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      08-09-2017, 09:13 PM   #1
Effie
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Got up close to BMW X3 M prototype in California!

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I was in Bishop Ca. last week, passing a gas station I noticed those two. A quick U-turn going in and got in line. Speaking briefly with one of the drivers he said (with a heavy German accent) that this is the most powerful new X3, the M. At the time I new only of the upcoming M40 so I tried to correct him but he repeated that this is an M and pointed at the four exhaust pipes.

About twenty minutes earlier I was driving the wonderful 168 south of Bishop when I saw two cars in front of me something looking like a BMW test car. Eventually he took off and I promised my wife I will not try to catch him (like I had a chance). Few minutes later I saw him standing facing the opposite direction ready to enjoy this road again. I stopped and when I got my phone to take a quick picture he asked me to let him duck so he is not in the picture. The sedan is an M5 (again according to the driver).

About the tires -- can't see the size, but from the original files I can clearly see that these a Bridgestones, I can also identify the print "TENZA" on one tire, so it's got to be Bridgestoe Potenza, again no size information.

Sorry for the long shpill, it was fun seeing the future generation of my car being tested.

See more X3M info at http://www.bimmerpost.com/category/x3m/


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Last edited by Effie; 08-09-2017 at 09:16 PM.. Reason: Spelling
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      08-10-2017, 10:18 AM   #2
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Thanks for the pics OP! These pics should make the front page of BP!

Really excited for the X3M if I can hold my wife off a little longer as she would "settle" for the M40i
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      08-10-2017, 10:24 AM   #3
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those rims are ugly... why cant they make a decent design with beefy tires
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      08-10-2017, 10:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
those rims are ugly... why cant they make a decent design with beefy tires
100% they will not be on the final version.
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      08-10-2017, 02:54 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Effie View Post
I wish I shot more close up views, I had all the time in the world.
Thank you for posting the photographs, Effie. I tried to see if your images could add any information about the mystery of the Breathers in the G01 series (which models are functional vs plugged). I cropped one of your images (providing attribution), lightened the shadows, and the vent opening is clearly there, but there isn't enough detail to allow comparison of the wheel well architecture of this M to the M40i or 30d models we've been discussing.
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      08-10-2017, 05:07 PM   #6
Effie
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What is the purpose of the breathers?
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      08-10-2017, 05:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Effie View Post
What is the purpose of the breathers?
I think brake cooling and air flow management.
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      08-10-2017, 06:22 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Effie View Post
What is the purpose of the breathers?
If you search this forum for 'breathers' a number of thread lines should show up, Effie, but in sum, it is one of the components of BMW's touted efficient aerodynamics which assist in decreasing drag. Here is a link to BMW's site which explains each of the elements nicely - https://www.bmw.com/en/topics/fascin...odynamics.html . The confusion exists as it appears the lead Designer of the G01 series indicated in a video interview that at least one of the model's line was just for design (and not functional), which caught some of us by surprise as it was thought this was an integral component in improving a vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency. The mystery remains until one can actually be seen in person.

Thanks again for your photos!

Last edited by Max Well; 08-10-2017 at 06:26 PM.. Reason: Correction of spelling - 'aerodynamic'
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      08-12-2017, 04:52 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
If you search this forum for 'breathers' a number of thread lines should show up, Effie, but in sum, it is one of the components of BMW's touted efficient aerodynamics which assist in decreasing drag. Here is a link to BMW's site which explains each of the elements nicely - https://www.bmw.com/en/topics/fascin...odynamics.html . The confusion exists as it appears the lead Designer of the G01 series indicated in a video interview that at least one of the model's line was just for design (and not functional), which caught some of us by surprise as it was thought this was an integral component in improving a vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency. The mystery remains until one can actually be seen in person.

Thanks again for your photos!
Thanks for the info. Max, I did some searches and got some information on this.
I also tried to enhance some of the full resolution images I have to see if I can see any more details as you tried but I couldn't get anything that will give more details.
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      08-12-2017, 06:23 PM   #10
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Sweet! Even with the camo the front "facia" looks aggressive.
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      08-14-2017, 12:22 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
Thank you for posting the photographs, Effie. I tried to see if your images could add any information about the mystery of the Breathers in the G01 series (which models are functional vs plugged). I cropped one of your images (providing attribution), lightened the shadows, and the vent opening is clearly there, but there isn't enough detail to allow comparison of the wheel well architecture of this M to the M40i or 30d models we've been discussing.
Any chance you could figure out the rear tire size from the pictures?

The prototypes don't seem to be running wide rears.

I just looked up the order guide for the new X3 and saw the 699 and 718 wheel options have a 275 rear width (similar to max factory offering on the prior generation). Hoping for something even wider on the x3m - maybe a 295 to match the Macan?

Last edited by auggiem3; 08-14-2017 at 12:29 PM..
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      08-14-2017, 03:13 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by auggiem3 View Post
Any chance you could figure out the rear tire size from the pictures? The prototypes don't seem to be running wide rears.
Not sure this helps, Auggie, but I cropped four of Effie's pictures, lightening them as I did with the breather vent image. The resolution isn't high enough to read the tire numbering but maybe the tread proportions to the wheel well will give you an idea at least. Thanks again to Effie for sharing the photos.
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      08-14-2017, 08:54 PM   #13
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Can't see the size, But from the original files I can clearly see that these a Bridgestones, I can also identify the print "TENZA" on one tire, so it's got to be Bridgestoe Potenza, again no size information.
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      08-14-2017, 10:16 PM   #14
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I had a look at the Tire Rack site; 20 inch wheels seem to offer a wide variety of tire choices. 19 not so much. 21 very few.
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      08-16-2017, 03:34 PM   #15
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Did the seats look like normal seats (e.g. m2 style) or full-on M seats?
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      08-16-2017, 03:38 PM   #16
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Can we have the X3 M in RWD form also
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      08-16-2017, 03:49 PM   #17
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Yes! Finally!

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      08-16-2017, 03:55 PM   #18
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No M mirrors so pass...
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      08-16-2017, 04:03 PM   #19
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[QUOTE=Effie;22053446]I was in Bishop Ca. last week, passing a gas station I noticed those two. A quick U-turn going in and got in line. Speaking briefly with one of the drivers he said (with a heavy German accent) that this is the most powerful new X3, the M. At the time I new only of the upcoming M40 so I tried to correct him but he repeated that this is an M and pointed at the four exhaust pipes.

Correcting a German BMW test driver...LoL. Thanks for sharing.
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      08-16-2017, 04:07 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
those rims are ugly... why cant they make a decent design with beefy tires
because buyers are FICKLE and can pay to CUSTOMIZE their vehicle with aftermarket wheels anyway?.

Not to mention you just judged a PREPRODUCTION model ...

Seriously... Don't waste your time with judgments on a car in camo..


Quote:
Originally Posted by strike4A View Post
100% they will not be on the final version.
X3M is looking STRONG already.. no matter what the OEM wheels are..

Last edited by M3 Adjuster; 08-16-2017 at 04:14 PM..
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      08-16-2017, 05:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
those rims are ugly... why cant they make a decent design with beefy tires
Looks like they borrowed them from Audi. Hopefully others are right and those won't be seen in final production version.
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      08-16-2017, 06:16 PM   #22
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I expected wider hips for some reason.
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