11-22-2021, 10:18 AM | #1 |
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My car is not a "true" M car?
Hi again, I guess as a BMW newbie I'm a tad excited about my car and also new to how Bimmer folks view things.
So just having fun here, this idea that my car is not a "true" M car, even though the M badge is clearly part of the model designation and plastered all over my car (dash, steering wheel, rear model designation, and on the bottom of the side entryways) sort of 'tickles' me. If my car is not a "true" M car, which I'm really not interested in disputing, then what is it? Certainly it's not just a 3 series either. I need to have some sort of badge to be proud of here, after all |
11-22-2021, 11:14 AM | #2 |
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It's an "M Performance" version of the 3 Series.
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11-22-2021, 12:26 PM | #3 | |
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11-22-2021, 01:13 PM | #4 |
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Lite M, diet M, it's the best of both worlds in my eyes. You get some of the ooohs and ahhhs of the M proper, without paying the full M tax. It's one of the better entries into the Bimmer world.
Ignore the M badge and the comparisons and forums on whether or not the car "measures up". Those who know, know. And those that don't will find out.
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11-22-2021, 02:25 PM | #5 |
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If someone asks that type of question they are not very conversant in BMW terminology, and probably not really a BMW fan. Most of the time they are just trying to jerk your chain.
- The BMW M series has been around for quite a while, and the M designation is clear because there is only one digit after the M in the model name. - Several years ago BMW created the M Sport trim package, which was primarily a dress-up package with an aero kit, unique badging, etc. There was usually no engine difference, but most models did have the option for some unique equipment (sport brakes, sport steering wheel, etc.) - M Performance is a relatively recent designation and it falls in between full M and the M Sport. M Performance models usually have trim that is similar to the M Sport option (aero kits, logos, etc.), but in addition they have a higher performance engine and other performance features (M sport differential, Sport+ settings, etc.). It is not at the same level as the M engines, but it is a significant step up in horsepower from the lesser models. For example, the current M3 can achieve a 0-60 of about 3.5 seconds; however, the M340i is in the range of 3.8-4.2 seconds, depending on who tests it. A 330i with M Sport option would probably be in the 5.4 second range. Last edited by Bc2005; 11-24-2021 at 07:08 AM.. |
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11-22-2021, 02:52 PM | #6 |
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^ That's kind of what I was feeling too. If the M340i is not a "true" M car, it is still way closer to being a "true" M car than it is to being a "sporty" 3 series. I mean, if you look at the real numbers as you put it: HP figures, 0-60 times, suspension and other mods, it has had some serious hardware upgrades added beyond just the superficial stuff.
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11-22-2021, 03:19 PM | #7 | |
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Also, they added the m to compete with the competition, s4 and amg 43 which is actually just a rebranded c450. |
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11-22-2021, 04:37 PM | #8 | |
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11-23-2021, 08:14 AM | #9 | |
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The M340i is WAY faster than a regular 330i (even with M sport package) while probably having 90% of the handling characteristics of a true M car. I don't see how it isn't closer to an M car than a 3 series |
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11-23-2021, 09:15 AM | #10 | |
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If you think that M340i has 90% of the handling characteristics of a true M car, the same can be said about the 330i...in fact maybe more so because the 330i has a lighter front end, better steering, and slightly better weight balance. The M340i IS a 3 Series, albeit a fast one. Nobody is disputing that.
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11-23-2021, 09:48 AM | #11 | |||
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Here is what I'm getting from looking online:
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So the M cars are obviously even more performance oriented, no disputing that. But I would say that the hardware differences between a 330i M Sport package and a M340i are greater than those between an M340i and an M3 |
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11-23-2021, 10:32 AM | #12 |
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I would not agree and it's almost certainly not true. Sorry.
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11-23-2021, 10:48 AM | #13 |
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^ I mean, we're talking about comparing an inline 6 with an inline 4
That is the single most expensive thing in the car, and the M340i has the same engine as the M3 Name specific items on the M3 that the M340i doesn't have, and the cost of those items, and then we can make a comparison. Then we can compare what items an M340i has that a 330i with M sport package doesn't have, and we can look at those costs as well. Only after having done all that can I be convinced. Until then, this is all just opinions |
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11-23-2021, 11:42 AM | #14 |
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This.
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11-23-2021, 11:45 AM | #15 | |
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11-23-2021, 12:18 PM | #17 |
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False. S58 in the M3, B58 in the 340. They share the same number of cylinders, but the similarities feather out a lot from there.
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11-23-2021, 12:47 PM | #18 |
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Lol oh this thread...
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11-23-2021, 01:12 PM | #19 |
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Here's a bit of reading material about BMW's ZHP package.
Pretty much what's being done these days is tacking on the M badge for opulence instead of adding ZHP to the build sheet. The 340 has M parts. The M3 is built by M. They used to be their own division, but I think BMW fully incorporated them in so it's just all BMW, and the M badge is being attached to damn near anything.
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11-23-2021, 01:28 PM | #20 |
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In the end, it's up to BMW (since they own the brand 'M') what an M car is. Not to some hold outs on the internet.
If BMW is branding this car 'M' on the badge, then that speaks volumes. Now you can argue that this dilutes 'M' branding, but in the end it is what it is. We all still know that an M3 is the superior car to the M340i in pretty much every performance-related measure.... |
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11-24-2021, 06:14 AM | #22 |
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