Bimmerpost
3
/
4 Series
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK M3 Touring is soon would you swap an M340i touring for one?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-19-2021, 02:29 AM   #1
Alpine110
Private First Class
122
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i Touring
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Scotland

iTrader: (0)

M3 Touring is soon would you swap an M340i touring for one?

Simple question really, would you swap an M340i G21 for an M3 Touring?

My view is I wouldn’t as I’m not certain I would ever track a touring, but it would be great to hear what you think.
__________________
G21 M340i Touring | Tanzanite Blue & Cognac
Alpine A110 | Premiere Edition
Gone | 997 Targa 4S | E85 Z4MR | E85 Z4 3.0i
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:13 AM   #2
RAFats
Private First Class
RAFats's Avatar
74
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: BMW M440i Mineral White
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Bedford

iTrader: (0)

Absolutely not! Why, other than being able to parade your M3 T. The M340i is just the perfect balance of fun, speed, comfort and practicality; and £20k plus cheaper. Case closed.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:38 AM   #3
danorman777
Captain
danorman777's Avatar
United Kingdom
102
Rep
343
Posts

Drives: M340i Touring
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sussex

iTrader: (0)

The M340i T is all the car I am sure I need. But, I would still be jealous if an M3 T went past me!!!
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:39 AM   #4
nil98
Second Lieutenant
nil98's Avatar
No_Country
115
Rep
232
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 Competition G81 Touring
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RAFats View Post
Absolutely not! Why, other than being able to parade your M3 T. The M340i is just the perfect balance of fun, speed, comfort and practicality; and £20k plus cheaper. Case closed.
I dunno the price diff is huge … but then it's a full fat M3 so why wouldn't you if you can afford to.

It's like the Boxster/Cayman//911 debate. At the end of the day we would all choose the 911. Cayman especially is a great car … but it's not a 911.

The 340T is a wonderful practical every day mile muncher. I love mine (tho thinking about a few mods already). But the M3T is probably going to be quite special …

N
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:53 AM   #5
Charlie (Wessex)
Captain
287
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: New Forest, UK

iTrader: (0)

No. Car is already too fast for me, as was my Golf R Estate, and having an even fadter/thirstier car for an extra £20-30k when you can't use the performance seems a little silly, but I'm sure there'll be a willing audience.

As it is, I'm getting a little old!! I truly find this power race that manufacturers are now going through to be utterly ridiculous in road cars. 500bhp+ for the roads is just unnecessary - tbh I think 400bhp is more than enough, not least as most people really shouldn't be let loose with anything above 150bhp!!. As mentioned
By others tracking is different, but in a Touring?? And if you are going to track a car, get a track car like a Radical.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 05:09 AM   #6
PLF69
Colonel
PLF69's Avatar
3763
Rep
2,700
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Yes 100% This the perfect car for me, live in big winters, we have to 55lbs husky dogs and a new baby girl. It's the only car with Wich we could combine everything we do.
__________________
Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite
Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp
Daily: 2023 X5 45e
Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 05:33 AM   #7
willougs
Captain
willougs's Avatar
United Kingdom
265
Rep
855
Posts

Drives: BMW 330e
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Southampton

iTrader: (0)

If you took all the financials out of the equation (extra purchase, insurance, fuel, servicing costs etc) then surely pretty much everyone would say yes?

So question is probably more whether someone thinks the extra costs are worth it.

Personally, probably not. But them I'm not a cash rich man. I have two kids that see to that.
If I was, then hell yeah. (with no intention of taking it anywhere near a track)
__________________
'21 BMW 330e xDrive ///M Sport
For cheaper charging, switch to Octopus Energy using this link and get £50 free credit
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 05:38 AM   #8
Keith_C
First Lieutenant
Keith_C's Avatar
United Kingdom
179
Rep
326
Posts

Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Plus
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Without doubt. Having previously owned an E46 M3, there is a massive difference between an M car and a standard car. Driving an M car is an experience over and beyond performance.
__________________
M240i - Thundernight Metallic - Cognac Interior - M Technology Pack - Technology Plus Pack - Comfort Pack - HK - Driving Assistant - M Adaptive Suspension - 19" 893 M Double-spoke Bicolour Alloy Wheels - Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 06:21 AM   #9
verysideways
Lateral grip estimator
verysideways's Avatar
955
Rep
1,390
Posts

Drives: i4, M2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cotswolds, UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Much as i'd love an M3T the difference in costs of purchase and maintenance would pay for a dedicated track car or weekend toy.

