M340i

Author
Discussion

JNW1

7,798 posts

195 months

Friday 14th May 2021
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Aftershox said:
Launched my M340 at the weekend for the first time. Wow, makes me not want to buy a sportscar as a second car!!
Depends which sports car you were considering and what you want it to do! I'm sure my M340i Touring would leave most derivatives of Lotus Elise away from the lights but I'm also under no illusions which would make for the more involving and engaging car to drive for fun....

bad company

18,630 posts

267 months

Friday 14th May 2021
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JNW1 said:
Aftershox said:
Launched my M340 at the weekend for the first time. Wow, makes me not want to buy a sportscar as a second car!!
Depends which sports car you were considering and what you want it to do! I'm sure my M340i Touring would leave most derivatives of Lotus Elise away from the lights but I'm also under no illusions which would make for the more involving and engaging car to drive for fun....
Agree. I have a TVR Chim 500 which is the best fun I ever have clothes on. The M340 is all the car you ever need but it’s nice to have a real old fashioned sports car.

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Friday 14th May 2021
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It's certainly no sportscar, but I doubt any of us expected it to be one. Evo mag have just finished with their long termer and are mostly complimentary of it, saying its a return to BMW producing a good to drive regular BMW, and a great all rounder.

RonnieHotdogs

1,010 posts

102 months

Friday 14th May 2021
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Can't argue with that from Evo ... It is a great all rounder.

Very comfy (even more so now I've ditched the runflats), well built and very quick, or will be once it's bedded in. Drives a lot nicer than my old 440i GC too. And it's far better on fuel than the last few cars I've owned.

Just needs a bit more noise - had the MPPSK on my 4 and it really transformed the car.

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Saturday 15th May 2021
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RonnieHotdogs said:
Just needs a bit more noise - had the MPPSK on my 4 and it really transformed the car.
I think without an OPF bi-pass it would be difficult to create the sound of a MPPSK on the m340i. Mine has got a bit louder since new, and sounds good on start up but otherwise a bit muted from the inside. The insulation and acoustic glass see to that I guess.

I'm interested to see what a Remus back box sounds like, sounds pretty decent on a B58 engined Supra with OPF, plus I think it can work with the standard fake tips which most people seem to hate but I like the more subtle look.

RonnieHotdogs

1,010 posts

102 months

Saturday 15th May 2021
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I think Milltek also do an opf back system, so it's either that or the Remus from what I can see.

I've seen a few others where they've gone for a quad exhaust look which I think means you have to change the rear valance as well.

Like yourself, I prefer the sleeper / understated look.

Might have a look in a few months when it's bedded in a little more. Until then I've always got the option of unplugging the exhaust valve controller to keep it open smile

Edit : looks like there's no EC approved option from Milltek. Damn it.

Edited by RonnieHotdogs on Saturday 15th May 15:07

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
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I've driven mine quite a lot recently, and it's still a great all round family car but there is definitely some room for improvement.

Firstly, front end grip and feel seems to be lacking, and therefore I'm going to have to bite the bullet and ditch the run flats shortly hoping that improves things.

Secondly, I'm finding the gearbox a bit frustrating. I know it seems to be universally loved, but I am struggling with it coming from a manual. It might change quickly and efficiently, but it lacks any character or involvement and I often find it slow to react or too aggressive. Comfort seems fine for motorway use, but too unresponsive the rest of the time. Sport is a reasonable compromise, but not exciting enough on a spirited drive, while sports plus is just too aggressive and hangs on to gears too long when you get up to speed. Any tips?

On a positive note, due to the crazy used car prices I could trade it in for what I paid for it new 8 months ago, weird times.

Edited by JackReacher on Tuesday 6th July 16:11

Burwood

18,709 posts

247 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
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JackReacher said:
I've driven mine quite a lot recently, and it's still a great all round family car but there is definitely some room for improvement.

Firstly, front end grip and feel seems to be lacking, and therefore I'm going to have to bite the bullet and ditch the run flats shortly hoping that improves things.

Secondly, I'm finding the gearbox a bit frustrating. I know it seems to be universally loved, but I am struggling with it coming from a manual. It might change quickly and efficiently, but it lacks any character or involvement and I often find it slow to react or too aggressive. Comfort seems fine for motorway use, but too unresponsive the rest of the time. Sport is a reasonable compromise, but not exciting enough on a spirited drive, while sports plus is just too aggressive and hangs on to gears too long when you get up to speed. Any tips?

On a positive note, due to the crazy used car prices I could trade it in for what I paid for it new 8 months ago, weird times.

Edited by JackReacher on Tuesday 6th July 16:11
I recall the support was close to 10k(18 months ago). It's now under 6k so I suspect all manufacturers know used prices are firming so have simply slashed the support smile

VerySideways

10,240 posts

273 months

Wednesday 7th July 2021
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JackReacher said:
I've driven mine quite a lot recently, and it's still a great all round family car but there is definitely some room for improvement.

Firstly, front end grip and feel seems to be lacking, and therefore I'm going to have to bite the bullet and ditch the run flats shortly hoping that improves things.

