The beginning of this week is all about the BMW X3 M and X4 M models. The first press drives have taken place at the Monticello track in New York and Internet is currently buzzing with reviews. The guys from CarWow were also on the guest list and they had just enough time to shoot a review of the new M cars. The X3 M Competition was the weapon of choice for most of the video and Mat did a great job at walking us through what it’s like.
The new X3 M and X4 M models come with a brand new M-developed engine. Based on the B58 mill, the new 3-liter straight six B58 engine delivers up to 510 PS in Competition models and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. Depending on the market, it also sounds good because the EU versions will have Otto particulate filters installed and will, most likely, have a different sound than the US versions, which can be heard in the video below.
Mat puts the X3 M through some of his tests, including the stick and log of truth with which he tests the exhausts and the vents on each car he deals with, to see if they are true. In the case of the X3 M Competition, the exhaust rises to the challenge but not the vents, unfortunately. On the road, that doesn’t really matter, once you get going. The car is a bit on the stiff side of things, as Mat puts it, but it’s also faster than advertised.
His test showed that the X3 M Competition is faster by 0.2 seconds to 60 mph from standstill than what BMW claims, doing the run in 3.8 seconds. On the track, the X4 M Competition was composed and more agile than one would expect from an SUV. Sure, the mass is still there, but it’s an impressive machine overall.
