Anyone drive the new X3 M40i yet , trying to decide if I should wait for it or go for the Macan S? I know it is not out till later this month but they have had some pre launch events.
Macan S vs the BMW 2018 X3 M40i
Andy B
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If you are looking for straight line speed, X3 M40 should beat out the Macan S with ease.
Are you serious?
The Beamer will be good but not great like a Macan.
There again the Beamer looks like all other Beamers, butt ugly outside but OK inside.
If you have yet to drive a Macan, please do so, then all thoughts of a Beamer will go out the window.
Rather than an S do check out a GTS or if funds allow a Turbo, with a Turbo the only way you will then see the Beamer will be in your rear view mirror.
The Beamer will be good but not great like a Macan.
There again the Beamer looks like all other Beamers, butt ugly outside but OK inside.
If you have yet to drive a Macan, please do so, then all thoughts of a Beamer will go out the window.
Rather than an S do check out a GTS or if funds allow a Turbo, with a Turbo the only way you will then see the Beamer will be in your rear view mirror.
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Looks like it's geared to be quicker off the line, but not the same top end.
As said, looks like every other BMW SUV out there.
Plus we've had 1 blow up on us and one tranny fail in another.
As said, looks like every other BMW SUV out there.
Plus we've had 1 blow up on us and one tranny fail in another.
My GTS encounter with X4 M40i which i could not shake off especially above 60mph makes me feel X3 M40i (same engine, smaller, more compact) will be an easy win over the S.
Now when it comes to experience/driving dynamics, S all the way in my opinion.. A few clips I zoomed through months ago for giggles. I still choose the Macan if to do again though
Throwing in the NEW SQ5 and GLC 43
Fast forward next clip if you are lazy like me to 38:15 for his comparison on all 3
Now when it comes to experience/driving dynamics, S all the way in my opinion.. A few clips I zoomed through months ago for giggles. I still choose the Macan if to do again though
Throwing in the NEW SQ5 and GLC 43
Fast forward next clip if you are lazy like me to 38:15 for his comparison on all 3
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Straight line speed may go to the 40i. On a track, with at least PASM, no doubt Macan.
As for which is a a better car? No contest, Macan is in a different league. Plus, there are 5 billion X3's and Bimmer's that look like X3's on the road. Not much more uniqueness or exclusivity than a Toyota SUV, if that's a factor to you.
As for which is a a better car? No contest, Macan is in a different league. Plus, there are 5 billion X3's and Bimmer's that look like X3's on the road. Not much more uniqueness or exclusivity than a Toyota SUV, if that's a factor to you.
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Drive the Macan. It'll be game over pretty much right there.
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Thanks for the good inputs, I drove the S and do like the looks and handling. Being a longtime BMW driver it is going to be tough to make the switch. One concern is the infotainment seems to be a bit behind in the Macan and the new X3 M40i will have the latest from BMW which is even better than what I have now. Also is the Macan reliable as a daily driver , pretty much all I have had to do over the years is the routine maintenance and not had too many unplanned trips to the service dept.
Looking at the new Panamera infotainment, BMWs edge in that department is really shrunk in the recent years plus competitors have caught up. Idrive is no longer a compelling reason to stick with BMW.
If the infotainment is allimportant, buy the Beamer.
Then when you drive on uneven or rutted roads and the hard suspension of the Beamer makes you wince as yourself ........... would the Macan be a better ride.
We Macan owners know the answer.
The Beamer M40i is top of its range, the Macan S is only on the second of five steps so you arenot comparing like for like.
That said the sheer numbers of Beamer dealerships would indicte that for a higher than average useage the Beamer may make the better buy.
There again look at cost of ownership over the period you intend to operate the car you choose, that may make a difference.
Then when you drive on uneven or rutted roads and the hard suspension of the Beamer makes you wince as yourself ........... would the Macan be a better ride.
We Macan owners know the answer.
The Beamer M40i is top of its range, the Macan S is only on the second of five steps so you arenot comparing like for like.
That said the sheer numbers of Beamer dealerships would indicte that for a higher than average useage the Beamer may make the better buy.
There again look at cost of ownership over the period you intend to operate the car you choose, that may make a difference.
I drove the X3 with the M package (not the M40 I) and test drove a macan S....no comparison in my opinion, unless all you want is spank the Macan of the line. That being said I'm a huge BMW fan, i own many BMW over the years and right now driving an M4, but when it came time to change my Touareg TDI, after looking at all the performance SUV, Macan GTS came on top, It just has it all i find. Sadly my area has an 8 months waiting period.
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I already drive an X3 and I just added a Macan S to my garage. Macan wins hands down no comparison. If you are only worried about straight line acceleration just install a Cobb and you will smoke the Bimmer.
