[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

6 months of ownership and the M340i has been doing a great job of doing everything well, take this weekend , drive from Aberdeenshire to Cheshire via Edinburgh. Engaging on the border roads out of Edinburgh and cruising down the M6. Then taxi services for my folks 50th wedding anniversary yesterday. Will need to start looking for winter tyres in the coming weeks.

It really is a do-everything machine, isn't it. And it achieves that without ever feeling functional or entirely 'sensible': there's always a sense of occasion; always plenty of charisma when you start it up with a warm exhaust; and always an incentive to seek out twisty backroads at the nearest opportunity. All of which, for me, more than compensates for the weekly labour of keeping Tanzanite presentable..! Anyway, glad you're enjoying it.

[jdc0907]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

6 months of ownership and the M340i has been doing a great job of doing everything well, take this weekend , drive from Aberdeenshire to Cheshire via Edinburgh. Engaging on the border roads out of Edinburgh and cruising down the M6. Then taxi services for my folks 50th wedding anniversary yesterday. Will need to start looking for winter tyres in the coming weeks.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it!

Out of curiosity I saw you came from a Golf GTI 7.5 - I am making the same switch (although to the m340i saloon rather than touring). How would you compare the two? Is there anything on the Golf that you miss?

Many thanks

[Alpine110]

The Mk7.5 Golf GTi is an excellent car, and quite a different car to the M340i. The Golf is significantly lighter and you notice that when cornering.

As you know the GTi comes with adaptive cruise as standard rather than it being an option, and I’d like the rear reversing camera on the BMW to be engineered in the same way the VW one is in the badge which stops it getting covered in spray.

I decided to consider an M340i after thinking of upgrading the GTi to a Mk8 Golf R, the M340i feels much more like a scaled down 5 series rather than a scaled up 1 series and is very much a sports saloon rather than hot hatch.

Hope this helps.

[jdc0907]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

The Mk7.5 Golf GTi is an excellent car, and quite a different car to the M340i. The Golf is significantly lighter and you notice that when cornering.

As you know the GTi comes with adaptive cruise as standard rather than it being an option, and I'd like the rear reversing camera on the BMW to be engineered in the same way the VW one is in the badge which stops it getting covered in spray.

I decided to consider an M340i after thinking of upgrading the GTi to a Mk8 Golf R, the M340i feels much more like a scaled down 5 series rather than a scaled up 1 series and is very much a sports saloon rather than hot hatch.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply. I was also looking at the mk8 Golf R but couldn't stand the interior and could get an m340i for similar money. It's time I grew up a little and moved on from a hatchback too, I will definitely appreciate a more comfortable ride for the longer journeys.

I will certainly miss my GTI when it goes, it's been an excellent car but it makes no financial sense to keep it with the current used market.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

I came from a (pre-OPF) 7.5R Estate and as Alpine says, they're a different class of car.

The thing I miss from the R, is the somewhat "hooligan" element that you could have when you wanted it. And the thing I really miss, are the quad tips, with the odd crackle & pop. Both a little childish of me, but that you are. As an aside - I hated the DSG fart, and now all the boy racers with their ridiculous maps that sound like someone's set off a string of Chinese fire crackers.

But I'm far happier in the 340. The biggest bonus for me, is that the AWD is rear biased, while it was of course front biased in the Golf. That and the cylinder count. But as 4 cyl go, the EA888 is right up there.

And the other great thing in the 3, is the sound deadening. The R let a serious amount of road noise in, which having come from a 5 was always a bit too intrusive.

[Alpine110]

Drove across Aberdeenshire yesterday, Tanzanite blue looking wonderful in the autumnal skies, needs a wash today though.

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Drove across Aberdeenshire yesterday, Tanzanite blue looking wonderful in the autumnal skies, needs a wash today though.

Stunning. And these pictures prove so well that you don't need blazing sunlight and clear skies for Tanzanite to look great. Anyone who worries about it appearing dull or one-dimensional in overcast or lower-light conditions should look at these images: the car looks properly charismatic.

[Alpine110]

Thanks David, I agree Tanzanite looks great under grey skies, October is one of my favourite months to drive up here as the roads are quieter and the hillsides look spectacular, the M340i all weather performance comes into its own.

[MattCupra]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

The Mk7.5 Golf GTi is an excellent car, and quite a different car to the M340i. The Golf is significantly lighter and you notice that when cornering.

As you know the GTi comes with adaptive cruise as standard rather than it being an option, and I’d like the rear reversing camera on the BMW to be engineered in the same way the VW one is in the badge which stops it getting covered in spray.

I decided to consider an M340i after thinking of upgrading the GTi to a Mk8 Golf R, the M340i feels much more like a scaled down 5 series rather than a scaled up 1 series and is very much a sports saloon rather than hot hatch.

Hope this helps.

I’m the same, have had a string of VW’s, mk7 Golf GTD, mk7 GTI, mk7.5 GTI and my current car a T-Roc R but nothing VW are selling now really excites me.

Your car looks stunning, can’t wait to pick my M340i on Tuesday

[BennyDunks]

Great photos, looks stunning!

[Alpine110]

Thanks for the kind comments both, good luck with the new car on Tuesday Matt look forward to hearing what you think.

