AC Schnitzer launches 600hp BMW X3 M
Discussion
DoubleD said:
Im trying to think where I have seen that clip before? Ive seen it on PH and it was on just about every powerful SUV thread, I think it was posted by a member who doesn't like powerful SUVs, can't quite remember his name though.
I actually think he loves them, given his obsession for them and their drivers. A closet SUV fan if you like.
fmnjg said:
Complete waste of time. You’re not going to use the performance and handling with the family in the car. Far better to go down a couple of X3 rungs and buy a proper drivers car to go with it.
What about the times that you haven't got the family in the car? Which for many, is probably most of the time.
Like others posting here, I brought into the concept of the x3mc, even though its "big and fat", despite having owned other purer performance cars in the past.
Yes it is stiff (sometimes you do grimace), and it could be louder (when will BMW get OPF turbo'd exhaust set up right in the UK?!), and is already too fast for the public roads (3.6 is a frequently replicated 0-60 time), BUT each to their own right?! I quite like the ability to take it to the skip and cart my family around (yes i know, you can take a wagon as well!). BMW were doing ridiculous deals on this car, which always helps sweeten any outlook right?
Top gear and evo both crucified it in their reviews, but autocar, autoexpress and that weird but entertaining car wow dude gave it more favorable reviews (3.5/5, 4/5, 8/10).
Yes it is stiff (sometimes you do grimace), and it could be louder (when will BMW get OPF turbo'd exhaust set up right in the UK?!), and is already too fast for the public roads (3.6 is a frequently replicated 0-60 time), BUT each to their own right?! I quite like the ability to take it to the skip and cart my family around (yes i know, you can take a wagon as well!). BMW were doing ridiculous deals on this car, which always helps sweeten any outlook right?
Top gear and evo both crucified it in their reviews, but autocar, autoexpress and that weird but entertaining car wow dude gave it more favorable reviews (3.5/5, 4/5, 8/10).
Edited by IndyH on Wednesday 22 January 10:25
DoubleD said:
fmnjg said:
Complete waste of time. You’re not going to use the performance and handling with the family in the car. Far better to go down a couple of X3 rungs and buy a proper drivers car to go with it.
What about the times that you haven't got the family in the car? Which for many, is probably most of the time.
fmnjg said:
Complete waste of time. You’re not going to use the performance and handling with the family in the car. Far better to go down a couple of X3 rungs and buy a proper drivers car to go with it.
It's conceivable that some buyers already have a proper drivers car to go with it. IndyH said:
BUT each to their own right?!
No, not on PH. 
Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 22 January 10:21
I don’t think that I will ever consider an SUV personally to be honest, well not unless one came up that was just too good a deal to pass on, but that does look alright to me. I prefer the overall look of a lot of the current crop of SUV’s to estate cars and this is definitely one of the better looking ones at the moment. It is quite subtle for an aftermarket effort and is all the better for it.
Edited by gigglebug on Wednesday 22 January 10:40
fmnjg said:
Complete waste of time. You’re not going to use the performance and handling with the family in the car. Far better to go down a couple of X3 rungs and buy a proper drivers car to go with it.
Because then you have all the hassle and cost owning/storing 2 cars and most of the time will probably wish you was in the other one! And if you do have a drivers car why do you have to get a slow family car? Why not have both? My in-laws live in the highlands something like this (although I’d still choose a fast estate) is perfect, lug the family, dogs, luggage the 300 miles up there, drop them off then go blasting round the epic roads! Sutcliffe seemed to enjoy the SVR...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=riwL2-lR-GM
Edited by Glenn63 on Wednesday 22 January 10:43
GTEYE said:
To the point that they* will end up doing something about it. The motor industry isn't great at self regulation or control.
The industry does not do itself any favours, with the growth of greenisum they are making SUV's a very large (literally lol) target for additional taxes and restrictions from cities etc. Not really my cup of tea, but I'm not going to get wound up about it's existence. The only way stuff like this will stop getting made is if people stop buying them, but at the moment people can't get enough of them.
It's probably quite entertaining at least for a little bit being in an SUV that is that quick.
My main concern would be the ride given how reviews that I'd read have really slated it.
It's probably quite entertaining at least for a little bit being in an SUV that is that quick.
My main concern would be the ride given how reviews that I'd read have really slated it.
Motormatt said:
Which reviews have been positive? I’ve only read the 2 star EVO one: “ Excruciating ride quality, numb handling, dull powertrain, Did we mention the ride?” I know EVO isn’t the Gospel but they’re usually in the right ballpark.
Sounds like the last thing it needs is lower and stiffer suspension that ACS have given it but that’s what it needs to keep a 600+hp suv in check around corners. If it weren’t for the high cog it would be much easier to tune the ride quality to an acceptable level for what is ostensibly a family car.
I've got one - the ride quality is frankly pretty appalling, the handling is 'ok' (better than the previous gen M6 i had) and it will oversteer progressively in M mode. The S58 powertrain needs at least 2500rpm to do anything, but fortunately 1st and 2nd are short ratios.Sounds like the last thing it needs is lower and stiffer suspension that ACS have given it but that’s what it needs to keep a 600+hp suv in check around corners. If it weren’t for the high cog it would be much easier to tune the ride quality to an acceptable level for what is ostensibly a family car.
In the X3M Evo have called that laggy, tepid, dull, unresponsive etc - you watch when the new M3 comes out with the same engine, i bet you they'll describe it as boosty, old school, exciting, rabid
I love Evo, have been a subscriber for years, but unless its a Porsche, BMW M car, weighs under a ton, or is of late a heavily bribing Hyundi(!) they always wheel out the same road test verdicts
gigglebug said:
I don’t think that I will ever consider an SUV personally to be honest, well not unless one came up that was just too good a deal to pass on, but that does look alright to me. I prefer the overall look of a lot of the current crop of SUV’s to estate cars and this is definitely one of the better looking ones at the moment. It is quite subtle for an aftermarket effort and is all the better for it.
Exactly this and it happened in Q4 last year and BMW were giving them away.Edited by gigglebug on Wednesday 22 January 10:40
I too wouldn't normally go for an SUV, this is my first, but it's epic at what it is. Laugh out loud performance (0-60 in 3.5 / 0-100 in 8), great handling (for an SUV) and drives way better than my previous 440i.
Yes the ride is fairly stiff, but many are coming from the factory with the adaptive suspension setup wrong. They are all set to 'full load' with 2.9 bar and they should be set to 'partial load' at 2.3 bar. They key issue isn't really the ride (which is no different to an M2C, M4C or M5C), it's the booming noise from the suspension on broken road surfaces.
The S58 is an epic engine, but like many M engines of old likes to be revved and the real action happens between 5k and 7 rpm (which I love). The B58 (in MPPSK tune) was to lazy up the rev range and did not like to be revved out, the S58 does. The trade off is that below 2.6k rpm there isn't as much torque, There is enough torque when driving around normally in Efficient though.
Some stupid reviews on the low down torque from Joe Achilles when they compared it to a B58's from 1200 rpm... plain ridiculous when you would never drive an S58 engined car at 1200 revs in 6th gear.
Overall I am loving the car, even with it's negatives. It's fun, fast and can handle family duties easily when needed. For my it's like an M3 Touring with a higher centre of gravity.
fmnjg said:
I have a Cayenne which is hugely capable but there is no real satisfaction in driving it like a sports car and you are viewed as a complete ******* when you try to.
Oh mate, i dont want to be cruel but its a Cayenne so people view you that way even when parked at the traffic lights Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff