It’s time for a three-way German SUV drag race!

We’ve got our hands on the BMW X3 M50, the Porsche Macan GTS, and the Mercedes-AMG GLC43, and we’re about to see which is quickest over the quarter-mile! So let’s take a closer look at the stats…

Starting with the X3 M50, it’s powered by a 3-litre turbocharged straight-six, and this creates 398hp and 580Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and it weighs in at 1,980kg. As new, one of these costs around £71,000.

Alongside it we have the Porsche Macan GTS. This houses a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 under the bonnet, and this produces 440hp and 550Nm - more power than any other car here! This is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed auto, and it tips the scales at 1,960kg. New, it costs around £75,000.

Then, finally, we have the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, and this creates 421hp and 500Nm. It’s equipped with a 9-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power to all four wheels, and it weighs in at 1,995kg. As new, it’s the most expensive car here, costing around £78,700.

So the Porsche has the most power, and it’s the lightest car here… So surely it’ll be a walkover, right?! There’s only one way to find out for sure… LET’S RACE!

Shredder1996 wrote

X3M50 for the win ! B58 the beast wins again with ZF tranny , this Combo cant be beat and for a much better price, 10k less than the overpriced Porsche .

Blue87 wrote

It'd be nice if a BMW SAV could win a rolling race or in braking. The green Macan looks sharp!

FrozenGT wrote

Not sure about that.. I would highly recommend going and driving a Macon. It’s very planted. It feels very sport car like has a very solid feel to it.. there’s a reason why cost more . I drove the M50 very hard and yes, it’s nice but it’s not on the level of a Macon GTS. It’s not even close.

spuntyb wrote

This is correct. The PDK alone is worth the price point imho, but the chassis tuning is way ahead of any X3 I’ve driven. We loved our ‘18 GTS, it’s such a phenomenal platform. Retains value pretty well too.

The B58 is a fantastic motor, but I’d take the Macan all day, every day.

The X3 makes for a better overall value at least though.

Also, these are the top trim lines save for the Merc. Shouldn’t they have run the GLC 63 S E-Performance?

werdn wrote

That's a X3 M50, not a X3M bro.

Ravenous666 wrote

The PDK in the Macan ist nothing more than a Audi DL501 dual clutch transmission.

it's ok, but not great. Had an Audi RS modell with the 7-speed DSG and I would always choose a ZF 8-speed over a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

The GLC 63S E-Performance is 40000 GBP more than the other cars so they left it out of the comparision for the pricepoint I guess.

spuntyb wrote

The PDK out-performed the DCT in my F80, which was still admittedly very good.

I have no problem with the ZF as long as it’s tuned properly, but even in my F90, it’s not nearly as fun or engaging as my F80 was, and the PDK in the Macan blew them both away, particularly paired with that chassis.

Maverik259 wrote

Did you get the xHP tune for the F90? I have it on my X5 50i and it made a good difference. Haven’t pulled the trigger on my F90 yet though.

FrozenGT wrote

Not sure about that.. I would highly recommend going and driving a Macon. It’s very planted. It feels very sport car like has a very solid feel to it.. there’s a reason why cost more . I drove the M50 very hard and yes, it’s nice but it’s not on the level of a Macon GTS. It’s not even close.

Sportstick wrote

At anything less than WOT, the PDK is the worst part of our Macan. It hangs in a lower gear after passing when an upshift should happen. It also allows the engine to fall into a whole in the torque curve with each upshift when driven normally on local streets with 45 mph speed limits. Multiple sources, including the dealer, says this is the design intent performance. Luckily, my wife is the kind of driver who doesn’t notice or care. Macan? Pass.

Brandoch wrote

Is that in "drive" or "manual"?

spuntyb wrote

This is correct. The PDK alone is worth the price point imho, but the chassis tuning is way ahead of any X3 I’ve driven. We loved our ‘18 GTS, it’s such a phenomenal platform. Retains value pretty well too.

The B58 is a fantastic motor, but I’d take the Macan all day, every day.

The X3 makes for a better overall value at least though.

Also, these are the top trim lines save for the Merc. Shouldn’t they have run the GLC 63 S E-Performance?

Mani59 wrote