[aeaustinG20]

At a crossroads with M340. Love the car, but the market is telling me to unload. I've contemplated the G80 M3 and it's monster S58 engine, but personally I can't commit to it's appearance. I want to love it, I just don't. Not too mention, my dealership has 8 people on M3 waiting list with orders and won't even take another order at the moment.

Then came the 2022 X3M Competition. Shares the S58 motor and provides a little more practicality. I lug around 2 small kids so it's an easier sell to the wife. Not too mention she thinks the M340 seats are terrible (she has no clue).

Appointment at dealership at the end of the month for software update and oil change on M340. We'll see how it goes (if I don't place an X3 MC order sooner).

Anyone else made this switch from sedan to SAV?

[HoJoRo]

Not quite the same as you mate , but I can draw on similarities.
I am transitioning from a 2018 F32 440i to an X3MComp LCI.
Initially I was seeking to replace my 440i with a 1-2 year old F82 M4C, but due to high APR's and rapidly inflating prices , I could n't be bothered. Perhaps the natural successor to my 440i would have been the G82 M4C, but like you I was not overly enamoured with the G8x new styling, and the price point too , was also "way above my pay grade".

What caught my interest in the X3Ms was the price point and competitive deals available at the time of my looking at replacing my 440i. The X3MC actually ticked all the right boxes for me. I started then on a quest of pursuing several pre lci X3MCs but again was put off by the high APR's on used approved. Doing the maths it did n't take me long to realise route one was a brand new X3MC, which transitioned during deliberation to the LCI , with £20K discounts over this side of the pond and low APR's it became a "no brainer" for me . Actually less outlay and monthlies compared to a 3-4 year old F82 M4C

All things going to plan my X3MC will be landing at Southampton on the 7th of December, having voyaged from Spartanburg to Charleston to Bremerhaven to Antwerp before arriving at my dealership w/c 13th, with an agreed handover on the 23rd .. Happy Days
All the best to you for a successful navigation of your "crossroads"

[aX3Man]

I went from a 2017 F80 ZCP to a 2020 X3M because my family size grew and I needed more practicality. For me, the X3M hits a nice balance of handling everyday duties with kids and turning into a monster for spirited driving when needed. My wife and I both love it.

I miss my M3 from time to time, but can still have fun with the X3M.

[aeaustinG20]

Originally Posted by HoJoRo

Not quite the same as you mate , but I can draw on similarities.
I am transitioning from a 2018 F32 440i to an X3MComp LCI.
Initially I was seeking to replace my 440i with a 1-2 year old F82 M4C, but due to high APR's and rapidly inflating prices , I could n't be bothered. Perhaps the natural successor to my 440i would have been the G82 M4C, but like you I was not overly enamoured with the G8x new styling, and the price point too , was also "way above my pay grade".

What caught my interest in the X3Ms was the price point and competitive deals available at the time of my looking at replacing my 440i. The X3MC actually ticked all the right boxes for me. I started then on a quest of pursuing several pre lci X3MCs but again was put off by the high APR's on used approved. Doing the maths it did n't take me long to realise route one was a brand new X3MC, which transitioned during deliberation to the LCI , with £20K discounts over this side of the pond and low APR's it became a "no brainer" for me . Actually less outlay and monthlies compared to a 3-4 year old F82 M4C

All things going to plan my X3MC will be landing at Southampton on the 7th of December, having voyaged from Spartanburg to Charleston to Bremerhaven to Antwerp before arriving at my dealership w/c 13th, with an agreed handover on the 23rd .. Happy Days
All the best to you for a successful navigation of your "crossroads"

Appreciate the thoughtful response. Very similar journey thus far. I too shopped a few used and quickly decided new made more sense. Not too mention I much prefer the new styling, taillights etc.

I found one close to me on a lot that I am going to check out tomorrow. It's not to spec but it is a 2022 LCI with the interior I want to see in person (Midrand beige contrast stitching). I also want to sit in the competition seats as I've heard good and bad, although I have realistic sport seat expectations.

If all goes well I may be ordering next week.

[aeaustinG20]

Originally Posted by Kstark46

I went from a 2017 F80 ZCP to a 2020 X3M because my family size grew and I needed more practicality. For me, the X3M hits a nice balance of handling everyday duties with kids and turning into a monster for spirited driving when needed. My wife and I both love it.

I miss my M3 from time to time, but can still have fun with the X3M.

Exactly. Expecting it to check all the boxes and be a blast to drive when you want to get on it. Glad to hear you and your wife love the car.

