[TupperBMW]

Hi again, I guess as a BMW newbie I'm a tad excited about my car and also new to how Bimmer folks view things.

So just having fun here, this idea that my car is not a "true" M car, even though the M badge is clearly part of the model designation and plastered all over my car (dash, steering wheel, rear model designation, and on the bottom of the side entryways) sort of 'tickles' me.

If my car is not a "true" M car, which I'm really not interested in disputing, then what is it? Certainly it's not just a 3 series either.

I need to have some sort of badge to be proud of here, after all

[Burrcold]

It's an "M Performance" version of the 3 Series.

[Paul Moran]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Hi again, I guess as a BMW newbie I'm a tad excited about my car and also new to how Bimmer folks view things.

So just having fun here, this idea that my car is not a "true" M car, even though the M badge is clearly part of the model designation and plastered all over my car (dash, steering wheel, rear model designation, and on the bottom of the side entryways) sort of 'tickles' me.

If my car is not a "true" M car, which I'm really not interested in disputing, then what is it? Certainly it's not just a 3 series either.

I need to have some sort of badge to be proud of here, after all

When you consider using launch mode it will beat all previous m3’s from 0-60. I think it certainly deserves all those m badges. Yes it is an M Performance version of the 3 series or M lite but it’s one hell of a fast car which if you have the non run flat tyres and adaptive suspension can be driven in comfort. So be proud of that M badge coz I am 😎

[k4sh_90]

Lite M, diet M, it's the best of both worlds in my eyes. You get some of the ooohs and ahhhs of the M proper, without paying the full M tax. It's one of the better entries into the Bimmer world.

Ignore the M badge and the comparisons and forums on whether or not the car "measures up". Those who know, know. And those that don't will find out.

[Bc2005]

If someone asks that type of question they are not very conversant in BMW terminology, and probably not really a BMW fan. Most of the time they are just trying to jerk your chain.

- The BMW M series has been around for quite a while, and the M designation is clear because there is only one digit after the M in the model name.

- Several years ago BMW created the M Sport trim package, which was primarily a dress-up package with an aero kit, unique badging, etc. There was usually no engine difference, but most models did have the option for some unique equipment (sport brakes, sport steering wheel, etc.)

- M Performance is a relatively recent designation and it falls in between full M and the M Sport. M Performance models usually have trim that is similar to the M Sport option (aero kits, logos, etc.), but in addition they have a higher performance engine and other performance features (M sport differential, Sport+ settings, etc.). It is not at the same level as the M engines, but it is a significant step up in horsepower from the lesser models.

For example, the current M3 can achieve a 0-60 of about 3.5 seconds; however, the M340i is in the range of 3.8-4.2 seconds, depending on who tests it. A 330i with M Sport option would probably be in the 5.4 second range.

[TupperBMW]

^ That's kind of what I was feeling too. If the M340i is not a "true" M car, it is still way closer to being a "true" M car than it is to being a "sporty" 3 series. I mean, if you look at the real numbers as you put it: HP figures, 0-60 times, suspension and other mods, it has had some serious hardware upgrades added beyond just the superficial stuff.

[G_B58]

Originally Posted by v_ckash623

Lite M, diet M, it's the best of both worlds in my eyes. You get some of the ooohs and ahhhs of the M proper, without paying the full M tax. It's one of the better entries into the Bimmer world.

Ignore the M badge and the comparisons and forums on whether or not the car "measures up". Those who know, know. And those that don't will find out.

Well said.


Also, they added the m to compete with the competition, s4 and amg 43 which is actually just a rebranded c450.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

^ That's kind of what I was feeling too. If the M340i is not a "true" M car, it is still way closer to being a "true" M car than it is to being a "sporty" 3 series. I mean, if you look at the real numbers as you put it: HP figures, 0-60 times, suspension and other mods, it has had some serious hardware upgrades added beyond just the superficial stuff.

I would say it's closer to a sporty 3 Series than an M3/4. There isn't much difference, other than the engine, compared to a 330i with the M sport package. It's an awesome car don't get me wrong, but straight line speed doesn't make something an M car.

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I would say it's closer to a sporty 3 Series than an M3/4. There isn't much difference, other than the engine, compared to a 330i with the M sport package. It's an awesome car don't get me wrong, but straight line speed doesn't make something an M car.

While I agree, for most enthusiasts horsepower and speed take up a disproportionate amount of importance over other things when one is rating the "sportiness" of a car.

The M340i is WAY faster than a regular 330i (even with M sport package) while probably having 90% of the handling characteristics of a true M car. I don't see how it isn't closer to an M car than a 3 series

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

While I agree, for most enthusiasts horsepower and speed take up a disproportionate amount of importance over other things when one is rating the "sportiness" of a car.

The M340i is WAY faster than a regular 330i (even with M sport package) while probably having 90% of the handling characteristics of a true M car. I don't see how it isn't closer to an M car than a 3 series

Tell me what the M340i has over the 330i with the M Sport package, other than an engine putting out more hp? And tell me what components the M340i has that are shared with the M3 that aren't shared with the 330i. Only thing I can think of is the optional larger brake and cooling package.

If you think that M340i has 90% of the handling characteristics of a true M car, the same can be said about the 330i...in fact maybe more so because the 330i has a lighter front end, better steering, and slightly better weight balance. The M340i IS a 3 Series, albeit a fast one. Nobody is disputing that.

