2018 BMW X3 M40i: Unsuspecting, Surprising and Shocking
So let’s ‘build’ an X3 M40i
Playing with the online configurators also results in a very similar end result. The optional Phytonic Blue Metallic on my X3 test car is a $500 option, and worth every penny. Likewise, Audi offers Navara Blue Metallic on the SQ5 for $575. The Audi has 20″ wheels as standard, while on the X3 M40i, they are a $950 option over the standard 19s. Both has sweet sport bucket seats up front. The Audi offers leather as standard, while, as always, BMW offers leatherette as standard. This test car had the upgraded Black Vernasca leather, which sets you back another $1,700. A comparable interior upgrade on the Audi, with Fine Nappa leather, is $1,250. All interior trim options are no-cost on the BMW, where optional carbon interior inlays on the Audi tack on extra $500.
From here, the brands differ on options and packages, but to match the standard equipment on the Audi, you have to tick off a fair amount of boxes for the Bimmer. In the end, you get more stuff crammed into the X3, but the cost reflects it. In the end getting these two SUVs as equally spec’d as possible resulted an MSRP of $65,525 for the Bimmer, and $64,675 for the Audi. With an $850 difference between them, it’s basically splitting hairs at that price point.
I wrote a big thing comparing fuel economy stats, insurance rates and number crunching ad nauseam. They were pretty much even all the way through, so I scrapped it. I’ll make this simple: the Audi looks better, the BMW drives better. It offers some of the old school driving dynamics that put BMW on the map, while being a comfy, fuel efficient and practical SUV. Buy the BMW X3 M40i. It’s damn good.