[aeaustinG20]

Also, pano roof or no pano roof? I am leaning no, but wonder if I will regret not having it.

[OldBoot522]

I special ordered to delete the pano roof.

No regrets.

[kzg1969]

I went f31 335d to preLCI X3M.

It is a bigger car with noticeably more space inside. It feels way more modern and the tech is a generation (or 2) advanced. It is a much nicer place to be in.

Despite the suspension being stiffened to manage body roll, you still know you are sitting up high and feel the CoG. You do need to check out the ride to ensure you are happy with it for the roads you drive on - and live with 20mpg. The wife and the kids are fine with the ride, in fact the kids prefer this car to any other. The dogs dont mind it either!

It is a great family car if you want space and speed. What it doesnt do well is uk B-roads (country roads).

In short, it is better in almost every way than the f31. I think only an M3 touring would be better.

[moff]

I've gone from 440i MPPSK to 2019 X3M Comp. Only regrets were losing the amazing noise from the M Performance exhaust and the lack of leather dash.

Loved the car - even the higher driving position.

Ordered a SPY X4M LCI which will arrive mid 22.

[HoJoRo]

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

Also, pano roof or no pano roof? I am leaning no, but wonder if I will regret not having it.

A just thought process mate , one which I also faced .. given Max Well's significant input from his and his wife's perspective , both having pre- lci and lci x3mcs, the tick box was more geared to performance / handling and "high up" weight reduction , and thus no pano for them

For me though, I have twins, 13year olds (b&g) and both love the Pano when we looked at a pre-lci , so a Pano it was.

I have done significant mileage over my 38 years of driving in excess of 2 million, I have also track day'd in my former years. If Performance and handling were the overarching factors in my decision making process I would probably not be getting an x3mc , I would be more focused on a "track"
oriented car (not that an x3mc cannot handle a good hard track day .. the forum evidence is suggestive that it most definitely can ) I would be looking at say a Cayman 718 GTS or similar, considering I have access to a fine circuit just down the road here on the Isle of Anglesey. This would be the "selfish - me" option , something I have grown out of over the years , now that I am 55

So it had to be an "M" Car , the right price point , a car to behold in both looks and performance and functionality , all of these the lci has (and pre lci for that matter, albeit the price point was n't good on used approved) ... therefore a done deal on the Lci

I think I will actually be blown away when I come to pick it up , the look the interior the tech and not least the staggering power / performance / handling ... no doubt, & contrary to the above, I am sure it will see the circuit at some point .. I don't think I would be able to resist, given one of my best driving days ever was at Oulton Park (Cheshire, Nw England) in my former Scooby STi

[JR$]

I went from a 20 m340i to a 20 x3mc. Purchased the m340i new and full load, and the x3mc pre owned. I switched for the same reason, 2 small children and a wife that didn't find the m340i overly comfy. I spoiled her once with an audi a8 4.0l and the bmws have never been comfy enough since hah. Anyway..I feel that the x3mc was a big upgrade and regret nothing except maybe fuel economy if you care about that kind of thing.. the s58 is a pig. Reverse facing car seats fit better but not awesome still if your children are that small. forward facing and boosters..plenty of room. wife still doesn't love the seats due to the bolstering because she has hips. However, she feels it still more comfy than the m340i. She uses a butt pillow to raise her above the bolster on long trips.

Performance wise, the x3mc kicks the shit out of the m340i. I am a car guy and drive hard and it shocked me how much the suv out performs the car. It's faster, handles better, and has less body roll? figure that one out. I did step back from Idrive 7 to 6 so that sucked, but looks like you won't have that problem. Also, I had adaptive suspension on the m340i and don't feel the x3mc is too much of a harsher ride..that was a big concern of mine after forums.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the differences.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

Also, pano roof or no pano roof? I am leaning no, but wonder if I will regret not having it.

I'm probably not the best one to be answering as I have a strong anti-pano bias developed after a two year comparison between my 2020 X3MC which I specifically ordered without the pano and my wife's previous 2020 X3MC we bought off a lot with a pano.

We never used the panos which came standard on any of our three F25 X3-35i or two G01 X3M40i models. As we want to maximize the OEM performance capabilities of our X3MCs, it just doesn't make sense for us to lug around an extra 100 lbs of useless weight at the most damaging location for the CG and handling. After 20K miles in mine and 13K miles in hers, it became clear how much more we enjoyed the handling mine provided in direct comparison to hers. That alone was honestly the main reason we traded hers in and ordered her LCI with the new 'ZDM' option BMWNA now allows. That the LCI comes with improved tech, larger screen and lighter wheels was even more motivation.

