RE: BMW 340i manual (F30) | Spotted
Discussion
Magnum 475 said:
BMWM2Black said:
I was waiting for the usual 'BMW manuals are rubbish' comments.
I have a manual M2 and think its great. Perhaps these people are just rubbish at driving a manual car.
It's the Clutch Delay Valve issue. The box is fine, but that CDV needs killing with fire. I can never understand why BMW use it.I have a manual M2 and think its great. Perhaps these people are just rubbish at driving a manual car.
The M cars don't have it because they use a different rear end.
I'll caveat it by saying I've only driven an 80k mile, 94k mile and 140k mile examples, so when new perhaps less evident.
Krikkit said:
Vanity is exactly what it is, nothing else.
Correct, but the easiest route to getting the best out of a chassis is to reduce unsprung weight, the best way of doing that while browsing the options list is to go for the smallest wheel/tyre combo you're prepared to compromise with.
17" wheels (if they'd fit over the brakes) on this car would look a bit daft, but be lighter again, yet I'd stick with 18" as my compromise of vanity, knowing I'd sacrificed in other areas.
It's not vanity. It has nothing to do with ego, or what other people think about my car. I buy cars because I like them, and what they look like is part of that equation. In this case, I think this car would look better on bigger wheels. And again, bigger wheels doesn't guarantee a poor ride. Putting 19" wheels and 30 profile tyres on a '90s Fiesta is going to make it ride badly, but a lot of new cars are designed to run on larger wheels and the ride is absolutely fine, because other areas of the car have been tuned to accommodate them. Correct, but the easiest route to getting the best out of a chassis is to reduce unsprung weight, the best way of doing that while browsing the options list is to go for the smallest wheel/tyre combo you're prepared to compromise with.
17" wheels (if they'd fit over the brakes) on this car would look a bit daft, but be lighter again, yet I'd stick with 18" as my compromise of vanity, knowing I'd sacrificed in other areas.
I know a lot of PHers advocate balloon tyres and beige cloth interiors like it's a sign of being some kind of automotive connoisseur, but it's just another example of personal preference. Like I said, there is no right or wrong answer, just a series of compromises and preferences.
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
£38125 in 2017? I'd have thought it'd be more than that, no? Lovely spec though.
Don't think thats quite right....in 2016 you could have a 340i touring for £29k new....
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bmw-3-series-tour...
Pistonheader101 said:
lets be honest - the 340i is the poor mans M3. and thats coming from a 340i (w/ mppsk kit) owner....
saying that the 340i isn't a bad car, but don't think for a second its a sports car. Its a 320d with a beefier engine.
It's not trying to be though. It's pretty honest about what it is. A fast, comfortable family saloon/estate with a brilliant drivetrain, and an engine that can show very economy for the performance. saying that the 340i isn't a bad car, but don't think for a second its a sports car. Its a 320d with a beefier engine.
I actually opted for one over an M3 - as great as they are it was just a bit too focussed for the driving I do.
fblm said:
"least desirable spec"? I'd rather have this than any of the fugly automatic rocketships they make now!
It is the least desirable spec, hence on autotrader out of 85 340is for sale only 1 is a manual (this car). If it were more desirable then they'd be more manuals with small wheels.That doesn't make it the least desirable for you or me, it means that for those that bought these cars new, it certainly was the least desirable spec.
Big fan of this, and seems well priced from what I can make out?
I must agree with other posters though. I think a lot of people are assuming the options missing are 'fripperies'.. but they make a massive difference to the day to day feel of this car.
Primarily the Pro-Nav and the Full Black Panel display (or whatever it's called).. the small screen and the dials look really naff, definitely on purpose to make you spec higher. It would really bug me, particularly as surely the primary function of this car is a nice daily driver (not a weekend sports car where these things wouldn't matter) and you'd spend so much time interacting and looking at these things.
I'm a big fan of retrofitting and fairly confident you could right the above two wrongs (along with heated seats), but by the time you've done that you may as well have bought one with them in the first place.
I also can't help but think the auto would just suit this a lot better....
I must agree with other posters though. I think a lot of people are assuming the options missing are 'fripperies'.. but they make a massive difference to the day to day feel of this car.
