Page 82 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

MT GARAGE
2018 BMW X3 M40i

DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE Turbocharged I-6,
alum block/head
VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT 182.9 cu in/2,998cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 11.0:1
POWER (SAE NET) 355 hp @ 5,500 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 369 lb-ft @ 1,520 rpm
REDLINE 7,000 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 12.1 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL DRIVE RATIO 3.39:1/2.17:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, adj 19.9 mpg average. That comes in well us around $1,800, plus installation. So
shocks, anti-roll bar;
multilink, coil springs, below the EPA’s estimate of 23 mpg the one-year normal-wear cost you could
adj shocks, anti-roll bar
combined. I don’t fault the car but instead expect yourself is somewhere around
STEERING RATIO 16.8:1
blame myself and other lead-footed $2,000, depending on how quickly you’d
TURNS LOCK TO LOCK 2.5
staffers for the lower than expected wear out the tires and how much you’d
BRAKES, F; R 13.7-in vented disc; 13.5- mileage. Can you blame us for our lack of spend on replacements.
in vented disc, ABS
self-control? Keep in mind, gas is free for The X3 also retains its value pretty
WHEELS 8.5 x 21-in; 9.5 x 21-in, us. I know, life is rough. well for a luxury vehicle. According to
forged aluminum
Our time with the X3 M Lite, as I like to IntelliChoice estimates, the 2018 X3 will
TIRES 245/40R21 100Y; 275/
35R21 103Y Bridgestone call it, hasn’t been without blemishes. The be worth 51.1 percent of its original value
Alenza 001* RFT sunroof started leaking into my lap when in five years. For perspective, the industry
DIMENSIONS I took it through an automated car wash, average is 47.8 percent, and a 2018 BMW
WHEELBASE 112.8 in and the front suspension developed a 340i xDrive comes in at 45.8 percent. At
TRACK, F/R 63.0/63.6 in
creaking noise. Both occurred pretty early the lower end, a Nissan Leaf SV is at 26.79
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 186.1 x 74.7 x 66.0 in
into our loan, and the sunroof leak was percent after five years. IntelliChoice
GROUND CLEARANCE 8.0 in
remedied after a couple trips to the dealer, gives the 2018 BMW X3 M40i sedan an
APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 25.7/22.6 deg
thankfully covered under warranty. The above-average value rating and estimates
TURNING CIRCLE 39.7 ft
creaking was never resolved. a $57,795 five-year cost of ownership. A
CURB WEIGHT 4,282 lb
Other than that, the car has been pretty 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 was given a
WEIGHT DIST, F/R 50/50%
TOWING CAPACITY 4,400 lb hassle-free. The interior has held up well poor value rating, with a $66,770 five-year
SEATING CAPACITY 5 against the battery of camera gear thrown cost of ownership. In general, luxury
HEADROOM, F/R 40.0/38.5 in into it, and we avoided any damage to the vehicles don’t retain their value, but if you
LEGROOM, F/R 40.3/36.4 in exterior. All maintenance was free thanks really need the clout, the X3 won’t torture
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.6/56.0 in to BMW’s Ultimate Care program, which your wallet as much as others.
CARGO VOLUME BEH covers basic maintenance for the first I will thoroughly miss my best long-
1ST/2ND 62.6/28.7 cu ft
three years or 36,000 miles. That’s stan- termer yet. Although its reliability is still
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH dard on all 2017 and newer BMWs. We questionable, the X3 has proven to be a
0-30/0-40 1.8/2.6 sec took it in for routine service four times, multitalented beast. It packs impressive
0-50/0-60 3.6/4.8 and each time we were given a loaner. performance yet it is practical, comfort-
0-70/0-80 6.2/7.9 Although maintenance cost totaled able, and packed with useful tech as
0-90/0-100 9.9/12.3 a whopping $0, we did change out the optioned. The X3 is long gone by now,
0-100-0 16.6 wheels and tires for an aftermarket set and although it wasn’t without flaws, I’m
PASSING, 45-65 MPH 2.4
provided by Tire Rack. If it weren’t for left crying Drake tears reminiscing about
QUARTER MILE 13.4 sec @ 103.7 mph
Tire Rack comping our tab, a replacement it during my commute home in my new
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 112 ft
set of Pirelli P Zero RFTs would’ve cost long-termer, the Kia Soul. Q
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.85 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.9 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 1,500 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE $55,295
PRICE AS TESTED $68,670
STABILITY/TRACTION Yes/Yes
CONTROL
AIRBAGS 8: Dual front, front side,
f/r curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY 4 years/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 4 years/50,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 4 years/Unlimited miles
FUEL CAPACITY 17.2 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 20/27/23 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 169/125 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.86 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded premium

82 MOTORTREND.COM MAY 2020