when my X3MC is ready for me.

[cfm56d7b]

@Transfer, thanks for sharing. You are more courageous than most of us. Great car!

[spucktacular]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I bought my X3MC to be fast, fun, and a true sport activity vehicle. This includes using it on unpaved roads to get into the mountains with some frequency. Today I took it off the tarmac for the first time and up a 3200 foot ascent on a 10 mile potholed, washboarded, dusty forest service road to go mountain biking.

I was not expecting much and thought I would really not enjoy this car on these types of roads. Nonsense! It was fantastic! I kept it in comfort suspension, sport throttle, and manual shifting and it was a hoot without beating me up. Also no issues with ground clearance but there was nothing crazy on this road. I had two friends in the car and they were both surprised by the capability and the relative comfort even if it was a bit bouncy through some of the largest slow speed potholes.

So who else has gone "off-road" with their Ms? What were your experiences?

Yeah... you know I find when it gets bumpy, I just go faster... somehow it tightens up �� if she don't break, whatever.

Bikes bikes bikes, I see you like your 29s!! I just picked up a wicked cool trek eMTB. What kinda hitch carrier do you have there? Thule? How's it working out for you?

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Yeah... you know I find when it gets bumpy, I just go faster... somehow it tightens up �� if she don't break, whatever.

Bikes bikes bikes, I see you like your 29s!! I just picked up a wicked cool trek eMTB. What kinda hitch carrier do you have there? Thule? How's it working out for you?

Yup I've had this Thule for years. It's fine, nothing special, but I were to buy one now I'd get a 1up USA rack.

[XMetal]

Love your setup! Is that an OE hitch or aftermarket? Were there any cutting of anything in the bumper to install that hitch? Do you have a close up view of the hitch itself? Thanks.

[GOLFFRR]

awesome! Love to see when people are getting full use out of their rides.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Love your setup! Is that an OE hitch or aftermarket? Were there any cutting of anything in the bumper to install that hitch? Do you have a close up view of the hitch itself? Thanks.

No OEM hitch option unfortunately. It's a Stealth Hitch and there's a thread going here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1666320

No cutting but have to take apart the whole back end to install (2-5 hours depending on skill). It's a nice setup once it's in there. Take the receiver off and you'd never know it was there.

[LOW4LYF]

Is your vehicle on stock suspension or lowered?

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

Dirt road is not really OFF road. I thought BMW always advertised thier X vehicles as all roads? Or was that AUdi?

He said: Off-Tarmac


Transfer thanks for sharing

I really like your Bike as well dude

[iM3an]

That's awesome! Did you change tires/what tires are on it?

[positiveions]

Cool😎. Is that Mt Shasta area?

[ThumperMCS]

I would love to take mine off road, but the thought of taking Pilot Sport 4S's off road doesn't sit well with me lol

[Audio Fan]

Originally Posted by floating.spirit

Attaboy! What kind of bike u got? I'm on a Trek top of the line something, but from 10 years ago!

The whole world of mountain bikes has really changed in the last 3-4 years. The bike geometries and some cool new equipment, such as dropper (seat) posts, have drastically changed for most mountain bikes. Check it out if you like to ride single track trails. It's fun and fascinating stuff.

[Audio Fan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I bought my X3MC to be fast, fun, and a true sport activity vehicle. This includes using it on unpaved roads to get into the mountains with some frequency. Today I took it off the tarmac for the first time and up a 3200 foot ascent on a 10 mile potholed, washboarded, dusty forest service road to go mountain biking.

I was not expecting much and thought I would really not enjoy this car on these types of roads. Nonsense! It was fantastic! I kept it in comfort suspension, sport throttle, and manual shifting and it was a hoot without beating me up. Also no issues with ground clearance but there was nothing crazy on this road. I had two friends in the car and they were both surprised by the capability and the relative comfort even if it was a bit bouncy through some of the largest slow speed potholes.

So who else has gone "off-road" with their Ms? What were your experiences?

You have the setup I've been contemplating. I have an M4 comp, but my two little girls and a love of mountain biking are pushing me in the direction of an X3/5 M. The hitch in my plan was the lack of a factory hitch. I generally lease and didn't want to modify the car in a way to violate the lease. Sounds like I could do your hitch. I generally haul my bike on my old FJ cruiser, but it sucks on trips longer than an hour.

Thanks for posting and enjoy those great bikes. What trail were you riding? Looks like Washington. Don't blame you for not pedaling up, even if it was a fire road. 😜