Why This "Boring" BMW X3 M Sport 20d xDrive Is One Of My Favourite BMWs in Years!
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- Today I'm driving a car owned by a fellow petrolhead, only this is his "boring" car - his daily driver. Bought as an alternative to a Renault Zoe, he got this oddly specified BMW X3 M Sport at a bargain price - but was it worth it?
#BMW #X3 #MSport
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/ @jayemmoncars - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Don't trust anyone who puts "M Stripes" on their kidney grilles
😂
Beat me to it ,absolute chav badge of honour,you should be driving that in the dark....😳
It's tacky like big logos on a designer brand t shirt
Soo true
Are those M Stripes even available as official accessories from BMW? If not, I'm convinced that BMW didn't make them officially for good reason...
If the person who buys the car is the only one that will drive it, there's really no need to have electric seats, because you only have to adjust them once.
Yep, pretty easy to imagine the thought process of the first owner, a single driver who imagines they will do a lot of miles.
Agree, as a reviewer he plays with seats in every car
The most pointless combination is electric seats without memory.
I think his point is, it should be standard on this car. And I agree, it should be. I think they are standard in X5 for example.
Electric seats are the WORST. If you’re a single driver you never need to adjust them anyways. If you’re two drivers of different sizes the electric fore/aft adjustment is frequently painfully slow. Only electric if you have a memory function but even then it’s just one more thing to break
Surprised that this X3 isn’t quick considering the owner’s put some “M Stripes” on the grille that add 10000hp.
You are good with you zeros😂😂😂
They forgot the B58 / S58 behind the grille, that's all
Had one of these for a year, fully loaded due to it being a company car.
Got to admit it was a perfect daily and long-distance car.
I think the x3 30d engine is the one to go for if anyone is considering to get one.
Yeah, but I would take the 30i if I’m getting one
@@henryshu6265 propably Sounds better than the diesel
X3 M40i (or D) is the one.
In the real world the 20d is enough and is far better on fuel etc.
@@itisjustacomment totally agree, which is why I went for it
"Let's see if it's quick.....it's not...." 🤣🤣🤣
😂😂 why was that so funny
James - got the same car for the wife (end of last gen with 20" rims and Pano roof), I wasn't keen as wanted an X5 or a Cayenne but its her car and I like being fed😁, truly amazed - it does what it says on the tin, drives well, plenty room for family and Doberman in the boot. Pulls ok as well - they are a GOOD BMW👍👍
Always thought the X3 was too small, shocked to find it's bigger than the original X5 which I've always thought of as a large vehicle.
I’ve got an X3M if you’re ever up in Scotland (which does have electric seats and does not have m stripes on the grill)
Just noticed the stripes on the kidney grills 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hi James, I have an X3 M40i you can review if you would like. Many people believe the M40i is a more realistic proposition that an X3M, the engine in the M40i has more torque lower down which makes it more fun to drive on our British roads. I am based near Southampton. I absolutely love my M40i.
I bet the petrol stations love you 😂
I've had a 340i and an m2 and the engine is superb, I'd have loved to get the X3 with the 40i engine but I do so many miles it's not worth it for me these days, basically a glorified taxi for the kids.
One of the great advantages manual seats have in a BMW is that they'll likely remain working. Electric seats? Good luck! 🤔
Mine are 14 years old and haven’t gone wrong.. in fact nothing has
Seats work fine on my 18 years old bmw 7 series
@chris jones if that’s the way you think about cars then why even look at BMW’s? Get a Kia 🤣🤡
@chris jones agreed if only you drive it, but they are great if you share a car as you can get them to adjust to your individual seating position.
Love my x3 m sport .
Bought second hand on 18 plate , can’t believe what is on it , by far the biggest spec car I have ever had .
Performance isn’t great but it’s totally fine and useable .
Kinda shocked that you find it a normal car , honestly I must be in a different world , this is in my view quite an expensive car for me and that’s second hand value ,
but can’t highlight enough how much I love it .
Love the electric seats too lol
Annnnd look it’s those godawful eBay grille stripes again
Don't worry they are from Amazon so it's all good 😂
To be fair I never understood the hype around electric seats, I have them in my 3 series but it just means the seats take way longer to adjust when needed and also means you can't sit as low in the car due to the crap under the seat.
