I did not want to spend 78k for the 22 Macan S with similiar specs and engines as I have in my M40i. I would love to here about any test drive in the 22 Macan S with the new engine. Besides price, I was quoted August delivery-last December.

Macan is cool for the brand. It's a nice car also and have good features like our some different than others. Speed wise m40i is faster by a lot my Buddy has one and I had one. Macan s is a lot slower than the x3 m40i and it just keeps pulling(m40i). I had the older 3.0 and my buddy has the 3.0T which is also slowish, comparing to x3m40, But they both ride similar and both are great cars it all depends what you like. And I'm sure a macan tuned is fun still and a good car. Not bashing a brand or anything.

I am guessing you would see a lot of different responses if you were to post this on the MacanForum. While I am not quite there, have had a BMW M40i on order since March, yes March. Anyway, I own a 2017 Macan GTS. When my Brother and I test drove the Macan over the holiday, we both just smiled. Oh that sound!

Anyway, why am I trying to purchase a BMW? $20-$30K difference in price between a X3 M40i and Macan GTS. Having owned BMWs for a number of years, I thought I would give another try. I am keeping both vehicles and then will decide which one I like more, and sell the other. Stay tuned if I ever get the Bimmer.

Porsche will nickel and dime you for every feature. Cruise control: $2,000, etc.

Navypilot wrote

I did not want to spend 78k for the 22 Macan S with similiar specs and engines as I have in my M40i. I would love to here about any test drive in the 22 Macan S with the new engine. Besides price, I was quoted August delivery-last December.

Agree that the value prop favors X3 M40i. If you want a professional review of the Macan S with the new engine, here it is:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a37419736/2022-porsche-macan-s-drive/

jmg wrote

Has anyone owned both and can give some honest impressions? I'm looking for a daily to compliment my G82 M4 weekend and track car. I've narrowed it down to these two SUV's. While I realize these will never replace an M4, after driving both, I've been really surprised how well they handle for SUV's.

The X3 M40i seems more comfortable, spacious and the i6 Turbo seems peppier than the Macan S. But there was a year between driving both, so any feedback from current and post owners are appreciated.

I plan on keeping these cars for a long time, so reliability is an issue. I don't mind spending $1500/yr in maintenance, I just don't want to break down in the middle of the dessert in summer with my family.

I've recently moved back to the US and was in need of cars and have ordered both a 2023 X3 40i and a 2023 Macan S. Both due to deliver in October.
The Macan will ride more like a car with the optioned air suspension and sport exhaust. The X3 will be bigger and have more utility, In addition as spec'd cost about $10K less. I did put a trailer hitch on the X3 and that will be the vehicle we use more with the kids/dog/bikes. The Macan is replacing a coup but has a hatchback for some utility.

jmg wrote

Has anyone owned both and can give some honest impressions? I'm looking for a daily to compliment my G82 M4 weekend and track car. I've narrowed it down to these two SUV's. While I realize these will never replace an M4, after driving both, I've been really surprised how well they handle for SUV's.

The X3 M40i seems more comfortable, spacious and the i6 Turbo seems peppier than the Macan S. But there was a year between driving both, so any feedback from current and post owners are appreciated.

I plan on keeping these cars for a long time, so reliability is an issue. I don't mind spending $1500/yr in maintenance, I just don't want to break down in the middle of the dessert in summer with my family.

I've recently moved back to the US and was in need of cars and have ordered both a 2023 X3 40i and a 2023 Macan S. Both due to deliver in October.
The Macan will ride more like a car with the optioned air suspension and sport exhaust. The X3 will be bigger and have more utility, In addition as spec'd cost about $10K less. I did put a trailer hitch on the X3 and that will be the vehicle we use more with the kids/dog/bikes. The Macan is replacing a coup but has a hatchback for some utility.

