[Cammy440iGC]

Go M440i...the B58 is amazing. Someday...probably soon...it will be gone. I have an M440i GC X-Drive and my wife has an X3 M40i...its great in both the GC and the SAV.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Cammy440iGC

Go M440i...the B58 is amazing. Someday...probably soon...it will be gone. I have an M440i GC X-Drive and my wife has an X3 M40i...its great in both the GC and the SAV.

Dealer sales told me that M340i/M440i production is extremely limited, e.g. a order placed last July is still waiting for allocation.

It is possible that BMW is gradually phasing out M340i/M440i and redirecting customers to the M cars.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I'm not disputing the statistics. I'm pointing out real world conditions.

Hey, if you live in Germany and are on the autobahn, the 40i is the right car, you can surely take advantage of the horses at 180km/h. Same if you live in a city and take your car out to the local racetrack. 225mph. Vroom.

But if you're like 99% of us, living in the suburbs, commuting daily in traffic, the 40i gets you to work no faster and not any more fun either. Just so much you can do bumper to bumper doing 50 in a 65 or between stop signs at 20.

I’ve had multiple instances where the acceleration of my M550 allowed me to comfortably merge into interstate traffic that a 330 or 430 would have struggled with. Could you figure it out? Sure. But the added power does make a real world difference in practical driving conditions.

My favorite loaner car at the dealer is a RWD 330i. I’ve got no disrespect for the 30i cars. The 530 kind of sucks and is too heavy but the 330 is a fun toy for sure that can do a great job as a professional sedan, too.

But saying you can’t or won’t use added power in real world driving is nonsense.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’ve had multiple instances where the acceleration of my M550 allowed me to comfortably merge into interstate traffic that a 330 or 430 would have struggled with. Could you figure it out? Sure. But the added power does make a real world difference in practical driving conditions.

My favorite loaner car at the dealer is a RWD 330i. I’ve got no disrespect for the 30i cars. The 530 kind of sucks and is too heavy but the 330 is a fun toy for sure that can do a great job as a professional sedan, too.

But saying you can’t or won’t use added power in real world driving is nonsense.

In my RWD 430i, when I get into a merged traffic situation that requires some extra help, I move from D to DS by pulling down on the shifter and then just stomp on the gas and I've never had an issue overtaking or making my maneuver. Might the 40i make that attempt require less physical intervention? Perhaps. But in real world conditions, it isn't going to make a difference at all.

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

In my RWD 430i, when I get into a merged traffic situation that requires some extra help, I move from D to DS by pulling down on the shifter and then just stomp on the gas and I've never had an issue overtaking or making my maneuver. Might the 40i make that attempt require less physical intervention? Perhaps. But in real world conditions, it isn't going to make a difference at all.

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

Interesting point, I do the same to flip from D to DS (and sport mode), usually that is enough to merge in a hurry.

LCI 330i no longer has the lever, so I don't know how to get into DS.

I think extra HP certainly helps, but great power does come with great responsibilities, and elevated risks.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Interesting point, I do the same to flip from D to DS (and sport mode), usually that is enough to merge in a hurry.

LCI 330i no longer has the lever, so I don't know how to get into DS.

I think extra HP certainly helps, but great power does come with great responsibilities, and elevated risks.

It’s still there. Just as fun as throwing it to the left, you just pull down.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

It’s still there. Just as fun as throwing it to the left, you just pull down.

That is cool.

Some on this forum may not notice that both 330i and M340i have the same AT box, GA8HP51Z, which is rated at 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft).

Also, both cars use the same drive shaft, PN#26109488375.

In other words, "stomp harder" on the 330i wit 295 lb-ft does not stress the transmission that much, and I do stomp hard all the time.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

In my RWD 430i, when I get into a merged traffic situation that requires some extra help, I move from D to DS by pulling down on the shifter and then just stomp on the gas and I've never had an issue overtaking or making my maneuver. Might the 40i make that attempt require less physical intervention? Perhaps. But in real world conditions, it isn't going to make a difference at all.

