[twisties]

Hi all,

First time BMW owner here, couldn't be more excited. I just picked up my 2025 M340xi in Arctic Race Blue on Sunday. Already have 400 miles on it

I'm coming from a 2020 Subaru WRX 6MT.

Around the city, the car feels just as good as it did on the test drives. But I took it out to my favorite mountain road yesterday and ran into some issues. Compared to my WRX, which felt like a go-kart, I had trouble getting around some corners in the BMW that the Subaru would have thrashed. There was also much more body roll than I anticipated, even in Sport Plus.

Perhaps the OEM tires are just significantly worse than the Pilot Sport A/S4s that I had on the WRX? Do I need to think about an aftermarket sway bar?

Or is it just that the BMW is so much more comfortable that I'm actually going a lot faster than I realize and my WRX would struggle in the same spots? I'm finding it hard to believe that a new M340 would perform worse in any situation when compared to a WRX.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by twisties

Hi all,

First time BMW owner here, couldn't be more excited. I just picked up my 2025 M340xi in Arctic Race Blue on Sunday. Already have 400 miles on it

I'm coming from a 2020 Subaru WRX 6MT.

Around the city, the car feels just as good as it did on the test drives. But I took it out to my favorite mountain road yesterday and ran into some issues. Compared to my WRX, which felt like a go-kart, I had trouble getting around some corners in the BMW that the Subaru would have thrashed. There was also much more body roll than I anticipated, even in Sport Plus.

Perhaps the OEM tires are just significantly worse than the Pilot Sport A/S4s that I had on the WRX? Do I need to think about an aftermarket sway bar?

Or is it just that the BMW is so much more comfortable that I'm actually going a lot faster than I realize and my WRX would struggle in the same spots? I'm finding it hard to believe that a new M340 would perform worse in any situation when compared to a WRX.

You’re not comparing apples to apples.
First, what tires are equipped with your new M340? A lot of us had received run flat pirellis or continentals, which both are abysmal in handling and comfort compared to PSAS / PS4S.
Secondly, WRX is probably lighter than M340 so it will handle and feel differently. The M340 does have body roll which can be eliminated with aftermarket support. Ie. Sway bars, coilovers, camber plates, tires, monoballs, bushings, etc all help in improving handling abilities.
Lastly, welcome to ze German side of engineering yah.

[hrf]

I got summer staggered PS4 tires with my order, but I do not expect it handle like an M3 or WRX, in the end it is a sports sedan with comfort, sporty feel and drive. It is also not a light car, but should be reasonable fast and with good handling.

Good mix of comfort and sport, German engineering , stability are the reasons I got it.

[twisties]

That makes sense. It's certainly a lot more comfortable and significantly faster than the WRX in a straight line. As configured, my BMW is probably 200-300lbs heavier than the WRX.

What confuses me is that I can't imagine the 340 would lose to the WRX around the track, but it just feels so much slower in the corners. Is the WRX really that much more sporty?

Stock tires on the 2025 are Bridgestone Turanza LS100A. Sounds like maybe my first mod will be switching to the Pilot Sports and see how they do. Am I also correct in understanding that some body roll is good?

[seezur]

I drive an M235i right now and in the summer it has PS tires and I was stunned the first (and last) time I went through a tight turn at 60 mph and didn’t crash.

I test drove and almost bought an M340i x drive in 2020 during the winter and took an exit ramp not even that fast and the tires lost traction and it fishtailed. I never checked but I’m pretty sure it had low quality tires that weren’t inflated properly.

I should have my 2025 M340i in a few weeks and I’m getting the PS tires and after my experience on the M235i I feel confident it’ll perform. All this to say, yeah I think a tire change will help you tremendously.

[hrf]

Originally Posted by twisties

That makes sense. It's certainly a lot more comfortable and significantly faster than the WRX in a straight line. As configured, my BMW is probably 200-300lbs heavier than the WRX.

What confuses me is that I can't imagine the 340 would lose to the WRX around the track, but it just feels so much slower in the corners. Is the WRX really that much more sporty?

Stock tires on the 2025 are Bridgestone Turanza LS100A. Sounds like maybe my first mod will be switching to the Pilot Sports and see how they do. Am I also correct in understanding that some body roll is good?

Tire is probably the most important component of the decent handling, Bridgestone Turanza LS100A is not a sport tire, so you would never get good handling with it. If you want better handling get Continental DWS for all season or for summer PS4S.

When I replaced Turanzas on family Camry with Continental DWS cornering speed increased at least 30-40% and they are much more predictable. I got Michelins PS and cooling package on my M340 order and will not drive when it is snow or crazy cold. We don’t get much snow in Virginia lately.

[twisties]

Guess I'll look into swapping the tires out as soon as break in period is over.

It's just crazy to me that WRX has better handling than an M340. Either way, still very happy with my purchase (it's miles better in every single other arena). But will miss the rex a bit in the twisties

[LostInSpace]

Those are touring tires (turanza). I think I'm going to try the Continental ECS02 when mine are spent.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by twisties

Guess I'll look into swapping the tires out as soon as break in period is over.

