RE: BMW reveals 374hp M340i ahead of LA show

[carparkno1]

I drove a 440i coupe recently ahead of the 0% apr impulse offer they have just announced.

It was utterly sublime. I cannot understand the negativity towards this new M340i announcement. It handled very well, despite the slightly disconnected steering. Adaptive suspension was superb, the engine was a lovely mix of refinement and noise and pace. Its just a great car. Not an M4, but ten times a 320d.

Fills a lovely little gap for enthusiasts in my view, irrespective of the new styling which is a bit of a mish mash looking at it here.

[Brett748]

The interior is a big step up from the F30! I can see myself in one in a couple of years.

374hp for an ‘everyday’ car is ridiculous really. My F30 330d has 258hp which is more than enough given the speed cameras everywhere and ever falling speed limits.

[rucky544]

I recently bought a used 340i auto for half the original price. I spent 6 months looking for the right one, most of that time was trying to get hold of a manual that was in good condition. During that time I only came across a handful of manuals, so I am guessing they didn't sell very well when they were available.

It was the perfect car for what I wanted it for (in no particular order).
- Not stupid on fuel on my commute (average 35mpg on the commute)
- Comfy for weekend journeys with my 4 year old in the back
- Nice and easy for the wife to drive
- Tail happy/powerful car whenever the mood takes me
- Nice engine sound that isn't trying too hard to make pops and bangs

This is the sort of situation the car is intended to cover and I am sure the new one will do the job just as well (minus the tail happy bit)

[Ares]

rucky544 said:

I recently bought a used 340i auto for half the original price. I spent 6 months looking for the right one, most of that time was trying to get hold of a manual that was in good condition. During that time I only came across a handful of manuals, so I am guessing they didn't sell very well when they were available.

It was the perfect car for what I wanted it for (in no particular order).
- Not stupid on fuel on my commute (average 35mpg on the commute)
- Comfy for weekend journeys with my 4 year old in the back
- Nice and easy for the wife to drive
- Tail happy/powerful car whenever the mood takes me
- Nice engine sound that isn't trying too hard to make pops and bangs

This is the sort of situation the car is intended to cover and I am sure the new one will do the job just as well (minus the tail happy bit)

Nailed on. It's a 3-series. It's the successor to the 323/325/328/330/335 - the hottest non-M 3-series. Designed to be a great allrounder. For someone that needs a great real-world solution in one car, I can't see anything better this side of spending north of £700/mth.

[Turbojuice]

Ares said:

rucky544 said:

I recently bought a used 340i auto for half the original price. I spent 6 months looking for the right one, most of that time was trying to get hold of a manual that was in good condition. During that time I only came across a handful of manuals, so I am guessing they didn't sell very well when they were available.

It was the perfect car for what I wanted it for (in no particular order).
- Not stupid on fuel on my commute (average 35mpg on the commute)
- Comfy for weekend journeys with my 4 year old in the back
- Nice and easy for the wife to drive
- Tail happy/powerful car whenever the mood takes me
- Nice engine sound that isn't trying too hard to make pops and bangs

This is the sort of situation the car is intended to cover and I am sure the new one will do the job just as well (minus the tail happy bit)

Nailed on. It's a 3-series. It's the successor to the 323/325/328/330/335 - the hottest non-M 3-series. Designed to be a great allrounder. For someone that needs a great real-world solution in one car, I can't see anything better this side of spending north of £700/mth.

You can actually get them for less than 500 a month. Absolute bargain in my eyes.

[TwinExit]

Ares said:

Once again TwinExit, you miss the point. Whatever 'purchase' method people use is utterly irrelevant - it is they that create the new car sales and it is they that BMW care about, not a beard that wants to buy the car for 50p and a conker when it's 15yrs old.

When it comes to a new car launch, for the manufacturer, sales ARE everything.

The difference is this car will "sell" only to existing BMW customers of lower spec cars, its very unlikely it would appeal to those outside of the finance trap simply because it's an expensive 3 series at the end of the day.

Ares said:

Why do so many people on a car enthusiast forum immediately whinge about a 370bhp normal 3-series based on photographs and nothing else?

Firstly 370 HP and 1600kg + kerb weight is not a huge amount of power at all.

It's a heavy automatic 4WD 4 door saloon, on a public forum where mainly enthusiasts and 'beards' who do want to use their time to express their preferences and driving experiences in cars on a forum just would not see how this car can stir any interest for them. Where as the 1000's of those who you allude that will buy this 4 door saloon would likely view cars as merely machines to serve their daily travel needs.