With close to 4K miles now in her LCI it is definitely lighter on its feet than her 2020 with the pano, and I honestly don't ever see buying a car with a pano again. YMMV and good luck with your decision.

[HoJoRo]

Originally Posted by Max Well

I'm probably not the best one to be answering as I have a strong anti-pano bias developed after a two year comparison between my 2020 X3MC which I specifically ordered without the pano and my wife's previous 2020 X3MC we bought off a lot with a pano.

We never used the panos which came standard on any of our three F25 X3-35i or two G01 X3M40i models. As we want to maximize the OEM performance capabilities of our X3MCs, it just doesn't make sense for us to lug around an extra 100 lbs of useless weight at the most damaging location for the CG and handling. After 20K miles in mine and 13K miles in hers, it became clear how much more we enjoyed the handling mine provided in direct comparison to hers. That alone was honestly the main reason we traded hers in and ordered her LCI with the new 'ZDM' option BMWNA now allows. That the LCI comes with improved tech, larger screen and lighter wheels was even more motivation.

With close to 4K miles now in her LCI it is definitely lighter on its feet than her 2020 with the pano, and I honestly don't ever see buying a car with a pano again. YMMV and good luck with your decision.

You would hope Max Well that BMW will perhaps offer a "CS" version going forwards with Roof Rail deletion and Carbon Roof optioned in (as well as other known "CS upgrades") , I know you will be first on the order list

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by HoJoRo

You would hope Max Well that BMW will perhaps offer a "CS" version going forwards with Roof Rail deletion and Carbon Roof optioned in (as well as other known "CS upgrades") , I know you will be first on the order list

Absolutely!

[aeaustinG20]

Originally Posted by JR$

I went from a 20 m340i to a 20 x3mc. Purchased the m340i new and full load, and the x3mc pre owned. I switched for the same reason, 2 small children and a wife that didn't find the m340i overly comfy. I spoiled her once with an audi a8 4.0l and the bmws have never been comfy enough since hah. Anyway..I feel that the x3mc was a big upgrade and regret nothing except maybe fuel economy if you care about that kind of thing.. the s58 is a pig. Reverse facing car seats fit better but not awesome still if your children are that small. forward facing and boosters..plenty of room. wife still doesn't love the seats due to the bolstering because she has hips. However, she feels it still more comfy than the m340i. She uses a butt pillow to raise her above the bolster on long trips.

Performance wise, the x3mc kicks the shit out of the m340i. I am a car guy and drive hard and it shocked me how much the suv out performs the car. It's faster, handles better, and has less body roll? figure that one out. I did step back from Idrive 7 to 6 so that sucked, but looks like you won't have that problem. Also, I had adaptive suspension on the m340i and don't feel the x3mc is too much of a harsher ride..that was a big concern of mine after forums.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the differences.

Thanks for the input. Another good comparison. My kids are small, but both forward facing. Actually just order a booster for one of them.

My M340 doesn't have the adaptive suspension and I have the 20" m performance wheels, so I'd be interesting to see if the X3MC could possibly be stiffer than that!

For the seats, it's a low bar to climb. They only need to be slightly better than M340 seats. The seat height alone should provide that improvement.

[mikeym40]

Although I just bought a 22 M40i in October, I find myself on the X3M forum much more haha. Definitely going to trade up after a year or 2 unless I find an amazing deal on an X3MC. From what I understand, allocation has been slim for 2022 models

With COVID and the shortages; hopefully I can get an amazing deal on the M40i from somewhere haha

[JJDW]

I'm thining about the same switch.
The main reason for me is that I need more space in the car.
Actualy I'm waiting for the M3 Touring, but it will take 1.5 year from now, so I'm thinking about a X3M or X4M in the meantime. #kids

[M3exDeo]

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

Also, pano roof or no pano roof? I am leaning no, but wonder if I will regret not having it.

My kids love the pano roof. I love the pano roof. It really improves the cabin feel and makes it feel larger than it is. I need to ceramic tint mine before next summer's sun though. Unless you're after best possible performance, the pano roof is a really nice option for the family man or even just for yourself. Also, it's not like the alternative is a carbon fiber roof. Now that it's colder with less sun, it's nice to open up the roof screen sometimes to get some light.

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

... I also want to sit in the competition seats as I've heard good and bad, although I have realistic sport seat expectations.

