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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions M340i compared to past generations of the M3

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      06-12-2019, 08:21 AM   #1
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M340i compared to past generations of the M3

I know that many see the M340i as a "baby M" or "M-lite", but if you had to compare it against any of the previous generation M3s which would you say it compares best against in terms of overall performance?
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      06-12-2019, 08:27 AM   #2
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In terms of 0-60, the M340 only loses to the F80 M3 by .1 seconds. Of course there are many measures of performance aside from 0-60. Surely the outgoing M3 model has a more raw feeling to it.

A few folks here have gone from the prior M3 and M4 to the M340 and I’m sure can post their experiences.
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      06-12-2019, 08:30 AM   #3
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"Compares best against" in what way?

It will absolutely bury the original model E30 M3 in acceleration since it has about twice as much power and weighs somewhat less than twice as much. It may very be able to handle more Gs through a corner than some M3 generations too, but it certainly won't feel as nimble or be able to change direction as fast as the E30 could.

The reason why "many see the M340i as a 'baby M' or 'M-lite'" is because that really is what it is. It exists to play second fiddle to the full M models in the lineup, providing a gateway to the M brand at a more accessible price point while tempting the enthusiast to aspire to M-proper purchase the next time around.

Progress is a great thing. Some of today's run of the mill econoboxes can embarrass a V8 powered "performance cars" from fifty years ago. It's great that the automobile is continually evolving to become a better, safer, quicker mode of transportation. But there is still room for nostalgia, and I'm sure we can all praise the state of the art while at the same time appreciating the great cars of the past.
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      06-12-2019, 08:45 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
"Compares best against" in what way?
Yeah, I know that “compares best against” is a pretty general question. The topic came up amongst friends and the statement was made that the M340 can’t compare against any of the more recent generations of M3s in terms of performance. While I love BMWs (this will be my 3rd) I admittedly don’t know enough to say one way or another.
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      06-12-2019, 08:52 AM   #5
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      06-12-2019, 09:14 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joepimentel View Post
Yeah, I know that “compares best against” is a pretty general question. The topic came up amongst friends and the statement was made that the M340 can’t compare against any of the more recent generations of M3s in terms of performance. While I love BMWs (this will be my 3rd) I admittedly don’t know enough to say one way or another.
I would say - your friends have not driven the properly equipped M340.

It is not the previous generation 340 - BMW went all out to make it a true performance car. It follows the same formula the new M3 will have - all wheel drive -rear biased, auto gearbox, filled with tech.

So to compare apples to apples. find the M340 with cooling package and passive suspension. So it will have the same tires as M3 - pilot 4s, radiator cooler - same as M3, upgraded brakes.

I can tell you - for the street - I like the M340 better compared to the competition M3. It has better usable low torque, better traction off line, more comfortable suspension, while not giving up cornering. And the technology n the new M340 makes older m3 look dated.

M340 has very similar parts to M3 - so it is a good indicator what the new one will be

M 340 parts:

- extra cooling radiator
- Upgraded brakes
- Performance exhaust
- Limited slip dif.
- Even the engine has undergone significant redesign

B58TÜ has the following changes from the original B58 (according to BMW tech documentation):

A Fuel preparation with 350 bar injection pressure
B Cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold
C Adapted exhaust turbocharger made from steel
D Split cooling
E Coolant pump with integrated pressure relief valve
F Heat management module with electric split cooling valve
G Single-part chain drive

So go drive one - you'd be the judge.
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      06-12-2019, 09:20 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Ilyam5 View Post
So go drive one - you'd be the judge.
Oh, my M340 is already on a boat and should be in my hands by the end of the month. I went from a 2013 325, to a 2016 340, and now to a M340. I've never driven a M3 though so I can't compare and wanted to everyone's inputs.
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      06-12-2019, 09:42 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joepimentel View Post
Oh, my M340 is already on a boat and should be in my hands by the end of the month. I went from a 2013 325, to a 2016 340, and now to a M340. I've never driven a M3 though so I can't compare and wanted to everyone's inputs.
Congrats on a new car. You would love it.

Don't get me wrong - M3 is a great car - build with track performance in mind. If you spend time on the track - it will probably edge the M340 there. but it is build with those track purpose compromises. All the M cars i had were manual and heavily modified for the track to the point they were not really usable for the street any more
So for daily driving i would choose M340.
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      06-14-2019, 10:13 AM   #9
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I drove a 2013 335i for the duration of a 3yr lease, this was my first BMW I had come from a Honda fanboi world. I still have an S2000 and love that car.

