[Egrunt]

Me and the wife of 32 years have been looking for her next vehicle. She presently drives a 2012 VW GTI Autobahn that we purchased new. Prior to the GTI she drove a 2002 BMW 525i (E39) with the sports package and manual transmission. The 2002 BMW was also purchased new. In October of 2011 she drove the current 5 series but it had grown in size over the E39 we had and the GTI was suppose to be a short term vehicle but she loves it. We keep vehicles for awhile.

We always have had a third vehicle as a fun car and presently we have a 2018 BMW M5 and prior to that we had a 2015 BMW M3 both purchased new. My everyday vehicle is a 2008 Tacoma crew cab TRD off-road 4X4, also purchased new. I will keep the Tacoma forever. I only have 80k miles on Tacoma and had a Toyota dealership offer 17K to buy it. The Tacoma had a MSRP of 32k in 2008 and I purchased it at 26K when price of gas was near $5 a gallon in California. It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned for holding its value. Enough of my rambling and onto my question.

My wife has stated she wants the X3M40i or X4M40i and leaning more towards the X4M40i but I am pushing her towards the X3M40i. I am not a fan of the quirky looks of the exterior of the outside. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. She is the frugal one and sees the value in buying X3M40i but likes the fact you do not see many X4's in general on roadway which in her eyes would make it unique.

So those of you that have been driving your X3M40i / X4M40i for close to a year or longer are you happy with the vehicle or would you have gone in a different direction? The only other vehicle that is in the running is a 2019 Macan S but as configured it around 81K and $450 for an oil change has taken that one off the list per my wife. I believe in happy wife happy life. Also the X3M40i she is close to being fully loaded and has a MSRP of 66k and the X4M40i is around 71K.

I appreciate any and all feedback.

PS: I have attached some of our latest fun third vehicles we have owned. I still miss the 2012 Corvette Z06/Z07.

[TXSchnee]

I've had my X3 M40i since April 2018. I have only had one issue with it, which was fixed through warranty, so for me, it has been very reliable. I traded out of a '17 Audi S6 (with the V8T) and went back to BMW. This X3 is more fun to drive, has close to the same acceleration, and can out handle the performance Audi any day. I still love to drive it, which is rare for me. There is some discussion on seat comfort, I personally find them very comfortable, but they are quite firm which others dislike (I do not have the ventilated seats, which are different and have less side bolstering).

[X3M40i_Nev]

Coming from a 2018 Q5 SLINE, the 2019 M40i seats feel WAY more comfortable to me and the wife. Won't comment on ownership, as only had mine 3 weeks...:-)

But...LOVE it so far.

[MrPorter]

I love my X3 and I definitely wouldn't have changed my decision. I love looking at the car, and I think getting the M40i and upgrading the wheels goes a long way towards helping it feel more unique.

So your wife is right that there aren't as many X4s on the road, and the X4M40i looks great in my opinion. But it's a polarizing car - either you like the look or you don't.

If the goal is to stand out, there's ways to achieve that with either car. The X3 is more practical if you need the cargo space, but you've got a goddamn Tacoma so that really shouldn't be the deciding issue for the family. We only have one car so we needed that flexibility.

[verysideways]

Hard to beat the X3 M40i on value for money for what it does.

More fun than the 340i, as luxurious as a 540i, handles better than almost every other mid-size SUV apart from the Macan and the Stelvio, but the Macan is expensive and cramped in the back and boot (trunk) and the Stelvio is an Alfa... and try as they might to shake off the reliability concerns, they're not quite up to BMW standards yet.

[Rbrown]

I've had my M40i since March 2018. Still love it.

Used to have a GTI, came out of a 330d touring for the X3.

It's a great all rounder for me and my family. I change my cars (too!) frequently - but thinking of keeping this one as it's so good! It's the best car I've ever had.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

Good luck.

