[spucktacular]

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Hello everyone,

I'm the proud owner of a pristine 2020 X4M, a vehicle I've cherished since purchasing it brand new, equipped with every conceivable option back in June 2020. Despite its low mileage of just 15,000 miles after four years, my dealership seems overly eager for me to trade it in. This has led me to some introspection about my automotive journey, especially considering my history with BMW—having owned seven models over the last 22 years. It's a bit surreal to admit, but I find myself growing indifferent towards BMW, or perhaps, cars in general.

It's an intriguing time for the automotive industry, caught in a transitional phase that challenges our perceptions of what a car should be and represent. The question remains: Can the joy and pleasure derived from driving coexist with the evolving utilitarian view of vehicles, much like how smartphones have transitioned from symbols of innovation to essential, albeit unremarkable, tools of daily life? For me at least, my X4M is an object I use out of joy, not obligation or utility, and its still something that makes me smile and delivers a sense of joy when I'm behind the wheel. I mean, I get it, the whole EV thing.. but I'm just not ready to look at my car as a "utilitarian" tool, or maybe I'm just not ready to feel old and outdated.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this transition towards electric vehicles and whether you believe they can truly offer the same satisfaction as their ICE counterparts. I do, I really do.. so much that I have my dream recipe for an EV:

-great looks (ie, not some blue trim or dumb aerodynamic wheels)
-4 corner motors with clever dynamics control units
-proper ride height for EV SUVs (Kia EV9)
-2 speed transmission (or that synthetic EV transmission thingie toyota is working on)
-Great synthetic drive acoustics (ie, doesn't sound like a London metro slowing down, aka..tesla cyber truck)
-soft ass leather, I mean really soft leather and nice trim, multi-color LEDs, etc.. cars that look like their price tags on the interior... mercedes seems to have gotten this right in the EQE/EQS, BMW did NOT... the iX interior is lame, so much so that its a hesitation coming from a 4 year old car. That shouldn't be the case, period.
-Physical buttons (seriously, on this point... car manufacturers can't be dumb enough to not understand that the tesla minimalist approach was a strategy based on economic principles and RD cost factors... for fuck sakes, they used 2 gen old mercedes parts for the gear/drive shifter, power window controls from 2008.

I'm just curious, what would current X3M or X4M owners consider for a replacement?

[NoTanks52]

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Hello everyone,

I'm the proud owner of a pristine 2020 X4M, a vehicle I've cherished since purchasing it brand new, equipped with every conceivable option back in June 2020. Despite its low mileage of just 15,000 miles after four years, my dealership seems overly eager for me to trade it in. This has led me to some introspection about my automotive journey, especially considering my history with BMW—having owned seven models over the last 22 years. It's a bit surreal to admit, but I find myself growing indifferent towards BMW, or perhaps, cars in general.

It's an intriguing time for the automotive industry, caught in a transitional phase that challenges our perceptions of what a car should be and represent. The question remains: Can the joy and pleasure derived from driving coexist with the evolving utilitarian view of vehicles, much like how smartphones have transitioned from symbols of innovation to essential, albeit unremarkable, tools of daily life? For me at least, my X4M is an object I use out of joy, not obligation or utility, and its still something that makes me smile and delivers a sense of joy when I'm behind the wheel. I mean, I get it, the whole EV thing.. but I'm just not ready to look at my car as a "utilitarian" tool, or maybe I'm just not ready to feel old and outdated.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this transition towards electric vehicles and whether you believe they can truly offer the same satisfaction as their ICE counterparts. I do, I really do.. so much that I have my dream recipe for an EV:

-great looks (ie, not some blue trim or dumb aerodynamic wheels)
-4 corner motors with clever dynamics control units
-proper ride height for EV SUVs (Kia EV9)
-2 speed transmission (or that synthetic EV transmission thingie toyota is working on)
-Great synthetic drive acoustics (ie, doesn't sound like a London metro slowing down, aka..tesla cyber truck)
-soft ass leather, I mean really soft leather and nice trim, multi-color LEDs, etc.. cars that look like their price tags on the interior... mercedes seems to have gotten this right in the EQE/EQS, BMW did NOT... the iX interior is lame, so much so that its a hesitation coming from a 4 year old car. That shouldn't be the case, period.
-Physical buttons (seriously, on this point... car manufacturers can't be dumb enough to not understand that the tesla minimalist approach was a strategy based on economic principles and RD cost factors... for fuck sakes, they used 2 gen old mercedes parts for the gear/drive shifter, power window controls from 2008.

