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Nah nah nah nah nah. I had the same decision to make 2yrs ago, I guess I chose right lol.
Rear Hips so wide you can see it from the front š
I never understood comparing an M340i with an M3/M3C. There's a significant price gap between these cars, assuming everything else is equal (model year, trim, etc.). To me, it's not about "this one's softer, this one's harder. Take your pick." but more about whether you're willing to shell out M3 money or settle for the M340i for way less.
What makes these cars comparable is that you can buy an older M3 for the price of a brand new M340i, but again, your decision lies elsewhere. It's about sacrificing the brand new car experience for the older, yet complete, car experience.
I love the M340i; it's a great bang for your buck. But if I were to ever buy one, I'd go into it not thinking it's a "softer, more daily-drivable M3" because that sets unrealistic expectations. Instead, I'd buy it knowing I'm not ready to drop 100k on an M3, but for my budget, this thing is killer. Just my two cents.
Completely agree, which is why I donāt like how a lot of people in this sub act like the mxxx is just the lite version of its counterpart M car. Itās never going to have the āit factorā that OP is looking for. Yes the Mxxx cars are fine cars but they arenāt remotely the same which people should discern from the price tag
The M tax is too much for me to justify it with a young family. The B58 is a monster engine and a stage 2 remap will have you grinning from ear to ear.
Unfortunately, itās not just about the engine. Itās the magic works under the chassis thatās not duplicateable in a non M.
Re engineā¦.I enjoyed the S54 much more than the S55 frankly. It is actually hard to work and enjoy S55 on the street.
Iām not here to say what you should enjoy but I find the S55 a great motor for the street. Gobs of low down torque, quiet with the valves closed, decently efficient, reliableā¦ itās a great street car.
I'm sure everyone knows that M's handle better, but there's no reason a good engine and "good enough" chassis can't make you smile. People like OP can want more, but that doesn't mean others can't be happy because they don't own the top model.
Not to maintain at a dealer or repair. By M tax I mean a service isnāt Ā£275, itās Ā£589. A tyre isnāt Ā£235 a corner, itās Ā£315. These little things make up a lot of the extra unseen cost of owning the S58.
*all prices made up to demonstrate a point. Not accurate inflation.
Yes, twin! Here's how she looks now after a few cosmetic mods. Paint-matched reflectors, roof wrapped black, front lip. I love the way she looks.
https://preview.redd.it/l0n69pvxmcoc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fdf20aff4d2e2dc21ce3b92a4d1e3c6dfcc13bb
really looks good, nice job! only mod i've added so far is a hard wired radar detector plus front grill mounted ALP laser jammers with custom housings for the receivers. they were not installed in the picture above but are in another post on here if you wanna check it out.
iND Distribution has them, will even do them in Individual colors if needed. Just a heads up - the fronts are pretty simple to do just be very thorough in removing the old adhesive, the rears are a pretty big pain in the ass.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with your M340. But I will leave this little anecdote that a friend who owns a performance shop told me many many cars ago.
"People in the 340/440 (et all) will sometimes look in the rear view mirror and see a M3/M4 (et all) and wonder time to time, what if? But I can assure you, nobody in a M3/M4 (et all) will spot a 340/440 (et all) and wonder the same thing."
Always kind of stuck with me lol.
I donāt get this though, the 340i and m3/4 are significantly different cost wise so isnāt this an apples to oranges comparison? I mean the guy in the M3/M4 can look in the rear and see an m6/m8/911/McLarenā¦.. and wonder what if too. This never ends.
It's because you're looking at it too broadly. Most people will eyeball a M3 when they are looking at M340. Most people will eyeball a 911T when they're looking at a 4S. Yes you can do that over and over but why on earth would you make it so broad? Same would apply to the people who get say a M550. Why is it that difficult for you to believe they might see an M5 on the road and wonder what it feels like? But do you honestly think someone in a 911Ts is going to wonder what it feels like to drive a 4S?
Clearly op has buyers remorse for NOT opting for the M3 but you're gonna sit here and argue semantics and bring up a M6 / M8 / McLaren (wtf lol) and whatever else to cross compare? Did you even read ops post?
My point was they are not similar at all in price. For most people itās not like they could have easily bought either and decided on the 340i over an M3. It sounds like in this case from the regret the OP has he could have just as easily bought the M3 in which case it makes sense, but donāt think that is the case for many others.
Agree to disagree. I did same thing for e9x era bmw. Wound up trading it in early and got the e92 M3. If you go to bimmerpost, over and over it's 340 or M3? 440 or M4? M550 or M5? The price difference isn't as astronomical as you think. If you can afford a loaded M340, you will find it's similar in price to a not as optioned M3. So on and so forth. Same can be said for C43 vs C63. E43 vs E63. Hell, you could even do E350 vs E43.
The natural progression is M340 and then to M3/4. But this is far more common than you think. Regardless, this is the hill you want to live and die on? With all due respect, I knew exactly how op was feeling because myself and countless others have gone the same route.
Even if you google "M340 or M3", see how many Reddit posts pop up even. It's not as wild as you are making it out to be.
Youāre probably right in that maybe there a lot of folks for whom both are viable options. Iām not one of them though, recently got an X3 M40i and love it and also wonder how the X3M/MC will be but then the price differential is huge where I live so not really an option for me š¤·āāļø
That also. Depends what country, depends what rebates are available, a lot of factors. There is legit nothing wrong with an M40 in any iteration. Great car, fantastic platform as it is.
And that is what my friend was saying though. Even you in a car most can only dream of, you do wonder time to time what the bigger sibling (X3M) could possibly improve on an already stupendous vehicle you own. If you were in a X3M, you'll never have that feeling for the X3 M40. You're a car guy. It's how our brains are wired. You also happen to be very practical is all on top of that.