[TupperBMW]

Here is what I'm getting from looking online:

For example, Car and Driver and Road & Track report the 3-Series’ M Sport package adds quicker steering, differently-colored brake calipers, and M Sport suspension. The X5 M Sport package, meanwhile, swaps the sport suspension for an adaptive system. So, although the M Sport package is mostly cosmetic, it can improve handling, if not exactly performance.

One step above M Sport is M Performance. An easy way to distinguish between the two is by the badge on the trunk. A 340i with the M Sport package, for instance, will just say ‘340i’; the M Performance version, the BMW M340i, though will actually say ‘M340i.’ And while M Sport is mostly about looks, M Performance adds genuine speed.

Sticking with the 3-Series, the M340i gets a different engine than the standard car. The standard 3-Series engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, making 255 hp. The M340i, though, has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, making 382 hp. Car and Driver found the added power dropped the 0-60 time from 5.2 seconds to 3.8 seconds.

Although it no longer has a manual, the M Performance version does get M Sport brakes, M Sport exhaust, larger wheels and sportier tires, additional selectable driving modes, and a standard electronically-controlled locking rear differential. R&T also reports North America is the only market to receive a rear-wheel drive M340i; every other market only gets the all-wheel drive version. Incidentally, the M340i’s AWD is modified compared to the standard 3-Series’.

Then, when talking about true M cars:

And where M Performance cars are mostly intended for street-driving, every BMW M SUV and car is designed with track racing in mind. Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire even took an X5 M on a series of track days across the US, and it never broke down. Also, Car and Driver reports that BMW offers every X5 M and X6 M buyer training at one of its M driving schools. Which, considering what the M models receive, is likely very necessary.

The most obvious is even more power. The standard BMW M3 uses the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder as the M340i, only in the M3, it makes 425 hp, according to Car and Driver. The M3 Competition boosts that even further, to 444 hp. The upcoming 2021 M3 could offer as much as 510 hp. But the M-specific modifications go further than that.

BMW gives its M cars wider, grippier tires, unique wheels, well-bolstered sport seats, and upgraded brake pad compounds. Multiple metal components are replaced with carbon-fiber versions: the M5 has a carbon-fiber roof, for instance, while the M4 also gets a carbon-fiber trunk lid and engine brace.

BMW engineers further tweak the M adaptive suspension, differentials, and AWD systems. Drivers can also adjust their M car’s engine, transmission, suspension, and driving modes even more than in the M Performance cars.

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/whats-t...m-performance/

So the M cars are obviously even more performance oriented, no disputing that. But I would say that the hardware differences between a 330i M Sport package and a M340i are greater than those between an M340i and an M3

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

But I would say that the hardware differences between a 330i M Sport package and a M340i are greater than those between an M340i and an M3

I would not agree and it's almost certainly not true. Sorry.

[TupperBMW]

^ I mean, we're talking about comparing an inline 6 with an inline 4

That is the single most expensive thing in the car, and the M340i has the same engine as the M3

Name specific items on the M3 that the M340i doesn't have, and the cost of those items, and then we can make a comparison.

Then we can compare what items an M340i has that a 330i with M sport package doesn't have, and we can look at those costs as well.

Only after having done all that can I be convinced. Until then, this is all just opinions

[Rocket455]

Originally Posted by v_ckash623

You get some of the ooohs and ahhhs of the M proper, without paying the full M tax.

This.

[liuaar]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Hi again, I guess as a BMW newbie I'm a tad excited about my car and also new to how Bimmer folks view things.

So just having fun here, this idea that my car is not a "true" M car, even though the M badge is clearly part of the model designation and plastered all over my car (dash, steering wheel, rear model designation, and on the bottom of the side entryways) sort of 'tickles' me.

If my car is not a "true" M car, which I'm really not interested in disputing, then what is it? Certainly it's not just a 3 series either.

I need to have some sort of badge to be proud of here, after all

I don't give a F what others say! m340i is a bad bitch and very much so deserves the M badge. it's a real M!!! haha xD

[Sight22]

It's whatever BMW says it is.

[k4sh_90]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

the M340i has the same engine as the M3

False. S58 in the M3, B58 in the 340. They share the same number of cylinders, but the similarities feather out a lot from there.

[Burrcold]

Lol oh this thread...

[k4sh_90]

Here's a bit of reading material about BMW's ZHP package.

Pretty much what's being done these days is tacking on the M badge for opulence instead of adding ZHP to the build sheet. The 340 has M parts. The M3 is built by M. They used to be their own division, but I think BMW fully incorporated them in so it's just all BMW, and the M badge is being attached to damn near anything.

[TupperBMW]

In the end, it's up to BMW (since they own the brand 'M') what an M car is. Not to some hold outs on the internet.

If BMW is branding this car 'M' on the badge, then that speaks volumes.

Now you can argue that this dilutes 'M' branding, but in the end it is what it is. We all still know that an M3 is the superior car to the M340i in pretty much every performance-related measure....

[Antec800]

I think you can add the same lsd diff, adaptive suspension, and m sport brakes same as m340.

[P_Leotardo]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

an M3 is the superior car to the M340i in pretty much every performance-related measure....

Not in cosmetics though, the M3/4 have worse noses than Furio Giunta.