The BMW X3 M has lengthy been one among our favourite fashionable M Sequence autos. Whether or not in normal guise, extra aggressive Competitors trim, or tuned to 600 horsepower, the X3 M is a pleasure behind the wheel. However that’s solely a part of the rationale we’ll miss it. As BMW has confirmed there received’t be one other X3 M anytime quickly, we’ll mourn the loss of what’s arguably one of the cohesive M merchandise this aspect of the 2010s.
The Excellent Mixture of Usability and Efficiency
The X3 M is, primarily, an SUV with a bunch of go-fast components tacked on. Whereas that will look like an oversimplification, it’s precisely how the automobile behaves. Being, at its core, an X3, its measurement is ideal for a household of 4 or for carting associates round whereas nonetheless having ample space for storing. However when it’s simply driver and machine and the highway will get twisty, the X3 M’s 503 horsepower (in Competitors guise, anyway) and aggressive suspension and wheel/tire setup lets you problem the legal guidelines of physics with a smile in your face. Its measurement pays dividends, too, translating to a extra nimble and surefooted companion than bigger M automobiles just like the X5 M.
In fact, the automotive is in the end a compromise on each fronts. The high-strung six below the hood doesn’t sip gasoline just like the common X3. Neither is the full-blown M as snug in every day driving eventualities as a base automotive. Equally, you received’t expertise the identical dealing with as extra devoted M automobiles, just like the G80 M3 and even F87 M2. However the X3 M is simply so rattling good at pulling double responsibility, you may not discover.
Below-the-Radar Styling
The old-school M delights don’t cease with the X3 M’s steadiness of dynamics and livability. The X3 M additionally had extraordinarily refined styling, which to our eye is much more in keeping with among the M division’s biggest hits just like the E39 M5 and E46 M3. Trying on the X3 M, you’ll discover precisely zero loopy wings or funky grille designs. You will discover time-honored traditions, like particular wing mirrors, a quad-tipped exhaust, and a subtly tweaked bumper design. However apart from these touches and cues like greater wheels and painted brakes—which had been additionally out there on some lesser X3 fashions—the X3 M’s design is downright restrained. And also you definitely received’t see it coming from as distant because the G80 M3 or G82 M4.
Simply Say No to Massive Screens
The final of the X3 M fashions rolled off the manufacturing unit ground in 2024, and just like the equally phased-out M8, continued to supply an older display screen design that some discover much less intrusive and maybe extra intuitive. Some fairly goal factors in favor of the older system embody a extra built-in look, significantly for the gauge cluster. Even higher, iDrive 7 nonetheless gives the naked necessities—Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice instructions/navigation. Graphically, newer iDrive system ship a greater expertise, however that’s hardly an important factor whereas driving. The X3 M was one of many newest M automobiles you may purchase new that also had the smaller screens—and we’ll miss it for that.
Certainly one of a Variety
The X3 M stops simply wanting being what we’d name “peerless.” There are different choices, and even compelling ones, just like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and AMG’s GLC 63 S. The Stelvio does fairly good justice to the X3 M, using a revvy twin-turbo six-pot to ship 505 horsepower and even weighing a bit lower than the BMW. However its begin worth was round $93,000—practically $20,000 extra pricey than the X3 M. The large-boy Mercedes—whereas it was nonetheless out there—had the same pricing drawback, so that you might need to step right down to the 43 mannequin which depends on a a lot much less fascinating powertrain, an inline-four with simply 416 horsepower. Cool, however not fairly the identical.
The purpose is, these are essentially the most compelling alternate options to the X3 M, they usually both aren’t all that compelling or are priced fairly a bit increased than the place the X3 M was positioned. With BMW unwilling to proceed the X3 M’s lineage with a next-gen X3 M, a $75,000 gap is left within the tremendous SUV market. The closest actual competitors is the Macan GTS, however that’s nonetheless a steep $89,000 base worth.
I’ve little question that the years will look kindly upon the X3 M pretty much as good ones get scarce. As what’s prone to be one among few future basic SUVs, the chance to snag one at an honest worth might come and go earlier than you notice it. Both manner, we’ll miss the X3 M and desperately hope BMW finds a option to get a brand new one into manufacturing.
