[stein_325i]

The comparison test was a bit of an odd one as the X3M was the only compact SUV there in the group of mid-sizers (X6M, Levante, Cayenne Coupe, GLE). Here's what MT said below.

Originally Posted by Motortrend

If there were an oddball in this comparison, it'd be the X3 M Competition. A half-ton lighter and one-third less costly than the rest of the field, you'd think the X3 M would be outgunned. But this little guy is packing heat.

The X3 M Comp's new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged I-6 is a firecracker. With 473 hp and 442 lb-ft of twist, accompanied by an eight-speed auto and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the X3 M feels like a flyweight among sumo wrestlers. But this X3 M is more than just a hot-rodded engine in a compact SUV—ours included the M Competition package, which boosts power by 30 hp, to 503 hp, and fits the X3 with a sport exhaust system, among other treats.

Unleashed on Angeles Crest Highway, the X3 M Comp feels like the jacked-up M3 Wagon that BMW stubbornly refuses to build—until just recently. Capturing the stupid-fun essence that this segment is truly about, the BMW shows the good that can happen when you squeeze an underrated engine into a small(ish) package. "It drives much faster than only 503 hp would have you believe," Lieberman said. "It pulls hard, and then over 6,000 rpm it really starts pulling. Beast of a motor." M3 and M4 owners will be quite happy when this engine makes its way into the upcoming G20-edition M3.

BMW got the X3 M Comp's steering mostly right, too. Although it perhaps lacks a bit of feedback compared with our top two finishers (its "bloated, ring-bologna steering wheel," as Walton put it, doesn't help), it's nevertheless both sharp and precise. Couple that with the all-wheel-drive system's most aggressive MDM 4WD Sport torque-vectoring setup, and you have a pocket rocket of an SUV that's fairly easy to drive fast.

Where the X3 M puts its foot wrong is in its ride quality. "There's one big flaw here, and it's the damping," Evans said. "It. Is. So. Stiff. Even in Comfort mode I'm getting gut-punched on every bump," a sentiment all five judges echoed. Walton added: "Boing, boing, boing! The vertical motions never stop. It was like a completely different road; the X3 found every single road imperfection and magnified it. It got old very quickly. I could not live with this daily."

The X3 M's poorly calibrated ride has amplifying effects on the Bimmer's steering, too, forcing the driver to constantly make small corrections. And if you're not in the right drive setting, that can cause the Bimmer's nose to wash out, drastically increasing the pucker factor. FYI, there are three individually configurable settings for the X3's (and X6's) powertrain, steering, suspension, and transmission, plus two for the all-wheel-drive system, so carefully choose your setting to match your road and driving intentions.

With competition this fierce, one flaw—in this case, a fairly major one—held this Bimmer back. We adore the X3 M Competition's powertrain and really enjoy its steering, but if the ride is so stiff that it punishes you for driving it, what's the point?

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020...n-test-review/

[GOLFFRR]

I hear a lot about how the x3m/comp has such a terrible ride? Maybe I am not as sensitive but I didn't witness anything that was super over the top where it would bother me. Then again where I live (Solvang, CA) all the roads are pretty good, maybe on rougher roads it would yield different results. Either way, I love the x3M/comp its a super fun all around SUV

[4151zero]

I agree GolfFRR, and I'm in the bay area and roads are terrible everywhere here

Pretty impressive to see an 80k rig leave that impression of performance in such expensive and prestigious company, especially for the value!

(I'm coming from an f80 ZCP fwiw, and find f97 ride is excellent)

[elisiX]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

I hear a lot about how the x3m/comp has such a terrible ride? Maybe I am not as sensitive but I didn't witness anything that was super over the top where it would bother me. Then again where I live (Solvang, CA) all the roads are pretty good, maybe on rougher roads it would yield different results. Either way, I love the x3M/comp its a super fun all around SUV

We have a mix of roads in Sydney, AU. A lot of roads are very well maintained and even new (within the past 2-5 years). However when you come across a bad one, it really shows how poor the standard X3M suspension is. IMO, MSS Urban is an absolute must have. Ride remains firm, corners flat, but stops you thinking about it. This is coming from someone with multiple M cars and never once did I think about the suspension due to poor ride as much as I have with the X3M - CS included!

[beammeupscottie]

I just can't with the people who think the ride is "too stiff"....isn't that the point of this type of vehicle? I don't want a soft bouncy feel in a sports vehicle of any type....it's all subjective I suppose but the X3MC should not be held back for being sporty aka stiff ride. 2 cents

[Strmtrpr_]

Originally Posted by 4151zero

I agree GolfFRR, and I'm in the bay area and roads are terrible everywhere here

Pretty impressive to see an 80k rig leave that impression of performance in such expensive and prestigious company, especially for the value!

(I'm coming from an f80 ZCP fwiw, and find f97 ride is excellent)

I agree with both of you. The F97 ride is NOT that harsh and i too live in SF.

