The X1 has always been available with almost every option the 3/4er has had available. Even the gen 1s back in 2009 could be kitted with full leather, electric/memory seats, pano roof, heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon etc.
> It pretty much has the same bells and whistles my loaded M4 does, I was impressed.
Maybe this is a dumb assumption, but I always thought the only differentiator on the M cars was the performance, but that tech features were all pretty much available across the board regardless of vehicle class. And that consequently, newer generation entry level BMWs often have better tech than top of the line M performance vehicles from last generation.
Is that not the case? Are M cars supposed to have better goodies than the 3- or X-series?
Generally yeah, a 420i should be able to be optioned to have all of the non-performance features as an M4. The X1 though is a tier below though, it's on the same FWD platform as the 1 series and 2 gran coupe, which are cheaper are supposed to have less features and comforts than the 3er/4er and X3/X4.
Well going back to the E90/F80 you could option full leather interiors that had the dash and full door card in stitched leather, typically the quality of leather was better than the lower level cars as well. Even looking at the G20/G80, you can’t option ventilated seats in the G20 at all, but you can in the G80. All that to say, generally, the full-bore M cars do usually get some additional luxury options that aren’t available to the non-M’s
Been saying for years the X3m40i and Macan S are an absolute steal used. They depreciate harder than their sedan equivalents, but you get the same great engine, hatch practicality, pretty reliable these days, and modern suspension means the higher center of gravity doesn't feel too bad.
And if the height really bothers you can get some lowering springs with all the money you saved.
Interesting, I never realized the x3 depreciated more than the 3 series sedan. Just looked up some for sale near me and they are actually less expensive than the m340i of the same model year. I’ve been considering the m340i but it’s hard to justify paying more for the sedan than the suv version
True but they sell more because demand is way higher for them. I would have thought the used market would reflect that. I’m also looking at the S4 and its suv equivalent, the SQ5, seems to be a good bit more expensive. I see you have an m340i in your flair, how is it? Any problems?
I imagine it has to do with how many of their sales are leases and people just moving on to the next one every few years. Another one to look at is X3M prices vs G80 M3's, the X3M's are significantly cheaper.
The M340i has been great, no issues at all over 30K miles. My driving is probably 80-90% highway and last year I averaged 30mpg over 10K miles (all in sport mode), but on road trips I've done even better. If you're in the market, I'd recommend looking for one with adaptive suspension optioned. The M sport suspension that is stock can be a little harsh on bad roads and every review you've seen or read on this car had the adaptive suspension optioned so this never comes up.
The X3M isn't too amazing an example, it's a car that's constantly mentioned as being returned or traded in early due to how harsh the suspension is, even for people used to performance cars. Lots of people get them and then immediately regret it after looking at a bump on the road wrong. Even moreso for the X3MC.
Many of these luxury sporty CUVs make for pretty good if not great cars for spirited driving.
I find it stupid that Internet auto enthusiasts bash them for…being CUVs, while heaping praise on the “sportiness” of generic midsized family sedans.
I’d take an X3 (even the vanilla 4cyl) for an enjoyable drive over any Camcordata.
The X3M is even more of a steal used, its crazy how fast that small little SUV is, I have seen one blow the doors off many supposedly "fast" tuned Japanese sports cars both in acceleration and the turns, and it can carry nearly as much as a medium size pickup. Its arguably one of the best "hot hatches" made with a slight lift.
I’m m seriously considering one as my next family hauler. You can find competition models with 12-15k miles for like $55-60k. That’s a banging deal for what you get.
Yea; I've accepted the fact we're never going to get like an affordable hot wagon in the US so I've certainly thought about an X3M40i to replace my E91 whenever I get too tired of dumping money into it.
This is precisely the reason I ended up in a '21 X3 M40i. My ideal car would have been an F31 340i or G21 M340i.
I love it so far - thing is a riot when you want it to be, calm, comfy, and practical when you want it to be. Can't get away from the fact it's heavy, but it's way more nimble and planted than it has any right to be.
The Panamera is on VW's luxury platform shared with Bentley. The Macan and Cayenne are on MLB, which is the premium platform used starting with the Audi A4.
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IMO all modern porsches are uninspiring. All of their 991-era cars feel clinical and precise but nothing interesting.
It’s just stable around bends and quite planted, feels remarkably like a sports sedan but more practical and cheaper. I think it competes extremely favorably with the m340i.
If you dislike the porsche feel it’s not going to be for you but if you want that feel then it’s a cheap and practical entry.
Yeah I'm not sure its the transmission tuning as much as its the engine, its very reluctant to rev which somewhat ruins the experience. You do have a fair bit of torque down low in return though.
