[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Firaxis

How strange.! My travels produced a different experience.. The M340i was quicker for sure but felt just felt like a crazy car gone a bit more insane, all three felt and were considerably faster than a 330i. It didn't even feel subjective in any way shape or form.

Although I did notice something about the NA vs. Euro spec, ours aren't as highly rated so including weight etc. it makes sense regarding the M340i at least.

M340I EURO spec:
Weight 1645kg
Performance 369bhp @ 5500rpm, 369lb ft, 4.4sec 0-62mph, 155mph
Power to weight: 224 BHP Per Tonne

340I EURO spec:

Weight 1540kg
Performance 326bhp @ 5,500rpm, 332lb, 4.8sec 0-62mph, 155mph
Power to weight: 211 BHP Per Tonne

The US gets 382hp?!...

I should have been more clear. My test drive was mainly within the city. Lots of red lights and traffic where I’m at. The WOT moments were also within the city. And speed limits are at most 55MPH. Which was why I felt the 340i to be only marginally faster than the 330i. I’m ver sure it would’ve been different had it been highway high speed runs. But then, the 330i is more than fast enough for American highways. So yes

Does not mean I think the G20 330i is superior compared to an F30 340i. The F30 340i is still the faster car.

[zeyad.habeeb]

Originally Posted by Punkwrock

I have a 2020 330i with Bootmod3 stage 1. I really wanted the M340i, but at 13k more than what my 330i was, it jumped the payment too much for me right now. my goal is to be able to trade up in a few years. the m340i is wayyy faster stock than my tuned 330i.

Wow. Did you race one?

[Punkwrock]

Originally Posted by zeyad.habeeb

Wow. Did you race one?

No I didn't race one, but I tried both vehicles one after the other for about 30 minutes each. To me the M340i was far superior in power and transmission shifts. the feel for the road was also much better, although the 330i is surprisingly good at that as well.

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

I should have been more clear. My test drive was mainly within the city. Lots of red lights and traffic where I’m at. The WOT moments were also within the city. And speed limits are at most 55MPH. Which was why I felt the 340i to be only marginally faster than the 330i. I’m ver sure it would’ve been different had it been highway high speed runs. But then, the 330i is more than fast enough for American highways. So yes

Does not mean I think the G20 330i is superior compared to an F30 340i. The F30 340i is still the faster car.

They all have their purposes, the 330i is a great "hot hatch" level performance car with more than enough grunt for the road. My point is they should feel completely different, irrelevant of speed.

There's a slight bit of drama with the 330i but it proceeds with quick progress. The 340i / 140i however due to torque differences alone under WOT will press you into your seat, squeal like a pig, scramble for grip and in anything but bone dry conditions will search for the nearest wall. The M140i AT would have you sidewards at 70MPH if you wasn't careful, not due to steering but power..

This isn't reserved to the 340i however, the 330d with a light map can be worse. I recon that's one of the major reasons they've gone X-drive with the M340i, the 335D X-Drive I had never blinked an eye lid at the ridiculous amount of torque passing through it. Made it a somewhat sedate experience but again I can understand why.

They're not all equal though, the AT does need time to adjust to one's driving style, the 6MT from my experiences due to gearing didn't feel anywhere near as quick as the AT. I bought an M140i manual for a more defacto standard experience but was ultimately slightly underwhelmed.

Also it depends which one you get, some M140i's / 340i's were spitting out closer to 360HP / 500NM stock. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some 400HP stock M340i's in the wild.

[Ikester19]

The M340i is not just another i6, this iteration of the B58 has many technical updates which takes the performance up to M levels. With the LSD and standard options it really is great value considering the goodies you're getting over the 330i.

If $ is not an issue then the M340i is the obvious choice IMO.

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by Nashville

I went with the 330i and spec'd it out as much as i could. It's got plenty of power (let's be realistic) and it looks amazing! Plus you get way better fuel economy.

I think when people get the M340i they *think* they're going to be racing around town a lot more than they actually do.

Just my .02

Originally Posted by Nashville

I went with the 330i and spec'd it out as much as i could. It's got plenty of power (let's be realistic) and it looks amazing! Plus you get way better fuel economy.

I think when people get the M340i they *think* they're going to be racing around town a lot more than they actually do.

Just my .02

So I'm having this exact dilemma.

I do around 18k miles a year 80% highway speeds so could be in a 100bhp car for all that matters.

I tested the m340i for a couple of hours and boy was it fun, like seriously fun. But is that really *THAT* much more fun than a 330i? I doubt it

[ArchJR]

Depending on your timeline, your decision may be dictated by availability. I am contemplating the same decision, to replace my 540i with either a 330i or M340i in a few months. I see only one 330i in U.S. inventory equipped anywhere near my preferred specification, including at minimum MSport and Driving Assistant Professional with an interior other than black. I will need to either order the car or search for an M340i, which dealers seem to order with higher levels of equipment.

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by Bilajio

So I'm having this exact dilemma.

I do around 18k miles a year 80% highway speeds so could be in a 100bhp car for all that matters.