Secondly, I'm finding the gearbox a bit frustrating. I know it seems to be universally loved, but I am struggling with it coming from a manual. It might change quickly and efficiently, but it lacks any character or involvement and I often find it slow to react or too aggressive. Comfort seems fine for motorway use, but too unresponsive the rest of the time. Sport is a reasonable compromise, but not exciting enough on a spirited drive, while sports plus is just too aggressive and hangs on to gears too long when you get up to speed. Any tips?
I never drove mine on the runflats, fitted the 898's with PS4S before i even drove it home, but the front end grip is superb on the 4S's.
The steering isn't the most communicative but i think that's just modern cars in general, i don't find the G21 any better or worse than the equivalents.

As for the gearbox, i think it's absolutely brilliant, BUT (note that it's a big but) it has to be used in specific ways;
- comfort/adaptive are great for mundane daily use.
- sport is very good, but only once you learn that it's very reactive to your right foot. I can change gear up or down in Sport just by using my right foot. It's very clever.
- sport plus is hopeless. Just holds on to gears for way too long, only good if you're fully committed. Suffice to say i've barely used it.

My favourite (when i'm in the mood) is Sport Individual - with engine in Sport, transmission in Sport, suspension in Sport and steering in comfort... but then i flick the stick to the side and use it as a sequential manual (or occasionally i use the paddles).
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "involving" but it's much, much better than both my previous X3 M40i and the F31 340i before that.

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Wednesday 7th July 2021
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VerySideways said:
I never drove mine on the runflats, fitted the 898's with PS4S before i even drove it home, but the front end grip is superb on the 4S's.
The steering isn't the most communicative but i think that's just modern cars in general, i don't find the G21 any better or worse than the equivalents.

As for the gearbox, i think it's absolutely brilliant, BUT (note that it's a big but) it has to be used in specific ways;
- comfort/adaptive are great for mundane daily use.
- sport is very good, but only once you learn that it's very reactive to your right foot. I can change gear up or down in Sport just by using my right foot. It's very clever.
- sport plus is hopeless. Just holds on to gears for way too long, only good if you're fully committed. Suffice to say i've barely used it.

My favourite (when i'm in the mood) is Sport Individual - with engine in Sport, transmission in Sport, suspension in Sport and steering in comfort... but then i flick the stick to the side and use it as a sequential manual (or occasionally i use the paddles).
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "involving" but it's much, much better than both my previous X3 M40i and the F31 340i before that.
Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely go for PS4S when I change, and while I think some 898's in gunmetal would look good on my Portimao touring, the wheels will have to wait for now.

I'll play around with the gearbox a bit more, sport setting seems the best so will try that in the sequential setting. My sport individual is set the same as yours other than having suspension in comfort, but presume yours in sport with the PS4S is more compliant than mine in sport with runflats, so that makes sense.

HOLTYY

11 posts

149 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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M340i Saloon

I've just been offered one of these on lease - £2k down and £495 a month for 2 years. Comfort pack is the only addition, so I'm worried about the base stereo as always gone for HK. Any thoughts?

I know I'm already going to love the engine (sold my Z4 M40i earlier this after it appreciated significantly!) and I think the above is a pretty good deal in the climate (allbeit PCH not PCP so I'm in it till the end!)

Cheers in advance for any comments

Burwood

18,709 posts

247 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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No math required to know that is a good deal.

12TS

1,852 posts

211 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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Just depends on how much you like music I guess. I quite like the HK but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

HM-2

12,467 posts

170 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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Burwood said:
No math required to know that is a good deal.
Quite, that sounds like a cracking deal

CK369

80 posts

85 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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HOLTYY said:
M340i Saloon

I've just been offered one of these on lease - £2k down and £495 a month for 2 years. Comfort pack is the only addition, so I'm worried about the base stereo as always gone for HK. Any thoughts?

I know I'm already going to love the engine (sold my Z4 M40i earlier this after it appreciated significantly!) and I think the above is a pretty good deal in the climate (allbeit PCH not PCP so I'm in it till the end!)

Cheers in advance for any comments
If there's more than one available, do please wave the offer in my direction.

HOLTYY

11 posts

149 months

Wednesday 15th September 2021
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CK369 said:
If there's more than one available, do please wave the offer in my direction.
Thanks for all your comments. The deal are for in stock cars with Zen Auto - they had a few cars left, but I think I got the last mineral white.

I’ll see if I can find the link tonight and I’ll post it - they are saying 2-4 weeks delivery only which is what swung it for me in the first place.

Dougie166

18 posts

158 months

Wednesday 22nd September 2021
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Zenauto quote for me was £2692 down and £448/month for 4 years and 32k miles

therams

246 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Thread resurrection……

Anyone know what the current deals are on m340x cars? I’m assuming low supply and high demand means the days of £10k off rrp are long gone.

Mr Whippy

29,055 posts

242 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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therams said:
Thread resurrection……

Anyone know what the current deals are on m340x cars? I’m assuming low supply and high demand means the days of £10k off rrp are long gone.
From what I gather, there is a swing on the low supply high demand state.

I’d wait 6 months and you might be saving yourself £10k.

Obviously interest rates might be higher then, and any trade in values might be significantly impacted.

breadvan

2,004 posts

169 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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I bought one last week, stock is still low right now especially if like me, you’re looking for a fully optioned car. I went nearly new in the end. There’s also a big gap on the used market between high and low spec cars. Also worth noting there is wiggle room on the screen price which hasn’t always been the case recently.