There was a time when the BMW lineup was simple, but now things have gotten very complicated. There are so many different versions of the same car that it gets confusing. There are short-roof cars, medium-roof cars, tall cars, super-tall cars and then each can be had with several different engines from mild to wild and two doors or four. It must be hell for the dealers to keep track of everything.
We wanted to test two similar cars to see if there was a real difference between the two from behind the wheel, so we selected two of our favorites — a BMW X3 M40i and a BMW M440i Coupe — and headed out on a road trip. The 3 and 4 series and the X3 and X4 all share the same structure and have the same engines. But there are also lots of differences that make each car different.At least that is what they tell us and why we wanted to see the differences for ourselves.
The X3 is the roomiest vehicle of the cars sharing the structure and the M40i is probably our favorite version. There is a hotter X3 M, but it is expensive and has a ton of power, maybe even too much. The M40i has enough power to get your blood going while still being relatively affordable and economical. The base X3 gets a 248-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder while the M40i version gets a boosted six-cylinder with 382 horsepower. The X3 M40i comes standard with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The exterior of the X3 has been updated for 2022, and it looks clean and modern while still looking like a true BMW. The M40i further differentiates itself with a specific BMW M kidney grille and M double grille bars in high-gloss black and an M logo. Aerodynamically optimized M exterior mirrors in high-gloss black and free-form tailpipe trim in black chrome ensure a distinctive look.
The X3 M40i is propelled by 382-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that moves the X3 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of either 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on the tire specification chosen.
The X3 M40i comes equipped with a standard flap-controlled M sports exhaust system, M sport brakes and adaptive M suspension. The adaptive M suspension offers greater adjustments between ride comfort and sportiness. In addition, the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system is tuned for a more rear-oriented torque split. You get a 52/48 weight distribution in the X3 which is terrific for an SUV with almost 1,000-pound payload capacity and a huge trunk.
Throw the X3 in a corner and you are rewarded with a surprising amount of grip and minimal understeer. The stability control works well because it allows you to have fun on twisty roads and only cuts the party when you start acting stupid. With the stability control switched off, the X3 handles very much like a rear-driver with power oversteer available on demand.
The X3 really surprised us with its agility and speed. It really is amazing how a 66-inch-tall vehicle that weighs 4,400 pounds can be so agile. Just when we thought it could not get any better, we got inside the M440i Coupe.
The M440i Coupe is the smallest and sportiest in the lineup and is noticeably less roomy than the X3. It is similar and shares many mechanicals with the X3 M40i, but there are also some big differences.
When you come up to the M440i, you will first notice that the coupe styling is pretty sexy. The classic proportions look great, with the short deck and long hood. It has a much more expensive look, reminding one of an Aston Martin or Ferrari. The headlights are a bit too thin and the huge kidney grille is a bit much, but overall it is a good-looking car.
The interior is much tighter than the X3, of course, but the instrument cluster and the overall design is basically the same. The tighter space really makes the car feel much more driver focused and is certainly the place to be if you are an enthusiast.
Under the hood of the M440i is the same engine as the X3 M40i, with the same turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant that puts out 382 horsepower. The 440i is lighter than the X3, coming off the scales at just over 3,800 pounds, which is about 600 pounds lighter. Our test car also did not have AWD. Driven hard, the M440i definitely feels quicker in a straight line. What is even more amazing is the way the M440i feels in corners. With a height advantage of 10 inches, the M440i just feels like a racecar around corners. The 255-section-width Michelin Polit Sport 4S tires grip tenaciously and the balance of the car tends toward understeer, which can be negated with throttle.
The other aspect of the M440i that we really enjoyed was the BMW Driver Assistant Pro Package. The package is not unique to the M440i, but the $1,700 price is well worth it. The package includes what BMW calls Extended Traffic Jam Assistant and Active Driving Assistant Pro. In short, if you are commuting in heavy traffic or if you drive on long trips, the option can make driving a lot easier. In heavy traffic, below 40 mph, the car is basically on auto pilot. It starts and stops and maintains the gap to the car in front. Stop and go traffic is where a lot of accidents happen because people get bored, distracted and annoyed.
Above 40 mph on long trips, the system can keep you in your lane and even changes lanes for you without having you touch the steering wheel. Yes, you still have to pay attention, and if you take your hands off the wheel for more than a few seconds, it will squawk at you. But it makes those long trips a lot easier and safer and works better than most other manufacturers’ similar versions.
Fuel economy is another area that makes a big difference. The X3 M40i is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The M440i with its better aerodynamics and lighter weight gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. We easily beat the EPA numbers on the freeway as long as we obeyed the speed limits.
It is remarkable how vehicles that are basically the same can be so different. One thing that we learned is that you really need to do your homework. Many companies don’t want to give you so many choices and just limit you to small and large with one engine choice. With the BMW system, you can get exactly what works for you, so be sure to shop around and do your research because you can choose your body height, number of doors, amount of cargo space and how much power you want. Thanks, BMW.
Specifications
| Engine: | Twin-power turbo 3.0-liter DOHC inline six-cylinder |
| Horsepower: | 382 @ 5,800 – 6,500 rpm |
| Torque: | 369 pound-feet @ 1,800 – 5,000 rpm |
| Front Suspension: | McPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension: | Multilink independent |
| Transmission: | Eight-speed automatic |
| Axle Ratio: | 3.39:1 |
| Curb Weight: | 4,392 lbs. |
| Base MSRP: | $57,800 |
Specifications
| Engine: | Twin-power turbo 3.0-liter DOHC inline six-cylinder |
| Horsepower: | 382 @ 5,800 – 6,500 rpm |
| Torque: | 369 pound-feet @ 1,800 – 5,000 rpm |
| Front Suspension: | McPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension: | Multilink independent |
| Transmission: | Eight-speed automatic |
| Axle Ratio: | 2.81:1 |
| Curb Weight: | 3,977 lbs. |
| Base MSRP: | $57,695 |