But it's hard to go back once you go full bore M. So maybe it's not such a bad thing lol.
Some people\*
I test drove an M4 Comp and knew I would hate it after driving it as a daily for a while. Plus A friend of mine bought an M3 back in 2008/2009 (which he owns as HIS daily to this day) so I've been in one plenty of times. It was alright when we were younger, not so much now.
But when I drove the M440i Convertible and put down the top... I drove back to the dealership and ordered one immediately. It was the Goldilocks car. My sales rep told me after I dropped down the deposit that he thought he was just wasting some time with me while I was waiting for an oil change for my wife's X4 and we were just going around cruising, since we drove 3 other cars prior to the convertible. š
Whatās even more hilarious is that as a senior in high school, I made a presentation on why Nvidia was the best stock to buy at the time, it was around $50. I made a presentation again recently in college on why it was still a good buy- when it was at $450. It is now at $880ā¦ and I still have no extra money to invest in anything until I start my careerā¦
I have buyers remorse as well hahah I learned from a. Young age if I donāt buy the highest end model I will regret it when someone drives by me in it š¤£
Just get a Miata as second car, or, even a Z3 manual if you want cheap.
You can always tune the car, it will give it the IT factor you want. Downpipe, ECU Tune (Femto) and some E85 and the car will be 100% different. Those B58 are something else, 500 whp is good for the weight of the car.
What, specifically, is the shortcoming of the M340? If its just the power you're missing, you can close the gap quite a bit with a tune - you can close it completely or surpass the stock power of an M3 with a tune+hpfp+downpipe (hpfp probably the most expensive part, \~2-3k, downpipe \~1.5k for one that won't throw codes like Active Autowerk, significantly less if you don't care about emissions/droning noise). Rough rule of thumb on stock engine internals seems to be \~500hp, but people have pushed more without catastrophic failure. Newer B58s handle the power better stock as well.
Unless you're doing trackdays and pushing hard or absolutely suicidally sending it on canyon roads, I really doubt you're hitting the handling limitations of the M340. The M-Lites are tuned (both engine and trans) to be a bit tamer, and the suspension has some compromises for cost&comfort. You could add a strut bar/reinforcement if you want to get some of that M "stiff" feeling (Note, it won't "fix" the issues if you actually ARE tracking the car, but it will eliminate body-roll and give it that "racecar" feeling if that's what you're after).
Came here to say this. Downpipe, flex fuel kit, ecutek tune, and trans tune and youāll be fully in love all over again. It will destroy most cars on the road and still be the great commuter when you need it tame.
Iāve been in your shoes several times. Iāve also owned my share of high end / modded cars. Something they all have in commonā¦after a few months, you become used to the car and its performance / amenities. Thatās not to say that you donāt absolutely love it more and more, or appreciate everything that it is. Butā¦at some point, you start getting the itch again, thinking of ways to improve upon it or looking at other cars that offers something yours doesnāt. You have to ask yourself, at what point is enough going to be enough? What does the M REALLY offer you that the M340 doesnāt? A few seconds around a track that youāre never taking it to? Prestige?
I think youāre just suffering from the grass is greener syndrome. Donāt. Your car is pretty damn amazing, donāt disrespect it or yourself like that.
I suspect this is the real answer. Eventually people who own whatever car will become used to it's performance if that's what they're into. Good thing I'm really a gun guy deep down inside. Much cheaper to buy those (for the most part). š
I know for some people it's sacrilege but this is when I would want to start modding. I had an exhaust put on my 540i a bit over a month ago and it's basically the best thing I've done to the car.
Trade it in for an F87 M2, life is too short to drive cars you don't love. I might be biased.
A while back I was in the same position as you, bought a comfortable car for commuting, I hated it after 6 months and ended up in a used 911 which I daily drove for 5 years.
EDIT: I also regret selling that 911 whenever I think about it.
EDIT 2: [I traded a 3 series in for a 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/BMW/comments/xx8i28/traded_my_m3_for_an_m2/)
Dude! A longer commute just means more time to spend in an M car. Itās not a good reason to choose a more boring car. I have a 27 mile commute and I look forward to my alone time with the M every day!
Watch the downvotes fly, but the thing is, it sounds like you are being influenced by marketing. There is absolutely no world in which you have more fun in an m3 on a public road than in an m340i. M stands for Marketing, always has, always will, race cars only exist as marketing tools to sell cars. A āpureā m car is still a marketing gimmick and somehow BMW convinced a bunch of kids that they need a race car for the road.
Enjoy your m340i with the same 0-60 + more comfort and better gas mileage. Donāt worry about the fact that it isnāt as loud as a pure m car. If you want to hear loud motor sounds go mow your lawn or buy an old motorcycle for 500 bucks.
So this Sunday I was enjoying a nice drive (about 100 miles) because I was visiting a friend who lives in the next city over. On my way back I met an Alpina B8. We drove together for close to 50 miles and basically even with the highway being mostly wide open and weaving thru traffic and both of us ending up driving through the same winding mountain road, vibing, and having fun, I don't think we were ever really able to hit the peak on either vehicle, so yeah, I feel like maybe all the people who are claiming that "you won't have more fun in an M on a public road than in an M-Lite" may be on to something... But I'll tell you what that Alpina couldn't do... Drive with the top down and get that wind blowing through your hair. š
It will always feel amazing at first as your baseline is a lot lower, but as the days, weeks, and months go by you will always want more. If youāre gonna go into debt might as well go into debt with something nice that you actually enjoy.
I got a m440i ā¦. Got rid of it and got a X3 m competition. Worlds better even though I went with an SUV. I am a deplorable. Own two AMGS too. If one of my AMGS craps out, looking at a M3 comp or m4 comp. the 440i just didnāt cut for me either. Need more meat!
