[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Going from silver to black.... oh you poor soul. I had a black car once. Never again.

Black cars are like having an extra part time job.

But it's a labor of love that is second to nothing looks wise.

OP congratulations on your new whip. I would have skipped the f30 as well.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by M3_Legend

I like how you keep the shift knob. I'm on my third E90 from 335i to E90 M3 and I can't see myself out of the BMW E series chasis. But your 340i looks damn good enjoy it!! I also look forward to owning a new bmw one day.

Don't sell the the e90 lol, the E chasis looks so good even tho it's over 10 years old. When the G series already started to show it's age, just like every other new BMW. I still dream to own a e30 M3. And I really regret for not buying a e39 m5 fee years ago when I almost pulled the plug.

[M3_Legend]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

Don't sell the the e90 lol, the E chasis looks so good even tho it's over 10 years old. When the G series already started to show it's age, just like every other new BMW. I still dream to own a e30 M3. And I really regret for not buying a e39 m5 fee years ago when I almost pulled the plug.

Oh I don't think I would sell it I dream of owning an E30 318is but there getting so hard to find.

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Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Congrats on the new car and a great story as well, I love that you keep the ZHP knob in the glove box.

My E46 wasn't my first BMW, but similar to your G20 it was the first I had bought new and spec'd to my liking and had stayed with me the longest (14 years and 200k+ miles), and the one I loved the most, and have the most memories with, even taught both of my sons how to drive stick with it. Sadly I lost it to the dreaded cooling system and failed head gaskets 2 years ago, and I still miss it everyday. My wife currently still drives a manual in the M2 after having an auto E90 335 for 8 years, and I think I might make my way back to a manual again in the future before they die out eventually as I do miss it, even with these amazing auto transmissions.

Thanks! This thread reminded me just how much of a hole Heidi's passing left, but it also made me a stronger driver and much more appreciative of those crucial moments. It seems silly to most to miss a car like a lost pet... but we are not most.

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

Congrats man!

Would you mind posting a pic of the trunk with spare in it?

GL and enjoy the next driving chapter!

Thanks and certainly, here you go! You can really see how much it raises when you put the seats down.

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Absolutely fantastically written. Enjoy in good health. Thank you for taking the time to give us an in-depth deep dive.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by javaperson

Thanks for the write-up and congrats on the new car!
It was a nice read while. I recently had to part with my e90 as well. I liked the tight handling and steering feel of the car, but I had to part ways with it. I got a F36 gran coupe instead of the G20, but it is great to hear that the G20 still has good handling. Cheers!

Thanks! I was strongly considering that at one point but got scared that the frameless windows would freeze me out in the winter! Gorgeous car!

Originally Posted by sed335i

Excellent, well-written write up! I'm considering an M340i once the lease on my 2018 Accord Sport ends. My weekend car is an E46 M3 and I'm considering, among others, an E90 M3 (DCT for the wife), F80 M3 (DCT) or the M340i.

I look forward to hearing/reading more about your experiences. Keep up the good work and congrats on the new car. She's a beaut!

Thanks! E46 M3 6MT is on the shortlist for a second car when my wife lets me have one!

Originally Posted by i128

Congrats on the new ride!

I had a similar path but haven't quite come to terms of relieving my left leg of it's driving duties just yet...

Totally understand, and thanks! Good luck keeping the faith!

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Going from silver to black.... oh you poor soul. I had a black car once. Never again.

Ha ha ha! I'm looking forward to my weekend waxing ritual!

Originally Posted by Transfer

Nice write up! You definitely chose the right 3 series for your upgrade. My M340i xDrive is primarily for the wife but I've been driving it to work (hospital) during the quarantine and have come to learn how massively impressive this car is. It's not perfect but it is quite a joy to drive. And the POWER. It's stupid fast really.

I came out of an E92 M3 and here is my write up from that overlap.
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1651973

Currently our SQ5 is my primary driver but lease ending soon and looking to pick up an X3M.

Enjoy the new ride!

Thanks! And thanks especially for your service during these troubled times!

Originally Posted by M3_Legend

I like how you keep the shift knob. I'm on my third E90 from 335i to E90 M3 and I can't see myself out of the BMW E series chasis. But your 340i looks damn good enjoy it!! I also look forward to owning a new bmw one day.

It seemed the best way to never forget the philosophies I learned. Thanks and enjoy!

Originally Posted by Hxngs

I cried

I know, I did too

[aaronblack]

Very nice ride!

And I must agree with the earlier posts, you'll miss the 6MT for sure. My girlfriend has a G20 330e and although I like the ride/power/features etc. my e92 6MT does give me a more raw experience which I miss every time I drive hers.

[Mavus]

Thank you for the pics!

This is a huge decrease in available space/volume.

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Originally Posted by aaronblack

Very nice ride!

And I must agree with the earlier posts, you'll miss the 6MT for sure. My girlfriend has a G20 330e and although I like the ride/power/features etc. my e92 6MT does give me a more raw experience which I miss every time I drive hers.

Thanks, and you're right. But its more than that. The stick-shift is a symbol of the rawness and focus of the classic driving experiences that made us fall in love with the marque in the first place. So too were the thin, well bolstered seats through which you could feel everything and the wheel which danced in your hands with the litheness of an acrobat. Some of these have carried forward, some have been lost like the hydraulic steering.

I truly believe despite how much I enjoyed them, it was the rise of the lagless turbos that really started the shift from ultimate driving machine to ultimate cruising machine! The stick-shift is a casualty of a modern world desperate to do more without thinking about doing better.

I need more time with the modern car to see if the balance has finally started marching the other way... and I see potential for both.

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Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

Thank you for the pics!

This is a huge decrease in available space/volume.

