[Lux700]

We talk about M cars, the M2, M3, M4 are all fast and lively cars but once you go up to M5 and M6 you are talking a whole new ball game. My mate has an M6 CG and it’s so nice to just gently waft along in it, it’s mellow and serene but put your foot down and it properly growls and bellows. I like M cars but prefer the V8’s.

[SuperTee]

Well, I've been driving an X6M (F86) for a while now but warranty is over and things can get very expensive. So I am looking into buying a new car. To me: BMW is the only choice.

I don't like the look of the new X6/X5 so I would want an X3, which seems to be awesome. I think there is no real reason to get the X3M, but you know...... You buy the X3M because of the emotions and feelings, not because of specs... You just feel it when you get in the car.

I will drive the X3M and the M40i (maybe also the Diesel) soon and will give some personal feedback (mostly about the suspension). I will also drive an M550d just to also see something different. Very excited.

But I guess BMW built an awesome car with the X3...

I had an M4 Convertible and E92 M3 before and the M4 Suspension (EDC) is awesome, I didn't like the E92 though.

[jjl]

If a M40i and X3M were parked next to each other and the dealer said you could pick either one for the same price, I don't think anyone would pick the M40i. That said, in the real world, where money is an object (to me) and there's a limit to how hard you can drive a car like the X3M, I would pick the M40i every time.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by jjl

If a M40i and X3M were parked next to each other and the dealer said you could pick either one for the same price, I don't think anyone would pick the M40i. That said, in the real world, where money is an object (to me) and there's a limit to how hard you can drive a car like the X3M, I would pick the M40i every time.

My wife would pick the M40i. She thinks I'm stupid for getting the M40i over the 30i.

[jjl]

Originally Posted by corn18

My wife would pick the M40i. She thinks I'm stupid for getting the M40i over the 30i.

Partly because it cost more right? If it cost the same as the 30i why would she care?

[clivem2]

For myself I'm wanting a car to keep for 7+ years. It will be our long distance tourer so I want a mix of comfort/refinement and performance. The M40i seems to be perfect.

[dylan1357]

Originally Posted by clivem2

For myself I'm wanting a car to keep for 7+ years. It will be our long distance tourer so I want a mix of comfort/refinement and performance. The M40i seems to be perfect.

7 years!! That's impressive will power... I'm a sucker for a new model/tech etc...

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by dylan1357

7 years!! That's impressive will power... I'm a sucker for a new model/tech etc...

My current F25 is 5 years old. My G01 will be a very high spec and I hope it'll take me through to a major birthday before I move to to an EV. We'll see!

[jjl]

Originally Posted by clivem2

For myself I'm wanting a car to keep for 7+ years. It will be our long distance tourer so I want a mix of comfort/refinement and performance. The M40i seems to be perfect.

The M40i is the best car I've ever owned (leased) but I would say it leans more towards performance than comfort. In comfort mode it certainly is comfortable but my F15 X5 was a better long distance tourer, it was more luxurious, quieter, more spacious (obviously) and felt more stable for lack of better of description. In Sport + the car is a riot.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by jjl

The M40i is the best car I've ever owned (leased) but I would say it leans more towards performance than comfort. In comfort mode it certainly is comfortable but my F15 X5 was a better long distance tourer, it was more luxurious, quieter, more spacious (obviously) and felt more stable for lack of better of description. In Sport + the car is a riot.

For myself the comfort/performance balance of my F25 is fine...my baseline for comfort is sporty but not a rock hard setup, eg F-Pace has way too much NVH. The M40i has more comfort and performance than my F25 35D M Sport with VDC, 19s and RFTs so the M40i with adaptive and acoustic glass 20s with non-RFTs is a great balance for me. The X3M wouldn't work for me.

[Brucecris]

Originally Posted by Vik1292

Now that X3M specs are out and more information is being available, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on which car you'd get.

Obviously, this can range from numerous factors such price, drive, comfort, etc.

Let me know your thoughts!

Not sure if anyone else posted this but there are others with the same questions. Someone even made a review.

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by Brucecris

Not sure if anyone else posted this but there are others with the same questions. Someone even made a review.

That looks familiar...

[SO8]

Originally Posted by dylan1357

7 years!! That's impressive will power... I'm a sucker for a new model/tech etc...

Me too ! A facelift with 30bhp more I prob won't never use is normally more than enough for me to want to change ! I am bad !!

2 years is my usual change over point ... 3 years if I really love it.

[Brucecris]

Originally Posted by verysideways

That looks familiar...

It's funny to hear you articulate some of the same thinking that I have in this video. I spent some considerable time with an X3M Comp and compared it to my M40i.

Nice job on the video.

[clivem2]

You get a different viewpoint on the X3M forum....and of course you would!

[gohawks23]

Originally Posted by MC-X3

I'm curious how many here have driven an E9x or F80 M3? The ride quality with the M Adaptive suspension is quite good. Much better than the M-sport models IMO. Long road trips in our E92 M3 were no problem at all comfort wise.

