I was driving my BMW X3 M40i and giving me company were 2 other cars - a Toyota Highlander and a Subaru Forester.

BHPian mobike008 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have this unusual bug of driving (I'm sure most of us here have this bug) but, I seem to suffer from it a little more than average.

I feel like doing a drive every few weeks to some exotic location (Washington is filled with them and it makes the drive urges go up like nothing that I can explain). I would like to tick every possible place that is worth visiting in Washington.

The best part is that all exotic locales in Washington are "Day Drives" and maximum of 150 miles one-way which means we can reach that destination in 3 hours of driving at the maximum.

I may have covered about 70% of the major attractions already in Washington and some of them warrant going back at least 2-3 times a year (Landscapes change drastically during each season- Summers, Fall and Winters)

With that said, I kickstarted another beautiful drive plan for November 18, 2023.

I keep track of all beautiful locations from a local blog- Life in Northwest Washington. I saw there that “Picture Lake” in the North Cascade Mountains already received a lot of snow (winter hasn’t even started for us yet) and I was getting an urge to visit the snow-capped mountains so I set a plan in motion.

Initially, there were 6 cars who confirmed to join and on D-day, it dropped to only 3 folks who showed up.

The plan was simple:

• Drive up north for 100 miles and visit the frozen “Picture Lake” in Mt. Baker area which is part of the North Cascades Mountain range.
• Spend a few hours enjoying the view at the location.
• Drive back home and en route stop for a late lunch.

Weather gods also gave us full support, it was 0 Celsius but, sunny throughout the day.

Folks who joined:

• Mobike008 (BMW X3M40i)
• Crackhead (Toyota Highlander)
• Ram (Non BHPIan but, joins most of our drives in his Subaru Forester)

We decided to meet at a Chic-a-fil at a location up north at around 9:00am. We enjoyed a quick breakfast on the bonnet of the Highlander.

Left the breakfast location at 9:30am and drove north on I-5 for about 30 miles and then detoured into the B-roads. Here is where the fun started.

Me and Crackhead enjoyed some spirited driving in the hills for the 50-odd miles through some beautiful, curvy and hilly roads.

We reached Picture Lake around 11'sh and spent a couple of hours exploring the area.

Picture Lake was completely frozen and after thoroughly testing the shore area, we decided to walk on the frozen lake for a few feet inside which was a surreal feeling. Imagine this used to be water just some weeks ago.

Around here, there were a bunch of small birds who would come and sit on your hand if you stretched it out. It was super cool!

Around 1:00pm, we decided to head out and as per Crackhead’s suggestion, we stopped at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham, WA (near the Canada Border) for an amazing lunch. I’m usually not impressed with food easily as most places dish out just average food. But, this place was really good and I already planned to visit here again for its awesome ambience and delicious food.

After spending an hour on lunch, I split early as I needed to get home so I clipped my way home for the rest of the 50 miles to reach home around 5:30pm.

That’s how a beautiful day drive ended where the food complimented the amazing scenery that we witnessed during the day.

Enjoy the pictures. Cheers!

A few pictures of scenery en route and drive to the destination.

Out of the 100 miles, about 70 miles were through the mountains and the last stretch of 20 miles was through a winter wonderland as we kept climbing the top.

Even though there was not much snow (this place will completely change from January to April with 3-4 feet of snow everywhere) as winters are just setting in, it was pleasant to be visiting at this time as you can walk around due to less snow.

Some videos

• Walked in deep snow towards the lake that was completely frozen.
• Surreal Drive as we come closer to the Picture Lake.
• 360 Degree View Point from Artist Point, Mt. Baker.

Continue reading about the car meet and drive share by BHPian mobike008 for comments, insights and more information.

I was disappointed by one thing but I have to admit that when I went back and sat in my BMW, it made me feel a little poorer.

