[jp0319]

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So, I have a 22 M340 xDrive on order but my lack of patience means I am constantly looking at BMW dealers within +/- 200 miles to see if anything is available that interests me. A dealer in the state has a 2019 M4 Competition on the lot with less than 9000 miles! I can't get that car out of my head.

The used price of the M4 is almost exactly the new price of the M340 so price is a wash. The M340 is more more practical and AWD so for winter it would be better but.... I keep thinking "with some 18" wheels and snow tires the M4 would be fine"...

Ugh

What would you Guys/Gals do?

[SpeedyATL]

Different cars with a different purpose.

I sat in an 2018 M4 this weekend with the sport-oriented buckets and that car felt terrible for what I want. You couldn't pay me to take that thing over my M440CV that may eventually get here.

But if you want super sporty, it would probably be a great feeling car and certainly better than my M-lite.

Just depends on what you want I guess...

PS, and don't forget the warranty will be done on the M soon I suspect, maybe a year unless its a CPO then an extra year. And service is done....

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by jp0319

So, I have a 22 M340 xDrive on order but my lack of patience means I am constantly looking at BMW dealers within +/- 200 miles to see if anything is available that interests me. A dealer in the state has a 2019 M4 Competition on the lot with less than 9000 miles! I can't get that car out of my head.

The used price of the M4 is almost exactly the new price of the M340 so price is a wash. The M340 is more more practical and AWD so for winter it would be better but.... I keep thinking "with some 18" wheels and snow tires the M4 would be fine"...

Ugh

What would you Guys/Gals do?

Really depends on your priorities.

If all i care about is the performance and driving satisfaction (more of a weekend fun car), then M4 comp. No question. I was like that when i was younger. I DDed 2 different s2000 for 6 years. I didnt care about the lack of tech or comfort or space for that matter.

But if i wanted a more balanced DD, then i probably would go with M340i.

For me personally, i had 3 F3X cars in 9 years. I am so sick and tired of that interior. M4 or not, i never wanna live with that interior again.

[iifymbro]

I went through a similar struggle, decided on the m340i because: brand new car with full warranty, the latest tech, new chassis and new generation interior, better street-oriented suspension/ride.

the allure of a proper M car is strong but once I got past that, the m340i was the clear winner for my uses.

[jp0319]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

I went through a similar struggle, decided on the m340i because: brand new car with full warranty, the latest tech, new chassis and new generation interior, better street-oriented suspension/ride.

the allure of a proper M car is strong but once I got past that, the m340i was the clear winner for my uses.

Yeah it's that "allure" that I'm struggling with (that and a severe lack of patience) I've wanted an M3/4 since I was a kid… I know that the M340 with all the options will be better in the long term and still fun but it's hard to shake the pull of the full strength M car.

[Haywood187]

I struggled as well with trying to choose to embrace my midlife crisis and get one of two 2019 M2 Comps that were in my area. I then realized that I was a madman and decided to order my m340. I knew the M2 would be an absolute blast but quickly realized I needed 4 doors and a more suitable DD for the time being. Knew I would regret not getting the m340 in the end. That M car will come someday though….oh yes it will.

[wdc330i]

Every enthusiast should have a real M at least once. I had an M3 convertible (e46) and it was fantastic, but you would not want it as your one and only car—unless you are single and under 30.

They are more expensive to maintain; they get much worse gas mileage; and they are more high strung. On the plus side, they are more immediate, visceral, and fun.

What are your tolerances? What’s your commute like? And what is your budget for car maintenance?

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

Really depends on your priorities.

If all i care about is the performance and driving satisfaction (more of a weekend fun car), then M4 comp. No question. I was like that when i was younger. I DDed 2 different s2000 for 6 years. I didnt care about the lack of tech or comfort or space for that matter.

But if i wanted a more balanced DD, then i probably would go with M340i.

For me personally, i had 3 F3X cars in 9 years. I am so sick and tired of that interior. M4 or not, i never wanna live with that interior again.

Same. I had 3 too. That interior is so blah to me anymore. I was driving the M4 GTS in forza 5, and thought to myself: Blah.

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by jp0319

Yeah it's that "allure" that I'm struggling with (that and a severe lack of patience) I've wanted an M3/4 since I was a kid… I know that the M340 with all the options will be better in the long term and still fun but it's hard to shake the pull of the full strength M car.

