F31 Touring 340i - Any owners' opinions?
Discussion
Looking at one of these potentially, 2019 340i, 30k miles.
How are these generally? I have a few reservations, mainly regarding size and dynamics. How are they to drive, and are they overkill for daily use with the driver as the sole occupant?
The missus is downsizing to a smaller car (Cooper S 5dr from a GLC) so I'm considering moving to a bigger car for the next few years. I currently have a Golf GTI. I'm not going to upsize to something that's dynamically heavy, or going to feel like a boat, however.
The other options I'm considering are keeping the GTI, or an M2 (obviously much better dynamically than the GTI or the 340i). Either of the BMWs are going to be more expensive than keeping what I have, so I want to get this right.
How are these generally? I have a few reservations, mainly regarding size and dynamics. How are they to drive, and are they overkill for daily use with the driver as the sole occupant?
The missus is downsizing to a smaller car (Cooper S 5dr from a GLC) so I'm considering moving to a bigger car for the next few years. I currently have a Golf GTI. I'm not going to upsize to something that's dynamically heavy, or going to feel like a boat, however.
The other options I'm considering are keeping the GTI, or an M2 (obviously much better dynamically than the GTI or the 340i). Either of the BMWs are going to be more expensive than keeping what I have, so I want to get this right.
I’ve got one as the family wagon. Before that I had an e91 335i touring. Took a while to warm to it, mostly because there isn’t a lot of steering feel.
I also own a Z4M and an e92 M3.
At first it felt like a limo compared to the e91 and other cars, but 10 months and 6k miles later the chassis is actually pretty nice, it’s just diluted in terms of feedback. My plan now is to get some better suspension, an LSD and ditch the run flat tyres.
If you’re coming from a Golf GTI, I’d say the biggest difference will be the transition from FWD to RWD. It’ll also feel bigger (see my earlier limo comment) and the gearbox probably as bit less urgent. An all be fixed with a remap.
Engine wise, the six cylinder is great. Frugal on a run, sounds good under acceleration.
I also own a Z4M and an e92 M3.
At first it felt like a limo compared to the e91 and other cars, but 10 months and 6k miles later the chassis is actually pretty nice, it’s just diluted in terms of feedback. My plan now is to get some better suspension, an LSD and ditch the run flat tyres.
If you’re coming from a Golf GTI, I’d say the biggest difference will be the transition from FWD to RWD. It’ll also feel bigger (see my earlier limo comment) and the gearbox probably as bit less urgent. An all be fixed with a remap.
Engine wise, the six cylinder is great. Frugal on a run, sounds good under acceleration.
I changed from a Skoda Octavia VRS a few years ago to a daily 2016 340i shared between myself and the other half.
Good points:
Engine
Noise
Gearbox
Looks (Subjective but i still think its a lovely looking car)
Interior Quality
Not as in your face even with M sport package (although M sport trim pieces radically change this)
Mine is completely debagged and scum silver, makes for a nice little sleeper if people don’t know what it is
Bad Points:
Boot is a lot smaller than i expected coming from the Skoda
I find when i have the front seat setup for myself there is little room behind (6ft 3)
Small(ish) fuel tank, get around 340 miles to a tank
Harsh ride on the 19's on certain surfaces, also my alloys are all buckled from potholes
Some parts can be pricey
Other points to note:
Finding a good Indy is essential but there's plently around
Good points:
Engine
Noise
Gearbox
Looks (Subjective but i still think its a lovely looking car)
Interior Quality
Not as in your face even with M sport package (although M sport trim pieces radically change this)
Mine is completely debagged and scum silver, makes for a nice little sleeper if people don’t know what it is
Bad Points:
Boot is a lot smaller than i expected coming from the Skoda
I find when i have the front seat setup for myself there is little room behind (6ft 3)
Small(ish) fuel tank, get around 340 miles to a tank
Harsh ride on the 19's on certain surfaces, also my alloys are all buckled from potholes
Some parts can be pricey
Other points to note:
Finding a good Indy is essential but there's plently around
Edited by VRSrob14 on Friday 13th May 19:25
Pretty gum sum up.
Had one from new, great estate. I wouldn't sy it's sporty. It's fast and with decent engine tone but not that exciting, what I means is that it's not made to be nimble and handle great. It's competent but on a motorway cruiser kind of way. I loved mine, great all round car.
Mine game me no problems in the 40k miles I have done on it before selling on. Very reliable and decent mpg for what it is.
Get a good one, change oil more frequently than service indicator says and you will be fine for the long term. I swapped the run flats for MPS4S and it transformed the ride for the better.
Had one from new, great estate. I wouldn't sy it's sporty. It's fast and with decent engine tone but not that exciting, what I means is that it's not made to be nimble and handle great. It's competent but on a motorway cruiser kind of way. I loved mine, great all round car.
Mine game me no problems in the 40k miles I have done on it before selling on. Very reliable and decent mpg for what it is.
Get a good one, change oil more frequently than service indicator says and you will be fine for the long term. I swapped the run flats for MPS4S and it transformed the ride for the better.
They aren’t big cars really. Perfect size for us - two small girls in the family. Roof box for the big journeys but otherwise it is just right.
Note from 68 plate onwards they have PPF so quieter exhausts and no MPPSK option.
In terms of the drive it’s reasonable as standard but the suspension can be improved. I did the Birds B3-40i conversion on mine and now, it’s amazing and I’ll probably never sell it. Truly is the perfect balance of performance and usability.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Note from 68 plate onwards they have PPF so quieter exhausts and no MPPSK option.
In terms of the drive it’s reasonable as standard but the suspension can be improved. I did the Birds B3-40i conversion on mine and now, it’s amazing and I’ll probably never sell it. Truly is the perfect balance of performance and usability.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Am I on the right website?
The 340i is probs utterly brilliant
With M performance exhaust even more so
I had a F31 335d which was like the Terminator - utterly ruthless and lacking personality
A 340i would have been a much better option
Especially with a spare set of smaller alloys with winters fitted*
I ran it with mid teen kids plus dog and it was kind of OK with a roof box
Essential options are the HK speaker upgrade and pro nav
HK is non negotiable - mine was a lease car and had standard hifi which was rubbish - however pronav isnt great with routing but lifts the interior and makes the standard "business" set up look very low rent
- im currently in a 5 series touring
Biggest issue is that my 335d had AWD and runflats and was easily the worst car Ive ever had in winter - my 5 is RWD and with winter tyres all round from November till March is pretty much unstoppable
Cheers
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