[Copito]

Hello guys,
looking for advice on 340d vs 340i, has anybody driven both?
I test drove the 340i and although it is an excellent engine and really fun to drive, it really comes to life only above 4k RPM. Below that I have the feeling it lacks the punchiness of a Diesel engine. Torque on the D is insane at 700nm, and it might feel quicker on everyday's driving. However there's none available in my area and I have no chance of test driving it.
Any input would be really appreciated!

[danorman777]

I had the 40d engine in a 5 series before my current M340i. I wouldn't swap back.

If you do a big mileage a year then that would make it a better plan for you. My current lower yearly mileage and the sound of the 40i and the more fun/revvy nature makes it a no brainer for me.

I did even manage over 50mpg on a gentle journey just to see what it can do if you try. Normally much less! The torque is lower but the gearbox kicks down well or just pull a paddle. You can configure the modes to make one that suits your driving.

[Copito]

Originally Posted by danorman777

I had the 40d engine in a 5 series before my current M340i. I wouldn't swap back.

If you do a big mileage a year then that would make it a better plan for you. My current lower yearly mileage and the sound of the 40i and the more fun/revvy nature makes it a no brainer for me.

I did even manage over 50mpg on a gentle journey just to see what it can do if you try. Normally much less! The torque is lower but the gearbox kicks down well or just pull a paddle. You can configure the modes to make one that suits your driving.

Thanks for your reply! mileage is not really an issue, about 10k per year. I was only worried about the much lower torque, so it's good to hear you wouldn't go back to diesel.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Copito

Thanks for your reply! mileage is not really an issue, about 10k per year. I was only worried about the much lower torque, so it's good to hear you wouldn't go back to diesel.

I agree with what danorman says. Even driving in comfort mode, I really don’t ever find the engine coming up short. If I’m having a bit of fun, I usually have it in Sports Individual so I can keep the steering and suspension in comfort, but have the engine and transmission either in Sport or Sport Plus. In this mode the car just wants to go at pretty much any speed.

[Copito]

Originally Posted by srbs73

I agree with what danorman says. Even driving in comfort mode, I really don’t ever find the engine coming up short. If I’m having a bit of fun, I usually have it in Sports Individual so I can keep the steering and suspension in comfort, but have the engine and transmission either in Sport or Sport Plus. In this mode the car just wants to go at pretty much any speed.

Good to hear, the car still has 500nm of torque available quite low in the rev range which is plenty.
I was just curious on how the 700nm of the D would feel, but then you lose all the high rpm fun.
Maybe the petrol is still better overall (except mpg)

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by Copito

Good to hear, the car still has 500nm of torque available quite low in the rev range which is plenty.
I was just curious on how the 700nm of the D would feel, but then you lose all the high rpm fun.
Maybe the petrol is still better overall (except mpg)

Is the diesel 340 not more expensive to buy for similar spec car? If so the difference will buy a lot of petrol....

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Copito

Good to hear, the car still has 500nm of torque available quite low in the rev range which is plenty.
I was just curious on how the 700nm of the D would feel, but then you lose all the high rpm fun.
Maybe the petrol is still better overall (except mpg)

On the motorway sitting at 70mph, MPG in the high thirties is easily possible.

[AB55]

I have a d on order. It fits in with what I want from the car, performance when I want with minimum 35-40mpg. Claimed figures show 2 tenths slower to 60 so not much in it, petrol will be much more enjoyable to drive I would think. Car is identical apart from power unit, from what I have read....

[ramparts]

Originally Posted by AB55

I have a d on order. It fits in with what I want from the car, performance when I want with minimum 35-40mpg. Claimed figures show 2 tenths slower to 60 so not much in it, petrol will be much more enjoyable to drive I would think. Car is identical apart from power unit, from what I have read....

I went x3m40d to x3m40i.

Don't miss the diesel at all. Sure I'm there was a wedge of torque, but not the most exciting drive ( lack of soundtrack for one ! ).

I find the b58 to be a better engine, revs freely and sounds amazing. It's all round a dinner car to drive, and consider the weight of the x3 is quite a bit more.

The only thing that is "worse" is the fuel consumption, but I do less than 10k a year, and honestly were talking a cup of coffee or too a week on a 50k car.

