X3M or Macan Turbo

[2010spy]

Has anyone been though this buying process? I’m torn. The X3M is a peach to drive. But £82k for an X3 is hard to comprehend despite the £20k discount being offered. Has anyone looked at this it been through a similar process? I can get the X3M for £62k fully loaded vs a Macan Turbo which will be £72k minimum. Any thoughts...

[R.Sole]

2010spy said:

Has anyone been though this buying process? I’m torn. The X3M is a peach to drive. But £82k for an X3 is hard to comprehend despite the £20k discount being offered. Has anyone looked at this it been through a similar process? I can get the X3M for £62k fully loaded vs a Macan Turbo which will be £72k minimum. Any thoughts...

I drove both and imo there is no comparison it’s the Macan for me!

[2010spy]

What was it?

[gt3rswp]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16...

[bompey]

I’ve had a Macan turbo, now a GTS. I test drove a X4M recently as I was attracted by the great deals but did not proceed. The Macan is a much better ride despite being down on power.

[Luke.]

gt3rswp said:

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16...

Can one paraphrase?

[R.Sole]

2010spy said:

What was it?

It was a Macan Turbo.

[2010spy]

Sorry, what was it that made the difference

[2010spy]

The X3M was brutal, visceral and planted. That’s what appealed though I’m guessing this could get boring on a daily basis. I’m worried I’m just being duped by a £22k discount.

[R.Sole]

2010spy said:

Sorry, what was it that made the difference

The ride quality of the BMW was appalling and the road noise was unbearable!

[Cheib]

2010spy said:

Has anyone been though this buying process? I’m torn. The X3M is a peach to drive. But £82k for an X3 is hard to comprehend despite the £20k discount being offered. Has anyone looked at this it been through a similar process? I can get the X3M for £62k fully loaded vs a Macan Turbo which will be £72k minimum. Any thoughts...

Buy a 2018 Macan Turbo PP....I’ve got one and not driven a facelift Turbo but have driven two or three from lower in the range. The only difference is the interior screen in practical terms....and the rear light bar if you’re worried about looks. Drive is identical to the earlier cars...except you have GPF. Turbo PP has the chassis settings of the GTS so is set up to be a sportier drive than the Turbo. Still has great ride quality on 21’s if you have Air PASM.

They’re brilliant cars. I’ve owned a lot of BMW’s over the years but haven’t owned one for about three years....every time I try one the chassis seems to have fallen into the Audi “trying too hard” trap and the build quality is nowhere near what a Macan is. And the Macan will be much cheaper to own in terms of residuals......especially having looked at how many delivery mileage cars are around though that may mean you can buy one very cheaply.

Honestly think buying a new Macan Turbo over a year old Turbo PP for what looks like maybe £10k less is a bit daft if you can find one in the spec you’d like.

[2010spy]

Good advice. Thanks.

[Cheib]

2010spy said:

Good advice. Thanks.

Just reading what you said about the X3M feeling planted...I don’t think a Macan will disappoint on that basis, they’re ridiculously capable cars for what’s a 2 tonne 4x4

[MDL111]

Cheib said:

2010spy said:

Has anyone been though this buying process? I’m torn. The X3M is a peach to drive. But £82k for an X3 is hard to comprehend despite the £20k discount being offered. Has anyone looked at this it been through a similar process? I can get the X3M for £62k fully loaded vs a Macan Turbo which will be £72k minimum. Any thoughts...

Buy a 2018 Macan Turbo PP....I’ve got one and not driven a facelift Turbo but have driven two or three from lower in the range. The only difference is the interior screen in practical terms....and the rear light bar if you’re worried about looks. Drive is identical to the earlier cars...except you have GPF. Turbo PP has the chassis settings of the GTS so is set up to be a sportier drive than the Turbo. Still has great ride quality on 21’s if you have Air PASM.

They’re brilliant cars. I’ve owned a lot of BMW’s over the years but haven’t owned one for about three years....every time I try one the chassis seems to have fallen into the Audi “trying too hard” trap and the build quality is nowhere near what a Macan is. And the Macan will be much cheaper to own in terms of residuals......especially having looked at how many delivery mileage cars are around though that may mean you can buy one very cheaply.

Honestly think buying a new Macan Turbo over a year old Turbo PP for what looks like maybe £10k less is a bit daft if you can find one in the spec you’d like.

I think the older model actually looks better, not a fan of the light bar thingy

[kilarney]

I have the x3m and tried the macan pp. I actually prefer the transmission and low end delivery of the BMW it feels better built and stronger low down and the nav ,carplay etc is way beyond porsche offering.

Here comes the BUT ,the X3 has quite possibly the most awful high speed ride and tyre noise of any car I have owned and noticeably harsher even than my 981 spyder so really poor.

So I would probably buy the Macan turbo but the dsg and awd drivetrain is fragile compared to the bmw. What I wouldnt do is buy another X3 at all.

[MGT3]

I have one of the new Macan Turbos. I have tried the prior Turbo (a few times) and owned the S. I haven't driven the X3M ... but what I would say is that the new Macan is much more than a facelift / screen upgrade. Definite chassis and ride improvements. Even my wife remarked about how much better it feels to drive - and we're driving it v easy for the first 1000 miles so the comment is not about performance.

[R.Sole]

kilarney said:

I have the x3m and tried the macan pp. I actually prefer the transmission and low end delivery of the BMW it feels better built and stronger low down and the nav ,carplay etc is way beyond porsche offering.

Here comes the BUT ,the X3 has quite possibly the most awful high speed ride and tyre noise of any car I have owned and noticeably harsher even than my 981 spyder so really poor.

So I would probably buy the Macan turbo but the dsg and awd drivetrain is fragile compared to the bmw. What I wouldnt do is buy another X3 at all.

I totally agree about the ride and tyre noise,I don’t think I have been in any car let alone a SUV that was so bad!
The new Macan Turbo felt far far superior as a daily proposition And the only reason people are not decrying the car is because of the fantastic monthlies imo.

[MDL111]

When I last posted, I did not think I would ever have to buy one ... alas things change quickly, am now considering pre-facelift Macan GTS vs X3M. Don’t really care all that much how they drive (buying it to tow a car), but cost and reliability are considerations. Currently leaning towards outright purchase of a Macan vs leasing a X3M (I would not want to own that given BMW track record on value retention) - seems like the better bet / don’t feel like paying 15k a year for the pleasure of renting an X3, although I do think it is the best looking car in the BMW range (8-series maybe the exception) and I like the engine, which is kinda sad....

Anything I should know / weaknesses of the pre-facelift car (I will definitely keep it under extended warranty)?

Cheers

[2010spy]

Two weeks ago the X3M was £599 per month with a £599 deposit over 4 years. I think they will do that deal again in the new year.

[MrC986]

2010spy said:

Two weeks ago the X3M was £599 per month with a £599 deposit over 4 years. I think they will do that deal again in the new year.

I’m always slightly worried when a relatively new model is so heavily incentivised by a manufacturer....it won’t bode well necessarily for residuals, especially when the competition doesn’t have to offer such large incentives to move their cars!