[Docalan]

I didn't drive the C43 because I didn't think I'd be able to tell any difference from the C450 which I'm leaving. I thought the C43 was too close to the C450 (yeah, 20 more HP and an 8 speed trans) which would have cost me 5k more over the 3 year lease term. IMO not worth it. Thought the tech was better in the M340i in addition to the included maintenance. That said, I was quite happy with the C450.

[Transfer]

I drove M340i xDrive yesterday and was quite impressed but it was a brief test drive. Most notably the steering and front end felt tight and accurate without being overly heavy or wandering. Honestly those aspects weren't too far off my E92 M3 but again I only had about 6 min in the car.

For reference I did drive an M240i right before to compare and that steering was god awful light and loosy goosey. I owned an M235i for 3 years and loved it except for that crap steering.

M340i power was superb, throttle response acceptably quick, transmission improved over F gens, exhaust and engine noise were perfect for this category of car, and interior/exterior were on point for a brand new modern BMW. Overall I really liked it more than I expected.Plan is to go back with wife Friday and see what she thinks of it.

[BigSky702]

I've been pushing the car a little more now that I've broken 1000 miles... (I'm sure the
1200 mile break in is overkill, but...)

And I must say the braking power (non ZTK) is phenomenal, 90 to 0!! I have to pay more attention to people with less adequate brakes,in my rear view!

[PandaMobile]

I have to say that this car brought a smile to my face. I was fun to drive. I was in between the 5 and 3. Driving the M340i made my decision easy. I going to get it in Tanzanite Blue

[Cammy440iGC]

The lease on my 2016 340i x- Drive is up in September so starting to look at its replacement. My car prior to the 340i was a 2013 S4. A great ride.

What a difference 3 years makes. Frankly, I only got the 340i x-Drive because in 2016 Audi was just swapping out the B 8.5 S4s for the B 9s. I had been a long time BMW customer 2002 E46 325i, E46 330i vert (zsp), 2007 E90 335i. But I left BMW in 2013 for Audi because they were killing it. The 2013 B8.5 S4 had the supercharged V6 , DSG, limited sport -diff, plus the S cars looked very different from the A cars. Great marketing! Supercharged badges, much more muscular appearance but in a very tailored way. Whereas you could hardly tell a 340i from a 320i.

Now it seems like Audi and BMW have flipped. Took a look at the 2019 B9 S4 and you can hardly tell it from an A4! No fender badges ( V6 T or otherwise....in fact the A 4 fenders at least had S line badges whereas the S4 had "nothing". Gone was the DSG, gone was the muscular stance. It's almost like Audi looked at what BMW was doing with the F30 340i...blending it into the line....and said let's do that.

Whereas BMW said...hey look at the success of the B8 and B8.5 Audi S4....we need the 340i to standout like Audi made the S4 stand out from the A line. Let's make it the M340i and let's change the grill and mirrors, etc. in short, Audi copied BMW F 30 340i in doing the B9 S4 while at the same time BMW copied what Audi did with the B8 and B8.5 S4 when it decided to make the 340i into the M340i.

It's so clear they were each copying the other...kind of funny.

But now the M340i really stands out. It's just why I really liked the B 8 and 8.5 S4s. It won't beconfused with a 330i.

The only other contender I am looking at is the AMG C43 with the exhaust package. The problem is that even with the digital cockpit offered....its tech is WAY behind this A 250 I sat in. It's tough to be looking at a car....even an AMG C43....that stickers for 25K more than it's baby brother but has 1/10th the tech! The refresh should have brought the dual screen dash and MBUX. What a mistake. It's impossible to sit in a C class....then go sit in the A class and then think...yup I'm going to go pay more for the car with less tech.

So looks like will probably go M340i X Drive.

Also, while my 2016 340i X Drive may have been a little more bland than my 2013 S4 ( less ooohhs and aaaahhhs) it's build quality was superior to Audi. Not a fancy. But more solid.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Cammy340i

The lease on my 2016 340i x- Drive is up in September so starting to look at its replacement. My car prior to the 340i was a 2013 S4. A great ride.

