I have a '11 f10 535i (x-drive), standard suspension (no DDC or adaptive, not M-sport). Running mainly on 19" and 18" during winter.
While I love the comfort level and the overall look of the sedan, there are a few things that make me wanna change the car. -The size without rear wheel steering makes it impractical for city driving. -N55 feels kinda down on power even with stage 2 MHD. -Coming from e91 to an f10 - sedans feel very compromised in terms of cargo area. The trunk is large (500+l), yet the e91 felt more hassle-free when it comes to loading it.
I also hate not having DDC or Adaptive - the f10 is awesome for cruising, but every time I hit a bend - the body roll drives me crazy.
I’ve always fancied X3s - practical and fun. I wanna have just 1 car in the garage that does it all - city, highway, twisty roads, fun. So naturally - mid-sized BMW makes sense.
The problem is that I really love the comfort level of the stock suspension F10, and I am not sure what to expect from '20/'21 X3 m40i with adaptive suspension… Can it be anywhere near as comfy as the F10. After all it’s a SUV and being 3 series, it should be noticeably firmer. But yet - 1 generation newer and the adaptive suspension should be doing some bit of ‘magic’.
Any thoughts?
If you are looking for “power” then you will be disappointed. That x3 will not be faster than your stage 2 535i.
X3M40 owner since brand new in 2019 - with Adaptive suspension, M diff. Absolutely love it and highly recommend. The B58 motor is one of the best motors ever built by bmw.
The biggest takeaway from the M40i I’ve noticed is how shockingly similar it handles like a car. I don’t know how they did it. But it’s a riot to drive. The B58 is eager as well, it practically begs you to drive
Expect a 3 series instead of a 5 series. The X3 will definitely have a worse ride and be less luxurious over all.