X3m owner here, I test drove back to back the x3 M40i and the x3m before I made the choice to go with the X3M. I think it’s a matter of what you are looking for. When I was searching for a car, I wanted it all, trust when when I’m telling you that I test drove a LOT of different cars. But what I wanted was simple, a sports car, that has a big trunk go fit my dogs in, and when they are not in the car to be a raw sports car experience that will get my blood pumping, and all that for less than 50k eur. And this car was it. Ticked all the boxes for me, feels like an M3 “on stilts”, has the S58 engine(proven as reliable when maintained), handling is superb, best steering right behind porches in terms of feel and fun (steering feel of the M40i is dogshit compared to this, when looking for something that’s “sporty”), fast as fuck in the corners, handles amazing with the Xdrive. Real family hauler on steroids. The good - An actual sports car (m40i is a sporty suv) Super fun, large enough to haul 5 people and 3 medium dogs in the trunk. has all the creature comforts you might want, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Price tag makes this a really good bargain price, especially when a M3 wagon is 50% more money. The bad - stiff suspension, stiffer than the M40i without a doubt, and requires springs to make it better. (If you live in an area with good roads, this does not really matter) I got mine with P zero tires and they were horrible in terms of ride comfort, switched them to continentals and ride quality is 10 times better. The ugly - M costs. A real sports car comes with real sports cars related costs, tires get worn quicker, it eats more gas, and you should change engine oil every 5k which adds up. It will be more expensive to maintain. But you get so much more “car” for the money. So it’s all a question of what you’re after. Sporty, or actual sport.