[saltyamigo]

Really tempted to look into this, seems a great deal and although I've never been that keen on SUV's a X3 does look the sweet spot for a family motor. Just keep reminding myself I couldn't live with the teen mpg and the apparently rock hard ride day in day out. My dad has the M40d, it's very nice and the engine suits the car well, is plenty quick enough and the ride quality and noise levels are good. For all the time I would ever actually benefit from the M power I know the 40d is far more suited to my needs, but when you think you can get a proper M version for similar money it's difficult to ignore.

[JD6]

I just spent a very interesting day with the X3M Competition. In many ways, it's an excellent car, but unfortunately the suspension does let the car down.

The interior is great. The seats are very comfortable, adjustable and supportive, and combined with the Merino leather they are pretty much perfect. My loan car had the panoramic roof which is a decent size, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Apart from that it was probably stock. Weirdly it didn't have a reversing camera, despite that appearing to be standard equipment in the spec I have seen.

The engine is an absolute masterpiece, and that's not just for someone stepping out of a 35d. I have driven the F80 and F82, the engine in those is a bit of a letdown for me. This is in a different league entirely. It is super responsive once the gearbox has woken up and makes a beautiful sound all the way to the red line. I have yet to work out how to overtake cyclists safely without scaring the sh1t out of them! Oh well, a small price to pay... Carwow timed it as 3.8 to 60, which is pretty mad for an SUV.

I watched the Joe Achilles review and think his criticism of the lack of torque is a bit silly. Just don't lock it in a high gear at low speed, and it is fabulous.

Where I think Joe got it right is with the suspension. The car is absolutely fine on good surfaces, but unfortunately in the UK, that's a pretty small proportion of our roads. As soon as the surface becomes less than perfect, that gets transmitted into the cabin, and the great interior begins to creak and rattle. I am very fussy about rattles, so this would bother me. It also starts to lose some traction over fairly minor imperfections, and bigger potholes are not good at all. There is more road noise than my F30, which is a pretty low benchmark.

I agonised over this, as I really wanted to love this car, as the deal is an absolute bargain, but after about 80 miles we reached the conclusion that the suspension spoiled the car for us. If I'm going to drive a car that returns 17mpg and costs a lot to service, I expect more. Oddly, my insurer (Aviva) kept my premium unchanged at just over £300 if I switch.

[cc3]

They will be even cheaper once Corbyn /SNP get in which looks much more likely I wouldn't be making any big new commitments yet no matter how good it might be

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

***facepalm***

Originally Posted by JustChris

Pete is on here too you no now.

Yep, that's verysideways!

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by JD6

I just spent a very interesting day with the X3M Competition. In many ways, it's an excellent car, but unfortunately the suspension does let the car down.

The interior is great. The seats are very comfortable, adjustable and supportive, and combined with the Merino leather they are pretty much perfect. My loan car had the panoramic roof which is a decent size, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Apart from that it was probably stock. Weirdly it didn't have a reversing camera, despite that appearing to be standard equipment in the spec I have seen.

The engine is an absolute masterpiece, and that's not just for someone stepping out of a 35d. I have driven the F80 and F82, the engine in those is a bit of a letdown for me. This is in a different league entirely. It is super responsive once the gearbox has woken up and makes a beautiful sound all the way to the red line. I have yet to work out how to overtake cyclists safely without scaring the sh1t out of them! Oh well, a small price to pay... Carwow timed it as 3.8 to 60, which is pretty mad for an SUV.

I watched the Joe Achilles review and think his criticism of the lack of torque is a bit silly. Just don't lock it in a high gear at low speed, and it is fabulous.

Where I think Joe got it right is with the suspension. The car is absolutely fine on good surfaces, but unfortunately in the UK, that's a pretty small proportion of our roads. As soon as the surface becomes less than perfect, that gets transmitted into the cabin, and the great interior begins to creak and rattle. I am very fussy about rattles, so this would bother me. It also starts to lose some traction over fairly minor imperfections, and bigger potholes are not good at all. There is more road noise than my F30, which is a pretty low benchmark.

I agonised over this, as I really wanted to love this car, as the deal is an absolute bargain, but after about 80 miles we reached the conclusion that the suspension spoiled the car for us. If I'm going to drive a car that returns 17mpg and costs a lot to service, I expect more. Oddly, my insurer (Aviva) kept my premium unchanged at just over £300 if I switch.

Well you don't know unless you try!

Although SUV's aren't really my cup of tea the deals on offer are very good and prompted me to have a look at several reviews; however, the lousy ride on anything other than a smooth road seemed to be a recurring theme and that would be a no-no for me in an everyday car. I reckon if you want an X3 the 40d still makes the most sense....

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JD6

I just spent a very interesting day with the X3M Competition. In many ways, it's an excellent car, but unfortunately the suspension does let the car down.

The interior is great. The seats are very comfortable, adjustable and supportive, and combined with the Merino leather they are pretty much perfect. My loan car had the panoramic roof which is a decent size, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Apart from that it was probably stock. Weirdly it didn't have a reversing camera, despite that appearing to be standard equipment in the spec I have seen.

