11-27-2019, 07:19 AM | #1 |
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Featured on BIMMERPOST.com With the M Sport Plus package in the UK on the 330i you get the 19" rims, m rear diff and m adaptive suspension as standard, plus the more powerful brakes from the M Sport package, so its decently spec'd. According to Parkers, the 330i is 200kg lighter than the M340i, only available with xDrive in the UK, which is a fair old weight advantage. List vs list, it's £7k cheaper in my preferred spec and more fuel efficient. It doesn't have the B58 engine, of course, which I'm driving now, but I suspect the weight advantage, coupled with RWD, means that it probably rides/handles better. The 330i M Sport Plus also looks better externally with the 'high-gloss Shadow Line with extended contents', imo. Better looking wheels and no Cerium trim in sight, which I don't like. What do you reckon, have I lost the plot? EDIT: Oh, and the fake exhaust tips on the M340i..
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11-27-2019, 09:45 AM | #3 |
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I've driven both and I think most will tell you the M340i is well worth it. I'm ordering mine next week.
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11-27-2019, 09:56 AM | #4 | |
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I ordered a 330i because of the same reasons you listed there. I have never owned a 4 cyl car, this is my first. I test drove it and I was sold. Will I miss the straight 6? Absolutely. But my intent for this car is to be a great efficient daily/touring that retains the BMW feel. Many people will hate because its not the top car, but not everyone wants or needs the top car. If you want more power, the B48 is no chump and can get tuned to a decent level. Will it be a monster? Nope, but its still damn fast in straight line or in the bends. I got a nice discount on a factory ordered 330i, and with the money I saved im ordering some Performance parts to make it more aesthetically pleasing. My point being, either 330i or M340i, both cars handle better than their competition. For me there is no wrong choice, just different situations.
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TodmordenLad2889.50 vincechase247.50 |
11-27-2019, 11:19 AM | #6 | |
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I test drove a Z4 30i and thought that the engine suited the car well. The 330i is a fair bit lighter than the M340i so I'd expect the improved handling to compensate for the lower power to some degree I like my 440i with the MPPSK a lot. The opportunities to drive it hard and exploit the power however are few and far between these days, so that's another reason I was considering the 330i. We'll see
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11-27-2019, 04:26 PM | #7 |
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Tell us your goals. Do you plan to track it. Do mostly commuting? Drive lots of windy roads? Like speed? Like speed a lot? which is more important to you: speed or handling? Etc. Etc.
Otherwise you are getting a random collection of comments about what we like, not what suits you. |
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11-27-2019, 11:45 PM | #9 |
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You are going to regret not getting the B58 M340i.
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11-28-2019, 03:45 AM | #10 | |
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So, to answer your question, handling and ride are more important to me than outright speed. I also much prefer RWD to AWD, particularly in a 4 door saloon.
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11-28-2019, 03:52 AM | #11 | |
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It's a great engine but I'm not committed to driving the B58 for the rest of my days I'll definitely arrange an M340i test drive. Gotta get it out of my system
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11-28-2019, 03:54 AM | #12 |
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see my reply to Phillyd2 above - thanks
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11-28-2019, 08:13 AM | #13 | |
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11-28-2019, 08:27 AM | #14 | ||
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Given the M340i isn't a true M car, the steering, braking and suspension components are the same in both models. With the UK M Sport Plus package on the 330i, you end up with the same base car in terms of 19" mixed rims, m adaptive suspension, m sport brakes, variable sport steering and m rear diff. You can also spec go flat tyres, which is a plus. So, the M340i has the more powerful six pot, xDrive as standard, +200kg and the tatty Cerium rims and trim.
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11-28-2019, 12:29 PM | #15 | |
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To answer a couple of your points - if you pay the extra £300 for the M Technology package, you get the additional upstream cooler and the 374mm front brakes If you choose the Shadowline Plus package, this includes the black grills and wheels. Whilst black wasn't my first choice, it certainly is an improvement on Cerium trim and the associated water marks. This car is certainly a good compromise been a "true" M car and a 330i. You virtually get the performance of the old M3, but a car you can live with daily without the compromises. Personally, if I hadn't opted for the M340i, I would have chosen the 330e.
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11-28-2019, 01:35 PM | #16 | ||
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11-28-2019, 01:47 PM | #17 |
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M340i xdrive . I love it
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11-30-2019, 10:00 PM | #18 | ||
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The 4 cylinder cars are fine, but I wouldn't expect them to necessarily handle better. |
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12-02-2019, 04:15 PM | #20 |
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Love my 330i M-Sport, but it really depends on you. For me the higher price wasn't worth it since I do less than 6000 miles a year. The 330i M-sport is sufficient for me and looks sporty vs the basic base model. I didn't even test drive the m340i since I knew if I did, I'd end up wanting it and getting it instead lol. You won't regret the 330i as others have said, unless you want much more power. Logically for me the best choice was 330i, so weigh out your option and then decide.
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12-05-2019, 11:20 PM | #21 | |
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Only thing you can do is drive one and see how it feels to you. The build quality is great, I'll give it that. But I hated the general driving experience enough to actually post on here, and I've made 27 posts in about 3 years. |
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12-06-2019, 11:31 AM | #22 | ||
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Did a long journey a few days ago in my 440i with MPPSK. Where it spoils you is only having to feather the throttle to get a response, which makes for very relaxed driving. And if you want more drama, of course, a bit of extra throttle pressure hurls you down the road. It's a tough act to follow, whatever I get as a replacement.
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