Plus really how often are drivers adjusting their seats?
Depend on the height of the rear passenger if u wanna give them more leg room and depends on the height of whoever else drives it besides yourself
And that’s about it I suppose
I found the semi-electric seats to be a good balance, especially on BMWs as the height and backrest adjustment are a pain to adjust whilst moving. But certainly if I was buying an older BMW I'd be fine with manual seats...I don't trust BMW electrics in general, the simpler the better.
I think electric seats are just pointless and for lazy people.
In fact, I deliberately looked for a car with manual, unheated seats, as I prefer the reliability and weight saving.
If you share a car with someone of a different size then electric memory seats are really useful.
@@SteveBUK73 Useful if you are too lazy to just pull a handle and a lever yes .........
I have a bmw with the 30d engine and it is great 👍🏻
What about fuel consumtion in "real world"? I just considering if to by 20d or 30d..
Hi James, once again thank you for the review of my BMW X3. As it was a used vehicle didn’t have much scope on ideal options and as it’s only me driving the car didn’t worry about not having electric seats. Didn’t need the extra go of the 3 litre as also have a mini JCW roadster which James filmed a few months ago.
But what’s with the grill stripes 🤮
@@samthoma2719 If you don’t like them don’t buy them 🤷🏼♂️
Personal taste, I’ll remove them when I feel like it😀
@@Mr330d mr 330d has a clio 🤣
@@samthoma2719 yep thought would get some comments and the only thing I did to the car as well! Watch my mini roadster video from James for some more tasteful mods👍
I hope you do a review of the 1st gen E83!!! Love your channel.
The 30d is the choice. And not much more money but on another planet from a performance perspective.
The X3 is a brilliant car. I got a X3M40i when my 323i E90 went in for service and it reminded me of a V8, that’s how good the motor is. The driving dynamics felt like a 3 series and that’s the first SUV I can comfortably say felt like it’s sedan counterpart. The interior was of as high quality as my 323i. (Please note I live in Australia so the quality of plastics and specification is different to you guys)
That's intresting I wonder how the differences in plastics change throughout the regions. For example all the e60s and e90s in the united states have peeling coatings on the soft touch plastics. Do the Australian ones do that as well?
@@memememine1 no they don’t
The X3 with the 335i engine was a proper scary but fun car to drive, a real Jekyll and Hyde machine...
I have a BMW X3 35D M-SPORT its been mapped to 365 bhp and is every bit as quick as an m3 up to 80mph all day! just more comfortable and very good on fuel,and a lot cheaper!
I have just gone from a BMW 2.0d ED Sport to one of these. Very pleased indeed, not much 'handling defecit' from the 320 Touring and in my opinion very slightly better acceleration, so far chuffed to bits, the most expensive car I've ever bought and the head up display is epic. Stuck with BMW as they are so sturdy, dont like Mercs had loads of Audi's and found the dealerships to be a pain and the cars have a tendency to fragility.
The Alpina version of that is the ultimate.
You have almost convinced me to get one. I currently drive a late E90 320d, and I am struggling to get in and out of it with any kind of grace. A high riding SUV would be good for me.
Buy one as I did, step into the car rather than down in the car. Much better visibility and generally feel more secure with added bonus of 4 wheel drive . Been very useful in the winter.
@@russellhunt2548 Years ago I had a (please don't judge me) Ford Fusion. As bad as that car was, and it was BAD, the seat height on that was absolutely perfect for me to just step in and out of. I do miss that.
Jay, I've got a tuned E92 335d you can review. 364bhp, 850nm torque. DPF gutted and transmission remapped as well so it is a big improvement. Let me know. Thanks.
People gutting DPFs are the lowest type of scum
@@8draco8 How else am i supposed to smoke out cyclists clogging the roads? 😅
850nm！？That’s a lot!
@@henryshu6265 Yep, it definitely goes. Only problem is from 80 mph onwards it feels like it has a second
wind. So tempting on motorways to keep your foot pinned.
