[2011ninja]

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 nostalgia BMW people are 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 any 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.

If you don't understand or feel the difference between an M340 and an M3 you should definitely get the M340.

I have a biddy who says his Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Limited is as appealing as his prior V8 twin turbo X5.

I believe him...

He's the same person that says Fridays makes a steak as good as Peter Luger.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 10"

This.

The F30 was supposed to be excellent—-but it was literally the worst BMW I've ever driven.

Harsh crowd. Haha!

I didn't mind my F30 in stock form. Once I did the Bilstein shock upgrade (...see my old thread here: H&R Sport + Bilstein B8 Mini Review https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=916893), I really liked the way it handled. Then I moved to my first of two F82's and never looked back.

[clee1982]

How is the reverse rpm thing that big of a deal, I assume you get used to it pretty quick

[123sub]

I guess the M340 will "steal" many customers that originally was planning to buy a G80.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 123sub

I guess the M340 will "steal" many customers that originally was planning to buy a G80.

Maybe those who don't like the grille. Aside from that segment of potential buyers, I think those seeking a G8X are still dedicated to that car. I don't know that an M340 is a viable alternative for the G8X monster.

[123sub]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Maybe those who don't like the grille. Aside from that segment of potential buyers, I think those seeking a G8X are still dedicated to that car. I don't know that an M340 is a viable alternative for the G8X monster.

And some of those will maybe holding on to, or seeking for mint F80? The answer is in the future, but corona will also have an impact on sale on all cars...

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 123sub

And some of those will maybe holding on to, or seeking for mint F80? The answer is in the future, but corona will also have an impact on sale on all cars...

I have a mint Individual F82 that I'll be looking to unload.

[123sub]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I have a mint Individual F82 that I'll be looking to unload.

I love the design of the F82. Imo the E46 and the F82 are the best looking 3/4-series there is. In my dreamworld, i have an F82 with the S65 engine with hydraulic steering. The F80/82 was one generation "to late"...

[Ikester19]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Not trolling, that's just a very lofty statement to make regarding the M340. Good car, but you make it sound like it will be one of the all time great BMWs up there with the likes of the E46, E92, E39.

We can agree to disagree, this is all subjective after all. But I doubt many enthusiasts would pick an M340 over the F82 M4.

Choosing an M340i over a F80/F82 doesn't necessarily mean one is not an 'enthusiast'. They are both great cars in their own ways.

Comes down to personal preference but the reality is the M340i is the better all round car which I'd choose over the F80 everyday of the week.

If I wanted an M car I'd go M2, E9x M3 or E46 M3. For me beside looks the F80 missed the mark.

[mcjohnsonsg]

Originally Posted by clee1982

How is the reverse rpm thing that big of a deal, I assume you get used to it pretty quick

I have never found it to be an issue...got used to it immediately and find it just as easy to use as a regular tach, but I know I am in the minority on that.

[M3EATERS]

Reading the bible takes lesser time than this. Seriously.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

Choosing an M340i over a F80/F82 doesn't necessarily mean one is not an 'enthusiast'. They are both great cars in their own ways.

Comes down to personal preference but the reality is the M340i is the better all round car which I'd choose over the F80 everyday of the week.

If I wanted an M car I'd go M2, E9x M3 or E46 M3. For me beside looks the F80 missed the mark.

In the 3 series

If you want an all around car the M340 is the way to go!

[Don_MPoor]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Not trolling, that's just a very lofty statement to make regarding the M340. Good car, but you make it sound like it will be one of the all time great BMWs up there with the likes of the E46, E92, E39.

We can agree to disagree, this is all subjective after all. But I doubt many enthusiasts would pick an M340 over the F82 M4.

Not trolling. But it makes me laugh seeing posts that M340i is better than F82 M4. It's like comparing a Toyota Camry vs Supra.

M340 is a good looking car and M4 is M4, period.

[-EndOfAnEra-]

I am one of those who feels that the M340i is destined for greatness. It won't be worth more than a 1M, that's not it's point. This is the final truly accessible (especially after the first lease round!) BMW driver's sedan. I doubt highly the H series of cars will ever hit this combo of performance and price again.

Democratization of sport, power and feel was what first led me to BMW, and with the rise of the SUV, the demise of the ICE, and the onset of too many distractions such as the future elimination of the iDrive controller, it will be hard to do this again.

Sure, there is the M3 which wins on power and performance, but fails on price and the G80 to me is failing on looks. It doesn't pass my look-behind test after parking.

The M2 almost won, but I need 4 doors. And when factoring in the incredible crash test and safety results of the G20 and the improved tech, it won over the F80 M3.

And lastly, as has seemingly been proven, this is the final act of the classic BMW design language in this class. Horizontal grilles, Hofmeister kink, body line by the door handles, L shaped tails, four headlights. That alone is telling me I'll be keeping this car a long long time!

Of course, I hope I'm wrong but I don't personally see it.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

Choosing an M340i over a F80/F82 doesn't necessarily mean one is not an 'enthusiast'. They are both great cars in their own ways.

Comes down to personal preference but the reality is the M340i is the better all round car which I'd choose over the F80 everyday of the week.

If I wanted an M car I'd go M2, E9x M3 or E46 M3. For me beside looks the F80 missed the mark.

Agreed. But just to clarify, I never said one is not an enthusiast for choosing the M340, I said most enthusiasts would opt for the M car.

[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...

[xcusem3]

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...

Because the 3 series is now a massive, heavy car and people that owned previous generation 5er's will be able to relate to the size and weight?

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

He's the same person that says Fridays makes a steak as good as Peter Luger.

man that was brutal...

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

man that was brutal...

🤣

He was parked next to me one day and we were having a drink. He turns to me and says I don't miss my X5. I love my Sonata; in fact I think it holds its own in looks next to your M3...

You know what; in his defense he was drinking...

I said I agree... did not want to ruin the drink I was enjoying 🤨

[Kankles]

Yup, you know you've been around too long when it seems like yesterday the "F30 335i is way better than the outgoing E92 M3" posts were raging. Faster to 60 and blah blah black sheep.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by Ikester19

Choosing an M340i over a F80/F82 doesn't necessarily mean one is not an 'enthusiast'. They are both great cars in their own ways.

Comes down to personal preference but the reality is the M340i is the better all round car which I'd choose over the F80 everyday of the week.

If I wanted an M car I'd go M2, E9x M3 or E46 M3. For me beside looks the F80 missed the mark.

Everyone's priorities and preferences are different so as you said M340i might be a better car overall compared to M4. However, when you say "M340i is the best driving BMW" then you are naturally going to get the kind of feedback that we have seen so far in this thread.

I currently don't own any BMW but owned F30 328i, M4C, and M2C in the past couple years. Also, drove OG M2, base F90 M5, M340i, and X3M Comp for over a day each. The best driving BMW for me has been OG M2 and M2C. I would choose M4C or even F90 M5 and X3M over M340i all day every day. In this group of cars, M340i can only replace the F30 for me. M340i might be more comfortable to drive than some of these car but saying it's the best driving BMW is far from the truth from my point of view.

[buckybadger]

Too much electronics in modern cars...
We need more mechanical feel. That's what the kids mean these days.