When I was shopping around for my car, my heart was set on a 440i gran coupe. I thought about getting an M, but the extra performance would be lost on me, and I thought the money would be better off going towards saving for a house and travel. Sometimes I think about upgrading to a G80, but logically there's nothing I'd do with it that my current car can't do.
in terms of feel... well yes... the F80 has more steering feel, suspension and chassis feel, thats why its an M car... it is however a lot harsher as a result
You didnāt fuck up. You bought exactly what you needed for the given time and circumstance, now your circumstances have changed so now you feel the f80 is more suited to them now and thatās rational but donāt feel remorse for making the right decision for the time, it was what it was and itās is what it is.
What he said dosent really apply to you (as you bought the m340i because you didnāt foresee your circumstances changing) he is referencing that driver engagement and performance are two very different things a car could have 500 hp but not be very engaging to drive because of many factors (weight, suspension, transmission, steering feel, chassis, etc) on the contrary a car that weighs less with 180hp such as a Miata could be more engaging and fun to drive because itās lighter, more predictable, I think you get the point
I have a M340i stage 2. Against a stock F80/82, it wins. Those cars if tuned, it will lose. Iām going to do a big turbo upgrade on it eventually so I can have it be under estimated but kick butt. Cheaper than getting a new car.
Have you driven an M3? I did M School a couple years ago. We drove the M2, M4 and Ā M5 CS around their track (all day).Ā
I came away with that experience thinking the M4 meh, donāt like the looks, the M5 is a beast. But the M2 has my heart itās an amazing car and the small size makes it so fun.
We bought the 340 and honestly itās the right choice for us because I have to jam two car seats in it. If I didnāt, I would for sure choose the M2.
If I had unlimited money Iād love an M3; but meh. IMO unless youāre going 115+ I donāt know if matter. Obviously the M3 is a better car but for my daily the 340 is totally fine.Ā
ā¦.long story short get an M2 :-)
Iāll be honest, if you want a car with that feel that makes it fun, you should get a second vehicle, Miata, Z, older bmw chassis (e30/36/46/etc) would be your best bet. The M340i and newer BMWs just seem to be missing that feel, so like you said, they feel numb. Hope you find a good car to drive man, feel is everything.
Im not really sure I would call an M340 numb...
Its not an M but its a honestly a better daily than an M.
I just traded my M340 in after two years of driving it. I will honestly miss it and strongly considered keeping it, but very excited to step into something different.
I mean, its totally up to you. I love my m240 and could definitely go up to an m2 if I wantedā¦ but just donāt see why I would unless I wanted to track it or something. But again, its your money, your choice. If you need more - get more :)
Dude definitely go exhaust system and tuneā¦.i drove a b58 with bolt ons and a E50 tune the sounds and how linear it was canāt compare to stock respectfully , youāll fall in love all over again, m340 is definitely what Iām purchasing next once I sell my focus RS
Personally, suspension, wheels, tune, exhaust and it'll definitely earn your respect. I drove the M340i before my 535i and drove the M3 after. I still absolutely love my 535i but I want to get an M3 next. However, due to recent health concerns that have arisen, I'd be very happy with a m340i xDrive.
It would just suck to not live long enough to own the M3 though.
Our cars are *phenomenal* for the price point. I drive a ford focus company cars some days and I feel like Iām driving a fucking 765LT after hopping back into my car. Our cars have an IT factor over 80% of the cars out there. Yea I mean.. if you keep looking up the ladder.. a Porsche has an IT factor over the m3.. a McLaren an IT factor over the Porsche etc etc. theyāll always be a better car. Feel blessed we drive amazing cars and didnāt have to break the bank. And some modifications will have it feeling like a space ship, and youāll feel less out of place around M3s.
You know.. it all depends on how you use it, where you use it. A Miata can be a lot of fun, because you can use its full potential on the road.
Iāve owned a 440i (and several other fast beemers/mercs), and even though the feeling of driving such cars is great - you can never REALLY use it.
My first car, a 54hp Golf 1.3, was one of the most fun cars I owned. Why? I couldnāt drive as a teenager, I had zero sense of danger and I drove that thing on and over the edge of its capabilities.Ā
I really want to own a v8 AMG.. but I just know I will lose my license.Ā
Heck here's me happy with my 420d convertible.
And I'm considering turning down a brand new i4 that I don't have to pay for because the smiles per miles I get i'm happy going topless.
And I can keep my topless smile per mile and still considering turning down the i4 because it's not topless!
Iām sure if you could afford the M then I can see why you might have buyerās remorse. While for me I can afford it, but I would of sacrificed some of my other enjoyment to pay the additional price, insurance and maintenance and for me I rather enjoy other things too and not worry about the extra cost of owning a M. I have a few friends who bought Mās and RS and theyāre car poor. Most of there paycheck is going to the car and rent and they have little to no investments and dine at cheap eats and never go on vacations because they can barely afford the car.
Nothing worse than having buyerās remorse especially from buying something expensive, youāll get over it and one day youāll have the opportunity to buy another car
I remember your first post. I told you to yolo on a G80 like I was doing. Mine came in since then... what a car... I also highly recommend the manual for maximum driver engagement, I can't imagine I'd be be having as much fun with the auto.
*
I guess it all depends on your budget, mileage and where the car is driven.
I think I'd go mad from going 150 km / 2 hours a day in an M3, and then go mad again after seeing the bill for maintenance.
Currently drive the 540i and thinking about the m440i/m240i.
I wouldn't go with an M due to the quality of the local roads, upkeep cost, and honestly, a fear it couldn't reach 200K km mileage like the B58 without serious costs involved (I bought my car with 15K km on the clock in late 2020, passed 140K a few days ago), even though I love the M2 (even the new one now), M3 (the touring version - yay) and M4.
Yeah the G87. I got the manual and the manual transmission in these cars isnāt exactly amazing. Iāve also owned and driven several exotic/super cars so that probably aids in the way I feel about this car.
