The BMW X3 M has long been one of our favorite vehicles of the modern M series. Whether in standard guise, more aggressive competitive representative or 600 hp, the X3 m is a joy behind the steering wheel. But that’s just a part of the reason why we will miss it. Since BMW has confirmed that there will be no more X3 m, we will be around what is one of the most coherent M products on this page of the 2010s.
The perfect mix of usability and performance
The X3 m is essentially an SUV with a number of go-fast parts. While this may appear like a simplification, the vehicle behaves exactly. In essence, its size is a perfect family for a family of four or for the mapping of friends and is also plenty of storage space. But if it is only a driver and machine and the road gets fast, enable the 503 horsepower performance of X3 M (anyway in the competitive mouth) and the aggressive suspension and the bike/tire setup to challenge the laws of physics with a smile on your face. Its size also pays dividends, which is a nastier and more confident companion than larger M cars such as the X5 M.
Of course, the car is ultimately a compromise on both fronts. The high six under the bonnet does not sip the fuel like the regular X3. Also, the adult M in daily driving scenarios such as a basic car is not as comfortable. Similarly, they will not experience the same handling as more dedicated M cars such as the G80 M3 or even F87 M2. But the X3 m is just so damn good to pull twice the obligation, you may not notice it.
Under-the-radar styling
The old School-M delicacies do not stop with the balance of the X3 m, to have dynamics and livelihood. The X3 m also had an extremely subtle styling, which for our eye corresponds much more with some of the biggest hits in the M division such as the E39 M5 and E46 M3. If you look at the X3 M, you will find exactly zero crazy wings or funky grid designs. You will Find time-honored traditions, such as special wing mirrors, a quad-top exhaust and a subtly optimized bumper design. But apart from these touches and indications such as larger bikes and painted brakes, which were also available from some smaller X3 models – the design of the X3 M is almost reserved. And you surely I will not see it as far as the G80 M3 or G82 M4.
Just say no to big screens
The last X3 m models rolled out of the factory floor in 2024 and, like the similarly equipped M8, continued to offer an older screen design that finds some less intrusive and perhaps more intuitive. Some rather objective points in favor of the older system are an integrated look, especially for the measuring cluster. It is even better that iDrive 7 offers the necessary essentials – Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Voice Commands/Navigation. Graphically, a newer iDrive system provide better experience, but that is hardly the most important thing when driving. The X3 M was one of the latest M cars that they could buy again, which still had the smaller screens – and we will miss it for it.
Unique
The X3 m only stops being what we would call “peerless”. There are other and even compelling options, such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and AMGS GLC 63 S. The Stelvio does the X3 m fairly well, with a revvy twin turbo-six-pot 505 hp and even a little less than the BMW. But its starting price was $ 20,000 more than the X3 M. Big-Boy-Boy-Mercedes-, while it was still available, a similar price problem, so that you may have to enter the 43 model, which is dependent on a much less interesting drive train with only 416 hp. Cool, but not the same.
The point is that these are the most convincing alternatives to the X3 m, and they are either not so convincing or are a little higher than the place where the X3 m was positioned. Since BMW is not ready to continue the line of the X3 M with an X3 m of the next generation, a hole of $ 75,000 remains on the Super SUV market. The closest real competition is the Macan GTS, but this is still a steep basic price of 89,000 US dollars.
I have no doubt that the years will look friendly on the X3 m because good ones are scarce. Since it is probably one of the few future classic SUVs, the possibility of snapping, getting at a reasonable price can come and go before you recognize it. In any case, we will miss the X3 M and hopes that BMW will find a new way to bring a new one to production.
