[Andy4114]

M340i probably has the worst steering. Vague and delayed. I don’t expect hydraulic precision but come on.., this car is not a BMW.

[_E90S65_]

Do I wish the M340i had better steering feel, a tighter suspension and a rowdier exhaust? Yes.

Do I still enjoy driving the snot out of this thing? Hell yes.

[madpistol]

To everyone complaining about the steering on the new Gxx BMWs, go drive some of the Fxx series cars. I just took my Father's 430i GC out for a test last night, and that steering is light and vague as it gets. My M340i, by comparison, feels tight and precise. No, it does not communicate like a hydraulic rack, but it's still miles better than the previous generation.

[PLF69]

It's fine in sport mode.

Add Dinan MonoBalls like I did and it changes drastically the steering feel !

[Cortexiphan]

Steering feel thing is a myth. 90% of people complaining about steering feel don't even know what it is.
That 'numbness' is intentionally engineered in, and it's a good thing for everyday driving - eliminating fatigue and need for constant adjustment. That's why M340i is a better highway cruiser than M3, whereas M3 is much better on track or for spirited driving on winding roads. And Alfa is the extreme end on M3's side, that's why it's not a good all rounder at all.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by Andy4114

M340i probably has the worst steering. Vague and delayed. I don’t expect hydraulic precision but come on.., this car is not a BMW.

I had 6 BMWs in a row, M340i is the most 'BMW' of them all, and the best one as well. BMW makes luxury sports saloons. Not go carts.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

I had 6 BMWs in a row, M340i is the most 'BMW' of them all, and the best one as well. BMW makes luxury sports saloons. Not go carts.

Your garage list has 5 BMW's, what is the 6th one then?

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Your garage list has 5 BMW's, what is the 6th one then?

Well, it was inherited from my dad, 2004 BMW 530d. I didn't buy it myself, that's why it's not in the list

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Well, it was inherited from my dad, 2004 BMW 530d. I didn't buy it myself, that's why it's not in the list

Was that E39 or E60? if it was E39, I wonder what is your take of G20 vs. E39 in terms of "BMWness".

[oonowindoo]

This is all relative... is it more numb than the old hydraulic mechanical steering? Of course...

But given that all the newer cars all use electric assist - drive by wire system, you just can't duplicate the same steering feel as hydraulic

I think it is pretty good for what it is. (MUCH MUCH better than the F3X's steering)

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Was that E39 or E60? if it was E39, I wonder what is your take of G20 vs. E39 in terms of "BMWness".

It was E60. I drove E39 M5 though, and it was in great condition with 60K miles on it.
If those who keep saying 'M cars became too soft, too quiet' test drove the E39 M5, they would be extremely disappointed. E39 is the softest and quietest M5 I've driven.Hydraulic steering and manual were fun, the interior & fit and finish was great for its time... But it wasn't what I expected. Amazing car for its time, but it was more like a 'BMW' than an 'M' to me. (Which is not always a bad thing). And those who keep saying current 3 is like the E39 5? Absolutely NOT. G20 feels way smaller, way more nimble than E39. The change from E39 to E60 might be the biggest step up in terms of aggressiveness.

[EXE46]

Nobody expects it to feel like hydraulic; however, it's not as good as my old Lexus or some of its competitor's. It's easy to detect coming from other brands or driving other cars. Of course driving the car now over 2 years I have grown accustom to it.

[PLF69]

Don't forget all the comfort and luxury engineered in those cars, M division remove a lot for the M models.

A M340i needs to be like all things at once.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by PLF69

Don't forget all the comfort and luxury engineered in those cars, M division remove a lot for the M models.

A M340i needs to be like all things at once.

I don't think many people realize this. They expect the M340i to have heavy, direct steering, but if it was, it would be a hard-sell to a lot of consumers that have grown accustomed to lighter steering in recent years. So BMW is faced with having to create a compromise between sport and comfort; the car has to be comfortable enough to satisfy most consumers, but sporty enough to also satisfy those that want a more engaging drive. This is a $60k-ish luxury sport sedan... it absolutely cannot punish the driver in any way, or said driver will probably not buy another one.