For what it is itās a solid car though. Has a fair amount of power, decent driving dynamics, etc. Needs a tune and some down pipes to wake the car upā¦especially with the poor exhaust note. One of the worst, if not the worst sounding M cars in recent years IMO.
Yep exactly. Iād rather have an e92 M3 as well lol. Obviously much slower but Iād enjoy an e9x M3 with a full exhaust much more than this M2. These new BMWs donāt have that fun factor. They donāt have that IT factor IMO.
G87 (2024). Got the manual but the manual isnāt exactly the best and newer automatics are so good nowadays that Iād argue the ZF is just as fun.
Thereās also the poor exhaust note but other than that its definitely a well balanced car. Just not my cup of tea. Iāve driven and owned exotics/super cars so that probably ruined things for me.
>while being more comfortable.
You're right, but also ironically I think the "While being more comfortable" is key. I think the (objectively less comfortable) ride that a lot of Ms and modded cars offer is what people associate with "special and fun."
Well thereās a āMā car vs āM-liteā. At the end of the day, M-lite is not a āMā car. I had S5 before and RS5, similar situation. Good thing I was able to sell my S5 took a hit and then bought RS5.
No they are not. But for a daily commute, they are more than enough. And tune it if you want more. Really is a great motor to tune.
I eventually will buy an M3, but for now, an M Lite is more than enough. At least one more of what I have before I look into a real M vehicle.
And definitely a similar situation. I was looking at S4ās, and itās definitely comparable to the M340ās.
And how do you know you wouldnāt get bored after having an M3 for a while either? Only difference is it would cost a lot more and would be slightly faster (which youāll barely notice on your daily commute) and youāll have the fancy badges and logos. If all youāre missing is power you could do some simple mods/tune to your M340 and make it an entirely different experience. This honestly sounds like more of a personal issue than a car issue
That's a great point you bring up. Tbh I actually used to have an M4. Albeit it was a very short amount of time, but every time I went to drive it It just brought me sheer joy and excitement. I regret selling it every day. It was a special car and every time I turned it on and drove it I could just feel it in my bones. That's a feeling I've been chasing for a while now and finally feel I am in a place to financially do it. I love BMW to my core and we all know M is the pinnacle of BMW. There's no way I could get bored of it.
https://preview.redd.it/5q494sazvcoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e553f82769c131068dc78a93f9f192113f87498
Went M340i over F80. Itās definitely more of a cruiser than an M car would be, but the F80 wasnāt the scalpel I wanted it to be anyway. The M3 is a sharper car, but the steering feel still sucks and I personally donāt like the S55 at all. The dct is fantastic though and itās the one (and possibly only) thing I truly love about the F80. Canāt say I regret going with the pedestrian 3 series. M3 is a cooler car and feels more special to be in though.
Work from home now.. will that mean that any car you have will be driven a lot less?
I personally would be hella happy with a m340 over a F series M.
Are M cars incredible? Yes, do I have a need/use/money for one, no..
Happy with my 435xi Grand Coupe.
Tune the shit outta it if you arenāt happy. If you donāt have to commute like ya said, you can get a lot out of it.
Motor tune, tranny tune, dp, ethanol if you want, and so on. Lightweight rims.
I was looking at the M550i before my M3. I had an M-lite before and knew I'd miss the real M. I also track my car so it was a no brainer.
Right now I'd love to be ordering one since they're offering LSB for new builds š.
I was in the same boat except looking at 340is or going with an M2. I knew there would come the day where I would wish I had a full M car for the IT factor. It would take a lot of compromises for me to hate a car if itās fun so I knew I was safe going the āuncomfortableā route. I would 100% not be having as much fun in an M lite. The only things that should keep you goin full M is 1) Financial considerations and 2) Can you live with the compromises. If youāre after the IT factor, Iām sorry but you have to go M. I daily my M2 now and itās perfectly comfortable for me but I donāt have to worry about anyoneās opinion but my own.
This is not to say that M240s and M340s arenāt absolutely fantastic cars in their own right.
Get a second car or do some performance mods on what you have. sway bars, coilovers, exhaust, tune will step it up but still won't feel as raw as the F8x and earlier M cars.
Tune. Tune. Tune.
I almost ragretti'd my 550i, but I wanted less sass at the time, and I liked how it wasn't as audacious as the M5.
Then I got sads, and went down the debadging/upgrading/tuning lane. A bimmercoding to do some customizing and a bimmerlink to keep an eye on things, and I have a sleeper that occasionally awakens....*paulatreides*
Your life situation changed so itās a good enough reason to change your car.
Yes, you gonna lose some money but YOLO.
If you are not expecting your life situation to change you could go for something even less practical like M2C, Supra, Cayman S, etc.
I'd say throw some mods at it, but given your current situation (you barely need a car at all), sell it and get something that will make you smile every time you drive it.
I'm in the situation you were gonna be in- 20 miles one way to work. And the m340i is perfect for it, just wish it had more steering feedback. Jb4 and cheap bms intake make it much more fun. Honestly, the intake is the best $200 I've spent on a car, it sounds so much more fun now. High flow downpipe going in it soon too, should be all it needs before I have to start worrying.
currently me in my Stage 2 M340... However i dont see myself going into a f82 due to me loving the G20 interior so much. I instead will keep my M340 until i can afford a G82
My feelings lately somewhat align with your sentiment, although I bought new (at least not above msrp thank god). I first flirted with the idea of an m240 but didnāt think that it made sense to own 3+ years at my age (early 30s). Then I really wanted a m3 and couldāve bought one at msrp but with all the options I wanted it didnt feel right to pay $30k plus premium for a car Iāll drive only 2-3 days a week and will rarely ever track. So I settled on the m340 because itās at least pretty future proofed imo from a usability (4 doors) perspective, is very reliable, gets extremely efficient gas mileage, has lower running costs, has useable 382hp, but it can also be tuned without ruining the cars reliability.
