[superfuel]

I really love the M340i but after driving trucks and SUVs around for a couple decades the M340i leaves a little to be desired as far as ground clearance and drivers view. I have the option to get a 2020 X3MC. I test drove it and I love it. However I couldn't really feel the harsh ride I kept hearing about. It is a lot stiffer of course but I guess I didn't drive it long enough. Is the ride that bad or is it blown out of proportion? Still on the fence. Don't want a X5 because its too big and X5M is out of budget.

[anthemavm]

If you really want to upgrade, the 2022 X3mc has a better ride.

[NoTanks52]

Moved from 2020 m340i to 2023 X3M.
This thing is an incredible family hauling machine, that’s super quick at higher rpm range, and also very planted and fun in the canyons, just as much as the m340i. Ride comfort is pretty negligible to me, maybe a bit bouncier, but nothing I’d consider uncomfortable, in fact the seat bolstering and feel inside the vehicle is much improved over the m340i.

Only downsides are b58 sounds much better, and much snappier at lower rpms, which made it slightly more fun in the city. Highway tho, this thing is a beast, but of course most of the fun comes at go to jail speeds.

One last note, if fuel economy means anything, may consider sticking with the m340, I feel like i fuel this thing up twice as often, but still loving it.

[superfuel]

Originally Posted by anthemavm

If you really want to upgrade, the 2022 X3mc has a better ride.

I'm looking at a 2020. The used newer year models I see available do not seem like a deal, just push you towards a brand new X3MC for a little more.

[itslaff]

The harsh ride quality is over exaggerated, you’re buying an M car not a Cadillac. I’m in a 2020 X3MC and having driven multiple slammed cars in the past, this is a step up

[dmanb2b]

If your M340i is on runflats, the x3mc probably feels just as good and if not better.

What are the details on the M340i? My commute has gotten longer and more frequent and as much as I love the X3MC, I am in the early stages of thinking about downgrading my daily driver. :<(

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by itslaff

The harsh ride quality is over exaggerated, you’re buying an M car not a Cadillac. I’m in a 2020 X3MC and having driven multiple slammed cars in the past, this is a step up

Agree 100%... it's all about your expectations and what you think a performance vehicle should be.

[trife.]

Same position I’m in, although I’m going for a new X3MC. Huge fan of the m340i, but it just doesn’t give the family enough room.

Gas mileage will take a hit for sure. But honestly it probably won’t be much, given how I drive the m340i in Sport Individual at all times to defeat automatic start/stop. 🤣

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by trife.

Same position I’m in, although I’m going for a new X3MC. Huge fan of the m340i, but it just doesn’t give the family enough room.

Gas mileage will take a hit for sure. But honestly it probably won’t be much, given how I drive the m340i in Sport Individual at all times to defeat automatic start/stop. 🤣

LOL...I am considering the "downgrade" to a m340. How's the mpg avg per tank, driving like you stole it? ...I am at 16ish in the X3M

[doooooooook]

Originally Posted by itslaff

The harsh ride quality is over exaggerated, you’re buying an M car not a Cadillac. I’m in a 2020 X3MC and having driven multiple slammed cars in the past, this is a step up

The ride is softer than the factory suspension I put back on my S4 before trading it in for my X3M. I think a lot of the ride stiffness complaints were a little over exaggerated.

[R0ot.Us3r]

Originally Posted by superfuel

I really love the M340i but after driving trucks and SUVs around for a couple decades the M340i leaves a little to be desired as far as ground clearance and drivers view. I have the option to get a 2020 X3MC. I test drove it and I love it. However I couldn't really feel the harsh ride I kept hearing about. It is a lot stiffer of course but I guess I didn't drive it long enough. Is the ride that bad or is it blown out of proportion? Still on the fence. Don't want a X5 because its too big and X5M is out of budget.

I transitioned from '20 M340i X (RIP Rusty) to my current '23 X3MC (Frosty). Even with Frosty being bigger and heavier than Rusty it handles slightly better, I like that its more neutral in corners as opposed to Rusty DEF being more rear biased.

Maybe its because I have an LCI model but I don't think Frosty WAY harsher than Rusty was, and swapping out the OE Sport Contacts for MPS4 A/S helped soften the ride even further.

What Frosty is, is definitely faster

With that I live in the DMV (DC Metro area) and have no issues with spending 1.5 - 2 hours (EACH WAY, if you deal with traffic Drive Assist Pro /w Traffic Jam-whatever is a must) in Frosty during rush hour traffic, or 5+ hour random road roadtrips through the country-side

[brocken]

Originally Posted by doooooooook

The ride is softer than the factory suspension I put back on my S4 before trading it in for my X3M. I think a lot of the ride stiffness complaints were a little over exaggerated.

