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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions M340i compared to past generations of the M3

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      03-01-2020, 09:22 AM   #89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EXE46 View Post
E46 M3 interior still looks better than F8x, still looks modern after all these years.
I was just going to say the same thing. Aside from not having a navigation screen, it almost looks more modern.
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      03-01-2020, 10:27 AM   #90
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ryivnx View Post
I've owned E36 M3 with 6MT and 10 lbs of supercharged boost, current owner of a clean AW on cinnamon E46 M3 with 6MT and ethanol (measured 335whp), an F30 328d M sport (wife's car) and now a fully optioned M340i.

Here are a couple of things I can say without hesitation:
- M340 is fast. Properly fast. It will eat my E46 M3 on ethanol for breakfast every time. There is just so much more torque in the stock M340 and the transmission is very quick.
- M340 is a better built car. That is to say that it's structurally more rigid as compared to my E46 M3 and the F30.
- M340 is a very comfortable car to drive (it is my daily driver). All the tech, semi autonomous driving, traffic assist plus, excellent sound system, nice heads up display and all that makes your life so much more enjoyable (I commute 80 miles per day).
- modern generation cars are just better overall cars as compared to even the pure bread M vehicles 5-10 years ago.

That being said, here is where M3 is still an M3:
- the raw driving experience. Hearing my S54 rev to 8200 rpm with the induction noise amplified by a carbon intake is second to none.
- the direct connection to the road. Even when this connection is painfully stiff and you feel every bump.
- the IMMEDIATE, and I mean immediate, throttle response of the gas pedal (as compared to somewhat slower reaction time of the turbo engines).
- the nostalgia of rowing through the gears
- the looks you get on the freeway when you drive your "old" M3.
- the analog nature of it where you have to pay attention while driving it.

I love both cars. I debated heavily between getting a 1 year old M4 comp pack vs a new M340. I test drove four M4s. Comparing the F generation to G generation I can say that the two platforms are worlds apart in technology. F generation plastic feels too cheap, creaky when you push on it and the "stuck on" screen on my wife's F30 feels too dated now.

I thought I'd never say this in my life but I am truly glad that I chose an M340i for my daily car over an M4. M3s and M4s aren't really meant to be daily driven. They're too unforgiving, stiff, and too direct for daily commute IMO. S55 is a brilliant engine but the design language and the atmosphere of F80 is now too dated and I mean it not in a good way

Hope this helps
I could not agree more with EVERYTHING you say here.

I've had three M3's and just turned on my '17 M3comp off lease.

After careful thought and a weekend test drive, I ordered an M340 for all the reasons you said. It is a beautiful car.

I have an all analog '95 Porsche 993 that is a keeper. It has all the pluses you mentioned with the older M3.
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      03-01-2020, 01:23 PM   #91
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Former F82 owner here and for me it came down to daily use. I loved the M4, but it felt too high strung for daily driving around town (ie volleyball and high school pickups/drop offs... grocery getter ... etc). I always “intended” to take it to the track, never happened.

The M340i fits my daily use better.

Each car has its pros/cons, one isn’t inheritantly better than the other.

Decide based upon what your use case is going to be.
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      03-01-2020, 01:27 PM   #92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
...and that's okay. It doesn't change the validity of my statement though.
Really? Who cares during normal daily street legal driving??
Most people drag from one stop light to the next.
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      03-01-2020, 01:29 PM   #93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
...and that's okay. It doesn't change the validity of my statement though.
Really? Who cares during normal daily street legal driving??
Most people drag from one stop light to the next.
Some do, some don't. You don't speak for everybody.
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      03-01-2020, 01:45 PM   #94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EXE46 View Post
E46 M3 interior still looks better than F8x, still looks modern after all these years. My favorite M car to this day, second is the M2C.
I agree. I don't know whether this is nostalgia or reality but somehow it doesn't feel dated. Even my wife who doesn't care much for cars says that E46 M3 is timeless and enjoys it every so often
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      03-01-2020, 01:45 PM   #95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewM3driver View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryivnx View Post
I've owned E36 M3 with 6MT and 10 lbs of supercharged boost, current owner of a clean AW on cinnamon E46 M3 with 6MT and ethanol (measured 335whp), an F30 328d M sport (wife's car) and now a fully optioned M340i.

