A discussion on X3 35i performance

We test drove a 17 X3 xdrive35i yesterday, it had very low miles. I was slightly disappointed in the feeling of acceleration; we have a base engine Mercedes C300 4Matic with 241HP and 274Ft/lb of torque (turbo I4); it also weighs 800 pounds less than the X3.


We do 90% of driving in town, so no room for highway pulls and high speed runs; so torque is more important for our kind of driving where we seldom go over 55mph.

We'd like the SUV to feel as punchy down low as the C300. I understand the N55 tuned can produce 350HP easily, but what about torque?

Few questions. Were you in sport mode? Was the transmission in sport mode? We are talking mid to low 5 seconds 0-60. It should feel plenty peppy unless there's an issue with that car.

The vehicle may have had low grade fuel and or the learn mode was used to the previous driver and therefore sluggish? It can be reset. I have a 2011 X3 35i and I was impressed with the mount of low end, low speed get up and go. There may be some other issue with the one you drove, go try another one.

Thank you for the feedback guys. No, the vehicle was not in sport mode, transmission not in sport mode. Will definitely try another one if I see one.

Originally Posted by Tomahawk674

Thank you for the feedback guys. No, the vehicle was not in sport mode, transmission not in sport mode. Will definitely try another one if I see one.

That's the issue. Comfort mode is boring. Test drive again with both the transmission and engine in sport. Totally different car.

Tomahawk674 - I think I get what you are saying; my wife's '13 C300 has the 3.5 V6 with 245HP, and from a stop feels smoother and peppier without much effort. My X3 definitely feels more sluggish to me, when accelerating from a stop.... more effort to get the same simple get up and go. The Mercedes power is definitely biased towards the lower rpms, while the BMW seems much more biased towards the higher rpms. The BMW also has to rachet through 5 gears before I reach 35mph, which I thinks adds to that sense of effort. The Mercedes is 7 speed, so doesn't seem so busy from a stop. So without really mashing the pedel, my X3 looses stop light challenges to every make of tiny gas sipping 4 bangers. Putting it in Sport mode helps, but it's a lot noisier as it holds higher rpms, and drinks a lot more gas. Don't get me wrong, it's a great engine, a real beast when you wake it up. The power and rpms never seem to plateau. But I don't want to always have to wake up the beast just so I don't lose my pride to an ambitious CVT Rogue.

Cruising on the highway in the 35i and passing, 30-50, 50-80 are real strengths where it shines. (where you are already rolling). It wants to go fast, and teases you to go faster. I you are mostly tooling around town, I can understand why you would find an engine with lower-range power and torque a little more appealing. My next vehicle will be as such, as I won't be doing the long commute for too much longer.

Than

Arocarty thanks for the insight. The stock 300ft/lb is just 24ft/lb over what my C300 has, but again, the X3 weighs 600 pounds more. Without a tune bumping that number higher I don't know that the 35i will feel faster than the benz.

The new X3 M40i has 370ft/lb of torque, which is why everyone is raving about how fast it feels. That thing is 65K with little options, so won't be doing that.

We currently also own an 18 Mazda CX-5 whuch is incredible, but slow. However, for 2019 Mazda dropped in a 250HP/310FT/lb turbo motor in it, weighs 400 pounds less than the X3, and for the mid 30K you can get every feature known to man, and very BMW like handling.

I think we'll wait to have the N55 in something smaller like a 3 series or something.

My 2013 X3 has enough power and torque that I chose to skip the next generation X3. I did add the Dinan D-Sport software tune which gives 30-40 hp more than stock, so I'm around 350hp now (about $250). However, even before the tune, I never felt it lacking when in sport mode. Also, BMW always understates it's figures. See attached link with actual measured HP and torque figures for the X3 as well as the available improvement with the max tune. Click on "specs" section. 392 ft/lbs is achievable if torque is your thing. That is a lot of HP and torque improvement for $1500. People spend more than than for exhausts, and you might see a 5 hp improvement.

https://www.dinancars.com/product/d4...eries=&mid=X3/

Originally Posted by nyrangers79

That's the issue. Comfort mode is boring. Test drive again with both the transmission and engine in sport. Totally different car.

I thought sport mode put both the engine and trans into sport. Other than engaging the sport mode button, what do I need to do to engage both??

You can alter what sport mode does; I have it set to only tighten up suspension and steering - for faster highway driving - when I go to Sport + it also alters transmission and throttle sensitivity.

Originally Posted by pgold1230

I thought sport mode put both the engine and trans into sport. Other than engaging the sport mode button, what do I need to do to engage both??

On my car there is sport mode and then slap the transmission lever to the left for sport or manual. There is a huge difference with the transmission in sport.

Originally Posted by nyrangers79

On my car there is sport mode and then slap the transmission lever to the left for sport or manual. There is a huge difference with the transmission in sport.

I’ll try this. I don’t have a sport + setting on my ‘13. Thanks!

Oh, maybe because I have the dynamic handling package, I can customize the modes -

Originally Posted by arocarty

Oh, maybe because I have the dynamic handling package, I can customize the modes -

Yeah I have an xline not msport. No dynamic handling here sadly

I wonder how the Dinan tune of the 35i compares to the m40i mot


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Originally Posted by Duchess22

I wonder how the Dinan tune of the 35i compares to the m40i mot


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I've had the Dinan tune since 6000 miles. Currently at 98k. No issues. Not sure if its faster

Doesn’t have to faster. Maybe competitive. Handling is more my thing. The m40i puts you in the seat, but also fully utilizes the side bolsters.


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I'd love to compare it. In sport mode it throws you back good. But I can't recall what stock felt like at this point. I can put the Dinan in stock mode but I don't wanna be disappointed if nothing changes as it was pretty pricey.