[MoreCowbells]

Hello people, I will be buying my 1st car and the 2022 X3 M40i is at the top of my shortlist.

However, I am seeing all these YouTube reviews and Bimmerpost threads on how the model offers a very stiff ride quality even with the adaptive M suspension / in comfort mode. I love the look & other specs of this car so much and want to find reasons to go with this, but the seemingly unanimous comments on the car's stiffness makes me quite hesitant.

Based on this, would like to ask the questions as below:

1. Does changing tire to non RFT help with the ride quality? If so, any recommendations?

2. X3 M40i / X4 M40i is unavailable for a test drive in Korea at the moment. Are there any BMW/MINI cars that I can try out to at least get a sense of what X3 M40i is going to be like? Available M-Performance options for test drive are M550i, Z4 M40i, X5 M50i, M440i convertible, M135i, M235i, M240i and M340i.

3. Is there any coding that can help on this front?

Thank you!

Quick snippets of information for your reference:

1. The only vehicles that I have drove in my life are Hyundai Equus (the ancestor of Genesis G90) and MB 2022 E450 sedan (has air suspension), so my butt is used to cushy cars

2. I've played around with the E450 drive modes and found that its Sports mode is quite ok / tolerable to daily with (Sports+ mode feels bumpy to me).

3. I live in Seoul, South Korea where the roads are relatively smooth but infamous for having ungodly numbers of speed bumps

4. The only X3 M40i wheel / tire / seat options that we get in Korea is 21'' / run-flats / ventilated sports seats with Vernasca leather

5. Has wife with above average tendency to get motion sickness on windy roads; may be irrelevant to car suspension but may be it is if the car shakes way too much due to stiff suspension?

6. Will have kids in a few years

[marseille82]

I drive a 22 M40i in the terrible roads of NYC. The ride is very comfortable to me (even when driving in Sport or Sport Plus).

My car didn't come with run flats so I can't comment on those but I doubt it would that much different. In those Seoul roads you will be just fine.

I ride on Continental DWS 6+ and the stock were Yokohama Advan Sport (never actually used them).

[MoreCowbells]

marseille82 Thank you very much!

Appreciate other inputs from owners as well!

[JonoSS]

I have the 2023 M40i with 19" run flats in Toronto with adaptive suspension. I went down from 20" to 19" because worried about the ride as this is my first "sports" car/SUV. Coming from a 2016 X5 with air suspension on rear. From memory I find the ride about 20% or softer on my X5. I think passengers with on my X5 (daughter) notices it more.

My wife has a 2019 MB GLC300 which feels very soft in comparison to my M40i and was also soft in comparison to my X5.

Overall I think it is very comfortable on regular roads but you feel the potholes and bumps more than my X5 and also the MB.

As a driver I don't mind as much because I really love the M40i handles amazing and the power took some time for me to get used to.

Love the car but do wish the bumps were softer. Toronto roads are ok but after the bad winters they are really bad. I should note I normally drive in Comfort mode.

I suspect the M340i would be the best to test drive of the above to compare

[Banafu]

I too drive on these horrible NYC roads. I have run flats on mine and I find the ride very comfortable even in Sport/Sport Plus roads. I have the 21" wheels btw.

[EKx322]

I was worried about this because of the YouTubers, but I have a 2023 M40i with 20" run-flats and the ride is great, unless you really want the luxury/silent/tomb feeling. I think it's just perfect, but it would be cool if the adaptive suspension could do a super soft ride when you needed it (really bad road, transporting a delicate person or thing, etc).

[Want the thrill]

I have a 22 X4 with 20” run flats. You can feel every bump, but it’s not bad. Definitely changing out the run flats will make a big difference in ride quality. The run flats are far less forgiving and more stiff than non run flats.

[DC X3M40i]

I have 20's with the alenza run flats. Ride seems fine to me…but keep in mind I came from an x3m which is stiff as hell

[Jen4BMW]

The 22 X3 M40i is firm in comfort mode and very firm in sport mode but it’s not harsh. There is zero float. You feel the road but this is part of the appeal. Switching out the run flats softens things up a little bit. If you want soft go X5. It’s night and day but you’ll also get the big lumbering truck feel that you never get with the X3.

[snareman]

I have the 19" runflats and think the ride is exceptionally smooth. I even had a friend ride along and she made the same comment without me even asking he what she thought. I came from a Jeep Cherokee which I thought was all over the place floaty. This is a firm smooth. I was always afraid of rolling the jeep if I took a turn too fast, but the M40 is rock solid yet smooth and compliant especially in turns.

[W///]

The X3 M40i is a good balance for me, but it's not going to be as smooth/soft as your previous cars. if that's what you are looking for, this is probably not the one for you in my opinion.

Can you drive an X3 3.0i with maybe M-Sport package? I think that'd be the most similar car as opposed to trying to a completely different model. If out of that list, the M340i would be the closest one to try.

[CFonAir]

I mostly agree with what I've read above. I have had a '19 with 19" wheels, and a '22 with 21" wheels. It's stiff, but definitely not uncomfortable. We regularly take it 2+ hours, and it's never been a difficult or unpleasant ride.

[R N M]

OP - I recommend for you to get X5 or base X3.

X3M40i is a sport driven model and suspension is tuned for better handling than for luxury.
If you are comparing it to MB with air suspension, it will be very stiff.

[AlekSC]

Originally Posted by R N M

OP - I recommend for you to get X5 or base X3.

X3M40i is a sport driven model and suspension is tuned for better handling than for luxury.
If you are comparing it to MB with air suspension, it will be very stiff.

I'll second this. Coming from 2018 X5 and wife has 2022 X3 s30i (go for it by all means)!! Now don't get me wrong, my X3 M40i is a 2022, and I love it, BUT you can feel every bump, and compared to two cars I mentioned (X5 and X3 s30i) it is a huge difference in ride quality. I have non run flats on mine and my wife has run flats on her X3 s30i and mine feels like sitting on a bench compared to hers. Lol

[PhantomOpera]

Originally Posted by marseille82

I drive a 22 M40i in the terrible roads of NYC. The ride is very comfortable to me (even when driving in Sport or Sport Plus).

My car didn't come with run flats so I can't comment on those but I doubt it would that much different. In those Seoul roads you will be just fine.

I ride on Continental DWS 6+ and the stock were Yokohama Advan Sport (never actually used them).

Excellent dry grip on Advans decent wet grip but switched to the pilot sport 4 all season. Cornering actually stays more planted under normal to spirited driving 75mph curves. It only feels cushy when pushed to extremes

[ykim78]

I've got a '22 US spec X3 M40i w/ 21s in Seoul you can sit in (no test drive…sorry). I have no issues with comfort but I've also never driven a Benz or Genesis.

Reach out via DM if you're interested.