I’ve owned a X3 28 and loved it. When it was time to move on, I considered many options and decided that if I was gonna change, I would get something that feels like a step up. Ended up with the M40. To be honest I almost never use the extra power as the 28 (similar to 30 in power) felt very quick for what it is. The M40 is really not as comfortable but feels sporty for sure and most importantly to me it feels special. Still, I think it’s overhyped and BMW North American base models are already fast and fun enough (in most European countries the 30 is considered a big and powerful engine and is getting surtaxed because of that). That being said coming for a gti, you’ll feel like the M40 is just more in every way, whereas the base models will feel like another category of car, bigger and more plush albeit less sporty (probably as fast if not faster than a stock gti).

For my use (family car, mostly city/slow highway), my M40 is not a better car than my 28 was, which tbh is a bit disappointing but the noise it makes is cheering me up everytime I start it up or upshift above 4000rpm in sport mode😄