[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by to_riffic

Btw, my M2 CS rides better than the X3M in stock form, the X3M should have found a compromise between handling and rattling your teeth out.

My LCI M2 certainly didn't ride better than my X3M. I haven't driven a CS so I can't compare. Like I said before plenty of X3M owners are perfectly fine with the ride. It's simply not for everyone.

[to_riffic]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

My LCI M2 certainly didn't ride better than my X3M. I haven't driven a CS so I can't compare. Like I said before plenty of X3M owners are perfectly fine with the ride. It's simply not for everyone.

1yr, 8k miles. I can certainly say it was not the most comfortable. BM3 tuned, it hauled some serious ass though. Could have gone MSS, but at that point I was done with the SUV.

[Navypilot]

Traded in my 2016 Macan S and got my M40i on Wednesday. Don’t fall for the Porsche mystique unless you want to pay 14K to get the Porsche badge on the hood. This M40i is the real deal.

[Bimmersandmopars]

Originally Posted by to_riffic

1yr, 8k miles. I can certainly say it was not the most comfortable. BM3 tuned, it hauled some serious ass though. Could have gone MSS, but at that point I was done with the SUV.

The interesting thing I found on the X3M is it wasn't really true to the normal daily driver abilities of the usual M platform. Meaning the harshness of the ride truly wasn't something you could say "man I can't wait to get back on the road again". This coming from someone like myself who has 3 trucks, 2 of which are duallys. I can honestly say the drive in my trucks is less of a rattle fest.

On a side note.... my wife traded in her 2022 LCI X3M Comp on a new loaded Range Rover big body and she hates it! So much so that she made me find an allocation to get back into an X6M Comp.

So what does this say for the X3M, when luxury and feel are lacking..... the performance aspect of it can overshadow other things and made them less noticeable.

I thought the X3M Comp was hilarious to drive. Not super fast, but a snappy handling machine.

[Ugly Kar]

I'm a little late to seeing this thread, but I have to agree with Navypilot. I test drove the Macan and was totally underwhelmed. It didn't drive like a sports sedan at all. I have to say the Volvo XC40 is a much better handling SUV.

Then I spec'd them out and a the Mcan S is $12k more than the BMW and .2 slower to 60 based on quoted numbers. I know .2 doesn't mean much, but it does given the price difference. The Porsche just costs too damn much and the BMW looks better too.

[MaC-N54-E82]

Originally Posted by Ugly Kar

I'm a little late to seeing this thread, but I have to agree with Navypilot. I test drove the Macan and was totally underwhelmed. It didn't drive like a sports sedan at all. I have to say the Volvo XC40 is a much better handling SUV.

Then I spec'd them out and a the Mcan S is $12k more than the BMW and .2 slower to 60 based on quoted numbers. I know .2 doesn't mean much, but it does given the price difference. The Porsche just costs too damn much and the BMW looks better too.

Picked up an XC40 Recharge for the Mrs a couple weeks ago. 400+ HP and damn near 500 ft/lbs of torque. It's making for a great daily and have enjoyed adding a full EV to the fleet. I'd suggest you take one for a spin. I was sold on the X3M but the Volvo ticked all the boxes.

[AlexFL]

X3MC is so much fun. Two years later and still love it. Love the planted feel, the firm ride (even with the MSS springs), how raw it feels for a crossover, the intoxicating top end power of the (tuned) S58. The Macan is small, soft, lame and expensive. But that Porsche badge means a lot for many people…

[fitchesbass]

Wife had a F25 generation X3 and now has a 2020 Cayenne. F25 generation was mediocre build quality; and the direction of BMW seems to be in a bad trend. Having come from owning E36, E46, E86 and E92 vehicles — the newer BMWs seem to have lost their way. Premium price for industry standard options and subpar build quality.

A decade ago I can’t see my myself having said that same opinion ... but I would sooner cross-shop amongst the VW group brands than deal with BMW.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by fitchesbass

Wife had a F25 generation X3 and now has a 2020 Cayenne. F25 generation was mediocre build quality; and the direction of BMW seems to be in a bad trend. Having come from owning E36, E46, E86 and E92 vehicles — the newer BMWs seem to have lost their way. Premium price for industry standard options and subpar build quality.

A decade ago I can’t see my myself having said that same opinion ... but I would sooner cross-shop amongst the VW group brands than deal with BMW.

