[M-Powered702]

I went out and tried the m340i RWD since the xDrive seem to be very scarce these days. I have to say I am very impressed with everything about this car! This particular one had the M Performance Exhaust on it and the instant that car turned on, I was blown away! It really showed me that even though I love the 6MT, BMWs 8AT is impressive. I for sure know that even if I hit my shift points properly, I won't be able to keep up with someone in an AT. Now the biggest question is to get the RWD since it is readily available compared to the xDrive?

[pabrognara]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

My M340i is AWD.

2 main issues with the S55 is the lacklustre exhaust note and the crank hub floor

Just got mine m340i last friday and couldnt be more happy. This car is trully perfect and can drive perfectly in any drive mode. Compared to 330i It is a true sporty and not just comfort. I cant understand why those guys from throttle house would prefer 330i over It.

Bottom line: this combo b58 with "renewed" zt8 really matched well!! U get instant torque in very low rpms and awd never felt so rear biased in this car. You are all the time pushed back. Amazing!!

[scoale]

Originally Posted by clee1982

If M340 is available with all the 5 series option (comfort seat) then I can see a lot 5 series buyer go for this...

Agree. I would definitely cross shop the 5 and 3. Have a 2018 540 Msport and an F80 M3. The interior on the 540 makes my M3 feel like an Avis rental. I find the 540 Msport decently sporty "around town" and on the freeway. Does it inspire me to go find an empty parking lot and do donuts....no. Does it inspire me to take it to the track...no. But it is light on its feet (weighs < than new M340!), has a great powertrain, and strikes a solid handling/ride comfort balance.

I would not, on the other hand, cross shop the M3 and M340x...unless BMW has worked some serious chassis magic on the nearly 4k lb M340x. I think the M340x has plenty of power, but it has reached previous 5 series dimensions by any measure.

For me, the M340 is not as dynamic as an M3, and not as refined as a 540, but may strike a great balance. Look forward to test driving one.

[EXE46]

Don't forget there are RWD M340i's available that weigh 200lbs less than the Xi..

[scoale]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Don't forget there are RWD M340i's available that weigh 200lbs less than the Xi..

Yep. Definitely would like to test both. Previously, I would not have needed, or considered, AWD, but the systems have come a long way and, obviously, do a great job of putting the power down. I bias towards RWD, but want to check-out both. Unfortunately, my local dealership is filled with 330s and SAVs....not a single M340.

[jlapicki]

RWD is the way to go.....have had rwd BMWs for 30 years here in Maryland with 2 feet of snow annually.....just put a set of snow tires on.....

[Paul Moran]

Originally Posted by eforty6_m3

Makes me that much more excited for mine to arrive.

You took the words right out of my mouth!!! Roll on December

[Paul Moran]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

How do you know? Whenever I see your posts, I'm reminded of my E39 M5 test drive (It was in amazing condition with 40K miles on) because I guess you were saying that was the best or something somewhere. That was the moment I decided that all these old BMW crowd is completely disconnected from reality because of the nostalgia effect. It's the same as calling Flash Gordon better than Inception. That M5 was actually impressively smooth for its time. But it had more body body roll than a modern 530i, it didn't have much low end torque, it was too quiet, and steering was too light. It was close to a modern 540i without M Sport package. So funny how people are convinced those cars were the best... Anyway, I digress...

If you conduct an A/B test with a group of people between M340i and F80, I'm 100% sure overwhelming majority would pick M340i.
It's the better car in most objective and most needed measures, until G82 comes along.

I just wish they could repeat the beautiful engine sound of my late 90’s 523i 2.5. Maybe it’s something to do with the turbo as the 523i was normally aspirated. I put twin axle back pipes on it and it had a deep hum at idle and screamed that six cylinder scream under load. I very rarely used the hifi system as that engine was music to my ears

[Paul Moran]

I just wish they could repeat the beautiful engine sound of my late 90’s 523i 2.5 Maybe it’s something to do with the turbo as the 523i was normally aspirated. I put twin axle back pipes on it and it had a deep hum at idle and screamed that six cylinder scream under load. I very rarely used the hifi system as that engine was music to my ears

[Paul Moran]

Just thought I’d throw in my Renault Clio Williams, one of only 400 built. I should have kept that 2.0 pocket rocket, it would be worth a few Bob now 😩

[Paul Moran]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

I hate to beat a dead horse here but...i'm okay with EPS. I'm even okay with the steering having no "feel". Even Porsche's EPS systems can't replicate "feel" through EPS.

What perplexes me is BMW's piss poor EPS tuning...seems like consensus here is that everyone either finds it "fine" or "acceptable" which should really tell you a lot....Plus, the M340i dominates in so many other ways so many people will give the EPS rack a complete pass.

I just can't accept that a 50k 3 series(once a pinnacle, eg. truly the ultimate driving machine) has a steering that's not as finely tuned as a accord/civic sport, base VW golf, Kia Forte GT, Mazda 3, heck even the Ford mustang, etc. etc. It's astounding.

And again, this has nothing to do with feel. It needs to be quicker(obv), more natural and linear(too many dead spots), more consistent- it's direct and precise *sometimes* but other times it's dull and imbalanced

And most importantly- when i do this I would at least like the wheels to move or even react.

Could the numb steering feel be rectified by a software update or is there some mechanics involved