BMW X3 M40i – Mid-size bruiser for the well-heeled

By Lawrence Minnie

Not too long ago I attended the launch of the brand new X3 in South Africa. The launch was an important step for BMW South Africa as it served to notify the public about what was to come out of the plant in Rosslyn. The 3 Series production would be halted and the line re-engineered to begin production of the X3 for worldwide consumption.

On launch we tested the three offerings that would come off of this line, the X20d, X30d and the big daddy, the X3 M40i. After 2 days in the wilds of the Eastern Cape, I came to the conclusion that the X30d would be the best everyday option.

Should you, however, have the folding matter, the M40i is the way to go for sheer thrills and driving enjoyment.

M Style

To put it bluntly, the standard X3 doesn’t really have much road presence, it lacks a certain aggressive look that lets other road users know that that you mean business. There’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you’re after but the M40i steps it up a notch.

From the dark grey 21-inch wheels to the ground effect created by the side skirts and bumpers, the X3 M40i just looks mean. The look is finalized by the appropriate M badging and all the goodies that come with it.

Our test unit, however, had all the good stuff packed inside.

Is this a 7 Series?

The X3 M40i we tested had a very impressive list of extras added. Yes, we bemoan this strategy from the German automakers but in this unit I feel that the car would come across as incomplete without many of these items.

Starting up front, the driver and passenger both get full range adjustable sports seats covered in an elegant tan leather, a colour called 'Cognac', to those in the know.

The driver also has a host of functionality at their fingertips from the full house of driver assistance facilities such as lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, park assist, heads up display and BMW iDrive.

The Harman Kardon sound system is integrated perfectly with the gesture control system found in the likes of the 7 Series, and a proper navigation system helps keep you on track. Our test unit also had a few extras that cater towards those of us that live on our phones, such as Apple Car play, a wireless charging pad and USB inlets.

In short, it’s a good place to spend a few hours wiling away in traffic and it wouldn’t be a BMW without proper power and an excellent drive. 

Engineered for speed

The M40i gets the best from that BMW could shoehorn in under the bonnet. A 3-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged engine, mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission, provides the thrust to an incredibly capable M Sport suspension. This means that that whether you’re cruising along a dirt road or tackling the twistiest mountain pass, the X3 is staying put and can over power just about anything.

Power figures sit at 265kW and 500Nm, and if you can control your right foot and keep it in Eco Pro mode, you can expect fuel consumption figures that hover at about 12.5l/100km. BMW claims 9’s, but low teens are more likely from this machine.

Living with the M

After a few days with the M40i, the novelty of the power and acceleration begins to wear off and the prospect of another stop at the local petrol garage begins to set in. I still stand by my previous statement that the X30d is the one to have for daily living but if you must have your dose of performance SUV, then I can’t think of a better way than with the M40i.

I also stand by my previous statement about it being for the well-heeled because all this style, power and tech comes at a price, and that puts the M40i firmly at the top of the list in the premium segment of this SUV category.

Model and pricing

BMW X3 M40i                          -            R 991 100.00

(as tested)                                    -            R 1 172 825.00

5-year / 100 000 km Motorplan

2-year / Unlimited Km Warranty