My buddy has the F80 M3 CS and while it's a proper beast of a car, most of the time you're just cruising around and the G20 is gunna be nicer to do that with while still being able to rip through the twisties and entry/exit ramps. Don't think I would take it over my incoming m340i for the same price but I'd definitely have to think about it lol, wouldn't take a regular Fxx M3/M4 over it though. The new G20 interior/tech/chassis is no joke and the regular M's don't have that nice adaptive suspension the CS does

[jmg]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

My buddy has the F80 M3 CS and while it's a proper beast of a car, most of the time you're just cruising around and the G20 is gunna be nicer to do that with while still being able to rip through the twisties and entry/exit ramps. Don't think I would take it over my incoming m340i for the same price but I'd definitely have to think about it lol, wouldn't take a regular Fxx M3/M4 over it though. The new G20 interior/tech/chassis is no joke and the regular M's don't have that nice adaptive suspension the CS does

M adaptive suspension was an available option in all F8X's, not just the M3 CS. What the M3 CS had was a new engine tune and MDM program. I had a M3 CS for 3 years and a base F80 before that. As far as chassis, the G20 is an improvement, but because of the 200lb weight difference between the F80 M3 CS, the increased power and torque, the M3 CS is still going to outperform the M340i in almost every way.

Cost: the F80 M3 CS is going to retain more of its value overall than an M340i. It's limited, it's an M car, and it's a CS. So while they might be the same price now, the M340i still has to depreciate (current instance market notwithstanding), and the F80 already has for the most part.

I too have lived in the previous generation interior through 2 F30's and 2 F80's. It's a nice interior that has aged very well, but it's time to move on. The new G interior, while not perfect, is a nice update. I like it a lot. However, a clean F80 interior is far from being boring or "old". It's aged much much better than the E90 interior imho.

The M340i has an updated interior, and the seats are softer, but I find the M3 CS buckets very comfortable even after a hour plus drive. The leather in the F80 is Merino, a full grain leather. It's more supple and higher quality leather than the M340i's Vernasca, which is a lower grade leather with artificial texture stamped on the surface. Vernasca isn't as nice and can crease and fold easier, but it's lower maintenance and is durable. However, it's more susceptible to dye transfer from your clothes.

Having driven both the M340i and my old F80 M3 CS back to back on the street and on a track, I'd choose the F80 M3 CS. It's just way more special, more of a driver's car, and a full on M car.

If performance isn't as important to you, the newer, updated interior is appealing, and you aren't going to track, the M340i is a good choice and it's probably one of the better sedans in its class. It's still stupid quick and it has a few more features.

Here's a pic of my M3 CS interior and G82 M4 interior, the G series is updated, but the F80 holds its own, and is only outdated by familiarity:

[iifymbro]

yeah it comes down to what you're going to be doing with the car, I'd venture a guess that somewhere north of 95% of BMW owners never go to a track with their car, or go once or twice just to see how it is. Personally I'd rather go to the track with an actual race car or a rotax/shifter kart, they make even the M3 CS feel like a numb gripless lead-lined boat.


I've been in a golf R for the last 7 years that wasn't fully loaded to begin with so the updated technology like parking assist/driving assist pro/digital dash, even the power trunk(needing a full hand and arm open to raise the hatch while carrying boxes/bags has gotten really old) is something I'm looking for. I keep my cars a long time so starting on a 4-5 year old M car isn't as appealing, if OP jumps in/out of cars on a yearly basis it makes more sense to scratch the M car itch.

[jp0319]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

yeah it comes down to what you're going to be doing with the car, I'd venture a guess that somewhere north of 95% of BMW owners never go to a track with their car, or go once or twice just to see how it is. Personally I'd rather go to the track with an actual race car or a rotax/shifter kart, they make even the M3 CS feel like a numb gripless lead-lined boat.


I've been in a golf R for the last 7 years that wasn't fully loaded to begin with so the updated technology like parking assist/driving assist pro/digital dash, even the power trunk(needing a full hand and arm open to raise the hatch while carrying boxes/bags has gotten really old) is something I'm looking for. I keep my cars a long time so starting on a 4-5 year old M car isn't as appealing, if OP jumps in/out of cars on a yearly basis it makes more sense to scratch the M car itch.

You bring up some good points, I have had MK7 and MK6 Golf Rs and MK6 GTI all fairly well modded. I took a break from fun and sporty with my current daily F-150. I've cross shopped pretty much everything on par with the M340 and settled on it due to the amenities, tech, and sportiness, some of that I'd loose out going to the M4 Comp. Either car would be my daily so I guess given what everyone is saying, I'd be far better off with the M340.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by iifymbro

yeah it comes down to what you're going to be doing with the car, I'd venture a guess that somewhere north of 95% of BMW owners never go to a track with their car, or go once or twice just to see how it is. Personally I'd rather go to the track with an actual race car or a rotax/shifter kart, they make even the M3 CS feel like a numb gripless lead-lined boat.


