A spirited YouTube review of the 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive.

I know we worship the X3 50 in these parts, but a 6 second 0-60 time makes the X3 30 quite the beast. It's as fast as an E36 M3, for example, and those of us who were around back then worshiped that beast.

Amazing engineering, BMW. Such a fun family car.

That whole “What’s your problem bro? I got you on camera bro” scene was a bit over-dramatic, IMO.

Mine feels like its a little below 6 seconds 0-60 but I don't test it because I feel it has ample power for what it is. I'm more impressed with the mild hybrid application and related FE. It's pretty amazing

JoeyO wrote

That whole “What’s your problem bro? I got you on camera bro” scene was a bit over-dramatic, IMO.

The guy is a tool. He was driving around like a nut and I wasn’t surprised to see someone flip him off. His defense was ‘you are on YouTube’.

toddwalton wrote

I know we worship the X3 50 in these parts, but a 6 second 0-60 time makes the X3 30 quite the beast. It's as fast as an E36 M3, for example, and those of us who were around back then worshiped that beast.

Amazing engineering, BMW. Such a fun family car.

It's funny you mention the E36. Last year I sold my E36 M3 sedan and replaced it with a G42 M240i (in Thundernight of course). This year I sold my daily 4Runner and bought the X3 30, which was a huge upgrade in power, efficiency, tech, and driving manners. I specifically got the X3 30 because I already had the B58 in the M240i so didn't need a speed machine, but damn if the X3 30 isn't very quick in it's own right! Put it in sport with the transmission in manual and it's more than fast enough for any backroad blast really.

I really don't regret the decision to go with the 4 popper X3.

RightYouAreKen wrote

It's funny you mention the E36. Last year I sold my E36 M3 sedan and replaced it with a G42 M240i (in Thundernight of course). This year I sold my daily 4Runner and bought the X3 30, which was a huge upgrade in power, efficiency, tech, and driving manners. I specifically got the X3 30 because I already had the B58 in the M240i so didn't need a speed machine, but damn if the X3 30 isn't very quick in it's own right! Put it in sport with the transmission in manual and it's more than fast enough for any backroad blast really.

I really don't regret the decision to go with the 4 popper X3.

This is my current pair, both 4 cylinder, both more than fast/fun enough for my needs.

The X3 is the shocker. Maybe because I'm coming off an X7 which was big and floaty, but the X3 just feels faster. It's tight. It's actually fun to drive. And unlike my 4 Series, I don't have to worry about its condition, where I park it in lots, etc. It's really a relief to have all the good parts of BMW ownership without the anxiety with this one.

Technically it's my wife's car, but the reality is as the school/sports dad I'm the one driving it 90% of the time so after decades of minivans and floaty SUV's, I'm just stunned at how sedan-like the G45 is. Wasn't even seriously looking to get a new car either. This one just sort of happened organically.

RussB wrote

The guy is a tool. He was driving around like a nut and I wasn’t surprised to see someone flip him off. His defense was ‘you are on YouTube’.

Yeah, he couldn't make the pass on an Exploder and got real butt hurt about it.

minus.spire wrote

Yeah, he couldn't make the pass on an Exploder and got real butt hurt about it.

And then he did something really dangerous. He apparently made a dead stop in a moving lane, when he rolled down his window. He’s lucky nobody rear ended him at 70 MPH.

Videos like this clearly show why you never buy demo or loaner cars.

Some madman drives around with a car which is not his own and slams the pedal down on the cold engine and speeds around.

JoeyO wrote

And then he did something really dangerous. He apparently made a dead stop in a moving lane, when he rolled down his window. He’s lucky nobody rear ended him at 70 MPH.

Correct, I wouldn't want a semi disintegrating my vehicle in that situation.

LOL:

minus.spire wrote

Correct, I wouldn't want a semi disintegrating my vehicle in that situation.

LOL:

OMG. I just read the YouTube comments. I can’t believe how many people are high-five-ing this guy. What’s ironic is he is quoted as saying “Safety is my main priority.” LOL.

toddwalton wrote

I know we worship the X3 50 in these parts, but a 6 second 0-60 time makes the X3 30 quite the beast. It's as fast as an E36 M3, for example, and those of us who were around back then worshiped that beast.

Amazing engineering, BMW. Such a fun family car.