Is it blue by any chance? only because i spoke to a nice fella with a blue e92 335d that had the dpf/egr delete
The funny thing is that I have an X3 spec like this in black and my wife has a Qhasqai. I bought mine from a bloke that couldn’t afford the credit as well. Made a hell of a deal.
Love this model. Had previously the f25 and this is more refined. Nice thoughts as usual.
Just traded in my 595 Competitzione and M4Comp at the weekend for an X3MComp. Loving it so far but I’d be interested to hear your thoughts when you get a chance in one. Keep up the good work as always!👍🏻
Lecky seats are an extravagant extra which are irrelevant if it’s your car. You set your seat/driving position. Then never move it again!
Unless it’s leant to you to test.
Great Car for the price and 4 wheel drive.
James, you should try 30d or X3 40i))
30d is a deisel rocket
@@callsigncrusader9877 true!
Try the M. It’s a laugh ...until a corner
@@Buck3366 what the corner should bring?
@@user-em7xf1bn9i what about fuel consumption in real world? :) I just wondering if to buy 2d or 3d?
It’s is worlds better than the 1st gen X3. I have the first series, and test drove the new diesel X3. Wow. Such a great ride.
You sum it up perfectly at 13:05. On the right engine to have, I've had the 20d and 30d and they are lightyears apart. 20d doesn't cut it as in my opinion a BMW should drive. 30d is fabulous and still 40 MPG
Great review. Enjoy your style, no nonsense and appropriate for the car your reviewing 👏
Thanks
Great video, I pick mine up tomorrow. Definitely bought it to 'do the boring stuff for a couple of years' as I'm going from an M2. Looking forward to it though and thankfully spec'd everything you disliked about the one you drove 😀
Absolutely love that grill! Brilliant! Makes it look so fast!
Had 2 X3 models with the 3 litre 6 cylinder Diesel engine; superb performance; overall fuel economy c38 mpg. No faults (other than a broken rear spring) over a total mileage of 100,000 miles in total for both vehicles. Avoid sports suspension and run flat, they make the ride excessively harsh.
I test drove this, an Audi Q5, Jaguar FPace and Land rover discovery sport and the BMW was way ahead in terms of the driving dynamics. The most disappointing was the FPace as all the reviews were great and I really wanted to buy British, but it was awful. ☹
I like it, it is not bad looking, I'll daily it, but is it in any form better to a 3 series similarly equipped? And why would you option the m suspension and body kit instead of comfort or safety features? As you said towards the end, does anybody actually care about anything other than the badge, because in late years I've never heard someone saying they bought a particular car after testing some models
Probably not, its Britain after all.
My home town! Enjoyed the video and seeing the familiar roads 😊
I have the 2016 X3 20d m sport, but the actual fuel consumption is higher than what the book says, book says 5. 0L/100km. But I think it's around 7. 0L/100km😅
Great video, thanks. 31k is a bargain price - I can't seem to find a deal like this anywhere.
Love the car love the M brand but dude the stripes on this one come the $@$$ on guys stop ✋doing that kills me every time , much love jayemm cheers mate 👍
Never been much of a fan of the X3 generally, but you may have just changed my mind on that Jay! Kudos to Russell for getting one at £30k, what a bargain!
I got one with 32k miles 2016, 2 years ago not a mark on it for £19k
Been very happy with it. Might try X6 next time.
I have just taken ownership of a new x3 20d MSport, its a good car. I have had a variety of BMW's, Mercs and Audi's in the past, but this is one of the more toned down of the cars I have owned and I like it. I am not a EV convert, so sticking with the old fossil fuels until a viable alternative comes along.
I do actually like these a lot as a daily but car that size deserves a 6 cylinder diesel
I have full memory electric seats , just back after 300 mile round trip , just love it .
I love the variety of your videos 😊 keep them coming.
I've got that exact same car! We got it Sept 2019 and it's been fantastic, not missed a beat and does everything a family car should do very well... we got ours from stock, brand new with about 10k of the list price
My only negative is that we got it about a month before BMW offered their ridiculous deals on the X3m comp (30k deposit contribution meant it would only have been about 100 quid a month more 😭)... to add insult to injury, the dealership sent me many emails to remind me of this fact 😂
I have a BMW X3 M Sport 2.0L Diesel 2015 Model in White that looks very similar to that but without the stripes. I've had it since new and have done exactly 67k miles in the 6 years I have owned it. I love the car to bits and having it since new has made it all that extra special for me. It is only my second car that I have owned that I bought when I got my first Graduate job. I'm at the point now where I don't know what to change it with it is just fantastic for everything I need it for and looks the part too.
Have a 2016 x3 and have owned a lot of BMWs i traded 7series in for it 2 years ago. I generally agree with most of what you say but as I do a lot of motorway miles the X3 is a fantastic mile crusher. Its comfortable and smooth with enough power to get the job done. Everyone who has been in it says how nice it is. Looks wise it could be a little more stylish and first job was to get those horrid run flat tyres changed. But im very happy with it. Might even get another one in a few years. 3lt D probably Or X6. ?
“Don’t concern yourself with how things look. Concern yourself with how things are”…Warriors
Very nice car I’m sure, but one with a catastrophic image problem. Buying one of these over a 3 Series Touring makes quite a statement, and not a particularly positive one.
My wife wanted one but we purchased a MINI Cooper instead, nice car thou
Jay, I love how BMW has diluted the 'M' brand on anything but an aspirational M-car.
Merc has done the same to a certain extent, with AMG or, 'AMG line.'
It makes it more desirable and they're a business. M sport is the sports division and 'M' is where the fun happens, I get it though. Pretty much every BMW has an M badge on now. They've done it for years though, I have a 1989 E30 325i M Sport and its got M badges plastered all over the place, it's nothing new.
Let’s see if it’s quick...
It’s not! 🤣. The comedic timing is really on point. Little wonder why this is one of my top 5 motoring channels.
This is the same way I feel about our mini cooper D. Alright for an econobox and it still does 40mpg on the school run when I average 10 miles an hour! Shame the driving position is slightly off, I have long legs and wish the pedals were further away.
Great video, I have the same x3 in phytonic blue
43mpg is good from a 2.0 diesel? I'm getting 45mpg on cornish hills in my 330d, and that has 300hp... don't quite see how 43mpg is a good economy from what's supposed to be the small economical engine
Weight
@@hectorlarsson even with the weight that seems fairly poor, I have a e61 535d now and can can 38mpg on Cornish hills, the 5 series probably weighs more then too.
Once you've put the seat in the ideal position you never have to move it again, therefore electric seats are useless. I would pay the money for double glazing over that every time.
Unless two people share the car, like husband and wife? That's why each of the two keys has it's own seat settings!
I have a 2019 M4 and love it. Goes like stink and I have a hard time getting my wife out of it. One downer is the artificial start up exhaust sound and no way to turn it off.
Never got 45 out of either of mine, 40mpg tops. Had 14 and 17 model year 20ds M specs. My biggest bugbear was the awful suspension. Now drive Audi RSQ3 that's not only a lot faster but far better ride.
Would agree but the adaptive suspension and non- run flats make a bit difference. It’s really comfortable even on 20”. Had a X1 on non run flats before and the ride was too hard and loud.
Picking up an 2018 640d GC tomorrow. I'd be happy for you to drive it, but I live in Manchester area...
Great review
This one's fugly... Gen 2 looked perfect with multi-spoke 17's and essentially the same engine and gearbox. Drove one once and it suprised me with how well it moved. That 8-speed zf is a superb auto trans and works so well with the baby diesel. The 3.0d is def a solid step above the 2.0 if you were going to haul a lot of stuff, otherwise I feel the reduced maintenance and weight of the 4 pot is more than adequate. I'm anti-suv but I still was pleasantly surprised.
Does James film these videos at 6am? There's never any traffic?!
Great video, I'm impressed!
Slightly odd ask but what camera and video editing software do you use? My videos come out a bit grainy with CZcams compression 🤦
Video on that coming soon
If the 230 is a disappointment, wait for the gran coupe 2 series. At that point, why not buy a Kia, it would have the same amount of BMW spirit in it
Don't even have to wait. Just get one of the new 1 series. Got one as a shop loaner recently when my 3 was in for service. Decent enough interior (tho I don't particularly like the current series' steering wheels) but the rest was just all around...meh.
