BMW X3 M

BMW X3 M: which version to buy

The BMW X3 M catalogue lists two generations of one body — SUV 5-doors — and three versions. First generation (2019-01-01 to 2021-05-31) has two 3.0 AT trims that share the name and differ by output: 480 hp and 510 hp. From 2021-06-01 the same generation’s restyling 1 keeps one version, 3.0 M xDrive at 510 hp. There is no second generation in the data.

The BMW X3 M catalogue lists two generations of one body — SUV 5-doors — and three versions. First generation (2019-01-01 to 2021-05-31) has two 3.0 AT trims that share the name and differ by output: 480 hp and 510 hp. From 2021-06-01 the same generation’s restyling 1 keeps one version, 3.0 M xDrive at 510 hp. There is no second generation in the data. Ground clearance is not measured on any version. Prices are not in the data; the choice below is only by the numbers given.

People looking up BMW X3 M40i, X3 M50, X3 M50i, X3 M Sport, or X3 M Competition will not find those names here. The versions to compare are 3.0 AT 480 hp, 3.0 AT 510 hp, and 3.0 M xDrive.

Generations: what changed between 2019 and the restyling

First generation (2019-01-01–2021-05-31) is SUV 5-doors with two versions, both 3.0 AT, both Gasoline, both 2993 cm³, both Automatic 8, both AWD. The 480 hp 3.0 AT and the 510 hp 3.0 AT ran in the same window. The restyling from 2021-06-01 (stop not measured) is still that generation, still SUV 5-doors, with one version: 3.0 M xDrive.

Arithmetic on the given figures is the restyling story. Peak power of 3.0 M xDrive matches the stronger first-generation 3.0 AT: 510 hp (375 kW) at 6250 rpm. Torque does not: 650 Nm at 2750 rpm versus 600 Nm (2600–5950 rpm) on the 510 hp 3.0 AT and 600 Nm (2600–5600 rpm) on the 480 hp 3.0 AT. That is +50 Nm. 0–100 km/h is 3.8 s versus 4.1 s and 4.2 s. Kerb weight rises from 1970 kg to 2100 kg (+130 kg). Gross weight stays 2500 kg. Fuel label moves from 98 to 95. Combined consumption is 10.8 l/100 km versus 10.5. CO2 is 241 g/km versus 239. City and highway consumption on 3.0 M xDrive are not measured.

BMW X3 M engine specs by version

Displacement, cylinder count, layout, valves, boost, injection, compression, bore × stroke, engine position, gearbox type, gears, and drive are the same on all three: 2993 cm³ Gasoline, 6 cylinders Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo, Direct injection (direct), compression 9.3, 84 × 90 (first generation) / 84 x 90 (restyling spelling in the data), Front, longitudinal, Automatic 8, AWD. Euro 6 on all three. Tank 65 l on all three. Differences that matter for a buy sit in power, torque band, 0–100, wheels, fuel grade, mass, and which consumption figures exist.

Power per litre (hp ÷ 2993 cm³, treated as 2.993 l): 3.0 AT 480 hp = 160.4 hp/l; 3.0 AT 510 hp = 170.4 hp/l; 3.0 M xDrive = 170.4 hp/l. The restyling does not raise specific output versus the 510 hp 3.0 AT. It raises torque and 0–100 while adding 130 kg.

Engine code and engine name are not measured in the data. Engine size is 2993 cm³ on every version. Engine type in the data is Gasoline, Inline 6, Turbo, Direct injection (direct).

Horsepower, torque, and 0–100: what the extra output buys

Between the two first-generation 3.0 AT names, the gap is 30 hp and 22 kW at the same 6250 rpm (510 − 480; 375 − 353). Peak torque is 600 Nm on both. The 480 hp 3.0 AT holds 600 Nm from 2600 to 5600 rpm; the 510 hp 3.0 AT holds 600 Nm from 2600 to 5950 rpm — 350 rpm more at the top of the band. 0–100 is 4.2 s versus 4.1 s (0.1 s). Top speed is 250 km/h on both. City consumption is 13.6 versus 13.5 l/100 km. Highway 9.1 and mixed 10.5 are identical. Wheels step from 255/45 R20 and 265/45 R20 on the 480 hp 3.0 AT to 255/40 R21 and 265/40 R21 on the 510 hp 3.0 AT.

3.0 M xDrive versus 510 hp 3.0 AT: same 510 hp / 375 kW at 6250 rpm; +50 Nm (650 versus 600); torque quoted at a single 2750 rpm point rather than a band; 0–100 3.8 s versus 4.1 s (0.3 s quicker); top speed still 250 km/h. Versus the 480 hp 3.0 AT: +30 hp, +50 Nm, 0–100 0.4 s quicker (3.8 versus 4.2).

Kerb weight per horsepower: 1970 ÷ 480 = 4.10 kg/hp on 3.0 AT 480 hp; 1970 ÷ 510 = 3.86 kg/hp on 3.0 AT 510 hp; 2100 ÷ 510 = 4.12 kg/hp on 3.0 M xDrive. The lightest kg/hp in the catalogue is the 510 hp first-generation 3.0 AT. The restyling is the heaviest kg/hp despite matching that version’s peak power, because kerb weight is 2100 kg versus 1970 kg.