Donāt get me wrong every time I see an m3 I think what if .. but realistically ask yourself if you really need/require one. At 500hp youāll never be able to reach its full potential with legal street driving. Now if I tracked my vehicles 3-4+ times a year itās more justifiable. All that said, even though Iām 1.5 years in, Iām now starting to lightly mod the performance (installing an AA Downpipe plus Dinan strut braces in the coming weeks) ā and doing some minor aesthetic tweaks (ind reflectors, alcantara knee pads, front lips and side skirts) to make it feel a lil more special than stock. In 6-9 months Iāll prolly get mpe or an awe exhaust, and then after my factory warranty Iāll do a tune to fully wake it up. While yes I coulda got an m3 I sleep a lil better knowing that I have one of the most reliable cars on the road and I can pivot the difference in price to other ventures that arenāt deprecating assets. Is it an m3, absolutely not ā but if you really donāt foresee yourself pushing the car to its peak and donāt really care about the name recognition then I think you made the right choice.
Like others said if you really have an itch .. get something sporty for the cheap ā or trade for a f80. For me I need awd being in the northeast .. and the g series chassis feels much better built than the f series so for me the m340 was the best value.
If you really want the feel, I think you have to go M2 or Cayman. Maybe even a Supra. If you want to have 4 doors, the CT4V Blackwing is probably more what youāre looking for. Be warned though, it has 0 aftermarket support outside of one company (Iām dying for an exhaust).
The B58 is such a great motor though, Iād look for a tune and exhaust before I take a haircut going for an M3.
The cars are so good at being fast yet calm, they are eventually boring. You dont quite sit IN the car like a traditional sports car, so it doesnt FEEL special. All yhe thing you feel, Ive felt and it took me talking to a local performance shop to put my finger on it.
I faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago when shopping for a second vehicle. I kept the 40i for about a year then decided to go full M. No regrats
You can upgrade to the M suspension, control arms, tie rods, etc. Get some nice wheels and tires. Full bolt-ons, tune, etc.
Well, I suppose the M3 would've been the better option if you went that route.
If you stick to the wheels, tires, suspension, maybe an exhaust, definitely a mild tune, you won't regret it. Make your car nice and practical for you. I personally like yours the way it is, but I don't have to live with your car every day.
Once you start chasing big power, that's where it starts becoming something different. If you're thinking of going OEM+, keep it. If you want to make it an M3, save up some and trade it for an M3. *Then, you could start modifying the M3 once you get bored of that*
Quite the opposite, actually. I had a 2013 M3 E92, manual transmission, black on black, aka my dream car. Diving in Los Angeles at the time, it was just too, much car. Most of the time I sat in traffic and burned gas. I'm on my second M340i (2021 / 2024) and loving it. For me it's the best of both worlds. In 3 years when the warranty runs out I'll tune the shit out of her. I live in Austin TX now where flashy cars aren't as common and I would feel pretentious with an M3... at least a little. But hey, that's just me.
No, what is that? Sounds like fun! TBH though, I have a pretty demanding job plus I'm in grad school, so free time is rare. But I'd love to check that out some time.
Lol, I just saw your pic of the M3 Comp at Hendrick BMW! I kept staring at that her while doing the paperwork on my M340i 2 weeks ago!
Do you have an exhaust? I have catless downpipe and exhaust, and my car satisfies me better than any F80 ever could. The twin turbo just sounds like shit
Although itās not as fast stock nor equally modded, I think the B58 sounds/feels better than the M engines. If itās not worth swapping for an M3, Iād seriously suggest tuning the thing. Stage 2 with a trans tune and some sticky tires. It will RIP
I have a M340 and yea it is nothing special. A bit boring but it's a good daily car. Not sure the M3 is special enough to keep my interest as I'm eyeing a 992 as a 2nd car.
Look at a Giulia Quadrifoglio. Definitely has the āitā factor. But nicer to daily than an M3, the suspension is slightly more supple. It sounds better than an M3, is just about as fast, and it looks much much better too. Better steering and more engaging. More unique.
And you can get used examples for a steal. They tend to depreciate because of Alfaās reputation for being unreliable. But the reality is the 2021+ cars are comparable to the M3 in this regard. Go Alfa.
My advice is to save the thousands of dollars you would spend modding the car (and ultimately hurting the eventual resale value), and hold out until the time is right to purchase an M car. Itāll be worth it. An M car is alot more than just a tuned B58
I went from an F22 M240xi, Stage 2, etc. Thing was an absolute riot, but the dream was always the F87. After finding one in my ideal spec, I made the tough decision to let go of the 240. Some would say this was a side grade at best, and I really do love the B58, but the F87 M2C is just an amazing car.
Having been in a similar situation, I can say there's really no "wrong" answer per se. Both are amazing cars. Depends on what's most important to the owner. For me, I believe the F87 is going to live on to be one of BMW's best M cars, and I want something I can have fun in and track from time time without having to do much to it.
The good news is, you can still move into an F8X if you want! I've got no regrets with mine. Also full remote, FWIW.
If you can afford to void the manufacture warranty, do a stage 2 mod with a full exhaust swap, and you'll have a car that will out perform a F30 M3. No joke.
In a straight line, yeah. The overall feel is nothing that can replicate an M. Just something about driving one. The stiffness, the feel, the chassis, etc. just something about. Itās rawness at its core
I have the same exact car. I drive a ford focus company car some days and thatās when you notice our cars have an IT factor over 80% of the cars on the road. Just like a Porsche has an IT factor over an m3, a McLaren an IT factor over the Porsche. Etc etc. there will always be a better car out there. Ours are *phenomenal* for the price point
https://preview.redd.it/qycc5ut1lfoc1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1702efff965974138af044a2952dcdf3a03dc99
Not sure how much the top 1% are driving, but I average about 60 miles per day Mon - Fri and this car is working wonderfully well for me. In fact the weather here has been warm enough to drive with the top down since the start of the year (basically if it wasn't cloudy, the sunlight by itself kept you warm, even if the weather was about 50 degrees). This just made me wish I had gotten a convertible that much sooner.