And i already have a dedicated weekend toy, and given my job i don't tend to spend much time on track.
__________________
'20 BMW M2
'23 BWM i4 Mora
'10 Porsche 997
'02 Morgan Aero 8
http://petrolhead.tours
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 06:31 AM   #10
wassap
Second Lieutenant
wassap's Avatar
United Kingdom
86
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: Volvo
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

No wouldn’t have one, purely because of the horrid nose.
Appreciate 1
ROSSCOE16.50
      06-19-2021, 06:46 AM   #11
Charlie (Wessex)
Captain
287
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: New Forest, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
Yes 100% This the perfect car for me, live in big winters, we have to 55lbs husky dogs and a new baby girl. It's the only car with Wich we could combine everything we do.
With all that, surely a 5 Touring would be better
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 06:53 AM   #12
philmots
Lieutenant
philmots's Avatar
103
Rep
511
Posts

Drives: M340i Touring LCI
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Yorkshire

iTrader: (0)

Couldn’t afford to.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 11:53 AM   #13
PLF69
Colonel
PLF69's Avatar
3763
Rep
2,700
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex) View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
Yes 100% This the perfect car for me, live in big winters, we have to 55lbs husky dogs and a new baby girl. It's the only car with Wich we could combine everything we do.
With all that, surely a 5 Touring would be better
But not the best for my track days.
__________________
Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite
Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp
Daily: 2023 X5 45e
Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 12:29 PM   #14
Charlie (Wessex)
Captain
287
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: New Forest, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
But not the best for my track days.
I guess Huskies or baby in a roof rack could always be a possibility??
__________________
e36 325tds (1996-2001), e39 530d Touring (2001-2011), e61 535d (2011-2018), Golf 7.5R Estate (2018-2021), g21 M340i (2021- )
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 12:54 PM   #15
DavidXJ
Lieutenant
DavidXJ's Avatar
United Kingdom
662
Rep
510
Posts

Drives: F90 M5 Competition
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Oxford, UK

iTrader: (0)

Given that the only way of getting anywhere close to properly experiencing the tangible differences between a MPerformance and a full M is inevitably to get yourself track days on a regular basis (or else live near a speed-limitless autobahn), then the rationale for getting the M3T surely has to boil down to pure charisma, unsurpassed bragging rights, and the capacity to parade the fact that one is driving around in the world's most beautifully outlandish estate car. It's a lot of dosh to spend when you know that the M340i is already such a majestically capable creature.
__________________
Current:
F90 M5 Competition

Previous:
G20 M340i
G20 330i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:13 PM   #16
AndyTo
Second Lieutenant
124
Rep
297
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Northants

iTrader: (0)

I did think about waiting on my M340i order and getting an M3T, but as others have said the cost increase was just too much, it's around £30k plus the running costs will be close to double.
Appreciate the M3 will handle much better but I won't be getting close to the G21's limit on a public road.

Was thinking of getting an old EP3 civic type R and reliving my 20's, will no doubt be a bit of a money pit to get it where I want, so using man maths I can now do this by not getting the M3.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 03:49 PM   #17
Charlie (Wessex)
Captain
287
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: New Forest, UK

iTrader: (0)

I half looked at Mercedes with their C-Class Estate (well actually, I didn't really look that hard). I can draw a sort of parallel with the M340i vs M3 and the C43 vs C63.

While I could afford a C63, I didn't consider it and instead had a quick peek at the C43. Various reasons...cars are a huge waste of money so some line has to be drawn somewhere and I'm pretty parsimonious at the best of times. I just couldn't justify to myself the purchase cost - I realise that this is a very personal thing, and others will have very different levels as to where to draw the line. Running costs. Day to day living with a car that is/isn't hyper. So there, the C43 was always the more attractive option TO ME than the C63. Have to say thought, the C63 does sound amazingly good and I'm sure a buzz to drive. I was the tiniest bit tempted to go V8 while it still existed.