I've been in a golf R for the last 7 years that wasn't fully loaded to begin with so the updated technology like parking assist/driving assist pro/digital dash, even the power trunk(needing a full hand and arm open to raise the hatch while carrying boxes/bags has gotten really old) is something I'm looking for. I keep my cars a long time so starting on a 4-5 year old M car isn't as appealing, if OP jumps in/out of cars on a yearly basis it makes more sense to scratch the M car itch.

How do you like your Golf R? I'm considering a used one as a DD. Any issues after 7 years? Things to look out for?

Re: tracking an M3 CS. I'm more of an "arrive and drive" guy. A full on track car that needs to be trailered up, unloaded, prepped etc certainly has it's advantages when going for the fastest lap at the HPDE World Championships! However, there is something to be said about a car that, with just a brake fluid flush, can hang with 911's, but you can still drive home in comfort and maybe swing by Costco for at 50 pack of toilet paper and Hot Dogs.

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by jp0319

Yeah it's that "allure" that I'm struggling with (that and a severe lack of patience) I've wanted an M3/4 since I was a kid… I know that the M340 with all the options will be better in the long term and still fun but it's hard to shake the pull of the full strength M car.

Then suck it up and get a G8X M3/M4.

[bese60]

I had the same dilema prior.... biggest factor was warranty on a F80 comp and the maintenance on a used M car.

The M340i while its not perfect is an amazing car.... Hope to get into a G80 M3 in the next few years

[jp0319]

Originally Posted by bese60

Hope to get into a G80 M3 in the next few years

That would be my other option, don't buy the M340, keep my truck for a a while longer and get a G80 M3 Competition xDrive in a few years. That way I'd have the M3 but could drive it year round with the AWD and some winter tires.

That is probably the best of both worlds plan.

[ssgm1x]

Originally Posted by jp0319

So, I have a 22 M340 xDrive on order but my lack of patience means I am constantly looking at BMW dealers within +/- 200 miles to see if anything is available that interests me. A dealer in the state has a 2019 M4 Competition on the lot with less than 9000 miles! I can't get that car out of my head.

The used price of the M4 is almost exactly the new price of the M340 so price is a wash. The M340 is more more practical and AWD so for winter it would be better but.... I keep thinking "with some 18" wheels and snow tires the M4 would be fine"...

Ugh

What would you Guys/Gals do?

Get the M340 or a G80 M3.
The f80 M3 will feel Old and dated AF compared to it. I just went through this myself…

[bese60]

Originally Posted by jp0319

That would be my other option, don't buy the M340, keep my truck for a a while longer and get a G80 M3 Competition xDrive in a few years. That way I'd have the M3 but could drive it year round with the AWD and some winter tires.

That is probably the best of both worlds plan.

The thing killing me is a nicely spec'd out G80 comp xdrive will run almost 90k.... I was gonna say fuck it and just get a base manual. (73k with basic options)

The manual has the same 0-60 as M340xi but again different car... this will be a car for joy and its not like I draggy it now to see 60 times. That will be median for me. Pray things get back to normal as back a few years a base M3 would have been like 700 a month vs the 1k+ being quoted now.

[wdc330i]

I have a hard time willingly accepting far worse gas mileage out of the full-fledged Ms. it just feels like insult to injury in not electing it to buy an EV.

In moving from my 2 series to the 2022 440 GC, my mileage is actually improved. And I still understand this is a waystation to the future.

[Gdubz]

Originally Posted by jmg

Here's a pic of my M3 CS interior and G82 M4 interior, the G series is updated, but the F80 holds its own, and is only outdated by familiarity:

Maybe a little off-topic but curious… what cell phone holder is in those pics and would you recommend? (Assuming you like it if it was in both of your cars)

[TruthOne]

Other than the battery , tires and brakes what is more expensive maintenance wise on an M car? From what I've seen oil changes etc seem about the same

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by jp0319

So, I have a 22 M340 xDrive on order but my lack of patience means I am constantly looking at BMW dealers within +/- 200 miles to see if anything is available that interests me. A dealer in the state has a 2019 M4 Competition on the lot with less than 9000 miles! I can't get that car out of my head.

The used price of the M4 is almost exactly the new price of the M340 so price is a wash. The M340 is more more practical and AWD so for winter it would be better but.... I keep thinking "with some 18" wheels and snow tires the M4 would be fine"...

Ugh

What would you Guys/Gals do?

you should experience M … life is short … that motorport drivetrain and is much lighter than new G gen cars … these cars can be driven in winter with snows no problem. you won't lose much as they will keep their value … it's the last M3 on rwd platform

340 you can buy down the road when you need sofa