[Vettethret]

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It's absolutely INSANE that an SUV can brake as well as a new ZO6!!! I havn't driven my X4MC in 3.5 weeks, I guess i'm going to have to "Go to the store" tomorrow! This is my first BMW, I'm extremley impressed with the performance of this car!

[AlexFL]

Handling is truly amazing for an SUV! Their acceleration test results are a bit underwhelming though. I wonder if they got the (rather tricky) launch control right.

[GT500R]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Handling is truly amazing for an SUV! Their acceleration test results are a bit underwhelming though. I wonder if they got the (rather tricky) launch control right.

Based on the comment that the car bogs off the line I would say no to that... and when they showed the inside view of acceleration the guy was still in “D” and no launch control activated signal on the dash.

Kinda sucks how many “car enthusiast” videos shows 0-60 worse then my non comp times all cause they can’t figure out launch control.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by GT500R

Based on the comment that the car bogs off the line I would say no to that... and when they showed the inside view of acceleration the guy was still in “D” and no launch control activated signal on the dash.

Kinda sucks how many “car enthusiast” videos shows 0-60 worse then my non comp times all cause they can’t figure out launch control.

Would be interesting to dyno a non-comp. I bet the difference to comp would be tiny, 10-15 hp at most. You also save weight with 20 inch wheels.

[Max Well]

Thanks for sharing. Agree that LC probably wasn't used - no way it feels bogged down when performed properly. The tires also seemed to have trouble gripping so psi may have been too high for their track surface as well.

Liked his comment at 2'22" - ... "and an overall 'right there feeling' that makes you want to keep searching for its limits". Wish BMW would offer an M Driving School day with only the X3MC and X4MC. Although the skills they teach with the M2C, M4 and M5C are applicable across all vehicles, it would be interesting to drive the F97/98 (with their higher CG) at their limits in BMW's controlled track environment. And it would be their brakes, tires, and fluids - not mine.

[ando]

Thanks for sharing. Solid review but I'm biased since I have been watching Motorweek since I was a kid and have the non comp version X3 M.

[MRichmond]

Comments are consistent with most other reviews, including the lack of low-rpm response. Launch control is not really the answer since real world use is what matters to most people (i.e., having immediate power without having to enable launch control or constantly drive the car at over 3,500 rpm).

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by MRichmond

Comments are consistent with most other reviews, including the lack of low-rpm response. Launch control is not really the answer since real world use is what matters to most people (i.e., having immediate power without having to enable launch control or constantly drive the car at over 3,500 rpm).

Rolling on the power instead of rapid throttle works quite well in real world but it's true, below about 3k RPMs there isn't as much grunt. Above 3k it's very responsive. Using auto transmission in D2 or D3 shuffles gears to get above 3k instantly for daily driving.

[DAC17]

If someone had shown you the performance stats for this car say, 5-6 years ago, without telling you the model, NO ONE would have guessed this from an SUV! Just amazing.

[moff]

The 12+ sec 1/4 mile is both testament to their lack of boost building (worth 0.5 secs) and the car's frustrating power delivery.

It's rubbish off the line unless you build boost using LC for at least 2 secs.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by moff

The 12+ sec 1/4 mile is both testament to their lack of boost building (worth 0.5 secs) and the car's frustrating power delivery.

It's rubbish off the line unless you build boost using LC for at least 2 secs.

moff, I respectfully disagree. 12 sec 1/4 mile time is still a very good time for an SUV. Competitors like Stelvio QF and GLC 63s run 12 sec WITH lc.

[GOLFFRR]

the x3/4 M and Comp are both beast! BMW did a great job with these

[spuntyb]

Really impressive. These cars are beasts!

[chris719]

Originally Posted by GT500R

Based on the comment that the car bogs off the line I would say no to that... and when they showed the inside view of acceleration the guy was still in “D” and no launch control activated signal on the dash.

Kinda sucks how many “car enthusiast” videos shows 0-60 worse then my non comp times all cause they can’t figure out launch control.

This bogging better be fixed for the M3/M4 or people will complain forever. I drove the X3MC and X4MC at last year's M Track Days and the lag was very noticeable compared to the F82 you were given next to "drag race". Not everyone wants to turn on launch control in the real world.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by chris719

This bogging better be fixed for the M3/M4 or people will complain forever. I drove the X3MC and X4MC at last year's M Track Days and the lag was very noticeable compared to the F82 you were given next to "drag race". Not everyone wants to turn on launch control in the real world.

Hopefully, it won’t be “fixed”. The non-linear acceleration and the great high end power give this engine a real face, a personality. There are a ton of other cars out there with great low end torque and smooth acceleration that crap in their pants at high rpms. This engine is not one of those. It’s like an old school M engine that wants to be revved up and then surprises you with a performance explosion at 4-5k rpm. Real motorsport engine. It’s really fun, really entertaining. And it’s fast as f**k. And it has a huge moddability potential. ~700 bhp with a simple tune. You have to own one of those to truly understand what I mean.

[RustyBitz]

I have to agree moff the car is bloody awful low down. Coming from a B58 which would take of like a rocket low down without LC.

[ando]

Originally Posted by chris719

This bogging better be fixed for the M3/M4 or people will complain forever. I drove the X3MC and X4MC at last year's M Track Days and the lag was very noticeable compared to the F82 you were given next to "drag race". Not everyone wants to turn on launch control in the real world.

I agree with what you are saying. When I drove the X3 M for the first time it was at M Track Days when we were doing drag races. It did seem to lag a bit. In everyday driving I don't notice it much. And then yesterday to get away from the house I went to pick up some beer at a local brewery and switched it up and drove the M3. While the power builds much faster it is rear wheel drive and grip is reduced. So for me they are different but I like them both.

[URBAN LEGEND]

I’m impressed so far with mine. It’s a great starting point.

[KennyM340ISouthFLA.]

Picking mine up this Tuesday. @1200 mile service will be time for BM3 or Racechip giving a nice boost of power. and I'm coming out of an M5 comp.

[psuibmw]

These are nice rides but I don't see a lot on the roads around the DMV area

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Hopefully, it won’t be “fixed”. The non-linear acceleration and the great high end power give this engine a real face, a personality. There are a ton of other cars out there with great low end torque and smooth acceleration that crap in their pants at high rpms. This engine is not one of those. It’s like an old school M engine that wants to be revved up and then surprises you with a performance explosion at 4-5k rpm. Real motorsport engine. It’s really fun, really entertaining. And it’s fast as f**k. And it has a huge moddability potential. ~700 bhp with a simple tune. You have to own one of those to truly understand what I mean.

I highly agree! I’m glad top end power delivery is being prioritized again, it’s much more fun.

[Young04]

Originally Posted by ando

I agree with what you are saying. When I drove the X3 M for the first time it was at M Track Days when we were doing drag races. It did seem to lag a bit. In everyday driving I don't notice it much. And then yesterday to get away from the house I went to pick up some beer at a local brewery and switched it up and drove the M3. While the power builds much faster it is rear wheel drive and grip is reduced. So for me they are different but I like them both.

I test drove an X3MC a couple of times. Not an owner. Is the lag enough to affect things like making a quick left turn in front of traffic?