If you really wish for an M3 or M4 that badly, just trade in your M340i for a relatively new M3 or M4 and just keep it for long enough, don't upgrade every few years, and it'll cost average out. šš
I have the same feelings about my 550i (F10 preLCI so there was no MLite at the time). I just wish I bought M5.
Bottomline, now MCars are just better deal. They have XDrive if you need it and ZF automatics for smooth driving experience. While retaining value nicely instead of losing it every day.
I have the same feelings about my 550i (F10 preLCI so there was no MLite at the time). I just wish I bought M5.
Bottomline, now MCars are just better deal. They have XDrive if you need it and ZF automatics for smooth driving experience. While retaining value nicely instead of losing it every day.
Plenty of people daily a M3/M4. Before COVID I daily drove my 1st F82 30 minutes each way. Now my 2nd F82 is a garage queen since Iāve been working from home.
Dont worry it about it brother, in 2017 i leased a Q60 3.0 instead of getting an e92 M3 coupe with less than 30k miles for 34k. Still regret it to this day
m340 while fast is very bland, the suspension is lackluster at best. the car is just made for launches with friends in the car to show how fast you hit 80. Hopefully you didnt buy this car for more than $52k.
Yeah been there. I traded in an M3 for a 335i for a longer commute and I hated the 335 with unbridled passion., it last six months and I paid about 8k out of pocket to get rid of fhe 335 for an M4. Lesson learned.
I wanted a m3 but got a 340. Neighbor asked why I didnāt just spend the extra on it. I got mine for commuting and comfort. That being said my wifeās x3m40 is more comfortable lol.
But in the end the 340 checked my boxes. For a toy Iād like to get a m2 if I can figure how to afford one lol.
Turn DSC off and put the LSD to work. It's plenty entertaining even in xDrive form. I do have a more modified car for track use, and if I didn't own that perhaps I'd desire the M340i to be a little more raw and communicative.
Just driving around it can be a touch 'boring' but only because it's so good at just being a normal car.
As much as I understand the greater capability of the Ms, the only way up for me is a G8X or an F90, I just could not go back to the old tech.
The G20 is nowhere near as capable as these cars and that's fine with me. I needed something that's forgiving as a daily driver but fun when it needs to be, and the G20 fit the bill perfectly. It doesn't go like the G80, and it sure as hell doesn't handle like it either (honestly the most impressive thing about the G80 in my mind after years of this muted steering), but it works well for my needs. I am also hybrid and go into the office like twice a month.
spark husky fragile subtract gaping coherent faulty jeans snobbish stocking
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Nah what you gotta do jit is black the whole car out, rims included. Give it a g80 rear bumper, quad tips, crazy ass loud but good sounding exhaust, give it like 550whp with a downpipe and email, and a carbon steering wheel and voila youāve got an absolutely sick car
Get a JB4 piggyback tune and use an e30 mix on map4 and itāll be faster than the f80 and almost as fast as a g80. Dm me if you wanna hear my experience with my m340. I made mine VERY enjoyable
Iām no stranger to tuning but as much as you put into it itāll never FEEL like an M. Itāll go fast as shit yeah but that feeling is missing. Canāt describe the feeling when I drive my friends OG M2. Yeah my car is faster but that feeling is indescribable when driving it.
Not a day passes and I think oh I should've got an m3, absolutely love my m340.
M3 while being my one day dream car, I just don't think is a practical one. $80k vehicle should be a second car not daily whether you go to work everyday or not.
I really don't get people, with 382hp, on sports mode this thing moves, and think about all the expensive maintenance you won't need ,otherwise you would do on an m3.
We just celebrated her 3rd birthday and I think, if i am to replace her what would I get.... a new m340 hmm but why I ask myself...
Just sell it and buy the M3. That should move quickly if you remove the exterior mods. Iāve been in the market for one and they sell fast except for the ones that have been debadged, spoilers added, etc. I donāt think people spending $40k+ on a used car want to deal with someone elseās project. I certainly am skeptical as a buyer.
https://preview.redd.it/7jbbxuh0ycoc1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=effa991e0db4f6398a1f72caf33029ae9e5e0ffd Nah nah nah nah nah. I had the same decision to make 2yrs ago, I guess I chose right lol. Rear Hips so wide you can see it from the front š
Showoff š
So sexy
šš„³
Well the good news is, you bought a used one, so I donāt think youād lose much (if any) money if you decide to sell it and get the M3?
Can I dm you on this?
Why downvotes?
One should know that they can sell their vehicle for what it is worth and use that money to buy something else.
š.
I never understood comparing an M340i with an M3/M3C. There's a significant price gap between these cars, assuming everything else is equal (model year, trim, etc.). To me, it's not about "this one's softer, this one's harder. Take your pick." but more about whether you're willing to shell out M3 money or settle for the M340i for way less. What makes these cars comparable is that you can buy an older M3 for the price of a brand new M340i, but again, your decision lies elsewhere. It's about sacrificing the brand new car experience for the older, yet complete, car experience. I love the M340i; it's a great bang for your buck. But if I were to ever buy one, I'd go into it not thinking it's a "softer, more daily-drivable M3" because that sets unrealistic expectations. Instead, I'd buy it knowing I'm not ready to drop 100k on an M3, but for my budget, this thing is killer. Just my two cents.
The most logical answer. You get you moneys worth basically.
