M Sport Diff on X3m40i?

M2C4ME · 12-04-2019, 09:48 PM

Hi all,

Just ordered a 2020 with about every option including the adaptive M but didn't put differential on it. Anyone have this? What's your experience? I doubt I will track it much but I do love a good curve and hard acceleration. Currently driving an m2 comp and keeping it.

ContactPatch · 12-04-2019, 10:26 PM

The entire time you own the M40i you will ask yourself: "I wonder what this car would feel like with the M-Diff," I would order it, if possible.

Blacktemplar · 12-05-2019, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2C4ME

Hi all,

Just ordered a 2020 with about every option including the adaptive M but didn't put differential on it. Anyone have this? What's your experience? I doubt I will track it much but I do love a good curve and hard acceleration. Currently driving an m2 comp and keeping it.

Standard on UK cars, on mobile so can’t see your location but presumably you’re NA?

Discussed in this thread: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1518504

freshxdough · 12-05-2019, 02:16 AM

I have it on mine. Not sure if I exactly feel it. I drive it hard though. Got sideways in it once as well. Taking on ramps and such and pulling out of the corner at high speed is very controlled. I'd have to drive one without an M Diff to really compare...

I'd say there's no real negative to getting it.

spangle1980 · 12-05-2019, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

The entire time you own the M40i you will ask yourself: "I wonder what this car would feel like with the M-Diff," I would order it, if possible.

What he said - you're paying a shit load for the car, don't regret not having one option for a few bucks (looks like you're in U.S.). In fact, don't forget HUD as well. Oh, and HK, and the roof, and .. and .. and .. ;-)

I remember a few years back when LED was not standard, I paid about £1800 just because I KNEW it was overpriced but I had to have it :-)

Tchgrif · 12-05-2019, 07:02 AM

my last x4 did not have M sport diff this one does, I notice it and when I do I absolutely love it.

Transfer · 12-05-2019, 11:33 AM

Interesting that the diff is standard on M340i RWD and xDrive but not on M40i. I would have thought that would be included in MY2020 vehicles given the other changes. I'm an X3 window shopper and I would include it for cornering and wet/winter traction. If I was in a very dry climate and no snow I might skip it.

sinbad4 · 12-05-2019, 12:49 PM

I didn't have on my 2018, but did on my 2019 & 2020. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference.

Torinalth · 12-05-2019, 03:30 PM

on normal driving no. I've played with a lot of the traction stuff and you can notice it most when you turn DSC off. the stock tires start to slip a bit before the differential can fully start tossing power to the outside rear wheel and the dsc will politely and almost unnoticeably reduce power to keep traction. when you tap dsc you can corner quite a bit harder due to allowing a bit of slip that allows the differential time to toss the power outside and rotate the car. Honestly its shocking how much the dsc manages to intrude without you noticing, its the most subtle system i've ever seen. But you can REALLY bang it hard into turns with surprising ability (beyond what the M40i already demonstrates) when you disable the active DSC. And this is when the differential is the most aware. In contrast the Audi sports diff is much more engaging and comes in earlier compared to the BMW. but, there you have it.

deladude · 12-05-2019, 03:36 PM

You have to drive it pretty aggressively with traction off to really feel its impact, which is a rare occasion for me, but yes I think it was worth it. I love clowning around in snow storms and occasional mountain road runs and neither of those activities would be nearly as fun without the diff.

If I still owned a sport car alongside the X3 it would be a harder sell, but with the X3 as my sole vehicle it wasn't even a question.

plainmaster · 12-05-2019, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangle1980

What he said - you're paying a shit load for the car, don't regret not having one option for a few bucks (looks like you're in U.S.). In fact, don't forget HUD as well. Oh, and HK, and the roof, and .. and .. and .. ;-)

I felt the same way, just ordered my 2020 X3 M40i about two weeks ago, should arrive next week. Looking at all the options, and since it was so expensive anyway, I just said screw it and checked just about every box. Wanted the 21s and the M sport differential just so I had the most “M” it could be. Plus when I give it a chiptune and horsepower and torque are in the 400s I want to make sure traction would be at its best.

teaston · 12-05-2019, 04:47 PM

I’d say don’t bother with it, the 30d M Sport I drove without it handled great, and my M40d with it also handles great, so unless you’re going to be drifting then it’s probably not worth it.

M2C4ME · 12-06-2019, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

I'd say don't bother with it, the 30d M Sport I drove without it handled great, and my M40d with it also handles great, so unless you're going to be drifting then it's probably not worth it.

Thanks everyone. Edited order and added it.

Goneinsixtyseconds · 12-07-2019, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2C4ME

Thanks everyone. Edited order and added it.

Ha ha, I love how your thanks post quoted the only person who drove both and said it wasn't worth it.......and then you ordered it anyway!

Tchgrif · 12-07-2019, 06:33 AM

"shade"

SO8 · 12-07-2019, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

Ha ha, I love how your thanks post quoted the only person who drove both and said it wasn't worth it.......and then you ordered it anyway!

I've never been convinced by a diff for my boring road use ... not enough to pay more for, but would also have ordered it as it can't hurt

plainmaster · 12-07-2019, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

Ha ha, I love how your thanks post quoted the only person who drove both and said it wasn't worth it.......and then you ordered it anyway!