There must have been something wrong with your S4 suspension...

I sold my 4th S4 earlier this year and just got back into a BMW with the X3MC.
Other than a full sized truck, I've put most miles on an S4 of some flavor over the last 10 years. I had a Golf R for a while in that span as well, but it shares more characteristics with the S4.

The 2020 S4 I just sold had the factory upgraded suspension. Very comfortable in comfort mode and soaked up bumps and crappy surfaces with plenty of compliance.
The 2023 X3MC I just purchased... not even close! It handles awesome - doesn't even feel like an 'SAV', more like riding in a sports car. It's definitely rougher/firmer/etc. Almost to the point where my wife and I were not sure we'd love the car long term, even though it's so awesome in many other ways.
Fortunately, we decided the Conti tires were part of the problem and we could not wait to swap them like we'd previously planned. I had Costco put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 tires all around(stock sizes) and it TRANSFORMED the comfort level of the car. A seriously night and day difference!
The X3MC still drives like a sports car, no extra roll or squishiness, but the excessively harsh pounding, battering and noise is gone.

It's quite a bit closer to the comfort of the S4 ride now, but still nowhere as soft - in the best way possible. That's what I've valued about the BMW driving experience since I test drove a 2007 328i 16 years ago. You can feel the road and just enough feedback/firmness to let you know what's going on while still offering a 'luxury' feel when motoring along. It's really hard to explain, but something you know when you feel it.

Anyway, long story short, get the X3M if you love it. And if it's on Conti tires and you want a better ride, switch to Michelin Pilot Sports (A/S or regular).
It's an excellent errand/runaround car - so much so that you just want to hop in for any excuse to go for a drive. The best part about that sneaky errand car is the BEAST is waiting for you to push one of those red levers to unleash it.

[doooooooook]

Originally Posted by brocken

There must have been something wrong with your S4 suspension...

I sold my 4th S4 earlier this year and just got back into a BMW with the X3MC.
Other than a full sized truck, I've put most miles on an S4 of some flavor over the last 10 years. I had a Golf R for a while in that span as well, but it shares more characteristics with the S4.

The 2020 S4 I just sold had the factory upgraded suspension. Very comfortable in comfort mode and soaked up bumps and crappy surfaces with plenty of compliance.
The 2023 X3MC I just purchased... not even close! It handles awesome - doesn't even feel like an 'SAV', more like riding in a sports car. It's definitely rougher/firmer/etc. Almost to the point where my wife and I were not sure we'd love the car long term, even though it's so awesome in many other ways.
Fortunately, we decided the Conti tires were part of the problem and we could not wait to swap them like we'd previously planned. I had Costco put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 tires all around(stock sizes) and it TRANSFORMED the comfort level of the car. A seriously night and day difference!
The X3MC still drives like a sports car, no extra roll or squishiness, but the excessively harsh pounding, battering and noise is gone.

It's quite a bit closer to the comfort of the S4 ride now, but still nowhere as soft - in the best way possible. That's what I've valued about the BMW driving experience since I test drove a 2007 328i 16 years ago. You can feel the road and just enough feedback/firmness to let you know what's going on while still offering a 'luxury' [...]

It was a B8.5 (2016) with about 45k miles on the factory suspension (non-EDC). KWs and even the Air Lift suspension it had were softer. Stock suspension just seemed really harsh over certain bumps that I hadn’t experienced in the 3.5 years prior, when running aftermarket suspension.

[Scottycs19]

For my DD I went: 2011 335i -> 2014 Audi B8.5 Dual Pulley S4 -> 2016 Tesla Model S -> 2019 Audi SQ5 -> 2021 Audi eTron -> 2021 M340i -> 2014 535i (tried a beater) -> 22 X3MC

I've had a wide variety of cars the past few years. Honestly the M340i was one I regret selling the most. That car was a blast! Though the X3MC provides those same smiles and a much more exciting top end. You will not be disappointed!

Though the eco mode on the 21+ M340i was nice, it got GREAT mileage compared to the X3MC.

[Mirage_77]

Just traded my 2022 m340i in and if you like SUVs, you’ll like it better. I loved mine, but the X3MC is nothing short of a lot of fun. Down side, it is very thirsty. If you are concerned about ride, swap out the tires. Night and day difference.