[JD6]

I had an X3 2.0d M Sport for the day yesterday as a loan car while mine was in.

As has been said before the general level of build and refinement is a decent step up. Even with the small Diesel engine, it feels pretty quiet unless you floor it. The leather seems just as poor as Dakota to me though.

While I enjoyed the upsides of the SUV experience, the handling surprised me - I was expecting it to be more driver-focused, but it really didn’t seem comfortable being pushed around bends. It reminded me of my old E53 X5 in that respect. I thought they were a lot better these days. I ended up driving more sedately where it felt a really nice place to be. Not sure I could cope with handling like that for my main car though.

The 50cm wading depth would be useful 2 or 3 times a year now we no longer have an old 4x4.

Do the M40 d and i share the same suspension as the ordinary M Sport models?

[teaston]

I had a 30d M Sport for a day and it handled superbly, it did have adaptive suspension though.

Apparently M40i/d have the same M Sport suspension, but they do have the M diff which should make on the limit handling better.

[Rbrown]

I have M40i (with adaptive) and wife has previous generation F25 20d. They are 2 totally different cars. But the 20d is still a good car.

Yes, its a big lump of a car and will never be like a M3 to drive. But mine doesnt hang around. As mine is debadged, it has surprised a few people. The pace is relentless!

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by JD6

Do the M40 d and i share the same suspension as the ordinary M Sport models?

M40i/d have stiffer anti-roll bar.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

I had a 30d M Sport for a day and it handled superbly, it did have adaptive suspension though.

Apparently M40i/d have the same M Sport suspension, but they do have the M diff which should make on the limit handling better.

How many X3 drivers are going to drive on the limit?

The problem is that the handling on the way up to the limit is never going to be what you call good, or fun, in comparison to a decent car.

[JD6]

The once I tried felt like a really comfortable car for winter, but too soft with too much roll to corner properly. Reading the views above, I just wonder if it had M Sport suspension deleted. I wish dealers would provide a detailed spec in loan cars for those who are interested. I guess I should have taken the VIN number.

I will have to try another with a 3 litre engine at some point, and perhaps one of the M40 models to see if the anti-roll bar solves the problem.

Cheers

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JD6

I had an X3 2.0d M Sport for the day yesterday as a loan car while mine was in.

As has been said before the general level of build and refinement is a decent step up. Even with the small Diesel engine, it feels pretty quiet unless you floor it. The leather seems just as poor as Dakota to me though.

While I enjoyed the upsides of the SUV experience, the handling surprised me - I was expecting it to be more driver-focused, but it really didn’t seem comfortable being pushed around bends. It reminded me of my old E53 X5 in that respect. I thought they were a lot better these days. I ended up driving more sedately where it felt a really nice place to be. Not sure I could cope with handling like that for my main car though.

The 50cm wading depth would be useful 2 or 3 times a year now we no longer have an old 4x4.

Do the M40 d and i share the same suspension as the ordinary M Sport models?

Exactly my experience and thoughts on the X3, and the Macan. I'm impressed at the ability, as it actuall gets round the bend well enough, but that's not the same as enjoying the experience, or that it's in it's element.

[Wills2]

Can you get adaptive drive with the X3? I would imagine that would improve the situation, I've not driven a new X3 only the old model and the new X1 neither handled well but once you get to used to the lean you can press on in a fashion.

But they are practical family cars not road rockets I wouldn't expect any of variants to be sporty a part from the upcoming M version.

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Can you get adaptive drive with the X3? I would imagine that would improve the situation, I've not driven a new X3 only the old model and the new X1 neither handled well but once you get to used to the lean you can press on in a fashion.

But they are practical family cars not road rockets I wouldn't expect any of variants to be sporty a part from the upcoming M version.

Yes, you can get Adaptive and it's worth having, especially with 20" or 21" wheels.

I went for the X3 as it's a great all rounder. Physics dictates that it will never handle as well as a saloon car but I've been pleasantly surprised by the handling capabilities. However, being in an SUV does change your driving style. I don't often want to flirt with the limits anymore but it's nice to have the power (and sound) on tap.

Wouldn't have normally considered an SUV but new addition to the family meant we needed the space. Mrs didn't want a diesel due to envrionmental concerns so I put forward the M40i as the only viable (BMW) alternative and so here we are.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by strike4A

Yes, you can get Adaptive and it's worth having, especially with 20" or 21" wheels.

I went for the X3 as it's a great all rounder. Physics dictates that it will never handle as well as a saloon car but I've been pleasantly surprised by the handling capabilities. However, being in an SUV does change your driving style. I don't often want to flirt with the limits anymore but it's nice to have the power (and sound) on tap.

Wouldn't have normally considered an SUV but new addition to the family meant we needed the space. Mrs didn't want a diesel due to envrionmental concerns so I put forward the M40i as the only viable (BMW) alternative and so here we are.

