[Jason]

G20 M340i hitting the Nurburgring

[LBBF87]

Still not a fan of the new steering wheels. I love the current (sans the F90) M steering wheel...

[Wolf]

Engine note played via tyre squeal

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Jason

G20 M340i hitting the Nurburgring

Sounds sh!t like a 4 banger not convinced that's a G series 340i

[eMvy]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Ever since BMW's RFT, I swap those out ASAP.

They certainly can be a pain in several ways. I take my X3 on the beach to go surf fishing. First thing you're told to do is lower your tire pressure, which is a waste of time with RFT. If not for the X drive system being so damn good, I'd certainly be stuck in the sand. On a side note; nothing like having a bunch of big 4x4 truck owners watching you kill it through dry, deep sand going how the...WTF.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

BLASPHEMY!

They have a button for that !!!

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Wolf

Engine note played via tyre squeal

Yeah I could barely make out exhaust from the constant tyre squeal and roar.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Yeah I could barely make out exhaust from the constant tyre squeal and roar.

Hard to pickup good audio in the green hell.

Sounds fast though.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

They have a button for that !!!

Too bad that button weighs a few hundred pounds.

[Dynamic_m235]

385hp is crazy!! Just hate how BMW keeps putting “m”’s in front of of all their models now

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dynamic_m235

385hp is crazy!! Just hate how BMW keeps putting “m”’s in front of of all their models now

buckle up buttercup... you are in for a rough ride..


" BMW could expand its M Performance Automobiles lineup with a new series of vehicles. According to AutoGuide, citing an official filing by BMW with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Bavarians have registered the names ‘M335’, ‘M650’ and ‘M750’."

[clbmw]

Looks fast, and that likely means a fast estate version with AWD, so a BMW alternative to the S4. Hope it comes with adaptive dampers as standard.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Too bad that button weighs a few hundred pounds.

Well if they bring the weight down to compensate it will still be a quick car.

Look at the new M5 for reference.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

Well if they bring the weight down to compensate it will still be a quick car.

Look at the new M5 for reference.

The M5 was improving on the porker F10.

I'm okay with the big M5 having some heavy, idiot proof options like awd, but would prefer they leave the M3 rwd only and as light as possible. Of course if an M2 sedan or GC is coming, by all means, pork up the M3/4 too.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

The M5 was improving on the porker F10.

I'm okay with the big M5 having some heavy, idiot proof options like awd, but would prefer they leave the M3 rwd only and as light as possible. Of course if an M2 sedan or GC is coming, by all means, pork up the M3/4 too.

No Doubt... Bring on the M2 Gran Coupe

[Calvin36]

Ooo can't wait for the new M340 to come out!! About time the 3 series got the M performance version as well.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Calvin36

Ooo can't wait for the new M340 to come out!! About time the 3 series got the M performance version as well.

The M340i is just replacing the 340i M Sport ZTR. The base and non-M Sport 340i is just not going to exist anymore. It's just a marketing badge. Will it be faster than the current 340i? Sure... but that's commensurate with the update to the 3 series line, and not because they put an M badge in front of it.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by jmg

The M340i is just replacing the 340i M Sport ZTR. The base and non-M Sport 340i is just not going to exist anymore. It's just a marketing badge. Will it be faster than the current 340i? Sure... but that's commensurate with the update to the 3 series line, and not because they put an M badge in front of it.

Come on. It will also have slightly better rearward weight balance. That M and the /// weigh something.

[goj]

Now I am wondering if the M340 means that there will no longer be a power kit offered. I would love a 400hp m340i

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Come on. It will also have slightly better rearward weight balance. That M and the /// weigh something.

LOL and bragging rights.

To clarify: The M340i will come with the M Sport appearance package, variable steering, M Sport Suspension, and M Sport Brakes, all of which will still be options on the rest of the G20 line, only it will be standard on the M340i along with the top-of-the-line B58 engine. The current F30 340i can be optioned the same way: variable steering, M Sport Suspension, and M Sport Brakes, and top-of-the-line B58. Only the F30 340i doesn't come with an M badge infront of it.

The fact that the OP thinks that it was "about time the 3 series got the M performance version as well" shows that BMW marketing has done a really good job. The 3 series has had the "M performance version" for quite a long time with the is models and M Sport accessories. I'm not opposed to diluting the M badge by putting it on a non-M car, but people need to get educated. We're going to have a lot of hubris on the road with the M340i.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by jmg

The M340i is just replacing the 340i M Sport ZTR. The base and non-M Sport 340i is just not going to exist anymore. It's just a marketing badge. Will it be faster than the current 340i? Sure... but that's commensurate with the update to the 3 series line, and not because they put an M badge in front of it.

There have been M Performance models like you describe (most of them so far including M235i, M240i, M550i, etc.) which are basically the same cars we're used to with M Sport & Track handling packages standard plus a few more horsepower than the non-M Performance versions that would theoretically exist. (theoretically because there is no 235i, 240i, etc.)

The second and more interesting M Performance vehicle seems to be coming starting with the M850i which has apparently been designed with a lot more input from M employees and a lot less from BMW employees. We're getting a real electronically-variable LSD standard, more aggressive suspension setup with more negative camber, and other fun stuff like that and the car is said to be set up to be significantly more fun to drive and to give better feedback to the driver than the standard 8 series. I'm really hoping M340i follows in those footsteps so it can stop being a "330i with more power" and can be more of a half way model between 330i and M3.

This is coming from a current 340i w/ M Sport & Track Handling Package + MPPSK owner. I like my car, but it's a LONG way away from an M3. If I were back in the end of 2015 again, I would 100% have spent the extra money and gone for the M3 so I think it would be nice if the future M340i could give buyers a little more driving enjoyment, a more aggressive chassis setup, etc. than my car offers.

[SCOTT26]

The M340i /M340d uses the trapezoid exhaust port similar to the X3M40i/X3M40d. This is probably a 330i/330d with M Packet.
Or for shits and giggles... A 320d.