Here are a couple of things I can say without hesitation:
- M340 is fast. Properly fast. It will eat my E46 M3 on ethanol for breakfast every time. There is just so much more torque in the stock M340 and the transmission is very quick.
- M340 is a better built car. That is to say that it's structurally more rigid as compared to my E46 M3 and the F30.
- M340 is a very comfortable car to drive (it is my daily driver). All the tech, semi autonomous driving, traffic assist plus, excellent sound system, nice heads up display and all that makes your life so much more enjoyable (I commute 80 miles per day).
- modern generation cars are just better overall cars as compared to even the pure bread M vehicles 5-10 years ago.

That being said, here is where M3 is still an M3:
- the raw driving experience. Hearing my S54 rev to 8200 rpm with the induction noise amplified by a carbon intake is second to none.
- the direct connection to the road. Even when this connection is painfully stiff and you feel every bump.
- the IMMEDIATE, and I mean immediate, throttle response of the gas pedal (as compared to somewhat slower reaction time of the turbo engines).
- the nostalgia of rowing through the gears
- the looks you get on the freeway when you drive your "old" M3.
- the analog nature of it where you have to pay attention while driving it.

I love both cars. I debated heavily between getting a 1 year old M4 comp pack vs a new M340. I test drove four M4s. Comparing the F generation to G generation I can say that the two platforms are worlds apart in technology. F generation plastic feels too cheap, creaky when you push on it and the "stuck on" screen on my wife's F30 feels too dated now.

I thought I'd never say this in my life but I am truly glad that I chose an M340i for my daily car over an M4. M3s and M4s aren't really meant to be daily driven. They're too unforgiving, stiff, and too direct for daily commute IMO. S55 is a brilliant engine but the design language and the atmosphere of F80 is now too dated and I mean it not in a good way

Hope this helps
I could not agree more with EVERYTHING you say here.

I've had three M3's and just turned on my '17 M3comp off lease.

After careful thought and a weekend test drive, I ordered an M340 for all the reasons you said. It is a beautiful car.

I have an all analog '95 Porsche 993 that is a keeper. It has all the pluses you mentioned with the older M3.
Glad I'm not alone in this thinking.
I'd love to get that 993 as well always loved them
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      03-01-2020, 02:11 PM   #96
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sight22 View Post
I've never driven an M3 but all the posts about the raw and rough ride I'm not sure I would want one as a DD after driving my m340. The m340i is the stiffest stock suspension car I have ever had. Its not too stiff but I wouldn't want it any more. I feel like once they finally come out with aftermarket suspension for it, there are going to be a couple that lower and soften it at the same time. Honestly I think think the suspension is about perfect in stock form for a performance vehicle.
I just picked up my m340i on Friday. I have the non run flats so maybe this makes a difference.

my last car was an A4 with sport pack and honestly the ride is probably better dampened on the m340i and seems perfectly liveable after two days of driving.

LA doesn't exactly have perfect roads. I suppose it's pretty harsh compared to say a non sport SUV or something but it seems reasonable for a sporty car
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      03-01-2020, 04:16 PM   #97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EXE46 View Post
E46 M3 interior still looks better than F8x, still looks modern after all these years. My favorite M car to this day, second is the M2C.
Nappa leather was a pain to maintain.
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      03-04-2020, 12:20 AM   #98
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Originally Posted by TanzaniteBlue View Post
Have both in the family. F80 is a much more raw, down to business driving experience. The M340i is stupid fast and when you turn off active sound it SIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSS!
How do you turn off active sound?
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      03-04-2020, 07:07 AM   #99
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Originally Posted by ryivnx View Post
Comparing interiors between G and F generations of both of my cars. Picture worth 1000 words
The most striking improvement is in the dashboard screen. In the f* it's awkwardly stuck in the middle like an afterthought. It disrupts the flow. In the g20 it's integrated nicely.
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      03-04-2020, 07:25 AM   #100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Former F82 owner here and for me it came down to daily use. I loved the M4, but it felt too high strung for daily driving around town (ie volleyball and high school pickups/drop offs... grocery getter ... etc). I always “intended” to take it to the track, never happened.