Agreed, there is a silver lining though. I hear some have managed to find the OEM lower trunk floor for the cars through parts suppliers. I'm sourcing one now and if so I can run without the spare when I need the cargo and run a slime kit like the real M cars

[lnwlf7]

Its so funny.
I moved from livelong DCT/Automatics to manual transmissions. To be honest I would never like to go back.

[M340Mike]

Thanks for the great read! Especially with all this extra time we have. My wife and I also started with manual Honda's ('89 Civic Hatchback, '95 Accord, '97 Civic)... then a pair of CR-Vs (the original '97 and an '08), throw in a '07 V6 Camry and '14v Impreza hand me downs from my parents when they couldn't drive anymore... and since then all BMW ('15 X3, '18X3 Ultimate, and now my 2020 M340).

There was something to like in each vehicle we owned but I have never LOVED a car like my new M340. Enjoy!!

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Originally Posted by lnwlf7

Its so funny.
I moved from livelong DCT/Automatics to manual transmissions. To be honest I would never like to go back.

I wish it were that easy! I grew up with autos, went to stickshift and swore I would never go back to auto! It took twenty years and the relentless march of technology to make an automatic even close to the level of engagement a manual already gives you - and for me the increased pluses and decreased minuses pushed me over the edge.

What will truly be lost with this transition will be the philosophy inherent in the manual, learning to know, to feel, to love your car by making its every movement an extension of your own self. This is not something that can be replaced by a faster shift, no matter what. This is the loss the automatic-only generation cannot compensate for.

Those of us who already had the manual transmission experience were enriched by it even if we moved on. No matter my personal situation, I will always feel that something important has been lost when the choice is taken away at last.

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Originally Posted by M340Mike

Thanks for the great read! Especially with all this extra time we have. My wife and I also started with manual Honda's ('89 Civic Hatchback, '95 Accord, '97 Civic)... then a pair of CR-Vs (the original '97 and an '08), throw in a '07 V6 Camry and '14v Impreza hand me downs from my parents when they couldn't drive anymore... and since then all BMW ('15 X3, '18X3 Ultimate, and now my 2020 M340).

There was something to like in each vehicle we owned but I have never LOVED a car like my new M340. Enjoy!!

Thank you, you as well!

[DG20]

What an awesome and detailed write up. Big props to you, and congratulations! Enjoy the car in good health

[rounderman]

Great write up, enjoy your new car. I have been driving for a number of years (50 holy crap) most of my cars have been manuals except when expediency meant getting a car quick. (As opposed to a quick car) any way a year ago I sold my 2013 335 stick for the X2M35. I needed something not as low to the ground (wait until you get older) and I will most likely never go back. I miss the stick occasionally but as you said you get to concentrate on other things. Mrs. Rounderman can drive a stick and we are finally passed the Minivan stage (some really nice road vehicles) and we are finally a no stick family. different but definitely easier.

Great car, great pics, enjoy the ride

everyone stay safe, wash your hands don't touch your face (healthcare administration so I get bombarded with this every day)

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Originally Posted by DG20

What an awesome and detailed write up. Big props to you, and congratulations! Enjoy the car in good health

Thank you!

Originally Posted by rounderman

Great write up, enjoy your new car. I have been driving for a number if years (50 holy crap) most of my cars have been manuals except when expediency meant getting a car quick. (As opposed to a quick car) any way a year ago I sold my 2013 335 stick for the X2M35. I needed something not a slow to the ground (wait until you get older) and I will most likely never go back. I miss the stick occasionally but as you said you get to concentrate on other things. Mrs. Rounderman can drive a stick and we are finally passed the Minivan stage (some really nice road vehicles) and we are finally a no stick family. different but definitely easier.

Great car, great pics, enjoy the ride

everyone stay safe, wash your hands don't touch your face (healthcare administration so I get bombarded with this every day)

Thanks! I hear you on the comfort element, 540i was in the running at one point but it skewed (even if just) too far to the luxury end for now. Definitely not ruled out another stick in the future, long as my left leg keeps working!

[MUFCbmwbear]

Nice write up! I too just left manual for my first ever automatic and I'm 37. The 8AT is setup perfectly in the m340, no regrets so far(2 days)

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Originally Posted by MUFCbmwbear

Nice write up! I too just left manual for my first ever automatic and I'm 37. The 8AT is setup perfectly in the m340, no regrets so far(2 days)

Awesome! I remember the F30 crowd first crowing the virtues of the ZF 8AT, and so many of them were diehard 6MT drivers. I'm hoping to see the same magic they did (and I already am). Congrats again!

[BMWSource]

Originally Posted by M3_Legend

I like how you keep the shift knob. I'm on my third E90 from 335i to E90 M3 and I can't see myself out of the BMW E series chasis. But your 340i looks damn good enjoy it!! I also look forward to owning a new bmw one day.

I agree, the E series BMW's are the best

[ssuene93]

Congrats on the new ride and very thorough write up. Stay healthy and enjoy the ride!

[Shift_Vas]

I know I couldn't go from an enthusiast spec BMW (rwd,manual,m-sport) to a new BMW. Mostly because all the new cars are just not special. They are dime a dozen now.

Enjoy the new ride.

[GioM3]

Thanks for sharing, I had 2007 335i manual, great car but, after 4 years and 160k miles, it had to go, after that I bought 2008 e92 M3 manual, after small exhaust modification it transformed from good car to great one, now I have a dilemma, we have two cars in family, our f31 320d estate and my M3, we need to switch to one car from next year, reading your story and many others, I still can't decide to go for F80 M3 CP Manual or M340i xDrive auto, why didn't you go for F80 M3?

[TheM3Boy]

Thank you for the Amazing post and Congrats on the purchase!

There are so many similarities that at times it felt like I am reading my own story!
I still haven't let go of the E90 and I know I will cry when I do!

Stay safe!