RE: BMW reveals 374hp M340i ahead of LA show
Discussion
Kenny Powers said:
Should be a great car and very quick. Consummate all-round daily driver 
Exactly, which is what it's intended to be. Not a sports car to rival an MX5.A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
Car firm launches a 370bhp saloon and all the driving gods of PH can comment on is a grill, exhaust size and a gearbox that nobody bought anyway.
Ares said:
A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
No one buys a BMW new, they are all trapped in 2-3 year payment plans and must renew to the latest/bigger model (no matter how fugly and boring on paper they appear to be) to minimise the effect of depreciation on the buyer. Perpetual car prison.
TwinExit said:
Ares said:
A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
No one buys a BMW new, they are all trapped in 2-3 year payment plans and must renew to the latest/bigger model (no matter how fugly and boring on paper they appear to be) to minimise the effect of depreciation on the buyer. Perpetual car prison.
But it's still irrelevant, however you wish to term the purchase/lease/finance, the car still gets spec'd. The person that specs the car, and soon after drives it from new is all BMW care about.
Ares said:
Kenny Powers said:
Should be a great car and very quick. Consummate all-round daily driver
Exactly, which is what it's intended to be. Not a sports car to rival an MX5.A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
Car firm launches a 370bhp saloon and all the driving gods of PH can comment on is a grill, exhaust size and a gearbox that nobody bought anyway.
Greg the Fish said:
To make it look like teeth so the inferior people will move their in vastly inferior vehicles will move out of the way for fear of being eaten by someone FAR more successful.
But not successful enough to get an M3...Don’t get the point of this. If you want power you can’t use in the road go whole hog and get M3 and track it, otherwise this just smacks of cant afford the monthlies for an M3,rightly or wrongly.
Ares said:
TwinExit said:
Ares said:
A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
No one buys a BMW new, they are all trapped in 2-3 year payment plans and must renew to the latest/bigger model (no matter how fugly and boring on paper they appear to be) to minimise the effect of depreciation on the buyer. Perpetual car prison.
But it's still irrelevant, however you wish to term the purchase/lease/finance, the car still gets spec'd. The person that specs the car, and soon after drives it from new is all BMW care about.
However, they really won’t sell thousands of these 340’s at all. They will be a very niche car due to the price/lease cost.
Most, who aren’t too fussed about the engines these days, will just look at the cost and think I could have a nice 5 series m-sport for that money, why would I get a 3 series?
In that sense, BMW are to be applauded for still offering a 3 litre 6 cyl petrol in what is, to the majority of the BMW target buyer, a car that looks just like a much cheaper model, but is very expensive in comparison and not with the image/bragging rights of an M3. A sort of no mans land, however good it is. How many current 340’s did they sell percentage wise. Low single figures I would guess.
GroundEffect said:
My E92 M3 was a manual. It was worse because of it - horrendous shift. The DCT was much much better matched to the engine.
I agree 
BMW's insistence on using CDVs and having top of the pedal throttle lag has no doubt contributed to why their DCT and auto options are more popular. It's a shame - I wish they could engineer their drivetrains properly in the first place.RobM77 said:
GroundEffect said:
My E92 M3 was a manual. It was worse because of it - horrendous shift. The DCT was much much better matched to the engine.
I agree BMW's insistence on using CDVs and having top of the pedal throttle lag has no doubt contributed to why their DCT and auto options are more popular. It's a shame - I wish they could engineer their drivetrains properly in the first place.theplayingmantis said:
Greg the Fish said:
To make it look like teeth so the inferior people will move their in vastly inferior vehicles will move out of the way for fear of being eaten by someone FAR more successful.
But not successful enough to get an M3...Don’t get the point of this. If you want power you can’t use in the road go whole hog and get M3 and track it, otherwise this just smacks of cant afford the monthlies for an M3,rightly or wrongly.
And if you can't use 374bhp, perhaps it's time to hand your licence in.
ruggedscotty said:
The Lotus Carlton produced 377 bhp (281 kW; 382 PS) at 5,200 rpm and 419 lb?ft (568 N?m) at 4,200 rpm
0-60 in around 5.2 seconds.....
