Why are 340i so expensive?

[sunnyb13]

Having a look through autotrader and it appears the bmw 340i s are commanding serious money, not dissimilar to m4 money.
Seems to be a much higher price than a comparable 320i or m140i. Any ideas why?

[clockworks]

My guess:

Much better engine than a 320i
Much quicker than a 320i
Much better image than an M140i

90% of a proper M car, but much cheaper to run?

[Belle427]

That's what I took from it when looking at them.
Could not justify the price personally.

[MitchT]

I'm on the hunt for a decent 440i, which won't be cheap, and I've noticed that 340is are even more, especially Tourings.

[iphonedyou]

clockworks said:

My guess:

Much better engine than a 320i
Much quicker than a 320i
Much better image than an M140i

90% of a proper M car, but much cheaper to run?

Pretty much all of this.

(Totally worth it. Do it!)

[Jamescrs]

For someone looking for an all round daily driver for under say 30k they are pretty much unbeatable.

Much more practical than a 140i, especially for someone who maybe has a kid or two.

Far better engine than a 320i.

[toon10]

It's subjective. I down graded to a 340i shadow edition because it does 95% of what I need and want from a daily driver but I thought it was relatively cheap for what you get and I wanted to get rid of monthly car payments so bought mine outright. Quite liberating driving an older, well 2018, car and not have it cost me anything other than petrol, tax, maintenance and insurance.

I had a new M135i LCi and the 3 series is a lot more resolved, has a nicer interior and is a step up. Both fast and fun but the 3 series should be a bit more than the 1. My old 540i xDrive was a big step up from both the 1 and the 3 and they rightfully cost more for similar age and mileage.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Back in the early 90’s used E30 325i’s (this being the largest engine variant) were expensive due to their quality, all round brilliance and desirability.

It’s a similar thing with the 340. Great cars.

[Terry Winks]

When I see a 2016-2019 340i Touring too I think its almost peak daily car, looks good, doesn't have the latest tech nonsense

[Speed 3]

Terry Winks said:

When I see a 2016-2019 340i Touring too I think its almost peak daily car, looks good, doesn't have the latest tech nonsense

We have a late 2019 M340i Touring (before they put the light hybrid on) and I'd agree. Later interior is jut gash and no-one needs the performance of an M3 when you get 400hp out of the stock lump with 99 octane. Not sure what the jump was in power & price was from 340i to M340i.

[Wills2]

clockworks said:

My guess:

Much better engine than a 320i
Much quicker than a 320i
Much better image than an M140i

90% of a proper M car, but much cheaper to run?

The 340i is a 320i with an extra litre of engine capacity, it shares the same with an M3 as the 320i does (very little), it isn't 90% of the M3 at all.

[Mr Tidy]

I think it's because the 340i was the first model in the range that didn't have a 4 cylinder engine - I know that is what I'd want.

I have an earlier E90 as my daily and got a 330i for the same reason, and BMW 4 cylinder engines do seem to have some issues.

For what is still mostly a daily driver an M3 would just be overkill for many. I've got my Z4M for when I need an M fix.

[sunnyb13]

They’ve absolutely shot up through the roof again. Very strange

[Chamon_Lee]

Belle427 said:

That's what I took from it when looking at them.
Could not justify the price personally.

Same for myself. Much rather buy something else

[SP_]

Mr Tidy said:

I think it's because the 340i was the first model in the range that didn't have a 4 cylinder engine - I know that is what I'd want.

I have an earlier E90 as my daily and got a 330i for the same reason, and BMW 4 cylinder engines do seem to have some issues.

For what is still mostly a daily driver an M3 would just be overkill for many. I've got my Z4M for when I need an M fix.

330d?

[CG2020UK]

Wills2 said:

The 340i is a 320i with an extra litre of engine capacity, it shares the same with an M3 as the 320i does (very little), it isn't 90% of the M3 at all.

+1

People thinking it’s 90% is what keeps the prices high but.

Peak daily driver is long gone since EVs. A Tesla Model 3 is faster, cheaper (to buy and run), handles better and is more practical in saloon vs saloon.

[SP_]

CG2020UK said:

Wills2 said:

The 340i is a 320i with an extra litre of engine capacity, it shares the same with an M3 as the 320i does (very little), it isn't 90% of the M3 at all.

+1

People thinking it s 90% is what keeps the prices high but.

Peak daily driver is long gone since EVs. A Tesla Model 3 is faster, cheaper (to buy and run), handles better and is more practical in saloon vs saloon.

Definitely does not handle better. The rest I guess is granted

[CG2020UK]

SP_ said:

Definitely does not handle better. The rest I guess is granted

Tesla just has higher levels of grip due to a lower centre of gravity and not having an engine hanging over the front. Can also adjust dynamics further in track mode in a way you just can’t with the M340i.

Steering feedback on the Tesla is non-existent which probably makes you think otherwise.

[Rob 131 Sport]

CG2020UK said:

Wills2 said:

The 340i is a 320i with an extra litre of engine capacity, it shares the same with an M3 as the 320i does (very little), it isn't 90% of the M3 at all.

+1

People thinking it s 90% is what keeps the prices high but.

Peak daily driver is long gone since EVs. A Tesla Model 3 is faster, cheaper (to buy and run), handles better and is more practical in saloon vs saloon.

There is no point anyone else entering the prize for the 2025 most ridiculous statement as this has it won.

Tesla Model 3 vs a 440. Please. And yes I have driven both extensively.

[1Rb]

I have an f30 330i, wonder if the same applies? Difficult to gauge as it's quite rare/not many for sale.