BMW X3 M40i POV Drive - Surprisingly Fun!

I didn't really know what to expect when it came to the 2018 BMW X3 M40i. I knew it would be a great daily driver with cool amenities but what I didn't expect was just how much fun this was! Honestly, I kept forgetting I was behind the wheel of an SUV. Bravo BMW, bravo. Thanks for watching! Feel free to check me out on Instagram: @exoticars19

[@TexasRevving]

I didn't really know what to expect when it came to the 2018 BMW X3 M40i. I knew it would be a great daily driver with cool amenities but what I didn't expect was just how much fun this was! Honestly, I kept forgetting I was behind the wheel of an SUV. Bravo BMW, bravo. Thanks for watching! Feel free to check me out on Instagram: @exoticars19

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

Arguably one of the best purchases you could make right now. A sleeper animal, massively underrated (dynod around 450hp by Dinan) with the right rubber (put p zeros at least on it , the stock Bridgestone Alelnzas suck and this vehicle needs a better tire) and the m40i is probably the closest vehicle bmw sells right to a full blown M. I would argue that this particular one, the x3m40i with the staggered 21s on p zero pz4 tires is 85% a full blown M car without the upgrades the S58 engine offered and the m x-drive train from the m5. After that, i want to see track times. The x3 m comp that came out, I was ordering and drove. Until after I drove it. I realized that my m40i was one tire change away from giving a very close feeling to the full M. The different power rating is barely noticeable under daily driving conditions. Before u freak out, realize the m40i 355 hp is about 100 hp under rated. And it absolutely feels it, but more importantly, after you drive the comp, you realize bmw literally put a full m engine inside the m40i. Who knows, maybe at the time they werent sure on a full M so they did what they did. Bottom line is the comp is more playful in higher revs, but comparably it feels a tad laggy even tho a twin turbo, and the exhausts are absolutely totally different. The m40i Is much much louder no matter what mode or setting. So, after putting on the right rubber, and driving mine like I stole it, I didn’t see any reason to go full M yet. That’s just how good the m40i is. There’s just something missing from the M Comp, either a V8, or they honestly have to detune the m40i. Visually the quad exhaust and fender tweaks don’t justify it, but the seats are way better and the instrumentation along with full optimization settings def are great upgrades. But after that, not much is different at all. The m40i remains one of the best craziest fastest values in the entire segment. It’s a fantastic beautiful machine and daily. Update (2021) - Just want to say that after a few years with the X3MC, it is also, incredible. It is a machine you need some time with. The M40i lets you know what's up quickly. The Comp picks up where the M40i leaves off. It does everything and more. If I had a complaint, I would say its too fast, lol. It just wants to go 100 everywhere, and at or under legal speeds, it remains pretty uneventful, which could be both good or bad depending on what you are looking for. Either way, it warrants the up-charge; takes time to notice that everything is highly upgraded, especially the interior. This is a great vehicle no matter what model, base through M.

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

I COME FROM SUN I don’t care for MB interiors and the BMW drove much better overall. At this level, preference is a huge factor, though I do think you will find that the x3 is consistently rated higher and better performing (they are close tho, lets keep things fair, better by small amounts in perspective) I love mine. I honestly do not see myself changing from this particular line of x3 unless they improve it somehow. I love everything about it to be honest. And if I needed more room, the x5 continues the show. As far as the coupe version, I have driven the X4/comp a few times and they feel very much the same unless you are sitting in the back seat.

[@Tupeutla]

i have alenza on 21 inches , you confirm better tires makes the difference ? I keep runflat because Montreal pot-holes are world wide known ;)

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

@@Tupeutla completely transformed the M40i. I went P-zero PZ4's on the staggered 21 M rims (245/275). Best thing you can do for that car. As to whether or not you should keep RFs - of course, up to you! There are many more options now than there were back in 2018 for this tire size, so perhaps there are better choices. If there are Michelin 4s' or similar, id go with those over the P-Zeros. Either way, you can make a big change by switching the stock rubber (for sport, or, for comfort - the suspension underneath the M40i or X3M/comp is beautiful - the tires make all the difference). When I put my winter rubber 21's on my X3MC, the car is excellent. A lot of people complain about a harsh ride (you are buying an M car, what do you expect? But I would say its still not bad), but the winter tires show the suspension is actually perfect, just the aggressive stock track-ish tires. ;)

[@Tupeutla]

@@michaelmesolellaesq ok , thank you for your answer , I will consider that the next spring , for now ... unfortunately now I am going to move to 19 inches because the Canadian winter , and my tires will look like balloons i got a full set of winter wheels/tires from BMW , Bridgestone again... blizzak Lm01 talk to you later next year , thanks again . ( sorry for my poor English I am French from Paris )

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

@@Tupeutla No worries! Its almost time to make the switch here too ! best of luck, can never go wrong with Blizzaks !!

[@g0t2bmiirii]

At 2:50 with the door thing your talking about. That’s awesome i didn’t even know it had that. I’m like you when it comes to the small details. It’s the little details that make me like car more and want to get it

[@supertien832]

Amazing review. Keep up with this set up.

[@YOLOnyc]

Great video! Especially when you are doing 85mph passing a 35mph speed limit sign at 6:11 and then again a bit later, lol. This car is meant to be driven hard and drives its best that way.

