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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Replaced my F30 340i with a G20 M340i - Initial thoughts

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      09-09-2019, 08:40 AM   #1
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Replaced my F30 340i with a G20 M340i - Initial thoughts

I'll preface this with the fact that I didn't intend to buy another 3 series, while I loved my E90 335xi and F30 340i xdrive I was a bit turned off by the price increase and weaker programs for leasing the G20 m340i after I test drove one for a short time earlier this year with few options. I considered Tesla Model3 performance... but Michigan has no sales or service support, C43 AMG among others... hell I even thought about getting a beater as I have other cars.

MY 8AT 2016 340i had 18" wheels and all season tires, adaptive suspension and every option except the driving assistant things, this 2020 also has adaptive suspension but with 19" wheels and all season tires and all of the driving assistance things.

Initial differences on the highway back home is that the G20 rides a bit firmer, may be attributed to the 19" tires vs 18" before... but on the F30 comfort was very soft and sport plus damping was very hard. On the G20 comfort is a notch firmer and sport damping is a notch firmer than that but not F30 harsh in sport damping. NVH at speed is significantly reduced in the G20, I always thought the F30 was too loud through the floorboard and windows when compared against lower priced cars in lower segments.

I realize the exterior looks are polarizing to some as this one strays away from the incremental changes to the 3 series we've seen over the years and the grille can be an eyesore, but overall I find it to be more substantial and premium in appearance than the past 3 series's I've owned.

Interior / tech are better than F30, but I never did find the F30 to be dated or junk like many did... infact I already kind of miss the analog instrument cluster, the active driving assistant and gesture controls are simply a gimmick IMO. A large standout is the Harman/Kardon audio, this system has much more clarity and punch at all frequencies than the HK in my F30 had... but also I always kind of thought my E90 Logic7 was better than what the F30 had.... regardless it's a pleasure to listen to at loud volumes with anything from yacht rock to modern mumble rap. Remote start is a welcomed edition, but i'd skip the power trunk. Ambient lighting is trend, it looks cool I guess but I could take it or leave it. Overall the interior and features are a step up but I wasn't disappointed last time out.

In the suspension/powertrain/driving experience area this is where you start to see some big changes. The steering isn't hydraulic still, something that is common for the times... but it's much better than F30 was, it's not dead on center and in sport mode it's a livable resistance and response. This car is slightly heavier, but with the rear LSD and suspension/bushing differences the tires will scream well before the car understeers or the chassis becomes upset. Brakes are noticeably more effective, driving modes more customizable. I set the damping to comfort, steering comfort, engine sport plus, transmission sport for daily driving and one press of the sport button at startup places it back in sport individual where those settings are. You get pops and bangs on lift off and the response is just right, to me, to drive spiritedly to/from work or anywhere else. A lot more fun and competent than the F30 was. Power delivery is smooth as the B58 ever was, with more on tap than previous F30... the biggest difference is every bit of the power is usable in most all situations, however you need the shifting set to sport to get it to apply power when you want it on demand and also it helps to turn the traction control off... you have to encourage the car to behave like a sports sedan with driving settings like I noticed in the F30, even moreso with this one. Also with everything dialed up to sport there is a pleasant resonance felt and heard in the cabin 1200-1800rpm that makes the engine appear larger and more pronounced than it is... it's not my hellcat engine, but I was happy that the engine sounded a bit more aggressive for it's small size and the turbo muffling it's output. A lot of fun to drive and I don't think i'd change anything there.

That's where i'm at with it for now, it's just been a few days and i'll learn as we go. My IDrive is still on the 3/2019 version and it lacks a lot of things and it seems I have to return to the dealer to have it updated as OTA isn't enabled at this time so i'll refrain from commenting on that until it has apps etc.