BHPian mobike008 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Test Drive Report of 2024 Porsche Macan S

The biggest Porsche dealer in Washington is located in Bellevue, WA. I have passed the dealership plenty of times and always used to ogle at the glorious cars parked when I stop at the red light. Never dared enter the dealership as always thought these cars were beyond my reach.

Last week on Friday afternoon when things at work lulled, I called them to book an appointment for Sunday. Since we were going to be in the vicinity to watch the new raving SRK movie (Jawan)- It’s another story I was able to tolerate Jawan because of this beautiful test drive. LOL!

Things fell into place beautifully. I scheduled a 12:30pm appointment (we were scheduled for the movie at 2:00pm in a nearby theatre) and the sales advisor (SA) mentioned that they will only have a base Macan available as the S and GTS is usually not available and they don’t give it out for test drives as they don’t like to put miles on the car.

I was ok as most importantly, I wanted to get a feel of the Macan than anything else.

Reached the dealership 15 minutes in advance as I wanted to spend as much time with the car as possible. My SA was busy delivering a Porsche 911 and he tagged me to another young SA. I coaxed him into getting me an S instead of the base version for a test drive instead.

The only dampener was he wanted to ride with us which took some part of the fun away as I had to be conscious not to give it the full treatment. Our entire test drive lasted for about 45 minutes covering around 30 miles through freeways and back-roads based on the route he suggested.

I went in the BMW X3M40i to the dealership, so I could get a back-to-back drive experience between the two vehicles.

Here is my brief feedback on my test drive of a 2024 Porsche Macan S which was highly optioned and rated at 375 Horsepower and the exact one that I drove was available for sale at $92,000 MSRP.

Sorry for not having proper pictures and videos as I didn’t want to embarrass myself doing that in front of the SA but, still managed to sneak in a few pictures.

Interior and Build Quality

As soon as I stepped into the cabin the rush of blood (not the ones that run in my veins) red color greeted my eyes. It looks pretty at first sight but, will someone be able to live with such garish color in the cabin is anybody’s good guess.

The color, quality of the materials everything looked at least 2 steps ahead of the BMW. Interiors are absolutely marvelous. It’s no doubt, next level to a BMW.

Exteriors

This TD Macan S was in a dark metallic gray color. Not a fan of the color. I would prefer the Macan in brighter and fun shades which is what I see mostly on roads (Burnt Orange, Wine Shade, Parrot Green etc) and gives them a sporty character. This one looked dull and did not stand out from a road presence perspective. I think the X3 is more handsome in comparison.

Here is a picture taken outside IVARS (Grabbing some fish and chips before the movie starts) where coincidentally, I parked next to an older version of Macan.

Perfomance & Handling

This version came with a lot of bells and whistles and had the sports chrono package which means you can change the modes from that round dial you see on the steering wheel.

Started the car, folks who don’t know about Porsches. Their key/ignition start button is on the left side. Most Porsches still use a “Key” that you twist to bring the engine to life. I think it's supposed to give an overall mechanical and Porsche feel.

Engine came to life with a small rumble (way more meeker than my B58) and we made our way out. With me at the steering, we made our way out of the dealership and with SA giving instructions on where to turn etc.

We drove around Bellevue and took the I90 then got back to 520 which has plenty of curvy roads on the freeway. I toggled between Sports and Sports + (Same like BMW has 4 modes, the other two being Standard, Individual).

Steering Feel

The steering wheel felt nice with full leather, good weight and soft to hold. The feedback was accurate and felt great.

Suspension

This is the major difference. The suspension was so amazing that it felt super comfortable. When I got back to the X3, it made me realize that it’s a little bit harsher in comparison.

Handling

This is the best part. You take turns as if they don’t exist. I did many accelerations and in some instances went up to 90mph (80mph zone) and accelerated to merge and exit freeways (this is where power is required). Macan was taking turns or bends so easily, it was actually boring. It was doing it like “Mr. Cool Head” and I was totally zapped with the handling. Man, I can only imagine what their sports cars are capable of.

Performance

Macan S is 375 HP. However, this was the biggest disappointment.

