[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.

[fw_fw]

Interesting thought, but based upon all the latest releases BMW is continuing to head toward a 2 tier system: one mainstream model and one enthusiast model per car. First noticed it with the 2 series and they haven’t backed down.....

[B_M_VV]

Originally Posted by fw_fw

Interesting thought, but based upon all the latest releases BMW is continuing to head toward a 2 tier system: one mainstream model and one enthusiast model per car. First noticed it with the 2 series and they haven’t backed down.....

Kind of matching Mercedes and Audi.
Volvo and Porsche give a mid-tier (XC60 T6/Macan S)

[teaston]

Originally Posted by fw_fw

Interesting thought, but based upon all the latest releases BMW is continuing to head toward a 2 tier system: one mainstream model and one enthusiast model per car. First noticed it with the 2 series and they haven’t backed down.....

Well there’s actually 2 mainstream petrol models including the 20i

[MechX3M40i]

I don't think BMW needs more engines for the X3. Even though these are not available in US, if I counted correctly there are 4 diesel trims 18d, 20d, 30d and 40d already.

If more trim and engine choices are what should be considered a universal goal to achieve (this is subjected to debate), then the other car manufacturers should be chasing BMW instead...

Ah, almost forgot about the new upcoming X3M, with another step up in tuning of the inline-6 (assuming they are not stupid enough to put a V8 in it to cannibalize some sales of the X5 50i). How about the much talked about X3 Hybrid?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I don't think BMW needs more engines for the X3. Even though these are not available in US, if I counted correctly there are 4 diesel trims 18d, 20d, 30d and 40d already.

If more trim and engine choices are what should be considered a universal goal to achieve (this is subjected to debate), then the other car manufacturers should be chasing BMW instead...

Ah, almost forgot about the new upcoming X3M, with another step up in tuning of the inline-6 (assuming they are not stupid enough to put a V8 in it to cannibalize some sales of the X5 50i). How about the much talked about X3 Hybrid?

I think it has been confirmed that it will have the S58

[atrueb]

Originally Posted by B_M_VV

In early model years of last generation X3, the real price difference between the 28i and 35i were just $2K+.

I can imagine, that the first f25 28i was only a bit less expensive than the 35i, because they both had 6cylinder motors (2.8l and 3.0l). Based on the downsizing strategy the 28i was reduced to a 4 cylinder 2l motor. And today the 30i is again a 4 cylinder 2l. In view of this, today's price difference is quite understandable, as the 40i has 2 cylinders and 1'000ccm more. So you get a while lot more engine for the additional price.

I totally share your opinion about the offering. I too would have liked to see a 3l petrol with around 300hp in the g01 line up.

[B_M_VV]

Originally Posted by atrueb

I can imagine, that the first f25 28i was only a bit less expensive than the 35i, because they both had 6cylinder motors (2.8l and 3.0l). Based on the downsizing strategy the 28i was reduced to a 4 cylinder 2l motor. And today the 30i is again a 4 cylinder 2l. In view of this, today's price difference is quite understandable, as the 40i has 2 cylinders and 1'000ccm more. So you get a while lot more engine for the additional price.

I totally share your opinion about the offering. I too would have liked to see a 3l petrol with around 300hp in the g01 line up.

The engine in early F25 28i was also 3.0L but no turbo. The F25 35i used 3.0L turbo. Maybe turbo wasn't as expensive as two extra cylinders.

[B_M_VV]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I don't think BMW needs more engines for the X3. Even though these are not available in US, if I counted correctly there are 4 diesel trims 18d, 20d, 30d and 40d already.

If more trim and engine choices are what should be considered a universal goal to achieve (this is subjected to debate), then the other car manufacturers should be chasing BMW instead...

Ah, almost forgot about the new upcoming X3M, with another step up in tuning of the inline-6 (assuming they are not stupid enough to put a V8 in it to cannibalize some sales of the X5 50i). How about the much talked about X3 Hybrid?

BMW refrains from giving M3 a V8 even though C63 AMG has, so it is very unlikely they would give V8 to X3M.

Internet sources say X3 hybrid will use 2.0 turbo together with a motor with combined power of 275HP.

[atrueb]

Originally Posted by B_M_VV

The engine in early F25 28i was also 3.0L but no turbo. The F25 35i used 3.0L turbo. Maybe turbo wasn't as expensive as two extra cylinders.

Thanks for the correction. You're completley right. The N52B30 was a 3l of course. Come to think of it, its kind of strange they named a 3l car 28i instead 30i.

[B_M_VV]

Originally Posted by atrueb

Thanks for the correction. You're completley right. The N52B30 was a 3l of course. Come to think of it, its kind of strange they named a 3l car 28i instead 30i.

You're welcome. I think they just tried to match with 3-series naming of that time based on engine power output.

According to Wikipedia, 325i (N53B30), 328i (N52B30), 330i (N52B30/N53B30) and 335i (N55B30) co-existed during the last years of E90 3-series, and all of them were using 3L engine.