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

I’m not telling you your 4 cyl can’t get the job done. I am telling you’re shitting yourself when you believe you’re 30i becomes equivalent to the 40i because you floored it. 40i has a sport mode too. All things relative, if we line up you (30i), one of our 40i friends here, and me (50i) and then we all floor it… the 40i isn’t going to be too far behind me but you will be sucking some serious fumes.

I think BMW underrates the acceleration of the M340i xdrive because they want the perceived wider gap from the M3 and previously probably didn’t want to advertise that it was just a couple tenths behind the 523 hp (and $80k+) M550i xdrive. I think the M550 got underrated too, but from reviews like C&D, it seems the M340 was underrated more.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

In my RWD 430i, when I get into a merged traffic situation that requires some extra help, I move from D to DS by pulling down on the shifter and then just stomp on the gas and I've never had an issue overtaking or making my maneuver. Might the 40i make that attempt require less physical intervention? Perhaps. But in real world conditions, it isn't going to make a difference at all.

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’m not telling you your 4 cyl can’t get the job done. I am telling you’re shitting yourself when you believe you’re 30i becomes equivalent to the 40i because you floored it. 40i has a sport mode too. All things relative, if we line up you (30i), one of our 40i friends here, and me (50i) and then we all floor it… the 40i isn’t going to be too far behind me but you will be sucking some serious fumes.

I think BMW underrates the acceleration of the M340i xdrive because they want the perceived wider gap from the M3 and previously probably didn’t want to advertise that it was just a couple tenths behind the 523 hp (and $80k+) M550i xdrive. I think the M550 got underrated too, but from reviews like C&D, it seems the M340 was underrated more.

The 430i GC is plenty quick... but it ain't an M440i. Not by a long shot.

As to what NGT2 said.

430i 0-60: 5.5 seconds
M440i xDrive 0-60: 4 seconds
M340i xDrive 0-60: 3.8 seconds
M550i xDrive 0-60: 3.5 seconds

I don't think you understand that either an M440i or M550i in ECO PRO mode could smoke a 430i in Sport. And if you really want to turn things up to 11, the M-lites (and M cars) have launch control, too. Even in the M-lites, LC is brutal. You have no clue how fast the M-lite cars are. They are not full M cars, but in terms of acceleration, they aren't far off. The 430i is WAYYYYYYYYY off.

I mean, whatever floats your boat, dude, but you're kidding yourself if you think a 430i suddenly becomes a 440i with a flip to Sport shifting.

[M3FortiIZay]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

It’s still there. Just as fun as throwing it to the left, you just pull down.

Yeah it’s still there but it just feels so wrong

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

That is cool.

Some on this forum may not notice that both 330i and M340i have the same AT box, GA8HP51Z, which is rated at 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft).

Also, both cars use the same drive shaft, PN#26109488375.

In other words, "stomp harder" on the 330i wit 295 lb-ft does not stress the transmission that much, and I do stomp hard all the time.

Not sure where these rumors get started, but no, the 330i and M340i do not use the same driveshaft. The part number above, 26109488375, is for the M340i exclusively. The 330i, depending on options, uses either 26109485284 or 26109485283. You can see the applications in the above links from BMW parts catalog.

Similarly, the half-shafts are larger and specific to the M340i also.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Not sure where these rumors get started, but no, the 330i and M340i do not use the same driveshaft.

My bad u are correct 330i and M340i have different driveshafts:

26109488375 - 1528mm(M340i)
26109485284 - 1529mm(330i w/ m-sport diff)
26109485283 - 1525mm(330i w/o m-sport diff)

For a given torque curve, a shorter driveshaft should be less weight(I think a longer driveshaft requires more material to fight rotational warping), so I am glad my 330i base doesn't have m-sport diff to get the light(er) driveshaft.

The most important of the transmission, GA8HP51Z - W9P, PN#24009453933 of 330i should be the same spec as GA8HP51Z - XFA, PN#24009469004,of M340i.

