[Montaver]

I currently drive a 23' M340 LCI, and ran a G20 330i for 3 years before that so I am very familiar with the G series 3. I was at my dealer getting my M340 aligned after getting acquainted with one of the friendly pot holes that accumulate here in the North east during winter. My SA threw me the keys to an X3 M50, I had a proper poke around and took it for a drive. Sharing my impressions as I think these cars are quite regularly cross shopped, at least I certainly shopped the X3 M40i a couple of years ago when making the choice.

Ride quality - I was impressed with the X3, it felt very smooth and supple. The M340i with adaptive is more taut by comparison. The M340 feels much 'sportier' and is more active (but not busy), the X3 felt like it moves less with the road surface. If your looking for pure comfort the X3 wins here.

Steering - The X3 has a appropriately quick rack, no dead spot on center and was accurate and easy to place. The M340 is the similar in this regard, I couldn't feel a huge amount of difference although there could be some ratio differences. These are more sporty daily drivers than sports cars so this probably isn't a huge factor, both are satisfying to pilot. Perhaps with more seat time it would become apparent.

Handling - No escaping the X3 is an SUV and it feels like one on the road, from the high waist and upper dash to the seating position it just isn't a sports sedan. It has a more 'cruisy' vibe. It was a brand new car so I couldn't really push it on the twisties. I am sure it handles well when driven hard, but the M340i feels more dialed in here.

Power - My M340 feels quicker at WOT, although its had 10k miles to loosen up the engine and its 500lbs lighter. I could really feel the weight of the X5 here. For anyone who knows the B58 and ZF8, its more of the same here. Top of its class.

Isolation - The X3 feels more isolated from road noise, it actually reminded me of the G60 5 series. Like it has an extra layer of stuffing buried in the chassis to take away some of the deeper resonant frequencies. Bear in mind the 3 series is also very refined, I think it tests at 64db or thereabouts, I would say its like going from 8/10 to a 9/10.

Wind Noise - The fact there is slightly less road noise is offset by what felt like more wind noise, particularly from around the mirrors. Its marginal though, perhaps it just felt more amplified. The fact the X3 doesn't offer acoustic glass is a real miss in my opinion.

Seats - X3 has better seats on initial impression, more supportive and cosseting. I was only sat in it for 30 mins or so, but I am sure it would be good on long journeys too.

Tech - The lack of drive mode buttons is annoying, the M340 still has physical buttons for this. The HUD looked like it had more visual options. I didn't spend much time here as idrive is the benchmark whatever version you are on.

Interior - Both cars have a very solid, well engineered and well built feeling. But there's no escaping the material choices in the X3 feel very low rent, particularly the doors. Its entirely plastic, no metal trim at all (there is some trim that looks like metal, but pretty sure its plastic). I had a poke around an X1 that was also in the showroom, honestly you would think the interiors were switched. I would take the 3 series interior with the X3 seats. The steering wheel on the X3 looks good, but its way too thick/fat.

Ultimately the M340 feels slightly more purposeful and dynamic. The X3 feels more plush, softened at the edges, and utilitarian but still with a performance edge. My overall impression of the X3 vibes with a lot of reviews, BMW did a great job on the dynamics/ride/drive train and I think a lot of people will enjoy the way it goes down any type of road. However if you have driven any G series BMW's, they ultimately all do well in this area and have a well defined BMW 'feel' across the models. From a styling/interior/tech perspective the X3 really feels like a 'point in time' car that's sandwiched between design languages and taken aggressive cost cutting on the nose. Something had to be sacrificed, and I guess it ended up being the interior. For this reason it doesn't feel like it really moves the game forward in the way the F to G generation did. Maybe they will make some tweaks for the LCI. I drove off feeling a bit wistful about how well BMW could of executed it if market forces were a different (acoustic glass, B&W sound, higher quality interior, more physical buttons, etc.). I'll have one on my shortlist when my lease is up anyway.

[dcorn]

Man, putting those side by side shows how criminal the new X3 styling is. Thankfully, BMW has managed to not screw up the Msport 3 series yet, that is one great looking car.

Thanks for the comparison, glad to hear the general driving experience of the new X3 makes up for the looks.

[ASAP]

man, everything about that X3 interior bothers me...

those cheap looking door cards
no galvanized buttons
lack of shifter
that huge cheap door lock button

i think the only thing that stands out to me as being liked is that steering wheel w paddles

its a shame because it seems its a well driving car just put into an egg body shell w an interior from a CRV

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

man, everything about that X3 interior bothers me...

those cheap looking door cards
no galvanized buttons
lack of shifter
that huge cheap door lock button

i think the only thing that stands out to me as being liked is that steering wheel w paddles

its a shame because it seems its a well driving car just put into an egg body shell w an interior from a CRV

I think BMW is just sweating the CLAR platform, which is already a well driving platform.

