The locally-built X3 has taken up the mantel of the 3 Series as a sweet spot within the BMW range, but have we found the sweet spot within the sweet spot having driven the M40i variant?
There is no denying how impressive an all-rounder the BMW X3 is, however, our recent encounter with the M40i variant has left us even more impressed than we had anticipated!
Styling
The X3 was updated in late 2021, with a mildly revised exterior that includes updated headlights, an updated grille and a revised front apron. The M40i gets bespoke BMW M kidney grilles in contrasting gloss black, a hue that also adorns the M exterior mirrors, exhaust tips and window trim surrounds while the 21-inch alloy wheels complete an aggressive and brilliantly executed sporty SUV exterior design.
Interior and space
The interior of the X3 is a great blend of M Performance sportiness and the inherent practicality of the X3 package. The general fit and finish as material quality used inside is impressive, especially when considering that our press car had some 25 000km on its odometer at the time of our test period. Infotainment is taken care of by a 12.3-inch iDrive system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality which is complimented by a Harmon Kardon sound system and a digested instrument cluster.
From a practical perspective, there’s a 550-litre boot, which expands to 1 600-litres with the rear seats folded flat, allowing for a 29er mountain bike to be loaded in the rear! Rear occupant space was also reported as good while general passenger and driver comfort levels were rated as good.
Performance and driving impression
The powertrain department is where the M40i truly shinies, with its B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six being paired with the superb ZF 8-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels. Power is ample at 285kW/500Nm, and despite a hefty kerb weight of 1 910kg, the X3 will sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds while the top speed is pegged at 250 km/h. This engine and gearbox combination are among the best in the business, managing to offer performance and an elasticity that means it is usable from both performance and subdued driving perspectives. The B58 motor also produces a fabulous soundtrack, offering all of the traditional BMW in-line six sounds, but with a wonderfully linear power delivery.
The ride and handling complement the versatile powertrain too, with the ability to hunker down and do the daily grind in relative comfort while also providing a reasonable amount of engagement when pushing on a bit. The driving experience in the M40i is one of all-around ability, with an impressive breadth of usability that we feel makes this the best compromise between the fire-breathing X3 M Competition and the 30d M Sport within the X3 range.
Safety
The X3 was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 20 and achieved a 5-Star rating, including 93% for driver safety, 84% for occupant safety, 70% for pedestrian safety and 58% for its safety assistance systems.
Fuel consumption
BMW claims that the M40i will consume petrol at a rate of 8.9 L/100km, however, our week with the model yielded a figure of 12.1 L/100km, which is about what we would expect from a neat 2.0-ton turbocharged SUV.
Pricing
The X3, in M40i guise, was priced at R1 468 146 at the time of writing, making it cheaper than the soon-to-be-replaced Mercedes-AMG GLC43 coupe 4Matic but more expensive than the Audi SQ5. The X3 comes as standard with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan along with a 2-year/ unlimited km vehicle warranty.
Verdict
A week spent with the X3 M40i has left us with the impression that this is the product within the brand’s current line-up that strikes the best balance between mass-market appeal, sporty performance, quality, value and aesthetics. We may look back on products such as the M40i and consider this as among the most desirable daily drivers produced by the Bavarian brand.
Keyword: BMW X3 M40i (2023) Review