It's an SUV that isn't boring, It's machine that's versatile.
Want to overtake that Camry driver doing 20 k's under in a 100 zone? Want an SUV that's practical and FAST? Want an SUV that's built with Passion and Excitement? Well the M40i is the car you need.
It's not your average runofthemill SUV, it's a beast that will pop and burble everytime you start it and it's screams when you overtake someone. The interior lights up in purple or whatever colour you wish, when you open the door you'll be greeted into a quality built cabin with the world's thickest steering wheel and a adequate digital gauge cluster.
We had the Audi Sq5 and jaguar F-pace on short list, being honest the Audi's interior didn't really do it but the F-Pace nearly made it, it was beautiful and ticked all the boxes except the deal breaker was the amount of boxes that you need to tick on the options list... It was shame I really liked the F pace too (Another capable and great car that had a level of elegance)
If you are interested in the M40i, get the red leather seats and mood lights optioned up it brings up the car alot, making it feel more special. The only thing I wish BMW would do is make the I-drive screen larger. Word of advice with the leather seats, they are Semi Aniline therefore unsealed. You need to take special care, clean them down gently with interior cleaner and use Mothers leather conditioner as this will keep them moisturised. Don't rub too hard as this can leech the colour out.
As for how the car drives, it's one of the best SUVs you could get into. It handles extremely well and drives like a sedan, the suspension is firm and bumpy but I was aware of this as this is an M package after all. Handling + M package = Bumpy/firm suspension but it's nowhere near as bad as what the journo's say and to be honest every single car that revolves around performance has hard suspension... You should expect that.
LKA system is great, it will drive the car if you let go from the steering wheel (As long as there is lanes) if there are very sharp turns it will switch off, but for long highways it's great.
The B58 engine is a complete gem and the ZF 8 speed is a fantastic gearbox, BMW should be given a medal by how well they tuned the gearbox and engine together. There's never been an instance of fumbling or gear hunting as some have reported with other makes with 8 speed transmissions. To be honest this ZF gearbox runs rings around any DSG transmission due to its smoothness and shifting capabilities. The engine is very smooth and the exhaust note will always belt out a pop and crackle, which only few other SUVS can do (Like SRT, RSQ models, Mercs ect)
No issues of reliability personally and many people talk highly of the B58 and there's known information that Toyota had a hand with it, so that's fantastic.
The headlights are incredible, when you switch the high beams on auto on they move around and make shadows on the cars in front of you or heading towards you. I was completely blown away by this technology.
Draw backs:
Yes like every single European car be prepared for the future like servicing costs and parts. It is not cheap.
The warranty period is abhorrent, its only 3 years!
The wheels are HUGE, great for performance but not cheap to do tyres especially when they are run flats!
Unfortunately it's only for a niech price bracket as it's 126 grand off the truck like it's Euro stablemates.
Fuel economy is 11.5 - 12, I personally don't care what it drinks. You know your in for it when you buy a performance car of any sort.
In conclusion to the ownership experience, I highly recommend this car to anyone who's looking in the up market SUV sector.
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