330d or M340d?

[daveknott5]

So, anyone got experience of both? I'm looking at these 2 cars as my potential "do it all" family car - 2020 reg - on average there seems to be a ~£7-8k premium on the 340d over the 330d. Of course the 340d has more power and torque, but in everyday driving do you really need more than the 330d? Are there any other dynamic differentiators for the M340d over the 330d?

[numtumfutunch]

To be honest you dont need anything more than a 320d, or 316i if they still did one

Having said that Im very happily driving a 530d and had a 335d a few years ago. Both are just that little bit nicer for having 6 cylinders and real world economy is excellent

I suspect the BMW website is your best bet for spec comparisons
Are they both xDrive?

The 335d was AWD and awful on Bridgestone runflats in snow/slush
530d is RWD and utterly planted on a set of Dunlop winters

Cheers

[Magnum 475]

I went through a similar decision with 330i vs 340i.

I've ended up with the 330i. Yes, the 340i is faster and sounds better. But for the amount of time when you can use the extra power on the public roads I didn't think it was worth the additional cost to buy and run. I also considered going 'all in', and selling my Boxster as well as my old daily, then buying an M4 as both 'daily' and 'fun' car combined - again, not worth the additional operating costs IMO.

Edited by Magnum 475 on Tuesday 23 November 16:17

[sortedcossie]

the 340d may come with more spec as standard that are options on the 330d.

[daveknott5]

You're right - I probably don't need anything more than the 330d in the real world. More power and acceleration is generally always welcome though! Trouble is - the M340d is a hefty chunk more than a 330d though - and I'm not sure you get a different differential/sporting edge on the chassis.... the main spec difference seems to be a slightly different body kit (e.g., exhaust trims) + ~100Bhp more than the 330d and more torque....

[dasbimmerowner]

daveknott5 said:

You're right - I probably don't need anything more than the 330d in the real world. More power and acceleration is generally always welcome though! Trouble is - the M340d is a hefty chunk more than a 330d though - and I'm not sure you get a different differential/sporting edge on the chassis.... the main spec difference seems to be a slightly different body kit (e.g., exhaust trims) + ~100Bhp more than the 330d and more torque....

I thought the M-lite cars got a different differential and suspension setup? I wouldn't swear to it mind you!

[Pica-Pica]

These are the torque and horsepower curves compared: the thing to notice is the torque differences at 1250 rpm, that is where the 340d will be sitting in normal mode. At that point it matches the 330d max torque. That is effect of the twin turbos, and not to be discounted at all. In the real world that will be a very noticeable difference.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Thursday 25th November 17:30

[smashy]

FWIW for the last 7 years I have driven an F30 30d for the last 2 months an F30 335d

I am amazed at the difference re the engine ,it is a completely different beast.If I had to go back to a 30d I would feel seriously shortchanged. I do realise your 2 engines are at next generation but probably as different in their own right.

[Wills2]

Pica-Pica said:

These are the torque and horsepower curves compared: the thing to notice is the torque differences at 1250 rpm, that is where the 340d will be sitting in normal mode. At that point it matches the 330d max torque. That is effect of the twin turbos, and not to be discounted at all. In the real world that will be a very noticeable difference.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Thursday 25th November 17:30

The graph is misleading the current G30 330d has 650nm not the 575nm shown there vs the 700nm of the M340d, the 40d will be quicker of course it has another 54hp 340 vs 286) but given the 330d xdrive does 62 in 5 seconds vs 4.6 of the 40d, the 330d has more than enough, unless you absolutely have to have the fastest most tricked up one (which is a perfectly good reason)

pwr/weight it's 179 vs 155 and they both get another 11hp from the MHT system if you plant your right foot.