[BMWGuySweden]

Had my m40i almost 1year and haven't had any issues except for the paint chipping from the exhaust. Love it. Nothing bad to say

[MostlyHarmless]

We've had our 2018 M40i for 14 months, with about 11,300 miles on him now, and only one issue for the shop to fix under warranty (electric vents in grill). I would buy it all over again; absolutely the best "bang for the buck" vehicle in its segment.

[Torinalth]

It's the best in the segment for the money. For me I do find it a bit smaller than I like at times and a bit uncomfortable if I can't get my own ass dialed into the seat perfectly. no reliability issues yet or build quality concerns. It's super fun for an SUV, but keep feeling like I should have waited for the next 5 series and gotten the x5. but since you are looking for smaller it's a good one. You might also want to look into the GLC43 AMG since you nixed the audi. It's a different feel and with your history of cars it might be one that'll hit pretty close to home as a contender. In general the x3 is a good option across the board, not perfect but does manage to do everything fairly well.

[jkiefer]

5k miles so far on my 2019 x3m40i and loving it! Every day going to work and coming home from work i look forward to the drive. It took me over a year to decide, and zero regrets.

[Aimster82]

lol my wife was slightly disappointed that I got the X3 over the X4. She loves the car but still prefers the looks of the X4.

The only regret I have is getting the run-flat tires (21"). When I am driving the car I don't mind it but every time I am a passenger I get a sick feeling... lots of ups/downs. It's not smooth even in comfort mode.

The only car I would consider in this segment is the Porsche Macan S/GTS/Turbo but you will pay more.

[Egrunt]

Originally Posted by MrPorter

I love my X3 and I definitely wouldn't have changed my decision. I love looking at the car, and I think getting the M40i and upgrading the wheels goes a long way towards helping it feel more unique.

So your wife is right that there aren't as many X4s on the road, and the X4M40i looks great in my opinion. But it's a polarizing car - either you like the look or you don't.

If the goal is to stand out, there's ways to achieve that with either car. The X3 is more practical if you need the cargo space, but you've got a goddamn Tacoma so that really shouldn't be the deciding issue for the family. We only have one car so we needed that flexibility.

I love my Tacoma and if I had to give up all my vehicles the Tacoma is the one I would keep. My wife also wants to keep the GTI and I am not opposed to it but I am running out of room in the driveway. The M5 occupies the garage along with two motorcycles. My work bike (Police) has to be garaged per my work which is understandable.

My wife today was showing the X4 and X3 to her co-workers and not that it should be important but all of them voted for the X3. I told her not to worry about them and get what she thinks looks good. I had to remind her when I purchased my Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO all my riding friends encouraged me to get the Street Glide instead. However the Road Glide made its way home with me.

I do appreciate everyone's reply's.

I still think her GTI is a good looking vehicle and for the price it is a blast to drive.

[Jayf30]

18k miles on my X3 M40i since June 2018 and have loved every one of them with zero issues.

It's my only car and it does a good job at everything, work truck, fun car, grocery getter, and family hauler (even decent at off-roading). Wouldn't have it any other way.

Of course mods help, but I was still very happy when stock

[aohus]

owner of m40i for just a couple months now. came from an x1 and before that an e92 n54 335i. still prefer driving the 335i but love the x3 m40i for its power delivery and space along with the looks. people have complimented it while parking in public garages.

considering the lukewarm response the x3m is getting im happy with my purchase and regretting leasing over financing. only con is that the 21 inch wheels gives it a rough ride. i will eventually switch to non-RFT to mitigate this

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by aohus

owner of m40i for just a couple months now. came from an x1 and before that an e92 n54 335i. still prefer driving the 335i but love the x3 m40i for its power delivery and space along with the looks. people have complimented it while parking in public garages.

considering the lukewarm response the x3m is getting im happy with my purchase and regretting leasing over financing. only con is that the 21 inch wheels gives it a rough ride. i will eventually switch to non-RFT to mitigate this

Cracking color....but then I am biased :-)

[ep22jg]

I've had mine for around 7 months and 5k miles
I think it really is a step up from my F30 335d (no pun intended!!)
The 335d was a good jack of all trades car, but my M40i beats it in every area!!

