Used BMW X3 M-Sport cars

Get a BMW X3 M Sport and you’ll enjoy the looks of a high-performance X3 M model without the associated high costs. All X3s have decent performance and some of the available engines give you fast acceleration. But that’s balanced with pretty good fuel efficiency for a large-ish, family-friendly SUV. The X3 M Sport also feels great to drive and its interior is as plush, as well-equipped and as high-tech as you’d expect from a premium-brand car.

The BMW X3 is categorised as a mid-size premium SUV, although it’s actually quite a large car. Its main rivals are the Audi Q5, the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Volvo XC60 and it’s similar in size to less-premium cars such as the Skoda Kodiaq and the Nissan X-Trail. The current (third-generation) X3 has been on sale in the UK since 2017; it was updated in 2021 with refreshed styling details and a new infotainment system.

The X3 line dates back to 2003. It was the second BMW SUV, following the X5’s release in the late 1990s and has been a huge success for the German brand. In 2020, the all-electric iX3 was introduced.    

M Sport refers to the BMW M division within the German manufacturer, which develops high-performance road cars like the M3 and M5. While the sporty styling of a high-performance car can be very appealing, their powerful engines and state-of-the-art engineering means they cost a lot both to buy and to run. For those who want the look but not the cost, the M Sport models give you similar styling but with the more affordable running costs of the ‘regular’ petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power options.

The BMW X3 M Sport is a sporty, mid-range model. Most X3s have broadly the same set of features included as standard. These include one of the best infotainment systems in the business, which has sat nav and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Climate control, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and parking sensors are also included.

What separates the SE, xLINE and M Sport models are their styling details and the plushness of their interiors. The high-performance X3 M40 and X3M models include a few extra features to go with their more powerful engines.

In M Sport trim, the BMW X3 has various sporty styling details that mark it out from other models in the range. On the outside, those details include a unique design of 19-inch alloy wheels with silver facings and grey inner surfaces, as well as deeper bumpers, a bigger rear spoiler and more prominent wheel arch trims. There’s gloss black trim around the windows and gloss black roof rails, too. Inside, you’ll find bucket-style sports seats, a sports steering wheel and door sill plates bearing the M Sport logo.