BMW G21 M340i Touring vs BMW X3M Performance

[Despicable]

I'd love to know your thoughts on these two cars, I am undecided which way to go. If you have experience in either- let me know your thoughts!

I love BMW's, so not really looking further afield than this marque for my next car. My missus already has an X3 30d, so I know it's a decent car for my needs. However, I don't need diesel now I do less miles. I drive X5's at work and love them- but the price increase over the above mentioned cars is too great and still want the car to be fun. I go to Nürburgring once a year and the new car has to be suitable for this too.

At the moment, both the BMW G21 M340i Touring and the BMW X3M Performance are around £40k approved used.





This is my current fleet, a Tesla Model 3 and a Skoda Octavia Scout. The Scout is necessary for towing occasionally, carrying the dog around and also I have noticed that the pram doesn't fit very well in the Tesla either, thanks to a small aperture boot space. It's been a very good daily but it's time to move on. I have accepted that EV's drop like a lead weight in value- so it'll be the first car I lose heavily on.



Neither the baby or the German Shephard to lumber around were even in my thought process when I bought the Tesla. How life changes fast!

I am having a hard time deciding which to choose, it would likely be a pre-owned BMW approved used car. Probably around the 3 year old mark- 2019/2020 for both. I'd buy private too but will likely need to trade my Tesla in because not many people buy private over £15k anymore. (those that do are probably on here!)

So far I have:

G21 M340i Touring
+ Updated iDrive with Android auto
+ Option for laser lights
+ Handles better overall
+ Slightly lower which aids towing my small trailer and A frame.
+ 2019 up to mid 2020 B58 responds very well to a stage 1 remap.
- After Mid 2020 BMW lock ECU to prevent tuning. The is an option, but costs £000's.
- Slightly smaller boot space, particularly in height

BMW X3M Performance
+ Increased performance with S58, true M engine
+ Arguably better everyday car for putting in baby etc due to height
+ There are more available currently at this price
- Higher maintenance costs
- Older technology, ie iDrive
- Disappointing M sport brakes, given the power

Edited by Despicable on Thursday 4th January 15:10

[unseen]

Is the Skoda staying or going? If it is going as well as the tesla then the x3 would seem to cover more bases being slightly more practical for child / dog duties (albeit with some trade off vs the 340i in terms of ultimate handling). Have you had a look at predicted resale values as well? I would assume the X3 will be ahead.....because SUV and all that. Not sure which one would be the bigger crime magnet but that's your call depending on where you live. Much as I love estates (I've had 2 x BMW tourings) I would go X3 in your shoes....

[CG2020UK]

Huge fan of the X3M.

I’ve done tracks days alongside them and they are pretty impressive beasts!

I’d certainly drive both before thinking the M-lite is better to drive as I seriously doubt it having only ever drove the M340i.

If it was my money I’d be going an X3M and the M-lite wouldn’t even be in the convo. Just stick some EBC Bluestuff pads on it if worried about brakes but OEM will be perfect for anything outside the track,

[Roger Irrelevant]

It would be the X3M for me all day long, and I have probably been looking at the exact same cars as you have in recent weeks! The only time I went in one I found the ride to be bloody firm so see if you could live with that; but now that they can be had for £40k approved used I may well have another look when it comes to changing one of our cars. I know it will set many PHers howling at the moon but I think for general life stuff SUVs often make more sense than estates, and I say that as somebody who currently has an estate (albeit a jacked-up one).

[Despicable]

unseen said:

Is the Skoda staying or going?
Have you had a look at predicted resale values as well? I would assume the X3 will be ahead.....because SUV and all that.

Ah yes, I should have clarified- once chosen, I will be replacing not just the Tesla but also the Scout. Hopefully won't need it with this new car 'to do it all'.

Youre right about the X3 probably being worth more, although maybe not if I went for my favourite colour choice if red...

It's interesting that you all so far have said X3. It bothers me that in order to compete with Tesla Model 3, that they updated iDrive with Android Auto/Apple carplay for the 3 series but not the X3 of the same year. Given that the X3 is a higher price point too. I wish it was something that could just self update like other marques over the air. Or even if it was an optional paid upgrade.

I do like the X3, mostly for the engine mind. It looks the same as my missus' car, besides the quad pipes- which would give me no end of stick. Wish they'd done a bit more to define it in the range.

I should state that I have not properly driven either yet, sat in/familiar with both (albeit it differing engines) - I need to book a dealer appt, I just absolutely hate going to showrooms and the overall experience of it.

Edited by Despicable on Thursday 4th January 19:17

Edited by Despicable on Thursday 4th January 21:00

[Despicable]

Have to say, I really like the vibrant red hue they offer too in those years. Not sure how red is all that popular though.

[Despicable]

CG2020UK said:

Huge fan of the X3M.

If it was my money I’d be going an X3M and the M-lite wouldn’t even be in the convo. Just stick some EBC Bluestuff pads on it if worried about brakes but OEM will be perfect for anything outside the track,

That's a good point, I hope if I got a G21, I wouldn't pine for a proper M derived car. I'm imagining one driving by and making me sad that I took the safer option.