The E36 M3 came out in 1992...

So only 34 years ago...

ASAP wrote

The E36 M3 came out in 1992...

So only 34 years ago...

And that matters why? The speed limits are the same as they were in 1992, the demographic of the people owning these cars is the same as they were in 1992, and no G45 owners are taking these family station wagons to the track.

For a car that weighs 1100 pounds more than the E36, achieving the same 0-60 time is an accomplishment worth noting. This SUV's is fast.

toddwalton wrote

And that matters why? The speed limits are the same as they were in 1992, the demographic of the people owning these cars is the same as they were in 1992, and no G45 owners are taking these family station wagons to the track.

For a car that weighs 1100 pounds more than the E36, achieving the same 0-60 time is an accomplishment worth noting.

it's arguably the most relevant point there is... unless you're also OK with comparing the E36 M3 to cars from 1958 which is the same time change... you know where cars were carbeurated and felt like they could fall apart w one turn and don't even get started on tires from the time which would'nt even be used to make cheap rubber components today.

The E 36 had an old school suspension at the time and was a far rawer car that felt far faster than the chassis it was on... the same doesn't remotely apply to the X3... that's even before we talk about the pace of change in performance in the last 20 years where civics do 0 to 60 in 6 seconds... and cost 25k. that's before we even get to a discussion that there are EV minivans that are significantly faster. It was also before the modern turbo era which drastically changed ice cars.

ASAP wrote

it's arguably the most relevant point there is... unless you're also OK with comparing the E36 M3 to cars from 1958 which is the same time change... you know where cars were carbeurated and felt like they could fall apart w one turn and don't even get started on tires from the time which would'nt even be used to make cheap rubber components today.

The E 36 had an old school suspension at the time and was a far rawer car that felt far faster than the chassis it was on... the same doesn't remotely apply to the X3... that's even before we talk about the pace of change in performance in the last 20 years where civics do 0 to 60 in 6 seconds... and cost 25k. that's before we even get to a discussion that there are EV minivans that are significantly faster. It was also before the modern turbo era which drastically changed ice cars.

If you want to go there, a 1992 Jeep Cherokee had a 0-60 of 12 seconds.

So saying a 2025 BMW X3 has a 0-60 of 6 seconds is quite the jump, a far bigger jump than the 1992 M3 of 6 seconds to the 2025 M3 of 4 seconds.

If a stranger came up to you that there would someday be a 4500 pound truck that could tie or beat a lightweight and nimble E36 to 60 you'd laugh your ass off. Well, here we are.

The G45 is a fast car. Or, if you prefer, a fast heavy SUV. That's my point.

toddwalton wrote

If you want to go there, a 1992 Jeep Cherokee had a 0-60 of 12 seconds.

So saying a 2025 BMW X3 has a 0-60 of 6 seconds is quite the jump, a far bigger jump than the 1992 M3 of 6 seconds to the 2025 M3 of 4 seconds.

If a stranger came up to you that there would someday be a 4500 pound truck that could tie or beat a lightweight and nimble E36 to 60 you'd laugh your ass off. Well, here we are.

The G45 is a fast car. Or, if you prefer, a fast heavy SUV. That's my point.

umm... no one built any performance suv in 1992... in fact crossovers weren't even a thing in the 90s... unless your comparison is heavy truck based vehicles... your comparison was a 1992 jeep cherokee which is still did 9.5 seconds to 60 a few years back... performance cars were already performance cars and as you know, there is a diminishing point of returns as you go faster

ASAP wrote

umm... no one built any performance suv in 1992... in fact crossovers weren't even a thing in the 90s... unless your comparison is heavy truck based vehicles... your comparison was a 1992 jeep cherokee which is still did 9.5 seconds to 60 a few years back... performance cars were already performance cars and as you know, there is a diminishing point of returns as you go faster

I find it cool that my wife's family truckster is as fast as a legendary M3 I drove and was impressed by years ago. Compared to her X7 we just traded in, the thing handles like a Ferrari. I really don't have anything else to say on the matter.

What *I* find a bit scary is not the 0-60; but the ease to get to 100 without necessarily realizing, it takes about the same time as a "normal" car goes to 60, and you don't even *feel* it.... Need care and attention to stay on the speed limit, and I also had to brief my wife (who isn't a fast driver!) about the same...