What a difference 3 years makes. Frankly, I only got the 340i x-Drive because in 2016 Audi was just swapping out the B 8.5 S4s for the B 9s. I had been a long time BMW customer 2002 E46 325i, E46 330i vert (zsp), 2007 E90 335i. But I left BMW in 2013 for Audi because they were killing it. The 2013 B8.5 S4 had the supercharged V6 , DSG, limited sport -diff, plus the S cars looked very different from the A cars. Great marketing! Supercharged badges, much more muscular appearance but in a very tailored way. Whereas you could hardly tell a 340i from a 320i.

Now it seems like Audi and BMW have flipped. Took a look at the 2019 B9 S4 and you can hardly tell it from an A4! No fender badges ( V6 T or otherwise....in fact the A 4 fenders at least had S line badges whereas the S4 had "nothing". Gone was the DSG, gone was the muscular stance. It's almost like Audi looked at what BMW was doing with the F30 340i...blending it into the line....and said let's do that.

Whereas BMW said...hey look at the success of the B8 and B8.5 Audi S4....we need the 340i to standout like Audi made the S4 stand out from the A line. Let's make it the M340i and let's change the grill and mirrors, etc. in short, Audi copied BMW F 30 340i in doing the B9 S4 while at the same time BMW copied what Audi did with the B8 and B8.5 S4 when it decided to make the 340i into the M340i.

It's so clear they were each copying the other...kind of funny.

But now the M340i really stands out. It's just why I really liked the B 8 and 8.5 S4s. It won't beconfused with a 330i.

The only other contender I am looking at is the AMG C43 with the exhaust package. The problem is that even with the digital cockpit offered....its tech is WAY behind this A 250 I sat in. It's tough to be looking at a car....even an AMG C43....that stickers for 25K more than it's baby brother but has 1/10th the tech! The refresh should have brought the dual screen dash and MBUX. What a mistake. It's impossible to sit in a C class....then go sit in the A class and then think...yup I'm going to go pay more for the car with less tech.

So looks like will probably go M340i X Drive.

Also, while my 2016 340i X Drive may have been a little more bland than my 2013 S4 ( less ooohhs and aaaahhhs) it's build quality was superior to Audi. Not a fancy. But more solid.

I mean, I can deal with older technology if the driving dynamics are top notch, but I understand what you mean. I'm use to the older MB Command System so while the new A class has newer tech, none of them really would affect my decision enough to not consider the vehicle. The C43 is a gorgeous vehicle though, wife is considering one to test against the M340i.

[autobahn75]

I just took delivery of a M340 XDrive last week. It’s superb! I’ve had each 3 except for the e36. My last two cars were F30 335 XDrives. For me this car has been the biggest leap forward in performance, safety and quality ever. Technology that we expect and it works. Well it works as long as you start your car with the door closed.

Driving the car the first time I really was blown away. When I punched it the power, the pull and the sounds were unbelievable. What did I do? LOL!

Driving the car in sport shift mode with paddles it sounded like a real sports car. For some reason when the shifter is in normal mode the paddles work different. I need more experience there; mostly drove manuals previously and never had paddles in my 1 other automatic.

As Ferris Bueller once said, “it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”.

[phillyd2]

I too came from a F30 and there is really no comparison. While I’m still learning the technology, driving is amazing. And it’s much quieter, which I didn’t expect.

[seis-speed]

I have not driven a G series, but I have noticed all the advertisements that I see are about tech and not about driving? Make me a bit nervous about the upcoming G80 M3.

I love tech, but not in my cars, so not sure who is clamoring for more tech, which adds weight and generally detaches the driver from the car. Porsche is doing the same thing, it is odd IMO, make a great driving car and people will buy it, again, JMO. Maybe everyone wants tech and I am the outlier, but tech gets outdated fast, a great drivers car is always a great drivers car.

Thanks to all for the reviews for those that have driven the car.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

I have not driven a G series, but I have noticed all the advertisements that I see are about tech and not about driving? Make me a bit nervous about the upcoming G80 M3.

I love tech, but not in my cars, so not sure who is clamoring for more tech, which adds weight and generally detaches the driver from the car. Porsche is doing the same thing, it is odd IMO, make a great driving car and people will buy it, again, JMO. Maybe everyone wants tech and I am the outlier, but tech gets outdated fast, a great drivers car is always a great drivers car.

Thanks to all for the reviews for those that have driven the car.

I went on two M340i xDrive test drives and last week placed my order. I didn't touch one piece of tech in the car but I did drive the hell out of it and goddamn it drives well. Very fast, responsive, pointy front end, sounds great, and it looks the absolute business in person.

[bones]

Got mine on Saturday. RWD w/ standard suspension.

This is my 5th BMW

'08 135 m sport
'11 e90 335
'13 f30 335
'16 f30 340
'20 g20 m340

Not sure if this makes sense, but moving into this car feels like going back to '08 and moving into my 135 from a Subaru Wagon. That car sounded great, had bright red leather, and frankly felt a little exotic (on a relative basis).

This m340 is similar in progression. Really feels like a big step up from a handling and power perspective. Makes my old f30, which I thought was ok, feel pedestrian on a relative basis.

Best of all, it feels really well put together. Time will tell, but I think its a winner.

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by bones

Got mine on Saturday. RWD w/ standard suspension.

This is my 5th BMW

'08 135 m sport
'11 e90 335
'13 f30 335
'16 f30 340
'20 g20 m340

Not sure if this makes sense, but moving into this car feels like going back to '08 and moving into my 135 from a Subaru Wagon. That car sounded great, had bright red leather, and frankly felt a little exotic (on a relative basis).

This m340 is similar in progression. Really feels like a big step up from a handling and power perspective. Makes my old f30, which I thought was ok, feel pedestrian on a relative basis.

Best of all, it feels really well put together. Time will tell, but I think its a winner.

Nicely put!!

[phillyd2]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

I have not driven a G series, but I have noticed all the advertisements that I see are about tech and not about driving? Make me a bit nervous about the upcoming G80 M3.

I love tech, but not in my cars, so not sure who is clamoring for more tech, which adds weight and generally detaches the driver from the car. Porsche is doing the same thing, it is odd IMO, make a great driving car and people will buy it, again, JMO. Maybe everyone wants tech and I am the outlier, but tech gets outdated fast, a great drivers car is always a great drivers car.

Thanks to all for the reviews for those that have driven the car.

I too was pretty meh about tech. Give me a few simple on / off buttons and I was fine.

Then I drove a rental with car play and I was hooked. Now I’m learning the M340 tech and am becoming a convert. Even had the car parallel park itself and it was pretty cool. The auto driving in traffic was freaky at first but soon I was loving it. I’m looking forward to testing the advanced systems on the highway.

One small issue though. More then once it wouldn’t let be back out of my garage because it thought I would hit something and auto stopped. Luckily that feature can be disabled.

I’ve coded previous cars to turn off ASS and while I still may on this one I gotta admit it’s vastly improved to the point it’s really not a nuisance.

[ByronWalter]

Originally Posted by phillyd2

I’ve coded previous cars to turn off ASS and while I still may on this one I gotta admit it’s vastly improved to the point it’s really not a nuisance.

I'm just popping into my individual sport mode setting which disables ASS.

Haven't messed with the parking assistant yet (only 100 miles on the car) but so far the toughest thing to adjust to was the parking lights which are controlled by... 4 buttons

Came from a 2017 F31 and this is on another level. The car just feels so planted, like it's only 2 feet tall yet rides very nicely. Used sport plus setting for the shifting for the first time and

[phillyd2]

Originally Posted by ByronWalter

I'm just popping into my individual sport mode setting which disables ASS.

Haven't messed with the parking assistant yet (only 100 miles on the car) but so far the toughest thing to adjust to was the parking lights which are controlled by... 4 buttons

Came from a 2017 F31 and this is on another level. The car just feels so planted, like it's only 2 feet tall yet rides very nicely. Used sport plus setting for the shifting for the first time and

I'm around 90 miles. Anyways the 4 buttons are for Roadside Parking Lights. A feature I'll never use since I don't even use regular parking lights.

[MT4life]

Originally Posted by Cammy340i

The lease on my 2016 340i x- Drive is up in September so starting to look at its replacement. My car prior to the 340i was a 2013 S4. A great ride.

What a difference 3 years makes. Frankly, I only got the 340i x-Drive because in 2016 Audi was just swapping out the B 8.5 S4s for the B 9s. I had been a long time BMW customer 2002 E46 325i, E46 330i vert (zsp), 2007 E90 335i. But I left BMW in 2013 for Audi because they were killing it. The 2013 B8.5 S4 had the supercharged V6 , DSG, limited sport -diff, plus the S cars looked very different from the A cars. Great marketing! Supercharged badges, much more muscular appearance but in a very tailored way. Whereas you could hardly tell a 340i from a 320i.

