RE: All-new 2019 BMW 3 Series revealed

[Chestrockwell]

p1stonhead said:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/bmw-cars/3-series/2018-saloo...

374bhp for the new M340i.

Should be pretty nice and 1450kg is low isnt it?! A bit less than a current M140i?

M3 has to be another hundred BHP surely? Likely to be 500?

Edited by p1stonhead on Tuesday 23 October 16:13

I got an email today with lots of information on it and I’m surprised by the 374 figure with x drive, should be a mid 4 second car, M3’s have never been about power, as in, having the most power out of rivals but given the M340i will have x drive and more than likely be quicker in the real world than the current M3, the new one will either have to have a lot more power or X drive

[ITP]

p1stonhead said:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/bmw-cars/3-series/2018-saloo...

374bhp for the new M340i.

Should be pretty nice and 1450kg is low isnt it?! A bit less than a current M140i?

M3 has to be another hundred BHP surely? Likely to be 500?


1450kg is for a base car with no options. I would imagine a 340 x drive with more kit will probably be 150-200kg more. Still, will be lively with 374bhp but probably a bit car/electronics doing all the work (4wd and probably auto only), with driver along for the ride.
Although most modern cars are like this now.
Hats off for still offering a 6 cyl though.

Edited by p1stonhead on Tuesday 23 October 16:13

[bodhi]

p1stonhead said:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/bmw-cars/3-series/2018-saloo...

374bhp for the new M340i.

Should be pretty nice and 1450kg is low isnt it?! A bit less than a current M140i?

M3 has to be another hundred BHP surely? Likely to be 500?

Edited by p1stonhead on Tuesday 23 October 16:13

Only part of that that doesn't appeal is xDrive, which I still think has no place in a BMW. But it should make F30 340i's a bit cheaper, so

[Ares]

ITP said:

<snip> lively with 374bhp but probably a bit car/electronics doing all the work (4wd and probably auto only), with driver along for the ride.
Although most modern cars are like this now.
<snip>

Not too disingenuous then.....

[Ares]

bodhi said:

Only part of that that doesn't appeal is xDrive, which I still think has no place in a BMW. But it should make F30 340i's a bit cheaper, so

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

[bodhi]

Ares said:

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

I've driven 330d sDrive and xDrives, and didn't find the extra traction of the xDrive worth the weight penalty and the duller drive that resulted from it, or the extra fuel it uses. I also borrowed a 320d xDrive in the Netherlands, and that had no business having a BMW Badge on the front. Quick enough, but a horrible wallowy mess on motorway sweepers.

Sorry, but the xDrives I've driven haven't done it for me at all, so I'll stick with the real ones

[Ares]

bodhi said:

Ares said:

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

I've driven 330d sDrive and xDrives, and didn't find the extra traction of the xDrive worth the weight penalty and the duller drive that resulted from it, or the extra fuel it uses. I also borrowed a 320d xDrive in the Netherlands, and that had no business having a BMW Badge on the front. Quick enough, but a horrible wallowy mess on motorway sweepers.

Sorry, but the xDrives I've driven haven't done it for me at all, so I'll stick with the real ones

So no then

[bodhi]

Ares said:

bodhi said:

Ares said:

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

I've driven 330d sDrive and xDrives, and didn't find the extra traction of the xDrive worth the weight penalty and the duller drive that resulted from it, or the extra fuel it uses. I also borrowed a 320d xDrive in the Netherlands, and that had no business having a BMW Badge on the front. Quick enough, but a horrible wallowy mess on motorway sweepers.

Sorry, but the xDrives I've driven haven't done it for me at all, so I'll stick with the real ones

So no then

Sorry, I didn't realise there was anything spicier in the BMW Range with 4wd, other than the 335d, which is just as dull as the 330d xDrive

The new M5 may be a different kettle of fish, but then I doubt the new 340i will be getting the same xDrive system as that - if it does I could be tempted, as long as you can set it to the correct configuration and leave it

[Ares]

bodhi said:

Ares said:

bodhi said:

Ares said:

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

I've driven 330d sDrive and xDrives, and didn't find the extra traction of the xDrive worth the weight penalty and the duller drive that resulted from it, or the extra fuel it uses. I also borrowed a 320d xDrive in the Netherlands, and that had no business having a BMW Badge on the front. Quick enough, but a horrible wallowy mess on motorway sweepers.