The G45 drivetrain is shared with other BMW models, just tweaked. The CLAR platform isn’t new, iDrive 9 is already used in the lower X1, which bizarrely looks like a more premium model.

The big bits that BMW “spent money” on specifically for the G45 are the body panels, and interior. Maybe be the iDrive controller cost a lot lol

[Montaver]

The interior is essentially the iX interior design language with less premium materials. With some good use of metal trim or other interesting materials like matte wood, Alcantara, carbon fiber etc. I think they could of made this cabin design look and feel really good. I guess that’s what they were trying to do with the recycled material dash option but I haven’t seen that in person. Volvo do some cool stuff with fabrics in their designs. Ultimately it looks like the bean counters, not the designers, made the final call on it though.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by avi66

I think BMW is just sweating the CLAR platform, which is already a well driving platform.

The G45 drivetrain is shared with other BMW models, just tweaked. The CLAR platform isn’t new, iDrive 9 is already used in the lower X1, which bizarrely looks like a more premium model.

The big bits that BMW “spent money” on specifically for the G45 are the body panels, and interior. Maybe be the iDrive controller cost a lot lol

You need to testdrive a X1 and you will think totally different. The DCT drivetrain and the front biased Xdrive of the X1 is so bad and the whole car feels like VW while driving and not like a BMW.

We testdrove the X1 U11 last year and where sooo disapointed that my wife ordered a X3 LCI instead she didn't need the size and space of the X3 over the X1.

What makes iDrive 9 in the G45 much better than the U11 implementation is the G45s larger display and the iDrive controller in the center console.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

You need to testdrive a X1 and you will think totally different. The DCT drivetrain and the front biased Xdrive of the X1 is so bad and the whole car feels like VW while driving and not like a BMW.

We testdrove the X1 U11 last year and where sooo disapointed that my wife ordered a X3 LCI instead she didn't need the size and space of the X3 over the X1.

What makes iDrive 9 in the G45 much better than the U11 implementation is the G45s larger display and the iDrive controller in the center console.

I said the X1 looks more premium, I wouldn’t buy one though, and I’m aware of the UKL2 platform front wheel drive bias.

Personally, I’d like a balance of good handling and premium look/feel interior. Good handling but poor interior doesn’t cut it for me.

[mart1nco]

I also test drove iX1 and X1 25e U11 and while it looked more posh inside, I didn't feel that way even compared to my previous 120i F40. Squeaky door handle and rattles didn't leave good impression either, both demo cars had a few thousand kikometers. HUD was quite a downgrade too, similarly to H&K, firm suspension, missing light in glovebox or almost useless central armrest. Also squeaking rear wheel brakes affecting those electrified models were weird, there's a lot about it on MotorTalk.

I've now driven just a few tens of kms on X3 M50 G45 (being PPFed now) and I can say the interior feels better then it looks, we'll see how it holds over time. Drivetrain & suspension are excellent, can't wait to get the car back to drive it again.

[avi66]

Spent some time in a brand new G45 today.

[PGHBMW1]

Great write up. How did you like the Dune Gray color? Purchased a basic 30 with some options like real leather back in October and got 10% off. I'm a vet so that helped. Drove the M50 first and its a monster for me. First BMW so I opted for the basic version for 15k less and plan on keeping it for a while. From my perspective the interior is not that cheap overall. Again, not coming from a prior BMW my viewpoint is different. MPG from the B48 mild hybrid is amazing given the weight of the vehicle and power from the 2.0. Does anybody have a technical explanation of the mild hybrid used in the b48? It appears the alternator is oversized where in the 6 an electric motor is in the transmission. It the battery tucked in the passenger side firewall the Lithium and the 12 volt battery is in the rear?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by avi66

Spent some time in a brand new G45 today.

did you get a chance to drive it and compared it dynamically 1 for 1?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

did you get a chance to drive it and compared it dynamically 1 for 1?

No, I was wasting some time at the dealers, and it was a 20i or d I think. Still, it had the M pack, so the interior was mostly the same as an M50.

It was strategically placed next to an XM lol.��

[avi66]

Originally Posted by PGHBMW1

Does anybody have a technical explanation of the mild hybrid used in the b48? It appears the alternator is oversized where in the 6 an electric motor is in the transmission. It the battery tucked in the passenger side firewall the Lithium and the 12 volt battery is in the rear?

No sure about the B48, but the B58 has changed as below. If it’s the same as the old system, it’s a belt based starter/generator, that provides assistance during start/stop, and under acceleration. The 48v Lithium-ion battery is usually under the cowling in the engine bay.