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No question the current X3 does not come even close, I was just hoping the new one coming out would be better in terms of driving feel and handling. They are all plenty fast enough in a straight line so thats not an issue either way for me.
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Now I am considering the GTS as well , price is a bit higher but I don't have to add as many options to get it the way I would like (better resale than the S down the road I would think?). How does the GTS do compared to the S as a daily driver, being from the UK I like it more on the sporty side for handling but living in the US and roads being what they are I still like some comfort. Is the GTS perhaps too hardcore compared to the S?
BTW great info here in the forum and seems like a good place to follow.
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Get the GTS. It drives better than an S with the same options (AS/PASM) and a low optioned GTS will always fare better than a high optioned other model in terms of resale. I almost got a GTS before my 911, and I had maybe 1 or two cheap options on it. It gave me what I wanted at base price and I felt confident that would pay dividends whenever I'd decide to sell it.
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If your concern is the infotainment system, move on. The Macan is not for you. It's a driver's SUV with some additional benefits. Not a rolling infotainment system that has 4 wheels. The driving dynamics of the Macan are miles beyond the BMW. So if enjoying a toss able SUV is of high priority, then the decision is easy. Personally, I find the Macan touch screen way more intuitive than some of the other options out there, but maybe I'm just prehistoric. My older 911s don't even have radios.
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Seriously. With the way these things drive, they could take the infotainment out for all I care. Nice to have some moments where I'm not glued to a screen. My PCM (including my Macan) is always at the driving data (lateral, long, g's, MPG, etc.) section anyways.
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It is not so much the infotainment content, its the interface itself I am not sure I like using a touch screen and find it more distracting to use while I drive. The joystick and touchpad I find easier to use on the go but perhaps it is just familiarity and touch screen will become 2nd nature as well.
What about S vs GTS as a daily driver anymore thoughts?
Having had a BMW x3 30D M Sport prior to our MY18 Macan S I can tell you the differences. The x3 is more practical with much more room in the back seat and more room and utility in the boot due to the shape. The ZF 8 speed auto is truly a great transmission but the PDK is probably better in paddle shift mode. The upgraded stereo is better in the bmw for the money and yes the I drive is excellent BUT this is why you would buy the macan instead :
The Macan looks and feels more luxo and better built. It's suspension is truly sorted and gives a much more sophisticated ride and handling than the x3. It is more comfortable a ride, quieter and will corner with much more sophistication and aplomb at much higher speeds. The steering is better with slightly more feedback. The brakes are better but the BMW has a better rear brake solution. You don't have the harshness of run flat tyres in the macan. The seats are better in the macan especially the 18 way seats. Just remember the GTS has its own seats ; try the other optional seats. The tech in the MY18 is very good. The ACC and NAV are very good although bmw have nicer looking maps. The PCM is actually very good now and I find the voice control to be perfect. Am really surprised how fast it has advanced in the infotainment areas. BMW has the advantage with autonomous braking but that's all. Interior lighting is excellent as are headlights. You will probably get better fuel economy with the BMW but you'll enjoy the porsche engine's sound every day. Steering wheel controls are excellent and the multi-purpose display in the dash and the rights side steering wheel controls are better than I drive controller. Check that out if you don't like the touch screen. You don't need trio use the touch screen as the steering when buttons do most of what you need with voice control. Trust me on that. I was really surprised.
So which is the better car for the money? The Macan. The BMW does some things better but you will appreciate the things the macan does better every day.
The Macan looks and feels more luxo and better built. It's suspension is truly sorted and gives a much more sophisticated ride and handling than the x3. It is more comfortable a ride, quieter and will corner with much more sophistication and aplomb at much higher speeds. The steering is better with slightly more feedback. The brakes are better but the BMW has a better rear brake solution. You don't have the harshness of run flat tyres in the macan. The seats are better in the macan especially the 18 way seats. Just remember the GTS has its own seats ; try the other optional seats. The tech in the MY18 is very good. The ACC and NAV are very good although bmw have nicer looking maps. The PCM is actually very good now and I find the voice control to be perfect. Am really surprised how fast it has advanced in the infotainment areas. BMW has the advantage with autonomous braking but that's all. Interior lighting is excellent as are headlights. You will probably get better fuel economy with the BMW but you'll enjoy the porsche engine's sound every day. Steering wheel controls are excellent and the multi-purpose display in the dash and the rights side steering wheel controls are better than I drive controller. Check that out if you don't like the touch screen. You don't need trio use the touch screen as the steering when buttons do most of what you need with voice control. Trust me on that. I was really surprised.
So which is the better car for the money? The Macan. The BMW does some things better but you will appreciate the things the macan does better every day.
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