I tested the m340i for a couple of hours and boy was it fun, like seriously fun. But is that really *THAT* much more fun than a 330i? I doubt it

I ended up with an F30 340i and I'm probably going to place an order for a G20 330i. Why?

Hmm, I've been a little hard on the M340i. If I was doing a review of the G20 avoiding my own personal specifications then I'd simply say the F30 was a great car made better by the improvements in the G20.!

Factoring in my own specific quirks, I for a start prefer RWD to X-drive. I recently owned a 335D and whilst certain things have dramatically improved (suspension for one) the M340i remains reminiscent and suffers from additional weight.

Next one is tricky, in todays road societies useable power is far more fun than outright speed. My recently departed 335D X-Drive with 465 lb foot had the correct formula, I'm not saying the M340i isn't fun but the party's over before it really begins.

The F30 340i is frustrating enough, never mind a B58 with even more HP.! Also in some ways the RWD F30 is a little more raucous even if it's less powerful.

But I'm nit picking, if I thought the F30 was great compared to the competition imagine what I think to the G20?! The biggest issue stems from price, now the M340i exists F30 340i prices have dropped like a brick. For a little over $30K USD I picked up an everything but the kitchen sink spec 2019 340i with 7,000 miles on the clock.

Whilst I respect the improvements of the G20 it's definitely not worth $30K extra. Even with discounts we're still $20K + out..!

The G20 330i however is such an awesome middle ground, my F30 340i is like poking a tiger in the face then running off giggling. One slip of attention and you'll find yourself in the nearest ditch.

The 330i is powerful yet avoids the status of unruly, it's light (for a new car anyway), balanced, economical (I get 15 MPG (US) in the F30 and the M340i wasn't much better) the handling is spot on and most importantly you can USE the power without becoming utterly frustrated. IMO it's the 3 series top pick (unless you live near an autobahn)..

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Firaxis

The 330i is powerful yet avoids the status of unruly, it's light (for a new car anyway), balanced, economical (I get 15 MPG (US) in the F30 and the M340i wasn't much better) the handling is spot on and most importantly you can USE the power without becoming utterly frustrated. IMO it's the 3 series top pick (unless you live near an autobahn)..

This. While I would love to own an M340i, I’d be extremely frustrated driving around in it at 80MPH, barely feathering the throttle at those speeds. Like I’ve mentioned many times before, that car would probably be impounded by now if I owned one. Hell. I can hardly keep the 330i at legal speeds. And my xdrive, even with all the electrical nannies on and with the base suspension, still handles very well and kicks it’s rear end out when I’m enthusiastic around corners. Makes me giggle like a silly girl. The M340i will be better but I wouldn’t be able to use it to it’s potential 97% of the time!

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

This. While I would love to own an M340i, I’d be extremely frustrated driving around in it at 80MPH, barely feathering the throttle at those speeds. Like I’ve mentioned many times before, that car would probably be impounded by now if I owned one. Hell. I can hardly keep the 330i at legal speeds. And my xdrive, even with all the electrical nannies on and with the base suspension, still handles very well and kicks it’s rear end out when I’m enthusiastic around corners. Makes me giggle like a silly girl. The M340i will be better but I wouldn’t be able to use it to it’s potential 97% of the time!

Hmm, I've heard a few state the G20 X-Drive is somewhat tail happy but on both my 335D and the M340i I tested it'd slip then correct snapping the back end in place causing a what the crap brown trouser moment.

Is this an options thing? Or am I simply not driving it right?! After all I've only had two test drives of the G20, not enough time to really understand it.

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Firaxis

Hmm, I've heard a few state the G20 X-Drive is somewhat tail happy but on both my 335D and the M340i I tested it'd slip then correct snapping the back end in place causing a what the crap brown trouser moment.

Is this an options thing? Or am I simply not driving it right?! After all I've only had two test drives of the G20, not enough time to really understand it.

Yea test drives are probably not enough? I never noticed it during my test drives but after living with it, it undoubtedly is tail happy. And this is without the M LSD. So much fun compared to my Audis.

[EXE46]

Who says we are driving around with throttle anxiety lol. I sure as hell don't, I would choose the M340i today if I was making the decision I made last summer. My car gets driven hard and I have no issues with control on my RWD version.

The only issue I had laying down the power was with the lousy run-flats on wet pavement. Now that I swapped out to MPS 4S, I can put down the power in all conditions. It's grips like glue even in the wet.

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Who says we are driving around with throttle anxiety lol. I sure as hell don't, I would choose the M340i today if I was making the decision I made last summer. My car gets driven hard and I have no issues with control on my RWD version.

The only issue I had laying down the power was with the lousy run-flats on wet pavement. Now that I swapped out to MPS 4S, I can put down the power in all conditions. It's grips like glue even in the wet.

Max speed here is 70MPH but most roads are 30 / 40, they'll take your license off you faster than you can go 0-60 if you "drive hard". All highways are filled with speed camera's, most roads have mobile cam's on them..