Now it seems like Audi and BMW have flipped. Took a look at the 2019 B9 S4 and you can hardly tell it from an A4! No fender badges ( V6 T or otherwise....in fact the A 4 fenders at least had S line badges whereas the S4 had "nothing". Gone was the DSG, gone was the muscular stance. It's almost like Audi looked at what BMW was doing with the F30 340i...blending it into the line....and said let's do that.

Whereas BMW said...hey look at the success of the B8 and B8.5 Audi S4....we need the 340i to standout like Audi made the S4 stand out from the A line. Let's make it the M340i and let's change the grill and mirrors, etc. in short, Audi copied BMW F 30 340i in doing the B9 S4 while at the same time BMW copied what Audi did with the B8 and B8.5 S4 when it decided to make the 340i into the M340i.

It's so clear they were each copying the other...kind of funny.

But now the M340i really stands out. It's just why I really liked the B 8 and 8.5 S4s. It won't beconfused with a 330i.

The only other contender I am looking at is the AMG C43 with the exhaust package. The problem is that even with the digital cockpit offered....its tech is WAY behind this A 250 I sat in. It's tough to be looking at a car....even an AMG C43....that stickers for 25K more than it's baby brother but has 1/10th the tech! The refresh should have brought the dual screen dash and MBUX. What a mistake. It's impossible to sit in a C class....then go sit in the A class and then think...yup I'm going to go pay more for the car with less tech.

So looks like will probably go M340i X Drive.

Also, while my 2016 340i X Drive may have been a little more bland than my 2013 S4 ( less ooohhs and aaaahhhs) it's build quality was superior to Audi. Not a fancy. But more solid.

TLDR, stopped reading after your comment that Audi was killing it, lol

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by MT4life

TLDR, stopped reading after your comment that Audi was killing it, lol

I dunno, they're effectively killing any interest I had in their product line...

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Fuller

I dunno, they're effectively killing any interest I had in their product line...

Agree. The B8/8.5 S4 was a really good vehicle, the combination of Quattro, a 6MT/DSG, and a Supercharger V6 made a very good driving vehicle despite its FWD platform, and it was very good looking. The B9 S4 looks good, but the loss of the supercharger and both the DSG and Manual, mixed with the laggy throttle response really ruined my interest in Audi. Now they're ruining the styling w/ the 2020 model, and adding all touchscreen interiors to their vehicles, forgetting completely about their previous excellent MMI system. Honestly, the only Audi's that keep my interest are the R8 and A/S/RS3.

[GGG333]

I haven't been a fan of the car since teasers and I still went to test drive just to see what It's really like.
Obviously it's nowhere close to my 18' ZCP M4 so I'm a bit biased as it felt like a Lexus to me just like the F30 340 however it's a much better car.

What I think people should realize is that this new 340 should've been on another level in comparison to the C43 and S4.
Having owned the C43 up until this week and driven my friends S4 many times , I can confirm they are all pretty even and I must admit the C43 is just the better car hands down and S4 has the superior interior as well as sound system.

I can't think of a single thing that the M340 does better and thats why I haven't changed my opinion that this car just ain't it.
Of course no offense to any current owners, we like what we like but I highly recommend driving all 3 back to back and you'll see !

[psuibmw]

:
I think you had a typo you meant the C43 is the worst car hands down ... correct

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

:
I think you had a typo you meant the C43 is the worst car hands down ... correct

"Feels like a Lexus " ???? Thats kind of harsh!

I'll put it this way, I avoid having to drive my wife's GS350!!

Lol. I test drove an S4 and was NOT impressed.. well the interior and B&O sound system, but exterior styling and driving dynamics "meh"!

To each his own, I guess...

Also, I'm no longer pining over the F82, awesome performer but not for my DD needs. But, I will revisit when the G80 arrives, perhaps as a second vehicle.

[GGG333]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

:
I think you had a typo you meant the C43 is the worst car hands down ... correct

Originally Posted by psuibmw

:
I think you had a typo you meant the C43 is the worst car hands down ... correct

Not at all :

From exterior , to interior quality ( LCI only btw) , to the overall performance. I just feel like it's a step forward and has some pop to it that the M340 just doesn't.

BigSky, I'm honestly surprised with what you're saying because you came from the same car as I'm driving now , we're ///M family :

And yet you're enjoying the M340