Change To X3M?

[csayad]

Hello everyone, I live in the Chicagoland area where it snows, but also has really nice summers. I was wondering would it be worth it to upgrade to a Slightly used X3M? I've never driven one I just feel like it would be more practical, but I have a feeling it doesn't share the same driving experience as my F80 right now. Drop your thoughts below!

[bsmf8x]

Wait for the new m3. Due to weight difference it'll shit on the x3m only go for the x3 if you really need the space.

[Mintsopoulos]

^ What they said ^

[maddmatth]

It's an SUV, just physically impossible for it to handle much like an M3/4. Should be a fun SUV though.
Maybe wait for the next M3, there will be an AWD version.

Or look at Audis...

[NickyC]

They're neat for sure, but to me they don't look much different than the 1,000,000 other X3s you see rolling around. They aren't cheap either, and I think if I was forced to the go the SUV route I'd look at a Macan instead.

[DML]

Originally Posted by csayad

Hello everyone, I live in the Chicagoland area where it snows, but also has really nice summers. I was wondering would it be worth it to upgrade to a Slightly used X3M? I've never driven one I just feel like it would be more practical, but I have a feeling it doesn't share the same driving experience as my F80 right now. Drop your thoughts below!

Not much of an SAV fan but it is pretty decent looking, I'll give it that. How is that an upgrade??

[rjd598]

Assuming OP wants to spend $80k-$90k to drive buck tooth over there then sure go with the G80.

In the chance he doesn't I don't see why a slightly used X3M is a bad option. It can actually put down all the power, has consistently shown incredible 0-60 times, and can easily be tuned if you want more power. It's also not a slouch in terms of handling or performance. Not F80 level, but I'll take a wild guess and say for the average driver who doesn't track regularly the X3M checks off all the boxes.

The non competition version should be taking a massive hit on depreciation. I would say wait it out a bit because they will be dropping in value especially once LCI hits. Just my two cents, but it's a pretty logical move if you need what that car offers.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by rjd598

Assuming OP wants to spend $80k-$90k to drive buck tooth over there then sure go with the G80.

In the chance he doesn't I don't see why a slightly used X3M is a bad option. It can actually put down all the power, has consistently shown incredible 0-60 times, and can easily be tuned if you want more power. It's also not a slouch in terms of handling or performance. Not F80 level, but I'll take a wild guess and say for the average driver who doesn't track regularly the X3M checks off all the boxes.

The non competition version should be taking a massive hit on depreciation. I would say wait it out a bit because they will be dropping in value especially once LCI hits. Just my two cents, but it's a pretty logical move if you need what that car offers.

Competitions are already dropping fast too, here's a basically brand new Certified one for $68k. That's basically full warranty until late 2024/early 2025? Nice color too!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[cookiesncream]

I'm from Chicago as well and I've been using a winter set of wheels for the winter. I have some winter tires for sale if you're interested.

[Maitre_Absolut]

only on the f8x forum do people cross shop sports cars and suvs

[clutchdj]

X3m seats are more narrow.
The gear box shit speed is about the same.
There are zero fender flares.
Engine sounds great.
Fast for what it is.
Fit and finish is better.
creaks and sounds are almost non existent.
To me the F80 is a little more special.
X3m doesn’t really look much different than an m40i.
I’ve had/have both variants. If I could only one ///M car it would be the F90 in the NE/winter climate; despite that hideous floating rear VW caliper, dead steering, and flat rear fender(s) the F90 was a beast.

[NYBulldog]

Practical and an M. I like it.

[doug_999]

Have never driven one, however I hear the ride is brutal. Especially on the comp.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Have never driven one, however I hear the ride is brutal. Especially on the comp.

Not really.

I have a non air suspension Macan S and the X3M Comp comes no where close to the stiffness of the Macan.

You get very little road feedback from the X3M Comp suspensions. I have test driven enough of these cars to know. BMW for some reason seems to veer from, I can't feel the road at all to It's too damn stiff wtf.

[stein_325i]

Not a fan of the X3M. I wouldn't personally go for any high performance SUV, too much of a compromise. A sports car + SUV combo is more preferable. That or a high performance wagon like an E63 or RS6.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by NickyC

They're neat for sure, but to me they don't look much different than the 1,000,000 other X3s you see rolling around. They aren't cheap either, and I think if I was forced to the go the SUV route I'd look at a Macan instead.

You have no idea. You can lease a X3M competition for like $700. That's super cheap for how many car you get. And no, an XM3 doesn't look like a normal X3, only for people which don't know the brand but who cares???


An F97 is just an amazing car for the money!

[ando]

I live in Chicago also and have both a M3 and a X3 M both non comps. I like them equally because my use cases are different for both vehicles one being a fun car to drive and the other being a fun SAV to drive plus extra cargo capacity and ground clearance. There's nothing wrong in wanting a fast and great handling SAV. Plus I like having all wheel drive and snow tires on a vehicle for winter driving. Go for a back to back test drive and see what's good for you.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Not really.

I have a non air suspension Macan S and the X3M Comp comes no where close to the stiffness of the Macan.

You get very little road feedback from the X3M Comp suspensions. I have test driven enough of these cars to know. BMW for some reason seems to veer from, I can't feel the road at all to It's too damn stiff wtf.

Maybe they left the spacers in your Macan? Cause I have yet to read about the ride being bad on the S. Until now

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Maybe they left the spacers in your Macan? Cause I have yet to read about the ride being bad on the S. Until now

Stiff isn't bad, that is a general misconception. If the suspension is put in correctly, being stiff isn't a problem. I prefer being able to feel the road.

X3M Comp suspension has no feel to it. There is very little point in Comfort or Sport. I had to put it in Sport+ on X3M Comp to get any sort of right feedback from the car. Having it in Comfort or Sport makes the X3M Comp feel like a base X3. It is so strange.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Stiff isn't bad, that is a general misconception. If the suspension is put in correctly, being stiff isn't a problem. I prefer being able to feel the road.

X3M Comp suspension has no feel to it. There is very little point in Comfort or Sport. I had to put it in Sport+ on X3M Comp to get any sort of right feedback from the car. Having it in Comfort or Sport makes the X3M Comp feel like a base X3. It is so strange.

Everyone is complaining about the stiff suspension in the X3M even in comfort mode.

I drove the X3M for thousands of miles and would disagree with you but I guess everyone in the forums is a race driver. Not sure what people expecting from a SAV or SUV.

[blinkme323]

I've seriously considered the same switch. Being that I'll be working from home until Jan 2021 at minimum I just wonder if it makes sense to have my M3, my wife's car AND our beater SUV. Or do I consolidate the M3 and beater in to an X3Mc... 🤷

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I've seriously considered the same switch. Being that I'll be working from home until Jan 2021 at minimum I just wonder if it makes sense to have my M3, my wife's car AND our beater SUV. Or do I consolidate the M3 and beater in to an X3Mc... 🤷

Depends, what's the beater car? I find a Sports car + SUV combo is the best move.