340i Touring - good or bad idea?

340i Touring - good or bad idea?

Author
Discussion

J3PTF

Original Poster:

264 posts

158 months

Saturday 6th June 2020
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Been browsing far too much the last couple of months, and am tempted by a nearly new one of these. A bit of an impulse buy though, so any experience or thoughts from the collective PH wisdom?

Dizeee

18,302 posts

206 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
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Its all the car you could ever need apparently. A fine balance between performance and practicality.

paulwirral

3,132 posts

135 months

Monday 8th June 2020
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Good idea , I bought one when they first came out and still have it , we'll only get rid of it if the wife's employers insist on enforcing their no cars over 6 years old policy.

dasbimmerowner

364 posts

141 months

Monday 8th June 2020
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I like mine, but it does rather depend on what sort of thing you're looking for.

JackReacher

2,126 posts

215 months

Monday 8th June 2020
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I'm also debating one of these, but my concern is it's just a small executive estate with a big engine, and dynamically slightly flawed from a steering and ride perspective. Had a brief drive in a 440i gran coupe with same engine and felt slightly less enthusiastic than my m240i (which is far from perfect). The other option is the hot hatch with a big boot Golf R estate, which felt better to drive but lacks the straight 6 sound and some interior quality compared to the 3 series.

There is a frustrating lack of fast petrol estates at this price point of you want to avoid the RS/AMG tax. The m340i touring looks good but too much money still.

mr sagman

1,718 posts

236 months

Monday 8th June 2020
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I've had mine for coming up to 18 months and I love mine.. I find it the perfect blend of performance / practicality and comfort.. Mine has the Adaptive suspension and the MPPSK and I Can't see me selling this for a long time as it ticks every box for me, without being too hardcore for everyday use.. The only change I may consider in the future is a M340i Touring.. But for now I'm well happy.

megenzo

239 posts

136 months

Monday 8th June 2020
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Dizeee said:
Its all the car you could ever need apparently. A fine balance between performance and practicality.
I bought an e91 335i under similar circs in 2009, 2 years old, I still have it now.

Dizeee

18,302 posts

206 months

Tuesday 9th June 2020
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JackReacher said:
I'm also debating one of these, but my concern is it's just a small executive estate with a big engine, and dynamically slightly flawed from a steering and ride perspective. Had a brief drive in a 440i gran coupe with same engine and felt slightly less enthusiastic than my m240i (which is far from perfect). The other option is the hot hatch with a big boot Golf R estate, which felt better to drive but lacks the straight 6 sound and some interior quality compared to the 3 series.

There is a frustrating lack of fast petrol estates at this price point of you want to avoid the RS/AMG tax. The m340i touring looks good but too much money still.
If you didn't like the 240 ( and your one of the only people I have heard negative comments from about the car ) I certainly wouldn't be looking at a 340.

FWIW, I agree re the handling opinion. Mine is totally stock bar a map ( significant power gains ) and my rear run flat tyres are on the limit of legality. You really have to be switched on to get the most out of the car in these circumstances - but this is kind of what I enjoy, as it is a challenge.

Looking forward to new tyres next week.

Dizeee

18,302 posts

206 months

Tuesday 9th June 2020
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megenzo said:
I bought an e91 335i under similar circs in 2009, 2 years old, I still have it now.
You must be on annual tax of £560 then? This was a big swayer when I was looking at 335's - 2011 onwards and tax halved.

mr sagman

1,718 posts

236 months

Tuesday 9th June 2020
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Dizeee said:
JackReacher said:
I'm also debating one of these, but my concern is it's just a small executive estate with a big engine, and dynamically slightly flawed from a steering and ride perspective. Had a brief drive in a 440i gran coupe with same engine and felt slightly less enthusiastic than my m240i (which is far from perfect). The other option is the hot hatch with a big boot Golf R estate, which felt better to drive but lacks the straight 6 sound and some interior quality compared to the 3 series.

There is a frustrating lack of fast petrol estates at this price point of you want to avoid the RS/AMG tax. The m340i touring looks good but too much money still.
If you didn't like the 240 ( and your one of the only people I have heard negative comments from about the car ) I certainly wouldn't be looking at a 340.

FWIW, I agree re the handling opinion. Mine is totally stock bar a map ( significant power gains ) and my rear run flat tyres are on the limit of legality. You really have to be switched on to get the most out of the car in these circumstances - but this is kind of what I enjoy, as it is a challenge.

Looking forward to new tyres next week.
I would highly recommend moving away from the run flats... I run MIchekin PS4's and the car handles superbly... I have come from multiple M cars and don't ever find myself 'wanting.... don't do track days just like a bit of fun when in the mood and this car provides that and more.

megenzo

239 posts

136 months

Tuesday 9th June 2020
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Dizeee said:
You must be on annual tax of £560 then? This was a big swayer when I was looking at 335's - 2011 onwards and tax halved.
I am on the higher tax bracket but payable per month, its only 20 odd quid difference, not worth getting concerned about.

James-m5qjf

1,468 posts

47 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
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After much deliberation I’ve just pulled the trigger on one. It’s March 2018 so I’ll be getting the MPPSK fitted for some extra sound and grunt.

After 8 years of F30 and F31 320d ownership, and getting rid of my bikes, I needed a practical car with a bit of a kick. The S4 Avant was top of the list for a while but I think the 340 is better value and the B58 can’t be beaten at this range.

ThePrisoner

1,056 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
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James-m5qjf said:
After much deliberation I’ve just pulled the trigger on one. It’s March 2018 so I’ll be getting the MPPSK fitted for some extra sound and grunt.

After 8 years of F30 and F31 320d ownership, and getting rid of my bikes, I needed a practical car with a bit of a kick. The S4 Avant was top of the list for a while but I think the 340 is better value and the B58 can’t be beaten at this range.
Good choice. I love my 340i . I have got to know it a lot better as i use it for work duties because of the original lock down . I'm really pleased with it ...43 MPG is quite achievable . Enjoy. thumbup

James-m5qjf

1,468 posts

47 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
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ThePrisoner said:
James-m5qjf said:
After much deliberation I’ve just pulled the trigger on one. It’s March 2018 so I’ll be getting the MPPSK fitted for some extra sound and grunt.

After 8 years of F30 and F31 320d ownership, and getting rid of my bikes, I needed a practical car with a bit of a kick. The S4 Avant was top of the list for a while but I think the 340 is better value and the B58 can’t be beaten at this range.
Good choice. I love my 340i . I have got to know it a lot better as i use it for work duties because of the original lock down . I'm really pleased with it ...43 MPG is quite achievable . Enjoy. thumbup
43 MPG??? That’s more like what I get from my 320d!



ThePrisoner

1,056 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
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James-m5qjf said:
ThePrisoner said:
James-m5qjf said:
After much deliberation I’ve just pulled the trigger on one. It’s March 2018 so I’ll be getting the MPPSK fitted for some extra sound and grunt.

After 8 years of F30 and F31 320d ownership, and getting rid of my bikes, I needed a practical car with a bit of a kick. The S4 Avant was top of the list for a while but I think the 340 is better value and the B58 can’t be beaten at this range.
Good choice. I love my 340i . I have got to know it a lot better as i use it for work duties because of the original lock down . I'm really pleased with it ...43 MPG is quite achievable . Enjoy. thumbup
43 MPG??? That’s more like what I get from my 320d!
Well it did take me 2 months to achieve that figure TBH. A 115 mile commute into the Wharf from south Bucks . biggrin

mr sagman

1,718 posts

236 months

Thursday 11th June 2020
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James-m5qjf said:
After much deliberation I’ve just pulled the trigger on one. It’s March 2018 so I’ll be getting the MPPSK fitted for some extra sound and grunt.

After 8 years of F30 and F31 320d ownership, and getting rid of my bikes, I needed a practical car with a bit of a kick. The S4 Avant was top of the list for a while but I think the 340 is better value and the B58 can’t be beaten at this range.
Welcome to the 340i Touring MPPSK club.. Great choice and don't forget the pics

James-m5qjf

1,468 posts

47 months

Thursday 11th June 2020
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Here she is... picking it up at the end of the month..

CrgT16

1,965 posts

108 months

Thursday 11th June 2020
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Had mine for 3 years and it was great all around. Managed overall 33mpg. Nice engine, comfortable. Towards the end of ownership found it boring and in hindsight with too much power for our roads. Doing 100mph was just too easy so at normal speeds the engine barely worked. If you can get the exhaust and power pack that would help. Overall good but I decided to buy something with less power. The power is great to have but to really enjoy it you will lose your licence quickly. That’s my view on more powerful cars now unless short geared.

You won’t regret it great combo.

mr sagman

1,718 posts

236 months

Thursday 11th June 2020
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James-m5qjf said:
Here she is... picking it up at the end of the month..
Wow lovely colour and spec... The MPPSK turns it into an animal.. just be careful of the speeding at first because they hit 100 without trying.

ThePrisoner

1,056 posts

208 months

Thursday 11th June 2020
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James-m5qjf said:
Here she is... picking it up at the end of the month..
Very Nice. I wish i picked another colour like that . Mines Sapphire Black which only stays clean for a day .