Perhaps you should try sites like honestjohn and Which, the context of conversation is more aligned to your way of thinking.

Unless of course you are completely banana-bonkers or a determined BMW shill looking to safeguard new models from criticism?

Which is it?

[Ares]

Turbojuice said:

Ares said:

rucky544 said:

I recently bought a used 340i auto for half the original price. I spent 6 months looking for the right one, most of that time was trying to get hold of a manual that was in good condition. During that time I only came across a handful of manuals, so I am guessing they didn't sell very well when they were available.

It was the perfect car for what I wanted it for (in no particular order).
- Not stupid on fuel on my commute (average 35mpg on the commute)
- Comfy for weekend journeys with my 4 year old in the back
- Nice and easy for the wife to drive
- Tail happy/powerful car whenever the mood takes me
- Nice engine sound that isn't trying too hard to make pops and bangs

This is the sort of situation the car is intended to cover and I am sure the new one will do the job just as well (minus the tail happy bit)

Nailed on. It's a 3-series. It's the successor to the 323/325/328/330/335 - the hottest non-M 3-series. Designed to be a great allrounder. For someone that needs a great real-world solution in one car, I can't see anything better this side of spending north of £700/mth.

You can actually get them for less than 500 a month. Absolute bargain in my eyes.

I meant totally ownership cost. You can lease an M3/QV/C63 for around £600/mth.....but fuel, maintenance and insurance can easily add 50% to that. It's in those onwards costs the real value and attraction for a 370bhp 340 comes into it's own.

[Chr1sch]

I'd love to get my hands on a straight six before they inevitably kill them off in due course.

[Ares]

TwinExit said:

Ares said:

Once again TwinExit, you miss the point. Whatever 'purchase' method people use is utterly irrelevant - it is they that create the new car sales and it is they that BMW care about, not a beard that wants to buy the car for 50p and a conker when it's 15yrs old.

When it comes to a new car launch, for the manufacturer, sales ARE everything.

The difference is this car will "sell" only to existing BMW customers of lower spec cars, its very unlikely it would appeal to those outside of the finance trap simply because it's an expensive 3 series at the end of the day.

That is no more or less relevant than any car, and is largely bullst. People tend to be loyal to a brand, liking or disliking the way cars drive. I've always favoured BMWs of the Germans due to the drive. Audi leaves me cold, Merc have been up and down (and currently up IME - I preferred the C63s to the M3 last year).

And the finance trap you incorrectly (ignorantly? Disingenuously?) term it is irrelevant. People choose the best route to acquire a car. There are more cars between £10k & £20k financed that any other £10k bracket.

...but it still doesn't detract from the frankly bloody obvious - Manufacturer design, build and launch cars that they know will sell. They don't give a st what some beard 15yrs later thinks of the car as a shed proposition.

TwinExit said:

Ares said:

Why do so many people on a car enthusiast forum immediately whinge about a 370bhp normal 3-series based on photographs and nothing else?

Firstly 370 HP and 1600kg + kerb weight is not a huge amount of power at all.

It's a heavy automatic 4WD 4 door saloon, on a public forum where mainly enthusiasts and 'beards' who do want to use their time to express their preferences and driving experiences in cars on a forum just would not see how this car can stir any interest for them. Where as the 1000's of those who you allude that will buy this 4 door saloon would likely view cars as merely machines to serve their daily travel needs.

Perhaps you should try sites like honestjohn and Which, the context of conversation is more aligned to your way of thinking.

Unless of course you are completely banana-bonkers or a determined BMW shill looking to safeguard new models from criticism?

Which is it?

This car is the perfect answer for someone that has just one car, needs to carry the family, do decent miles but also wants to have some fun doing it. If you think a 230bhp/tonne car that can hit 60 in a blink over 4secs is not going to be quick, and will be as dull as a 320d (or 1.5l Mondeo), you have a curious referent point.

FWIW - The STIs/Evos etc 20 years ago only hit that PWR/acceleration.

[Ares]

Chr1sch said:

I'd love to get my hands on a straight six before they inevitably kill them off in due course.

Do the V8 first....alas I think they will die sooner (or become unobtainable!)

However, on the future of motoring power, having been in a Hybrid Range Rover, it was possibly the best and most appropriately fuelled variant I've ever been in (and I used to have a 'proper' V8 one!)