I do miss the compass in the mirror and I can set one on the display but I have not found a way to place one on the instrument cluster.
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      09-09-2019, 10:43 AM   #2
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Congrats. I'm also looking at going from a F30 340ix to a M340ix and in Portimao Blue with the 792M wheels. I haven't ordered mine yet and am still on the fence between Portimao and Black Sapphire, how do you find the color in real life/different lighting?
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      09-09-2019, 10:47 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gofast182 View Post
Congrats. I'm also looking at going from a F30 340ix to a M340ix and in Portimao Blue with the 792M wheels. I haven't ordered mine yet and am still on the fence between Portimao and Black Sapphire, how do you find the color in real life/different lighting?
I really like it but it also reminds me of the blue STi's from the early 2000s I had and loved, blue is also my favorite color.
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      09-09-2019, 10:57 AM   #4
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Nice write-up. Thank you!
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      09-09-2019, 07:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls3c6 View Post
...it also reminds me of the blue STi's from the early 2000s
Yeah...that's not selling it for me...haha.
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      09-09-2019, 08:32 PM   #6
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The writeup is appreciated. I'm assuming you got all season tires, RF on non?
Thanx
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      09-09-2019, 10:18 PM   #7
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I really appreciate reading these. My M340 just entered the paint bay today and I'll be taking in my 2016 340 6MT w MPPSK. Really getting excited.
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      09-09-2019, 10:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x986 View Post
The writeup is appreciated. I'm assuming you got all season tires, RF on non?
Thanx
Yes, all season runflats on both.
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      09-10-2019, 10:58 AM   #9
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What changed your mind about getting another 3er?
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      09-10-2019, 01:34 PM   #10
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What changed your mind about getting another 3er?
Price & Tesla service is a 4 hour trip, they've stopped their valet service and i'm very picky about faults. Saved myself the headache even if M3P was going to be a new / fun experience.
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      09-19-2019, 02:33 PM   #11
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      09-19-2019, 09:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls3c6 View Post
I'll preface this with the fact that I didn't intend to buy another 3 series, while I loved my E90 335xi and F30 340i xdrive I was a bit turned off by the price increase and weaker programs for leasing the G20 m340i after I test drove one for a short time earlier this year with few options. I considered Tesla Model3 performance... but Michigan has no sales or service support, C43 AMG among others... hell I even thought about getting a beater as I have other cars.

MY 8AT 2016 340i had 18" wheels and all season tires, adaptive suspension and every option except the driving assistant things, this 2020 also has adaptive suspension but with 19" wheels and all season tires and all of the driving assistance things.

Initial differences on the highway back home is that the G20 rides a bit firmer, may be attributed to the 19" tires vs 18" before... but on the F30 comfort was very soft and sport plus damping was very hard. On the G20 comfort is a notch firmer and sport damping is a notch firmer than that but not F30 harsh in sport damping. NVH at speed is significantly reduced in the G20, I always thought the F30 was too loud through the floorboard and windows when compared against lower priced cars in lower segments.

I realize the exterior looks are polarizing to some as this one strays away from the incremental changes to the 3 series we've seen over the years and the grille can be an eyesore, but overall I find it to be more substantial and premium in appearance than the past 3 series's I've owned.

Interior / tech are better than F30, but I never did find the F30 to be dated or junk like many did... infact I already kind of miss the analog instrument cluster, the active driving assistant and gesture controls are simply a gimmick IMO. A large standout is the Harman/Kardon audio, this system has much more clarity and punch at all frequencies than the HK in my F30 had... but also I always kind of thought my E90 Logic7 was better than what the F30 had.... regardless it's a pleasure to listen to at loud volumes with anything from yacht rock to modern mumble rap. Remote start is a welcomed edition, but i'd skip the power trunk. Ambient lighting is trend, it looks cool I guess but I could take it or leave it. Overall the interior and features are a step up but I wasn't disappointed last time out.