The car "did not" feel similarly powerful than my BMW. Even in Sports+ it didn’t give me the thrills that I am used to in my BMW.

In the BMW, activate Sports + and the power is right on the surface of the pedal. There is no need to depress the pedal much (Folks who own a B58 will know what I am talking about). Gentle depression of A-pedal, car go bonkers.

I did not get the same feel in Macan S. I was pressing the A-pedal with more strength than I would have liked to get its full juice out and to go up to the aforementioned speeds. Perhaps, GTS gives the same acceleration feel as my BMW X3M40i. But, Macan S does not accelerate like my B58.

This was the biggest disappointment of the test drive.

At $92K, Macan S does almost everything either 1-level or 2-level better than the BMW but, it didn't feel exciting enough or a major upgrade to my BMW.

Upgrading to a Macan S just for its superior handling and build quality is not worth it, especially with my ownership background. Fresh off, someone driving the Macan S will love it.

Final Thoughts

Though, I have to admit that when I went back and sat in my BMW, it made me feel a little poorer despite my BMW having all the options.

I have decided to spend the next couple of years with my beloved Blau Rakete and, apply some minor mods to it to keep my ownership lively till my Porsche itch re-surfaces again (for now, Porsche Macan itch is gone).

I know that one day, I need to get a Porsche. This test drive just cleared my mind that my aim should be for a higher-end, more powerful and probably a different Porsche but, definitely not the Macan.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A reasonable option would be to get a Porsche Macan AWD (Base Model) but a more expensive and desirable option would be to go for the Macan S.

BHPian mobike008 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Fellow BHPians,

I’m in a bit of a dilemma (I wish such dilemmas come more often into my life) and need some outside-in perspective to clear my mind.

As you may be aware, I own a 2021 BMW X3 M40i that I leased brand new in January 2021 and have clocked ~ 30,000 miles (48,000 kms) in the last 32 months of ownership with “zero dollars” spent out of the pocket till date on its maintenance. I have been using it like the age-old adage of Hero Honda Splendor “Fill It, Shut it and Forget it”.

Touchwood- There are zero issues with the car and the build quality is excellent and the car looks almost new inside and out. Even to date, it still runs on stock Pirellis run-flats that I got with the car.

This is one of the most enjoyable gasoline vehicles that I owned in my entire life.

BMW is a renowned brand for their sporty vehicles, luxurious interiors and solid build quality. Now pair that with the B58 engine and ZF transmission, it’s a match made in heaven and gives it a Jekyll and Hyde personality. It can become a race-car monster or ramble along the freeways at 80mph with equal ease.

I just cannot express how much joy it brings to me when I drive this car. But, by nature, I am a progressive individual and believe in furthering my passion and pushing my goals even further to bring more and more excitement into my automobile ownership experiences.

Come January 2024, our BMW X3M40i lease comes to an end and I have 4-months to make a decision on “Which Next SAV”. Yup, only SUVs to be considered as we have an EV sedan at home that does the duties of teleporting us from one place to another like a “missile”.

Well, the whole reason to come up with this thread is primarily because of an unfortunate incident- I recently came into contact with my “magical BMW lady” who gave me a fabulous deal on my BMW and she has some lucrative offers that are making me think all these options. She needs to be squarely blamed for igniting all these stupid thoughts in my gullible mind! LOL

Financially, I can afford all options but, having wasted a lot of money on “new” automobiles, it's not a priority at all and will surely receive a lot of flak at home.

I need an outside in perspective from the following viewpoints:

• Performance, Ride and Handling (I have always loved performance vehicles and don’t really care for any other parameters in a car as they are more or less good for all cars)
• Financial sense- While I can afford it, does it really make sense to make this switch?
• BMW X3 M40i has been totally reliable and was an awesome experience from a performance perspective. Will I get the same experience with the new car?

Keeping monthly outflow in mind, I am considering the following cars to lease for the next 3 years.

