2018 BMW X3 M40i OFF ROAD POV TEST DRIVE

BMW X3

The new X3 was already presented last year, but when BMW recently invited us to test the X3 on an off-road site, we didn’t have to think long. Since the introduction of the X3 in 2003, more than 1.5 million units have been sold. The third generation of the BMW X3, like its predecessors, combines rugged off-road looks with a sporty appearance. We are curious whether our test car, the X3 M40i, also feels like a fish in water on rough terrain.

X3 M40i

The X3 M40i is the top model within the X3 range and is powered by a new one M Performance six-cylinder engine. This 3.0 petrol engine produces 354 hp and has a generous torque of over 500 Nm, which will certainly come in handy when you take this X3 on rougher terrain. On the road, the M40i sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. This model is equipped as standard with a Steptronic sports automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. To park this car on your driveway, whether paved or not, you must have a budget of at least 69,600 euros.

xDrive

The X3 M40i has BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. It debuted in 2003 on the first generation of the BMW X3. The system provides more grip on slippery surfaces and is linked to Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). The system then ensures that the force distribution over all four wheels is continuously adjusted, so that the X3 can have maximum grip in all circumstances. This is not only useful on rough surfaces or on snow, but also on slippery roads, for example. As a driver, you can choose to make driving behavior more dynamic, comfortable or efficient using the standard Driving Experience Control switch. This switch allows you to choose from different driving modes, including ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+.

Rough terrain

The new BMW X3 is not only suitable for classic public roads, but also has the necessary off-road properties. This off-road vehicle has a large ground clearance of 204 millimeters. This also allows you to drive on a sandy surface or on a snowy mountain road through a thick layer of snow. This can also be useful, for example, to drive without problems on a road in poor condition or to overcome one of the many speed bumps in our country. The approach angle (25.7°) and departure angle (22.6°) of the X3, together with a lean angle of 19.4°, ensure that the car can drive smoothly uphill, even on steep slopes. In the event of a flood, you can also drive through water with the X3. This car offers a wading depth of 500 millimeters.

Practice test

The setting of our practical test is an area not far from the Francorchamps circuit. The terrain is hilly and richly planted with trees and all kinds of wild plants. The subsoil consists of sand, sometimes a little mud and plants. Regardless of the surface, the X3 is unmistakable. The X3 conquers our test site with the greatest of ease, with or without one or more wheels off the ground. There is often enough space between the trees to drive, sometimes it is a bit tighter. The X3 squeezes through every gap between the plants, often to the great dismay and protest of the beeping sensors. We must also pay attention to larger stones that are among the plants on our road. However, the high ground clearance ensures that the X3 can drive over this with ease. During our test we drove both up and down the hill. During the descent we were able to test the Hill Descent Control (HDC). This system is standard on the X3. With this system you can drive down a slope without any problems without having to do too much yourself. With this system you automatically drive downhill at a constant speed. You do not have to touch the accelerator or brake pedal yourself.

Conclusion

We were pleasantly surprised by how well the X3 M40i behaves on off-road terrain. No one will be surprised that the car performs well on a classic road, but this X3 can also perform well off the asphalt. The xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive does its job well on the most diverse surfaces and our X3 never encountered any problems during the test.

About the test car: BMW X3 M40i

• Base price of the BMW X3 M40i: 69,600 euros (in Belgium)
• Price of the car as tested: 86,945 euros

Standard equipment (not exhaustive):

• 1CB Internal code
• 2NH M Sport brakes
• 2PA Anti-theft bolts
• 2T4 M Sport differential
• 2TB Sport automatic gearbox Steptronic with
• paddle shifters
• 2VB Tire pressure display
• 2VG Performance Control
• 2VL Variable Sport Steering
• 3MC roof rails in Shadow Line high-gloss
• 413 Separation net
• 423 Velvet carpets
• 431 Automatically dimming interior mirror
• 459 Electric front seats with memory function
• Director
• 481 Sports seats in the front
• 493 Storage package
• 4AW 4K7
• 4UR 534 5A1 5DA 650 6AC 6AE 6AK 6AP 710 715 760 775 7CG 886
• Dashboard covered with Sensatec
• Decorative frames in Aluminum Rhombicle with decorative frame in Pearl Chrome
• Ambient lighting
• Electronically controlled air conditioning, 3-zone LED fog lights
• Passenger airbag deactivation
• CD player
• Intelligent Emergency Call – eCall
• BMW Teleservices
• ConnectedDrive Services (3 years)
• Remote Services
• M sports steering wheel
• M Aerodynamics package
• Shadow Line high gloss
• Headlining Anthracite
• BMW warranty up to 3 years, without mileage limitation. Manual Dutch
• Options:
• 7S9 ConnectedDrive Services Pack
• 6AM Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) (3
• year)
• 6AN Concierge Services (3 years)
• ZB3 Comfort Pack
• 322 Comfort access
• 3KA Acoustic glazing
• 488 Front lumbar support
• 4HA Heated front and rear seats ZB6 Business Pack Plus
• ZT3 Customer Benefit Pack
• ZB4 Innovation Pack
• 552 Adaptive LED headlights
• 5AC High Beam Assist
• 5AT Driving Assistant Pack Plus 610 Head-Up Display
• ZT4 Customer Benefit Pack
• ZB5 Audio Pack
• 654 DAB Tuner
• 688 Harman/kardon Surround Sound System 6FV Online Entertainment
• ZB7 Travel Pack
• 402 Panoramic sliding roof
• 420 Sun-resistant glass at the back
• 461 Adjustable rear seat backrest ZT7 Customer Benefit Pack
• 22Z Aluminum rims styling 718 M 21″ 248 Heated steering wheel
• 258 Runflat tires
• 2VF Adaptive suspension M
• 302 Alarm system
• 3DS BMW Display Key
• 430 Mirror package
• 4NM Ambient Air Package
• 4U0 Controls with galvanized
• finish
• 5DN Parking Assistant Pack Plus
• 609 Navigation system Professional
• 6CP Apple CarPlay preparation (3 years) 6NW Comfort telephony with wireless charging 6U8 BMW Gesture Control
• 6WB Multifunction instrument display 6WD WiFi hotspot preparation
• 868 Voice version Dutch
• ZKS Safety Kit
• ZT5 Customer Benefit Pack
• ZT6 Customer Benefit Pack