According to the 30i’s specifications, the front sport seats are 10-way power, with 2-way power side bolsters, 2-way manual headrests, and a memory system for the driver’s seat.
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Essentials of the BMW X3 xDrive 30i: heavy on sport, short on practicality
Maybe a better SUV for people who reside in the Sunbelt, or at least have money set out for winter tires
It’s what: The 2018 BMW X3 is a compact sport utility vehicle with high-end features and an equally high price. The entry-level X3 is the xDrive 30i; the M40i, which replaces the base model’s turbo four’s 248 horsepower with a turbo six’s 355 horsepower, is above it. AWD is standard on each of them. Additionally, the xDrive30i outperforms the M40i in terms of fuel efficiency, with 22 city, 29 highway, and 25 combined mpg compared to 20/27/23.
In our view Winter is here. And since the middle of December, snow has been falling steadily in Michigan. It should not be a surprise that an AWD SUV is in high demand in these circumstances. And when I leave the house, I have to climb a driveway that is hilly. Surprisingly, the Dynamic Handling Package and the associated performance-oriented all-season tires both contributed to the X3’s poor performance in this situation. Despite having all-wheel drive, the X3 had trouble climbing the hill and flashed the following messages as it did so.
Two lessons can be drawn from this: First, winter tires are always worthwhile investment, regardless of the vehicle. Two, BMW wants people to think of the X3 as the sporty SUV. But that seems a little oxymoronic to me. Why would you purchase a wagon-shaped vehicle that is raised off the ground and then expect it to handle like a 3-series vehicle? I understand that you only have space for one automobile and that you also want to have fun. I believe the X3 is a good compromise in that regard.
If you live north of Tennessee, just place winter tires on the vehicle for the safety of both you and others around you. Or, even better, if you have a two-car garage, fill it with at least one low-slung coupe or sedan that is made specifically for having fun while driving.
sDrive30i X3
The entry-level X3 vehicle is the 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i. A 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a starting MSRP of $43,700 and 248 horsepower is included. Rear-wheel drive is a feature of the sDrive30i.
There are a number of exterior elements that are exclusive to more expensive vehicles from other manufacturers. Roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, LED fog lights, and heated power mirrors are included. Even though they might seem like minor upgrades, they improve the sDrive30i sufficiently to justify the cost. Who wouldn’t desire roof rails for more cargo room, after all? The X3 base model now comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
The sDrive30i transforms from a tough weekend warrior inside to pure comfort. The power-adjustable driver’s chairs use SensaTec upholstery, which is rebranded leatherette from BMW. The cabin also has dark oak wood trim all around it as a small accent.
You might be interested in the sDrive30i for lengthy drives but have questions concerning the entertainment system. BMW, though, didn’t skimp. This trim includes pre-wiring for SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a 12-speaker HiFi Sound System with a 205-watt digital amplifier.
The Motor
The B58 is such a treasure by itself; it builds smoothness on top of the N55’s punch. When you let off the gas, the X4 makes a wonderful snarl and burble. It also accelerates this SAV, which weighs over 4,000 pounds, quicker than it ought to be and perhaps faster than you require. Given that you have roughly 400 horses available, your gas mileage is also not awful.
However, I face the same problem as I had when I was driving an M340i – it’s not particularly unique. Not when an X4 M with the S58 is available. You will always be aware that these M Performance vehicles are milder than their full-blown M counterparts if you enjoy driving. An M is a hardcore, so maybe that’s not so bad. But it’s also designed to be comfortably driven every day.
Although it’s understandable why BMW added the M name to these vehicles, it has little to do with the high-performance variants. The best regular Series BMW available is this one.
If an X4 M40i comes up next to you after you’ve agreed to make monthly payments on an X4 M, you might slouch a little in your seat. Only the devoted will be able to tell the difference for sure since they look so closely. Along with Shadowline trim, M Performance cars do receive some gunmetal accents on the mirrors and front air intakes (BMW calls it Cerium Grey). However, you get a very similar appearance if you purchase a normal X4 and buy the M Sport line.
This is what prompted BMW to give the new M3 the front end it did in order to set it apart from its less expensive siblings.
What does 30i in a BMW mean?
The 30i refers to the base engine. In this instance, the engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque)
What distinguishes the BMW 30i and 30e?
The plug-in hybrid version of the xDrive30i is called the xDrive30e. This entails that an all-wheel-drive system and a hybrid powerplant are combined. With a 107-hp electric motor and a 2.0-L 4-cylinder gas turbo engine, it has a total output of 288 horsepower.
What distinguishes the BMW 28i from the 30i?
The X3 is still available with either four or six cylinders under the hood, both of which are supported by a turbocharger. Although they have the same configuration and displacement, both engines are brand-new for the vehicle. It has a 2.0-liter inline-four despite the 30i moniker implying the presence of BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six. (The X3’s previous four-cylinder model was the 28i.) The six-cylinder model now carries the X3 M40i badge and has been upgraded to M Performance category. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard on both versions.