The M340i fits my daily use better.

Each car has its pros/cons, one isn’t inheritantly better than the other.

Decide based upon what your use case is going to be.
BMW has done a lot of good things with the M3/M4.... and the car deserves all the good press it has received over the years. The truth is, they are not perfect everyday drivers and can become annoying at times. They are hyper, high strung, wound tight as a drum cars. Great for track day or that irresponsible romp on the street, but far from perfect to live with 24/7 365 days a year.

It is one thing to dream of owning an M3. Faster and louder always seem better. The grass is always greener applies here.

BMW is not dumb. They know everything I'm saying here, and the M340 is their answer. Buttery smooth, swift, beautifully damped, handsome, comfortable. The perfect size, if a little portly. Just wish they had left me an option to get some nice, well done analogue gauges. I would have paid a handsome price to not have the digital dazzle.
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      03-04-2020, 08:18 AM   #101
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Wait until the G80 is revealed
If a tuned 4400+ lb x3m runs 11.9s @125+
The thought of the same drivetrain in a sub 3800lb G80 just gave me a partial chub
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      03-04-2020, 09:59 AM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
The most striking improvement is in the dashboard screen. In the f* it's awkwardly stuck in the middle like an afterthought. It disrupts the flow. In the g20 it's integrated nicely.
That’s honestly one of my biggest gripes with the entire previous generation of cars. Mazda, Mercedes, BMW, etc - seemed like everyone was slapping their displays on the dash like that. It looked like someone designed the dash, forgot the display, and added a tablet as an afterthought.
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      03-04-2020, 04:17 PM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSky702 View Post
Really? Who cares during normal daily street legal driving??
Most people drag from one stop light to the next.
I have literally never done this in my F80... I do it more in the G07 because the torque and traction amuses me and others. If I wanted to drag from one stop light to the next there are many other cars that excel at that.

The only time I show any of the potential through the course of normal street driving is when I'm alone on an open highway, or the two possible on ramps on my daily commute where I could keep it sideways... better than coffee in the morning...

Other than that, it's all rides through the curves in our mountains, and making that fart can echo through the tunnels.
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      03-04-2020, 05:18 PM   #104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueM340i View Post
How do you turn off active sound?
Bimmercode and an OBDLink MX+ or any equivalent OBD2 interface. Or you can use BimmerLink to toggle it on and off.

Here's a launch control video I did without Active Sound so you can hear it. The B58 SIIIIIIIINGSSSSS man.

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      03-06-2020, 04:02 AM   #105
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G20 is a great car but with the newly design digital instrument is way too busy to look at, not a big fan of the digital display I will take the analog gauges over the new design. The F80 instruments is pretty good and simple to look at HUD is a good features to have and not looking down at the instrument all the time.
Porsche & Ferrari still offer the analog gauges on their vehicle where Mercedes,Audi & BMW is leaning to the digital display cheaper to manufacture.
I prefer the analog design on F80 simple to look at and all other info is available via HUD who needs the nav on middle of the dash board should keep your eyes on the road instead of paying attention to the dash board.
Beside you can't get a 6MT on G20.
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      03-06-2020, 03:53 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zamboni View Post
G20 is a great car but with the newly design digital instrument is way too busy to look at, not a big fan of the digital display I will take the analog gauges over the new design. The F80 instruments is pretty good and simple to look at HUD is a good features to have and not looking down at the instrument all the time.
Porsche & Ferrari still offer the analog gauges on their vehicle where Mercedes,Audi & BMW is leaning to the digital display cheaper to manufacture.
I prefer the analog design on F80 simple to look at and all other info is available via HUD who needs the nav on middle of the dash board should keep your eyes on the road instead of paying attention to the dash board.
Beside you can't get a 6MT on G20.
I agree that analog gauges look more "romantic" on a sports car which is why I think they you either stick to analog look or a completely digital one.
I do love the interior of my E46 M3 and G20 M340 because they are consistent with either analog or digital design language.

