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      03-25-2020, 03:30 PM   #1
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Automobile: The 5 Things We Love Most About the 2020 BMW X3 M Competition

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Another pretty positive F97 review. Good to see that the automotive journalists are finally starting to appreciate the sporty, sedan-like manners of X3M and the narrative is slowly shifting from "confused car" to "real performance machine that are as good to drive as they are to look at".

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/5...m-competition/
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      03-25-2020, 03:46 PM   #2
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The review does accurately reflect the value of X3MC - agreed. The same applies to X4MC, on my short list.
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      03-25-2020, 06:16 PM   #3
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Yup, fair and accurate review.
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      03-31-2020, 08:23 AM   #4
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Why so short. I would love to get a bit more details on driving the truck in different conditions.
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      03-31-2020, 08:28 AM   #5
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I love mine everyday !
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      03-31-2020, 09:15 AM   #6
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The only thing that kept me away from X3M was the interior. Not a fan of the black on black. I really like the new interior design language seen in the X5/6 and other bmw products
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      03-31-2020, 09:29 AM   #7
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The interior should look much more up to date with iDrive 7 starting next month
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      03-31-2020, 09:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Another pretty positive F97 review. Good to see that the automotive journalists are finally starting to appreciate the sporty, sedan-like manners of X3M and the narrative is slowly shifting from "confused car" to "real performance machine that are as good to drive as they are to look at".

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/5...m-competition/
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
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      03-31-2020, 09:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
I reluctantly replaced my 2016 Macan Turbo at year-end with an X3MC, only because we'd had several problems with the Macan & were concerned about keeping it long-term, even with an extended warranty. I think both cars have their strong points. I found the Macan's seats & driving position to be much more comfortable than the X3's, bu the X3 feels more agile & responsive to me than my (tuned) Macan did.

Interior fit & finish was much nicer on the Macan, too. I just couldn't bring myself to pay another $20K+ to go into another Turbo & I was annoyed with our local dealership & didn't want to deal with them anymore. I'm not unhappy with the X3, but I do wish my Macan had been more reliable. We hadn't planned on replacing it when we did.
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      03-31-2020, 09:38 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
Macan is a great car, but it’s more of a capable luxury SUV rather than a true performance car. X3M is a pure blooded M car.
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      03-31-2020, 09:49 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Another pretty positive F97 review. Good to see that the automotive journalists are finally starting to appreciate the sporty, sedan-like manners of X3M and the narrative is slowly shifting from "confused car" to "real performance machine that are as good to drive as they are to look at".

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/5...m-competition/
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
Having owned both....Macan S, Macan Turbo, and now X3M Competition; my perspective is that the Macan is not the class leader at all. The cost to benefit is far apart. The Tech in the Macan is garbage. The BMW is miles ahead in the tech department. The performance of the X3MC edges out even the Macan Turbo. Macan has 2 redeeming attributes; 1 the sound system is incredible (bmw needs better options): 2 Macan has a wide low stance. The Macan interiors are banal and outdated even with the latest refresh. BMW has done a great job with their interiors where they are up market and very sporty/exciting....the Macan is Such a shame but yeah "fun" to drive but doesn't exceed my expectation....You're paying for a nameplate....blah



Now the cost;

Porsche Macan is way over priced and lease terribly. The lease factors are outrageous, the residuals suck, and there is no included maintenance.

BMW X3M has 57% residual @12k miles, low lease factor (even at launch), included maintenance for up to 3 years/36k miles (except brakes).

It's clear choice and winner for overall value vs performance. X3MC.
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      03-31-2020, 10:42 AM   #12
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I also test drove the Macan before buying my X3M. I probably would have gone after the new GTS model if I went the Porsche route, but I found it hard to put these two in the same class. The main reason for that is that the interior size is dramatically less in the Macan. With my height (6'2") there is no way my kids would have fit behind me in the Macan. Not an issue in the X3M. Much more second row room and a lot more cargo area as well. The Macan is more like X1/X2 in interior size.

Then as others have mentioned the tech in the Macan (or any Porsche for that matter) is ridiculously outdated. Plus the base/Bose stereo setups are garbage. Then you have the price. The Macan should be about $10,000 less in each of its iterations, but people don't seem to mind paying the "Porsche Premium." I do as the value just isn't there for me.

I will say that I was very impressed with how the Macan S I drove rode though. Frankly a better daily driver than the X3M. I'm sure if I actually got to drive a Macan GTS with all the suspension upgrades (PASM and all that stuff) I would have been even more impressed. The Turbo was not an option given the price tag.
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      03-31-2020, 11:31 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Influence View Post
I also test drove the Macan before buying my X3M. I probably would have gone after the new GTS model if I went the Porsche route, but I found it hard to put these two in the same class. The main reason for that is that the interior size is dramatically less in the Macan. With my height (6'2") there is no way my kids would have fit behind me in the Macan. Not an issue in the X3M. Much more second row room and a lot more cargo area as well. The Macan is more like X1/X2 in interior size.

Then as others have mentioned the tech in the Macan (or any Porsche for that matter) is ridiculously outdated. Plus the base/Bose stereo setups are garbage. Then you have the price. The Macan should be about $10,000 less in each of its iterations, but people don't seem to mind paying the "Porsche Premium." I do as the value just isn't there for me.

