[Dirty Tool]

I currently own a 2014 F82 M4 which is my 6th M car and 13th BMW overall, however for a few reasons I require a saloon car going forward and have been considering an early 6 cylinder G20 as I prefer the more traditional dash layout. I did consider an F80 M3 however I used to own one back in 2015 and having also owned a F82 M4 I would prefer something different. I did think about a G8x M3 however I have a twice a week commute to the office which is a 120 mile round trip (using another car for the commute which I will lose access to in the near future).

Just wondered if anyone has done this move before and what their thoughts were especially from a handling and comfort POV. Most of my daily driving is on the bad roads of London and the commute is on the M25 with lots of stop/start traffic and speed cameras. I was impressed to see as standard the M lites had (up until recently) an LSD and adaptive dampers. I did have an "M lite" in an F20 M135i (with adaptive dampers) and I found it a rather disappointing car from a suspension POV so wondered how the G series M lites were, they generally have very good reviews.

[Herr Gross Byte]

I've done the move from two cars (F82 M4 comp and 335d) to one M340i. I'd recommend it with a couple of caveats. The performance on the more modern M lite is comparable in normal use on public roads. It's not 'as quick' but honestly it's 95% and I don't miss it. It is not as raw as the full M. Nor is driving it as much of an event. If you are going on track I can't advise as I don't do that but clearly full M wins there. What's amazing about this generation of M340i is how it will have a good go at everything. You press a button and it's "almost" as good as the F82. You press another button and it's a normal car again. Neat trick but there's another button that makes it coast without the engine on as a mild hybrid. That's some voodoo going on there. If I've got my Misses and elderly mum in the car, eco pro mode takes the power away and makes it easy to drive in a way that doesn't over excite the passengers. Then I've got sport mode for that odd occasion when I want it. It's balanced and adaptable.

I had the budget for the full M but soon realised I didn't need it. Not once have I wished I went full G80 M3 instead. Quite the opposite in fact. For me the M340i is the best all round option.