Tag Archives: BMW X3 M

A Few BMW X3 and BMW X4 Models Recalled for Fuel Tank Welds

Continue Reading Below

2019 BMW X4 M40d test drive 352019 BMW X4 M40d test drive 35

BMW has just issued a recall on some X3 and X4 models for potentially faulty fuel tank welds. According to this report, certain BMW X3 and BMW X4 variants on March 3, 2021, could have fuel tank welds that aren’t up to production spec. Over time, this could allow road vibrations to damage the welds and cause the fuel tank to leak. Obviously, the poses a fire hazard.

Thankfully, BMW caught this problem early on and realized that it only affected 17 cars, including the BMW X3 xDrive 30i, BMW X3 sDrive30i, BMW X3 M40i, BMW X3 M, and one BMW X4 xDrive30i. It’s great news that BMW was not only able to catch the problem early and that it only affected a few cars but that it also seems to know exactly which cars were affected. So this should get resolved quite quickly, and owners should be back on the road with their cars, without having to worry of any potential fuel leaks.

2020 BMW X3 xDrive30e hybrid 04 830x5532020 BMW X3 xDrive30e hybrid 04 830x553

Apparently, it’s a supplier issue, as the supplier for BMW’s fuel tanks may not have welded the tank’s inlet check valve up to specifications. It’s said that a fuel odor can be smelled from underneath the car if yours is one of the affected models.

If you have such a BMW and yours was built around that time, you’ll be notified by BMW if you need to take your car in for recall repair. You can also check with your local dealer to see if your VIN matches up to the cars in the recall, just in case. Thankfully, there have been no reports of issue or injury from these fuel tank welds but that doesn’t mean anyone should be complacent. If you have such a car, find out if it matches up with the recall as soon as possible.

[Source: Car Scoops]

SPIED: BMW X3 M LCI Seen Testing at the Nurburgring

The BMW X3 M is one of the very best vehicles to wear a blue and white Roundel, at the moment. It’s fast as all hell, looks fantastic and provides enough driving pleasure to make you genuinely not miss an M3. It’s a great car but it isn’t perfect. There are some areas it can improve and, hopefully, BMW does just that and improves the X3 M for this new LCI facelift, which was just caught testing at the ‘Ring. (We don’t own the photos but check ’em here)

In these new photos, we can see that the BMW X3 M, just like the standard X3, will be getting a slightly new face, one that’s more on-brand with modern BMWs, with the LCI update. Its grilles will be getting larger, though not 4 Series-large, and its headlights will get slightly sharper and will sit closer to the grilles than before. At the back, the taillights look similar to the current car’s but they could get a similar treatment to the new 5 Series LCI, where BMW just plays with the colors a bit.

Another interesting new addition is the M3-style wheels. The BMW X3 M seems to be getting the same new wheels seen on the new BMW M3 and M4 models, which feature an aggressive star-like pattern. They actually look quite good on the X3 M.

BMW X3 M Competition 31 of 35 830x467BMW X3 M Competition 31 of 35 830x467

Inside, it’s likely that the BMW X3 M gets the same new digital gauges and shift lever as the newer M models get. Those are small upgrades but will make a difference for customers, who want the latest and greatest tech and style. It’s also likely to get an upgraded iDrive screen, keeping it more in line with newer Bimmers. Overall, though, the X3 M’s cabin doesn’t need much updating, as it’s already a great looking, comfortable interior.

The area we’re really hoping that BMW upgrades the X3 M is the suspension. Despite being a great car to drive, the BMW X3 M is just far too stiff. Even coming from someone who likes firm, hardcore sports cars, the X3 M is brutal; clack your jaw, break your teeth brutal. I’m pretty sure a few of my vertebrae fused together during my week with it over pockmarked New Jersey roads.

Admittedly, the X3 M is shockingly capable on track because of its suspension but no one is taking the X3 M to a track. The whole point of getting an X3 M over an M3 is to get something that’s more practical and usable everyday. So most enthusiasts would welcome some softening of the suspension, at the expense of some limit handling. Hopefully, this new BMW X3 M is a better compromise than the current one.

[Source: Motor Authority]

BMW X3 M Takes on X6 M and Rivals in Motor Trend Comparison

As car enthusiasts, the idea of big performance SUVs is one that drives us mad. SUVs are too big and heavy to be fun and trying to make them fun often ends in them losing their capabilities as SUVs. So it always seems like a poor compromise. However, sometimes that compromise ends up making a great overall package. In this recent comparison from Motor Trend, we get to see those few cars take each other on, head-to-head.

Continue Reading Below

It’s actually an odd comparison, as it features a small crossover and some big ole SUVs. For starters, you have the BMW X3 M and the BMW X6 M, two cars that are similar only in the fact that they’re four-door SUVs. Outside of that, they couldn’t be more different.

BMW X3 M Competition 6 of 35 830x467BMW X3 M Competition 6 of 35 830x467

Along with those two very different BMWs were the Maserati Levante Trofeo, the Mercedes-AMG GLE63S and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. All three of those SUVs are surprisingly great driving cars, despite their size and weight. But there can only one winner. So which is it?

Well, I don’t think it’s hard to guess — the winner of the test is the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. Considering that the Cayenne is always the best driving SUV, this really isn’t much of a surprise. However, the more interesting aspect of the comparison is which BMW is considered best.

The BMW X3 M is a very different machine from the X6 M. It’s lighter, smaller and stiffer. It also has about 100 fewer horses. However, as far as crossovers go, it drives about as well as it possibly can. In fact, after driving it I personally remember thinking that it was so good it could stand in for the lack of M3 Touring (before knowing one was on the way). However, MT deems the X6 M to be the better machine.

bmw x6 m black sapphire 04 830x552bmw x6 m black sapphire 04 830x552

What about the X6 M, which is much bigger and heavier, better than the more lithe X3 M? Two things, mainly. One is the ride. The X3 M drives great but its ride is bone-crushing and bounces over rough pavement far too much. The X6 is no S-Class, of course, and it still pogos a bit on rough pavement but it’s far more composed than the X3 M, which makes it more enjoyable to drive.

The other reason for the X6 M’s intra-BMW victory is its power and performance. For an SUV of its size, it’s astonishingly explosive. Its engine is fantastic, pumping out over 600 horsepower, and it handles like a much, much lighter SUV.

This test just goes to show that BMW M knows how to defy physics as much as is absolutely possible. Sure, it should focus more on lighter, smaller vehicles but it’s still impressive to see what BMW M can do with such mammoth vehicles.

[Source: Motor Trend]

For GREAT deals on a new or used Nissan check out Route 22 Nissan TODAY!

Just another WordPress site