[@natetarbox6660]

✔️ YOLO NYC by Eric David (watch my channel!) * me when I was younger and late to school when I drove my moms Toyota Sienna *

[@lmac7636]

You should have tried the launch control. It is amazing 😁

[@nibotkram7743]

A real BMW expert.......Yada yada

[@ps-ri2qk]

So that's what my car sounds like, lol. I've only used comfort mode to be gas conscious and stealthy. Well, I'll have to find some quiet country roads to test that out a bit. Nice video.

[@md8744]

1 word only....beast

[@ScottParisi]

Do your LED carpet lights come on when you approach the vehicle or do you have to unlock with the transmitter? Mine don't come on upon approach.

[@jmgjohn5611]

🔥🔥🔥

[@kart-raceralex8859]

This sound is very nice

[@GDH1981]

I have one arriving in 2 months, can’t wait

[@richardm2398]

Me too! 👍

[@amit232s]

Hello can you please make video of 2020 X3 M40i

[@Tupeutla]

my X3 35i was rated 305HP 400Nm, and my X4 M40i is supposed to be 360/500 ... but NOT , it's not 25% more , it's a WAY more , the B58 is a beast .

[@ddtang1vb]

u deserve my like

[@Dandle01]

Single turbo, great review when you can even be bothered to get the basics right.

[@MichaelLesesne]

BMW for life. 👌

[@natetarbox6660]

BMW and Porsche for life for me ahaha. Honorable mentions: Volvo and Lexus

[@jaymaddox334]

I have the same X3M40i. Even same color. Fantastic SUV. I also have a 340i M Sport with a Dinan Stage 1. Both are incredible. I’ll always have BMW.

[@Kira-qc4qi]

Beautiful spec. I swore I'd never get a white car again, but I saw one of these on the road and I can't argue it's stunning. The white contrasts so well with the black trim and satin copper accents. Do you have the same interior color specs too? Interested to hear how those impress in person

[@lucasjs1207]

Are you continuing Exotic Diecast? I miss it.

[@TexasRevving]

Unfortunately not

[@md8744]

💪👍💪👍

[@Tupeutla]

you did not launch the car ( launch control ) i own the X4 M40i 2019, it's a little bit more sportier ( look , size, larger , longer ) but the same fun as you , before i drove a x3 35i , now with the G02 . people in the street looks at me (what is that car ? all badges removed excep discrete M on sides ) . funny .

[@user-jt3nf7in5w]

Single turbo... TWIN scroll

[@liken1288]

would be perfect if it is an M sport steering wheel

[@Tupeutla]

I agree , mine does not have the M also . i own a 2nd hand vehicule and the precedent owner took the option "remove all the signs" so my car look like a phantom car ( no X4 , no M40i, nothing ) maybe the steering wheel also ?

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

@@Tupeutla No, when released, BMW had a shortage of M steering wheels. You either got it, or you did not. At least, that is what they claimed. When they were rolling out the M40i's without the M steering wheel, it is not the same car. As to whether the prior owner replaced it, doubt it. There were not many that were compatible with the rack, including BMWs own M sport wheel. The earlier builds most likely will have the non m-sport steering wheel. I would NOT buy that one if at all possible. It really takes away from the overall driving experience and ability to control all that power and handling.

[@Tupeutla]

@@michaelmesolellaesq thank you for your answer , mine is 2019 .. maybe was into the bad times of availability . I am not the 1st owner so I cannot complain . will definitively change the wheel in the future but before , maybe a stage 1 or 2 ... that matters . ( still under warranty also ) ;)

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

@@Tupeutla definitely! Now, there’s way more available. Enjoy it!

[@hybridshift]

NOt twin turbo sorry .. single

[@papayaman123]

you can really tell that is fake exhaust noise inside, can you turn off?

[@lmac7636]

Watch the video bud. The car sounds amazing and is not fake. I know because I have one.

[@ryanb8736]

L Mac It still does have artificial noise inside though, even though it sounds good outside.

[@stevenpeyton7476]

@@ryanb8736 It's not artificial... it's an exterior recording of the exhaust played through the speakers.

[@michaelmesolellaesq]

For the M40i, the only thing that is programmed are the blow off exhaust pops. The triple pop got annoying after a little while, but not annoying enough to remove enjoyment. The engine sings and with the windows down the M40i even though an SUV is a great engaging drive. Heck of a car and quite a value when you compare it to the everything else in the lineup; it does everything, fast, while not compromising much. To your question, I believe you can pull the fuse on the exhaust sound (or code it out) but that would be dumb, so.

[@shaunmcinnis1960]

You guys talk like everything has to have 8 seats and a trailer hitch to daily drive. I never understood the fussing over daily driving anything. I daily drove 240z’s, vettes, Porsche’s, mustangs, bmws and never had an issue because I’m an enthusiast..

[@Timski2543]

Almost binned it into that rail at 6:25

[@Johnny-zo9mm]

Thank you for using your turn signals while driving a BMW. Must dumbassholes that drives BMW never use their turn signals which annoys the heck out of me and dangerous!

[@planetfabulous5833]

He looks yummy!