[Daston]

It appears I have been living under a rock, can someone explain how on earth the BMW model numbers work these days? Do we still have "just" an M3? or is it now M + random number? Then M "sport" + random number?

[p1stonhead]

Daston said:

It appears I have been living under a rock, can someone explain how on earth the BMW model numbers work these days? Do we still have "just" an M3? or is it now M + random number? Then M "sport" + random number?

M then a single number is a proper M car. - M2, M3, M4, M5, M6

M than a set of numbers followed by either 'i' or 'd' are the ones below that - M340i, M140i, Z4M40i

M sports are just trim packs. - 318d MSport

[Ares]

p1stonhead said:

Daston said:

It appears I have been living under a rock, can someone explain how on earth the BMW model numbers work these days? Do we still have "just" an M3? or is it now M + random number? Then M "sport" + random number?

M then a single number is a proper M car. - M2, M3, M4, M5, M6

M than a set of numbers followed by either 'i' or 'd' are the ones below that - M340i, M140i, Z4M40i

M sports are just trim packs. - 318d MSport

Think of it as comparable to Audi

RS = M2/M3/M4/M5/M6/etc - full potent model
S = M140/M240/M340/etc - warmed, slightly spicier 'normal' car
S-Line = MSport - Normal car with sports aesthetics/suspension

[TwinExit]

Ares said:

Once again TwinExit, you miss the point. Whatever 'purchase' method people use is utterly irrelevant - it is they that create the new car sales and it is they that BMW care about, not a beard that wants to buy the car for 50p and a conker when it's 15yrs old.

I am sorry but it's you who missed the real point here. As a new car on the market, the 1000's that you are certain will snap up this car are not people who would stump up 40k in cash or a 40k loan and pick this model out of the various other choices out there.

It's a certainty that being heavy, 4WD and automatic will put off a significant number of drivers from choosing such a car, and the negative comments from the 'beards' here are just the tip of the iceberg.

The 340i is merely an upsell item, for owners of 2-3 year old 320 diesels to aspire and upgrade to at the end of their PCP term.

Ares said:

This car is the perfect answer for someone that has just one car, needs to carry the family, do decent miles but also wants to have some fun doing it. If you think a 230bhp/tonne car that can hit 60 in a blink over 4secs is not going to be quick, and will be as dull as a 320d (or 1.5l Mondeo), you have a curious referent point.

FWIW - The STIs/Evos etc 20 years ago only hit that PWR/acceleration.

4.4 seconds 0-60 is good in a game of trumps, not really translatable to real life performance.

I don't buy into that the car tries to be many things, firstly its a 4 door saloon so it will always look functional over appealing. Once you carry a 'family full' of passengers, the weight balloons to 1800-1900 kg+, good luck with your 0-60 launches, let alone 'having fun' with it.

The car is nothing more than a competent 4 door saloon, the 370 HP adds nothing to the car's A-to-B ability, but exposes it to real performance cars that would leave it for dead.

Edited by TwinExit on Thursday 15th November 15:58

[Ares]

TwinExit said:

Ares said:

Once again TwinExit, you miss the point. Whatever 'purchase' method people use is utterly irrelevant - it is they that create the new car sales and it is they that BMW care about, not a beard that wants to buy the car for 50p and a conker when it's 15yrs old.

I am sorry but it's you who missed the real point here. As a new car on the market, the 1000's that you are certain will snap up this car are not people who would stump up 40k in cash or a 40k loan and pick this model out of the various other choices out there.

It's a certainty that being heavy, 4WD and automatic will put off a significant number of drivers from choosing such a car, and the negative comments from the 'beards' here are just the tip of the iceberg.

The 340i is merely an upsell item, for owners of 2-3 year old 320 diesels to aspire and upgrade to at the end of their PCP term.

Ares said:

This car is the perfect answer for someone that has just one car, needs to carry the family, do decent miles but also wants to have some fun doing it. If you think a 230bhp/tonne car that can hit 60 in a blink over 4secs is not going to be quick, and will be as dull as a 320d (or 1.5l Mondeo), you have a curious referent point.

FWIW - The STIs/Evos etc 20 years ago only hit that PWR/acceleration.

4.4 seconds 0-60 is good in a game of trumps, not really translatable to real life performance.

I don't buy into that the car tries to be many things, firstly its a 4 door saloon so it will always look functional over appealing. Once you carry a 'family full' of passengers, the weight balloons to 1800-1900 kg+, good luck with your 0-60 launches, let alone 'having fun' with it.