[Copito]

Originally Posted by srbs73

On the motorway sitting at 70mph, MPG in the high thirties is easily possible.

Really not bad for a 6 cylinder petrol

[Copito]

Originally Posted by AB55

I have a d on order. It fits in with what I want from the car, performance when I want with minimum 35-40mpg. Claimed figures show 2 tenths slower to 60 so not much in it, petrol will be much more enjoyable to drive I would think. Car is identical apart from power unit, from what I have read....

Both are great cars, the D is slightly heavier but there shouldn’t be much difference handling-wise.

[Copito]

Originally Posted by davidoff86

I went x3m40d to x3m40i.

Don't miss the diesel at all. Sure I'm there was a wedge of torque, but not the most exciting drive ( lack of soundtrack for one ! ).

I find the b58 to be a better engine, revs freely and sounds amazing. It's all round a dinner car to drive, and consider the weight of the x3 is quite a bit more.

The only thing that is "worse" is the fuel consumption, but I do less than 10k a year, and honestly were talking a cup of coffee or too a week on a 50k car.

Yeah anyway mpg is not my primary concern, I was only worried that the much higher torque on the diesel would make the car feel quicker in “real” driving conditions. Good to know you don’t miss it! I’m leaning towards the petrol as everyone seems to agree it is more fun.

[AB55]

Originally Posted by Copito

Both are great cars, the D is slightly heavier but there shouldn’t be much difference handling-wise.

If I am being honest I did have my doubts over the diesel .... but yeah still a good car in it's own right I think.

[ScottC25]

I am going to look at one of each tomorrow.

340d has a sunroof and Oyster leather.
340i no sunroof but ivory white leather.

340d is about 4 months old with 3k on the clock, 340i is unregistered.

Much as I'd love a sunroof, I think the ivory white leather is winning it slightly.

I'll do between 15k and 20k miles, so it might cost me an extra £500 to £700 a year in fuel to go petrol, but that's not something I'm too worried about.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

I am going to look at one of each tomorrow.

340d has a sunroof and Oyster leather.
340i no sunroof but ivory white leather.

340d is about 4 months old with 3k on the clock, 340i is unregistered.

Much as I'd love a sunroof, I think the ivory white leather is winning it slightly.

I'll do between 15k and 20k miles, so it might cost me an extra £500 to £700 a year in fuel to go petrol, but that's not something I'm too worried about.

Enjoy the test drive. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts. Before I placed my order, I only got to test drive a 330d and really liked it. I was just keen to go for the M340i and thought, if the performance is this good in the 330d, the M340i is going to be special

[ScottC25]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Enjoy the test drive. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts. Before I placed my order, I only got to test drive a 330d and really liked it. I was just keen to go for the M340i and thought, if the performance is this good in the 330d, the M340i is going to be special

Not sure I'm actually going to get to test drive them, just going for a look, as I'm really not fussed one way or the other on fuel, the deciding factor is likely to be the difference in interior, as I suspect I am going to like the Ivory white much better.

[Copito]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

Not sure I'm actually going to get to test drive them, just going for a look, as I'm really not fussed one way or the other on fuel, the deciding factor is likely to be the difference in interior, as I suspect I am going to like the Ivory white much better.

This would be a great opportunity to drive both and report your thoughts!

[ramparts]

At the very least get them to Rev them, or get them to do a drive off in them , then you can hear the difference

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by ScottC25

Not sure I'm actually going to get to test drive them, just going for a look, as I'm really not fussed one way or the other on fuel, the deciding factor is likely to be the difference in interior, as I suspect I am going to like the Ivory white much better.

Son in law has white leather in his M340iT. If you wear jeans a lot beware dye transfer - you will be doing a lot of wiping with Dr Leather or similar. And if you have two young kids like he does then maybe avoid it altogether!

[danorman777]

Simple baby wipes work well for a quick cheap cleanup of dye or marks on leather, After all leather is skin!!!

[cramsnik]

You could always get some Gtechniq leather guard, it's less than a tenner on Amazon and will go some way to minimising any dye transfer.

[330dMSXD]

Originally Posted by Tam the Bam

Is the diesel 340 not more expensive to buy for similar spec car? If so the difference will buy a lot of petrol....

Surprisingly, the M340i is more expensive than the M340d!