I also bought a 2017 M3 in October, after wanting an M car for since my first 335i I had the funds and ability to buy one used. I'm glad I bought the car and I can do into detail if you wish but the analogy I use is, It's like a track experience on the street every day. You feel the road more, with that come more noise. Rolling over a lane change reflector is like a speed bump at 60mph. Traction from a stop was always questionable.

The M340i feels like driving on clouds, it's equally as fast as the Base M3 I had, maybe faster as I can actually get the power down. The standard tech in this car is at least a year or 2 ahead of its time, at least once ConnectedDrive gets more reliable.

The icing on the cake was the overall value. The Used M3 I had was due for several maintenance items that would have cost me at least 1000 is parts. I now have a new car under warranty with a maintenance plan and pay ~300 less per month including the massive insurance and fuel savings.
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      06-14-2019, 07:01 PM   #10
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I think it performs and drives similar to my E92 M3 except V8/noise. I'll be posting my thoughts after mine arrives in August and I get more seat time than just the couple of test drives I've had - although I did thoroughly flog it on my second drive.
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      06-14-2019, 10:40 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by BMWModel3 View Post
No more X3M?
Too many delays and disappointments this year. Maybe in 2020 when SQ5 lease is up.
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      06-15-2019, 03:14 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jongp3 View Post
I drove a 2013 335i for the duration of a 3yr lease, this was my first BMW I had come from a Honda fanboi world. I still have an S2000 and love that car.

I also bought a 2017 M3 in October, after wanting an M car for since my first 335i I had the funds and ability to buy one used. I'm glad I bought the car and I can do into detail if you wish but the analogy I use is, It's like a track experience on the street every day. You feel the road more, with that come more noise. Rolling over a lane change reflector is like a speed bump at 60mph. Traction from a stop was always questionable.

The M340i feels like driving on clouds, it's equally as fast as the Base M3 I had, maybe faster as I can actually get the power down. The standard tech in this car is at least a year or 2 ahead of its time, at least once ConnectedDrive gets more reliable.

The icing on the cake was the overall value. The Used M3 I had was due for several maintenance items that would have cost me at least 1000 is parts. I now have a new car under warranty with a maintenance plan and pay ~300 less per month including the massive insurance and fuel savings.
Analogy was perfect and exactly how I feel.
Some of us prefer the daily track experience and the "on the clouds driving " is for when I decide to get a Lexus when I'm 98 years old
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      06-16-2019, 12:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWModel3 View Post
It doesn't compare because it doesn't offer a manual transmission
Bingo
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      06-16-2019, 02:42 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joepimentel View Post
Yeah, I know that "compares best against" is a pretty general question. The topic came up amongst friends and the statement was made that the M340 can't compare against any of the more recent generations of M3s in terms of performance. While I love BMWs (this will be my 3rd) I admittedly don't know enough to say one way or another.
The M340 is not in the same league as the F8X ///M. Go drive both. They are vastly different experiences......and from a roll you will have multiple car lengths pulled on you.


