[Venkatesh]

Bookings open

Ahead of its launch in May 2023, BMW India has opened online bookings for the X3 M40i xDrive. Booking amount is Rs 5 lakh.

Link

[d3mon]

If the 1cr ex-showroom price is correct, then it is going to be quite expensive for what it offers. Back in 2021, the X3M was available for 99Lakh!

Another way to look at it,

3GL (20d/30i) ~60L
X3 (20d) ~70L
M340i ~70L
(All ex-showroom)

So there's a 10L premium in going from 3GL to X3.
And again a 10L premium in going from 20d/30i to M40i in 3 series. Maybe a bit more if you consider the Gran Limousine was more expensive than the short wheelbase 3 series.

So paying 30L more than M340i & 30L more than the X3 20d will be a bitter pill to swallow.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by d3mon

If the 1cr ex-showroom price is correct, then it is going to be quite expensive for what it offers.
...

So there's a 10L premium in going from 3GL to X3.
And again a 10L premium in going from 20d/30i to M40i in 3 series. Maybe a bit more if you consider the Gran Limousine was more expensive than the short wheelbase 3 series.

Your math is completely on point. I think the only reason for the inflated price difference is the CBU factor - where all other models listed are CKD.

The customer will of course only be concerned with the dent to wallet - BMW would do really well if they could consider releasing this in future as a CKD as well. The high performance mid size SUV is totally absent from their stable at the moment, since they stopped the 6 cylinder X3 (and also X4 I think).

Also, for the same ex showroom price, one can get the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe

[itwasntme]

I feel BMW may absorb initial CBU costs and make it 89.99L to 94.99L.

[Tutenkhamen]

Lovely reveal!
Wish they had also made it available in M green or Dravit Grey colours.
What I don’t understand is that why would one not get a x540i MSport instead? With air suspension, more space and around the same price point?

[d3mon]

For anyone confused between the X3 M40i and the X5 40i, here's a fantastic in depth comparison. Just keep in mind that the price differences between the two are going to be marginal at best in India, unlike what's assumed in the review.

https://youtu.be/eoTAmWpHhYo

[Neelavi]

Originally Posted by d3mon

For anyone confused between the X3 M40i and the X5 40i, here's a fantastic in depth comparison. Just keep in mind that the price differences between the two are going to be marginal at best in India, unlike what's assumed in the review.

https://Youtu.be/eoTAmWpHhYo

Additionally this comparison is with pre-facelift X5. I think the LCI X5 saw almost 40 hp increase in power and performance should be a further closer now. The interiors in the X5 are also substantially revamped and appear more luxurious in the LCI in line with the latest BMW template while X3 layout is based on the last generation. However the preference is subjective.

In any case X3 M40i would be more of a driver’s car being faster, nimbler, lighter and compact but comes with a stiff ride as per many reviews. The X5 40i would be lot more of a luxury SUV with better interiors, ride quality and space while still being quite sporty. For the Indian context with our roads and especially for families, the later trade-off appears better unless the X3 is priced at least 10 lakhs lower.

[CEF_Beasts]

India Spec CBU X3 M40i details are out:

- Tentative pricing will be around the 90L ex-showroom, just above the AMG GLC43 Coupe.
- Will be offered in two colours, Brooklyn Grey and Sapphire Black, with the interior in Sensatec Black.
- Will get M seatbelt’s and Carbon-Fibre trim on dashboard.
- Will be available with 20” M Alloys along with M Sport Red brake callipers.
- Blackened out headlights (M Shadow headlights)
- Tailpipes finished in Black Chrome











Source: BMW Owner’s Group on WA

[Dante]

Sensatec upholstery at 90L+ ex showroom? No leather? Sad.

Since it's a CBU BMW should've offered more interior and exterior color options.
Adaptive suspension is a sensible addition to the India spec.

[Shreesharai]

I have driven the M340i lci and I felt it is under powered compared to our GLC coupe 43 AMG and even the suspension,driving pleasure and the exhaust note is better on the AMG. If someone is looking for a performance car I would recommend the GLC 43 eyes closed over this overpriced x3m40i.

[84.monsoon]

90 lakhs is a reasonable price point. It gains the adaptive M Suspension that the M340i lacks (the latter has only standard MSports suspension). On the other hand, one has to be content with iDrive 7 on the X3M40i - so it does not get the massive integrated touch screen slab as on the M340i and misses out on iDrive 8's connected car features.

Plus you get rear sunblinds that the M340i lacks, but have to give up 15hp of horsepower in comparison. If anything, the larger and heavier X3M40i needs the higher state of engine tune, and not the other way round!

