Jefferson D'Arcy
Expert Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2018
- Messages
- 2,107
- Reaction score
- 2,644
Citation needed. My 40i was rock hard on the 21s. Unless they're adding Adaptive as standard, this won't be any different.
-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: How impressed have you been with the 2026 Amazon Prime Day deals?
The BMW X3 Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
Citation needed. My 40i was rock hard on the 21s. Unless they're adding Adaptive as standard, this won't be any different.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Raiti's Rides review of the 2022 X3
Galactica
Expert Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2006
- Messages
- 3,325
- Reaction score
- 1,454
Yeah I heard 21" is very hard, 20" is better. On tyres a review recommended Michelin Pilot Sport 4s for a better ride.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
DRIVEN: BMW X3 M40i and xDrive20d Steptronic
Its positioning as a mid-size, upmarket, family SUV makes the X3 a particularly important vehicle in BMW’s current line-up, more so for BMW SA where local production has exceeded 200 000 units since its introduction in 2018. As segment volume leader, it is clearly well accepted by local buyers and the changes should ensure that it stays that way. Potential buyers need not be deterred by those apparently steep price increases; they represent a new pricing philosophy and it’s quite probable that unlike before, you won’t be specifying any costly options to add to that list price.
www.carmag.co.za
Its positioning as a mid-size, upmarket, family SUV makes the X3 a particularly important vehicle in BMW’s current line-up, more so for BMW SA where local production has exceeded 200 000 units since its introduction in 2018. As segment volume leader, it is clearly well accepted by local buyers and the changes should ensure that it stays that way. Potential buyers need not be deterred by those apparently steep price increases; they represent a new pricing philosophy and it’s quite probable that unlike before, you won’t be specifying any costly options to add to that list price.
DRIVEN: BMW X3 M40i and xDrive20d Steptronic - CAR Magazine
It’s one of those nicer problems to have – the stylists, engineers and product planners all got it right the first time and now that it’s time for that Life Cycle Impulse (LCI), there is precious little to fettle or refine when it comes to the BMW X3.
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
CarGurus UK review of the 2021 iX3
FiestaST
Honorary Master
AutoTrader review of the 2021 iX3
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alex on Autos first drive of the 2022 X3
FiestaST
Honorary Master
TheStraightPipes review of the 2022 X4 M40i
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Motormouth review of the 2022 X3 M40i
FiestaST
Honorary Master
OPINION | The BMW X3 M40i might be the best SUV for executives looking to downsize
- 285kW and 500Nm 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine is one of the best you can buy right now.
- Surprisingly light on fuel and comes with several driving modes to help you get the best out of it.
- Luxurious levels of standard equipment in M40i trim, but you can make it bespoke with several options.
Overall summary
We mentioned that the X3 M40i might be an ideal replacement for X5 drivers, and similar, to consider as a cost-effective solution. You can still enjoy the thundering performance you're used to in this car without having to fork out lots of money. For instance, an X5 M50i with a V8 engine will set you back around R1,8 million, and while it's 'only' R400 000 more than the X3 M40i, the V8 will use much more fuel and minimal performance benefit. Sure, you'll get slightly more space in an X5, but the X3 is also quite generous in terms of area.
We enjoyed the wide-opening doors that made it easy to get the kids in and out, and it was elementary to move child seats in and out of the car and just live with it as a daily driver. When BMW's fleet guys came to fetch the vehicle from the Wheels24 test car garage, I noticed we'd been averaging 10 litres per 100 kilometres, which was fantastic considering we used its performance when it was safe to do so. BMW says it will sip as little as 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and we don't doubt that. Seriously, if you're looking for a premium car that will suit your executive lifestyle, there's no need to stretch to an X5 anymore because the X3 has everything you will need, particularly in the M40i guise.
All BMW X3 models come with a five-year or 100 000km BMW Motorplan. The X3 M40i currently sells for R1 415 042.
www.news24.com
- 285kW and 500Nm 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine is one of the best you can buy right now.
- Surprisingly light on fuel and comes with several driving modes to help you get the best out of it.
- Luxurious levels of standard equipment in M40i trim, but you can make it bespoke with several options.
Overall summary
We mentioned that the X3 M40i might be an ideal replacement for X5 drivers, and similar, to consider as a cost-effective solution. You can still enjoy the thundering performance you're used to in this car without having to fork out lots of money. For instance, an X5 M50i with a V8 engine will set you back around R1,8 million, and while it's 'only' R400 000 more than the X3 M40i, the V8 will use much more fuel and minimal performance benefit. Sure, you'll get slightly more space in an X5, but the X3 is also quite generous in terms of area.
We enjoyed the wide-opening doors that made it easy to get the kids in and out, and it was elementary to move child seats in and out of the car and just live with it as a daily driver. When BMW's fleet guys came to fetch the vehicle from the Wheels24 test car garage, I noticed we'd been averaging 10 litres per 100 kilometres, which was fantastic considering we used its performance when it was safe to do so. BMW says it will sip as little as 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and we don't doubt that. Seriously, if you're looking for a premium car that will suit your executive lifestyle, there's no need to stretch to an X5 anymore because the X3 has everything you will need, particularly in the M40i guise.