Love it!

KowalskiBMW13 · 03-05-2023, 10:28 PM

I bought my 2020 X3 M40i used from a BMW dealership but did not get a full options list or window sticker. How would I know if I have the M sport differential?

Rottweiler · 03-05-2023, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KowalskiBMW13

I bought my 2020 X3 M40i used from a BMW dealership but did not get a full options list or window sticker. How would I know if I have the M sport differential?

Look for cooling fins underneath it

I’ll walk over to the car now and see if I can get a decent pic

KowalskiBMW13 · 03-05-2023, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Look for cooling fins underneath it

I’ll walk over to the car now and see if I can get a decent pic

Thank you so much for the quick reply. So if I have cooling fins, then I have the M diff? I’ll check ASAP. Out of state on business.

Keefy · 03-06-2023, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Look for cooling fins underneath it

I’ll walk over to the car now and see if I can get a decent pic

What is that aluminium cross section brace like object?

g11hoonigan · 03-06-2023, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KowalskiBMW13

Thank you so much for the quick reply. So if I have cooling fans that I have the M diff? I’ll check ASAP. Out of state on business.

I believe you meant 'fins' not 'fans'

12-04-2019, 09:48 PM	#1
M2C4ME Enlisted Member 50 Rep 43 Posts Drives: G80 M3. Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Hilton Head Island SC iTrader: (0)	M Sport Diff on X3m40i? Hi all, Just ordered a 2020 with about every option including the adaptive M but didn't put differential on it. Anyone have this? What's your experience? I doubt I will track it much but I do love a good curve and hard acceleration. Currently driving an m2 comp and keeping it.
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12-04-2019, 10:26 PM	#2
ContactPatch Major 2189 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: It's Quick! Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0)	The entire time you own the M40i you will ask yourself: "I wonder what this car would feel like with the M-Diff," I would order it, if possible.
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12-05-2019, 02:16 AM	#4
freshxdough BMW Elite Master Tech \| HV Gen 5 \| HV Specialist 3548 Rep 4,232 Posts Drives: 2024 iX 50 \| 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	I have it on mine. Not sure if I exactly feel it. I drive it hard though. Got sideways in it once as well. Taking on ramps and such and pulling out of the corner at high speed is very controlled. I'd have to drive one without an M Diff to really compare... I'd say there's no real negative to getting it.
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12-05-2019, 07:02 AM	#6
Tchgrif Lieutenant 268 Rep 460 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: pgh pa, USA iTrader: (0)	my last x4 did not have M sport diff this one does, I notice it and when I do I absolutely love it.
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12-05-2019, 11:33 AM	#7
Transfer Major General 5260 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Interesting that the diff is standard on M340i RWD and xDrive but not on M40i. I would have thought that would be included in MY2020 vehicles given the other changes. I'm an X3 window shopper and I would include it for cornering and wet/winter traction. If I was in a very dry climate and no snow I might skip it.
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12-05-2019, 12:49 PM	#8
sinbad4 Captain 785 Rep 911 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I didn't have on my 2018, but did on my 2019 & 2020. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference. __________________ • 2020 BMW X3 M40i Graphite : ZDA/ZDB/ZPX/718M/2VF/2T4/3KA/3AC/688/6NW/3AC
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12-05-2019, 03:30 PM	#9
Torinalth First Lieutenant 195 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2019 x3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	on normal driving no. I've played with a lot of the traction stuff and you can notice it most when you turn DSC off. the stock tires start to slip a bit before the differential can fully start tossing power to the outside rear wheel and the dsc will politely and almost unnoticeably reduce power to keep traction. when you tap dsc you can corner quite a bit harder due to allowing a bit of slip that allows the differential time to toss the power outside and rotate the car. Honestly its shocking how much the dsc manages to intrude without you noticing, its the most subtle system i've ever seen. But you can REALLY bang it hard into turns with surprising ability (beyond what the M40i already demonstrates) when you disable the active DSC. And this is when the differential is the most aware. In contrast the Audi sports diff is much more engaging and comes in earlier compared to the BMW. but, there you have it.
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12-05-2019, 03:36 PM	#10
deladude Second Lieutenant 266 Rep 294 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	You have to drive it pretty aggressively with traction off to really feel its impact, which is a rare occasion for me, but yes I think it was worth it. I love clowning around in snow storms and occasional mountain road runs and neither of those activities would be nearly as fun without the diff. If I still owned a sport car alongside the X3 it would be a harder sell, but with the X3 as my sole vehicle it wasn't even a question.
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12-05-2019, 04:47 PM	#12
teaston Banned 11001 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	I’d say don’t bother with it, the 30d M Sport I drove without it handled great, and my M40d with it also handles great, so unless you’re going to be drifting then it’s probably not worth it.
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12-07-2019, 06:33 AM	#15
Tchgrif Lieutenant 268 Rep 460 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: pgh pa, USA iTrader: (0)	"shade"
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03-05-2023, 10:28 PM	#18
KowalskiBMW13 Enlisted Member 32 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	I bought my 2020 X3 M40i used from a BMW dealership but did not get a full options list or window sticker. How would I know if I have the M sport differential?
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