Sorry, but the xDrives I've driven haven't done it for me at all, so I'll stick with the real ones

So no then

Sorry, I didn't realise there was anything spicier in the BMW Range with 4wd, other than the 335d, which is just as dull as the 330d xDrive

The new M5 may be a different kettle of fish, but then I doubt the new 340i will be getting the same xDrive system as that - if it does I could be tempted, as long as you can set it to the correct configuration and leave it

I meant spicy as in more than a 260bhp diesel

The current 340i xDrive is surprisingly good. You struggle to notice AWD in normal dry driving, but nail it out of a corner and it really shows his strengths. Add is moisture and its fantastic, but still not intrusive like Audis are (or at least were). Ditto with the new M5. You only notice the 4-wheeled traction when you benefit from it.

[bodhi]

Ares said:

I meant spicy as in more than a 260bhp diesel

The current 340i xDrive is surprisingly good. You struggle to notice AWD in normal dry driving, but nail it out of a corner and it really shows his strengths. Add is moisture and its fantastic, but still not intrusive like Audis are (or at least were). Ditto with the new M5. You only notice the 4-wheeled traction when you benefit from it.

The current 340i xDrive isn't available in the UK so haven't sampled it, However I tend to put xDrive in the same category as the ZF8 Gearbox, probably a technically better solution, but makes the car less interesting to drive. Offer this new M340i with a RWD and a manual box, along with a slippy diff and I could happily replace the current 125i with it, but as it's another 4wd Auto thing I'd need to keep the 1-Series alongside it to keep things interesting.

[Chestrockwell]

bodhi said:

Ares said:

Guessing you've not driven a spicier BMW with xDrive then?

I've driven 330d sDrive and xDrives, and didn't find the extra traction of the xDrive worth the weight penalty and the duller drive that resulted from it, or the extra fuel it uses. I also borrowed a 320d xDrive in the Netherlands, and that had no business having a BMW Badge on the front. Quick enough, but a horrible wallowy mess on motorway sweepers.

Sorry, but the xDrives I've driven haven't done it for me at all, so I'll stick with the real ones

My argument on x drive has changed a few times, in the F series BMW’s, x drive really numbs the experience, only trick it has is the 0-30 acceleration only in the 3.0 diesels, it’s too....well I wouldn’t say wallowy as I drove the LCI 3 series but...it just isn’t sharp compared to my s drive.

However, I had a 630d GT x drive for a few weeks and that changed my opinion as I felt the car was set up to be x drive from the start, hardly any roll and it was composed, just as good as my current 4 on adaptive dampers, but that could be down to the air suspension it had that transformed the car completely in sport mode.

I think the M340i will be ace because it was be designed to be x drive from the start.

[Ares]

bodhi said:

Ares said:

I meant spicy as in more than a 260bhp diesel

The current 340i xDrive is surprisingly good. You struggle to notice AWD in normal dry driving, but nail it out of a corner and it really shows his strengths. Add is moisture and its fantastic, but still not intrusive like Audis are (or at least were). Ditto with the new M5. You only notice the 4-wheeled traction when you benefit from it.

The current 340i xDrive isn't available in the UK so haven't sampled it, However I tend to put xDrive in the same category as the ZF8 Gearbox, probably a technically better solution, but makes the car less interesting to drive. Offer this new M340i with a RWD and a manual box, along with a slippy diff and I could happily replace the current 125i with it, but as it's another 4wd Auto thing I'd need to keep the 1-Series alongside it to keep things interesting.

I tend not to try and categories cars until I've driven them

[p1stonhead]

M3 touring finally coming maybe?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2019-b...

[Ares]

p1stonhead said:

M3 touring finally coming maybe?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2019-b...