Payload (gross 2500 minus kerb): 530 kg on both first-generation 3.0 AT versions; 400 kg on 3.0 M xDrive (2500 − 2100). That is 130 kg less payload than either 2019–2021 3.0 AT.

MPG, fuel, and CO2: 2020–2021 3.0 AT versus restyling 3.0 M xDrive

City / highway / mixed for 3.0 AT 480 hp: 13.6 / 9.1 / 10.5 l/100 km. For 3.0 AT 510 hp: 13.5 / 9.1 / 10.5. For 3.0 M xDrive: city not measured, highway not measured, mixed 10.8. Do not treat a missing city or highway figure as “this car has no urban or extra-urban consumption”; it is not measured.

CO2: 239 g/km on both 3.0 AT versions; 241 on 3.0 M xDrive (+2). Tank 65 l on all three. Fuel 98 on both first-generation 3.0 AT; 95 on 3.0 M xDrive. Euro 6 on all three.

Range from tank × mixed figure is arithmetic, not a measured range: 65 ÷ 10.5 × 100 ≈ 619 km on either 3.0 AT; 65 ÷ 10.8 × 100 ≈ 602 km on 3.0 M xDrive.

BMW X3 M weight, wheels, and dimensions data we have

Kerb / gross: 1970 / 2500 kg (3.0 AT 480 hp and 3.0 AT 510 hp); 2100 / 2500 kg (3.0 M xDrive). Ground clearance: not measured on 3.0 AT 480 hp, not measured on 3.0 AT 510 hp, not measured on 3.0 M xDrive. Length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured. Wheel sizes: 3.0 AT 480 hp — 255/45 R20 and 265/45 R20; 3.0 AT 510 hp and 3.0 M xDrive — 255/40 R21 and 265/40 R21.

Suspension on all three: Independent, spring front and rear. Brakes on all three: Ventilated disc front; Disc ventilated rear (spelling as in the data).

Which version to choose

Choose first-generation 3.0 AT 480 hp (2019-01-01–2021-05-31) if the goal is the lower peak output in this catalogue with the same 600 Nm as the 510 hp sibling, the same 1970 kg kerb and 530 kg payload, R20 wheels, 98 fuel, and city/highway/mixed figures that are actually measured (13.6 / 9.1 / 10.5). Versus the 510 hp 3.0 AT you give up 30 hp, 0.1 s on 0–100 (4.2 versus 4.1), and the extra 350 rpm of the 600 Nm band. Versus 3.0 M xDrive you give up 30 hp, 50 Nm, and 0.4 s on 0–100, but you keep 130 kg less kerb weight, 130 kg more payload, 0.3 l/100 km lower mixed consumption (10.5 versus 10.8), 2 g/km lower CO2, and measured city/highway numbers.

Choose first-generation 3.0 AT 510 hp (2019-01-01–2021-05-31) if the goal is the lowest kg/hp (3.86) and the same 510 hp as the restyling without the 2100 kg kerb. You match 3.0 M xDrive on peak power (510 hp / 375 kW at 6250) and on R21 wheels, stay at 1970 kg, keep 98 fuel, keep 239 g/km CO2, keep mixed 10.5 with city 13.5 and highway 9.1 measured, and trail the restyling by 50 Nm and 0.3 s (4.1 versus 3.8). Versus the 480 hp 3.0 AT the extra 30 hp buys 0.1 s, R21 instead of R20, 0.1 l/100 km less city use, and a 600 Nm band that continues to 5950 rpm instead of 5600.

Choose restyling 3.0 M xDrive (from 2021-06-01, stop not measured) if the goal is the shortest 0–100 in the data (3.8 s) and the highest torque (650 Nm). Peak power does not rise versus the 510 hp 3.0 AT. What changes is torque (+50 Nm), 0–100 (−0.3 s versus 510 hp 3.0 AT, −0.4 s versus 480 hp 3.0 AT), kerb +130 kg, payload −130 kg, mixed +0.3 l/100 km, CO2 +2 g/km, fuel 95 instead of 98, and city/highway consumption not measured. Top speed is still 250 km/h — the restyling does not raise the listed maximum.

Same Automatic 8, same AWD, same 2993 cm³ Gasoline Inline 6 Turbo, same 65 l tank, same Euro 6, same 2500 kg gross, same independent spring suspension, same ventilated disc / Disc ventilated brakes. The buy is not a different layout. It is 480 versus 510 hp inside 2019–2021, then 600 versus 650 Nm and 1970 versus 2100 kg once the restyling 3.0 M xDrive is in play.

There is no 2022 / 2023 / 2024 split of specs in the data beyond “from 2021-06-01, stop not measured” for 3.0 M xDrive. A 2024 search still points at that one restyling version unless a later generation appears in the catalogue.