Primarily the Pro-Nav and the Full Black Panel display (or whatever it's called).. the small screen and the dials look really naff, definitely on purpose to make you spec higher. It would really bug me, particularly as surely the primary function of this car is a nice daily driver (not a weekend sports car where these things wouldn't matter) and you'd spend so much time interacting and looking at these things.
I'm a big fan of retrofitting and fairly confident you could right the above two wrongs (along with heated seats), but by the time you've done that you may as well have bought one with them in the first place.
I also can't help but think the auto would just suit this a lot better....
BMWM2Black said:
I was waiting for the usual 'BMW manuals are rubbish' comments.
I have a manual M2 and think its great. Perhaps these people are just rubbish at driving a manual car.
Having driven several 'cooking' F30's i think the manuals are utter gash, long clutch (not a deal breaker) but notchy and vague shift. I have a manual M2 and think its great. Perhaps these people are just rubbish at driving a manual car.
To clarify my comment, I can happliy live without heated seats - goodness knows I did for years - but I would just 'prefer' them, given a choice.
As to the stereo, the standard stereos on this generation of BMW are absolutely fine. As I'm not a Max-Power style basshead with a love of bangin' choonz, I have no interest in massive subwoofers. I don't use Android Apple PlayCar or whatever its called and don't use my phone for music or for calls when i'm driving, even hands-free.Consequently, the standard stereo with FM and a CD player would do me nicely.
As to the stereo, the standard stereos on this generation of BMW are absolutely fine. As I'm not a Max-Power style basshead with a love of bangin' choonz, I have no interest in massive subwoofers. I don't use Android Apple PlayCar or whatever its called and don't use my phone for music or for calls when i'm driving, even hands-free.Consequently, the standard stereo with FM and a CD player would do me nicely.
croyde said:
Makes me laugh that 18ins wheels are considered small these days.
My old e36 rode on 15ins wheels. It handled but also dealt with crappy roads and speed bumps really well.
Real driving conditions are rarely racetrack smooth.
I've owned cars with toys, you read the manual, you play with them for the first few days then they are left alone.
A car is for driving.
I like this car, a lot.
Couldn't put it better. Less crap to go wrong. Don't people strip out their cars for trackdays? Nothing wrong with the spec. Should be enjoyed for what it is.My old e36 rode on 15ins wheels. It handled but also dealt with crappy roads and speed bumps really well.
Real driving conditions are rarely racetrack smooth.
I've owned cars with toys, you read the manual, you play with them for the first few days then they are left alone.
A car is for driving.
I like this car, a lot.
Edited by croyde on Tuesday 9th August 08:29
The spinner of plates said:
Reminds me of the sort of company cars I used to order pre-co2 bik and fuel cards for personal use included.
Simple rule was fastest thing within grade budget and back then the e46 was our preferred model.
In the car park were:
A lot of the 318i models with auto, nice wheels, leather, stereo upgrades etc.
And people liked the 320i with a handful of modest options to make them more liveable.
I went for a 328i. SE spec with zero options because I had about 30p/mth left. That model was full use of the grade money and was fast, job done.
Even the fleet manager called me to query just how spartan it would be and that resale for him would be tragic.
No matter, I've followed all the rules, please proceed with order - thank you
LOL I did exactly that years ago I managed a completely base 328i touring in flat black with no aircon. I then managed to get the aircon retro fitted at the first service. Great car, happy days.Simple rule was fastest thing within grade budget and back then the e46 was our preferred model.
In the car park were:
A lot of the 318i models with auto, nice wheels, leather, stereo upgrades etc.
And people liked the 320i with a handful of modest options to make them more liveable.
I went for a 328i. SE spec with zero options because I had about 30p/mth left. That model was full use of the grade money and was fast, job done.
Even the fleet manager called me to query just how spartan it would be and that resale for him would be tragic.
No matter, I've followed all the rules, please proceed with order - thank you
Edited by The spinner of plates on Tuesday 9th August 10:22
Absolutely love it.
With a debadge and a few tuning mods, it would be a fantastic sleeper. The smaller wheels just add to the sleeper vibe.
Who cares about heated seats ffsk, just more weight and more things to go wrong.
I like the colour too.
Great car (apart from the gearbox).
