BMW X3M Competition – After logging more than 2,000 miles on this amazing SUV, it’s time to write a review and share some thoughts on my BMW X3M Competition.
Power Plant – The New S58
BMW has outdone themselves with this amazing Twin-Turbo engine. We shouldn’t be surprised though, this is the future M3 and M4 engine. BMW has rated the S58 in the X3M at 473HP and the X3M Competition at 503 horsepower. In typical BMW fashion, they have understated the output for sure.
Car magazines and numerous owners have posted the X3M Comp 1/4 mile times of 11.9 to 12 seconds. Using the cool AutoSnout Quarter Mile Calculator – the crank horsepower of a 4,500 pound, AWD vehicle with a modern automatic transmission hitting 11.97 in the 1/4 would need to be 590hp!
To further support the idea that BMW’s stated 503hp is underrated, here’s an article on BMW Blog showing a stock BMW X3M Comp putting down 491hp AWHP. Using a conservative drive-train loss calculation of 10%, that would put real crank horsepower closer to 550+.
My butt dyno says it’s way more than 503 HP and my butt has been in a lot of fast cars and SUV’s. The power delivery is smooth and linear, like you would expect in an inline 6-cylinder twin-turbo BMW engine. If there’s any turbo lag at all, it’s masked by the incredible 8-speed ZF transmission also found in the M5. With a forged crank, connecting rods and pistons, BMW is giving us a glimpse at it’s future plans…… Big power in the future M3 and M4. My final verdict on the S58? I know this is a bold statement but In my opinion, it’s BMW’s best inline 6 since the M88.
Chassis, Suspension and Handling
This car has more modes and settings than a modern aircraft and the suspension/chassis is no exception. Like the engine settings, the suspension has “Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus” modes. Top Gear wrote the three modes should be re-labelled ‘Uncomfortable’, ‘No Suspension At All’, and ‘Are You Actually Joking’. I had already driven the X3M Comp before deciding to buy one and didn’t remember thinking it was that harsh? Anyway, this article caused me to phone a friend who had one on loan from BMW to request a real world test-drive. One where I could find some terrible roads, potholes and uneven pavement.
After 20+ miles in his 6,000 mile BMW X3M Competition, I was baffled and somewhat appalled by Top Gears description. UPDATE 5/1/2021: No longer appalled by their description. Top Gear may have exaggerated the firmness of the suspension but it’s firm!
Sure, it’s firm like you would expect in a real M car but I wasn’t looking for a Soccer Mom SUV with a big motor. What I was looking for was a M3X that would become my daily driver, could go to the track on Sunday’s and with snow tires make it up my road during a snow storm. Let me also qualify my frame of reference when it comes to ‘firm’ suspensions. The E84 X1 35i Sleeper Project lowered on H&R Sport Springs was on the harsh side of firm and my E46 M3 would be on the softer side of firm.
Final verdict on suspension: Firm and exactly what I wanted. If you own a Lexus or Mercedes you need to drive this before you buy it. It’s not a comfy couch on wheels with some sport settings. It’s a BMW M, nothing more and definitely nothing less. I’ve owned 20+ BMW’s and this is a BMW M through and through.
Technology
The BMW X3M Competition has plenty of technology, with it’s standard 10.3 inch infotainment screen, navigation, WiFi Hotspot and Apple CarPlay. You also get a host of driver assistance tech like; lane departure warning, accident mitigation and automatic high-beams.
Final Thoughts on the BMW X3m competition and 0-60
This is one fast SUV that handles like an M car should. Using my Dragy I’ve managed 0-60 times of the 3.75 without launch control. I’ve only once figured out how to use launch control and unfortunately my Dragy had a low satellite signal so the run was invalid. I’ve noticed a slight delay on take-off and haven’t figured out if it’s turbo-lag or just the DME trying to figure out what to do?
Launch control mode didn’t have any delay and felt noticeably faster in the 0-60 run. I’ll get a clean Dragy run using launch control and post it when done. My guess is 3.6 seconds. Update: I’m starting to think the delay is to protect the drive-train from stress. Launch mode eliminates the delay and my best 0-60 is currently 2.96.
As I mentioned earlier, the suspension on the BMW X3M Competition is firm but I don’t find it uncomfortable. The first time you push it in a turn you’ll see why BMW tuned the X3M Competition this way. Update: I later lowered my X3MC and I’m glad I did. The sport springs were actually softer than the stock ones and the lower ride height made it look even meaner. If I buy another BMW X3M Competition I would put sport springs on it before doing anything else.
Watch my 2020 BMW X3M Competition on Pocono Raceway
I had the chance to take my X3MC on the track at Pocono Raceway and took my old GoPro Hero 3 along for the ride. Watch as I hit 157 mph on the straight and that was not my fastest speed. In session 2, I became more comfortable entering turn 1 and broke later and hit 164 mph in the main straight. Good times 🙂
Have questions about the BMW X3M Competition?
Leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer it. You can always email diyautogalaxy@gmail.com as well