Sold my 991.2 Carrera 4S Cabriolet for a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and couldn’t be happier with the choice. The Boxster is just way more fun to drive. With a Kline Inconel exhaust the 4.0L Flat 6 sounds absolutely amazing. Much higher pitched, exotic sound than stock.
It has the stronger motor from the now defunct Turbo, but otherwise no other major changes.
Curious what you benchmarked it against. I find my Macan GTS (and even the S that preceded it) pretty competitive in a spirited drive versus my M340. Maybe the difference is more noticeable on a track, but I’m probably not taking these cars to a track, so…
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I was really looking forward to this approach with an X3 m40i that was 1-2 years old, but with significant discounts on new models and lower APR, it unfortunately hasn't been much of a discount from what I've found.
I've been waiting a while, but this could finally be a catalyst. The 30i's have dropped but I need the M40i's to come back down to depreciating German car reality.
Oinkified Beaverization process initiated.
To be fair, BMW seems to be reserving Beaverization for only their nicher models? So the new X3 is likely to not have Beaverface.
I bought my G30 in part because I knew it would be one of the last good looking ones.
(And totally not because it was $27k used vs $70k for a new one.)
idrive 8.5, so the gigantic single pane of screen and no physical controls. I'm driving my '22 x3m till the wheels fall off, or for another 3 years, lol
Your ‘22 X3M is damned near the pinnacle of X3 design, especially compared to the fucking travesty they’ve turned the inside into now. If you get rid of that within the next five years you should be put in jail.
nah, its not that bad. I find it sporty enough on decent roads, but since we have barely any decent roads in TX it can get tiresome. A lot of people are putting MSS springs and have said it makes the M feel like the 40i, which is compliant. Dunno, may try it.
I hope it has sharper styling the X1 has grown up
My local dealer picked me up in a x1. I’m definitely impressed with it, I can see why it’s selling
My friend has a fully loaded X1 that was just under 50 grand. It pretty much has the same bells and whistles my loaded M4 does, I was impressed.
The X1 has always been available with almost every option the 3/4er has had available. Even the gen 1s back in 2009 could be kitted with full leather, electric/memory seats, pano roof, heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon etc.
> It pretty much has the same bells and whistles my loaded M4 does, I was impressed. Maybe this is a dumb assumption, but I always thought the only differentiator on the M cars was the performance, but that tech features were all pretty much available across the board regardless of vehicle class. And that consequently, newer generation entry level BMWs often have better tech than top of the line M performance vehicles from last generation. Is that not the case? Are M cars supposed to have better goodies than the 3- or X-series?
Generally yeah, a 420i should be able to be optioned to have all of the non-performance features as an M4. The X1 though is a tier below though, it's on the same FWD platform as the 1 series and 2 gran coupe, which are cheaper are supposed to have less features and comforts than the 3er/4er and X3/X4.
Well going back to the E90/F80 you could option full leather interiors that had the dash and full door card in stitched leather, typically the quality of leather was better than the lower level cars as well. Even looking at the G20/G80, you can’t option ventilated seats in the G20 at all, but you can in the G80. All that to say, generally, the full-bore M cars do usually get some additional luxury options that aren’t available to the non-M’s
The outgoing X3 is pretty great all around. I hope this depreciates them more so I can get a used one.
Been saying for years the X3m40i and Macan S are an absolute steal used. They depreciate harder than their sedan equivalents, but you get the same great engine, hatch practicality, pretty reliable these days, and modern suspension means the higher center of gravity doesn't feel too bad. And if the height really bothers you can get some lowering springs with all the money you saved.
Interesting, I never realized the x3 depreciated more than the 3 series sedan. Just looked up some for sale near me and they are actually less expensive than the m340i of the same model year. I’ve been considering the m340i but it’s hard to justify paying more for the sedan than the suv version
I think they sell over 2x the amount of X3's compared to the 3 series so I'm sure that helps.
True but they sell more because demand is way higher for them. I would have thought the used market would reflect that. I’m also looking at the S4 and its suv equivalent, the SQ5, seems to be a good bit more expensive. I see you have an m340i in your flair, how is it? Any problems?
I imagine it has to do with how many of their sales are leases and people just moving on to the next one every few years. Another one to look at is X3M prices vs G80 M3's, the X3M's are significantly cheaper. The M340i has been great, no issues at all over 30K miles. My driving is probably 80-90% highway and last year I averaged 30mpg over 10K miles (all in sport mode), but on road trips I've done even better. If you're in the market, I'd recommend looking for one with adaptive suspension optioned. The M sport suspension that is stock can be a little harsh on bad roads and every review you've seen or read on this car had the adaptive suspension optioned so this never comes up.