All BMW X3 models come with a five-year or 100 000km BMW Motorplan. The X3 M40i currently sells for R1 415 042.
OPINION | The BMW X3 M40i might be the best SUV for executives looking to downsize | Life
The new BMW X3 M40i is so good that it makes us question the need for an X5 in the driveway.
www.news24.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BMW X3 M40i: A Real-World Review
Buying Advice
The great thing about the recently revised BMW X3 range is that there’s a powertrain to suit virtually every need. If you’re after the most extreme performance, BMW offers the X3 M Competition, which delivers sportscars-rivalling pace. If frugality and long-haul comfort are what you’re after, one of the turbodiesel derivatives should fit the bill nicely. Plus, if all-wheel-drive capability is not a must-have, the sDrive18d with its 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor (and a claimed optimal range of 1 308 km from a full tank) is a tempting proposition indeed; you could get one, with a few options added, for under R1 million.
www.cars.co.za
Buying Advice
The great thing about the recently revised BMW X3 range is that there’s a powertrain to suit virtually every need. If you’re after the most extreme performance, BMW offers the X3 M Competition, which delivers sportscars-rivalling pace. If frugality and long-haul comfort are what you’re after, one of the turbodiesel derivatives should fit the bill nicely. Plus, if all-wheel-drive capability is not a must-have, the sDrive18d with its 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor (and a claimed optimal range of 1 308 km from a full tank) is a tempting proposition indeed; you could get one, with a few options added, for under R1 million.
BMW X3 M40i: A Real-World Review
David Taylor spent a few weeks with BMW's second-from-the-top executive SUV –the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6-engined M40i.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Chasing Cars review of the 2022 iX3
FiestaST
Honorary Master
REVIEW | BMW's new X3 xDrive20d is impressive, but it's getting on the X-pensive side
Absolutely. The 2022 BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport is a fantastic car that drives like it's from a bigger class of vehicle segment thanks to sharpened dynamics and premium luxury and safety features. We loved the confidence it inspired behind the steering, thanks to that sure-footedness of the xDrive system in wet conditions. The engine's quiet, there's little road noise (considering ours rode on 20-inches) and minimal wind noise, and thanks to class-leading connectivity features and multimedia systems, it ticks all the right boxes as a premium family vehicle.
My only reservation about the latest BMW X3 is the rising cost of the model. As mentioned, this test vehicle came in at nearly R1,2 million, and that's a heck of a lot of cash for a mid-ranger vehicle in the mid-size SUV segment. Sure, it's feature-rich, and it's built to last with premium materials, and it comes with a decent five-year Motorplan, but at this price, I'll consider an EV.
Already, you can buy an all-electric Volvo XC40 (around 400km range per charge) for about R1,2 million. Seriously, if your X3 will spend most of its life in the city as an A to B (albeit a fancy one) for work and to cart the kids around, maybe the time has come to consider an EV. Chances are this won't be the only car in your family garage, so while I can highly recommend this X3 xDrive20d M Sport, why not wait for an iX3 if you must have this shape in your life, or, better yet, why not consider saving up a bit more deposit and go for the iX xDrive40 that's listed for R1 650 000 instead.
www.news24.com
- Our press-test 2022 BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport had everything we'd want in a SUV.
- But, with an asking price of over R1.1 million, it's getting a bit pricey.
- It can be very economical if you plan to do long distances often.
Absolutely. The 2022 BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport is a fantastic car that drives like it's from a bigger class of vehicle segment thanks to sharpened dynamics and premium luxury and safety features. We loved the confidence it inspired behind the steering, thanks to that sure-footedness of the xDrive system in wet conditions. The engine's quiet, there's little road noise (considering ours rode on 20-inches) and minimal wind noise, and thanks to class-leading connectivity features and multimedia systems, it ticks all the right boxes as a premium family vehicle.
My only reservation about the latest BMW X3 is the rising cost of the model. As mentioned, this test vehicle came in at nearly R1,2 million, and that's a heck of a lot of cash for a mid-ranger vehicle in the mid-size SUV segment. Sure, it's feature-rich, and it's built to last with premium materials, and it comes with a decent five-year Motorplan, but at this price, I'll consider an EV.
Already, you can buy an all-electric Volvo XC40 (around 400km range per charge) for about R1,2 million. Seriously, if your X3 will spend most of its life in the city as an A to B (albeit a fancy one) for work and to cart the kids around, maybe the time has come to consider an EV. Chances are this won't be the only car in your family garage, so while I can highly recommend this X3 xDrive20d M Sport, why not wait for an iX3 if you must have this shape in your life, or, better yet, why not consider saving up a bit more deposit and go for the iX xDrive40 that's listed for R1 650 000 instead.
REVIEW | BMW's new X3 xDrive20d is impressive, but it's getting on the X-pensive side | Life
The BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport comes with plenty of standard features, but it's starting to get a bit expensive - especially if you throw options at it.
www.news24.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
AutoTrader SA review of the 2022 X3 XDrive 20d
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Juliet drives the X3 M40i
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alex on Autos review of the 2022 X3 M40i
FiestaST
Honorary Master
CarExpert review of the 2022 iX3
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Autogefühl review of the 2022 X3 M40i