In the suspension/powertrain/driving experience area this is where you start to see some big changes. The steering isn't hydraulic still, something that is common for the times... but it's much better than F30 was, it's not dead on center and in sport mode it's a livable resistance and response. This car is slightly heavier, but with the rear LSD and suspension/bushing differences the tires will scream well before the car understeers or the chassis becomes upset. Brakes are noticeably more effective, driving modes more customizable. I set the damping to comfort, steering comfort, engine sport plus, transmission sport for daily driving and one press of the sport button at startup places it back in sport individual where those settings are. You get pops and bangs on lift off and the response is just right, to me, to drive spiritedly to/from work or anywhere else. A lot more fun and competent than the F30 was. Power delivery is smooth as the B58 ever was, with more on tap than previous F30... the biggest difference is every bit of the power is usable in most all situations, however you need the shifting set to sport to get it to apply power when you want it on demand and also it helps to turn the traction control off... you have to encourage the car to behave like a sports sedan with driving settings like I noticed in the F30, even moreso with this one. Also with everything dialed up to sport there is a pleasant resonance felt and heard in the cabin 1200-1800rpm that makes the engine appear larger and more pronounced than it is... it's not my hellcat engine, but I was happy that the engine sounded a bit more aggressive for it's small size and the turbo muffling it's output. A lot of fun to drive and I don't think i'd change anything there.

That's where i'm at with it for now, it's just been a few days and i'll learn as we go. My IDrive is still on the 3/2019 version and it lacks a lot of things and it seems I have to return to the dealer to have it updated as OTA isn't enabled at this time so i'll refrain from commenting on that until it has apps etc.

I do miss the compass in the mirror and I can set one on the display but I have not found a way to place one on the instrument cluster.
Nice review, and beautiful car man, while I wasn't too impressed with my test drive of the 330i, I was very impressed with the M340i at the UDE autocross, I was able to toss it where I wanted. Also got 1st place in my group, fun day, nice car.

I actually think the diamond grill looks way better in person then the standard one.
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      09-21-2019, 03:04 PM   #13
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Just picked up my M340 the other day and upgrading from a 2016 340. I won’t go in to detail since this post already does so. But the G20 is night and day from the F30. I like it better in pretty much every respect. Road noise is reduced. Suspension is still firm but doesn’t bottom out by hitting a small bump in the road and rattle the whole car. Technology is drastically improved. Steering feedback is excellent and just right amount of firmness. The extra hp is great. The exhaust note is improved.

I have not finished breaking so I’ve yet to redline. In hindsight the decision to upgrade was an easy one and worth the trade in.
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      09-24-2019, 06:18 PM   #14
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I should really stay away from this forum.

I have three months left on my 16 340i lease and I didn't plan on picking up a G20, but...

I know if I test drive one I'll sign my life away.

Just don't think I'll be able to work the numbers in my favor. I got hosed on my 340i and I promised myself that will not happen again.

Awesome write up!
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      09-24-2019, 06:36 PM   #15
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nice, solid review. The g20 is a great car, I really enjoy driving it myself as well. congrats
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      01-01-2020, 10:44 PM   #16
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The deals on 2020 340's right now (Jan 1) are silly low. A 60k msrp sign and drive lease is $500/mo 12k miles. You can't find a better car at that price.
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      01-03-2020, 06:45 PM   #17
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I returned my '16 340 last summer, and got a '20 M340 in Oct. It feels at least two generations newer. Probably my greatest complaint is that the leather is about .5% improvement over the old Dakota. Whoops, another: the car is getting too big. I got RWD, 19" non-rf, non adaptable suspension, and it rides and drives just about perfectly. It's very well dampened. FWIW, Also, I think the "autopilot" is better than my wife's Tesla 3.
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      01-04-2020, 05:49 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x986 View Post
I returned my '16 340 last summer, and got a '20 M340 in Oct. It feels at least two generations newer. Probably my greatest complaint is that the leather is about .5% improvement over the old Dakota. Whoops, another: the car is getting too big. I got RWD, 19" non-rf, non adaptable suspension, and it rides and drives just about perfectly. It's very well dampened. FWIW, Also, I think the "autopilot" is better than my wife's Tesla 3.
Same story here. Traded in our 16 340i M Sport for a 2020 M340i. The G20 is leaps and bounds ahead of the F30. My only complaint is the same as yours. The car feels noticeably larger than the F30.

Love it though. The body, the interior and that sweet exhaust note.
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