[Mani59]

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Admin Updated January 21, 2021 with latest photos of the X3M and X4M LCI:

BMW X3M LCI Prototype

BMW X4M LCI Prototype

[Max Well]

Thanks for sharing, Mani59 . As this LCI has the usual front and rear camo, wonder what was testing in full camo in Ibiza 's thread just a month ago? https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1761348

[spuntyb]

Hopefully they fix or at least address the laundry list of nitpicking items that plague this platform. It's so close to being great right out of the box

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Thanks for sharing, Mani59 . As this LCI has the usual front and rear camo, wonder what was testing in full camo in Ibiza 's thread just a month ago? https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1761348

I have been wondering the same thing, as LCI camo is usually limited to the front and rear. What I saw the end of September had the rear quad exhaust pipes, as I didn't expect full camo for a LCI.

[MattTheCarNut]

The outside looks fine. BMW should offer full leather on this platform b/c the sensatacky dashboard and door-tops do not make this car feel special at all. Sit in an X3M and go..."Hmmm....doesn't feel $80k to me..."

[B-52Gunner]

Red brake calipers

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by MattTheCarNut

The outside looks fine. BMW should offer full leather on this platform b/c the sensatacky dashboard and door-tops do not make this car feel special at all. Sit in an X3M and go..."Hmmm....doesn't feel $80k to me..."

+1

It's still a nice cabin, but they really need to open up the Individual paint and interior options for the F97 program

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

+1

It's still a nice cabin, but they really need to open up the Individual paint and interior options for the F97 program

I agree, as it's a shame that the M3/M4 have full on individual, but not the F97. Plant Spartanburg is just coming online for Individual exterior paint for the X5/X6/X7 which I suspect COVID delayed the availability of.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

I agree, as it's a shame that the M3/M4 have full on individual, but not the F97. Plant Spartanburg is just coming online for Individual exterior paint for the X5/X6/X7 which I suspect COVID delayed the availability of.

Yeah, I mean, it just makes sense for this car, and I'm sure they're working on it...hopefully soon!

[FSociety]

Fully agree on the paint colors

[GOLFFRR]

always interesting to see what gets changed or updated in LCI process. I know a lot I see on here state the ride quality.

PS the red brakes look hot

[lsal]

I'll never understand the X3M shopper... Sure, the car's a beast, and a true M. I'm not dogging it... but it feels like a compromise... I'd much rather have an M3/4 as a dd (depending on the kid load ), and a cheap SUV for the winter/utility days.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by lsal

I'll never understand the X3M shopper... Sure, the car's a beast, and a true M. I'm not dogging it... but it feels like a compromise... I'd much rather have an M3/4 as a dd (depending on the kid load ), and a cheap SUV for the winter/utility days.

Some of us don't want to drive cheap vehicles ever as life is too short to drive crap vehicles. I used to do the winter beater thing and got tired of driving a vehicle I didn't like for half a year. With the upcoming G80 M3/M4 having AWD that makes them a consideration for sure but ground clearance will still be an issue in areas that get deep snow. Also with this vehicle I feel a get most of the benefits of an M-car without having to worry ever about scraping over steep curbs, parking blocks, steep inclines, etc as the ground clearance makes it much more of a drive it and don't worry about it ownership experience.

[DCG]

Shockingly enough the X3M and X4M front and rear already looks out of date compared to the new stuff that's coming out. Hopefully BMW doesn't botch this facelift. And if it's not functional it has NO need to be there!


I would like to see BMW execute a proper facelift on the new M3 and M4 ASAP!

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by lsal

I'll never understand the X3M shopper... Sure, the car's a beast, and a true M. I'm not dogging it... but it feels like a compromise... I'd much rather have an M3/4 as a dd (depending on the kid load ), and a cheap SUV for the winter/utility days.

But for those that don't want another car it's a perfect compromise, I love having an M engine in my school run mum mini SUV.

[lsal]

Originally Posted by Wills2

But for those that don't want another car it's a perfect compromise, I love having an M engine in my school run mum mini SUV.

I'll admit, it was a lot of fun to drive... I went to test drive expecting to hate everything about it, but it was just fun and perfectly functional. I ended up getting an M5

[lsal]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Some of us don't want to drive cheap vehicles ever as life is too short to drive crap vehicles. I used to do the winter beater thing and got tired of driving a vehicle I didn't like for half a year. With the upcoming G80 M3/M4 having AWD that makes them a consideration for sure but ground clearance will still be an issue in areas that get deep snow. Also with this vehicle I feel a get most of the benefits of an M-car without having to worry ever about scraping over steep curbs, parking blocks, steep inclines, etc as the ground clearance makes it much more of a drive it and don't worry about it ownership experience.

I agree. One of the reasons I got an M5. It's a different price range obviously, but I completely agree with you on the new M3 - it really needs an awd with all that power anyway, so handling in the snow is just a nice bonus. I'm actually a fan of those new grills, so no complaints

[MaxGainz]

To add to the discussion, having a beater is annoying;I was doing this with a tucson and a RS3. Turns out I was driving the rs3 alone all the time and taking the tucson on family drives and camping.

Now with the x3m, I go on track with it, I go camping with the family with it, I tow the boat with it, I go drive the b road with family with it.

I was able to do a road trip + camping + have fun on the b road all at the same time vs having my rs3 stay at home.

[SFBavarianArea]

Vision M Next Concept-style taillights...

Same as on next gen 2 series...

At this point I like em on the X3M more.

[Ghostriderf80]

Originally Posted by Mani59

I think this thing would benefit from the M3 front end. Interior should offer M3 buckets and more leather choices.

For the vegan in you they can offer tweed or hemp. All good choices. It's quick.

[Saejin]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Some of us don't want to drive cheap vehicles ever as life is too short to drive crap vehicles. I used to do the winter beater thing and got tired of driving a vehicle I didn't like for half a year. With the upcoming G80 M3/M4 having AWD that makes them a consideration for sure but ground clearance will still be an issue in areas that get deep snow. Also with this vehicle I feel a get most of the benefits of an M-car without having to worry ever about scraping over steep curbs, parking blocks, steep inclines, etc as the ground clearance makes it much more of a drive it and don't worry about it ownership experience.

Yeah, no more crap cars. Actually, by trying to get an all one car you end up compromising. The X3M, great M characteristics, but does it provide the same amount of driving experience than a true M3. And for winter driving, you're gonna need to switch out to winter wheels/tires and then it may be capable but I'd still be hesitant to drive my $80K X3M in really bad winter condition just because of other drivers. And on the family hauling and space front, the X3M just doesn't have as much room as the X5M and X7 M50i.

Depending on the stage of life you're in family wise and financially wise, having a specific car for specific reasons make sense. Can you do a beater in the winter and splurge in the summer on the nice M3, sure, but that's no fun.

I think the SUV sized for your needs can function perfectly for all year round driving. However, for true track days or B-road driving the SUV isn't going to cut it even if it's an X3M. I just think there's something to be said about being in a true sports car that has you sitting a foot or so from the road and slinging it around corners. You can't replicate the experience you get from wringing out an M3, M4, or better yet Porsche.

I thought about trading in my X3 M40i for an X3M, but then thought of the above and decided to use money allocated for that upgrade to start my Porsche GT4 fund for next year.

Remember it's all owner dependent so to each their own. Just get out there and drive.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by Ghostriderf80

I think this thing would benefit from the M3 front end. Interior should offer M3 buckets and more leather choices.

For the vegan in you they can offer tweed or hemp. All good choices. It's quick.

Please no. Keep that beaver grille on only the G80/82.