[Davg31]

In fact, the difference in size is so enormous that it must save at least 300 kilos. :=)

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Davg31

In fact, the difference in size is so enormous that it must save at least 300 kilos. :=)

Yeah I do wonder why BMW does not put the ZF 8HP76 into M340i given its massive lb-ft, or wait, maybe that is for the weight savings.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Yeah I do wonder why BMW does not put the ZF 8HP76 into M340i given its massive lb-ft, or wait, maybe that is for the weight savings.

Yes, I think you're right, some people think it's because M340s are torque-limited and therefore don't need a superior gearbox, like the ZF 760 which can take 760 of torque like an M3.

They're stupid at BMW, thank goodness you're here and your logic is perfect ;=)

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Davg31

Yes, I think you're right, some people think it's because M340s are torque-limited and therefore don't need a superior gearbox, like the ZF 760 which can take 760 of torque like an M3.

They're stupid at BMW, thank goodness you're here and your logic is perfect ;=)

To be specific, it is 760 N⋅m (561 lb⋅ft) for ZFHP 76.

Since BMW matches M340i's lb-ft to ZFHP51, just make sure u don't tune the M340i.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by madpistol

The 430i GC is plenty quick... but it ain't an M440i. Not by a long shot.

As to what NGT2 said.

430i 0-60: 5.5 seconds
M440i xDrive 0-60: 4 seconds
M340i xDrive 0-60: 3.8 seconds
M550i xDrive 0-60: 3.5 seconds

I don't think you understand that either an M440i or M550i in ECO PRO mode could smoke a 430i in Sport. And if you really want to turn things up to 11, the M-lites (and M cars) have launch control, too. Even in the M-lites, LC is brutal. You have no clue how fast the M-lite cars are. They are not full M cars, but in terms of acceleration, they aren't far off. The 430i is WAYYYYYYYYY off.

I mean, whatever floats your boat, dude, but you're kidding yourself if you think a 430i suddenly becomes a 440i with a flip to Sport shifting.

I think you kind of missed the point of my comment:

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

Where most of us live, we can't take advantage of the extra, wait for it, 1.5 seconds to get to 60.

And even if we were on a track, what is 1.5 seconds? Like what kind of maniac drives on public roads where 1.5 seconds is an advantage over another dad on his way to work in his family sedan with the kids in the back with a couple of soccer balls?

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by M3FortiIZay

Yeah it’s still there but it just feels so wrong

Nah, takes a day to get used to it and it's all good from there. Looks very clean, makes it far easier to access the cupholders and charging pad.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

And even if we were on a track, what is 1.5 seconds? Like what kind of maniac drives on public roads where 1.5 seconds is an advantage over another dad on his way to work in his family sedan with the kids in the back with a couple of soccer balls?

There are folks with high-power cars(can be BMW, Tesla, etc, etc) around here that use public roads to stretch the legs of their big engines, but then they do come close, many times, to hitting someone, like me!

The one brand that seems to have less owners with something to prove(on public roads) than most is Porsche, I guess the brand itself is enough proof.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Nah, takes a day to get used to it and it's all good from there. Looks very clean, makes it far easier to access the cupholders and charging pad.

I had several loaners with iDrive8 and dual big screens and I don't dislike them at all.

I haven't defrosted with a few swipes yet in the loaners, but I don't think it will take long to adapt.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I think you kind of missed the point of my comment:

"Stomp harder" is all the 30i needs to become a 40i on the mean streets of suburbia.

Where most of us live, we can't take advantage of the extra, wait for it, 1.5 seconds to get to 60.

And even if we were on a track, what is 1.5 seconds? Like what kind of maniac drives on public roads where 1.5 seconds is an advantage over another dad on his way to work in his family sedan with the kids in the back with a couple of soccer balls?

You do you, bud. I’m sure you take your car outside of suburbia at certain times, so at this point, it just sounds like copium to me.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by madpistol

You do you, bud. I’m sure you take your car outside of suburbia at certain times, so at this point, it just sounds like copium to me.

There are hilly and coastal twisties in our locales, I do think the 330i with an eager nose and 50/50 balance performs pretty well on those roads.

There are also highways with big sweeping turns that big HP/lb-ft of M cars and M340i can stretch on, but even my 330i can get passed, I may pass the same cars greeted by CHPs on the shoulders.