The new 2.0-liter increases horsepower from 240 to 248 while marginally decreasing peak torque from 260 lb-ft to 258. The output of the B46 engine isn’t very impressive, but the twin-scroll turbo efficiently hides any latency, resulting in a precise and reliable throttle response. Although this engine performs admirably in other applications (330i, 530i), it feels little outclassed in this one. Its power delivery and combination with the eight-speed are faultless, but its inline-six counterpart in the M40i, which has 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, is smooth and powerful. The M40i feels as rapid as a Porsche Macan GTS thanks to the god-like performance of the BMW turbo six.
HIGHS: Plenty of passenger and cargo room, enhanced cabin, and chassis tuning similar to vintage BMWs.
The eight-speed automatic is sadly operated by BMW’s unpleasant and confusing electronic shifter, which is becoming more and more common across the lineup. However, we can’t complain about the transmission’s responsiveness and slick handling. Additionally, there are traditional paddle shifters available in case the driver wants to take charge. EPA fuel economy ratings for the X3 30i are 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, both gains of 1 mpg over the previous X3 28i. The city mileage falls between that of the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz GLC300 (21 mpg) and the Audi Q5 (23 mpg), while the BMW outperforms both of its rivals on the interstate. With ratings of 20/27 mpg city/highway, the six-cylinder X3 M40i scores gains of 1 mpg over its predecessor in both EPA tests.
Furthermore, the X3 chassis exhibits none of the float or sloppiness that afflicts a large portion of the current BMW lineup. The Dynamic Handling option ($1400) added adaptive dampers, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, and a fourth driving mode, Adaptive, in addition to Eco Pro, Sport, and the standard Comfort, to the 30i that we drove. The X3 is fairly capable in turns, even in Comfort mode, which doesn’t have the wallow we’ve recently seen in BMWs. Sport noticeably tightens the reins, which is good when the roads are glass smooth but may be excessive when they aren’t. The adaptive dampers, a stand-alone option that costs $700 on the M40i and $1000 on the 30i, were added to our vehicle, which already had a firmer suspension than the M40i. Overall, this makes it a unique modern BMW that doesn’t require you to immediately switch it from Comfort to Sport after turning it on. Even the M40i’s standard Variable Sport Steering is not overboosted, and the body control is superb. However, the X3 30i offers variable steering as an option, and we’d be tempted to pass. Switching to Sport mode raises total effort, which hides this behavior. In the lower-spec model, it fails to develop effort as you wind on more lock, instead appearing to increase help.
What distinguishes the BMW 20i and 30i?
The 30i offers adjustable dampers in addition to beefier brakes, 19-inch alloys, and complete keyless entry over the 20i. From there, the M40i adds a lumbar support system, a Harmon-Kardon radio, and distinct 19s (all optional on the 30i).
What distinguishes the BMW Z4 30i and 40i?
The largest difference between the two Z4 trim levels is found in the engine: the sDrive 30i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder while the sDrive M40i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. A few performance enhancements that are optional on the sDrive 30i are also included with the sDrive M40i, and the Track Handling Package in particular offers a significant improvement.
Driving a 2019 Z3 30i around Palm Springs, California, for half a day without the Track Handling Package gave me my first taste of the new Z4. Although it was a significant upgrade over the previous Z4, I felt it lacked some flare. The remaining 10%, when you truly want to push and appreciate a car, is the reason you buy a sports car. It was OK for 90% of the time. While the Z4 was enjoyable to drive on a sunny day, you wouldn’t go out of your way to find a stretch of road to put it on.
After a week each with a 2019 30i and a 2020 M40i, both with the Track Handling Package, I’ve since altered my mind. (According to BMW, the Z4 30i’s features and price will remain the same in 2020.)
What does 40i in a BMW mean?
The 6-cylinder versions are represented by the 40i series. The sDrive is rear-wheel drive, whereas the xDrive is all-wheel drive, and this is the key distinction. Jan 26, 2021
What does the I in BMW vehicles stand for?
You might have seen the designations 530i, 540i, or M550i on a 5 series sedan. The performance of the engine increases with the size of the last two digits in the number. A 540i, for example, will have greater power than a 530i. Originally, this number was directly related to the engine’s litre capacity; however, it is now used to denote overall power.
The fuel type is indicated by the letter at the end of each vehicle’s name. Gas models are identified by a I diesel vehicles by a “d,” and plug-in hybrids by a “e.” BMW’s electric I Models feature a I before the digits in the car name, which is confusing. Therefore, a BMW 330i is gas-powered whereas a BMW i4 from 2022 is electric.
A BMW Z4 30i’s top speed?
This BMW can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph) in 13.4 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 23 seconds, and the quarter mile drag time is 13.7 seconds, according to ProfessCarsTM estimates.