2019 X3M Competition
Discussion
I picked one up - Donnington Grey, black leather, Pano sunroof, Comfort pack, heated seats front/rear, Apple Car play, enhanced Bluetooth. £3k deposit, £545/month. Couldn't go past it for that price.
Previous car was a Porsche Cayenne. This is a firmer ride, but still enjoyable. Easier to park as smaller than the Cayenne
Was considering a Porsche Macan or another Cayenne, but very pleased with this.
Less happy about this running in service, seems to be a bit of a con with significant price rises over last couple of years and in comparison with Mercedes giving their AMG equivalent for free
Previous car was a Porsche Cayenne. This is a firmer ride, but still enjoyable. Easier to park as smaller than the Cayenne
Was considering a Porsche Macan or another Cayenne, but very pleased with this.
Less happy about this running in service, seems to be a bit of a con with significant price rises over last couple of years and in comparison with Mercedes giving their AMG equivalent for free
Kudos said:
Less happy about this running in service, seems to be a bit of a con with significant price rises over last couple of years and in comparison with Mercedes giving their AMG equivalent for free
If you get to BMW before you've had the RIS you can purchase 3 years of servicing etc which incl the RIS. Seems to work out cheaper that way.TX.
R.Sole said:
JMBMWM5 said:
JNW1 said:
That is a load of bulls
t, I have test driven those cars, and are better than they say, firm yes but to firm NO.t, the tyre roar along with the terrible suspension made this car a complete non starter for me and I really really wanted to like this car because the deals were out of this world.But there was a very good reason why they were giving them away!
R.Sole said:
Its not bullst, the tyre roar along with the terrible suspension made this car a complete non starter for me and I really really wanted to like this car because the deals were out of this world.
But there was a very good reason why they were giving them away!
I bet the trye pressures on your test drive were way up, I found 40PSI+ on the one I tested, I dropped them too 35PSI, drove very well and quiet.t, the tyre roar along with the terrible suspension made this car a complete non starter for me and I really really wanted to like this car because the deals were out of this world.But there was a very good reason why they were giving them away!
JMBMWM5 said:
R.Sole said:
Its not bullst, the tyre roar along with the terrible suspension made this car a complete non starter for me and I really really wanted to like this car because the deals were out of this world.
But there was a very good reason why they were giving them away!
I bet the trye pressures on your test drive were way up, I found 40PSI+ on the one I tested, I dropped them too 35PSI, drove very well and quiet.t, the tyre roar along with the terrible suspension made this car a complete non starter for me and I really really wanted to like this car because the deals were out of this world.But there was a very good reason why they were giving them away!
I moved from a F80 M3 to the X3MC early December. I used to drive about in sport mode on the M3 and now I drive about in comfort mode on the X3MC, I really don’t feel any difference. I will note that I had Michelin Pilot Sport 4s on the both cars, I really think the tyres are making a big difference. I would like to know if the people who are test driving and saying it is unbearable are on the continentals or the Michelin’s.
I love the X3 and can say I’m not missing the M3 at all, my only grievance is that they could have made the X3M stand out out from a normal X3, nothing worse when someone drives up beside you thinking you have the same car, that’s until you put the foot down
I love the X3 and can say I’m not missing the M3 at all, my only grievance is that they could have made the X3M stand out out from a normal X3, nothing worse when someone drives up beside you thinking you have the same car, that’s until you put the foot down
Geomac79 said:
I moved from a F80 M3 to the X3MC early December. I used to drive about in sport mode on the M3 and now I drive about in comfort mode on the X3MC, I really don’t feel any difference. I will note that I had Michelin Pilot Sport 4s on the both cars, I really think the tyres are making a big difference. I would like to know if the people who are test driving and saying it is unbearable are on the continentals or the Michelin’s.
I love the X3 and can say I’m not missing the M3 at all, my only grievance is that they could have made the X3M stand out out from a normal X3, nothing worse when someone drives up beside you thinking you have the same car, that’s until you put the foot down
My X3M tyres were set far too high on collection. Dropping the pressures down on the Contis helps. On very rough lanes it’s a bit of a pain but totally fine on all other roads, it a bit bouncy in comfort at times. FWIW I think the Evo review is fair - the engine is a bit characterless, the gearbox a bit stupid at times and the handling is wooden or numb but I’m quite happy with mine as a fast, debadged and discreet muddy work hack. I love the X3 and can say I’m not missing the M3 at all, my only grievance is that they could have made the X3M stand out out from a normal X3, nothing worse when someone drives up beside you thinking you have the same car, that’s until you put the foot down
Have to say I'm with EVO regarding the ride quality.
I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
PorkInsider said:
Have to say I'm with EVO regarding the ride quality.
I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
The X3M that I drove was beyond uncomfortable for a “sports car” let alone a SUV with 3 suspension settings!I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
But the real deal breaker for me was the tyre roar which on poorly surfaced roads was horrendous.
I’ve bought a X3m and was worried about the ride after reading the reviews , but it’s absolutely fine .
But I’m coming from a m2 and so the X3m is luxury in comparison. In fact even my 82 year old dad said it was fine .
Tyre roar is quite loud but again not as bad as the m2 . So I guess it just depends where you are coming from , if your coming from a normal suv it will feel hard . For me it’s as close to a m series sports car but with the ability to carry 4 adults and a dog !
Until they do a m3 or m5 touring again I think it’s the best alternative.
But I’m coming from a m2 and so the X3m is luxury in comparison. In fact even my 82 year old dad said it was fine .
Tyre roar is quite loud but again not as bad as the m2 . So I guess it just depends where you are coming from , if your coming from a normal suv it will feel hard . For me it’s as close to a m series sports car but with the ability to carry 4 adults and a dog !
Until they do a m3 or m5 touring again I think it’s the best alternative.
PorkInsider said:
Have to say I'm with EVO regarding the ride quality.
I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
There is an important setting for the adaptive suspension that defaults a stiffer ride from the factory combined with tyre pressures that are too high too. I've changed my to Partial Load and 2.3 bar (from Full Load and 2.9 bar). It makes a major difference.I have an M4 Comp and I found the X3M I drove to be far worse in harshness. Maybe they don't all ride the same if some are finding the opposite?
Wouldn't have expected BMW to have started fiddling with the suspension quite so early on, though.
I've no issue with the suspension, but I do have issue with the boomy noise on broken road surfaces and this for me is the only major negative to the X3M.
Tea Pot One said:
No one has mentioned the lack of torque below 3K rpm ... any comments on that ? 
3000 miles in I concur with the EVO review but I’m still glad I have it. There’s no torque below 3000rom but if you use the gears it’s fine. Isn’t that the point of a petrol engine and gears? It’s quick, but without any character. The engine is inert and charmless. It goes round corners well enough but with zero feedback or subtlety. The ride is harsh on broken surfaces but the bouncyness is more of an issue. Oh, and the gearbox is pretty rubbish. Irrespective, it’s a fast appliance that does it’s job and I couldn’t care less about or think what else I’d have instead for the money. I live up a rutted track right out in the sticks and do loads of miles otherwise of course I’d have an estate car instead of a pimped SUV. Luckily I have a manual 911 for all the interesting stuff. Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Wednesday 22 January 20:01
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