• 2024 BMW X3M Competition (3.0 L, In-Line 6 S58 engine detuned to 473 HP)
• 2023 Porsche Macan ( 2.5 Liter, 4 Liter with their famed PDK gearbox and 275 HP)
• 2023 Porsche Macan S (3.0 Liter, 6 Cylinder with their famed PDK gearbox and 375 HP)

With that as a background, here are some options that I am considering and have 4-months to choose one of the below options:

Option 1 (Most Sensible and No Cost Option)

Once the lease ends, it sounds like a good idea to buy it back from BMW and refinance it for the same $$$$/month. I buy it back from BMW and pocket $5K-$7k as there is some equity in the car as I had negotiated a super awesome residual deal when I signed the contract for my BMW.

My car has just 30,000 miles and as per BMW forums I see many X3M40is doing great even at 90,000 miles with almost no issues.

If I spend a small amount ($2K) and get a VRSF catless downpipe and JB4 tune. This beast can easily be turned into a ravaging monster with power going up to 500 horsepower. This should keep me suitably engaged and excited for at least 2-years and cut out this stupid itch.

Option 2 (Expensive Option)

Once the lease ends, I buy it back from BMW and sell it in the outside market and pocket $5K-$7k as there is some equity in the car as I had negotiated a super awesome residual deal when I signed the contract for my BMW.

Basically, pocket $5k-$7K and get the BMW X3M which will cost me approximately 50% higher outflow per month with zero downpayment.

Positives- Brand new BMW X3M that I can drive for the next 3-years with zero maintenance costs.

Negative- I’m not sure if the X3M will be drastically different from the X3M40i from a performance aspect. I see many people sell the X3M and buy the X3M40i as they think the X3M is not good for daily driving especially the complaints are on the harsh ride.

Another negative, I will still be in the BMW world which is not really moving to the next level from a brand ownership experience.

Option 3 (Reasonable Option)

Sell the BMW X3M40i, pocket the $5k-$7k and get a Porsche Macan AWD (Base Model) and this will not impact my monthly outflow too drastically as it will be an additional 20% more than what I am paying currently each month for the BMW but, with zero downpayment.

Positives - I will enter the next level which is owning a Porsche which is definitely one level above BMW from a brand ownership perspective.

Negatives- I am not too excited about Porsche’s entry level Macan offering as it seems to be not at the same performance level as the BMW X3M40i level. But, this YT reviewer has something interesting to say about the Base Macan.

Option 4 (Expensive but, Desirable Option)

Sell the BMW X3M40i, pocket the $5k-$7k and get a Porsche Macan S and this will significantly impact my monthly outflow and will be similar to the BMW X3M payments which are 50% higher than my current monthly payments. But, again with zero downpayment.

Positives- Macan S has a lovely spec and is a true-performance car. But, is it as good as my BMW X3M40i or there is no comparison? I need to test drive myself and see the real world difference.

Negative- It’s expensive from a monthly outflow perspective.

This reviewer says the Macan S is so capable that it’s almost boring.

Porsche Macan GTS is out of budget and based on some reviews the performance difference is too marginal to warrant spending an extra $15K on this variant.

Please feel free to propose other car options (you may have noted that I didn’t even consider the Audi SQ5 or SQ8 as they don’t stand a chance in front of a BMW or a Porsche) that are in similar price and performance category.

BMW or a Porsche happens to be my most favorite choice.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Are you going to be in the USA long-term? If yes, then I suggest holding onto your X3M340i that you are clearly so happy with, and enjoying to the bits (going by your posts & travelogues). Spend a little money on modifying it and enjoy it for another 2 years. Then, buy the Porsche variant you really want. By then, your income levels would also have logically gone higher & you saved money by retaining your current car.

On the other hand, if you are returning to India in a few years, then go ahead and get that Porsche right away. The USA is a dream market for car enthusiasts and switching cars every 2 - 3 years is the best way to experience different machines that are out of reach / unavailable in India.

How about something like the 2023 Corvette? Or the Mustang? Not keen? Any chances of buying a used sportscar like the 911? There are just so many options in the USA.

