[Seaford]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

I would have to disagree here as well. The 330i that I drove felt heavy and ponderous -- mostly because the engine couldn't overcome the weight of the car. I know the M340i is even heavier but it FEELS lighter because there is so much power. Also, if you add the M Sport and adaptive suspension, the 330 is nearly 55k and it STILL doesn't have the M Sport breaks and LSD.

If you add the THP, you get all the goodies (LSD, adaptive, brakes) but you can't get all season tires which means you need a set of summer AND winter tires. (Yes, I know, all seasons are garbage but MOST people use them as their only set -- like me!)

My M340i was 60k -- with a 60% residual, I'd happily pay ~$90/month to drive the fast one and not deal with the tire swapping.

It may be different in the US of A but the 330i M Sport in the UK does have M Sport brakes and LSD.

Can't say the 330i feels 'heavy and ponderous' to me but I haven't driven a 340....but I am a relatively conservative driver compared to many.....certainly doesn't feel more heavy and ponderous compared to the 850i I had last summer!. And I can get the golf clubs in the boot.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

I would have to disagree here as well. The 330i that I drove felt heavy and ponderous -- mostly because the engine couldn't overcome the weight of the car. I know the M340i is even heavier but it FEELS lighter because there is so much power. Also, if you add the M Sport and adaptive suspension, the 330 is nearly 55k and it STILL doesn't have the M Sport breaks and LSD.

If you add the THP, you get all the goodies (LSD, adaptive, brakes) but you can't get all season tires which means you need a set of summer AND winter tires. (Yes, I know, all seasons are garbage but MOST people use them as their only set -- like me!)

My M340i was 60k -- with a 60% residual, I'd happily pay ~$90/month to drive the fast one and not deal with the tire swapping.

I'm not trying to do a cost benefit analysis. I'm just saying there's no real mechanical difference between the 330i with all the sport options and the M340i other than the power. The power obviously comes into play quite a bit and if I were forced to get a G20, I'd most definitely get the M340i. But some people here are commenting as if the M340i has some other unique qualities. It's just the replacement for the F30 340i M Sport with some additional M Perf options (LSD & MPPK) but with no manual option.

[Ilyam5]

Originally Posted by EddieA1

Is it just me, or does the M340i (in sport mode) make for a similar jerky ride in regular street driving as the F80? The combination of throttle sensitivity and twitchy trans shifts makes for non-linear acceleration, which makes a shitty ride experience(I want the power, but just smoother. Kind of like the E90 335i). I feel like the car needs to be tweaked slightly to address this. Anyone else feel the same?

You have the correct observation that M340 - behaves very similar to former M3 in Sport mode.
What you feel as jerkiness - is lift throttle effect - that is present in all the performance cars trying to resemble a manual.
The auto gearbox keeps it in gear longer and with throttle being so sensitive in sport mode you feel the car diving when you lift even slightly.

Solution - do not drive it like an automatic with pulsing of throttle just giving it bursts.

Drive it like a manual in gear. smooth throttle on and off. Come off the throttle like it has molasses poured over your foot - will make the tradition to braking much smoother.

[beenthere1]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I'm not trying to do a cost benefit analysis. I'm just saying there's no real mechanical difference between the 330i with all the sport options and the M340i other than the power. The power obviously comes into play quite a bit and if I were forced to get a G20, I'd most definitely get the M340i. But some people here are commenting as if the M340i has some other unique qualities. It's just the replacement for the F30 340i M Sport with some additional M Perf options (LSD & MPPK) but with no manual option.

I would have to disagree again. The G20 platform is vastly different than the F30 platform. Vastly.

The rigidity of the chasis alone makes for a completely different vehicle.

[A6bullet]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

I would have to disagree here as well. The 330i that I drove felt heavy and ponderous -- mostly because the engine couldn't overcome the weight of the car. I know the M340i is even heavier but it FEELS lighter because there is so much power. Also, if you add the M Sport and adaptive suspension, the 330 is nearly 55k and it STILL doesn't have the M Sport breaks and LSD.

If you add the THP, you get all the goodies (LSD, adaptive, brakes) but you can't get all season tires which means you need a set of summer AND winter tires. (Yes, I know, all seasons are garbage but MOST people use them as their only set -- like me!)

My M340i was 60k -- with a 60% residual, I'd happily pay ~$90/month to drive the fast one and not deal with the tire swapping.

Did you forget to switch it out of ECO??

Lowly 330i Owner here. My car is pretty much fully loaded. its does go ever the 55k mark. But who pays full MSRP nowadays? Search for some deals.

Also the car does not feel "heavy and ponderous", not at all, not sure what car you drove.

Also, if you bought a BMW with the THP and you go ahead and put all seasons.. then WTF, go drive a Camry. Switching tires twice a year is not labor intensive.

