[harperium]

2015 320i
2017 340i with MPPSK
2019 X3 M40i
---> 2021 X3 M Competition

I finally got my first M: a Donington Grey X3 M Competition, black interior! It has the Executive and Driving Assistant Pro packages, and ventilated seats. And the spare tire.

Here are my thoughts and impressions coming from my 2019 X3 M40i.

"We want your car"

I got an email last week from my dealer that said there was a big pre-owned shortage and they wanted my car... they gave me a surprisingly good deal on my less-than-2-years-old M40i. So I jumped at the chance to finally upgrade to the X3MC. My SA said they expected this pre-owned pricing anomaly to last maybe 90 days.

Ride quality

I read and watched many reviews of the 2020 X3M and its "harsh" ride, and from what I could gather from people's comments, these ride issues were sorted out with the 2021 models -- though none of the 2020 reviewers seem to have done re-reviews on the 2021 models. My X3 M40i had the M-Sport (non-adaptive) suspension. I always thought this suspension setup was firm, but acceptably firm. Nonetheless I was fully expecting the ride quality of the '21 X3MC to be more firm than the non-adaptive M40i. Instead, the first thing I noticed in the test drive was how much more comfortable the X3MC was - in all modes, on all types of roads. In particular I drove to one very bumpy road where I've driven many times, and the X3MC was actually pretty comfortable - in all driving modes - over this bumpy surface. And mind you, my M40i had 19" wheels (with non run flats) and the X3MC has 21" wheels! My wife immediately noticed how much more comfortable the X3MC was, too. Was the 2020 that stiff??

I also test drove an X3M non-comp with 21's. I didn't notice a difference in suspension.

Power

In some of the reviews I watched (Joe Achilles for example), a complaint was the S58's lack of low-end grunt below 3K RPMs, and this was sometimes compared to the B58 in the M40i. With all due respect to Joe Achilles, this is like saying an apple is different from an orange. At highway speeds, it's true that the S58 will tend to downshift faster than the B58. So what? Having driven the B58 for about 4 years in 2 cars, I can say that the S58 in the X3MC has more get-up-and-go around town than my 340i or M40i. The S58 isn't lacking anything. At highway speeds, the X3MC can push you back into the seat when accelerating whereas the B58 doesn't.

I now understand what people mean when describing the S58's "linear" or "progressive" power delivery. The B58 has a power spike around 2500 RPMs as the turbo kicks in, and I always thought it was tricky to accelerate smoothly when getting on the throttle. The S58 doesn't have that spike. The power just builds and builds and it's easier to achieve a smoother acceleration.

Handling

The X3MC has insane amounts of grip, and taking an highway exit circle at high g is crazy - at no time does the car feel at the limit or out of control. The turn-in feels so good. It's hard to compare the M40i here. The M40i doesn't handle poorly - it's good for its class, but it's not in the same league as the X3MC.

Exterior

I really love the G01 / F97 X3 exterior styling. I think on the M40i, the 20 or 21" wheels really make it look better, esp. with the 275 in the rear (though the 245 in the front is a bit weak). My M40i had the 19" square setup (245 all around), and I always felt the stance was lacking esp. from the rear. The stance on the X3M is really good - they got the proportions right. I think tires bigger than 255F / 265R would be even better but the stock sizes are good enough. There isn't a single angle on the X3MC that I don't like. It's a beautiful car. I got Donington Grey because it really makes the gloss black bits pop. But I also really love the Graphite Black. It was a hard choice to make.

I also ordered the Cold Weather Package set - the 20" 764M wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Winters. It's a 255 square setup.

Exhaust

With my M40i, I pulled fuse 203 which kept the exhaust valve stuck 100% open at all times; this made the exhaust better. However it lacked the deeper baritone growl of my 340i MPPSK (a good exhaust btw). The M40i exhaust always sounded over-muffled to me and lacking in the low- and mid-range of tones. By contrast, the exhaust on the X3MC is really good. Nice and deep and loud. It has attitude. I'm not saying it's AMG level of awesome, but I'm really happy with it. I realize that some of the sound is Active Sound Design, but like Cipher said in the Matrix, the steak is still juicy and delicious even if my brain knows it's fake. But most of the sound is real.

Interior

Every single detail is better with the X3MC (or at least the same) as the M40i. I can't find a single square inch or detail where the M40i is better. Granted, I'm going from ID6 to ID7 (and I do really like the speedo and tach etc of ID7). The full Merino leather is so nice after all these years of Dakota and Vernasca. I love the M badging on the headrests.