Here's what BHPian moralfibre had to say about the matter:

Purely from a numbers perspective, the Macan GTS is the first natural progression choice given that you'll push your bhp figures in the 400s territory. The X3M would be the next fair choice to propel you into the upper 400s territory and place you in a lucrative territory of 500bhp cars.

Other options are just moves around the equatorial regions. You'll simply change badges without much of a change in weather. I'd vote for an X3M or a Macan GTS depending on your budget.

I hope you are opting to lease these because you are a prime candidate for whom this option of vehicle possession is carved out. Lease a car, enjoy it for 3 years and move on to the next upgrade.

Here's what BHPian Turbanator had to say about the matter:

If you can hold on to your purchase and get something that will make you fulfil your long wish, I will certainly keep that X3M40i. Any newer cars you buy today will depreciate faster and more than if bought three years ago. This madness of crazy deliveries and multiple yearly increases is behind us. The kind of interest one has to pay today is already reflected in the market.

Your Model 3 can do everything your X3 does and some more. If you need a SAV vehicle, Maccan or even the new Cayenne makes a good case. I won't recommend another BMW, irrespective of the trim or the model. You are in the best place to get a Porsche cheap (relatively). Maccan may feel similar to X3 once you are past the initial days, and since you travel long distances, consider a Cayenne seriously. I will pay little attention to 0-100 or some YT videos. Drive back to back on familiar roads for a distance; the best will be to take your family along as they should feel more comfortable in the Cayenne.

Here's what BHPian Amey Kulkarni had to say about the matter:

My two cents as an owner of The Porsche Cayenne Exclusive GTS and Supra MK 5, do not test drive the Macan S / GTS if the specs on the car and your finances aren’t convincing enough.

If you taste the Porsche blood, you’re not going back to the BMW. Period!

Don’t get a barebone Macan (Standard) nor any Standard variant Porsche for that matter. Not worth it nor retains a good resale value compared to an S or a GTS.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It made sense for me to look at a car with better boot space and rear seat space as a family car and I seriously started looking at the X3 M40i instead of the M340i

BHPian fusionbang recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

BMW X3 M40i

Likes

• Exterior Looks
• Brilliant Engine (B58) with an amazing gearbox (8ZF)
• Luxurious (coming from a highlander) interior with Cognac seats
• Compact yet spacious cabin and boot space
• Panaromic Sunroof
• Adaptive LEDs with Matrix LED lights and auto high beam technology
• 12 speaker Harmon Kardon audio with iDrive 7.0

Dislikes

• Pricey, almost touching the X5 range
• Bumpy ride (Especially with RFT tires)
• Some features like sunglass holder, 360 deg camera, Adaptive Cruise Control missing as standard at this price point
• No scuff plates for rear doors
• Wireless charging should have been standard
• Comes with summer tires as standard with a staggered setup, being in east coast have to spend another grand to have a set of winter tires or change them to all season tires.

Background

I was happily munching miles with my 2019 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD for almost 3 years and I was liking it for its butch looks, easy maintenance, Toyota reliability and good resale.

Even though it was a 8 seater SUV, it was a pleasure to drive and it could munch miles all day without breaking a sweat. I never had plans to change anytime soon, till I was sure about my visa situation and the time I would be in US.

A meet with some of the TBhpians here in Midwest and a trip to the ultimate driving experience/M track days from BMW changed my thoughts completely and made me think again to buy a BMW while I am here in US, which is definitely not affordable for me back in India. The phrase "You live only Once" was always running in the back of my mind.

I started evaluating the market value of my 3 year old highlander and due to covid the used car market was on a high and I was able to fetch 31000 USD (including tax credit) for a 29000 miles run car, which was not bad considering I had paid 36000 USD in 2018. Hence decided to let go of this car with a heavy heart and take a plunge on the BMW.

Which BMW?

