2019 X3M Competition
Discussion
I suspect a lot of the poor ride quality could be down to tyres??
My wife has a 2014 X30D M sport and it arrived with Pirelli runflats and these delivered a what I would describe as a bouncy ride.
Having just changed all 4 to Michelin Primacy ZP i can def say the ride and comfort has improved immensely
My wife has a 2014 X30D M sport and it arrived with Pirelli runflats and these delivered a what I would describe as a bouncy ride.
Having just changed all 4 to Michelin Primacy ZP i can def say the ride and comfort has improved immensely
Honestly, imo I think there are a lot of people buying X3M’s simply because they are dirt cheap on a pcp. With virtually no deposit and £500 and something per month you probably put up with compromises to drive a new “£80k” M. I don’t want to offend anybody who has bought/ordered one but is difficult to drive one and not admit that it is seriously compromised as a daily due to its ride. The handling doesn’t even make up for it; it is so stiff at the front it severely limits pushing on; particularly on undulating B roads where it all over the place. The lack of torque is a pain in a daily snotter (I appreciate all true Pistonheads spend the day kissing the limiter on the commute) although fine when the roads clear.
garystoybox said:
Honestly, imo I think there are a lot of people buying X3M’s simply because they are dirt cheap on a pcp. With virtually no deposit and £500 and something per month you probably put up with compromises to drive a new “£80k” M. I don’t want to offend anybody who has bought/ordered one but is difficult to drive one and not admit that it is seriously compromised as a daily due to its ride. The handling doesn’t even make up for it; it is so stiff at the front it severely limits pushing on; particularly on undulating B roads where it all over the place. The lack of torque is a pain in a daily snotter (I appreciate all true Pistonheads spend the day kissing the limiter on the commute) although fine when the roads clear.
Totally agree.I bought mine as a "rental". Costs nothing to acquire and cheap monthly payment.
However, the missus has already said she wants us to use it for our longer journeys, the other option being a Disco4.
For me the ride is sporty, similar to the Cooper S we also have, but doesnt seem to crash in the way some cars have. Tyres arent run flats which makes a massive positive difference.
The 2 series we had before was much softer suspension, but ruined by run flat tyres. A shame the X3M doesn have a slightly softer setting, but it is very livable as is.
simonwhite2000 said:
Not everyone likes tuning boxes but DTUK just confirmed they can take increase the new X3 and X4 by well over 100 bhp and a midges over 100 lb ft.
Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I just watched a rolling road test on an X3M and it was showing 560bhp at the wheel!Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I wonder if DTUK takes it to 660 or are they assuming BMWs 510bhp figures are correct?!
margerison said:
simonwhite2000 said:
Not everyone likes tuning boxes but DTUK just confirmed they can take increase the new X3 and X4 by well over 100 bhp and a midges over 100 lb ft.
Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I just watched a rolling road test on an X3M and it was showing 560bhp at the wheel!Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I wonder if DTUK takes it to 660 or are they assuming BMWs 510bhp figures are correct?!
Standard they are doing o-60 in 3.8 so this must make it a 3.5 car. Nuts.
Maybe its worth the harsh ride!
Simond S said:
garystoybox said:
Honestly, imo I think there are a lot of people buying X3M’s simply because they are dirt cheap on a pcp. With virtually no deposit and £500 and something per month you probably put up with compromises to drive a new “£80k” M. I don’t want to offend anybody who has bought/ordered one but is difficult to drive one and not admit that it is seriously compromised as a daily due to its ride. The handling doesn’t even make up for it; it is so stiff at the front it severely limits pushing on; particularly on undulating B roads where it all over the place. The lack of torque is a pain in a daily snotter (I appreciate all true Pistonheads spend the day kissing the limiter on the commute) although fine when the roads clear.
Totally agree.I bought mine as a "rental". Costs nothing to acquire and cheap monthly payment.
However, the missus has already said she wants us to use it for our longer journeys, the other option being a Disco4.
For me the ride is sporty, similar to the Cooper S we also have, but doesnt seem to crash in the way some cars have. Tyres arent run flats which makes a massive positive difference.
The 2 series we had before was much softer suspension, but ruined by run flat tyres. A shame the X3M doesn have a slightly softer setting, but it is very livable as is.
Moral of the story is get yourself a decent test drive and make your own decision - what one person may regard as firm and sporty may be judged harsh and crashy by another and when you're spending that sort of money it's best to find out whether it suits you before you sign on the dotted line!
I test drove a X4M a few weeks back and was tempted by the low finance numbers. The power and standard equipment made it a very tempting proposition, but I didn't like the ride. For comparison purposes we have a mini cooper with run flats and the ride was better than that, but we also have a Macan GTS and Boxster and it was noticeably worse/harsher than both of those. It all depends what you are used to.
margerison said:
simonwhite2000 said:
Not everyone likes tuning boxes but DTUK just confirmed they can take increase the new X3 and X4 by well over 100 bhp and a midges over 100 lb ft.
Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I just watched a rolling road test on an X3M and it was showing 560bhp at the wheel!Certainly shows the new engine has lots of potential for future applications by BMW themselves and tuning companies.
I wonder if DTUK takes it to 660 or are they assuming BMWs 510bhp figures are correct?!
bompey said:
I test drove a X4M a few weeks back and was tempted by the low finance numbers. The power and standard equipment made it a very tempting proposition, but I didn't like the ride. For comparison purposes we have a mini cooper with run flats and the ride was better than that, but we also have a Macan GTS and Boxster and it was noticeably worse/harsher than both of those. It all depends what you are used to.
You should get the mini checked out! 
dogma6 said:
I pick up my x4m on Sat and I haven’t test driven one lol
I did have a bmw z4m then moved onto a bmw 640d with runflats so I do not think I will have an issue with the ride!
Well I had all day x4m and took it to bad b roads that sometimes I have to use to avoid heavy traffic. Ride is very jumpy, doesnt “hurt” you but throws you around abit in cabin if its harsh roadI did have a bmw z4m then moved onto a bmw 640d with runflats so I do not think I will have an issue with the ride!
RGL said:
dogma6 said:
I pick up my x4m on Sat and I haven’t test driven one lol
I did have a bmw z4m then moved onto a bmw 640d with runflats so I do not think I will have an issue with the ride!
Well I had all day x4m and took it to bad b roads that sometimes I have to use to avoid heavy traffic. Ride is very jumpy, doesnt “hurt” you but throws you around abit in cabin if its harsh roadI did have a bmw z4m then moved onto a bmw 640d with runflats so I do not think I will have an issue with the ride!
Never driven one but have an X3MC on order and arriving next week. Bought it as it’s cheap as chips and will sit alongside a 911 which I want to protect from too many miles and replaces an M2 Comp I couldn’t quite get on with (looks, ride, short gearing). Very interested to know how the ride is going to be...
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Never driven one but have an X3MC on order and arriving next week. Bought it as it’s cheap as chips and will sit alongside a 911 which I want to protect from too many miles and replaces an M2 Comp I couldn’t quite get on with (looks, ride, short gearing). Very interested to know how the ride is going to be...
You're getting rid of an M2C because you couldn't get on with the ride but are replacing it with an X3MC? In light of what some have said about the ride in the X3M that sounds a bit risky to me but good luck with it, let us know how you get on!Simond S said:
Can you link the video please.
This one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ9bvffFvK0
I did skim it until I realised you could put English subtitles on!
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