[Pica-Pica]

Wills2 said:

Pica-Pica said:

These are the torque and horsepower curves compared: the thing to notice is the torque differences at 1250 rpm, that is where the 340d will be sitting in normal mode. At that point it matches the 330d max torque. That is effect of the twin turbos, and not to be discounted at all. In the real world that will be a very noticeable difference.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Thursday 25th November 17:30

The graph is misleading the current G30 330d has 650nm not the 575nm shown there vs the 700nm of the M340d, the 40d will be quicker of course it has another 54hp 340 vs 286) but given the 330d xdrive does 62 in 5 seconds vs 4.6 of the 40d, the 330d has more than enough, unless you absolutely have to have the fastest most tricked up one (which is a perfectly good reason)

pwr/weight it's 179 vs 155 and they both get another 11hp from the MHT system if you plant your right foot.

You can select the vehicles you wish to compare from that site, so do visit it and compare with what you think. Come back and show the graphs you get. The difference is more about comparing torques at low revs, that will be the telling difference.

[Alextodrive]

smashy said:

FWIW for the last 7 years I have driven an F30 30d for the last 2 months an F30 335d

I am amazed at the difference re the engine ,it is a completely different beast.If I had to go back to a 30d I would feel seriously shortchanged. I do realise your 2 engines are at next generation but probably as different in their own right.

I had a 2015 - 435D for a year, and swapped to a 2015 - 330D which I've now for a year and a half.

The 35D felt like it was waiting for the accelerator pedal to be pushed and it never felt like it wanted to just cruise.

The 30D feels comfortable and smooth and happy to plod along, with an equally smooth pull of acceleration when you plant your foot

Frankly I've found the 50hp difference barely noticeable. I just went in a new M135I the other day, and that too, didnt feel like all that much faster. Very marginal.

When you talk about it being a different beast, fair enough if thats your experience. But I've found it feel like the exact same engine it is with only a fraction more power.

I'd like to try an M340D next for sure though. I'd hope the 120hp difference is a touch more noticeable but if the graph above is anything to go by, maybe not!

[smashy]

Alextodrive said:

smashy said:

FWIW for the last 7 years I have driven an F30 30d for the last 2 months an F30 335d

I am amazed at the difference re the engine ,it is a completely different beast.If I had to go back to a 30d I would feel seriously shortchanged. I do realise your 2 engines are at next generation but probably as different in their own right.

I had a 2015 - 435D for a year, and swapped to a 2015 - 330D which I've now for a year and a half.

The 35D felt like it was waiting for the accelerator pedal to be pushed and it never felt like it wanted to just cruise.

The 30D feels comfortable and smooth and happy to plod along, with an equally smooth pull of acceleration when you plant your foot

Frankly I've found the 50hp difference barely noticeable. I just went in a new M135I the other day, and that too, didnt feel like all that much faster. Very marginal.

When you talk about it being a different beast, fair enough if thats your experience. But I've found it feel like the exact same engine it is with only a fraction more power.

I'd like to try an M340D next for sure though. I'd hope the 120hp difference is a touch more noticeable but if the graph above is anything to go by, maybe not!

Interesting ,thing is my experience does mirror other comments on the forum that the 330d was all about the whoosh after the turbo kicked in whereas the 335d is just linear power it feels so much stronger a far more powerful engine is how it feels to me to be fair

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had an E90 330d and a F13 640d, and I preferred the 640d and the extra turbo over the 330d. The 640d felt less laggy to me, and I really liked how it felt strong at both low and high revs.

Overall I do rate both engines highly though to be fair.

[Alextodrive]

smashy said:

Interesting ,thing is my experience does mirror other comments on the forum that the 330d was all about the whoosh after the turbo kicked in whereas the 335d is just linear power it feels so much stronger a far more powerful engine is how it feels to me to be fair

I think we're on roughly the same page. Drive the 30D engine harder, and it feels 90% of the 35D. Its really minimal.

Dont drive the 30D hard, you dont feel like it has the power and it cruises. Whereas the 35D, I didnt find cruises that well and has that constant desire to be throttled (the linear power you're talking of, which I completely agree about)

I LOVE my BMW's. But when we talk about different beasts, I had a litre sports bike alongside my 435D. That was a night and day different kind of acceleration. The 30D to 35D - 50hp difference, just hasnt bothered me. And a re-map on a 330D would bring the engine up to 310hp anyway if it ever did.

