BMW X3 M and X4 M

DRIVEN: BMW X3 M Competition M xDrive M Steptronic

The ribbon of tarmac ahead snakes left, then right before upstate New York’s lush greenery engulfs it in the far distance. We might have found the US’ bendiest road … and the speed limit is a miserable 45 mph.

That crawl speed is made more frustrating when the engine ahead pumps out 375 kW and we know it’ll power the next-generation M3. I’m at the helm of the X3 M Competition and am sticking to the 70-odd km/h speed limit, the warning from new M GmbH boss, Markus Flasch, of state troopers at every turn front of mind.

Soon enough, the road straightens and clear visibility to the verges where Ray-Ban-donning cops might hide (we actually met one wearing aviator-inspired eyewear, his accent and easy-but-alert demeanour reinforcing any stereotypes I might have had) means I can risk dumping the throttle. The response from the new S58 twin-turbo engine is fantastic, the sound building from the quad pipes equally impressive although still socially acceptable, and the ZF-sourced torque-converter transmission firing through its eight ratios with alacrity.

This instant then relentless stream of acceleration, coupled with promising balance in tighter turns on that restricted road, bodes well for our stint later on the spectacular private Monticello Motor Club’s 21-turn track at full blast in the mechanically related X4 M Competition.

When it does, the BMW will join an established segment in which it’ll have to nudge aside rivals with more attention-grabbing qualities (the AMG and Jaguar’s V8 engines; the Alfa’s more gently balanced chassis; the Velar’s looks and, well, its supercharged V8) than its decidedly subtler approach. But that’s perfectly fine … M GmbH’s vehicles have always favoured a stealthier approach and the X3 M is no different. I suppose that makes it a proper M car, then?

FAST FACTS

Model: BMW X3 M Competition M xDrive M Steptronic
Price: TBC
Engine: 3,0-litre, 6-cyl, twinturbo-petrol
Power: 375 kW @ 6 250 r/min
Torque: 600 N.m @ 2 600-5 950 r/min
0-100 km/h: 4,1 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Fuel Consumption: 10,5 L/100 km
CO2: 239 g/km
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Maintenance Plan: 5 years/100 000 km

https://www.carmag.co.za/car-review...n-bmw-x3-m-competition-m-xdrive-m-steptronic/
 
BMW expects new X3 M to become M division’s biggest seller

The head of BMW M says he expects the new X3 M to quickly become the best-selling full-fat model in the Munich-based firm’s high-performance division.

Markus Flasch made the comments during a chat with motoring.com.au.

“The X3 M will be, within the high-performance segment, probably the highest selling,” Flasch said.

As the Australian publication points out, the M2 Competition currently plays that role for the brand.

As a reminder, the new X3 M (alongside its X4 M sibling) is powered by a twin-turbo 3,0-litre straight-six offering 353 kW and 600 N.m in “standard” guise. The flagship Competition version, meanwhile, boasts 375 kW (with peak torque unchanged).

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/rumours/bmw-expects-new-x3-m-to-become-m-divisions-biggest-seller/
 
BMW X3 M/X4 M (2019) International Launch Review

Summary


I'm not too sure how I feel about these cars, or performance SUVs in general, for that matter. I get that the world has gone SUV-mad and I appreciate that South African motorists are particularly keen on the idea of owning a powerful (and rapid) SUV. And perhaps if you fancy a proper performance car, but need to tackle gravel roads every now and then, then a conventional performance sedan (or coupe) would just not be suitable.

The thing is: the sheer and simple physics at play here mean that the X3 M and X4 M will never be as good to drive, or offer as pure a sportscar experience as an equivalent-powered sedan or coupe, even with the same chassis, engine and transmission. They’re just too tall and heavy.

It is remarkable that BMW has extracted such satisfying driving experiences out of these cars. But, I did come away wishing they were a bit more hardcore. They left me thinking that there was space in the BMW stable for even more focused, less compromised X3 M and X4 M models

The reality is that X3 M and X4 M owners are likely to spend 0% of their lives on racetracks in their cars. This car needs to work in the real world; it needs to be an excellent daily driver. And in that respect, I think BMW has got the compromise just right. I’ll take an X3 M in silver thanks, with the bespoke 2-tone interior...

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/bmw-x3-mx4-m-2019-international-launch-review/46939/
 
New BMW X3 M Competition, X4 M Competition: SA pricing released

BMW Group South Africa has released pricing for its new X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition ahead of the local launch of the pair of performance SUVs.

Interestingly, only the full-fat Competition models will be offered locally at this point (although BMW SA earlier said the base X3 M and X4 M would become available “at a later stage”).

So, how much are we looking at here? Well, the X3 M Competition will start at R1 510 686, while the X4 M Competition will kick off at R1 605 686 (that’s some R95 000 more, for the maths addicts).

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/new-m...etition-x4-m-competition-sa-pricing-released/
 
BMW X3 M And X4 M Competition Pricing For South Africa

The new BMW X3 M Competition is expected to become the best-selling model in the M lineup but how much will it cost when they arrive in South Africa in the very near future?

Both the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition will be offered from launch with the lesser non-Competition offerings joining the lineup at a later stage (if at all).

The X3 M Competition will start at R1,510,686, while the X4 M Competition will kick off at R1,605,686 making it almost R100k more expensive.

https://www.zero2turbo.com/2019/07/bmw-x3-m-and-x4-m-competition-pricing-for-south-africa.html
 
BMW X3 M/X4 M Competition (2019) Price in SA

Now, however, BMW has released local pricing for both the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition which are due to arrive in October. Note that the South African market will not receive the standard X3 M and X4 M.

Power comes courtesy of an all-new 3.0-litre, straight-6 twin-turbocharged engine developing 375 kW and 600 Nm. Power is directed to all four corners via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration from zero to 100 kph is claimed at 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 280 kph when you opt for the optional Drivers Package.

Take a look at what you can expect to pay for the BMW X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition below.

BMW X3 M / X4 M Competition - Price in South Africa

*Price includes CO2 Tax

BMW X3 M Competition - R1 510 686

BMW X4 M Competition - R1 605 686

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/bmw-x3-mx4-m-competition-2019-price-in-sa/47090/
 
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