Bring your wife for the test drive if you can. The seats are really nice. The center portion of the back with all of the contoured styling and stitching are noticeable versus a non-sport seat, but it's not uncomfortable. The only real complaint I have with the seats is the bolsters on the lower part of the seat. They're a bit high and snug and I'm 5'9" 145lbs. I'm used to the E90 M3 and F30 335 seats. My wife is not a fan of that part at all. Someone else mentioned a pillow to raise the butt up above the lower bolsters. I'll need to try that for my wife.

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

Thanks for the input. Another good comparison. My kids are small, but both forward facing. Actually just order a booster for one of them.

My M340 doesn't have the adaptive suspension and I have the 20" m performance wheels, so I'd be interesting to see if the X3MC could possibly be stiffer than that!

For the seats, it's a low bar to climb. They only need to be slightly better than M340 seats. The seat height alone should provide that improvement.

I recently sold my daily F30 335 M-sport with adaptive suspension and now have the X3MC for daily+. It's not a huge improvement on cabin space for family driving, but the family is only in the X3M once or twice a week. I also have two kids in front-facing boosters. When it's just me in the car, the suspension is exactly what I want. It's only when other people are in the car that I wish the suspension could go another level softer. So when the family is in the car, I wish I had X3 m40 suspension (except when the kids want to go fast). But we have a Honda Odyssey as the true family car.

It's funny when non-car people get in my X3M or M3 expecting a luxury ride because "it's a BMW". There's almost a look of surprise about how firm and aggressive the ride is. Of course, if you can't get a smile on their face at some point during the ride, to hell with them!

[aeaustinG20]

Originally Posted by M3exDeo

My kids love the pano roof. I love the pano roof. It really improves the cabin feel and makes it feel larger than it is. I need to ceramic tint mine before next summer's sun though. Unless you're after best possible performance, the pano roof is a really nice option for the family man or even just for yourself. Also, it's not like the alternative is a carbon fiber roof. Now that it's colder with less sun, it's nice to open up the roof screen sometimes to get some light.

Bring your wife for the test drive if you can. The seats are really nice. The center portion of the back with all of the contoured styling and stitching are noticeable versus a non-sport seat, but it's not uncomfortable. The only real complaint I have with the seats is the bolsters on the lower part of the seat. They're a bit high and snug and I'm 5'9" 145lbs. I'm used to the E90 M3 and F30 335 seats. My wife is not a fan of that part at all. Someone else mentioned a pillow to raise the butt up above the lower bolsters. I'll need to try that for my wife.

I recently sold my daily F30 335 M-sport with adaptive suspension and now have the X3MC for daily+. It's not a huge improvement on cabin space for family driving, but the family is only in the X3M once or twice a week. I also have two kids in front-facing boosters. When it's just me in the car, the suspension is exactly what I want. It's only when other people are in the car that I wish the suspension could go another level softer. So when the family is in the car, I wish I had X3 m40 suspension (except when the kids want to go fast). But we have a Honda Odyssey as the true family car.

It's funny when non-car people get in my X3M or M3 expecting a luxury ride because "it's a BMW". There's almost a look of surprise about how firm and aggressive the ride is. Of course, if you can't get a smile on their face at some point during the ride, to hell with them!

I was able to sit in one today. I too am 5'9" but 170. Seats felt great. Huge improvement from M340. Wife couldn't come but that's fine, they are certainly more comfortable. Going to place order soon with my only item of uncertainty is the pano. I go back and forth.

We have Palisade for almost all family trips.. just need to be able to have 2 car seats in my car from time to time.

One last query. Does this thing fit a set of golf clubs!?! When I was looking at it today, the back seemed like it would be close without folding seats down.

[Soylent]

I think you will be happy with the X3M. I have a G82 M4C and we just traded in my wife's 540i for 2022 X3M. I love driving this car. Almost the same power as the M4. Great suspension and ride. MUCH better for trips to the coast. I'm currently neglecting the M4

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by aeaustinG20

I was able to sit in one today. ...
One last query. Does this thing fit a set of golf clubs!?! When I was looking at it today, the back seemed like it would be close without folding seats down.

Here was a thread about golf clubs on the G01 Forum a while back (they fit fine, esp if you order the mobility kit and not the spare):

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1527368

[aeaustinG20]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Here was a thread about golf clubs on the G01 Forum a while back (they fit fine, esp if you order the mobility kit and not the spare):

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1527368

This is great, thanks!