Anyway. I digress. The OP is about an M340D. Which I'm not offering much towards and am interested to hear more about as I have been ummm'ing and arrrr'ing over a move to an M340D or cheating on BMW and going full V8 C63.

Edited by Alextodrive on Thursday 25th November 23:31

[smashy]

Alextodrive said:

I think we're on roughly the same page. Drive the 30D engine harder, and it feels 90% of the 35D. Its really minimal.

Dont drive the 30D hard, you dont feel like it has the power and it cruises. Whereas the 35D, I didnt find cruises that well and has that constant desire to be throttled (the linear power you're talking of, which I completely agree about)

I LOVE my BMW's. But when we talk about different beasts, I had a litre sports bike alongside my 435D. That was a night and day different kind of acceleration. The 30D to 35D - 50hp difference, just hasnt bothered me. And a re-map on a 330D would bring the engine up to 310hp anyway if it ever did.

Anyway. I digress. The OP is about an M340D. Which I'm not offering much towards and am interested to hear more about as I have been ummm'ing and arrrr'ing over a move to an M340D or cheating on BMW and going full V8 C63.

Edited by Alextodrive on Thursday 25th November 23:31

ooh C63 luverleee I parked in a park car park a few years ago admired a C63 with the driver sitting in it he was a mechanic taking it out I had him flip the accelerator dear me fantastic noise I asked him to look at the OBC and it was showing gulp 13mpg.

Which brings me to my 335d I do 400 miles a week a mid lane M4 jaunt and back 3 weeks ago showed 58mpg just another reason I love BMW powerful Dervs.

[Pica-Pica]

smashy said:

ooh C63 luverleee I parked in a park car park a few years ago admired a C63 with the driver sitting in it he was a mechanic taking it out I had him flip the accelerator dear me fantastic noise I asked him to look at the OBC and it was showing gulp 13mpg.

Which brings me to my 335d I do 400 miles a week a mid lane M4 jaunt and back 3 weeks ago showed 58mpg just another reason I love BMW powerful Dervs.

Yes. During the fuel ‘shortage’, I wanted to guarantee I could do a trip from North Wales to Essex and back on a tankful in my 335d. Fuel was OK in North Wales, so I topped before I got into England, and sat on cruise at 58mph in the HGV lane. That speed just keeps you in 8th gear at around 1300rpm, probably the sweet spot for adequate progress and good fuel consumption. I was nudging 60 mpg. I got over 620 miles in that tankful.
The extra small turbo does make for smooth and rapid pick up from minimum revs.

[martyuk]

Pica-Pica said:

Yes. During the fuel ‘shortage’, I wanted to guarantee I could do a trip from North Wales to Essex and back on a tankful in my 335d. Fuel was OK in North Wales, so I topped before I got into England, and sat on cruise at 58mph in the HGV lane. That speed just keeps you in 8th gear at around 1300rpm, probably the sweet spot for adequate progress and good fuel consumption. I was nudging 60 mpg. I got over 620 miles in that tankful.
The extra small turbo does make for smooth and rapid pick up from minimum revs.

Think your over estimating, car computer might say that but if you have the 52 litre tank then at best that's only 55mpg real world.

[smashy]

martyuk said:

Think your over estimating, car computer might say that but if you have the 52 litre tank then at best that's only 55mpg real world.

Only 55mpg ......geez that is useless a 309bhp 464 lb of torque engine only making 55mpg on long journeys BMW are taking the mick ,im thinking of taking my one back

[RUSSELLM]

55L tank.

Hope so anyway. I got 53.4L in mine last weekend.

I haven’t the patience for hypermiling , but I’ve had 552 miles out of a tank, sat mostly, at an indicated 80 mph. 47mpg (335D)

The M340D appears to have some extra power, but also weight.

[martyuk]

smashy said:

Only 55mpg ......geez that is useless a 309bhp 464 lb of torque engine only making 55mpg on long journeys BMW are taking the mick ,im thinking of taking my one back

The power figures are nothing to do with the discussion, we could all make up figures. My post was about accuracy of information, relevant to the OP.

Calm down ...