AC Schnitzer launches 600hp BMW X3 M

AC Schnitzer launches 600hp BMW X3 M

Tuesday 21st January 2020

AC Schnitzer launches 600hp BMW X3 M

Performance upgrade accompanied by lowering kit and new aerodynamic package



With BMW's current X3 M delivering 510hp and 443ft lb of torque, it's hard to see how much more useful performance could be wrung out of the mid-size SUV. After all, it's no use hitting 62 from the traffic lights in 4.2 seconds if the groceries end up plastered all over the rear window.

But far be it from us to tell the tuners at AC Schnitzer what is or isn't necessary. Because they've taken the model and applied their own twist in an effort to demonstrate that "even M-vehicles have not yet reached the limits of their possibilities." A massive 600hp and 516lb ft of torque being a pretty emphatic way to do just that.

This isn't the first time that the X3 M has received such treatment, of course, Dahler has already released a 610hp/ 561lb ft Stage 1 package, one claimed to unlock a sub-four 0-62 time and 186mph top speed. Where AC Schnitzer will no doubt insist their set-up comes out on top, however, is in the way that the finished product handles such a prodigious output.


For starters, the firm's custom spring kit lowers the car by up to 25mm over the standard suspension to ensure "maximum control and road holding" while a range of 20- and 22-inch Light Alloy Wheels reduce unsprung weight. Add to that an aero package which includes a front splitter, rear spoiler and skirts and you have... pretty much exactly the same sort of power-wings-and-wheels-based upgrade that has become so commonplace in the hot SUV segment and beyond.

Inside, there are "high-quality, easy-grip aluminium accessories" including new pedals, iDrive controller and shift paddles, as well as a smattering of badges. And, while there's no official word on the performance gains associated with the upgrades, Schnitzer does highlight that they come packaged with a handy four-year warranty. Sounds like plenty of care-free Autobahn runs are in store for buyers, whoever they might be.


Search for a BMW X3 here




Author
Discussion

pauly porsche

Original Poster:

21 posts

135 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Really can't see the point of big horse power on such high vehicles. The centre of gravity must 150mm higher than a normal car - not a good start for making it handle well. Then this conversion lowers the suspension to improve the handling !!!

icekay

221 posts

131 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
BMW take a 3 series and make it taller, even if no-one will off-road the thing. Then add more power.

Tuners take the taller 3 series and lower it again. Then add even more power.

Glenn63

2,732 posts

83 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
But if I wanted a comfy, dog carrying, high seating position daily I’d still want one with lots of power. Just because it’s not a caterham does that mean it has to have a weedy engine?

J4CKO

41,282 posts

199 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
I can see the first Vlogger in low earth orbit when one gets hold of one of these and it goes wrong.

Its sort of cool but good god, a 600 plus hp mid size, not that expensive in the scheme of things SUV, five grand down and £600 a month, £300 to a bloke with a laptop to map it as it is inevitable that tuning maps for the S58 engine will end up in the wild.

Go back to say 1990, could you have predicted that development when people were getting into a tizz about the "irresponsible" Lotus Carlton with 375 bhp ?

Everything from BMW seems to have a fair whack of power and then scope for a pretty big increase with just a map.

Harry H

3,379 posts

155 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
It's all getting more and more silly.

Gary29

4,131 posts

98 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Well I quite like that, especially on the dark wheels.

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Harry H said:
It's all getting more and more silly.
To the point that they* will end up doing something about it. The motor industry isn't great at self regulation or control.




  • they = Greta Thunberg generation

Maldini35

2,913 posts

187 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Thank god for the aero upgrades.
Now it will hit 200mph and corner like it’s on rails... rolleyes





FlashBastd

291 posts

189 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
The generally weak reviews of the standard car do make me question the merits.
I quite like the idea, but the execution is a huge compromise; most people would be better with the non-///M version, probably me included.

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29776623/bmw-x3...

Ignoring the moral debate about uber-SUV's, very difficult to deny the standard car is anything but fking rapid. Dread to think what this will be capable of - sub 3s 0-60?