Remember that was a monster a few years ago, now we are getting this.
I dare say it will still feel somewhat more muscular that this modern engine which will likely cap the torque output at lower RPM. That said, the latest "warm" D-segment cars have impressive straight line performance. I'm pretty sure my current S5 would happily stay with my old C63 in a standing start and only lose out north of motorway speeds and in the wet it'd be no contest. Not as fun though.0-60 in around 5.2 seconds.....
Remember that was a monster a few years ago, now we are getting this.
Fastdruid said:
Other people have a different view that with the ZF it's fast as f
k but uninspiring as there is little involvement while the manual changes that to being far more of an involved drive and all the better for it.
If i'm honest, i've never understood this. What makes the manual that much more involving? The only difference is you move your left foot also. When you're flicking through the gears at a rate of knots via your hands on the paddles i find that pretty involving, but each to their own.k but uninspiring as there is little involvement while the manual changes that to being far more of an involved drive and all the better for it. Don't get me wrong I'm all for a proper manual box with a great feel, but when someone comes along with a auto that can do it all; flick through the gears like a mad man down the back roads, then stick it in auto once you reach the main roads and waft home, then i've got to take my hat off to it.
ITP said:
This will no doubt be an excellent car, more than most people need to be honest.
However, they really won’t sell thousands of these 340’s at all. They will be a very niche car due to the price/lease cost.
Most, who aren’t too fussed about the engines these days, will just look at the cost and think I could have a nice 5 series m-sport for that money, why would I get a 3 series?
In that sense, BMW are to be applauded for still offering a 3 litre 6 cyl petrol in what is, to the majority of the BMW target buyer, a car that looks just like a much cheaper model, but is very expensive in comparison and not with the image/bragging rights of an M3. A sort of no mans land, however good it is. How many current 340’s did they sell percentage wise. Low single figures I would guess.
You think? You don't think BMW will sell thousands of 340s? BMW claim that 5% of the c150,000 3-series sold each year in Europe are 340i (and 335i prior to that), and around 30% of the 50,000/yr US sales are 340s. However, they really won’t sell thousands of these 340’s at all. They will be a very niche car due to the price/lease cost.
Most, who aren’t too fussed about the engines these days, will just look at the cost and think I could have a nice 5 series m-sport for that money, why would I get a 3 series?
In that sense, BMW are to be applauded for still offering a 3 litre 6 cyl petrol in what is, to the majority of the BMW target buyer, a car that looks just like a much cheaper model, but is very expensive in comparison and not with the image/bragging rights of an M3. A sort of no mans land, however good it is. How many current 340’s did they sell percentage wise. Low single figures I would guess.
I'm not sure at £45k it is expensive? I can't think what significantly betters it on price at that performance?? The Audi equivalent gives power away and is the same price. The Merc is more expensive.
Ares said:
Exactly, which is what it's intended to be. Not a sports car to rival an MX5.
A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
Car firm launches a 370bhp saloon and all the driving gods of PH can comment on is a grill, exhaust size and a gearbox that nobody bought anyway.
It’s not Pistonheads, it’s people in general. Being morose actually makes people happy now. Wallowing in misery and negativity. Most people who hate it probably don’t even hate it. They’re just part of the hive mind of hate and this will be just another excuse to have their voice heard A handful of beards who have never bought a car less than 10yrs old might lament the lack of a quaint H gate box, and a few others that wouldn't own a BMW is they were free, whinging about a design being 'gopping' is of no concern to BMW who target people who actually buy these cars new. And they will buy them. By the thousands.
Car firm launches a 370bhp saloon and all the driving gods of PH can comment on is a grill, exhaust size and a gearbox that nobody bought anyway.
But each to their own
anonymous said:
[redacted]
But drivers car in what context? Compared to an Elise, it will one st. Compared to a Range Rover it'll be awesome.Compared to an Audi, I'll put a bag of quavers on as a wager that it will be far better. And probably likewise against the Merc.
It's not intending to be anything more than a sporting saloon. If you judge a warm mid-sized saloon on its ultimate driver's car ability, you'll be disappointed, but if you judge a fish on it's ability to climb a tree, it'll be even worse.
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