Looking to sharpen the appearance of the X3 or X4 M you’ve got your eye on? Ahead of the newest additions to the M model portfolio going on sale, BMW has revealed a full array of M Performance parts aimed at sharpening the presence of the potent SAV and SAC. All of the bits are largely superficial in nature, as there’s no exhaust system, and for more horsepower you’ll have to upgrade to an X3 or X4 M Competition, but the full collection achieves BMW’s intended goal of nicely differentiating an outfitted model from a factory-unmodified example.
Finishes include carbon-fiber and gloss black, traditional choices for the M Performance parts lineup that BMW has stuck to for several models and generations now. The accouterments extended into the cabin as well, encompassing control surfaces and other materials that drivers interact with every time they enter the vehicle. Carbon-fiber pieces are handmade using a pattern specific to the X3 and X4 M, and are functional in terms of their weight-savings and aerodynamic qualities.
The exterior of the X3 and X4 M can be visually enhanced by way of carbon-fiber kidney grilles, bumper vent surrounds, and door sill finishers. The X3 M can also be fitted with a rear roof-edge spoiler finished in gloss black, which seems like a nice complement to the rest of the collection. For the X4, the rear fins that are found on either side of the rear fastback glass can also be replaced with gloss-black M Performance versions.
On the more divisive side are the M color films and lettering that can be applied to the front, rear, and sides, which according to BMW, communicate a clear link between motor racing while simultaneously conveying a sense of exclusivity and individuality.
Some of the most important parts can be found on the inside, such as the carbon-fiber trim pieces, floor mats, and M Performance Pro steering wheel. The floor mats, trim pieces, and other carbon-fiber parts are sure to be noticed on a daily basis, while the steering wheel provides the most noticeable tactile improvement. The Pro steering wheel is made up of the wheel itself, a carbon-fiber insert, and carbon-fiber shift paddles, the latter of which can be purchased separately for use with the conventional steering wheel. Other benefits of the M Performance Pro steering wheel include large, alcantara grip areas, while leather is used to finish other portions, with an eye-catching blue stripe at twelve o’clock.
This latest collection of BMW M Performance parts for the X3 and X4 M might not seem like much at first glance, but the array is an important element in the market presence of the SAV and SAC, which compete with the likes of Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-AMG. Those counterparts, which include the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, are perfectly comparable on the all-important output and performance comparisons, but BMW has a distinct leg up with two distinctly different but similarly underpinned models that compete in the same realm as others. Add the collection of new M Performance parts, and the X3 and X4 M become what is perhaps the ultimate expression of the category.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy BMW AG.]
