Written by Murray Scullion Updated: 23 August 2022

Overview

The BMW X3 M is the fastest and most expensive version of BMW’s popular X3 SUV. It takes all the practicality and premiumness of an X3 and shoehorns a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight six into the mix, resulting in 510hp and a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.

Rest assured, the suspension has also been fiddled with in an attempt to make it perform like a sports car. It does a very good job of this, but there are some pretty extreme compromises. One is comfort, the other is price.

This is a tried and tested recipe so it has loads of competition. There’s the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes GLE AMG, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR for starters.

Unlike with those models, there’s only one X3 to choose from. It’s the full-fat Competition spec. BMW says the appetite for the biggest, baddest and most expensive X3 means there’s no point in selling cheaper X3 M models in the UK.

Visual differences between an X3 M Competition and a regular X3 come in the form of a blacked out grille, M badging, front spoiler, side air intakes and massive 21-inch alloy wheels.

Broadly the BMW X3 M Competition is a good car, assuming you go into ownership with your eyes wide open. It’s by far and away the least fuel efficient and most uncomfortable X3 on sale.

What’s it like inside?

Ergonomically it’s spot on, with plush feeling materials nearly everywhere you’d care to touch. But the same could be said for a regular X3.

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M models do come with a few differences. First up, there are the seats. They’re sporty affairs that are firm and thickly bolstered. They’re comfortable but can begin to feel a bit hard on long journeys. 

In the middle you’ll find BMW’s slick and easy-to-use infotainment system along with a Harmon Kardon stereo. While down by the gearshifter you’ll spy an ‘M’ button. This allows you to fiddle with the engine and suspension options, but you can also preset two modes via two red M buttons on the steering wheel.

The M Competition is virtually unchanged in terms of space over a regular X3. That means there’s room for four adults, huge storage bins and a 550-litre boot with a wide and low floor.

What’s it like to drive?

Pretty extreme. This is mostly thanks to the engine and suspension. The former is a straight six nicked from the BMW M3. The latter comes in the form of BMW’s M suspension set up with electronically controlled dampers.

It’s a sweet engine. Despite the huge power it never feels anything other than linear and dependable as it gains serious speed in short amounts of time. It can devour motorways and zing all the way up to 7,200rpm. Mind you, peak power is only at 6,000rpm and the noise all comes from the exhaust rather than the engine.

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On the right bit of road the X3 M Competition is positively agile, pivoting around the driver and generally feeling like a much smaller car. It comes with four-wheel drive that rarely ever feels anything other than rear-wheel drive, save for ballistic standing starts. Braking is dealt with by an M specific set up and it feels strong and robust on the road, with great feedback through the pedal.

The eight-speed auto is delightfully crisp and quick-witted in manual mode, but can make odd choices when left in auto. For instance, with the adaptive cruise on a motorway it’ll often change down a few cogs in anticipation for a speedy getaway. This ultimately means you’ll find yourself doing 50mph on the M11 in fifth gear.

The trade off for all that power and cornering poise is the ride. The electronic dampers can be softened and stiffened at the push of a button via drive modes. Comfort is supposed to be soft, Sport hard and Track ultra-focused. We’d go as far as saying Track is nearly unusable on British roads. In this mode it’s so stiff and unforgiving that it can be a real pain in the bum.

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Comfort is where most people will spend most of their time. In this mode things slacken off a bit but it’s still bone-shakingly firm. At high speeds this is merely mildly-irritating but at low speeds the thumps over speed bumps can be violent and it becomes very tiresome.

Clicking the Setup button does allow you to mess with the settings. For instance, you can turn the engine up to its most powerful, the steering to its most direct and the suspension to its softest.

What models and trims are available?

There’s only one model and trim here. But despite being nearly six figures, there are still optional pieces of equipment to select.

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The Visibility Pack adds laserlights, the Technology Pack has self-parking kit and a drive recorder, the M Driver’s pack increases the top speed to 177mph by turning the electronic limiter off and the M Carbon Pack adds carbon fibre mirrors and an engine strut.

BMW bundles these packs and a panoramic roof into something called the Ultimate Pack.

To find out how we rate the BMW X3 M Competition, read on for our verdict.