[StevenX94]

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For those who may have tried driving both at high speeds, lets say 180 km/h +, are there any notable differences between the two? For example engine sound, does the 330i sound and feel like the engine is working over its power? Or both engines are comfortable doing high speeds?

Any other differences at high speeds between the two?
Note: include only info at high speeds, I know the low end torque is better on m340i.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by StevenX94

For those who may have tried driving both at high speeds, lets say 180 km/h +, are there any notable differences between the two? For example engine sound, does the 330i sound and feel like the engine is working over its power? Or both engines are comfortable doing high speeds?

Any other differences at high speeds between the two?
Note: include only info at high speeds, I know the low end torque is better on m340i.

Well at high speeds they're both composed, chassis is good, once up to speed neither really feel stressed. HOWEVER, beyond 60mph (100ish kmh) the difference in passing power is astounding. Keep that in mind.

[StevenX94]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

Well at high speeds they're both composed, chassis is good, once up to speed neither really feel stressed. HOWEVER, beyond 60mph (100ish kmh) the difference in passing power is astounding. Keep that in mind.

Great point, didnt think of that really. Overtaking on the highway is not to be looked down at.

[VipinLJ]

I agree about the passing power. But the 330i has more than enough passing power at highway speeds and is faster than 90pc of the cars on the highway, at least where I live at in IL. The M340i has way too much power considering highway speeds and speed limits. Obviously it's also the better car.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

I agree about the passing power. But the 330i has more than enough passing power at highway speeds and is faster than 90pc of the cars on the highway, at least where I live at in IL. The M340i has way too much power considering highway speeds and speed limits. Obviously it's also the better car.

I get that, but the OP specifically asked about high speed. He's in Europe so my assumption is he has access to higher speed limits on a regular basis. The difference in power is dramatic.

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

I get that, but the OP specifically asked about high speed. He's in Europe so my assumption is he has access to higher speed limits on a regular basis. The difference in power is dramatic.

Ah yes. I missed that part. Idk why I assumed he was in Canada. My bad

[StevenX94]

The limit is 110km/h but many including me do not follow what limit says, its normal.
So if I understand this right, overtaking at speeds above 100 km/h is a big difference?

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by StevenX94

The limit is 110km/h but many including me do not follow what limit says, its normal.
So if I understand this right, overtaking at speeds above 100 km/h is a big difference?

Yes it's dramatic.

[hans007]

i've never driven the new 330i.

but my last 2 cars were a f30 328i and a b9 a4. 180kph is what 111mph. At 110mph a 2.0 turbo car would feel like it was running out of gas, and going much faster than 115-120 was going to take a lot of road and it felt like the cars were giving it all they had

haven't driven my m340i at that speed yet, but it just feels like i'ts barely even trying at 100mph, so I would guess it just feels like it has so much more left to give at much higher speeds.

[NewM3driver]

If you floor the M340 at 100 miles per hour the car pushes you back in your seat.

If you floor a 330 at 100 the engine coughs.

Honestly the M340 is silly fast, and has ridiculous reserves of power even well beyond 100 mph.

[TheRetroGuy]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

If you floor the M340 at 100 miles per hour the car pushes you back in your seat.

If you floor a 330 at 100 the engine coughs.

Honestly the M340 is silly fast, and has ridiculous reserves of power even well beyond 100 mph.

I have only done 100+ mph speeds twice, but both times the 330i engine was not coughing and still delivering. I was going 95, in adaptive mode (not even sport) and wanted to see what it had left, so I punched it and was surprised at the pull it still had -- it out performed many of the fast 6 cylinder cars I've driven.

I've not performed same experiment on the 340i, and no doubt there's a huge difference. 125+ additional horsepower is a substantial amount!

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by TheRetroGuy

I have only done 100+ mph speeds twice, but both times the 330i engine was not coughing and still delivering. I was going 95, in adaptive mode (not even sport) and wanted to see what it had left, so I punched it and was surprised at the pull it still had -- it out performed many of the fast 6 cylinder cars I've driven.

I've not performed same experiment on the 340i, and no doubt there's a huge difference. 125+ additional horsepower is a substantial amount!

The B58 engines HP ratings have been severely under reported by BMW. Not sure why. Driving normally you find yourself going over 100 without even being aware you are doing so.

I've owned three M3's. Two F series M3's. The M340 is substantially faster than those cars, while being infinitely smoother and more refined.

[KoenG]

Passing power comparo is simple, when you make some assumptions:
assumption 1: same air resistance,
assumption 2: same transmission, when you take the ZF8HP this will not be too far off and presume it has sufficient gears to keep the car around the rpm region of peak power,
assumption 3: same driveline losses, seen for high speed passing, you don't need AWD and can ignore the extra losses.

Facts from the specification sheets:
Power ratio (Europe) is 374/258 or the M340i has 45% more power.
M340i weights 12% more than 330i

With these assumptions you can simply use F=m.a or a=F/m and mass is 12% higher and F is 45% higher so the extra acceleration is about 30% better. So in overtake requiring 10s in the 330i will require 7.7s in the M340i.