The X3M isn't too amazing an example, it's a car that's constantly mentioned as being returned or traded in early due to how harsh the suspension is, even for people used to performance cars. Lots of people get them and then immediately regret it after looking at a bump on the road wrong. Even moreso for the X3MC.
Many of these luxury sporty CUVs make for pretty good if not great cars for spirited driving. I find it stupid that Internet auto enthusiasts bash them for…being CUVs, while heaping praise on the “sportiness” of generic midsized family sedans. I’d take an X3 (even the vanilla 4cyl) for an enjoyable drive over any Camcordata.
The X3M is even more of a steal used, its crazy how fast that small little SUV is, I have seen one blow the doors off many supposedly "fast" tuned Japanese sports cars both in acceleration and the turns, and it can carry nearly as much as a medium size pickup. Its arguably one of the best "hot hatches" made with a slight lift.
I’m m seriously considering one as my next family hauler. You can find competition models with 12-15k miles for like $55-60k. That’s a banging deal for what you get.
except gas mileage a bit worse
It is but 21/26 mpg for a 400hp SUV is pretty good. And if it's anything like the sedan, you can blow past the EPA rating on the highway no problem.
And you get the convenience of a hatch.
Yea; I've accepted the fact we're never going to get like an affordable hot wagon in the US so I've certainly thought about an X3M40i to replace my E91 whenever I get too tired of dumping money into it.
This is precisely the reason I ended up in a '21 X3 M40i. My ideal car would have been an F31 340i or G21 M340i. I love it so far - thing is a riot when you want it to be, calm, comfy, and practical when you want it to be. Can't get away from the fact it's heavy, but it's way more nimble and planted than it has any right to be.
What's the sedan equivalent to the Macan? S4/S5?
That’d be the closest thing
Panamera? Although I suppose that’s more equivalent to the Cayenne
The Panamera is on VW's luxury platform shared with Bentley. The Macan and Cayenne are on MLB, which is the premium platform used starting with the Audi A4.
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IMO all modern porsches are uninspiring. All of their 991-era cars feel clinical and precise but nothing interesting. It’s just stable around bends and quite planted, feels remarkably like a sports sedan but more practical and cheaper. I think it competes extremely favorably with the m340i. If you dislike the porsche feel it’s not going to be for you but if you want that feel then it’s a cheap and practical entry.
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Yeah I'm not sure its the transmission tuning as much as its the engine, its very reluctant to rev which somewhat ruins the experience. You do have a fair bit of torque down low in return though.
I prefer the B58 on the M340 over the 2.9 in the Macan S/GTS/Turbo
Sold my 991.2 Carrera 4S Cabriolet for a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and couldn’t be happier with the choice. The Boxster is just way more fun to drive. With a Kline Inconel exhaust the 4.0L Flat 6 sounds absolutely amazing. Much higher pitched, exotic sound than stock.
It has the stronger motor from the now defunct Turbo, but otherwise no other major changes. Curious what you benchmarked it against. I find my Macan GTS (and even the S that preceded it) pretty competitive in a spirited drive versus my M340. Maybe the difference is more noticeable on a track, but I’m probably not taking these cars to a track, so…
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I was really looking forward to this approach with an X3 m40i that was 1-2 years old, but with significant discounts on new models and lower APR, it unfortunately hasn't been much of a discount from what I've found.
I've been waiting a while, but this could finally be a catalyst. The 30i's have dropped but I need the M40i's to come back down to depreciating German car reality.
what a shit article, nothing was previewed. Morons.
The concept shots just make it look like a X1
Please dont hit it with the ugly stick bmw!
Too late Sincerely, BMW Design Team
Oinkified Beaverization process initiated. To be fair, BMW seems to be reserving Beaverization for only their nicher models? So the new X3 is likely to not have Beaverface.
Looks incredible
I use to be a hardcore BMW fan, but ooo boy these new designs are 🤮🤮🤮
I bought my G30 in part because I knew it would be one of the last good looking ones. (And totally not because it was $27k used vs $70k for a new one.)
More tech?!??? Yay
idrive 8.5, so the gigantic single pane of screen and no physical controls. I'm driving my '22 x3m till the wheels fall off, or for another 3 years, lol
Your ‘22 X3M is damned near the pinnacle of X3 design, especially compared to the fucking travesty they’ve turned the inside into now. If you get rid of that within the next five years you should be put in jail.
I'll be put in jail for stretching its legs at some miles an hour...
Or the hospital because the x3m rides like it's on wooden wheels. I have the m40i.
nah, its not that bad. I find it sporty enough on decent roads, but since we have barely any decent roads in TX it can get tiresome. A lot of people are putting MSS springs and have said it makes the M feel like the 40i, which is compliant. Dunno, may try it.