One of the main reason, to start thinking about BMW was the M340i of our fellow BHPian nikhilarni which I got to drive on one of our meets and I was impressed the way it behaved especially on corners and the exhaust note, which were music to the ears. I was owning a 2018 330i earlier and the 245 horses it delivered was itself powerful enough for me. After experiencing the 380 horses on the M340i made me fall in love with the BMW all over again.

Initially started looking at the M340i's available and spoke to few dealers but the prices quoted were exorbitant and there were no discounts available with any dealer nor from BMW. Also the prices were almost touching the price of a premium luxury SUV. While I was researching on the M340i's, came across couple of X3 M40i's at the same price range and thought of giving it a shot as well, considering both come with the same engine. However, was skeptical because the driving pleasure you get from a sedan is completely different from a SUV.

I have a 6 year old and it would be the only car in the household and I had to think through the practicality before deciding. It made sense for me to look at a car with better boot space and rear seat space as a family car and I seriously started looking at the X3 M40i. Also, if I settle here in US, may be I will look at adding a M car in my garage (may be M3)

Below points made me go with the X3 M40i over M340i:

1. Commanding view of the road (those bold bonnet lines )

2. Easy on the back & knees for longer drives

3. Spacious 2nd row, especially with the kid growing older

4. Easy access to boot and spacious compared to the 340i

5. Panaromic Sunroof (my son loves it)

6. Similar features as M340i

7. Perfect Family Enthusiast car

Buying and Dealership Experience:

Finding a car on the lot, like it was before here in US was not an option anymore due to this pandemic and the chip shortage across the world. I had to literally call each and every dealer to check if there was a car available and the deals available if they have one.

All the dealers closer to me were out of stock and there were no new cars expected anytime soon. One of the reason for the low stock along with chip shortage was because LCI model was due shortly and the dealers had sold almost all pre LCI models they had in stock.

However, I started looking on cars.com with a radius of 200 miles so that I can pick it up and drive it home. Anyway I had my highlander to be traded and I was okay driving to the dealer within that range. There were only few cars available within 200 miles and I reached out to most of the dealers for the deals and discounts available.

Every dealer quoted almost the MSRP and the lease amount was also way beyond my budget. The market had completely changed compared to one year back, when there were better deals were available. Now it was not even close to what my friends got earlier. And few dealers wanted me to visit them to talk and finalize the deal.

One day, I visited a dealer in Maryland (BMW of Owning Mills) which was around 60 miles away from my place since they had one car available and it almost had all the options I wanted. Only after reaching there I realized that they had added a markup value of 3000$ along with unnecessary add-on like ceramic coating and nitrogen filling.

I was unhappy with the SA not being upfront, which could have saved my time and fuel going all the way from Philly. However, the SA spoke to his manager, also evaluated my highlander and gave a good trade in value on the car. Still I was not willing to go ahead with it and wanted to negotiate on the markup and additional add ons.

Spoke to the manager and he was willing to let go off the markup value but there is nothing much he could do on the coating and nitrogen, because it was already on the car. It was almost closing time for them and there was some back and forth discussions and still something was not adding up in the calculations. There were some discussion with the Finance guy as well to try and match up my budget, which I was not willing to cross. It took a couple of hours of my time to come up with a number and the SA was getting the car cleaned up and filled with fuel for me to take the car home. This is all without a decision made on the finances and if I am going ahead with the purchase or not.

Finally the finances did not add up and I had to walk away from the dealership, spending 3 hours of time almost till 9PM EST.

Some pics of the car which I almost had my hands on. It was one of the best looking cars in all black (just how I preferred). I was looking for a black or white car only, no other colors.

So my search continued and it was a hard job finding a car in my budget and with the options I wanted. I traveled to different dealerships up to New York to find a car and all in vain. One of the dealer was willing to build one for me and it would take almost 6 weeks for the car to arrive. But my family was in India and I wanted to give them a surprise by picking them from the airport in new car, so that option was ruled out too.

