M340i

[JNW1]

bad company said:

RonnieHotdogs said:

kingofdbrits said:

Interesting to hear, I swapped my F31 to non-runflat PS4 and it made a huge difference from the run flat Conti's it came with, but only after they were worn, my M340i is a few weeks away and planned on changing to non-RFT PS4's pretty quickly.

Same here, mine's due in late July, so keeping an eye out for any decent deals.

What do you do with the tyres you take off? Seems a shame to throw them away.

Potentially you can sell them through the classifieds on a forum like this or Bimmerpost or alternatively somewhere like eBay's an option as well. There are people out there who actively prefer run-flats - usually because they're worried about the implications of a puncture with a conventional tyre - so if someone like that's needing new tyres they might be happy to consider a set that's hardly worn if they offer a decent saving over buying brand new...

[RonnieHotdogs]

JNW1 said:

Potentially you can sell them through the classifieds on a forum like this or Bimmerpost or alternatively somewhere like eBay's an option as well. There are people out there who actively prefer run-flats - usually because they're worried about the implications of a puncture with a conventional tyre - so if someone like that's needing new tyres they might be happy to consider a set that's hardly worn if they offer a decent saving over buying brand new...

Yep, I've sold loads of sets of tyres over the years. The last set was 4 X Bridgestone S005s from my M135i a few months ago.

Replaced them with Michelin PS4S and got £260 back which covered a significant portion of the cost of the new tyres. Guy came from 120 miles away to collect them.

If I'm going to swap them over, I'll usually do it the day I receive the car, or even get the supplying dealer to do it ... That way they're still essentially new - you won't necessarily get a lot more for them, but they sell a lot quicker and easier.

I usually use Facebook Marketplace. So many "wots Ur lowest price M8" messages, but I just troll the time wasters now.

[knitware]

bad company said:

Yes of course I’ve tried a BMW on non run flats. As I said I’m perfectly happy with the tyres that came with the car.

Also as the cars no longer come with a spare tyre what do you do if you get a puncture on a non run flat?

I have a spare wheel in the boot, it's an optional extra ticked.

[JackReacher]

RonnieHotdogs said:

Had a change of plans so sorting my m340i through Tony Lewis now, and had some photos through.

It has Goodyears on! Still runflats by the look of it, but happier with that.

Mine has the Goodyears on, my first ever run flat tyres and expected to hate them, but I actually find them pretty decent. I might still change to some nice Michelins if I saw a good deal but haven't felt an immediate rush to do so. Plus my wife uses it a lot, and her not having to worry about a flat tyre is a good thing.

[TimewarpUK]

Are the heights on the electric adjustable seats different than the manual seats? I originally was going to spec Comfort Plus, but I'm toying with changing this to Comfort. It'll be me driving 90% of the time, therefore driver memory won't get used that much. However, if the electric seats are lower then I'll be tempted to stick to Plus. Please let me know if anyone has tried both.

[knitware]

TimewarpUK said:

Are the heights on the electric adjustable seats different than the manual seats? I originally was going to spec Comfort Plus, but I'm toying with changing this to Comfort. It'll be me driving 90% of the time, therefore driver memory won't get used that much. However, if the electric seats are lower then I'll be tempted to stick to Plus. Please let me know if anyone has tried both.

I haven't tried both but I had electric seats in a 5 series and a previous 3 series and now I have manual, but with lumbar...

If I had ordered my car from factory I would have had electric seats but having now used the manual options I think I have seen the light.

I think, I'm sure the manual seats give more adjustment, it feels that way. My wife is much shorter than me but she only moves the seat forward and steering colum in, so no hassle. The seats can be adjusted low, sorry, not sure how that compares with electric.

I think what I'm saying is, if you don't option the electric seats it shouldn't be a hardship.

[TimewarpUK]

knitware said:

I haven't tried both but I had electric seats in a 5 series and a previous 3 series and now I have manual, but with lumbar...

If I had ordered my car from factory I would have had electric seats but having now used the manual options I think I have seen the light.

I think, I'm sure the manual seats give more adjustment, it feels that way. My wife is much shorter than me but she only moves the seat forward and steering colum in, so no hassle. The seats can be adjusted low, sorry, not sure how that compares with electric.

I think what I'm saying is, if you don't option the electric seats it shouldn't be a hardship.

Thanks, this is useful.

Interesting that manual gives you so much adjustment, this is the reason I have previously specified electric.

[knitware]

TimewarpUK said:

Thanks, this is useful.

Interesting that manual gives you so much adjustment, this is the reason I have previously specified electric.

That's just my subjective view, but I do find the G20 seats really comfortable and have only adjusted them when I bought the car, over a couple of days, and after my wife drives. Have a sit in one and have a play.

[RonnieHotdogs]

Mine arrived today, manual seats, and can confirm they're just as adjustable as the electric seats on my old 4GC.

Standard Vernasca leather, but very comfy!

Such a smooth, effortless and quiet car, it's lovely.

[RonnieHotdogs]

JackReacher said:

I might still change to some nice Michelins if I saw a good deal but haven't felt an immediate rush to do so.

10% off at Blackcircles today on Michelin tyres - £655 for the set fitted.

Must admit I'm tempted, especially since the stock runflats should be really easy to sell on.

There's still an edge of harshness to the ride that the Michelins should iron out - they made a huge difference on my m135i when replacing the stock Bridgestones, and those were non-runflats.

[bad company]

RonnieHotdogs said:

Mine arrived today, manual seats, and can confirm they're just as adjustable as the electric seats on my old 4GC.

Standard Vernasca leather, but very comfy!

Such a smooth, effortless and quiet car, it's lovely.

Be careful, it’ll be going faster than you think.

