[B_M_VV]

With the rumored 2020 M40i with 380+ HP coming, I think it would be great to have one more engine choice, which is a low 300ish HP turbo-6.

In early model years of last generation X3, the real price difference between the 28i and 35i were just $2K+. Although 35i had starting price about $4K higher than 28i, it had some convenience features (rather than cosmetic) included.

Now M40i has starting price more than $10K over 30i, with many default items toward "sport" (some functional but more cosmetic), as well as larger HP difference than last time. I think there is audience (I am one of them) that would like 6-cylinder feel and some more power, but don't need that much "M" in the car.

I hesitated before eventually chose 30i over competitors. If there were a "35i" it would have been a much easy decision.

BMW is known of not afraid of creating niches or closing gaps. a 35i would close gap well for X3. Volvo already took this approach with T5/T6/T8 that come with 250/316/400HP on XC60. Re-use "35i" should not be a problem also, since "330" has been re-used already.