Parting Thoughts on X3 M40i

It's a fantastic car, and if you're reading this review, don't let it put you off to the M40i. The B58 is a gem, and the M40i is really complete package. You get a lot for your money.

But the //M is something special. And now having one, I won't ever be able to go back to non //M.

[Marmugmotleocay]

Beautiful color! I also moved up from the M40i. Mine is the exact same color but with Sahkir. It’s an awesome car.

[Sarg33]

Congrats and Beautiful color

Once you go full M you can never go back!

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by harperium

I finally got my first M: a Donington Grey X3 M Competition, black interior! Here are my thoughts and impressions coming from my 2019 X3 M40i. ... Parting Thoughts on X3 M40i - It's a fantastic car, and if you're reading this review, don't let it put you off to the M40i. The B58 is a gem, and the M40i is really complete package. You get a lot for your money.

But the //M is something special. And now having one, I won't ever be able to go back to non //M.

Welcome to the F97, harperium , and congratulations! Your review is pretty much spot on as to how my wife and I felt when we transitioned from our G01 X3 M40i's to the F97 X3MC's. 20 months in on mine, 17 on hers, and still looking for excuses to go for a drive.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Welcome to the fold @harperium. My first X3 M was a non-comp 2020 in the same color. Donington Gray a very classy looking color & glad you're behind the wheel of an true M car / SAV now.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Welcome. Enjoy the SAV. You’ll will surprise many Mustangs.

[Dobie Dog]

Originally Posted by harperium

But the //M is something special. And now having one, I won't ever be able to go back to non //M.

true dat....The ///M is something special

[gjodexter]

Great spec,
Wait until you get thru the run in. At least I noticed a big change. the throttle response lag still gets me sometimes. The other day from a dead dig, I smashed the pedal and it spun all 4 tires and launched. Watch corners and stabbing the gas. I did a 180 before I could stop it. Now I am on all seasons Michelins for now until my Vossens show up and I switch to 255 front 295 rear.

[justmill]

Originally Posted by Dobie Dog

true dat....The ///M is something special

You really notice it when you have to take a loaner when the ///M is in for service. Other cars feel like toys.

[pimp4cheddar]

Congrats. I came from those Dakota leather seats too...spent about 9 years in them over different non-M BMW's. The seats and leather are amazing, extremely supple and comfortable.

This is my first SUV and definitely a real joy to daily drive. It's the perfect car for me being a recent 2 kid dad and needing to give up coupes.

[TraderJMF]

Hey harperium, Thank You for the detailed comparison write up!

I'm about to pull the trigger on doing that too with our 2018 X3 M40i into a 2021 X3MC within the next 24hrs!

My biggest concern was about X3M has been ride quality differences (mainly due to all the reviews about X3M's ride quality being too hard).

But our M40i with NON-Adaptive M-Sport Suspension, + 21" Stock Wheels and Stock Bridgestone RFT's is pretty firm... actually, much stiffer than we wanted and really just uncomfortable in many daily driving scenarios - around suburbs, downtown, even freeways undulations and expansion joints (jarring, harsh, rough). We've just lived with it until lease-end... but it was the one thing I didn't like about that vehicle.

However, upon recently test driving the 21 X3MC my wife and I both "felt" like it was actually more comfortable than our current ride - still firm and sporty as you'd expect in any M (better than my M2), but very tolerable for us. But... was it just in our mind? Was it because we were intoxicated from the joy of the S58 and all the other M-specific betterments? Was the M-suspension really "better riding" than our M40i?? Hmmm...

Anyway, I'm hoping that we'll be pretty happy with the 21 X3MC in comparison - but until we have it for a while, hard to know for sure (we didn't really drive our M40i around enough pre-sale to realize we didn't like the setup until after we were already in contract).

But your review helps me to confirm and believe that the X3MC may really be better in so many ways that I'm going to just do it, hah!

Thanks again & Enjoy the ride... John

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by TraderJMF

Hey harperium, Thank You for the detailed comparison write up!

I'm about to pull the trigger on doing that too with our 2018 X3 M40i into a 2021 X3MC within the next 24hrs!

My biggest concern was about X3M has been ride quality differences (mainly due to all the reviews about X3M's ride quality being too hard).