[Jonny Wishbone]

A quick word on the leather as the subject has come up.

I was never going to plump for the Merino or more expensive options as I'm just not that bothered as I don't feel the leather through my clothes. What I'd read suggested that Vernasca is basically Dakota with better PR and whilst it may be - I'm not au fait with the intricacies of automotive leather composition - I'm pleasantly surprised. It splits the difference between Dakota and Merino for me. It is still grainy but the grain is finer than Dakota and it certainly feels a decent amount softer - I owned a Dakota clad car for 4 years prior to the G21 so I've got a good feel for it.

[ratty6464]

knitware said:

bad company said:

I really don’t understand why anyone would buy one and spend a fortune changing the perfectly good run flat tyres to something the car wasn’t designed to run on.

You don't understand, have you tried non run flat tyres on a BMW, perhaps that may help? The run flats are perfectly good for some people, not so much for others. I didn't know the 3 series was designed to only run on run flats?

I’ve swapped the Pirelli run flats from my M340i to Michelin PS4S. Makes a massive difference to ride comfort, grip in damp and wet weather and confidence to push hard in dry weather. It should be a no brainier choice.

One of the best upgrades you can make

The car was actually designed for them. If you bought one in the US it would likely come with them as standard.

[JNW1]

ratty6464 said:

I’ve swapped the Pirelli run flats from my M340i to Michelin PS4S. Makes a massive difference to ride comfort, grip in damp and wet weather and confidence to push hard in dry weather. It should be a no brainier choice.

One of the best upgrades you can make

The car was actually designed for them. If you bought one in the US it would likely come with them as standard.

My G21 M340i is on Pirelli run-flats and I can't say I've noticed either poor ride quality or a lack of grip in damp or wet conditions. The latter may just be a reflection of the fact I don't drive that hard nowadays but in terms of the former I'd say my G21 rides better than my F31 335d even though the latter was on 18" rather than 19" wheels and I'd switched it to conventional Goodyear AS2's when the Bridgestone run-flats needed replacing.

So as I said earlier in the thread, personally I haven't found the need to bin the Pirelli run-flats immediately in favour of a premium conventional tyre but I accept others may have a different view and of course it's up to them how they spend their money - ETTO!

[Aftershox]

Launched my M340 at the weekend for the first time. Wow, makes me not want to buy a sportscar as a second car!!

[chandrew]

JackReacher said:

In day to day driving the i3s feels quicker and more responsive than the m340i, that is due to the instant torque available with no delay which is a benefit of EVs in general. Of course on paper and on more open roads the m340i is a lot quicker, but not noticable around town. I3's are brilliant cars.

I have (until next week) a F31 xDrive 340i. When I got it I was coming out of an i3 because a move necessitated AWD. I tested a car with and without the MPPSK. In the end I got the latter because it came closest to the response of the i3. The standard 340i felt unresponsive in comparison.

[bad company]

chandrew said:

JackReacher said:

In day to day driving the i3s feels quicker and more responsive than the m340i, that is due to the instant torque available with no delay which is a benefit of EVs in general. Of course on paper and on more open roads the m340i is a lot quicker, but not noticable around town. I3's are brilliant cars.

I have (until next week) a F31 xDrive 340i. When I got it I was coming out of an i3 because a move necessitated AWD. I tested a car with and without the MPPSK. In the end I got the latter because it came closest to the response of the i3. The standard 340i felt unresponsive in comparison.

Wtf is ‘MPPSK’?

[chandrew]

bad company said:

chandrew said:

JackReacher said:

In day to day driving the i3s feels quicker and more responsive than the m340i, that is due to the instant torque available with no delay which is a benefit of EVs in general. Of course on paper and on more open roads the m340i is a lot quicker, but not noticable around town. I3's are brilliant cars.

I have (until next week) a F31 xDrive 340i. When I got it I was coming out of an i3 because a move necessitated AWD. I tested a car with and without the MPPSK. In the end I got the latter because it came closest to the response of the i3. The standard 340i felt unresponsive in comparison.

Wtf is ‘MPPSK’?

Sorry, it is the 'M-Performance Power and Sound Kit' that was available for the previous generation car. It took power up to 355 bhp and 500NM and for the xDrive cars (not available I believe in the UK) brought acceleration down to 4.5 to 60. Here in Switzerland it was available as an option on the cars after about 2017, before it was a dealer fit option.

[Burwood]

bad company said:

chandrew said:

JackReacher said:

In day to day driving the i3s feels quicker and more responsive than the m340i, that is due to the instant torque available with no delay which is a benefit of EVs in general. Of course on paper and on more open roads the m340i is a lot quicker, but not noticable around town. I3's are brilliant cars.

I have (until next week) a F31 xDrive 340i. When I got it I was coming out of an i3 because a move necessitated AWD. I tested a car with and without the MPPSK. In the end I got the latter because it came closest to the response of the i3. The standard 340i felt unresponsive in comparison.

Wtf is ‘MPPSK’?

a fruity exhaust. something akin to MSport Power and Sound Kit.

[HM-2]

bad company said:

chandrew said:

JackReacher said:

In day to day driving the i3s feels quicker and more responsive than the m340i, that is due to the instant torque available with no delay which is a benefit of EVs in general. Of course on paper and on more open roads the m340i is a lot quicker, but not noticable around town. I3's are brilliant cars.

I have (until next week) a F31 xDrive 340i. When I got it I was coming out of an i3 because a move necessitated AWD. I tested a car with and without the MPPSK. In the end I got the latter because it came closest to the response of the i3. The standard 340i felt unresponsive in comparison.

Wtf is ‘MPPSK’?

M Performance Power and Sound Kit. Basically a valved BMW warrantied exhaust and remap to 360bhp (though in reality it's more like 380).