One day I was just browsing cars.com and came across this car which a dealer had just posted and the dealer was not far enough from my place. I immediately rang them up and found that the car is available and had just arrived in the lot. Also informed them that I would be visiting them shortly. Visited the dealer, took a quick test drive and it had almost everything I wanted and hence booked it on the spot.

Also, I was having a 1000$ voucher from BMW from the track event I attended in Indianapolis, which was honored and also gave a good trade in value for my highlander. Everything fell in place as expected and I was ready to bring home the beautiful White Wolf.

Drove straight to the temple for pooja and back home. Took it slow with varied rpms to run in the engine and it was fun driving this beast.

Build details

• 2022 BMW X3 M40i

• Alpine White

• Cognac Interior

• 19" M Y-Spoke Bi-color Midnight Grey Wheels (Square Setup) - 245/50 R19

• Premium Package

• Heads up Display
• Gesture Control
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Heated Front Seats

• Remote Engine Start
• Harman Kardon Audio

Continue reading BHPian fusionbang's review of his X3 M40i for more insights and information.

The ride quality is pretty good but my wife thinks that it’s on the harder side. She keeps on comparing it with that of the Mazda CX-9.

BHPian mobike008 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Here is a feeble attempt at compiling a list of positives and negatives of my Blau Rakete after completing 1 year and 13,000 miles (21,000kms).

Well, these are personal opinions and I do tend to go a little overboard with emotions especially if something really touches my heart & soul as this one did.

These pointers are not in any order/sequence but penned based on what occurred to the mind. I hope to hear with feedback/opinions of other B58 owners on the forum (There are quite a few BHPians who own this engine in form of M340i and X3M40i).

Positives

• Let’s begin with the heart of the matter; Engine (Code Name: B58) which is a 3.0L, in-line 6-cylinder powerful, creamy, high-revving and versatile engine. Some journalists/enthusiasts claim this to be the “Best Engine” BMW has ever produced to date (Source: Please read the article at the end of this post).
• As quoted in this article, horsepower-wise this engine feels a lot more powerful in real-world applications, maybe 100HP more as the article quotes. I had this feeling right from the beginning of my ownership.
• Personally experienced this multiple times. We visit Boston (Sis’s abode) almost once a quarter and I usually take charge of her car which is a BMW X5 50i, V8 engine with 445 horsepower that feels powerful in isolation. When I come back home and drive my car, there is a marked difference.
• X3 M40i feels a lot more powerful than X5 50i (Weight non-withstanding). Power comes in like floodwater rushing out of dam gates. It’s relentless, brutal and scary (especially Sports +). For normal road use, if you are not paying attention and in Sports+ mode, it can turn disastrous. Hence, I use this mode only when I am fully attentive and in the mood for some serious fun.
• Torque is instantaneous irrespective of the gear, speed or drive mode. (Sports and Sports +, shifts are a lot more instantaneous).
• Gearshifts are butter smooth and again blisteringly quick and it’s common knowledge this pairing (Engine & Transmission) is one of the best (if not the best in the industry). Be it in automatic mode or the paddle-shift mode the shifts are quick. I generally use paddle shifts in mountains or curvy roads as there is a lot more control and you can push the car better into the corners. Don’t ask me what paddle shifters do to gas mileage!
• Steering feel is very nice and direct. It’s better than base version X3 but has scope for improvements. I like the steering feel best in Sports and above. This feeling gets diluted a bit
 in eco-pro mode (Despite me configuring it to sports settings) and feels a little vaguer.
• Exhaust Note- Half the thrill of driving this car is due to its exhaust note. During cold starts, sometimes my neighbors if they passing close-by, jump out of their skin as the sound is really 
loud. Also, the biggest thrill of driving this car is the pops and crackle in Sports and Sports + mode, a sound that makes me chuckle hard and make me love this car harder.
• X3 is quite roomy from the inside (As against my better half’s feeling) and the sunroof enhances this roomy effect. With the sunroof open on a sunny day, it feels like looking out of an aquarium.
• Love the plush cognac interiors and carbon fiber trim - luxurious and makes me feel like some rich mogul.