The car is nothing more than a competent 4 door saloon, the 370 HP adds nothing to the car's A-to-B ability, but exposes it to real performance cars that would leave it for dead.

Edited by TwinExit on Thursday 15th November 15:58

I'll try and simplify (and give you the benefit of the doubt you are not shifting the argument to minimise loses)

BMW only care about sales volume and profit. Regardless how the 'owner' buys the car, BMW get cash. That is all they care about.

Very few current driver of 320d will buy this M340 new.


230bhp/tonne makes this a fairly quick car. ANY car that you add 400kg to will be slower. Basic physics. But as I said, if you only want one car. Want to carry the family, Want to do long distances and want to have some fun when you are in the car alone, this is a compelling proposition - few will do better than that at the price.

There are a LOT of people that just want one car to do everything.

To compare this to 'performance car' as at best disingenuous and at worse idiotic. Those same real performance cars would be st at carrying a spouse and 3 kids with a boot full of luggage to go away for the week.

Edited by Ares on Thursday 15th November 16:20

[cmn243]

Oh dear! A powerful and fast BMW saloon (and touring), that has a mechanical diff, helper springs and runs a six cylinder petrol. What evil is this?! Aesthetically, it looks great in my view, which of course, is all that matters. I’ll live with circa 370hp, and have run B58s in different applications and like the engine noise. The touring looks like a good mountain bike wagon to me, and will hopefully be a precursor to an M3 Touring. Could be the next car. Yes I’d prefer rear wheel drive, but you can slide Xdrive, so all good.

[Motorsport3]

Last 3 series i liked visually was the e46. Since then every iteration seems to get worse than the previous one...

[Robert-nszl1]

I hope people look at this and go and buy the Alfa Giulia Veloce instead. Might not have the power, but it is a good bit lighter, and hasn't been hit repeatedly with the ugly stick. And we all surely want Alfa to be a success so they can keep improving it, and so they can hopefully improve the rest of their line up. My wish is they'd gone with a detuned 6, rather than a tuned 4. And also wish they'd produce an estate, as it would I'm sure be a handsome thing.

[Love JDM]

S54Love said:

I didn't notice it until now, but that rear seems to be stolen off a Lexus!



I hope that I'm not the only one who sees this?

I see It.

BMW have definitely ripped off the Lexus rear lights.

Maybe it's a nod to BMW and Toyota's new venture the Z4/Supra + BMW receiving Hybrid tech off Toyota......

Anyone?????

[TwinExit]

Ares said:

I'll try and simplify (and give you the benefit of the doubt you are not shifting the argument to minimise loses)

BMW only care about sales volume and profit. Regardless how the 'owner' buys the car, BMW get cash. That is all they care about.

Very few current driver of 320d will buy this M340 new.

No one is arguing against the business logic of BMW, car makers want to sell cars and make money.

The 340i in the context of driving enjoyment, styling, sound, feel, performance (petrol head stuff), it falls way short on what 'beards' look for in car. That is the reason for the lack of interest in this forum, not because of one's reluctance or financial inability to buy new cars, that's rather insulting.

Ares said:

230bhp/tonne makes this a fairly quick car. ANY car that you add 400kg to will be slower. Basic physics. But as I said, if you only want one car. Want to carry the family, Want to do long distances and want to have some fun when you are in the car alone, this is a compelling proposition - few will do better than that at the price.

There are a LOT of people that just want one car to do everything.

To compare this to 'performance car' as at best disingenuous and at worse idiotic. Those same real performance cars would be st at carrying a spouse and 3 kids with a boot full of luggage to go away for the week.

Edited by Ares on Thursday 15th November 16:20

Still you are missing the point...

You are going out on your way, wasting your time (and my time) making out the 340i is a vehicle that PH should be collectively excited about. As hard as it is for you to accept, the car cannot 'do everything', there are major compromises and as such it can never match what a more exciting and driver orientated car can do on the road, no matter how many children and shopping bags you can fit in the boot.

I am not going to enter a Ferrari forum and abuse users who do not rate my re-mapped Audi Q7, regardless that it has outsold, hold 20x more luggage and 5 passengers whilst being able to 'keep up' with a F458 on some straight dual carriageway in the Midlands.

So that (and the 1000's of sales estimates you pulled out of your behind) is an irrelevant excuse for you to clutch on to when debating with forum members who are only interested in vehicles other than heavy 4 door automatics.

Again, try honestjohn and which - you can discuss sales volumes, boot space and outgoings vs miles till you are blue in the face.