The M340i is a nearly perfect balance between sport and comfort. The 430i GC I alluded to in an earlier post has a far more compliant suspension and vague/numb steering. My father absolutely LOVES it because it's such an easy car to live with day-to-day, and I tend to agree with him; the 430i GC is a textbook example of engineering out all the imperfections and leaving the driver with an absolutely effortless car. I'm not as much of a fan because I enjoy the more direct and firmer feel of the M340i.

To each their own.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Nobody expects it to feel like hydraulic; however, it's not as good as my old Lexus or some of its competitor's. It's easy to detect coming from other brands or driving other cars. Of course driving the car now over 2 years I have grown accustom to it.

I test drove the current S4/S5, C43. IMO, their steering feel is not any better. I actually think Audi's steering was worse than M340i.

But they are all light years better than F3X.

The only one i think is better than M340i is Alfa, but that is about the only thing going for it.... the steering and the handling. Everything else sucked big time.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

I test drove the current S4/S5, C43. IMO, their steering feel is not any better. I actually think Audi's steering was worse than M340i.

But they are all light years better than F3X.

The only one i think is better than M340i is Alfa, but that is about the only thing going for it.... the steering and the handling. Everything else sucked big time.

Good to know, make it Alfa and Lexus then.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Good to know, make it Alfa and Lexus then.

based on the review of IS500... Current IS steering is pretty numb too. or at least not as good as how you remembered.

[Andy4114]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

I had 6 BMWs in a row, M340i is the most 'BMW' of them all, and the best one as well. BMW makes luxury sports saloons. Not go carts.

Depends on what were those “6 BMWs”. If its the most BMW for you, good for you. BMW sold 140xxx units in US in 2007/14/15 for 3 series and in 2021 its 23xxx units. Its less desirable and diluted M nowadays. And that steering is crap. RBR confirmed as well, I am sure that guy has driven more than 6 BMWs.

[Andy4114]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Steering feel thing is a myth. 90% of people complaining about steering feel don't even know what it is.
That 'numbness' is intentionally engineered in, and it's a good thing for everyday driving - eliminating fatigue and need for constant adjustment. That's why M340i is a better highway cruiser than M3, whereas M3 is much better on track or for spirited driving on winding roads. And Alfa is the extreme end on M3's side, that's why it's not a good all rounder at all.

It is a myth for those who never drove a classic BMW. That era produced ultimate driving machines. One could never complain of something they have no knowledge of.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Andy4114

It is a myth for those who never drove a classic BMW. That era produced ultimate driving machines. One could never complain of something they have no knowledge of.

Which do u consider as classic BMW?

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Andy4114

Depends on what were those “6 BMWs”. If its the most BMW for you, good for you. BMW sold 140xxx units in US in 2007/14/15 for 3 series and in 2021 its 23xxx units. Its less desirable and diluted M nowadays. And that steering is crap. RBR confirmed as well, I am sure that guy has driven more than 6 BMWs.

I still don't get it about the M340i complaints, it's not because they are not a great car that they don't sell in high numbers, it's because every American wants an SUV.

BMW actually makes a car with a more heavy, better feeling steering, it's called the M3 if that's what you want.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I still don't get it about the M340i complaints, it's not because they are not a great car that they don't sell in high numbers, it's because every American wants an SUV.

BMW actually makes a car with a more heavy, better feeling steering, it's called the M3 if that's what you want.

Hold on there bud, don't forget Canadians Anyhow, you're correct, the reason why the 3/er sells less nowadays is because of the SUV craze and Tesla. BMW lost many former 3'er owners to Tesla. What's even more ironic is that many of those BMW owners that jumped ship to the trendy lego EV-car were owners of the classic BMW's lol. What's their excuse?

3 series today is still the top seller or second place behind the C class. So despite the smaller volume they're still at or near the top in the segment. Those of us who buys these cars today are a much rarer breed than those from the classic era.

PS. Having owned 3 of the classic 3'er, M340i is still the best overall 3/er i have owned even with the iffy steering feel.