It's just crazy to me that WRX has better handling than an M340. Either way, still very happy with my purchase (it's miles better in every single other arena). But will miss the rex a bit in the twisties

I wouldn’t agree that the WRX has better handling. It may be that the WRX feels more nimble and light, because it is. The WRX is also based on an econobox chassis / platform so it “feels faster” because you hear more wind noise, bumpier, etc. Also, again, different tires, different vehicles, different conditions. Not a fair comparison.
My first suggestion is if you are keeping stock wheels, then upgrade to PS4S. If square setup, then I would recommend upsizing all 4 corners to 235/40/19.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by twisties

Hi all,

First time BMW owner here, couldn't be more excited. I just picked up my 2025 M340xi in Arctic Race Blue on Sunday. Already have 400 miles on it

I'm coming from a 2020 Subaru WRX 6MT.

Around the city, the car feels just as good as it did on the test drives. But I took it out to my favorite mountain road yesterday and ran into some issues. Compared to my WRX, which felt like a go-kart, I had trouble getting around some corners in the BMW that the Subaru would have thrashed. There was also much more body roll than I anticipated, even in Sport Plus.

Perhaps the OEM tires are just significantly worse than the Pilot Sport A/S4s that I had on the WRX? Do I need to think about an aftermarket sway bar?

Or is it just that the BMW is so much more comfortable that I'm actually going a lot faster than I realize and my WRX would struggle in the same spots? I'm finding it hard to believe that a new M340 would perform worse in any situation when compared to a WRX.

Hi- trying to find something out about the directional led turn signals- on the 2025 does the headlight still turn off one of the DRL when the turn signal goes on? I can’t find a video for the life of me that shows if it stays on.

I don’t understand why they turn off a drl in the first place. I think for 2025 they might have fixed this issue the LCI 2.0 had.

[TankerFlight]

What are the summer tires we get when optioned that way?

[cb804]

Originally Posted by twisties

Hi all,

First time BMW owner here, couldn't be more excited. I just picked up my 2025 M340xi in Arctic Race Blue on Sunday. Already have 400 miles on it

.

Can you post some pictures of your car? I'm considering Arctic Race Blue but haven't seen one in person. Thanks!

[Dan B]

I traded in a 2014 STi 5DR. It felt a lot nimbler than my G26. The BMW is a lot heavier and will push a lot more.

Also, as others have stated, the tires will make a big difference. I had PS4s on the STi and I still have the factory P Zeros on the G26. The P Zeros are nice tires but I prefer the PS4s.

[twisties]

Originally Posted by cb804

Can you post some pictures of your car? I'm considering Arctic Race Blue but haven't seen one in person. Thanks!

It's absolutely spectacular, I'm extremely happy with the configuration. ARB + cognac sensatec + red calipers = <3

[snare108]

Originally Posted by twisties

It's absolutely spectacular, I'm extremely happy with the configuration. ARB + cognac sensatec + red calipers = <3

Second guessing my Brooklyn Grey. That blue looks nice!

[M340I///M]

On my 2021 m340i , I upgraded the following and after I did the difference is noticeable in a positive way.

I also have Adaptive M suspension

Dinan springs and handling kit (bump stops)


Front upper strut bar, new release 3point bar. KC design

Rear trunk strut bar

18” retrofitted M performance bbk front and back with larger dimple and slot rotors

20x9 plus 25 front with PS4s 245/35R20 XL


20x10.5 plus 35 with PS4s 275/30R20 97Y XL


Will be upgrading , the lower sway bars front , Kc also has other under chassis bars that should help
With rolls. Once I upgrade more on the suspension I will update .

[NCboomersooner]

Originally Posted by twisties

It's absolutely spectacular, I'm extremely happy with the configuration. ARB + cognac sensatec + red calipers = <3

That is darker than I expected. I like it a lot. I always go for Black, but if I didn't I would definitely choose this color.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Dan B

I traded in a 2014 STi 5DR. It felt a lot nimbler than my G26. The BMW is a lot heavier and will push a lot more.

Also, as others have stated, the tires will make a big difference. I had PS4s on the STi and I still have the factory P Zeros on the G26. The P Zeros are nice tires but I prefer the PS4s.

G26 is designed to be more touring car than outright sport sedan. It’s the best combination of highway touring and performance I’ve ever had by far. That being said, a purpose-built performance car, like an STi, will outperform it on corners. That isn’t a knock against the G26… they’re just different cars.

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by madpistol

G26 is designed to be more touring car than outright sport sedan. It’s the best combination of highway touring and performance I’ve ever had by far. That being said, a purpose-built performance car, like an STi, will outperform it on corners. That isn’t a knock against the G26… they’re just different cars.

Agreed 100%. It is a true GT.

I also had done a lot of work on my STi so it handled quite a bit better than stock.

[twisties]

Update: I didn't know tire break-in was a thing. The car is actually performing a lot better after putting about 500 miles on it. Still need to eventually put PS4s on it but for now, I'm a happy camper!

[Gryph8n]

Originally Posted by M340I///M

On my 2021 m340i , I upgraded the following and after I did the difference is noticeable in a positive way.

I also have Adaptive M suspension

Dinan springs and handling kit (bump stops)


Front upper strut bar, new release 3point bar. KC design

Rear trunk strut bar

18” retrofitted M performance bbk front and back with larger dimple and slot rotors

20x9 plus 25 front with PS4s 245/35R20 XL


20x10.5 plus 35 with PS4s 275/30R20 97Y XL


Will be upgrading , the lower sway bars front , Kc also has other under chassis bars that should help
With rolls. Once I upgrade more on the suspension I will update .

Sway bars and coilovers are going to make the most difference.