[mobike008]

Finally, it's coming to India.

I'm super excited to note that Indian consumers will finally get to enjoy one of the best application of the B58. There is a stark difference between how the X3 M40i drives vs. M340i (having driven both models number of times) and I am quite confident the Indian consumers will prefer the X3 considering it's an SUV and is more functional and comfortable without losing any of its performance characteristics and is well suited to Indian conditions.

Even in the US, there are tons of folks who ditched the M340i and switched to an X3M40i (Bimmer Blog has several such stories) and they find it more enjoyable as well as practical.

Btw, the "New Features" listed in one of the screenshots is misleading as my X3M40i has all those features listed in that screenshot and mine is a 2021 model.

1 CR OTR would be an ideal and awesome price for folks to enjoy this beast.

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

The best thing that can come to India!

The X3 with the B58 40i will be the perfect-sized performance crossover for Indian roads! No need to worry about the ground clearance as well…

Just some food-for-thought though, at 1Cr-1.1Cr won’t it be better to get a X5 40i? Yes, I agree being a CBU in limited numbers the X3 M40i will be novelty to own. It will carry a similar price as the X3M when it was available in India.

Firstly, there is no B58 40i.

X5 40i is a plain jane version of BMW X5 akin to the BMW X3 30i.

Well, there is no comparison with an X5 40i vs. BMW X3 M40i. Anyone who drives it will buy the latter, eyes closed.

If you were comparing it with an X5 50i (Naturally aspirated V8) then maybe, just maybe the buyer will be slightly confused.

Originally Posted by d3mon

For anyone confused between the X3 M40i and the X5 40i, here's a fantastic in depth comparison. Just keep in mind that the price differences between the two are going to be marginal at best in India, unlike what's assumed in the review.

https://Youtu.be/eoTAmWpHhYo

As mentioned above, there is no comparison of it with an X5 40i (I have driven it plenty of times) from an overall perspective (Performance, acceleration, overall drive feel). Only place where the X5 feels better is it's a tad bit roomier.

My sister owns a BMW X5 50i ( V8 and Naturally Aspirated with 450 Horsepower) and I drive her car regularly and have done long distance trips as well (500 mile return trips).

When I come back home and drive my X3 M40i, it feels a world of difference.

X3 feels tight, nimble and accelerates way better than the X5 50i. Not to mention the glorious B58 note which is missing in an X5 50i.

Originally Posted by Shreesharai

I have driven the M340i lci and I felt it is under powered compared to our GLC coupe 43 AMG and even the suspension,driving pleasure and the exhaust note is better on the AMG. If someone is looking for a performance car I would recommend the GLC 43 eyes closed over this overpriced x3m40i.

It's EOL product. 2023 will be the final of GLC 43 AMG.

Besides, every comparison on the internet gives the trophy to a BMW X3 M40i.

And, sales charts tell the same story too.

[Mtv]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

90 lakhs is a reasonable price point. It gains the adaptive M Suspension that the M340i lacks (the latter has only standard MSports suspension). On the other hand, one has to be content with iDrive 7 on the X3M40i - so it does not get the massive integrated touch screen slab as on the M340i and misses out on iDrive 8's connected car features.

Plus you get rear sunblinds that the M340i lacks, but have to give up 15hp of horsepower in comparison. If anything, the larger and heavier X3M40i needs the higher state of engine tune, and not the other way round!

Idrive 7 is a blessing, because from what I’ve gathered from the 340 lci guys, you cannot turn off the 80/120 speed warning at all in idrive 8 at all.

[Neelavi]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Finally, it's coming to India.

It's EOL product. 2023 will be the final of GLC 43 AMG.

Besides, every comparison on the internet gives the trophy to a BMW X3 M40i.

And, sales charts tell the same story too.

Yes. The current GLC doesn’t make sense at this late stage. However the all new GLC has received far better reviews than current gen in terms of its drive quality. And the interior looks fab. Essentially most of the weaknesses of current gen GLC have been fixed. The 43 coupe is yet to reviewed but should hopefully be comparable to the 40i in terms of sportiness while offering a superior luxury experience.

https://youtu.be/0xkb5hb9DqQ

[sweetvar26]

Originally Posted by Mtv

Idrive 7 is a blessing, because from what I’ve gathered from the 340 lci guys, you cannot turn off the 80/120 speed warning at all in idrive 8 at all.

Yes for now there’s no fix for iDrive 8 but it’s just a matter of time, eventually they’ll come out with something.