I'm still holding out a tiny sliver of hope that the 2 series coupé is gonna be a RWD, but I think it's moot.
To a lot of people watching this, a new X3 M Sport is an out of reach supercar to drool about ever owning.
But to other people it is a middle-manager repmobile.
Haha, I’ve got one of these, but the 30d.
Bought it with 8k miles on the clock, less than a year old for £30,990.
It’s absolutely remarkable at being a “car”.
I'm after one, which carshop did you get it from?
I think the last BMW offroader was the first gen X5. The rest are softroader trash. I'd much rather have a 3 series touring or a 2 series tourer, 7 seater body and just keep the back 2 down for a larger boot. I'd say both offer a larger boot, at a minimum they offer more functional boot space even if the numbers don't show it. Softroader boots will include to roofline volume, space you can't use. You can't stack bags of shopping like Jenga blocks, you can't store dogs vertically, nose in ceiling tail in floor, there is no point to buying them. In a world where how fast resources are used up is a concern, softroaders are just a waste of them as vehicles that don't offer anything but just use more fuel, perform worse, etc for all the extra material that they're built from.
The paddles on the back of the steering wheel is an analogy for these cars with how the good feeling part is for your eyes and the perhaps looks bit for touching, simply put, backwards. All you do is pay more for less functionality, economy, performance, driving feel and more expensive maintenance as the extra weight and physics dictates the same parts wearing out faster or parts needing beefed up to last the same length of time, meaning more material and more cost for the parts.
I would suggest that this is no better for mild offroading than a 3 series with X drive. The competency of a tarmac system offroad will run out before any minute difference in ground clearance becomes an issue.
Hi James, I have a black X3M Comp snd a few weeks ago on another video offered you the chance to drive it. I’ve had E46 M3 Convertibles, 7-series, and X5M and a couple of M5’s. This is the fastest so far. If you want to drive it, let me know.
Why would you rather have an x3m over a M340i touring? Which is the thing that the x3m does right in your case? (I'm curious, not hating 😂)
Love the look of the x3m & tempted by one. Lots of stories about the suspension being way too firm. What’s your experience please?
@@comeberza I’ve actually driven a 340i but a saloon. I preferred the X3M and it feels faster and the engine revs much better in my eyes. But for me I wanted something higher up. I prefer an SUV for safety and for my elderly parents to get in and out off.
@@JTMZON500 I agree the suspension is not mega smooth. My wife has a new 520d MSport and it’s much smoother but I don’t notice a lack of comfort in the X3M. I do a lot of motorway or A road driving and it’s totally fine. I honestly can’t notice and love the handling and that engine revving...
@@irishphil9480 I always say suvs only get right picking grandma up on sundays 😂😂 thanks for the answer, it still makes me a bit jealous
Your own daily car...Get in first time...Adjust seating to suit.....Never touch it again......Double glazed windows........Use everytime you use the car......Which ones worth paying for electric seats or double glazed windows?
So many Porsche models and names, Could you make a video explaining all the different models, names, etc, from the beginning till now 2021. Thank you.
Had a rental one for a month when we went to west coast of USA. Was shocked how competent it was great fun to hoon on the mountain roads, compared to the x5 we had last time. Would consider an X3m to replace our cayenne as it's getting too troublesome to drive around central London, else was thinking macan turbo/gts
Anyone compared the an x3m and macan turbo?
Thanks J!
Still waiting for that top spec current Skoda Superb objective review 😂
For an 'SUV' the X3 is a nice place to be. Baby X5 really.
330d is the one you want
Is Like Competitiors to Mercedes GLC 63 SUV,Audi SQ5 or Tesla Model Y
Yes Mr Obvious
This is a very unnecessary comment
Really nice 👍
The only BMW that i would like to own really other than a classic M3/M5.
Now a review of the GLC 220d please 🍺
Is there any way one would get his hands on a new car that's a cancellation order or whatever? Seems attractive
I have one as a daily and love it as an all rounder 🤟
The weird specification is such a familiar thing with BMWs. It's almost like someone is trolling us. Give us extended leather interior, but no HUD or double glazing but the cheapest, most basic seats with no heating. It's hilarious.
