After several months of ownership and a significant 2,200-mile road trip (3,600km), it’s time to share a comprehensive review of our new 2024 Bmw X3 M40i. This vehicle replaced our reliable 2017 BMW 320i xDrive, which served us well for seven years. During our car search, we considered several options, including the Lexus RX 350h, BMW X5, and the X3 30i. Ultimately, our decision came down to the X3 30i versus the M40i. We opted for the M40i, believing it offered all the advantages of the 30i without notable downsides, aside from the higher price point. Initially exploring pre-owned options, we ultimately leased a demo M40i with just 3,000km on the odometer, attracted by appealing discounts and a dealer who had the exact specification we were looking for.
Configuration Details:
Our 2024 BMW X3 M40i boasts a striking Mineral White Metallic exterior paired with a luxurious Mocha Vernasca Leather interior, complemented by a Leatherette dashboard and High-gloss Dark Oak trim. The Premium Essential Package enhances comfort and convenience with features like comfort access, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and lumbar support. The vehicle is grounded by staggered 20″ 699M wheels.
What We Love About the 2024 BMW X3 M40i (Pros):
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The Exceptional Powertrain: The B58 engine coupled with the ZF transmission is truly deserving of its widespread acclaim. In Comfort mode, the powertrain is remarkably smooth and refined, while Sport mode unleashes a substantial surge of power. Although perhaps not as audibly dramatic as the M40i models from 2018-2019, the current iteration still delivers a satisfying and sporty engine note.
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Refinement and Smoothness: Beyond the silky B58 engine, the overall refinement of the X3 M40i is impressive. The cabin remains remarkably quiet and composed, even at highway speeds of 80-90 mph. This represents a significant leap in refinement compared to our previous F30 3 Series.
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Attractive and Functional Design: While aesthetics are subjective, the G01 generation X3, particularly in M-Sport trim, is undeniably handsome both inside and out. The M-Sport steering wheel is visually appealing and ergonomically excellent. The interior design adheres to classic BMW principles – driver-focused and intuitively laid out. The iDrive 7 system is user-friendly, and the inclusion of physical controls is a welcome feature, bucking the trend towards overly minimalist interfaces. Our Mineral White over Mocha color combination subtly echoes our past E70 X5 35d in Alpine White over Tobacco, adding a nostalgic touch.
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Superior Nighttime Visibility: The Matrix LED headlights on the 2024 X3 M40i are noticeably brighter than the LED headlights in our F30 and the HIDs in our older E70. The automatic high-beam assist system operates flawlessly, further enhancing nighttime driving confidence. The subtle “light carpet” welcome lighting and customizable ambient interior lighting are also appreciated features.
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Impressive Fuel Efficiency: The real-world fuel economy far exceeded EPA estimates during our road trip. Over 2,200 miles (3,600km), we achieved an average of 32.0 mpg or 7.35 l/100km. This figure is particularly impressive considering we had four adults, luggage, and the air conditioning running continuously throughout the journey. While primarily highway driving, our route included typical city traffic around larger metropolitan areas, and we were not consciously trying to maximize fuel economy.
Areas for Potential Improvement (Cons):
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Ride Comfort on Rough Roads: Despite being equipped with the Adaptive M-suspension, the ride quality could be improved, especially on less-than-perfect road surfaces. While the ride is superior to our older E70 X5 and comparable to the F30, there were instances, particularly on rough roads around New York City and Philadelphia, where a softer ride would have been preferable for a luxury SUV. However, body control and handling remain excellent, as expected from a BMW.
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Seat Firmness on Long Drives: Personal preference plays a role here, but after extended periods of driving (2-3 hours or more), the seat bottoms felt somewhat too firm, leading to minor discomfort.
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Air Conditioning System Performance at Idle: Ideally, the air conditioning system would run off the 48V system rather than the accessory belt. We observed that the A/C effectiveness noticeably diminished at stoplights, requiring the engine to restart frequently to maintain cooling performance.
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Engine Coasting Function in ECO PRO Mode: While the engine-off coasting feature in ECO PRO mode is beneficial for fuel saving, its responsiveness in re-engaging the engine could be improved. There were times when the engine seemed hesitant to restart, forcing reliance solely on the brakes. To overcome this, we found it necessary to either apply the brakes more firmly or switch back to Comfort mode to promptly reactivate the engine.
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Tires – Bridgestone Alenza 001: As widely noted by other owners, the factory-equipped Bridgestone Alenza 001 tires are not exceptional. Their performance falls short of true summer tires and likely contribute to the less-than-ideal ride quality, especially over bumps and imperfections.
Overall Impression:
Despite these minor criticisms, the 2024 BMW X3 M40i is an outstanding vehicle with a long list of strengths. The few drawbacks are quite minor in the grand scheme of things. We are extremely pleased with our decision to purchase the final year of the G01 generation, as we are not particularly drawn to the interior design of the newer G45 model.
Additional Observation on Exhaust Sound:
Interestingly, the exhaust note has become more pronounced over time as we’ve put more miles on the car. It has also developed some burbles, which were virtually absent when we initially took delivery. This subtle evolution in exhaust sound adds to the M40i’s sporty character.
After a full day of driving, the trip computer indicated an average fuel consumption of 7.4 l/100km or 31.8 mpg over 756 kilometers. With an estimated remaining range of 123km, the X3 M40i appears capable of covering approximately 900km on a single tank of fuel, offering excellent long-distance cruising capability.