The Audi Q5 is a significantly more boring car and has significantly less dynamics than a base X3... inside it's the same story... it just looks cheaper inside... oh and the X3 is a bit cheaper.

[Navypilot]

Now that I have had my M40i for a week, the biggest thing that I miss from my 16 Macan S is the ride and I’ll call it lightness of the steering. My take is that my frustrations are caused by the run flats. Porsche doesn’t use run flats on the Macan. One other small point is that the Macan seat goes back when you open the door to get out.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Navypilot

Now that I have had my M40i for a week, the biggest thing that I miss from my 16 Macan S is the ride and I’ll call it lightness of the steering. My take is that my frustrations are caused by the run flats. Porsche doesn’t use run flats on the Macan. One other small point is that the Macan seat goes back when you open the door to get out.

Sure, but I did not go for the 2022 Macan GTS because it did not have a HUD...

I wished the X3 had the Air Suspension but...

And if Lincoln MKX had both, you would not be reading this... I'm happy with the M40i

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Navypilot

Now that I have had my M40i for a week, the biggest thing that I miss from my 16 Macan S is the ride and I’ll call it lightness of the steering. My take is that my frustrations are caused by the run flats. Porsche doesn’t use run flats on the Macan. One other small point is that the Macan seat goes back when you open the door to get out.

This is called easy exit/entry in BMW parlance. I had it coded on my prior 2016 330e so I assume it can be coded on the M40i as well if you so wish.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by chassis

I like the Macan, it's on the short list for a next vehicle.

Drive the PDK transmission and be sure you like it. It's different and you will be living with it daily.

The X3 is solid reliable. For me the M suspension is too hard. This is subjective.

Just a few thoughts from my recent personal experience.

I cross-shopped a few vehicles when the time came to trade in my F15. I ultimately went with the 2021 Base Macan. I found a very nicely equipped one in Chalk color, and took advantage of the crazy values dealers are paying for used cars for my 2018 F15. I wanted the 2021 as the 2022 transitioned to haptic controls on the center console that I did not like (love my buttons!)

I’ll note the Base has ample power for my driving needs. Driving In Massachusetts, the roads and traffic patterns would not really allow me to get the benefit out of a Macan S and, truth be told, did not want to pay the $10K premium.

Not a fan of the G05, I looked at the X6, which was just too big and overpriced, and just could not warm-up to the X3/X4. The Macan hits the sweet-spot for all my needs.

[justm3f80]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions about my initial question as the OP.
Update: I wanted to take advantage of winter to get impressions of driving both the Bimmer and the Porsche during cold months up here in oh Canada🇨🇦 as I planned on getting an SUV that I could haul the family across provinces during inclement weather. Anyway I did back to back test drives in November when it's raining and cold was snapping in. Both are competent SUVs. As many of you have note the Porsche is very comfy and soft, I did find the limited cargo space annoying and something about the driving experience in the wet left me underwhelmed, maybe steering feel, suspension or the weight or possibly wrong tyre choice (had all seasons) I really struggle to describe this in more detail. The X3 M I drove was very bouncy as some of you have mentioned already. It's infotainment system is bar none the best I've seen in a car for this value. The handling was snappy(came equipped with winter rubber).. too snappy for my wife - was a deal breaker for her. Which is a shame because I really liked the BMW. It felt sure-footed and checked my box by having decent cargo room. I hated the harsh ride quality there was no setting that made it bearable, I've driven plenty between BC and AB I could think of being sane after 5-7hrs of driving on this suspension. I'm sure a set of springs could correct this situation but ultimately that plus the sport handling made the decision for us. A big no to both of those German siblings. We already enjoy the M3 which handles great and is sporty! We didn't want an SUV trying to be that. We're back to the drawing table, I'm even considering a lightly used F31 M performance wagon with all the bells and whistles. They look nice, roomy and quite rare. So finding one is hard. Anyway decisions.. decisions.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by justm3f80