Given the source, a huge pinch of salt needed, especially with no visual clue from those pictures.

[handbraketurn]

The residuals on my 340i just went into cardiac arrest.

[Wills2]

Ares said:

bodhi said:

Ares said:

I meant spicy as in more than a 260bhp diesel

The current 340i xDrive is surprisingly good. You struggle to notice AWD in normal dry driving, but nail it out of a corner and it really shows his strengths. Add is moisture and its fantastic, but still not intrusive like Audis are (or at least were). Ditto with the new M5. You only notice the 4-wheeled traction when you benefit from it.

The current 340i xDrive isn't available in the UK so haven't sampled it, However I tend to put xDrive in the same category as the ZF8 Gearbox, probably a technically better solution, but makes the car less interesting to drive. Offer this new M340i with a RWD and a manual box, along with a slippy diff and I could happily replace the current 125i with it, but as it's another 4wd Auto thing I'd need to keep the 1-Series alongside it to keep things interesting.

I tend not to try and categories cars until I've driven them

335d xdrive is anything but a joy to drive, noise heavy, softy sprung and very unBMW, the awful push me pull me action of the xdrive when on a low grip surface isn't very sporty either.

The dullest BMW I've had, couldn't wait to get rid.

[Ares]

Wills2 said:

335d xdrive is anything but a joy to drive, noise heavy, softy sprung and very unBMW, the awful push me pull me action of the xdrive when on a low grip surface isn't very sporty either.

The dullest BMW I've had, couldn't wait to get rid.

Not driven a 335d xdrive so can't comment. But the 340, 550 and M5 xDrive doesn't have any of the attributes you mention, and certainly aren't softly sprung.

[jl4069]

Wonder if this new 3 series will get a nicely updated x-drive for this go round. Would be nice if they could speed up the speed from zero drive to 40% to front wheels. Wish they could borrow some of that GKN tech used in the Focus RS. j

[numtumfutunch]

Wills2 said:

335d xdrive is anything but a joy to drive, noise heavy, softy sprung and very unBMW, the awful push me pull me action of the xdrive when on a low grip surface isn't very sporty either.

The dullest BMW I've had, couldn't wait to get rid.

Me too

0-60 faster than an 80's 911 Turbo is addictive but soon wore off
50mpg on the motorway at 75mph is pretty impressive though, although as a fast tourer its noisy and lacks refinement

But just as its about to go back I has overtaken by a 140i last night in a 30 limit who then pulled a huge gap by the time the NSL sign appeared and I gave it some welly on a twisty wet road strewn with slippery leaves. The gap was closed pretty rapidly and I could tell he/she was giving it some but even so it was just bloody boring, like a Terminator with 4 wheels.

The car is phenomenal but doesnt stir the soul. Its not a diesel thing, although it does sound like a tractor from the outside when its cold, because the E46 330d I ran years ago did have a lot of character

Cheers

[p1stonhead]

numtumfutunch said:

Wills2 said:

335d xdrive is anything but a joy to drive, noise heavy, softy sprung and very unBMW, the awful push me pull me action of the xdrive when on a low grip surface isn't very sporty either.

The dullest BMW I've had, couldn't wait to get rid.

Me too

0-60 faster than an 80's 911 Turbo is addictive but soon wore off
50mpg on the motorway at 75mph is pretty impressive though, although as a fast tourer its noisy and lacks refinement

But just as its about to go back I has overtaken by a 140i last night in a 30 limit who then pulled a huge gap by the time the NSL sign appeared and I gave it some welly on a twisty wet road strewn with slippery leaves. The gap was closed pretty rapidly and I could tell he/she was giving it some but even so it was just bloody boring, like a Terminator with 4 wheels.

The car is phenomenal but doesnt stir the soul. Its not a diesel thing, although it does sound like a tractor from the outside when its cold, because the E46 330d I ran years ago did have a lot of character

Cheers

Is it supposed to? It’s a very fast commuter car, nothing more. It’s economical, quick for what it does, and comfortable with lots of tech.