Gritty wrote

jmg wrote

Has anyone owned both and can give some honest impressions? I'm looking for a daily to compliment my G82 M4 weekend and track car. I've narrowed it down to these two SUV's. While I realize these will never replace an M4, after driving both, I've been really surprised how well they handle for SUV's.

The X3 M40i seems more comfortable, spacious and the i6 Turbo seems peppier than the Macan S. But there was a year between driving both, so any feedback from current and post owners are appreciated.

I plan on keeping these cars for a long time, so reliability is an issue. I don't mind spending $1500/yr in maintenance, I just don't want to break down in the middle of the dessert in summer with my family.

I've recently moved back to the US and was in need of cars and have ordered both a 2023 X3 40i and a 2023 Macan S. Both due to deliver in October.
The Macan will ride more like a car with the optioned air suspension and sport exhaust. The X3 will be bigger and have more utility, In addition as spec'd cost about $10K less. I did put a trailer hitch on the X3 and that will be the vehicle we use more with the kids/dog/bikes. The Macan is replacing a coup but has a hatchback for some utility.

Mostly just curious, why didn't you buy the X3 M40i for utility, and a sports car for the sports car experience?

mrdudley wrote

Mostly just curious, why didn't you buy the X3 M40i for utility, and a sports car for the sports car experience?

Mostly for practicality with two kids and a dog living in the NorthEast. My wife wanted to buy a M4 convertible but i pushed her toward a Macan - Once we are settled we'll get a convertible.

Gritty wrote

mrdudley wrote

Mostly just curious, why didn't you buy the X3 M40i for utility, and a sports car for the sports car experience?

Mostly for practicality with two kids and a dog living in the NorthEast. My wife wanted to buy a M4 convertible but i pushed her toward a Macan - Once we are settled we'll get a convertible.

I considered the Macan, but went with the X3 M40i for practicality (live in a big city with only one garaged parking spot). In my head, when we move out of the city, I'd buy an M3. But my wife would be the opposite and would want an SUV lol, so I'll probably end up with the same setup.

Just got done with a purchase on a 2018 x3 40i qnd I was in limbo between this and the Macan S.. Glad I chose the M40i

jmg wrote

Thanks for the insight everyone! To answer some of your questions, this will be a 2018-2019 Macan S and same year M40i. Getting used to save some $$ and I plan to keep this one for awhile. The tech in the iDrive is a huge plus for me. The Porsche infotainment seems a decade old. I love the way the Macan drives, but I still have my M4 for that. I think the X40i is the top contender currently, you all have reaffirmed what I was already kind of thinking!

I have a 2018 M40, tuned with bootmod3 and a hi flow downpipe.
In sport manual, it is SAVAGE. Beats the Porche from a power and sound aspect. Porsche has a slight leg up in interior luxury, PDK and suspension. To me, this was not enough to justify the extra cost.

This is a great thread!
I'm in a little different situation but the comparison is very helpful for me.
We just took delivery on a '23 X3 M40i to replace our '18 Audi SQ5. Except for the instrument cluster, I'm very impressed with the X3 for all the reasons other posters listed.
My situation? I have a '16 X5 sDrive Sport for long hauls and running back and forth to Home Depot, Costco type errands so it'll stay in the family. Our new '23 X3 is for spirited, short errands. But fortunately, we can be a 3 car household and I'm looking to get a sporty, occasional ride for my solo outings. I've read and viewed (youtube) long and short about 2 cars, neither have I driven yet, but are on the top of my list. Both would be a '21-22 CPO car to save a few $$. They are the Macan GTS and an Audi RS5 Sportback. Very different styles but each hits the different buttons for me. The Macan GTS, besides a healthy V6, comes standard with adaptive shocks, air suspension, and sport exhaust. The "premium plus" interior is nice in leather with ventilation. And the instrument panel is so classic and easy to read. The Audi RS5 Sportback is a very stylish, low slung sedan with almost SUV carrying capacity. The interior leather is gorgeous, and the "virtual cockpit" instrument panel is cool and configurable. The adjustable sport suspension has range and the sport exhaust sounds great IMO.