[Alpine110]

Frosty Afternoon on Royal Deeside today and a first real chance to drive the M340i on its new Pirelli SottoZero 3s, which although not Plan A, they are a tyre I know well having run them on a 997, Golf GTi and Fiesta ST over the years.

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Frosty Afternoon on Royal Deeside today and a first real chance to drive the M340i on its new Pirelli SottoZero 3s, which although not Plan A, they are a tyre I know well having run them on a 997, Golf GTi and Fiesta ST over the years.

Very classy!

[Scottish0177]

Originally Posted by jdc0907

Thanks for the reply. I was also looking at the mk8 Golf R but couldn't stand the interior and could get an m340i for similar money. It's time I grew up a little and moved on from a hatchback too, I will definitely appreciate a more comfortable ride for the longer journeys.

I will certainly miss my GTI when it goes, it's been an excellent car but it makes no financial sense to keep it with the current used market.

I own a Mk 7.5 Golf r ( brilliant do it all car) and had a mk 8 r on order. placed order back in March 21 but ended up cancelling due to delay upon delay, poor dealership communication and a forum which if you read all the horror stories being reported about quality control, systems not fit for purpose etc etc should make anyone run a mile or at least seriously reconsider.
Had a look around at options and plumped for an M340 D touring. currently and i say this with a pinch of salt, scheduled for build early March...
My 7.5 being in good positive equity tipped the scales for me to switch.
52 years young and looking forward to the BMW and the change this will bring.

[andbrads]

I have an M340iX saloon in Tanzanite Blue but with the oyster leather. It’s a lovely colour and often surprises me by how different it can appear. Sometimes it’s really light, others almost black (as it appears in your pics)

I would’ve loved to have gone for a touring but there is just the two of us and I found a saloon with the prefect spec. for me, the tech lack, comfort plus pack and driving assistant professional. The latter being like witchcraft in use and is awesome!

[PJFaz]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Frosty Afternoon on Royal Deeside today and a first real chance to drive the M340i on its new Pirelli SottoZero 3s, which although not Plan A, they are a tyre I know well having run them on a 997, Golf GTi and Fiesta ST over the years.

Alpine 110
How are you finding the fuel consumption on the 340i long term, I currently have a 340d on order due in June and considering the switch to petrol. Mileage per year approx 15k so it’s fifty fifty on choice really.
Any comments appreciated

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by PJFaz

Alpine 110
How are you finding the fuel consumption on the 340i long term, I currently have a 340d on order due in June and considering the switch to petrol. Mileage per year approx 15k so it’s fifty fifty on choice really.
Any comments appreciated

Doesn't directly answer your question but I've got a G21 M340i and prior to that had an F31 335d. Now I'm retired I tend to do a higher proportion of shorter runs than when I had the diesel and hence my long-term average is sitting at around 31 whereas with the diesel it was 38. However, on a run cruising at typical motorway/dual carriageway speeds (low 80's for me) I'm easily getting mid-30's (35/36) out the petrol and on a like for like basis I'd say it's around around 5mpg worse than my old diesel. But I imagine an M340d will probably be more fuel efficient than my 335d so if I was guessing I'd say there will be more like an 8-10mpg difference between an M340i and an M340d in real world driving.

On the mileage you're doing that equates to a saving of probably £10/week at most by going diesel and that doesn't feel especially significant to me in the context of buying and running a £50k car. However, the M340d will also have a longer range which may matter to you if your mileage includes regular long runs? But on running costs alone I'd say the diesel is difficult to justify on 15k miles/annum so to me you should just pick the one with the engine you'd most like to sit behind!

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Frosty Afternoon on Royal Deeside today and a first real chance to drive the M340i on its new Pirelli SottoZero 3s, which although not Plan A, they are a tyre I know well having run them on a 997, Golf GTi and Fiesta ST over the years.

Got to say, that as a Dravit Grey owner, I bloody love your Tanzanite Blue.

[Alpine110]

Thankyou I’m delighted with it, although almost went with Dravitt Grey myself, in terms of MPG I get around 31-32 MPG on the A& B roads around here. 40 mpg on a long motorway run.

[Scottish0177]

Originally Posted by Alpine110

Thanks David, I agree Tanzanite looks great under grey skies, October is one of my favourite months to drive up here as the roads are quieter and the hillsides look spectacular, the M340i all weather performance comes into its own.

I know the backdrops to your photos very well and can easily place the spots you have chosen to stop at, a really lovely and picturesque area and some great roads to drive on.

Great photos of what is a stunning looking car, really like the tanzanite and I was in a real quandary as to whether this would be the colour I went with…I eventually fell for oxide grey in m340 d touring guise with shadow line pack…hopefully late March early April delivery.

That interior is spectacular too, well judged on every front…enjoy

[Alpine110]

Thanks, it is a car that is well adapted to the driving conditions we get locally, was out and about today in what were improving but wintry conditions and the car was as excellent as ever.

Good luck with the new car when it arrives .

[Alpine110]

Thanks to Grassicks BMW in Perth and verysideways for some insights and inspiration.I ordered an 898M Tyre and wheel package for the touring for the summer. The SottoZeros will remain on the original wheels for next winter.