Afaik, it’s the unit trickled down from the B58 used initially on the 7, which has the electric motor built into the ZF transmission (c. $30k replacement cost eek), rather than alternator/motor solution. This is more like a PHEV, but without the additional battery capacity in the G45, and why the torque from the electric drive is now included total output, whereas before it wasn’t. Hence a bump in HP, due to the way it’s now measured.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by PGHBMW1

Great write up. How did you like the Dune Gray color? Purchased a basic 30 with some options like real leather back in October and got 10% off. I'm a vet so that helped. Drove the M50 first and its a monster for me. First BMW so I opted for the basic version for 15k less and plan on keeping it for a while. From my perspective the interior is not that cheap overall. Again, not coming from a prior BMW my viewpoint is different. MPG from the B48 mild hybrid is amazing given the weight of the vehicle and power from the 2.0. Does anybody have a technical explanation of the mild hybrid used in the b48? It appears the alternator is oversized where in the 6 an electric motor is in the transmission. It the battery tucked in the passenger side firewall the Lithium and the 12 volt battery is in the rear?

I quite like the Dune, reminded me of Porsche Chalk. I much prefer it to Brookyln which I think looks like the baby blue from a Subaru Crosstrek. Congrats on the purchase! The B48 is a great motor, plenty of torque low down and never feels slow. I really enjoyed my 330i when I had it.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RussB

Why bother when you have been posting nonstop about it being a cheap and unattractive redesign. Keep what you have or move to a new X4.

I don’t intend to do either.

Like I said, I was killing time at the dealers, and was curious to see a production model to compare with the pre production I’d seen previously.

[DeanWChi]

Originally Posted by avi66

No sure about the B48, but the B58 has changed as below. If it’s the same as the old system, it’s a belt based starter/generator, that provides assistance during start/stop, and under acceleration. The 48v Lithium-ion battery is usually under the cowling in the engine bay.

Afaik, it’s the unit trickled down from the B58 used initially on the 7, which has the electric motor built into the ZF transmission (c. $30k replacement cost eek), rather than alternator/motor solution. This is more like a PHEV, but without the additional battery capacity in the G45, and why the torque from the electric drive is now included total output, whereas before it wasn’t. Hence a bump in HP, due to the way it’s now measured.

There's a little bit of information on the mild hybrid battery on the Owner's Manual (Page 378 on the US version):
"The battery for mild hybrid technology is located below the cargo area floor. On vehicles equipped with mild hybrid technology, do not remove the cargo area floor or fold up the front part." In terms of the capacity, the manual doesn't mention it. But, I've seen it listed as a 0.9 kWh capacity Lithium Ion battery. As a comparison, the Lexus RX 350h has a 1.68 kWh capacity battery in their hybrid system.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by DeanWChi

There's a little bit of information on the mild hybrid battery on the Owner's Manual (Page 378 on the US version):
"The battery for mild hybrid technology is located below the cargo area floor. On vehicles equipped with mild hybrid technology, do not remove the cargo area floor or fold up the front part." In terms of the capacity, the manual doesn't mention it. But, I've seen it listed as a 0.9 kWh capacity Lithium Ion battery. As a comparison, the Lexus RX 350h has a 1.68 kWh capacity battery in their hybrid system.

Thanks, that's a change from the G01 with the MHEV battery in the engine bay. As you say looks like it's now under the cargo floor, with the normal battery in the engine bay.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by avi66

No, I was wasting some time at the dealers, and it was a 20i or d I think. Still, it had the M pack, so the interior was mostly the same as an M50.

It was strategically placed next to an XM lol.��

If someone thinks the G45 or XM is the ugly one, taka a look at the "neue Klasse" Cockpit. BMW released some promotion videos today to the press that show the "Neue Klasse" iDrive X Cockpit which will be installed in the new iX3.

The steering wheel is ridiculous:

[PGHBMW1]

30k for the transmission replacement. I wonder if it falls under some extended warranty because of the mild hybrid tech. The ZF is solid but I wonder if that internal motor can be replaced by itself or the whole transmission has to be replaced?

[PGHBMW1]

I also have a new CRV and my X3s interior is a definite step up. The CRV has more room even though it's a smaller car. Rear doors open 90 degrees and it seems I have better leg room also. I'm getting a little better fuel mileage from my X3 than the 1.5 CRV

[DeanWChi]

Originally Posted by PGHBMW1

I also have a new CRV and my X3s interior is a definite step up. The CRV has more room even though it's a smaller car. Rear doors open 90 degrees and it seems I have better leg room also. I'm getting a little better fuel mileage from my X3 than the 1.5 CRV

Just curious, what type of mileage are you getting? There's a thread on the M50, but I haven't seen as much on the base trim. I've ordered mine, and it's while still until delivery.

[PGHBMW1]

My average so far and this is mainly city driving with a couple of highway runs thrown in says 29 mpg. Plus, I don't have 2k on the car yet