But because I like my X3 M40i so much, I appreciate this thread because I can compare user experience with their Macan and the X3 M40i. So far, it doesn't look like the Macan S is a compelling value over the X3 M40i. The Macan GTS might be.

While the Audi RS5 is an outlier here, I can extrapolate because I've had an SQ5 for 4 years. I think of the newer RS5 as an SQ5, but in (very) sharp sedan sheetmetal work, luxe leather, and an engine on steroids.

My 23 Macan "S" arrived last week. It cost $20K more than my new 23 X3 40. It's optioned with air suspension and sport exhaust and other premium features . After owning 5 BMW's it compares better to a mini X6. Less utility than the X3 but it's more of a luxury sport coupe. I really enjoy driving both, the X3 has better throttle response and the Macan has a better exhaust note.

I am on the Macan Forum and keep up with it pretty religiously and several things always stand out to me whenever I consider swapping my 22 X3 M40i to a 23 Macan S or GTS:
1. Forget about leasing a Macan (unless your dirty rich) because their lease offers suck royally
2. Over half of Macan buyers buy used because new Macon’s cost so much which means buying used, paying equal money as a 23 X3 M40i and still needing to deal with wear and tear
3. Owning a Macan out of warranty is finically suicide because when they break they tend to break big (like replacing the PDK out of warranty at $20k)
4. Routine maintenance on the Macan adds $150/mo to your monthly payment
5. The rear back camera is a total joke, like seriously everyone laughs at it
6. You need to invest in a peddle commander to make up for Macan throttle lag
7. Macan owners go on and on about the handling yet most are using them in the city where there’s minimal opportunity to push handling limits; no one tracks a Macan either
8. A high percentage of Macan owners come from X3’s and X5’s…sorry BMW but it’s true
9. The wait time on a Macan is even worse than on a X3 right now
10. Macan enthusiasts are way more obsessive over their rides than we are on here

My buddy had the Macan for about 1 yr. He loved it until he found out an oil change was over $350+.....not sure if that was dealer pricing or elsewhere. I tried to tell him "it's a Porsche" and he should have expected the maintenance would be pricey.....no matter, he traded it in and bought a Tesla....lol.....he didn't like that either.......eventually he bought an X3 (like I did) and seems to be happy now.

Jen4BMW wrote

I am on the Macan Forum and keep up with it pretty religiously and several things always stand out to me whenever I consider swapping my 22 X3 M40i to a 23 Macan S or GTS:
1. Forget about leasing a Macan (unless your dirty rich) because their lease offers suck royally
2. Over half of Macan buyers buy used because new Macon’s cost so much which means buying used, paying equal money as a 23 X3 M40i and still needing to deal with wear and tear
3. Owning a Macan out of warranty is finically suicide because when they break they tend to break big (like replacing the PDK out of warranty at $20k)
4. Routine maintenance on the Macan adds $150/mo to your monthly payment
5. The rear back camera is a total joke, like seriously everyone laughs at it
6. You need to invest in a peddle commander to make up for Macan throttle lag
7. Macan owners go on and on about the handling yet most are using them in the city where there’s minimal opportunity to push handling limits; no one tracks a Macan either
8. A high percentage of Macan owners come from X3’s and X5’s…sorry BMW but it’s true
9. The wait time on a Macan is even worse than on a X3 right now
10. Macan enthusiasts are way more obsessive over their rides than we are on here

Are there any positive comments on the forum? They can't be THAT bad, or can they?