[Wills2]

Just be grateful it isn't like the E46 M3 in sport mode OMG that was crazy if you got it wrong when setting off, your foot would start to bounce off/on the accelerator as you kangarooed along looking idiotic....

You'd literally bounce down the road

[oln08]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Just be grateful it isn't like the E46 M3 in sport mode OMG that was crazy if you got it wrong when setting off, your foot would start to bounce off/on the accelerator as you kangarooed along looking idiotic....

You'd literally bounce down the road

lol This still happens on the current Ms, specifically on M2 comp If you dont baby the throttle when car is still cold. Very embarrassing lol

But the 330i is very comfortable, although we have the non Msport.
Got a 330i Msport for a loaner and that is still comfortable and smooth at sport, better driving and stiffer than my non Msport though.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

With jerkiness?

Good point. I posted without thinking.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by oln08

lol This still happens on the current Ms, specifically on M2 comp If you dont baby the throttle when car is still cold. Very embarrassing lol

TBH I've had other 5 M cars since my E46 M3 and they are tame compared to how stupid that car could make you look whilst crossing a junction.

Maybe the M2 is the spiritual successor to the e46 M3.

[oln08]

Originally Posted by Wills2

TBH I've had other 5 M cars since my E46 M3 and they are tame compared to how stupid that car could make you look whilst crossing a junction.

Maybe the M2 is the spiritual successor to the e46 M3.

Yes it can be tame but only when everything gets up to normal operating temp. Hopefully gets resolved on next software update.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

I would have to disagree again. The G20 platform is vastly different than the F30 platform. Vastly.

The rigidity of the chasis alone makes for a completely different vehicle.

I'm talking about the difference between the G20 330i and the M340i, not the F30 330i. Obviously the F30 is a completely different platform. I'm just saying the M340i is the G20 EQUIVALENT of the F30 340i M Sport with MPPSK and M Perf LSD. I'm not saying they're the same thing.

[EXE46]

Shouldn't be driving in sport plus until oil is up to operating temperature anyway. So much nitpicking, then people complain BMW going soft while they complain about suspension being too hard, exhaust too loud, seats making them sore etc laughable.

[beenthere1]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I'm talking about the difference between the G20 330i and the M340i, not the F30 330i. Obviously the F30 is a completely different platform. I'm just saying the M340i is the G20 EQUIVALENT of the F30 340i M Sport with MPPSK and M Perf LSD. I'm not saying they're the same thing.

The performance differences, in addition to the MPPSK and LSD you noted, include adaptive suspension (if spec'd for $500) and a separate steering calibration. I am aware that the 340 uses an older rack than the 330 but the software is different as well between the two models.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

The performance differences, in addition to the MPPSK and LSD you noted, include adaptive suspension (if spec'd for $500) and a separate steering calibration. I am aware that the 340 uses an older rack than the 330 but the software is different as well between the two models.

You can option the G20 330i with the same LSD and all the performance options including adaptive suspension as the M340. It just obviously has less power. It still has the same suspension geometry, all the same sheet metal, a BETTER steering rack, and the same available interior options.

Of course it has different software calibrations. It's a different engine. It still has the same infotainment and drive modes and things like launch control. To the user nothing is different in the cabin.

[beenthere1]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

You can option the G20 330i with the same LSD and all the performance options including adaptive suspension as the M340. It just obviously has less power. It still has the same suspension geometry, all the same sheet metal, a BETTER steering rack, and the same available interior options.

Agreed, you can absolutely option up an equivalent 330i with less power.

With my options and build, the 330i with all of the performance options was $54,740 and the 340i was $58,340 -- a total difference of $3600. (Let's put discounts aside and use list prices). I made sure to keep the options comparable ie, the 330i doesn't have the surround parking, active driving pro, etc. because those aren't on my 340i either.

On a lease, with a 60% residual, the additional cost of the 340i is $1440... over three years. That works out to be around $45 a month.
If you are financing, it's about $60 a month over five years.

Seems to me that if you want those performance options on the 330i, it makes sense to just get the fast one

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by EddieA1

Is it just me, or does the M340i (in sport mode) make for a similar jerky ride in regular street driving as the F80? The combination of throttle sensitivity and twitchy trans shifts makes for non-linear acceleration, which makes a shitty ride experience(I want the power, but just smoother. Kind of like the E90 335i). I feel like the car needs to be tweaked slightly to address this. Anyone else feel the same?

I know what you mean... i'm coming from a e92 335i n55...

Power delevery in Sport+ is jerky as hell in City traffic. Much to responsive throttle response combined with hard engine braking when lifting...

They tried to deliver the power linear as much as they could with the N55... Now its just over synthetic