I don't mean just the dampers I mean the adaptive drive that includes the active roll bars that stiffen up through the corners like you get on the 5 series, just checked it's not an option on the X3.

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I don't mean just the dampers I mean the adaptive drive that includes the active roll bars that stiffen up through the corners like you get on the 5 series, just checked it's not an option on the X3.

This is an option on the X3, I've got it. The "Adaptive" button is next to Sport/Comfort/Eco-Pro buttons. Reacts to your driving style and works with the navigation system, i.e. will tighten everything up in advance of a corner etc.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by strike4A

This is an option on the X3, I've got it. The "Adaptive" button is next to Sport/Comfort/Eco-Pro buttons. Reacts to your driving style and works with the navigation system, i.e. will tighten everything up in advance of a corner etc.

Sorry but I've confused you or rather BMW have with their over use of word "adaptive"

I'm talking about an option called "Adaptive drive" it is a combination of adaptive dampers and active roll bars it's a £2800 option on the larger BMWs 5/6/7 etc....and one that's never been offered on the smaller BMWs 2/3/4 and X1/2/3, hence I asked if it was now an option on the new X3.

having looked at the website, you have the adaptive button which engages the adaptive dampers (£500 option) but it's a different to the adaptive drive system I asked about.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Sorry but I've confused you or rather BMW have with their over use of word "adaptive"

I'm talking about an option called "Adaptive drive" it is a combination of adaptive dampers and active roll bars it's a £2800 option on the larger BMWs 5/6/7 etc....and one that's never been offered on the smaller BMWs 2/3/4 and X1/2/3, hence I asked if it was now an option on the new X3.

having looked at the website, you have the adaptive button which engages the adaptive dampers (£500 option) but it's a different to the adaptive drive system I asked about.

Yup, not on X3 as far as I'm aware, 5,X5,X7 type option I think?

Exhibit I think is what everyone is saying?

Adaptive dampers is another (admittedly) lessee option IMO.

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Sorry but I've confused you or rather BMW have with their over use of word "adaptive"

I'm talking about an option called "Adaptive drive" it is a combination of adaptive dampers and active roll bars it's a £2800 option on the larger BMWs 5/6/7 etc....and one that's never been offered on the smaller BMWs 2/3/4 and X1/2/3, hence I asked if it was now an option on the new X3.

having looked at the website, you have the adaptive button which engages the adaptive dampers (£500 option) but it's a different to the adaptive drive system I asked about.

So have they de-coupled the adaptive dampers from the sport-comfort-eco button now then? Does that mean with the adaptive button off the dampers work in a passive mode?

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

So have they de-coupled the adaptive dampers from the sport-comfort-eco button now then? Does that mean with the adaptive button off the dampers work in a passive mode?

Nope this is still the case. It's adaptive dampers only though, steering weight and throttle mapping linked to the sport button. Ok also makes the dash red too in sport etc if you have digital dash.

Adaptive drive is more than this in terms of road scanning, active ARBs (not just dampers) Nav Info etc

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

So have they de-coupled the adaptive dampers from the sport-comfort-eco button now then? Does that mean with the adaptive button off the dampers work in a passive mode?

No idea, I'm talking about adaptive ARBs.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Yup, not on X3 as far as I'm aware, 5,X5,X7 type option I think?

Exhibit I think is what everyone is saying?

Adaptive dampers is another (admittedly) lessee option IMO.

Yep I wondered when I saw the thread if they were offering it as it makes a huge difference on the 5 series whereas the dampers alone didn't in my view, but it seems to be a confusing topic.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

How many X3 drivers are going to drive on the limit?

The problem is that the handling on the way up to the limit is never going to be what you call good, or fun, in comparison to a decent car.

:

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by Wills2

No idea, I'm talking about adaptive ARBs.

I just wondered the purpose of having an adaptive button now included alongside the usual sport/comfort button on cars like the new X3 if this doesn't actually affect anything other than the dampers, as it would seem the sport/comfort button does that already :

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

I just wondered the purpose of having an adaptive button now included alongside the usual sport/comfort button on cars like the new X3 if this doesn't actually affect anything other than the dampers, as it would seem the sport/comfort button does that already :

From the manual:

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

I just wondered the purpose of having an adaptive button now included alongside the usual sport/comfort button on cars like the new X3 if this doesn't actually affect anything other than the dampers, as it would seem the sport/comfort button does that already :

Well yes I'm sure as I'm grabbing around in the dark on this as I don't have all this fancy new tech.

But from has been said that button allows the system to adapt the features it has depending on the road and speed etc...

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Well yes I'm sure as I'm grabbing around in the dark on this as I don't have all this fancy new tech.

But from has been said that button allows the system to adapt the features it has depending on the road and speed etc...

Makes sense I guess - suppose if you look at the sport button it always weighted up the steering whether you had a car with adaptive or passive dampers, the system just uses what it's got as you've said.