BMW's updated X3 M Competition now finally channels the M division unmetered into its family-friendly silhouette, but with the M3 Touring pretty much here, is it too little too late?
Our biggest gripe with the last X3 M Competition was the lack of synergy between an uncompromising chassis and an uncharismatic engine with little to no real driver engagement. Yet thanks to these subtle changes, each of those pillars now complements rather than fights against the other, leaving behind a whole that’s vastly superior to its otherwise similar predecessor.
Start with the S58 engine. This X3 M Competition was actually the first BMW model to pick up the new straight-six that’s since been applied to the M3/M4 twins, and will soon find its way into the. Previously it was just too refined, and too flat both in terms of power delivery and its emotional presence. Yet over the years the S58 has shed its fluffy jacket to reveal the muscled-up WWE fighter underneath.
The same can be said for the steering. Previously it was overly light and vague, weighting up as speeds rose, but with that numb resistance that’s since disappeared from most BMW racks. Now the X3 M feels like a relative of the M3 – it doesn’t have quite the same satisfying granular accuracy, but it’s pretty close and a far cry from what came before.
Of course, the fact we’re talking about over-the-limit handling in a two-ton SUV says much about the X3 M’s capability, but this sort of talent was always part of the package. The difference now is that the rest of the technical arsenal can match the chassis’ aggressive set-up. It’s still likely to be a little too rough for the kids and labrador on the day-to-day, and as a whole the X3 M Competition still makes absolutely no sense, but it doesn’t stop me from quietly admiring it.
Beyond this there are some option packages, including Laser LED headlights, a carbon pack that refinishes the side mirrors and under-bonnet brace in gloss carbon, and various tech extras including auto parking and further driver aids. Or you can bundle all of the above with a few extra toys, including a panoramic roof, in the £8500 Ultimate Pack.
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