I also find the interiors much nicer than the non-M models.

Now to the question of who would by an X3M? People like me that have an X3 for winter and trips with 4 people or lots of stuff (note that an E92 M3 has a huge trunk) and an M3 for fun. I think either an X3M or an all wheel drive M3 could be the ticket. Which one would depend on priorities.

I have a manual F80 M3 and if the road isn't pristine the ride quality is very noisy and harsh in all modes to me...of course I live in Chicago...I have come to realization this car is better suited for when I lived out west with the much better roads and lesser traffic...

Also, the M3 is super fun some of the time but it really is immense overkill and not very practical...looking at getting an xDrive30 X3 as a better fit for living downtown.

[MichaelWM]

I have two 2020 BMWs- one for me, one for my wife. I have the M40i, loaded with everything it can be loaded with except for the radar speed control (I use this car around town, and never use the regular cruise control), including the 21 inch rims. I bought my wife the S3.0 (we live in Las Vegas, no weather issues) with the "Luxury Line", meaning, every option including vent seats.

1) The M40i on 21's is a drivers car. I LOVE it. I DRIVE it- getting average of 13.6 MPG, if that tells you something. Vegas is NOT a city of carving curved roads- more a city of scalpel driving, punching thru holes to get to the open highway, etc. This X3 is made for that. It is ALWAYS in sport drive, and the crackle to the engine can be heard outside, not just ported inside. The engine sounds great- but not too much to upset my neighbors. I have absolutely NO need for more power (eg, the M or M Comp), OR worse mileage, lol. My wifes car has PLENTY of power for 95% of drivers- and it is whisper quiet, luxurious, and gets her 22 mpg (19 inch rims). Hers is the road trip car, hands down. But I look for excuses to run errands on the M40i.

I've owned 18 BMW's, all bought new, and the X3 M40i is the most well rounded of them all- FOR ME. Not for my wife. And, evidently, not for people who want the even harsher M, and that extra .3 secs to 60, on their way to 11 MPG, lol

[suby01]

Live Cockpit Pro ID7 > analog out dated half digital dials.

[DoubleZeroNineOneEight]

Originally Posted by RevNev

The M40i is faster than the SRT, there's about a car length in it over the standing 1/4 mile and the M40i handles better on tight corners.

I traded in my 2015 srt for a 2019 m40i. These are two different vehicles with very different character, dynamics and power delivery. Acceleration is very close but the srt feels faster with its consistent anytime you want to go pedal-stomp. The srt is also more similar to the X5 or GLE than the X3 or GLC. It feels safer and more planted to passengers under hard acceleration and doesn't need pops and burbles. It gets more attention than the X3. The X3’s rear end feels light to me at higher speeds and the srt liked to tramline. The srt was great in 2015 but the trackhawk is out now. It’s time for a Grand Cherokee redesign anyway.

[mf44]

Originally Posted by suby01

Live Cockpit Pro ID7 > analog out dated half digital dials.

Most likely the 2021 X3M will have the full ID7 gauge cluster, at least according to this..

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by MichaelWM

I have two 2020 BMWs- one for me, one for my wife. I have the M40i, loaded with everything it can be loaded with except for the radar speed control (I use this car around town, and never use the regular cruise control), including the 21 inch rims. I bought my wife the S3.0 (we live in Las Vegas, no weather issues) with the "Luxury Line", meaning, every option including vent seats.

1) The M40i on 21's is a drivers car. I LOVE it. I DRIVE it- getting average of 13.6 MPG, if that tells you something. Vegas is NOT a city of carving curved roads- more a city of scalpel driving, punching thru holes to get to the open highway, etc. This X3 is made for that. It is ALWAYS in sport drive, and the crackle to the engine can be heard outside, not just ported inside. The engine sounds great- but not too much to upset my neighbors. I have absolutely NO need for more power (eg, the M or M Comp), OR worse mileage, lol. My wifes car has PLENTY of power for 95% of drivers- and it is whisper quiet, luxurious, and gets her 22 mpg (19 inch rims). Hers is the road trip car, hands down. But I look for excuses to run errands on the M40i.

I've owned 18 BMW's, all bought new, and the X3 M40i is the most well rounded of them all- FOR ME. Not for my wife. And, evidently, not for people who want the even harsher M, and that extra .3 secs to 60, on their way to 11 MPG, lol

I’ve owned 47 BMWs, all brand new of course, and the X3 MC is the most fun to drive of them all. And, evidently, not for people who just want an M-badge on a non-M car, lol.

[jimmyjohn]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I’ve owned 47 BMWs, all brand new of course, and the X3 MC is the most fun to drive of them all. And, evidently, not for people who just want an M-badge on a non-M car, lol.

ALEXFL — looks like you have an RS7 also. Like the BMW more?