[StevenX94]

Originally Posted by TheRetroGuy

I have only done 100+ mph speeds twice, but both times the 330i engine was not coughing and still delivering. I was going 95, in adaptive mode (not even sport) and wanted to see what it had left, so I punched it and was surprised at the pull it still had -- it out performed many of the fast 6 cylinder cars I've driven.

I've not performed same experiment on the 340i, and no doubt there's a huge difference. 125+ additional horsepower is a substantial amount!

When I test drove the 320d I felt it was quick, then I tested out the 330i and felt it was quicker and was surprised at myself at how I initially thought the 320d was quick. I guess if I test drive the 340i its gonna be same loop.

As some of you said that above ca 170kmh the m340i might feel lightly only trying while the 330i might feel it is already hard work, do you think it is because Bmw has already squeezed the B48 engine to get the maxiumum out of it while they under-limited the power of the B58 as it could give more than what is stated?

[EXE46]

M340i is significantly faster. I had a 330i tried to keep up and I lost him in comfort mode like he was standing still. You can hit 130 plus just by burying your foot in comfort mode.

Happen to me once while merging from on-ramp onto highway and all this occurred in mere seconds. As a result, driving this car requires you watch your speed at all times. It also does those speeds without much fanfare. Sport plus is even more insane, which is why I sometimes ponder why some folks needs tunes.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by StevenX94

When I test drove the 320d I felt it was quick, then I tested out the 330i and felt it was quicker and was surprised at myself at how I initially thought the 320d was quick. I guess if I test drive the 340i its gonna be same loop.

As some of you said that above ca 170kmh the m340i might feel lightly only trying while the 330i might feel it is already hard work, do you think it is because Bmw has already squeezed the B48 engine to get the maxiumum out of it while they under-limited the power of the B58 as it could give more than what is stated?

unfounded conspiracy theory... it is what it is: 374hp versus 258hp. That's what you can expect and that's what it is.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by EXE46

M340i is significantly faster. I had a 330i tried to keep up and I lost him in comfort mode like he was standing still. You can hit 130 plus just by burying your foot in comfort mode.

Happen to me once while merging from on-ramp onto highway and all this occurred in mere seconds. As a result, driving this car requires you watch your speed at all times. It also does those speeds without much fanfare. Sport plus is even more insane, which is why I sometimes ponder why some folks needs tunes.

Because it is never enough. Why do you think they build the M3/4? Why are there +1000hp cars actually?? Don't know..

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by StevenX94

When I test drove the 320d I felt it was quick, then I tested out the 330i and felt it was quicker and was surprised at myself at how I initially thought the 320d was quick. I guess if I test drive the 340i its gonna be same loop.

As some of you said that above ca 170kmh the m340i might feel lightly only trying while the 330i might feel it is already hard work, do you think it is because Bmw has already squeezed the B48 engine to get the maxiumum out of it while they under-limited the power of the B58 as it could give more than what is stated?

I advice you to go to Munich and drive some real M cars very, very, very hard (BMW on demand). You said you drive a few miles a day on local roads and you're worrying about +170km/h behaviour of your next car in a country where you'll rot in jail doing this and stating that you're not interested in doing such things.

[Antec800]

Originally Posted by EXE46

M340i is significantly faster. I had a 330i tried to keep up and I lost him in comfort mode like he was standing still. You can hit 130 plus just by burying your foot in comfort mode.

Happen to me once while merging from on-ramp onto highway and all this occurred in mere seconds. As a result, driving this car requires you watch your speed at all times. It also does those speeds without much fanfare. Sport plus is even more insane, which is why I sometimes ponder why some folks needs tunes.

Comfort mode, sport mode don’t make the car any faster it’s only throttle sensitivity differences, holding gears longer, steering wheel stiffness and making the exhaust louder

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Antec800

Comfort mode, sport mode don’t make the car any faster it’s only throttle sensitivity differences, holding gears longer, steering wheel stiffness and making the exhaust louder

Yup. If you go WOT even in eco pro, car revs till the redline and is fast. It's when you're not going WOT that the difference is felt.

[eluded]

M340 is like a f80 m car (haters gonna hate for that) but it's that quick compared to 330. So composed, great feedback and decent pep. Yeah. It's awesome.

[Oswaldo]

Originally Posted by StevenX94

When I test drove the 320d I felt it was quick, then I tested out the 330i and felt it was quicker and was surprised at myself at how I initially thought the 320d was quick. I guess if I test drive the 340i its gonna be same loop.

As some of you said that above ca 170kmh the m340i might feel lightly only trying while the 330i might feel it is already hard work, do you think it is because Bmw has already squeezed the B48 engine to get the maxiumum out of it while they under-limited the power of the B58 as it could give more than what is stated?

The B48 engine is not tight, it could be reprogrammed around 310hp, and it would go without any problem.

The B48 is, in the F39, F40 and F44, in the MX35i models that come with 306hp.

The difference between those 2 engines is a letter, the one that BMW uses to know in which range its engine is.

B48B20O1

B48B20T1