[cigaro]

Hey all.

Love reading bimmerpost and the various posts and thoughts from the users on here, so I thought I would make a post to talk about my experience with my 2022 X3 M40i so far, coming fresh off of a 2020 m340i.

Some backstory, before this car, and right before the pandemic hit (February of 2020), I leased a brand new m340i sedan. I got an incredible deal at the time since no one had any clue what was to come in the car market, and I absolutely loved that car. What an incredible machine.

Sadly, at the end of 2020, the car was involved in a pretty bad accident in which I was rear ended and pushed into the car in front of me. Roughly did 14k in damages to the car. It was in the shop for a month, but ultimately it was repaired to spec and I got to enjoy it for two more years.

So, as my lease came to an end at the end of January 2023, I turned the car back in because I didn't particularly want to buy a vehicle with a large accident on it. So I began my search for a new one.

I knew I wanted something bigger. Just having turned 31 years old, even in the last 3 years I could feel that I needed something a little more practical space wise both for work and personal life. I considered getting something more economical. And I test drove probably 15 or more cars. But I just kept thinking about the m340i. Never once had I turned a car in before and been this disappointed to walk away from it.

Well, this ultimately led me to the X3 M40i, and with no surprises, it is also an incredible machine!

First off, the extra space was way more noticeable than I may have imagined. Considering the X3 isnt the largest of SUVs, coming from a sedan to this has been a huge and noticeable space increase. Its more comfortable, I love the higher seating position, and the cargo space is excellent.

Can someone tell me how the hell this thing feels just as quick if not quicker than my m340i with ~500 more pounds of weight on it? I mean really should be no surprise of course, I am very familiar with this engine and how amazing it is. And of course this model now has the mild hybrid battery system attached. But damn, this car MOVES. I cant even imagine what an X3M feels like to drive. This thing is so powerful on its own.

The model that I purchased is basically fully loaded. It has the parking assist, the driving assistant professional, harman kardon, etc... So many of the features that I had wanted in the m340i are on this car, and its all really great. The parking assist package in my opinion is an absolute must have as an only 700 dollar option. I have been able to use the driving assist professional a couple times in some stop and go traffic here in southern california, and man, its pretty awesome.

Harman Kardon sound system.... its good, but leaves a little to be desired. Its my understanding that the LCI HK system are lower performing than the older models with HK which is a little disappointing. But it still sounds excellent, just not as impressive as I would have thought.

Brooklyn Grey..... absolutely love it! I had never actually seen this color in person before I went and bought the car. I had only seen photos and videos, and many discussions about it on the forums. Seemed like quite the polarizing color in some discussions, but its beautiful. In the roughly 2 weeks I have had the car I have had 5 people tell me how much they love the color. A couple even flagged me down while at a red light and told me through the window lol. Its a sick color.

The ride on the 21 inch wheels seem comfortable enough for me. Granted, I am a little younger so I guess that helps, but I find the ride on the 21 inch wheels to be perfectly fine in comfort. Not to mention, they look badass and really help round out the styling of the vehicle.

Exhaust note.... well I can't lie, its pretty disappointing coming from the 2020 m340i. On that car I got way more pops and burbles on down shifts in sport plus mode, and I personally really enjoyed them. I know everyone has different opinions on this, but I do miss the louder exhaust. Engine does still sound amazing of course, I love hearing it work.

I feel like this post is already so long, so I just want to sum it up by saying this is an amazing vehicle. I feel very grateful and blessed to be driving this car, and I am proud that I have reached a point in my life where I am able to afford and enjoy it. Every time I drive this car, it puts a smile on my face and when youre spending this kind of money on a car, that is how it should be.

This is the first car I actually purchased in the last 9 years, as I had 3 leases prior to this. The m340i was just on such a different level from everything before it (and I had driven the other two german brands), and I am glad I was able to get something with a bit more practicality, but with the same spirit and performance of the smaller sedan.

Sorry for the long ass post haha, just wanted to share with some fellow BMW enthusiasts.

Cheers everyone!

[suby01]

Cool

[Alias1431]

Welcome! The X3 M40i, while not perfect, is basically as close to "the best of all worlds" as you can get.

[glennbk]

Nothing beats a sedan. But, the X3 is closest you're going to get to one in the SUV category.

[Flippco]

Welcome to the X3 side of the forum!

I also came from a sedan (Acura TL) and have been pleasantly surprised how fast (quick seems disrespectful), it handles, and how gosh darn practical it is. It's big without feeling too big. Plus I'm getting way better gas mileage than my Acura!

In the 2 years since I started this process, I considered Audi S5, Merc C43, and BMW M340 before landing on the X3. It's great to see you're enjoying it and yes the HK is disappointing

[EWL5]

Great story!

Did you have the HK in your M340i and how did it compare to your current X3?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Flippco

Welcome to the X3 side of the forum!

I also came from a sedan (Acura TL) and have been pleasantly surprised how fast (quick seems disrespectful), it handles, and how gosh darn practical it is. It's big without feeling too big. Plus I'm getting way better gas mileage than my Acura!