I've always thought the mid spec sports models are by far the best value.

I drove an Audi RS4, when I owned a S4. The RS4 was a good car, that V8!! But I wasn't too disappointed getting back into my S4. Certainly not around £30k disappointed!!

My only minor gripe with my M40i, is I wished it was less fidgety in Comfort.
I know changing to non RFT's will help, but not sure by how much?

[Slashers 28th/61st]

Originally Posted by Egrunt

I love my Tacoma and if I had to give up all my vehicles the Tacoma is the one I would keep. My wife also wants to keep the GTI and I am not opposed to it but I am running out of room in the driveway. The M5 occupies the garage along with two motorcycles. My work bike (Police) has to be garaged per my work which is understandable.

My wife today was showing the X4 and X3 to her co-workers and not that it should be important but all of them voted for the X3. I told her not to worry about them and get what she thinks looks good. I had to remind her when I purchased my Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO all my riding friends encouraged me to get the Street Glide instead. However the Road Glide made its way home with me.

I do appreciate everyone's reply's.

I still think her GTI is a good looking vehicle and for the price it is a blast to drive.

Nice bike Egrunt ...I must get another bike soon...Jealous yes

[Tchgrif]

I have had my 2019 x4 m 40i for almost a year now. there were three electrical gremilins all resolved except one. the drive select buttons {eco,comfort,adaptive,sport}still does not work reliably. some times its correct others it takes many many presses to get it to respond at all and even then often responds by going into a mode you are not selecting. Other than that its a great car. I get frequent compliments on it but mostly I love how it drives, once in sport.

[Arcanum-UK]

I've had my X3 M40i for about 8-months.

Like the comfort, space, ride, toys and looks. Speed is reasonably good, cornering OK for an SUV... but you don't buy and SUV for cornering ability so perhaps I should say good.

What I hate with a passion is the throttle response. Pulling away from junctions quickly is a lottery. There's always a delay of at least half a second. Frustratingly, it can be anywhere from half a second to a second. It doesn't matter what mode you use - comfort/sport/sport+, they're all bad.

The throttle response really detracts from the rest of the car. But I drive a lot in town, in the UK with roundabouts and junctions without traffic lights, so am always pulling out in to moving traffic. In the US, particularly west coast where you have lots of traffic lights and less "European" style roads that I drive on around Boston, it probably wouldn't bother me very much.

Reliability has been good, other than tyre pressure sensors failing within 20-miles of picking it up - all fixed quickly.

A few rattles in the interior sometimes, but nothing majorly irritating.

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by Arcanum-UK

I've had my X3 M40i for about 8-months.

Like the comfort, space, ride, toys and looks. Speed is reasonably good, cornering OK for an SUV... but you don't buy and SUV for cornering ability so perhaps I should say good.

What I hate with a passion is the throttle response. Pulling away from junctions quickly is a lottery. There's always a delay of at least half a second. Frustratingly, it can be anywhere from half a second to a second. It doesn't matter what mode you use - comfort/sport/sport+, they're all bad.

The throttle response really detracts from the rest of the car. But I drive a lot in town, in the UK with roundabouts and junctions without traffic lights, so am always pulling out in to moving traffic. In the US, particularly west coast where you have lots of traffic lights and less "European" style roads that I drive on around Boston, it probably wouldn't bother me very much.

Reliability has been good, other than tyre pressure sensors failing within 20-miles of picking it up - all fixed quickly.

A few rattles in the interior sometimes, but nothing majorly irritating.

Arcanum-UK You may benefit from looking at a DTUK PedalBox

[Arcanum-UK]

Very interesting. I'd not heard of them before. Thanks!

[ep22jg]

Originally Posted by Arcanum-UK

Reliability has been good, other than tyre pressure sensors failing within 20-miles of picking it up - all fixed quickly.

Twice I've had a warning that the TPS system has failed. Both times the error corrected it self!
As with all intermittent faults, it's difficult to get fixed!!
All OK at the moment though!!