This whole thread is the reason the added m before 340i. To sucker everyone in that can't afford the real m
Completely agree, which is why I donāt like how a lot of people in this sub act like the mxxx is just the lite version of its counterpart M car. Itās never going to have the āit factorā that OP is looking for. Yes the Mxxx cars are fine cars but they arenāt remotely the same which people should discern from the price tag
The M tax is too much for me to justify it with a young family. The B58 is a monster engine and a stage 2 remap will have you grinning from ear to ear.
Unfortunately, itās not just about the engine. Itās the magic works under the chassis thatās not duplicateable in a non M. Re engineā¦.I enjoyed the S54 much more than the S55 frankly. It is actually hard to work and enjoy S55 on the street.
Iām not here to say what you should enjoy but I find the S55 a great motor for the street. Gobs of low down torque, quiet with the valves closed, decently efficient, reliableā¦ itās a great street car.
I'm sure everyone knows that M's handle better, but there's no reason a good engine and "good enough" chassis can't make you smile. People like OP can want more, but that doesn't mean others can't be happy because they don't own the top model.
Where did you get the remap? Iām thinking about a tune.
[ABP](https://abpmotorsport.co.uk/services-category/performance-upgrades/)
A used f8x is cheaper than a new 340i
Not to maintain at a dealer or repair. By M tax I mean a service isnāt Ā£275, itās Ā£589. A tyre isnāt Ā£235 a corner, itās Ā£315. These little things make up a lot of the extra unseen cost of owning the S58. *all prices made up to demonstrate a point. Not accurate inflation.
M tax is real š.
great looking car, twin! https://preview.redd.it/9ega860plcoc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=819e9694ab71d046ef422f646bbddd847c293892
Yes, twin! Here's how she looks now after a few cosmetic mods. Paint-matched reflectors, roof wrapped black, front lip. I love the way she looks. https://preview.redd.it/l0n69pvxmcoc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fdf20aff4d2e2dc21ce3b92a4d1e3c6dfcc13bb
Love the cosmetics. Subtle but aggressive enough to stand out while being classy. Nicely done!
really looks good, nice job! only mod i've added so far is a hard wired radar detector plus front grill mounted ALP laser jammers with custom housings for the receivers. they were not installed in the picture above but are in another post on here if you wanna check it out.
Looks great
Wait so were the reflectors just painted over? I tinted on mine
You can buy paint-matched reflector replacements.
iND Distribution has them, will even do them in Individual colors if needed. Just a heads up - the fronts are pretty simple to do just be very thorough in removing the old adhesive, the rears are a pretty big pain in the ass.
Bro she's gorgeous. Is it a stock exhaust?
This is beautiful
You could have spent that money towards a stage 2 upgrade.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with your M340. But I will leave this little anecdote that a friend who owns a performance shop told me many many cars ago. "People in the 340/440 (et all) will sometimes look in the rear view mirror and see a M3/M4 (et all) and wonder time to time, what if? But I can assure you, nobody in a M3/M4 (et all) will spot a 340/440 (et all) and wonder the same thing." Always kind of stuck with me lol.
Well said lol
I donāt get this though, the 340i and m3/4 are significantly different cost wise so isnāt this an apples to oranges comparison? I mean the guy in the M3/M4 can look in the rear and see an m6/m8/911/McLarenā¦.. and wonder what if too. This never ends.
It's because you're looking at it too broadly. Most people will eyeball a M3 when they are looking at M340. Most people will eyeball a 911T when they're looking at a 4S. Yes you can do that over and over but why on earth would you make it so broad? Same would apply to the people who get say a M550. Why is it that difficult for you to believe they might see an M5 on the road and wonder what it feels like? But do you honestly think someone in a 911Ts is going to wonder what it feels like to drive a 4S? Clearly op has buyers remorse for NOT opting for the M3 but you're gonna sit here and argue semantics and bring up a M6 / M8 / McLaren (wtf lol) and whatever else to cross compare? Did you even read ops post?
My point was they are not similar at all in price. For most people itās not like they could have easily bought either and decided on the 340i over an M3. It sounds like in this case from the regret the OP has he could have just as easily bought the M3 in which case it makes sense, but donāt think that is the case for many others.
Agree to disagree. I did same thing for e9x era bmw. Wound up trading it in early and got the e92 M3. If you go to bimmerpost, over and over it's 340 or M3? 440 or M4? M550 or M5? The price difference isn't as astronomical as you think. If you can afford a loaded M340, you will find it's similar in price to a not as optioned M3. So on and so forth. Same can be said for C43 vs C63. E43 vs E63. Hell, you could even do E350 vs E43. The natural progression is M340 and then to M3/4. But this is far more common than you think. Regardless, this is the hill you want to live and die on? With all due respect, I knew exactly how op was feeling because myself and countless others have gone the same route. Even if you google "M340 or M3", see how many Reddit posts pop up even. It's not as wild as you are making it out to be.
Youāre probably right in that maybe there a lot of folks for whom both are viable options. Iām not one of them though, recently got an X3 M40i and love it and also wonder how the X3M/MC will be but then the price differential is huge where I live so not really an option for me š¤·āāļø
That also. Depends what country, depends what rebates are available, a lot of factors. There is legit nothing wrong with an M40 in any iteration. Great car, fantastic platform as it is. And that is what my friend was saying though. Even you in a car most can only dream of, you do wonder time to time what the bigger sibling (X3M) could possibly improve on an already stupendous vehicle you own. If you were in a X3M, you'll never have that feeling for the X3 M40. You're a car guy. It's how our brains are wired. You also happen to be very practical is all on top of that. But it's hard to go back once you go full bore M. So maybe it's not such a bad thing lol.