In the 2 years since I started this process, I considered Audi S5, Merc C43, and BMW M340 before landing on the X3. It's great to see you're enjoying it and yes the HK is disappointing

I came from a '21 TLX that is somehow classified as a compact car and getting better fuel economy too in my X3 30i!

Anyone who's ever seen and sat in a current TLX knows that Acura was trying to hedge their bets on marketing the car against 3 series, A4, C-Class, and yet the exterior is the size of 5 series, A6, and E-Class!

[keithguido]

Being 71 and big boned the X3 is much easier access than a sedan...........

[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by glennbk

Nothing beats a sedan. But, the X3 is closest you're going to get to one in the SUV category.

If only we could have the M3 Touring, I'd take it over an X3, X3M, or X3M Competition all day long:

[Flippco]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I came from a '21 TLX that is somehow classified as a compact car and getting better fuel economy too in my X3 30i!

Anyone who's ever seen and sat in a current TLX knows that Acura was trying to hedge their bets on marketing the car against 3 series, A4, C-Class, and yet the exterior is the size of 5 series, A6, and E-Class!

I really wanted to like the TLX but I just couldn't. One thing I miss from Acura is the sound system, they sure knew what there were doing there!

[Flippco]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

If only we could have the M3 Touring, I'd take it over an X3, X3M, or X3M Competition all day long:

You take that talk right out of here Just kidding! I would have considered an M340 Touring or M3 Touring if there were available here. I'm hopeful the M5 Touring US rumors are true, that would be way better than the Audi RS6 Avant.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Flippco

I really wanted to like the TLX but I just couldn't. One thing I miss from Acura is the sound system, they sure knew what there were doing there!

You're not kidding! I easily went from one of the best in the 3D ELS to one of the worst (HiFi standard audio)!

[Flippco]

Originally Posted by EWL5

You're not kidding! I easily went from one of the best in the 3D ELS to one of the worst (HiFi standard audio)!

The HK is a bit better than HiFi, but not by much. It's ok after some break-in and tweaking but I was really hoping to be wowed by it considering it's a $70K vehicle. If I could get the 3D ELS in it....

[CFonAir]

Great review. It's a tremendous vehicle, and you're right, it's astonishingly fast.

My brother has a Harley. A while back, I let him drive my X3 m40i. We pulled up to a stoplight on a 4 lane highway, first in line. I told him to punch it, and other than the ear-to-ear smile, all he said was "I don't want to race this thing on my motorcycle."

It's a great vehicle. Glad you're happy.

[509er]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

If only we could have the M3 Touring, I'd take it over an X3, X3M, or X3M Competition all day long:

Not sure if my two labradors would fit in the 3-series Touring, but it would sure be fun to find out! The lines on that thing....

Cheers~

[ASAP]

thanks for the great review!

ultimately to me... the difference comes down to handling and weight... if u want the ultimate handling car in the class, u want the m340i... if u want an all around comfortable, practical car that is still superfast and handles well for what it is.... the x3 m40i is a solid choice... but don't expect car like handling from the x3... u cannot cheat 500-600 lbs of weight and a lower center of gravity

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

If only we could have the M3 Touring, I'd take it over an X3, X3M, or X3M Competition all day long:

i would prob take the x3m over this tbh... the m3 touring is quite a compromised vehicle from a performance aspect compared to the sedan m3... its far heavier and slower and still doesn't have the practicality an x3m offers... handling wise... ru gonna throwing the wagon into some curves everyday?

[cigaro]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Great story!

Did you have the HK in your M340i and how did it compare to your current X3?

I had only the regular sound system in my M340i, and maybe that is why the harman kardon is even more disappointing to me as I feel its not an insane upgrade to the base system. Does it sound better? Of course, but its not going to blow anyones minds.

[cigaro]

Originally Posted by ASAP

thanks for the great review!

ultimately to me... the difference comes down to handling and weight... if u want the ultimate handling car in the class, u want the m340i... if u want an all around comfortable, practical car that is still superfast and handles well for what it is.... the x3 m40i is a solid choice... but don't expect car like handling from the x3... u cannot cheat 500-600 lbs of weight and a lower center of gravity

Definitely all true statements. It seems the m340i has maybe set me down the path of BMW for quite a while going forward. Such great machines.

[rayainsw]

Funny. I also came to a 2022 X3 M40i
directly from an M340i.
Interesting comments.
Thanks for posting.
- Ray
VERY happy with the X3!

[suby01]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

If only we could have the M3 Touring, I'd take it over an X3, X3M, or X3M Competition all day long:

Right. Im not really sold on the SUV thing. The X3 is obviously awesome but I want big wagons all day. Vs my full size sedan.

Annoying that we dont have any good wagons available in the US just like you said. Volvo? Outback? and Audi A6 and the the benz that hasnt been updated since ever.

[HeatJoey]

sweet ride congrats