My last car was an E91 manual, and that was a notchy box until it was warmed up, before that an E36 328is manual, and that was notchy too.
The clutch delay valve makes it even worse )easily removed though).
450bhp easily done, couple of tartan pillows on the rear parcel shelf, and have some fun.
With a debadge and a few tuning mods, it would be a fantastic sleeper. The smaller wheels just add to the sleeper vibe.
Who cares about heated seats ffsk, just more weight and more things to go wrong.
I like the colour too.
Great car (apart from the gearbox).
My last car was an E91 manual, and that was a notchy box until it was warmed up, before that an E36 328is manual, and that was notchy too.
The clutch delay valve makes it even worse )easily removed though).
450bhp easily done, couple of tartan pillows on the rear parcel shelf, and have some fun.
I'd absolutely love this car. I've got a f30 318d sport on adaptive m sport suspension and love how this 340i almost looks the same. I agree with criticisms of the gearbox and suspension however. The worse gearbox I've ever experienced on any car I've owned in 34 years for engaging reverse! Truly awful. Also slow going third to fourth. The suspension is also simply too stiff for country roads, even in comfort mode, which is really disappointing. The run flats I think are the issue but as others have said ditching them is a big risk with no spare and I'm regularly using smart motorways so they stay.
Overall though I think the 3 is a great all rounder and this 340i would make for a great Q car.
Overall though I think the 3 is a great all rounder and this 340i would make for a great Q car.
I'm another one who couldn't live without arse warmers. However, that only applies to leather. The only other 'poverty' spec feature I'd love on this is the no cost option m sport cloth seats. I'm sure I've seen a few but it's very rare.
Other than that it's perfect. I'd retro fit some half decent speakers but that's not a big issue.
Other than that it's perfect. I'd retro fit some half decent speakers but that's not a big issue.
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
I agree with your first 2 points, but in situations that you mention in reality is putting an auto in manual mode that bad? If I'm in manual mode and slowing down my car will only shift down if it's about to stall.... Which is exactly what I'd do in a manual, because I don't want to stall my engine. Why's that an issue?
Upshifting automatically at the redline? Some autos do and some don't.... But again, is this ever a problem on road, really? I've certainly never found it an issue.
You can preselect a gear with an auto if you want to, and it may save you some fuel, but over an ownership the auto would be more economical so I don't think that argument stands.
I think you misunderstand (apologies if i didnt make myself clear). Its not just about the gear you are in and if it does or doesn't stay in that gear, it's more than that.Upshifting automatically at the redline? Some autos do and some don't.... But again, is this ever a problem on road, really? I've certainly never found it an issue.
You can preselect a gear with an auto if you want to, and it may save you some fuel, but over an ownership the auto would be more economical so I don't think that argument stands.
It's the fact the software is controlling the engine without your input. It's raising revs when they aren't need, and not doing it where they are.
No auto can ever allow me to control the engine and by extension, the car, the way I want it to. They can never, ever predict EXACTLY what throttle position I want at each moment, how much engine drag I want to control the rear end on turn in.
When I was lapping Combe in my manual e92 M3 I was trail braking, blipping the throttle on downshifts and fading the clutch at the same time as I drifted over the crest into T1. It was heaven, I've never had so much fun in a car as then. No auto could ever do that.
I enjoy driving my old manual focus 1.6 diesel to the shops more than I did driving a brand new A5 TFSI S Line across some of the best roads in the Cotswolds today. There is no interference with my inputs in the Focus, no lag, no unintended movement of the car. My S6 is loads better, loads more responsive and faster but I still find myself raging at the gearbox as it pushes me forward in a corner or whilst I wait for an upshift or respond to a shift I didn't order.
Autos are s
t.Edited by tenmantaylor on Tuesday 9th August 20:11
DevonPaul said:
Clivey said:
Judging by our (manual) M140i, that engine / gearbox combo makes this car so refreshing next to the sea of boring inline-4 turbo, automatic, AWD clones that have become the default format now.
Shame about the low spec…but you *could* retrofit a lot of the desirable stuff it’s missing.
It's got cruise and aircon. Not sure what else you need?Shame about the low spec…but you *could* retrofit a lot of the desirable stuff it’s missing.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff