BMW M340 purchase

[Dragnet 5]

Hello

I am looking to buy a BMW M340i or M340d pre facelift 2021 or 2022.

Having test driven both the petrol and diesel they seem even - the petrol is a bit more agile and nimble so handling is better and a bit nippier. The diesel has more torque and therefore feels like a more powerful, grumbling engine for real world driving.

I drive 12,000 miles a year mainly on the motorway. Economically I think that the diesel edges it from a fuel consumption perspective when you take into account MPG and the price of diesel and petrol.

The petrol costs a bit more to buy, but may have a better resale value in the future I think. This is difficult to predict though.

Any advice as to whether to go for the M340i or M340d would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Wills2]

I think the price differential on fuel negates any MPG advantage and my feeling is diesel isn't going to do well in terms of residuals, in many ways a powerful diesel has a lot going for it as daily car but I think the 40i is probably the one to get at your annual mileage.

[Rafka]

I had a 2000 BMW 340 MSport. Fantastic car, possibly the best daily driver I’ve owned. Fast and frugal.

Changed it for a 440 2 years ago. Much better than the oil burner imo.

[mmm-five]

How about an i4 eDrive40 M-Sport or i4 M50?

Will probably be the cheapest to run too.

Edited by mmm-five on Sunday 20th September 12:53

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’ve owned a 22 plate M440d Coupe from 5 months old and really like it. Nearly all of its miles are on motorways, run on premium Shell fuel it returns over 50 MPG. Dynamically in the real world, I don’t think you’d notice any difference between the petrol and diesel.

I think on the used market the diesel’s are beginning to struggle and you could get a cheaper car with better fuel consumption. However, long term the petrol residual values I think will be far better. On balance petrol is probably the way to go.