I'm just curious, what would current X3M or X4M owners consider for a replacement?

Anything plug in is headed down the path of capped speed limits, no sound, and loss of ability to make simple driving decisions (automated driving). If you want to numb out your senses, take public transportation. That said, ICE until they're unavailable to purchase/restore - Next car, another X3M/X5m, long as it's not a plug in

[Addbuyer]

From what I am reading, you are a petrol head... end of
If BMW is not on the radar now then Porsche Macan. But bang for bucks its the X3MC, simples

[FBF01]

Anything other than an EV lol

[Edgar_FriendlyX3M]

Originally Posted by NoTanks52

Anything plug in is headed down the path of capped speed limits, no sound, and loss of ability to make simple driving decisions (automated driving). If you want to numb out your senses, take public transportation. That said, ICE until they're unavailable to purchase/restore - Next car, another X3M/X5m, long as it's not a plug in

I'm in the same boat. I'm not buying an EV until I have no choice. They do nothing for me and if I wanted an overweight boat, I'd buy a school bus.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Hello everyone,

I'm the proud owner of a pristine 2020 X4M, a vehicle I've cherished since purchasing it brand new, equipped with every conceivable option back in June 2020. Despite its low mileage of just 15,000 miles after four years, my dealership seems overly eager for me to trade it in. This has led me to some introspection about my automotive journey, especially considering my history with BMW—having owned seven models over the last 22 years. It's a bit surreal to admit, but I find myself growing indifferent towards BMW, or perhaps, cars in general.

It's an intriguing time for the automotive industry, caught in a transitional phase that challenges our perceptions of what a car should be and represent. The question remains: Can the joy and pleasure derived from driving coexist with the evolving utilitarian view of vehicles, much like how smartphones have transitioned from symbols of innovation to essential, albeit unremarkable, tools of daily life? For me at least, my X4M is an object I use out of joy, not obligation or utility, and its still something that makes me smile and delivers a sense of joy when I'm behind the wheel. I mean, I get it, the whole EV thing.. but I'm just not ready to look at my car as a "utilitarian" tool, or maybe I'm just not ready to feel old and outdated.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this transition towards electric vehicles and whether you believe they can truly offer the same satisfaction as their ICE counterparts. I do, I really do.. so much that I have my dream recipe for an EV:

-great looks (ie, not some blue trim or dumb aerodynamic wheels)
-4 corner motors with clever dynamics control units
-proper ride height for EV SUVs (Kia EV9)
-2 speed transmission (or that synthetic EV transmission thingie toyota is working on)
-Great synthetic drive acoustics (ie, doesn't sound like a London metro slowing down, aka..tesla cyber truck)
-soft ass leather, I mean really soft leather and nice trim, multi-color LEDs, etc.. cars that look like their price tags on the interior... mercedes seems to have gotten this right in the EQE/EQS, BMW did NOT... the iX interior is lame, so much so that its a hesitation coming from a 4 year old car. That shouldn't be the case, period.
-Physical buttons (seriously, on this point... car manufacturers can't be dumb enough to not understand that the tesla minimalist approach was a strategy based on economic principles and RD cost factors... for fuck sakes, they used 2 gen old mercedes parts for the gear/drive shifter, power window controls from 2008.

I'm just curious, what would current X3M or X4M owners consider for a replacement?

Nothing else out there I'd rather have than my X4MC.

I'm a bit confused why you want to replace it, my dealer keeps asking for my 2020 X4MC back too, but no way! Maybe you just need to drive it more often to get that S58 smile
If you need a change, the Macan is a great option (about $30k more for a GTS) and not as raw as the X3/4, but you will need to act quickly because they will be going 100% EV very soon.

[danniexi]

im not in the point where the family and I need two vehicles. we simply dont drive enough for such a need. wife and I both commute to work via public transportation and the daily school run is easily handled with the X3M.

if I NEEDED a daily to get me to and from work I'd easily switch over to an PHEV/BEV and then get a "fun" ICE car for personal enjoyment. I dont care much for what is needed in a daily driver so long as it gets me from point A and B. and it certainly wouldn't be an SUV as it would be unnecessary.

that being said, I've been eyeing the new Prium Prime for shits and giggles. looks so damn good especially modified.