I guess it comes down to what people are happy to spend their money on. The M340i suits me, while the M3T will be an extravagance I couldn't justify to myself. Maybe a 2-3yo one but then I'm not sure I'd like to buy one that's been ragged to death by the previous owner, and then there's still the much higher running costs.
__________________
e36 325tds (1996-2001), e39 530d Touring (2001-2011), e61 535d (2011-2018), Golf 7.5R Estate (2018-2021), g21 M340i (2021- )

Last edited by Charlie (Wessex); 06-19-2021 at 04:47 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2021, 04:14 PM   #18
Alpine110
Private First Class
122
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: G21 M340i Touring
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Scotland

iTrader: (0)

Great responses by everyone , thanks, and I can see why owning an M3T would be a rare and interesting choice. But I’d never track it as in the north of Scotland we don’t have a huge number of circuits.

Money no object the B3T would be excellent but the M340i is just such a well resolved car that in the U.K. the M340i has already more than enough performance.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2021, 01:47 PM   #19
225
Brigadier General
2278
Rep
4,923
Posts

Drives: 340i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Uk

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpine110 View Post
Great responses by everyone , thanks, and I can see why owning an M3T would be a rare and interesting choice. But I’d never track it as in the north of Scotland we don’t have a huge number of circuits.

Money no object the B3T would be excellent but the M340i is just such a well resolved car that in the U.K. the M340i has already more than enough performance.
I think that's it. For me I'd have preferred a touring again but got a great offer on a saloon m340i.

If cash no question maybe but then I'd go for an m3t over an m340 touring but then if your into that market you have c63s rs4 maybe rs6s to look at as well.
If it was m340i touring plus 20k cash vs m3t no brainer...
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2021, 04:44 PM   #20
philmots
Lieutenant
philmots's Avatar
103
Rep
511
Posts

Drives: M340i Touring LCI
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Yorkshire

iTrader: (0)

To add, one of the reasons I’m moving to an M340iT is I’ve currently got a Merc A35 - and i’m sick of the attention it gets, people see it on the road and seem to turn into an idiot.

The M340 will fly under the radar which has big appeal to me, the M3 won’t.. although I’ll never sit here and say the M340 is a better car!

I’d likely go Alpina it had the extra cash (I don’t)
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2021, 05:39 PM   #21
Moonbags
Tourist
United_States
230
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: Tanzanite M340xi
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by philmots View Post
To add, one of the reasons I'm moving to an M340iT is I've currently got a Merc A35 - and i'm sick of the attention it gets, people see it on the road and seem to turn into an idiot.

The M340 will fly under the radar which has big appeal to me, the M3 won't.. although I'll never sit here and say the M340 is a better car!

I'd likely go Alpina it had the extra cash (I don't)

Fully agree. I love having a ~400hp car that handles like it's on rails and looks… like a 3-series! I sometimes see other drivers slow down and get behind me, possibly to see WHICH 3-series. And of course they are greeted with a bare blue behind with no badges. At that point I like to imagine they think I'm in a particularly flashy 330i or something, and lose interest.

Of course sometimes they don't lose interest and I have no choice but to put the hammer down and delete them from my view…
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2021, 02:43 AM   #22
JNW1
Major General
3122
Rep
5,681
Posts

Drives: F56 Mini Cooper S
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Yorkshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by philmots View Post
The M340 will fly under the radar which has big appeal to me, the M3 won’t.. although I’ll never sit here and say the M340 is a better car!

I’d likely go Alpina it had the extra cash (I don’t)
I agree with that; in an everyday car personally I want something relatively inconspicuous and my debadged M340i Touring fulfils that function well - in contrast I suspect an M3 Touring would attract a lot more unwanted attention.

If I had money to burn (which I don't!) I'd also be more tempted by a B3 than an M3 although in truth I'd be more likely to just keep the M340i and use the extra cash on something like an Elise as a fun car.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:02 AM.




g20
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST