How terrible of an idea is it to switch to an X3 M?

[tomlong]

I live in Chicago and daily drive my F80 everyday snow or sunshine. Even drove it to Texas and back visiting my parents for the holidays and tried to roll race anything I can find on Texas Streets (Mexico).

I actually feel spoiled to own and drive an F80 in Chicago b/c it's turbo weather 9-months out of the year. And arguably the only good reason to like the weather up here in the Midwest.

My old car (700 awhp 24v VR6 turbo Audi B5 S4) typically "heatsoaks" because it never gets cold enough down in Texas. Funny how perspectives change depending on where you come from.

As a transplant to Chicago, I am baffled at how many Midwestern BMW owners "put away" their cars for the winter because they're afraid of the "salt" on the road. Or it's too slippery to drive. It's a BMW, not a Bugatti. The guys in the Porsche's are still out there plowing snow, I guess they're not afraid of salt

[tomlong]

I currently run KW V3s dialed in by local shop Performance Eurowerks for "Chicago Potholes" ... rides better than oem suspension. Basically it's not set to "race stiff" and softer on rebound and dampening ... I also inflate my tires to 34/37 psi front/back and ride around town at minimum drop height w/2 more inches to go on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ (all seasons, not winter or summer compounds) ... see Savage geese on youtube if you don't understand.

2 weeks ago a silver X3/X5 M did try run me in a random encounter... we were both neck and neck approaching 120+ mph but the SUV had to slow down because the road started curving ... I still did the curve in triple digit. A fine example of how useful the 500+ hp is really is, let me tell you. lmao

The f80 is the best 4 door sedan/grocery getter I've ever own. There, I have said my piece.

[chriszach1]

Originally Posted by tomlong

I currently run KW V3s dialed in by local shop Performance Eurowerks for "Chicago Potholes" ... rides better than oem suspension. Basically it's not set to "race stiff" and softer on rebound and dampening ... I also inflate my tires to 34/37 psi front/back and ride around town at minimum drop height w/2 more inches to go on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ (all seasons, not winter or summer compounds) ... see Savage geese on youtube if you don't understand.

2 weeks ago a silver X3/X5 M did try run me in a random encounter... we were both neck and neck approaching 120+ mph but the SUV had to slow down because the road started curving ... I still did the curve in triple digit. A fine example of how useful the 500+ hp is really is, let me tell you. lmao

The f80 is the best 4 door sedan/grocery getter I've ever own. There, I have said my piece.

Looking to get some V3's for my F80...after I rode in my buddies F80 with them I was sold! It completely changes that car and how it rides!

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by tomlong

I live in Chicago and daily drive my F80 everyday snow or sunshine. Even drove it to Texas and back visiting my parents for the holidays and tried to roll race anything I can find on Texas Streets (Mexico).

I actually feel spoiled to own and drive an F80 in Chicago b/c it's turbo weather 9-months out of the year. And arguably the only good reason to like the weather up here in the Midwest.

My old car (700 awhp 24v VR6 turbo Audi B5 S4) typically "heatsoaks" because it never gets cold enough down in Texas. Funny how perspectives change depending on where you come from.

As a transplant to Chicago, I am baffled at how many Midwestern BMW owners "put away" their cars for the winter because they're afraid of the "salt" on the road. Or it's too slippery to drive. It's a BMW, not a Bugatti. The guys in the Porsche's are still out there plowing snow, I guess they're not afraid of salt

i drive my f80 year round.. it's not a function of weather, it's the realization that most of my driving is within the city itself, and now I have a 3 month old. the m3 does awesome, but an suv would be more convenient, and just as fun in a straight line.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by paliknight

What did OP end up doing?

still in the f80. i'm a year in to the lease, and too far upside down right now for too little incremental value to deal with it. i probably *will* go with an suv + a fun weekend car when the lease is up.

also - fun fact that an x5 m50i costs the same and is the same (official) 0-60 as the x3mc.

[sna66]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

the cars are so different there really isn't a comparison.

I never figured out why people get fast SUVs though. maybe just get a base X5 rather than an expensive X3 ?

Exactly, what's the point of a souped up suv?? I don't understand this. Why does Lamborghini make an suv, why does Porsche make an suv? Dumbest concept ever, what are they planning on taking the family to the track, or down a 1/4 mile? Why do people buy them? What is this world coming to?

I completely understand lifting a Jeep and putting on mud tires and suspension for off road, I can see suvs going that route, but not the sports car route.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by sna66

Exactly, what's the point of a souped up suv?? I don't understand this. Why does Lamborghini make an suv, why does Porsche make an suv? Dumbest concept ever, what are they planning on taking the family to the track, or down a 1/4 mile? Why do people buy them? What is this world coming to?

I completely understand lifting a Jeep and putting on mud tires and suspension for off road, I can see suvs going that route, but not the sports car route.

What’s the point of a $$ watch or a huge house? Or an 500hp sedan?

It’s fun and people can afford them so why not

[Humdizzle]

I agree. people are free to spend money where they want. who are we to judge.

some people want a 500hp SUV with carbon ceramic brakes and some people want to slam their VW, camber out the wheels, scrape everywhere, because thats whats fun to them. Neither make any sense to me though.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by sna66

Exactly, what's the point of a souped up suv?? I don't understand this. Why does Lamborghini make an suv, why does Porsche make an suv? Dumbest concept ever, what are they planning on taking the family to the track, or down a 1/4 mile? Why do people buy them? What is this world coming to?

I completely understand lifting a Jeep and putting on mud tires and suspension for off road, I can see suvs going that route, but not the sports car route.

because when you floor it on the highway, you don't *really* care about your ground clearance, or whether you're going to late apex that off ramp. you just care that it went vrrrroooom and pushed you into the seat.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by kolosy

also - fun fact that an x5 m50i costs the same and is the same (official) 0-60 as the x3mc.

Close in price (5k more base vs base) but is probably a tad slower with +20hp but 700 lbs more weight. Depends on whether you prefer bigger powerful luxury or something a bit smaller and sportier.

[six-n-twins53]

I was just cruising the lot and saw 3 x3m comps. I watched a few review videos and started to think about one. For me one of the issues is the lack of visual appeal. It doesnt look wide, mean or fast imo. It looks like an x3 with nicer wheels. That pretty much finished that for me. Plus, I really enjoy my m3