That's why I track cars on the odd occasion, unless I hit a decent B road with a lot of stop start acceleration strips even my F30 340i is an utterly pointless car.

Shame they don't sell the RWD M340i over here, in that setup I don't think I could criticise anything..

[nicksam5]

Does anyone know if the 330i gets backfire or popcorn with bm3 stage 1. If not any recommendations to get it

[Voodoo_G80]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

M340i. Simple.

A stage 1 330i might be as fast as a 435i. The M340i is much faster. I drove an F30 340i, M340i and my stock 330i back to back and couldn’t notice a huge difference around town, even under WOT, between the 340i and 330i. BUT the M340i was noticeably faster than both cars. Only reason I didn’t get one was because, if I had, it probably would’ve been impounded by now.

LMFAO

[MineralM]

Originally Posted by Firaxis

Max speed here is 70MPH but most roads are 30 / 40, they'll take your license off you faster than you can go 0-60 if you "drive hard". All highways are filled with speed camera's, most roads have mobile cam's on them..

That's why I track cars on the odd occasion, unless I hit a decent B road with a lot of stop start acceleration strips even my F30 340i is an utterly pointless car.

Shame they don't sell the RWD M340i over here, in that setup I don't think I could criticise anything..

Originally Posted by Firaxis

Max speed here is 70MPH but most roads are 30 / 40, they'll take your license off you faster than you can go 0-60 if you "drive hard". All highways are filled with speed camera's, most roads have mobile cam's on them..

That's why I track cars on the odd occasion, unless I hit a decent B road with a lot of stop start acceleration strips even my F30 340i is an utterly pointless car.

Shame they don't sell the RWD M340i over here, in that setup I don't think I could criticise anything..

Lol couldn't be any wronger. I drive wop if you're scared of going fast and the police, get a Lexus.

[CeriusM]

I just got a 2021 330i X M Sport with M Suspension and Adaptive Suspension and it's plenty firm on somewhat terrible roads. Any harsher and I'll have a sore back and a bad mood. I think BMW has really created quite a sweet spot for 330i.

[M40i4me]

To put this in perspective I have been driving a 2011 328xi for almost 10 years. Always loved the smoothness of the BMW straight 6 engine. During this time I had a few loaners which were always F30’s 4 cylinder turbo engines. In comparison my car is around 7 seconds 0-60 according to BMW while the F-30 was around 5.6 or so. When I got in these loaner cars I was like wow this is fast!. In March of this year I bought an X5 40 xdrive for my wife which is rated at 5.3 0-60 and its very quick for an SUV. I find my self getting up to 90MPH on the highway without even realizing, because its so smooth. If you feel the need to have to modify your car to make it faster or want a extremely smooth engine through the entire power band then a 340 is the way to go. The 340 does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds and probably beats 99% of the cars you will encounter on the road. I have 186,000 miles on my 328 and will most likely stay with the 3 series. The 330 has more than enough power, but for me it’s worth the buttery smooth 4-1 second 6 that will leave no regrets. Since I keep my cars an average of 10 years the extra cost is well worth it for me. I always regretted not getting the 335. I won’t make that mistake again.

[kaager44]

M340i looks better as well!

[dr_frankfurter]

As someone who is coming from a decently quick car (V8 Challenger), I was worried if the 330i would be "enough". Yes, the M340i is very much a faster car, but let's be real; how often will you be doing 0-60 launches? Just a simple $200 JB+ will breathe in another 30 HP & torque if the standard power isn't enough, and apparently drops the 0-60 time by nearly a second (if you're into that). Again, coming from a V8, I'm sometimes surprised at the speeds my 330i can do in the short amount of time it does them. Fuel economy is amazing as well; my friend with his M340i is filling up as often as I did with my Challenger, and believe me I do not miss that. Unless you truly plan to drive aggressively and quickly every single day, and maybe track your car often, consider the 330i as a more reasonable car. Maybe use the money you save on the payments and gas to buy some index funds every month and use that growth to get an M3 once your lease ends

[fueledbymetal]

The 330i with the track package is the sweet spot of this range for me. The engine provides enough power to be quick and the track package keeps everything under control so that you can exploit the joy of full throttle way more than you could with the the 340i - much more satisfying than my F80 M3 that had too much torque for the chassis to fully utilize. Add to the fact that the 330i handles better than the 340i by virtue of being lighter and the bonus of better fuel economy just made it an easy choice for me.

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by fueledbymetal

The 330i with the track package is the sweet spot of this range for me. The engine provides enough power to be quick and the track package keeps everything under control so that you can exploit the joy of full throttle way more than you could with the the 340i - much more satisfying than my F80 M3 that had too much torque for the chassis to fully utilize. Add to the fact that the 330i handles better than the 340i by virtue of being lighter and the bonus of better fuel economy just made it an easy choice for me.

I took a lot of time driving the M340i and 330i M Sport to make this decision. And you are correct. Once I got past the power rush, the extra 300+ lbs of the M340i felt omnipresent.