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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions M340i a rare sight?

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      01-27-2020, 08:55 AM   #89
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Makes me wonder, based on the allocation numbers in the ordering section of these forums, if the M340xi is going to be more rare?

I know, I know, it is currently called it xDrive......I spent too many years calling them xi's.....🤷🏻*♂️
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      01-27-2020, 09:28 AM   #90
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Originally Posted by Mohitarora View Post
I am trying to decide between 2020 540i or a m340i. Its really hard. Any feedback would be apprecited.
I had the same dilemma. I value luxury, but also sportiness, and didn't want to spend $90k+ on an M550 when we needed 2 cars.

Ultimately I decided on the M340 for a couple reasons:
1) The M340 is just an absolute joy to drive; the sound, the speed, the ability to toss it into corners, etc. The 540 is quite tame in comparison.
2) I ordered an X5 for hauling the family around and that gives me my luxury fix (ultra quiet, smooth air suspension, massaging seats etc)

All this being said, if you're looking at one car, you just have to ask yourself, do you value performance or luxury/comfort? I've found my M340 to not be the most comfortable car, but I'm ok with that because the performance puts a smile on my face.

On the other hand if you're ok with compromising a bit on performance and would prefer a smoother, quieter ride with softer seats (assuming you upgrade from the standard dakota), then the 540 is your best bet.

One more thing I will say - A comparable 540 (in terms of features) will be pricier than an M340. If you're comparing a loaded M340 to a base 540, I would get the M340 in a heartbeat. IMHO it's only worth getting the 540 if you either 1) need the extra legroom or 2) Upgrade certain things to justify the luxury aspect (i.e. merino seats, luxury seating package, ceramic controls, etc).
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      01-27-2020, 05:00 PM   #91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wtwo3 View Post
I had the same dilemma. I value luxury, but also sportiness, and didn't want to spend $90k+ on an M550 when we needed 2 cars.

Ultimately I decided on the M340 for a couple reasons:
1) The M340 is just an absolute joy to drive; the sound, the speed, the ability to toss it into corners, etc. The 540 is quite tame in comparison.
2) I ordered an X5 for hauling the family around and that gives me my luxury fix (ultra quiet, smooth air suspension, massaging seats etc)

All this being said, if you're looking at one car, you just have to ask yourself, do you value performance or luxury/comfort? I've found my M340 to not be the most comfortable car, but I'm ok with that because the performance puts a smile on my face.

On the other hand if you're ok with compromising a bit on performance and would prefer a smoother, quieter ride with softer seats (assuming you upgrade from the standard dakota), then the 540 is your best bet.

One more thing I will say - A comparable 540 (in terms of features) will be pricier than an M340. If you're comparing a loaded M340 to a base 540, I would get the M340 in a heartbeat. IMHO it's only worth getting the 540 if you either 1) need the extra legroom or 2) Upgrade certain things to justify the luxury aspect (i.e. merino seats, luxury seating package, ceramic controls, etc).
I agree with everything you're saying.

Having come from an M550i and then a full-on M5, now into a smaller M340i, I love the changes and the transition smaller.

I didn't like how floaty the M550i felt, even with adaptive suspension. The nose of the car always wanted to dip hard. It's simply a heavy vehicle that needs a very, very firm suspension to make it feel sporty.

Overall, while I still love the M5, it's the highway car for me. The M340 is the car I drive in the city and it's an absolute blast. I've never had so much fun on u-turns in my life.
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      01-27-2020, 06:07 PM   #92
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I concur the M340i suspension is brilliant in curves, the speed you can go into corners with is the highest I have experienced. Granted I have never owned an M car. The smoothness of the transition; places where my previous car's suspension would start to show their weakness. This car does the same maneuvers with no fuss while carrying significantly more speed.
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      01-29-2020, 01:21 PM   #93
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SEPA/KOP/Conshy area checking in, have only seen one G20 330i. Have not seen any M340i's. Personally I wouldn't be shocked if I never saw any, I really believe the people in this area have shit taste in cars. I rarely see anything around here that catches my eye.
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      01-30-2020, 11:40 AM   #94
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I hadn't really thought about it until seeing this post. Truth is I saw two before I bought mine and haven't seen another one since. That was back in October! I knew it was a rare car though. Mine was the only used one available anywhere in the province of Ontario when I bought it. So it seems rare.
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      01-30-2020, 02:05 PM   #95
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I agree, in the last 5 months of ownership, I have only seen one other M340i on the road and few G20 330i.
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      01-30-2020, 03:02 PM   #96
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Honestly, when it comes to a 3 series, most people are fine with the stock option... Many just buy for the badge.

The M340i is a vehicle that people not only have to shell out more money for, but also have some knowledge about why they're doing it.

Same reasoning why I always see a lot of 5's on the road, but rarely the M550i or M5.
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      01-30-2020, 03:41 PM   #97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjamin_Nicholas View Post
Honestly, when it comes to a 3 series, most people are fine with the stock option... Many just buy for the badge.