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions about my initial question as the OP.
Update: I wanted to take advantage of winter to get impressions of driving both the Bimmer and the Porsche during cold months up here in oh Canada🇨🇦 as I planned on getting an SUV that I could haul the family across provinces during inclement weather. Anyway I did back to back test drives in November when it's raining and cold was snapping in. Both are competent SUVs. As many of you have note the Porsche is very comfy and soft, I did find the limited cargo space annoying and something about the driving experience in the wet left me underwhelmed, maybe steering feel, suspension or the weight or possibly wrong tyre choice (had all seasons) I really struggle to describe this in more detail. The X3 M I drove was very bouncy as some of you have mentioned already. It's infotainment system is bar none the best I've seen in a car for this value. The handling was snappy(came equipped with winter rubber).. too snappy for my wife - was a deal breaker for her. Which is a shame because I really liked the BMW. It felt sure-footed and checked my box by having decent cargo room. I hated the harsh ride quality there was no setting that made it bearable, I've driven plenty between BC and AB I could think of being sane after 5-7hrs of driving on this suspension. I'm sure a set of springs could correct this situation but ultimately that plus the sport handling made the decision for us. A big no to both of those German siblings. We already enjoy the M3 which handles great and is sporty! We didn't want an SUV trying to be that. We're back to the drawing table, I'm even considering a lightly used F31 M performance wagon with all the bells and whistles. They look nice, roomy and quite rare. So finding one is hard. Anyway decisions.. decisions.

What about an SQ5? Or the X3 M40i? Both sort of split the difference between the two that you test drove, and cost less.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

What about an SQ5? Or the X3 M40i? Both sort of split the difference between the two that you test drove, and cost less.

Wanted to trade my 2020 M40i, I try the SQ5 and the Macam GTS but I end up getting 2022 M40i. No regret but I would have like air suspension for comfort but @ almost 15K more the Macam did not even had the HUD as an option.

[justm3f80]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

What about an SQ5? Or the X3 M40i? Both sort of split the difference between the two that you test drove, and cost less.

Thats a good suggestion. I haven't been inside the SQ5 or the M40i. Wife used to drive a Q5. I'll see if can get a back to back comparison of those two options. But at this point I'm also really rethinking the value proposition of SUVs.

[justm3f80]

"Someone here leaked this thread to BMW and sounds like they listened". Jokes aside, straight pipes review looks to address most common comments on ride quality which apparently has been fixed. Curious how it compares now to the Macan.
Link to straight pipes

[happyjack]

is the back seat even usable in the macan for adults? we're on our second X3...base engines only...and already thinking about next daily. my wife really wants a macan but we havent driven one yet. friends who have one say the back seats are not for adults for any sort of distance.

we got a 2021 X3M40 as a rental last summer and drove it 800 miles with our 2 adult children and the cargo area stuffed full of luggage. we came away super impressed with the performance as compared to our 2017 X3 28i. ive actually been trying to push my wife to an X5 but she doesnt like the size because our the tight accommodations in the parking garage for her work.

[SteveinArizona]

If I understand the OP correctly, the family has two cars and is replacing one of them, the Subaru Forester.

OP: have you considered an electric car as an alternative? I am not sure what your options are in Canada but there are several nice BEV SUVs (Audi has one although I don't recommend it): Hyundai Ionic 5, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang E, Cadillac Lyriq. Porsche will be selling an electric Macan soon -- I believe in 2023. That could be an interesting option. Genesis is going to have an electric GV70 which could be an interesting choice.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by happyjack

is the back seat even usable in the macan for adults? we're on our second X3...base engines only...and already thinking about next daily. my wife really wants a macan but we havent driven one yet. friends who have one say the back seats are not for adults for any sort of distance.

we got a 2021 X3M40 as a rental last summer and drove it 800 miles with our 2 adult children and the cargo area stuffed full of luggage. we came away super impressed with the performance as compared to our 2017 X3 28i. ive actually been trying to push my wife to an X5 but she doesnt like the size because our the tight accommodations in the parking garage for her work.

I'm 5'10" and find Macan's back seats just fine. But I'm used to small snug cars. Everybody has their own tolerance level.

[GTS Daddy]

If you currently own a performance car and are looking for a solid daily, the Macan S wins hands down. Porsche NAILS it on refinement, handling, ride quality, and overall driving experience.

Additionally, winter handling in the Macan is exceptional! We used to put together an ice driving event pre-COVID with our loaner Macans, Cayennes, A4's, and Q5's. Every single customer at every single event for the previous 5 years chose the the Macan as their go to for the best most predictable ice handling experience.

The Macan is smaller than the X3 so take that into consideration as well.

Get the X3M if you do not have another performance car and need an exceptionally rapid SUV.