[NoTanks52]

If it's for a second family/fun car, try the SQ7.. also the Ford Explorer ST seems like a potentially fun second car lol

[bad430benz]

Good replacement.........

'03 Ferrari 360 slammed down on DPE 19s with a Boost Logic twin turbo kit.........

[bad430benz]

Originally Posted by NoTanks52

If it's for a second family/fun car, try the SQ7.. also the Ford Explorer ST seems like a potentially fun second car lol

It was fun..........

[R0ot.Us3r]

I would swap my X3M for the M3 Touring, but that will never come to the US, and we'll be getting the wife an M2 when/if those ever come in the Xdrive flavor.

EV's are a gimmick; They aren't as environmentally friendly as the world wants us to believe (google where the lithium is coming from), The cost to charge them is heavily subsidized so they aren't even as cheap to charge as they'd have you believe, they do HORIBLE in cold weather, and MOST importantly, they invoke no emotion like an ICE. Smell my burnt dinosaurs!

[thestimp]

I'm getting the M5 wagon

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by thestimp

I'm getting the M5 wagon

best answer imo.

I just wish it wasn't nearly twice the price of an X3M.

[R0ot.Us3r]

Originally Posted by thestimp

I'm getting the M5 wagon

I like the idea of it, good rival to the RS6 Avant which I considered until I saw the M3 Touring with 3 occupants spank a driver-only RS6.

[bad430benz]

Originally Posted by R0ot.Us3r

EV's are a gimmick; They aren't as environmentally friendly as the world wants us to believe (google where the lithium is coming from),

Check out the movie "Leave the World Behind" and see what happens to all the Teslas

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

I believe the only legitimate answer here would be... you should truly replace an existing X3 M with a bigger, badder, faster, more powerful new X3 M Competition.

[Jnat]

EV is happening, it's clearly an agenda (false agenda imo) so we're on borrowed time on some level. I personally have never owned anything like this X3M and i've had some bad """ cars. I don't see anything that's as unique as this, it does things an SUV shouldn't be able to do and i don't think there's a replacement. Sure there are other vehicles that'll put a smile on your face but this platform is one of kind. Good luck with decision. I might go as far as saying get a second one before they disappear!

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by Jnat

EV is happening, it clearly an agenda (false agenda imo) so we're on borrowed time on some level. I personally have never owned anything like this X3M and i've had some bad """ cars. I don't see anything that's as unique as this, it does things an SUV shouldn't be able to do and i don't think there is a replacement. Sure there are other vehicles that'll put a smile on your face but this platform is one of kind. Good luck with decision. I might go as far as saying get a second one before they disappear!

Good call - why getting my X3Mc was easy. Getting **another S58 was part of it. 3 liters. Probably 525 brake HP. Can throw a cheap chip on it for another 50hp. Massive torque from 3liters. Spools/makes torque damn near off-idle. For me, the S58 is special.

[strohw]

4 Blackwing 6spd because I wanted a manual and a car I could take to the track 3-4 times a year. Then my wife agreed to let me back on the track with a motorcycle, so bye bye car.

[Jnat]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Good call - why getting my X3Mc was easy. Getting **another S58 was part of it. 3 liters. Probably 525 brake HP. Can throw a cheap chip on it for another 50hp. Massive torque from 3liters. Spools/makes torque damn near off-idle. For me, the S58 is special.

Couldn't agree more, it's special.

[STi from DSM]

I went from my X3MC to a 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback and then moved into an M5.

I learned I was not an SUV guy. The X3MC was a rock solid car though.

To me, an EV would NEVER be on the table. If you are looking for a bump in performance, check out the M5. Plenty of HP, great looks, and surprisingly good MPG for 600HP. I think thats where you should look.

I should mention, for the last 6 months there have been 0 X3M's on Autotrader. Meaning they are just incredibly rare to come across. Make sure you get a great deal on your trade-in!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Jnat

EV is happening, it's clearly an agenda (false agenda imo) so we're on borrowed time on some level. I personally have never owned anything like this X3M and i've had some bad """ cars. I don't see anything that's as unique as this, it does things an SUV shouldn't be able to do and i don't think there's a replacement. Sure there are other vehicles that'll put a smile on your face but this platform is one of kind. Good luck with decision. I might go as far as saying get a second one before they disappear!

Great mindset here & I agree. The X3 M is a unique sleeper that's rock solid & super practical. I want to get a 2nd one too. But my family & friends would probably begin to think I'm crazy if I did.