The engine is an absolute masterpiece, and that's not just for someone stepping out of a 35d. I have driven the F80 and F82, the engine in those is a bit of a letdown for me. This is in a different league entirely. It is super responsive once the gearbox has woken up and makes a beautiful sound all the way to the red line. I have yet to work out how to overtake cyclists safely without scaring the sh1t out of them! Oh well, a small price to pay... Carwow timed it as 3.8 to 60, which is pretty mad for an SUV.

I watched the Joe Achilles review and think his criticism of the lack of torque is a bit silly. Just don't lock it in a high gear at low speed, and it is fabulous.

Where I think Joe got it right is with the suspension. The car is absolutely fine on good surfaces, but unfortunately in the UK, that's a pretty small proportion of our roads. As soon as the surface becomes less than perfect, that gets transmitted into the cabin, and the great interior begins to creak and rattle. I am very fussy about rattles, so this would bother me. It also starts to lose some traction over fairly minor imperfections, and bigger potholes are not good at all. There is more road noise than my F30, which is a pretty low benchmark.

I agonised over this, as I really wanted to love this car, as the deal is an absolute bargain, but after about 80 miles we reached the conclusion that the suspension spoiled the car for us. If I'm going to drive a car that returns 17mpg and costs a lot to service, I expect more. Oddly, my insurer (Aviva) kept my premium unchanged at just over £300 if I switch.

What tyres did it have?

[JD6]

Originally Posted by teaston

What tyres did it have?

It had Continental SportContact 6 tyres, rather than the MPS4S unfortunately.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JD6

It had Continental SportContact 6 tyres, rather than the MPS4S unfortunately.

Run flat or non?

[JD6]

Originally Posted by teaston

Run flat or non?

Non run flat.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JD6

Non run flat.

Ok, really no easy way to improve the ride. Shame they decided not to offer the standard X3M here!

Mind you, the M40i is probably all the car you need if you want petrol power.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by teaston

Ok, really no easy way to improve the ride. Shame they decided not to offer the standard X3M here!

Mind you, the M40i is probably all the car you need if you want petrol power.

If you are talking need a 2.0i is probably all you need. Anything more is want...

But there is nothing wrong with wanting!!

Shame about suspension, you need to try an M5...

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

If you are talking need a 2.0i is probably all you need. Anything more is want...

But there is nothing wrong with wanting!!

Shame about suspension, you need to try an M5...

Not until they're on offer at £549 down, £549 a month.....

[teaston]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

If you are talking need a 2.0i is probably all you need. Anything more is want...

But there is nothing wrong with wanting!!

Shame about suspension, you need to try an M5...

Well, I meant a car that also gives enjoyment.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

Not until they're on offer at £549 down, £549 a month.....

If they did, I don't know if I could resist!

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Anyone know if you can spec Adaptive on the M40i without having to take the full MSport Plus package at £2.7K? Configurator won't let me, and you end up with the black M seats and 21" wheels, neither of which I want tbh.

Joe Achilles' wee dumpy pal Pete had pretty much the spec I want in his head to head with the X3M comp and I've seen lots of other examples where Adaptive is a non-pack addition.

Think adaptive is now only available as a pack.

When I got mine (Feb 18), it was a separate option. They seem to have changed how the options list is structured and removed the space saver option I got to let me ditch the RFTs.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Think adaptive is now only available as a pack.

When I got mine (Feb 18), it was a separate option. They seem to have changed how the options list is structured and removed the space saver option I got to let me ditch the RFTs.

Making desirable options that don’t cost much on their own seems to be how they want to play it these days. I don’t want 21” wheels or M seats (as you can’t get the Oyster, only black) - but I do want the adaptive & SPG parts of the pack.

I’d still go non-RFT and carry gloop/pump

It’s like buying Sky tv packages....

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Making desirable options that don't cost much on their own seems to be how they want to play it these days. I don't want 21" wheels or M seats (as you can't get the Oyster, only black) - but I do want the adaptive & SPG parts of the pack.

I'd still go non-RFT and carry gloop/pump

It's like buying Sky tv packages....

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm south side of Glasgow. I parked at Shields Road today. Two other X3s parked. Becoming common.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

Not until they're on offer at £549 down, £549 a month.....

You can probably do that now. Might not be new though...

[335d Touring Xdrive]

teaston
What are the real world mpg figures for the 40d?
It does seem the best combo the 40d engine in the X3 if you aren't a mad petrol head.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by 335d Touring Xdrive

teaston
What are the real world mpg figures for the 40d?
It does seem the best combo the 40d engine in the X3 if you aren't a mad petrol head.

I'm averaging 38 mpg over the first 1400 miles, mixture of countryside, town and a fair bit of motorway. My 440i lifetime average was 33 for the same profile.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

I'm averaging 38 mpg over the first 1400 miles, mixture of countryside, town and a fair bit of motorway. My 440i lifetime average was 33 for the same profile.

Cheers, that isn't too bad for a big powerful bus.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by 335d Touring Xdrive

teaston
What are the real world mpg figures for the 40d?
It does seem the best combo the 40d engine in the X3 if you aren't a mad petrol head.

41.3 after 13,200 miles

Might not be representative though. Assume 38-40 which is still impressive.

X3M is rated 22! So real world a genuine sub 20 and maybe little over 300mole range. Ouch.