Jen4BMW wrote

I am on the Macan Forum and keep up with it pretty religiously and several things always stand out to me whenever I consider swapping my 22 X3 M40i to a 23 Macan S or GTS:
1. Forget about leasing a Macan (unless your dirty rich) because their lease offers suck royally
2. Over half of Macan buyers buy used because new Macon's cost so much which means buying used, paying equal money as a 23 X3 M40i and still needing to deal with wear and tear
3. Owning a Macan out of warranty is finically suicide because when they break they tend to break big (like replacing the PDK out of warranty at $20k)
4. Routine maintenance on the Macan adds $150/mo to your monthly payment
5. The rear back camera is a total joke, like seriously everyone laughs at it
6. You need to invest in a peddle commander to make up for Macan throttle lag
7. Macan owners go on and on about the handling yet most are using them in the city where there's minimal opportunity to push handling limits; no one tracks a Macan either
8. A high percentage of Macan owners come from X3's and X5's…sorry BMW but it's true
9. The wait time on a Macan is even worse than on a X3 right now
10. Macan enthusiasts are way more obsessive over their rides than we are on here

Wait a min… what's your Screen Name over there?! Mine is TXRed… I'm still on there all the time as well.


And yes…. Everything stayed here is true. All of it. I'm still a Macan fan… I just couldn't succumb to the price gap for what in the end is still a daily practical driver. 718 or 911…? Yup, all day, everyday. But a CUV… still can't justify it.

Because of this thread, I went and sat in a '23 Macan S today.

hmmm... I fit (6') behind myself pretty well and technically... fit ok behind the passenger seat (in-town or short distances).

The front seats were amazing! (18 way)... waaaaaaay better driver comfort than the x3. I didn't drive it - as I'm not in the market, but I was impressed with the driving position and that I fit in the back seat.

Cargo room would be close - as long as you don't stack too high in the X3, it would all fit in the Macan.

The 2023 Macan S supposedly boasts a 3.8s 0-60.... if so, and if I didn't mind the $20k higher entry fee and the higher cost of MX, I would absolutely give it a look.

As it is, the X3 m40i is the performance SUV bargain of the decade, and I have no "regerts"!

br438 wrote

Because of this thread, I went and sat in a '23 Macan S today.

hmmm... I fit (6') behind myself pretty well and technically... fit ok behind the passenger seat (in-town or short distances).

The front seats were amazing! (18 way)... waaaaaaay better driver comfort than the x3. I didn't drive it - as I'm not in the market, but I was impressed with the driving position and that I fit in the back seat.

Cargo room would be close - as long as you don't stack too high in the X3, it would all fit in the Macan.

The 2023 Macan S supposedly boasts a 3.8s 0-60.... if so, and if I didn't mind the $20k higher entry fee and the higher cost of MX, I would absolutely give it a look.

As it is, the X3 m40i is the performance SUV bargain of the decade, and I have no "regerts"!

Seats (both 14-way and the 18-way), steering, and overall sum of its parts (fit/finish/quality)… Macan wins.

Pretty much EVERYTHING else… Bimmer wins.

The "ride" is subjective. If you want a super-comfy but still sporty drive, Macan (preferably the AS). If you like a more firm sporty drive, X3/4. So to me, this area is a toss up so to speak, depending on which of these you are looking for.

Edit: many will also give Macan the vote for PDK… and yes, the PDK is slick as all hell for banging out shifts (both up and down)… I can't (and won't) deny that. BUT - for those doing normal everyday driving, the ZF matched with the B58 is damn near perfection, hands down. So much in fact, I have NEVER, not once, driven the M40i (spirited or other) and said to myself "man, this just isn't the PDK…"…. YMMV

Having owned a 16 Macan and now a 22 M40i, take the 20 inch Run Flats out of it, the M40i is a better choice. A. No throttle lag, B. Our transmission is as good as the PDK, c. mileage is better, d. No oil leaks or transfer case issues, e. Nav is easy to use. F. Price is on average 14K less expensive, G HK is better then the Sony. Downside-Macan seats are far superior, doesn’t come with run flats, exhaust is louder at start up. Pull fuse 203!

No haters, I'm enjoying both cars. Cheers