I will say that I was very impressed with how the Macan S I drove rode though. Frankly a better daily driver than the X3M. I'm sure if I actually got to drive a Macan GTS with all the suspension upgrades (PASM and all that stuff) I would have been even more impressed. The Turbo was not an option given the price tag.
The PASM is excellent. Like riding on a pillowy cloud on rails lol. As much as I love my tuned F80, I still fight my wife to drive her GTS sometimes.

As others mentioned the tech isn't great, and the utility is really limited, but the growl from the sport exhaust, the PDK, the buttoned up interior, and the air suspension make it an excellent daily.

Love what I've experienced in the X3M so far though. Again, might make it my daily once the F80 lease is up.
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      03-31-2020, 11:32 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beammeupscottie View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Another pretty positive F97 review. Good to see that the automotive journalists are finally starting to appreciate the sporty, sedan-like manners of X3M and the narrative is slowly shifting from "confused car" to "real performance machine that are as good to drive as they are to look at".

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/5...m-competition/
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
Having owned both....Macan S, Macan Turbo, and now X3M Competition; my perspective is that the Macan is not the class leader at all. The cost to benefit is far apart. The Tech in the Macan is garbage. The BMW is miles ahead in the tech department. The performance of the X3MC edges out even the Macan Turbo. Macan has 2 redeeming attributes; 1 the sound system is incredible (bmw needs better options): 2 Macan has a wide low stance. The Macan interiors are banal and outdated even with the latest refresh. BMW has done a great job with their interiors where they are up market and very sporty/exciting....the Macan is Such a shame but yeah "fun" to drive but doesn't exceed my expectation....You're paying for a nameplate....blah



Now the cost;

Porsche Macan is way over priced and lease terribly. The lease factors are outrageous, the residuals suck, and there is no included maintenance.

BMW X3M has 57% residual @12k miles, low lease factor (even at launch), included maintenance for up to 3 years/36k miles (except brakes).

It's clear choice and winner for overall value vs performance. X3MC.
All good points. Bimmer is a way better lease vehicle for sure. I'm sorry you had a subpar experience with the Macan. Ours has been stellar so far.
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      03-31-2020, 11:32 AM   #15
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Very good review

I thought x3 and x4 were similar but feeling in x4 is much sportier.

I love both, x4 imo is worth few more bucks
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      03-31-2020, 11:36 AM   #16
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Very good review

I thought x3 and x4 were similar but feeling in x4 is much sportier.

I love both, x4 imo is worth few more bucks
Both X3 and X4 drive completely identically. There is zero difference in driving feel and performance.
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      03-31-2020, 12:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
I'm biased and still think the Macan is the class leader, as we've had one for a couple years now, but the combination of performance and overall cost in the X3M is pretty fantastic. My buddies who have tuned theirs are absolutely loving them. Not sure the G80 will be ready by the time my F80 lease is up, so the F90 and X3M are top of my short list right now. BMW seems to have nailed it.
Macan is a great car, but it’s more of a capable luxury SUV rather than a true performance car. X3M is a pure blooded M car.
Definitely
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      03-31-2020, 01:46 PM   #18
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I'm curious to see how the X3/4M compare in performance and driving dynamics to their bigger siblings X5/6M.
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      03-31-2020, 03:31 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo View Post
Very good review

I thought x3 and x4 were similar but feeling in x4 is much sportier.

I love both, x4 imo is worth few more bucks
Both X3 and X4 drive completely identically. There is zero difference in driving feel and performance.
Performance definitely

Driving feel seemed slightly different to me, possibly searing positing or lower roof line. Or maybe it was just mental since x4 looks sportier from the exterior
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      03-31-2020, 09:16 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo View Post
Very good review

I thought x3 and x4 were similar but feeling in x4 is much sportier.

I love both, x4 imo is worth few more bucks
Both X3 and X4 drive completely identically. There is zero difference in driving feel and performance.
Performance definitely

Driving feel seemed slightly different to me, possibly searing positing or lower roof line. Or maybe it was just mental since x4 looks sportier from the exterior
Obviously each person has their own opinion of sporty looking. I went X3M because I thought it looked more bad ass than the X4M. The $2,000 savings was just a nice bonus.

Although I felt the same with my old M3 vs M4

I will say I think the X6 looks sportier than X5, just doesn't translate to the X3/X4 in my opinion.
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      03-31-2020, 09:44 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Neptune7 View Post
I'm curious to see how the X3/4M compare in performance and driving dynamics to their bigger siblings X5/6M.
Yes, many of us are curious. I haven't seen any acceleration tests yet (besides teh carwow video).
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      03-31-2020, 09:55 PM   #22
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Quote:
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Obviously each person has their own opinion of sporty looking. I went X3M because I thought it looked more bad ass than the X4M. The $2,000 savings was just a nice bonus.

Although I felt the same with my old M3 vs M4

I will say I think the X6 looks sportier than X5, just doesn't translate to the X3/X4 in my opinion.
And I'm going to have to say I totally agree with that description of the 3 through 6 lineup. My thoughts exactly. 6 over a 5 but not 4 over a 3. And oddly enough, 3 trumps 5 in my opinion. I think the five is just too big for my tastes despite the additional prestige of being a 5. 3 Vs 6? Hmmm, now that would be a tougher call. I'd really have to weigh asthetics VS weight and size at that point. 6M was out of my price range anyway, so I'd probably just stick with the 3 if grounded in reality. Not to mention, I've never driven a 6M,so I can't personally compare the driving dynamics between the two models, but then again the 5/6 platform reviews I've read do seem to indicate the 3/4 being more nimble which is very important to me.

Last edited by MrItaly; 03-31-2020 at 10:02 PM..
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