[evo-mike]

During the test they were going back and forth between the five suvs in the test. I think 3 of the other 4 had air suspension. Comparatively the X3M probably felt like an old pickup truck.

[heavyD^2]

I thought the X3M was too firm initially but after almost a year I feel it's almost perfect especially after driving some softer SUV's. I do wish that comfort mode was a little softer but not at the expense of changing the way the vehicle drives.

[evo-mike]

I want more variability in the adjustment. I'd want comfort 25% softer and sport to be what sport plus is. Sport plus I would think should be a track only kinda thing.

[allinon72]

At this point I think reviewers are just copying each other on ride opinions. This is how stigmas for certain cars grow, sometimes rightly so and sometimes unfairly. It seems to spread from one car review to the next and gets blown out of proportion like a game of telephone.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

I hope upgrades to suspension/damping that preferably could be retrofitted will be made available with LCI. The ride quality is unacceptable and has to be hurting sales of an otherwise great performance SUV. It's overly firm with even the slightest bumps jolting the cabin. I like firm rides and have owned many sports cars, but this is the poorest quality I've ever experienced so I am glad MT is calling it out. The ride is also bouncy/jittery in comfort mode and never feels settled, with low speeds and full loads being especially bad. I'm not planning on keeping the car long term because of the ride, but I will definitely consider the LCI if meaningful improvements to ride quality are made because handling, steering, braking, and interior quality are all top notch.

If the ride is so unacceptable for you, why don't you just go ahead and install those MSS springs?

[AlexFL]

Calling Cayenne a "911 in SUV clothing" is deeply insulting for every 911 fanboy, incl. myself.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

I had them installed by a well known, reputable shop in my city and unfortunately they made loud clunking/banging noises from the front axle that the shop couldn't figure out. I recorded the noise and sent it to customer support at MSS. MSS wrote back and acknowledged the problem and said they will look into suggestions to address it, and I never heard back. I had them removed from the vehicle and put the OEM setup back as a result.

That's sad. Glad I have zero problems with my set.

[Transfer]

I wonder how it would have placed if they thought it was as comfortable as any of the other vehicles but still maintained handling. I drive on some really crappy Seattle streets and yeah it's more stiff than your average car but it's certainly tolerable and that stiffness pays massive dividends back when you pick up the pace.

I do find it really annoying they have no objective measures in this test. I would guess our Ms win the skidpad, slalom, braking, and if launched correctly, tie or come close to others in the 1/4 mi.

[JCHBlueM]

The X3MC is a much better ride than my old car. I don’t have any complaints.

[justmill]

The AMG GLE 63 S is a worthy competitor and a really great car to drive. You can get it pretty well equipped for only a little bit more cash than the X3M.

However, that giant logo in the grill just sucks up all my attention when I look at it. Photos really don't do it justice, in person looking at the car the badge is just so huge I feel it really screws with the aesthetics of all the Mercedes, IMHO.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by justmill

The AMG GLE 63 S is a worthy competitor and a really great car to drive. You can get it pretty well equipped for only a little bit more cash than the X3M.

However, that giant logo in the grill just sucks up all my attention when I look at it. Photos really don't do it justice, in person looking at the car the badge is just so huge I feel it really screws with the aesthetics of all the Mercedes, IMHO.

I think you mean GLC? GLE is X5 pricing ($100k+) and is more than just a little bit of cash.

[cfm56d7b]

It would be interesting to see if aftermarket suspension manufacturers recognize the opportunity to provide a more capable set of coilovers for X3M / X4M.

Is Bilstein B16 Damptronic in the cards for X3M / X4M?

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

It would be interesting to see if aftermarket suspension manufacturers recognize the opportunity to provide a more capable set of coilovers for X3M / X4M.

Is Bilstein B16 Damptronic in the cards for X3M / X4M?

There is MSS Urban springs and KW HAS.

[Anders R]

Would the M40i springs be compatible? Nobody seems to complain about the ride on that

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Anders R

Would the M40i springs be compatible? Nobody seems to complain about the ride on that

No. MSS is the perfect solution. Firm, sporty ride but not bouncy at all. I mostly drive my car with the suspension set to Sport Plus and it’s perfect. Most importantly, handing remained sharp and I love how low the car sits now.

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I wonder how it would have placed if they thought it was as comfortable as any of the other vehicles but still maintained handling. I drive on some really crappy Seattle streets and yeah it's more stiff than your average car but it's certainly tolerable and that stiffness pays massive dividends back when you pick up the pace.

I do find it really annoying they have no objective measures in this test. I would guess our Ms win the skidpad, slalom, braking, and if launched correctly, tie or come close to others in the 1/4 mi.

Where are the cliff notes? >MT EST.< for performance does not cut it. As for the ride, itS not much firmer than my former M40i on 766 21s.

I hope BMW does not go soft on the X3M for future iterations. I am told as part of new/updated training curricula, client advisors are being instructed to thoroughly vet sales prospects considering ///M cars to help those in search of the vaunted///M badge avoid making the wrong decision. Many of whom will be better served with an MSport or MPerformance model.