Roger Irrelevant said:

It would be the X3M for me all day long, and I have probably been looking at the exact same cars as you have in recent weeks! The only time I went in one I found the ride to be bloody firm so see if you could live with that;

Hmm thanks for insight, I have read reviews saying it's firm as hell due to the steel springs used. Worth looking into for sure.

[Baked_bean]

I would personally go M340i, the X3M is very firm and the estate body is far nicer imo.

Secondly, I have a feeling you purchased your 205 from me, hope it’s going well if so.

[dmsims]

£40K for so much ugliness........

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I’ve had an M140i and also an X3M which I’ve just sold after 4 years. The X3M was fine as a hack but didn’t quite gel with jerky low speed throttle and I thought S58 characterless. Got a bit bored with 20mpg after 50000 miles (mainly motorway. I’ve got a 981 Spyder for fun and a defender as well and have just the replaced the X3 with an X5 40d which is dynamically dull but makes more sense to me as a daily.

[JAMSXR]

In years gone by it would be the estate without question, if I were forced to sell my Type R for something more sedate it would be an Alpina B3.

However, based on the crumbling state and constant flooding of our local roads, if we had a single car the X3M would definitely be a contender. They do seem to attract a certain stereotype, but that wouldn’t put me off.

Currently in the process of changing the family car as we need something bigger. The X3 and Model Y are the current front runners.

Test drive if you can.

[Wills2]

I had a X3M competition back in 2019 (I think that's what you been rather than X3M performance) Lovely car and I would take another over a M340i, as they are just a practical have an M engine with another 130hp, M ZF8 (it's sharper to use) M seats and better leather as standard and most came with HUD panoramic roof etc..so are very well equipped not saying the M340i can't be found with these but there will be more high spec X3M's to choose from as the base line equipment is higher.

I also prefer the idrive and round dials of the X3M vs the reverse rev counter/speedo of the later version in the M340i as there are no practical benefits to the system you just get those rubbish instruments.

The down sides to the X3M vs the M340i will be mpg, the X3 is thirsty very you'll be looking at 20mpg, the ride and handling is very M car so not like an RS or AMG SUV, it's very taut it's not crashy but it won't glide around town like the others do, I love the nuggety way M cars feel but many don't especially in an SUV version they think will cushion them from todays poor roads (as has been mentioned).

Having said all that if I was looking for a quick practical car I'd spend my £40k (ish) on a X5 45e, as it offers pace/space and comfort the benefits of 50 miles of EV range and still has the B58 and close to 400hp and lashings of space.

:

[JAMSXR]

Good advice from Wills. A very thirsty single car garage can become tiresome. The B58 is a good halfway house.

I know you’re not interested in a diesel but you could go full drug dealer spec with this Alpina

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024010452...

[Wills2]

JAMSXR said:

Good advice from Wills. A very thirsty single car garage can become tiresome. The B58 is a good halfway house.

I know you’re not interested in a diesel but you could go full drug dealer spec with this Alpina

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024010452...

Cheers been a while since anyone said that the Alpina ticks a lot of boxes as well, the engine is perfect for an SUV.

[Roger Irrelevant]

Wills2 said:

JAMSXR said:

Good advice from Wills. A very thirsty single car garage can become tiresome. The B58 is a good halfway house.

I know you’re not interested in a diesel but you could go full drug dealer spec with this Alpina

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024010452...

Cheers been a while since anyone said that the Alpina ticks a lot of boxes as well, the engine is perfect for an SUV.

I do think that if it came down to it I'd be relatively sensible and end up plumping for an 40d rather than an X3M. I'd be doing enough miles that 20mpg (and the small range that results), would be annoying, and for day-to-day duties the slightly more pliant nature of the non-M car would be welcome. Approved used ones with 25k miles on them can be had for under £35k too, which is quite different from a year or so ago. One of those situations where whichever one I get I'd sometimes wish I'd got the other! Still reckon the OP should get the X3M though.

[AmyRichardson]

- Do I want/need the additional utility of the X3?
- Is a modest dollop of additional performance (200hp/t plays 240hp/t) of importance to me?
- Am I sensitive to ride as a dynamic characteristic?
- Can I carry the additional cost of the X3M, in terms of purchase (apples for apples, ~£10-15k) and ongoing cost (20mpg plays 30, M-tax, ..., ...,)
- How much will my wife moan about me having an "old man's car" (an estate)?

[sosidge]

If there is already and X3 in the household then I don't see the point in buying another one, especially if part of your criteria is performance.

I'd favour the estate but I also question why you aren't just going straight for something like an M2?

[J1990]

If choosing only from those two, I'd be picking the X3M as it just feels much more of an occasion. Nothing wrong with the 340 and I think if there was a price disparity in favor of the 340 then I'd swing that way, but for the same money it would be a no-brainer for me.

Just to try tempt you though, if looking at a fun, 'do it all' car for around £40k that's approved used, these are my current temptation:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...

[Wills2]

sosidge said:

If there is already and X3 in the household then I don't see the point in buying another one, especially if part of your criteria is performance.

?

[Exacting_checks]

X3 M40i?