Famously, everything is an option on the german brands, so its up to the first owner.
Dude, my 2007 Mk 2, (D)5 pot, V70 does an easy 50mpg, (200 horses, mild re-map), 57mpg best ever, and it is quite hard to get below 40mpg. In fact, I never have returned less than that, even living where do in NW Scotland, LOTS of hilly, bendy road (there is only the one really! Check out a paper map and find Wester Ross at the northern end of things), enough 'spirited' driving to satisfy the soul etc. With its huge 75 l tank (never mind what Volvo say, as a 70 l tank I have often squeezed 73 or 4 in) 7-800 miles per fill is normal. It is almost impossible to scrub the front end out, even on very ordinary - aka cheap - 225s. It is a bog-standard V70 'SE' otherwise, slightly lowered in-factory, fairly hard springs and shocks, slightly hard ride, but on the smoother roads further south it is a comfy place to be. Sticks to the road like s--t to a blanket, and goes well. Only quibble - massive turbo lag. But once you get used to that, and a hard clutch - which can induce front end tramp in the first 2 gears - (6 speed box, fairly tall top gear, but close enough ratio to make it fun to drive. Shifts quite well too) it feels more like a cool place to be, a cruiser with pace rather than in-the-back acceleration. Leather seats, electric driver's side, heated front seats etc. This is normal Volvo stuff! Exciting? Not really. More like a very mild sleeper though, nobody expects a 2007 (it's really a 2006 car, but owned by an Army major in Germany from new, and mine as second owner, serviced correctly always etc) V70 to go quite that fast ('only' 130 top speed, 140 with assistance, but it IS a diesel ffs!). Yours to try if we could ever organise it. You do sometimes come to Scotland I know, but I am a long way north of the Central Belt, 230 from Edinburgh and Glasgow etc. Cheers J (-;)~
You'll find modern cars get nowhere near the MPG that older ones did - it was lean burn engines which created the NOX problem
@@JayEmmOnCars Sorry, just replied on the general comments part, so I won't be offended if you don't get to it. It must be hard to keep on top of this aspect of admin...
@@bobphillips2188 nearly impossible!
If you want a quick van, get an Astra. In White of course.
Great to see you review a potentially boring SUV and give it a decent review. My wife has an x drive 2 ltr. diesel 1 series and its not a bad car. Would love to re-map it but I'm not allowed to.
I reckon the Skoda Kodiaq is still much better value and way more practical.
Do these 20d models still have those awful timing chain issues? You have to drop the engine to change it... It is very weak chain also. So you either snap that chain and have to change the engine or do a really expensive timing chain replacement.
No that was the n47 engine
Good lord that launch was slow 😂
I can imagine myself spec a car without electric seats. I mean if I'll be the only one to drive the car, then the seating position is a one time adjustment.
The young Jeremy Clarkson.
would love to hear your thoughts on a f86 420d gran coupé.
A FORD S-Max second hand is far cheaper and provides an even better road holding!
No speakers at the ba- oh nevermind it's got some stitching on the steering wheel. And some go faster stripes.
i hate elctric seats, id rathe do adjustments with my hand rather than slow af motors... heating is a must in such a car tho
I disagree however, I understand your argument
@@patrickbateman6885 wel when you try to relax you click the button zzzzzzzzzzzz for 10 seconds only to lay down, whereas with manual adjustment u lift the handle and you are down.
same applies for getting out of the car. That is why electric adjusments are overrated and for me its a step backwards.
@@robertasviskupaitis9195 it may be slow but try sharing a car with someone else. Having electric memory seats is unbelievably convenient.
@@Fc-cb3tn true, I agree on that one,
I am the only driver to my car :D
@@Fc-cb3tn having electric seats doesn't automatically means that it have memory. There are quite a few manufacturers out there that was putting (or still are putting) electric seats without memory. It's the most useless feature in modern cars
Double glazing gives a quieter ride, electric seats don't...
Electric seats for me are pointless I adjust my seat once when I buy the car and may slide it backwards to clean that’s it
Holy wow that’s a saving! 😮