We have the same deliberation. I have a great hardtail for bike packing and general thrashing and want a 25lb XC FS for endurance trail riding and time attacks. I prefer the aesthetics and availability of the Blur 3 but lightness, tidier cables and three water bottles of the Blur 4 is a strong pull. Either bike I'd have the new reserves and build up with XT. My dream bike would be gloss finish Blur 4 CC XT. My other contender is the LUX CF-9 but little heaver at 27lb and who knows when it will be available.