I do love the F80 platform because it is a brilliant machine l but I think the the F generation is a little bit confused in what they were trying to accomplish - not quite analog and not quite digital. Kind of an awkward mix
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      03-06-2020, 10:07 PM   #107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ryivnx View Post
I agree that analog gauges look more "romantic" on a sports car which is why I think they you either stick to analog look or a completely digital one.
I do love the interior of my E46 M3 and G20 M340 because they are consistent with either analog or digital design language.

I do love the F80 platform because it is a brilliant machine l but I think the the F generation is a little bit confused in what they were trying to accomplish - not quite analog and not quite digital. Kind of an awkward mix
Agreed with your thought either all analog or completely digital on the design.
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      03-06-2020, 11:52 PM   #108
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Originally Posted by praxis218 View Post
Really? I almost never spin my tires. Maybe once on a really bad road surface. Heck I can use almost full throttle in the wet with no issues. Using Michelin A/S3+ 285 rear, 265 front. TC engages less in my M3 than any previous 3-series I've owned. It has more traction and grip than any previous 3-series I've owned.

The jerkiness is lack of experience. I drive in Sport 24/7, sometimes in Sport+. Maybe my first few weeks I got driver induced oscillation but got past that really fast.

The ride with adaptive transmission is better than my old 340i with RFTs.

Most of the F8x are criticisms are so overblown. M cars are wonderful daily drivers. The M340i I test drove was boring.

The new tech is nice, so I'll be upgrading to a G82 when the time comes. But no going back.
I've had three M3's, the last being a 2017 comp pack car. All were manual transmissions.

I've driven standards since I was 15 years old. I'm 58. The bucking in the new M3 is not lack of experience. It is a well known issue with the car.

Also, the rear tires on an M3 will break loose at will, in first, second or third gear.... with new, non run flat Pilot Sport tires. The car can drift forever, better than any other car I have ever seen.

The M340 is a MUCH better daily. It is just as fast, handles 95% as well, is much smoother, is much more comfortable and isn't nearly as annoying.

The truth is the transmission is the weak spot on the M3. The Manual is improved over the 2008 vintage, but far from perfect. Not sure why they couldn't get it better.... from the throw to the clutch take up. The DCT was far from perfect, and to me ruined the relationship with the car.

The auto in the M340 is just about perfect. It shifts flawlessly. Perfectly.

I owned THREE M3's. The M340 is a better daily. Doesn't sound as sexy as saying you are driving a proper M3. But it is a better daily. Perhaps not for a successful 26 year old. But for this old fart, it's just about perfect.

If I want to shift, hear beautiful engine noises, carve corners or have people give my car two thumbs up, I'll take the air cooled Porsche.
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      03-07-2020, 03:41 PM   #109
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My M340i is a fun car, but it's no M.

I also have a full-on M5. Day and night. All the way around.

As others have said, it works well as a daily driver.
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      05-23-2020, 02:43 AM   #110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ryivnx View Post
And with my M3
I'm really glad to see the improved interior in the g20. I couldn't get past the plastics in the f series. Your e46 is a classic. I would drive the wheels off that thing! I've never heard so many complaints ( within the g20 boards) about M car daily driving pain. Just wondering, what is it about the m3 that causes it to be your weekend car? Appreciate you sharing experience across the three model lines!
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