TyrannosauRoss Lex

34,943 posts

211 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
People saying it's stupid because it has a high CoG and will corner terribly etc etc....might I suggest you drive one? These things will happily go round corners far quicker than you'd imagine. A new Alfa Stelvio Quadrafoglio will keep up around the ring than a Ferrari F430.....Now, it couldn't get round that quickly if it handled like a boat. People talk on here as if these super SUVs are on stilts and go round corners like they're made of jelly, but they really don't. No, they aren't as good as a new dedicated sports car, but they're absolutely fine for fast daily use!

Wills2

22,666 posts

174 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
bodhi said:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29776623/bmw-x3...

Ignoring the moral debate about uber-SUV's, very difficult to deny the standard car is anything but fking rapid. Dread to think what this will be capable of - sub 3s 0-60?
To be fair the 3.3 is with a one foot roll out worth 2 10th's so it's nearer 3.5 to 60 or 3.7 to 62mph there are a few dragy read outs showing 3 sec runs to 60mph from a 600hp tune on Bimmerpost.





Fetchez la vache

5,568 posts

213 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
pauly porsche said:
Really can't see the point of big horse power on such high vehicles.
Because enough people will buy them, and Schnitzer make a profit on it. Simple as that.

TyrannosauRoss Lex

34,943 posts

211 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Fetchez la vache said:
pauly porsche said:
Really can't see the point of big horse power on such high vehicles.
Because enough people will buy them, and Schnitzer make a profit on it. Simple as that.
And...."such high vehicles"? Is the CoG a big issue with this? From test reviews it handles very well. Plus, many people use a lot of power for going along straight bits of road and slow to the appropriate speed for a corner. This will outhandle the old V10 RS6 which had similar levels of power, but that was never touted as being a problem, or was that because that car wasn't high enough to try to mock it?

I must add I'm NOT an SUV fan at all. I would rather a fast estate, but a lot of the comments on here do seem to be from those who have never tried one, or if they have, they compare them to a Lotus or something rolleyes

Oily76

186 posts

110 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
But have the new springs made the ride less awful? Reviews (the ones I've read at least) indicated it was so harsh it was a dealbreaker.

mat205125

17,790 posts

212 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
icekay said:
BMW take a 3 series and make it taller, even if no-one will off-road the thing. Then add more power.

Tuners take the taller 3 series and lower it again. Then add even more power.
Then the aftermarket add camber and air ride.

Stanced Mo-Fo!

Motormatt

483 posts

217 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Fetchez la vache said:
pauly porsche said:
Really can't see the point of big horse power on such high vehicles.
Because enough people will buy them, and Schnitzer make a profit on it. Simple as that.
And...."such high vehicles"? Is the CoG a big issue with this? From test reviews it handles very well. Plus, many people use a lot of power for going along straight bits of road and slow to the appropriate speed for a corner. This will outhandle the old V10 RS6 which had similar levels of power, but that was never touted as being a problem, or was that because that car wasn't high enough to try to mock it?

I must add I'm NOT an SUV fan at all. I would rather a fast estate, but a lot of the comments on here do seem to be from those who have never tried one, or if they have, they compare them to a Lotus or something rolleyes
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.

1602Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
It's bad enough in the lanes around Cornwall as it is, with ridiculously big SUV type things. I guess they're very 'on trend' right now but vehicle size is just getting silly. I wonder what new discs and pads will cost after a few months of hauling this back from motorway speeds?

steveb8189

473 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
I can see the first Vlogger in low earth orbit when one gets hold of one of these and it goes wrong.

Its sort of cool but good god, a 600 plus hp mid size, not that expensive in the scheme of things SUV, five grand down and £600 a month, £300 to a bloke with a laptop to map it as it is inevitable that tuning maps for the S58 engine will end up in the wild.
.
Shall I be the first to say it's not recomended to remap a car wyou don't own... You could end up with some very expenseive bills

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Tuesday 21st January 2020
quotequote all
Harry H said:
It's all getting more and more silly.
<yawn> enjoy your beige cardigan

icekay said:
no-one will off-road the thing.
<yawn> So they are targeting the 99.9% of drivers that don't buy an SUV for go 'off-roading'??

pauly porsche said:
Really can't see the point of big horse power on such high vehicles.
<yawn> So settle for the 2 litre diesel in yours



Perhaps PH could insert all the above (plus the 'coming to a school run near you' etc comments) in order to save the usual wingers valuable whinging time? rolleyes