• Technology in the car is flawless and everything works like it's intended.

Some of my favorite features include:

• Wireless CarPlay (Seamless connection between iPhones, AirPods, Powerbeats etc).
• Adaptive Headlights (Very useful as the lights fall ahead even before the steering turns).
• BMW Navigation (In some cases, it has a lot more details than G-Maps and Apple Maps).
• Gesture Control (I’m so used to it now, I doubt if I can live without it!).
• 18-way Seat Support (I find so many new positions that are comfortable).
• Touchscreen is very responsive and works like a charm.
• HUD for Maps and Music (Crisp, Bright and Height Adjustable).
• Instrument Cluster is versatile and can be configured to show maps, music and other features.
• ID7 for its crisp display and features.
• A football kick below the boot to open & close the tailgate is super helpful for us folks in the US as we are perennially grocery shopping.
• Touch to open and close all doors with the facility to include/exclude boot open as part of this process is another nice feature.
• Safety features like Auto Brake, BSP, 360-degree camera functions ensures peace of mind driving experience.

Negatives

• For big guys (I’m 6.1 with a large frame), the seating position is not super comfortable. The driving position is cocooned and gives you a race-car driving type of feel with side bolsters curving up to ensure you take corners better without your body rolling too much. Feels great for cornering but, not the most comfortable for long drives.
• 19” wheels and Pirelli RF’s aren’t the best. After clocking 13K miles, these tyres don’t perform as good as when they were new. This car has so much potential to be driven hard but this wheel size and RF combination are not suited for hard-driving as it squeals a lot coming out of corners (555 Drive, Smoky Mountains and My recent 3,300 miles trip firmly made me decide to upgrade to better rubber soon).
• I feel 20” and non-RF good rubber can completely transform this beast without compromising too much on ride quality. It remains to be seen if I will stick to 19” and just get good rubber or will upgrade the wheels as well.
• Wireless Charger- It’s just a fancy item and not worth the money. Gets hot fast, charges slow.
• Gas Mileage- I should not be complaining but, this car has such a wide range of MPG that it shocks me. If I drive in Eco-Pro mode (Just guessing its power is dialed down to regular X3 power with 250bhp), I get a fantastic MPG of 26-27mpg. However, the moment I decide to have some fun, it drastically drops to the 17-18mpg range. Gas is getting pretty expensive here and it made me cringe when I look at gas prices (Premium-91RON) in California to be $5.50/gallon or above. Otherwise, here in Seattle, it’s in the $4.25/gallon range which isn’t cheap either.
• Ride is pretty good but my wife thinks it’s on the harder side. She keeps comparing with Mazda CX-9 and highlights at every given chance that X3 is such a small car and is a tad tight inside. I nod my head and “act” as if I sympathize and agree with her observations. I can tell you America spoils you (with respect to sizes & spaces).

Let me wrap up by sharing this article on the B58 engine. A balanced article that compares this engine with other OEM engines that are offered in much more expensive sports cars

Final Words

This is a deceptively fast car which BMW disguised as a compact SAV. And, here is to something that I never wished for any of the long lists of cars that I owned to date, I would love to keep this car forever!

A few random pictures of Blau Rakete over the period of 13,000 miles.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

These variants are positioned below the proper M cars like the M3 and X3 M.

BMW is reportedly planning to introduce M Performance variants of the 3-Series and X3 in India. These include the M340i and X3 M40i variants.

BMW's M Performance line-up is made up of slightly sportier versions of the regular models. These variants are positioned below the proper M cars like the M3 and X3 M.

Both the M340i and X3 M40i are powered by a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that puts out 369 BHP @ 5,500-6,500 rpm and 500 Nm @ 1,850-5,000 rpm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with an all-wheel drive system.

Both cars come with a sport bodykit and larger wheels. They also get upgraded suspension, brakes, differential and exhaust.

Source: Autocar