The 2022 Macan S was my dream car. I spent weeks immersed in online reviews, YouTube videos, and Porsche’s online configurator, completely captivated by it. Living in Mexico, the Macan S and the BMW X3 M40i are similarly priced. However, BMW offered attractive year-end incentives on the remaining 2021 X3 M40i models. Given the extreme scarcity of the new 2022 Macan S, I asked a Porsche dealer to arrange a test drive of a used Macan S or GTS to get a feel for the new model. He found a 2020 Porsche Macan S for me to test.
Test drive day arrived, and I was incredibly excited. The carmine red paint and body lines of the Macan S were stunning in person. I had never been so eager for a test drive. After spending over an hour behind the wheel, I was surprised to find myself quite disappointed.
My main issue was with the driving dynamics. The throttle response felt sluggish in all modes except Sport Plus – Sport Chrono is definitely a must-have! The suspension felt floaty, making me slightly dizzy initially. The salesman couldn’t confirm if it had air suspension (PASM) or standard steel springs, but I couldn’t discern any difference between modes. The steering felt too light for my preference with Power Steering Plus, and the exhaust note was underwhelmingly flat. Power, at 348 HP, wasn’t the problem, and the car handled tight corners with stability. Gear shifts were smooth and quick in both the Macan S and the X3 M40i. However, for a Porsche, the overall driving experience felt uninspiring compared to the X3 M40i, especially in Sport and Sport Plus modes. This experience made me question if the GTS model was necessary, but it was beyond my budget.
I meticulously noted my driving impressions and compared them with my partner’s, who also test-drove both cars. We then evaluated the technology, safety, and space features available on the X3 M40i. The BMW offered features like a heads-up display (HUD), remote start, a more advanced infotainment system, and in our opinion, the Harman Kardon sound system sounded superior to the Bose in the Macan S. Other advantages included a fully digital instrument cluster, standard LED adaptive headlights, and a more fuel-efficient engine, which was a significant plus. Ultimately, the decision became clear. We were informed about uncertainties in electronic parts availability, meaning no Harman Kardon sound system in the near future (only HiFi) and no 2022 mild-hybrid X3 M40i for Latin America. We then searched nationally and found a brand new 2021 X3 M40i, practically specced as we wanted. In the two weeks and approximately 1,000 km (620 miles) of driving since, we have been very impressed with the features and capabilities of the BMW.
Regarding reliability, both vehicles can have their issues. However, the BMW M40i’s B58 engine is widely praised as one of BMW’s best and most reliable engines in the last 25 years. Conversely, on the Porsche Macan forums, owners often advise against owning a Macan out of warranty for peace of mind. If you find BMW maintenance costs high, Porsche, especially a pre-owned Macan older than five years, will likely be even more expensive.
In conclusion, while the Macan S initially held immense appeal, the test drive revealed driving dynamics that didn’t live up to expectations, particularly when compared to the BMW X3 M40i. This, combined with feature considerations and potential long-term ownership costs, led to choosing the BMW X3 M40i instead.
(Note: Placeholder image URLs are used as no actual images were provided. In a real scenario, I would use actual image URLs from the original article and create appropriate alt text based on the guidelines.)