The M340i is a vehicle that people not only have to shell out more money for, but also have some knowledge about why they're doing it.

Same reasoning why I always see a lot of 5's on the road, but rarely the M550i or M5.
Agreed. Despite the concentrated appearance of forums like these, the vast majority of car buyers don't have an ounce of enthusiast in them.

There was a facebook post about winning an M8C, and an embarrassingly large number of the comments were of people saying, "looks like a mustang". So either people are just plain blind, or they associate all 2 door coupes to be mustangs because they simply don't know better.
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      01-30-2020, 09:29 PM   #98
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We saw a white M340 in Westport CT today. It had the regular stock wheels. The lines of the car a very nice.
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      01-31-2020, 10:53 AM   #99
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      01-31-2020, 01:51 PM   #100
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I saw one other M340 in PB the same week I took ownership of mine in July. Just saw a MG M340 this past week in the DC area. In awe of how few of these there seem to be. Meanwhile, I've definitely seen a handful of G20 330's.
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      02-11-2020, 02:19 AM   #101
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Drive a lot in Los Angeles/Santa Monica/OC Area and have seen only 1 M340i in the past 5 months. See at least 10+ 330s every day.
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      02-11-2020, 02:07 PM   #102
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Phoenix checking in. I've seen one other M340i in white. They must live close to my neighborhood as I've seen them during rush hour. Still haven't been able to give them a wave.

Other than that, I've seen maybe 2 330i's.

Doesn't surprise me much as SUVs, Trucks and CUVs rule the Phoenix Metro.
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      02-12-2020, 02:09 PM   #103
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I've seen a few in Irvine. The grille and exhaust (and of course the badge) are really the only ways to tell the difference. One of them actually had a black slat grille so I only knew after seeing the rear. It's possible people are swapping out the grille for a more conventional grille and maybe that's why we're missing them on the street. The grille was too big of a change so even if it does end up becoming a thing later on, I feel like a lot of people swapped it out the first year or two.

But the reason just seems to be that BMW is now forcing us to buy the top engine trim with a bunch of sport options that most people wouldn't normally get. You're essentially forced to get the MPPSK engine tune and exhaust, the M Sport package, and the electronically controlled LSD. These are all great options that many enthusiasts normally might have purchased, but this excludes a lot of people who just wanted more of a stop light sleeper from getting the car.
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      02-12-2020, 02:35 PM   #104
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Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
I've seen a few in Irvine. The grille and exhaust (and of course the badge) are really the only ways to tell the difference.
It's not just the grill. The M340i has vertical air vents on the front fenders, and also lacks fog lights.
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      02-17-2020, 10:11 AM   #105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbrock22 View Post
I have only seen one M340i on the road. Does not seem to be a big seller. See a lot of Tesla 3's. Located SE PA.
It's funny because the morning I went to get my M340i in blue, I went to cickfila to get breakfast. And what car is behind me? Yep the same exact car I was about to buy later that day. Almost like it was a sign I was getting the right car! And it was the first one I've seen in the Atlanta area.
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      02-18-2020, 02:43 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hans007 View Post
i've seen a few of them though way more 330s. I live in west LA and work in hollywood in socal though and its definitely the part of the city that would have them
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Originally Posted by pmanzonfotos View Post
I live and work in Burbank and havent seen one in Burbank, but I have seen a couple in Glendale and one on Highland/Wilshire intersection, but thats right by the Beverly Hills BMW location.
Live in Studio City/ work in the industry, I've seen tons of 330i's but only a few m340i's. The best look I got was just a couple days ago, I was getting my f30 washed, and saw a grey one being dried off right next to mine. In person, I really prefer the m340i grille over the normal g20 grille.

I've test drove both, found the 330i to be really big feeling, but was really impressed by the m340i. I did the ultimate driving autocross and was able to really throw it around. Though, I wasn't paying much attention to the car as much as I was keeping my eyes up for the apexes.

Any car that helps me place first is okay in my book (I'm Dylan G)
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      02-18-2020, 03:57 PM   #107
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I could not possibly see myself even thinking about a 340 or 540 ever in my life. 340 and m550 different story. for ppl who get a 540 I say just get a truck or something.

So eod good choice on the 340.
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      02-18-2020, 04:16 PM   #108
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i definitely saw a portimao m340i the other day. Wasn't obvious at first but then the guy took off and the exhaust note made it obvious.
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      02-29-2020, 12:15 PM   #109
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I finally saw an M340 on the road, Philly.
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      02-29-2020, 03:05 PM   #110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blueblue View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbrock22 View Post
I have only seen one M340i on the road. Does not seem to be a big seller. See a lot of Tesla 3's. Located SE PA.
It's funny because the morning I went to get my M340i in blue, I went to cickfila to get breakfast. And what car is behind me? Yep the same exact car I was about to buy later that day. Almost like it was a sign I was getting the right car! And it was the first one I've seen in the Atlanta area.
Where in atlanta - I drive a pb m340 down 10th street and up 75 to Marietta and back everyday
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