Change To X3M?

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by jstein55

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

It's a 2013 Tiguan

[Reddevils7]

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!

keep the m3 and get a nice set of winter tires. if you see a lot of snow I recommend blizzaks lm-32. otherwise, if it's mostly cold and dry get michelin alpine. I daily my m4 in northwest Ohio. have blizzaks on oem 513s and mpss on 19s vmr v710ff

[Jason60051]

I'm in the northwest Chicagoland area and I would recommend a second vehicle. When it's nice out and I don't have to drive somewhere with pothole ridden roads I take the m3. Otherwise I have an Acura MDX for the daily grind that is life.

[White340]

How does the ride compare between an M3 comp with 20" 666m wheels and an X3 M comp with the bigger wheels both in comfort mode?

I keep hearing the x3 m comp is super stiff so curious how they compare.

[Keca10]

I really love the current X3 M and M40i.

It’s not as exciting or raw as the F80. But it’s such a great and fun daily driver. Interior is a significant step above the F-generation.

Since neither X3M not M40i are as raw as an M3, I decided to keep the F80 and get the M40i for winter and utility (where M performance isn’t usable anyway). I live in Minnesota.

I know it’s not an option for everyone but I like having two more focused tools for different things. I learned early on with my E70 X5M and E60 M5 that one car can’t do all. Eventually I would love to upgrade the F80 M3 to something like a GT3 or 650s.

If I had to pick one car to live with, I would choose X3 M40i, but fully optioned with a rear diff and M active suspension. It’s the right balance for me and easier to drive fast (than a manual M3). Easier also means little bit less fun.


2018 M3 ZCP and 2020 X3 M40i
The M3 has winter wheels and tires in the pic, installed before the decision to get the X3.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Keca10

I know it's not an option for everyone but I like having two more focused tools for different things. I learned early on with my E70 X5M and E60 M5 that one car can't do all.

Agree, having one car to satisfy their individual purposes is the best mix, rather than trying to compromise one car to do both and not really do one or the other as well. Wife thought about trading her M2 for an X3M but in the end just didn't like the car, she went with a low-milage CPO GLC as a daily driver and dog hauler and kept (now totaled) M2 as the weekend car.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Keca10

....
If I had to pick one car to live with, I would choose X3 M40i, but fully optioned with a rear diff and M active suspension. It’s the right balance for me and easier to drive fast (than a manual M3). Easier also means little bit less fun.

My good friend works at a BMW dealer and he echos your statement - the X3 M40i is the perfect DD. He couldn't keep those in stock while the X3M sat there for months until someone who was desperate for a X3 came in and just took it.

[Keca10]

Originally Posted by doug_999

My good friend works at a BMW dealer and he echos your statement - the X3 M40i is the perfect DD. He couldn't keep those in stock while the X3M sat there for months until someone who was desperate for a X3 came in and just took it.

It’s so much fun. The ones before 2020 also did a lot of burbles and pops, if that’s what you are into. It has that spirit of older BMWs when non-M cars were engaging and fun to drive too. I drove the X3M Comp and it just wasn’t more exciting enough to justify the price (to me). M40i is just so good as-is is the problem.

The main complaint is bumpy ride but that seems to be solved with M active suspension.