But our M40i with NON-Adaptive M-Sport Suspension, + 21" Stock Wheels and Stock Bridgestone RFT's is pretty firm... actually, much stiffer than we wanted and really just uncomfortable in many daily driving scenarios - around suburbs, downtown, even freeways undulations and expansion joints (jarring, harsh, rough). We've just lived with it until lease-end... but it was the one thing I didn't like about that vehicle.

However, upon recently test driving the 21 X3MC my wife and I both "felt" like it was actually more comfortable than our current ride - still firm and sporty as you'd expect in any M (better than my M2), but very tolerable for us. But... was it just in our mind? Was it because we were blinded by the desire for the S58 benefits? Hmmm.

I'm hoping that we'll be pretty happy with the 21 X3MC ride in comparison - but until we have it for a while, hard to know for sure (we didn't really drive our M40i around enough pre-sale to realize we didn't like the setup until after we were already in contract).

So your review helps confirm and believe that the X3MC may really be better in so many ways that I'm going to just do it, haha - Thanks again & Enjoy the ride...

Those run flats absolutely kill the ride quality, that's likely why the X3M felt so much better.

My wife's X1 came with them and I ditched them for regular tires and it was night and day. Run flats + sport suspension of the M40i seems like a recipe for broken teeth.

[grizzy727]

Congrats - I just got mine yesterday - DG over Red
Ride not as harsh as people say - this coming from a Jeep which is rough.
low end torque is fine - I had a E60 M5 -- try a v10 around town - zero torque but it screamed
Inside is top notch and like you never go back to a non-M

[harperium]

Originally Posted by TraderJMF

But your review helps confirm and believe that the X3MC may really be better in so many ways that I'm going to just do it, hah!

Thanks again & Enjoy the ride... John

The X3MC is better in every conceivable way... except gas mileage I get about 20% less than the M40i.

Good luck!

[socalhawki]

Congrats Harperium! We have a near parallel vehicle history. I just sold my 2018 X3 M40i with similar specs before lease end for a solid profit and turned it into a Donnington Gray with Sahkir Orage X3MC with same packages!

I'll have to drive around SoCal some more to better determine ride quality.

Grizzy727 and Marmugmotleocay you have good taste!

[floating.spirit]

What tires you have? I nearly spin out just turning left out of the neighborhood with all the nannies on. Not that I don't enjoy it. I have contis.

Congrats on the upgrade!

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by TraderJMF

Hey harperium, Thank You for the detailed comparison write up!

I'm about to pull the trigger on doing that too with our 2018 X3 M40i into a 2021 X3MC within the next 24hrs!

My biggest concern was about X3M has been ride quality differences (mainly due to all the reviews about X3M's ride quality being too hard).

But our M40i with NON-Adaptive M-Sport Suspension, + 21" Stock Wheels and Stock Bridgestone RFT's is pretty firm... actually, much stiffer than we wanted and really just uncomfortable in many daily driving scenarios - around suburbs, downtown, even freeways undulations and expansion joints (jarring, harsh, rough). We've just lived with it until lease-end... but it was the one thing I didn't like about that vehicle.

However, upon recently test driving the 21 X3MC my wife and I both "felt" like it was actually more comfortable than our current ride - still firm and sporty as you'd expect in any M (better than my M2), but very tolerable for us. But... was it just in our mind? Was it because we were intoxicated from the joy of the S58 and all the other M-specific betterments? Was the M-suspension really "better riding" than our M40i?? Hmmm...

Anyway, I'm hoping that we'll be pretty happy with the 21 X3MC in comparison - but until we have it for a while, hard to know for sure (we didn't really drive our M40i around enough pre-sale to realize we didn't like the setup until after we were already in contract).

But your review helps me to confirm and believe that the X3MC may really be better in so many ways that I'm going to just do it, hah!

Thanks again & Enjoy the ride... John

The only exception may be the fact that the M40i’s carry the flag for most aggressive exhaust F97 vs G01. One of the only attributes of my former G01/M40i that I personally miss.

[Kozumasbullitt]

Originally Posted by car_fan

The only exception may be the fact that the M40i’s carry the flag for most aggressive STOCK exhaust F97 vs G01. One of the only attributes of my former G01/M40i that I personally miss.

Fify

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by Kozumasbullitt

Fify

Yep - "stock" but I assume folks knew that. Worthy clarification - nonetheless