This reminds me of the E9X ///M3 vs 335i threads back when the 335i came out.
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      06-16-2019, 04:49 PM   #15
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First, why are we comparing the two against each other. Should not be doing this because they are two different cars with different or unique qualities and therefore it will target different customers. Why is it so hard for people to get this.
If someone wants a manual, wait for the M3 or get and M2.
If you want a track car, get the M3.
If you want to beat everyone at the stop light, get an M car.
This car will target most people that are daily drivers and want something sporty but comfortable and want a spirited drive to blow off some steam sometimes. BMW is not stupid and cant stay in business catering to some of you diehard enthusiasts that cant afford the car if they cater to your every needs. This is what aftermarket companies come into play.
It's a great car and checks most of the boxes for me and I will put my order in soon. I dont need a M car, it's a waste of money for me and probably 95% of others. I am coming from my 5th Seven series and have two x5's and a 11 335I convertible so I can't wait and when I see a M at the light beside me, I wont be stupid to think I can beat this guy to the next light. I will wait for some other sucker with similar HP or 50 more.
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      06-16-2019, 05:25 PM   #16
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I think the comparison of M340i to E9x M3 is interesting but yah F8x is definitely in a different league.
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      06-16-2019, 06:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joro2819 View Post
First, why are we comparing the two against each other. Should not be doing this because they are two different cars with different or unique qualities and therefore it will target different customers. Why is it so hard for people to get this.
If someone wants a manual, wait for the M3 or get and M2.
If you want a track car, get the M3.
If you want to beat everyone at the stop light, get an M car.
This car will target most people that are daily drivers and want something sporty but comfortable and want a spirited drive to blow off some steam sometimes. BMW is not stupid and cant stay in business catering to some of you diehard enthusiasts that cant afford the car if they cater to your every needs. This is what aftermarket companies come into play.
It's a great car and checks most of the boxes for me and I will put my order in soon. I dont need a M car, it's a waste of money for me and probably 95% of others. I am coming from my 5th Seven series and have two x5's and a 11 335I convertible so I can't wait and when I see a M at the light beside me, I wont be stupid to think I can beat this guy to the next light. I will wait for some other sucker with similar HP or 50 more.
Crazy thing is, you will hang till the next stop light!
I bet my pink slip on it!!

Oh, and heaven forbid it's wet out, you'll kick his a$$... to the next stop light of course!
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      06-17-2019, 11:20 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Crazy thing is, you will hang till the next stop light!
I bet my pink slip on it!!

Oh, and heaven forbid it's wet out, you'll kick his a$$... to the next stop light of course!
LOL... you may have a point there Big Sky....
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      06-18-2019, 02:11 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
"Compares best against" in what way?

It will absolutely bury the original model E30 M3 in acceleration since it has about twice as much power and weighs somewhat less than twice as much. It may very be able to handle more Gs through a corner than some M3 generations too, but it certainly won't feel as nimble or be able to change direction as fast as the E30 could.

The reason why "many see the M340i as a 'baby M' or 'M-lite'" is because that really is what it is. It exists to play second fiddle to the full M models in the lineup, providing a gateway to the M brand at a more accessible price point while tempting the enthusiast to aspire to M-proper purchase the next time around.

Progress is a great thing. Some of today's run of the mill econoboxes can embarrass a V8 powered "performance cars" from fifty years ago. It's great that the automobile is continually evolving to become a better, safer, quicker mode of transportation. But there is still room for nostalgia, and I'm sure we can all praise the state of the art while at the same time appreciating the great cars of the past.
Baby M and M-Lite implies it's a dumbed down M car the same way the original M2 was. Many people had a hard time considering the original M2 a real M car because of the engine and interior. Now people are arguing a beefed up 330i is an M car variation? Because it's might share 3 or 4 parts with the real G80 M3?

That's the same as when Mercedes changed the name of the C450 to C43. Enthusiasts new real AMG cars have handcrafted engines and since the C43 has the regular C class V6, it was clear what it was.
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      06-18-2019, 06:23 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paliknight View Post
Baby M and M-Lite implies it's a dumbed down M car the same way the original M2 was. Many people had a hard time considering the original M2 a real M car because of the engine and interior. Now people are arguing a beefed up 330i is an M car variation? Because it's might share 3 or 4 parts with the real G80 M3?

That's the same as when Mercedes changed the name of the C450 to C43. Enthusiasts new real AMG cars have handcrafted engines and since the C43 has the regular C class V6, it was clear what it was.
You do understand the foundation of the M3 is the 3 series??????
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      06-18-2019, 06:49 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
You do understand the foundation of the M3 is the 3 series??????
The foundation of a GT2RS is a base 911.

That doesn't mean much when 80% of the cars are different.

Or else why bother dedicating an entire division to M cars? Why not just keep designing higher trims of the same car?

You and others here have forgotten the meaning of M// thanks to BMW. Motorsport, as in racing. So M cars are, or should be at least, built for racing first and daily driving second. As opposed to base 3 series, yes including the M340i, which are all built for daily driving first and racing second (M340i only).
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      06-18-2019, 06:52 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by paliknight View Post
The foundation of a GT2RS is a base 911.

That doesn't mean much when 80% of the cars are different.

Or else why bother dedicating an entire division to M cars? Why not just keep designing higher trims of the same car?
It means there's a snippet of DNA sharing.... and I'm cool with it

It is what it is.. enjoy whatever you're driving... and I'll do the same.
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