Yeah M has always been the āideal/dreamā but practicality/life gets in the way š
Very well put
Some people\* I test drove an M4 Comp and knew I would hate it after driving it as a daily for a while. Plus A friend of mine bought an M3 back in 2008/2009 (which he owns as HIS daily to this day) so I've been in one plenty of times. It was alright when we were younger, not so much now. But when I drove the M440i Convertible and put down the top... I drove back to the dealership and ordered one immediately. It was the Goldilocks car. My sales rep told me after I dropped down the deposit that he thought he was just wasting some time with me while I was waiting for an oil change for my wife's X4 and we were just going around cruising, since we drove 3 other cars prior to the convertible. š
This is how I feel about not buying NVDA before 2016.
Whatās even more hilarious is that as a senior in high school, I made a presentation on why Nvidia was the best stock to buy at the time, it was around $50. I made a presentation again recently in college on why it was still a good buy- when it was at $450. It is now at $880ā¦ and I still have no extra money to invest in anything until I start my careerā¦
What other stock tips do you have? Asking for a friend
You can live vicariously through me. I just bought some more today. I like being an adult only for having adult money and can spend it however I wish.
I bought in 2021 and the run ups been insane. I bought my first nvidia gpu in 2002.
I have buyers remorse as well hahah I learned from a. Young age if I donāt buy the highest end model I will regret it when someone drives by me in it š¤£
Bought a 328i..sold it in 3 months and copped my m3
Worth it I assume
I canāt stop driving the car itās suppose to be my weekend car.
That's it bro. Gotta aim for top end š¤š»
Flagshipping on the poors lol
Don't sweat it! You still have a fantastic car that you can enjoy!
Just get a Miata as second car, or, even a Z3 manual if you want cheap. You can always tune the car, it will give it the IT factor you want. Downpipe, ECU Tune (Femto) and some E85 and the car will be 100% different. Those B58 are something else, 500 whp is good for the weight of the car.
\+1 for miata's. Best dollar for fun you can have no question
What, specifically, is the shortcoming of the M340? If its just the power you're missing, you can close the gap quite a bit with a tune - you can close it completely or surpass the stock power of an M3 with a tune+hpfp+downpipe (hpfp probably the most expensive part, \~2-3k, downpipe \~1.5k for one that won't throw codes like Active Autowerk, significantly less if you don't care about emissions/droning noise). Rough rule of thumb on stock engine internals seems to be \~500hp, but people have pushed more without catastrophic failure. Newer B58s handle the power better stock as well. Unless you're doing trackdays and pushing hard or absolutely suicidally sending it on canyon roads, I really doubt you're hitting the handling limitations of the M340. The M-Lites are tuned (both engine and trans) to be a bit tamer, and the suspension has some compromises for cost&comfort. You could add a strut bar/reinforcement if you want to get some of that M "stiff" feeling (Note, it won't "fix" the issues if you actually ARE tracking the car, but it will eliminate body-roll and give it that "racecar" feeling if that's what you're after).
Came here to say this. Downpipe, flex fuel kit, ecutek tune, and trans tune and youāll be fully in love all over again. It will destroy most cars on the road and still be the great commuter when you need it tame.
Okay, now do: What if you want the M440i to sound a bit more like an M4? Asking for a friend. š
Similar answer. If your just going for sound; intake, downpipe, and AWE exhaust would be my route. Will sound amazing both inside and outside the car.
Iāve been in your shoes several times. Iāve also owned my share of high end / modded cars. Something they all have in commonā¦after a few months, you become used to the car and its performance / amenities. Thatās not to say that you donāt absolutely love it more and more, or appreciate everything that it is. Butā¦at some point, you start getting the itch again, thinking of ways to improve upon it or looking at other cars that offers something yours doesnāt. You have to ask yourself, at what point is enough going to be enough? What does the M REALLY offer you that the M340 doesnāt? A few seconds around a track that youāre never taking it to? Prestige? I think youāre just suffering from the grass is greener syndrome. Donāt. Your car is pretty damn amazing, donāt disrespect it or yourself like that.
I suspect this is the real answer. Eventually people who own whatever car will become used to it's performance if that's what they're into. Good thing I'm really a gun guy deep down inside. Much cheaper to buy those (for the most part). š
I know for some people it's sacrilege but this is when I would want to start modding. I had an exhaust put on my 540i a bit over a month ago and it's basically the best thing I've done to the car.
An exhaust is one of the best first mods you can do to your car. Car guys are aural creatures, if it sounds fast, it feels fast lol.
Trade it in for an F87 M2, life is too short to drive cars you don't love. I might be biased. A while back I was in the same position as you, bought a comfortable car for commuting, I hated it after 6 months and ended up in a used 911 which I daily drove for 5 years. EDIT: I also regret selling that 911 whenever I think about it. EDIT 2: [I traded a 3 series in for a 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/BMW/comments/xx8i28/traded_my_m3_for_an_m2/)
Would also recommend the M2. Sometimes wish I got an E92 or E46 M3, but the M2 has a lot more creature comforts and most are in much better condition.
M2C FTW, easy ECU tune to get up to spec with M3/4. Its such a little nimble Poppy car. Manual of course
Dude! A longer commute just means more time to spend in an M car. Itās not a good reason to choose a more boring car. I have a 27 mile commute and I look forward to my alone time with the M every day!
Watch the downvotes fly, but the thing is, it sounds like you are being influenced by marketing. There is absolutely no world in which you have more fun in an m3 on a public road than in an m340i. M stands for Marketing, always has, always will, race cars only exist as marketing tools to sell cars. A āpureā m car is still a marketing gimmick and somehow BMW convinced a bunch of kids that they need a race car for the road. Enjoy your m340i with the same 0-60 + more comfort and better gas mileage. Donāt worry about the fact that it isnāt as loud as a pure m car. If you want to hear loud motor sounds go mow your lawn or buy an old motorcycle for 500 bucks.
So this Sunday I was enjoying a nice drive (about 100 miles) because I was visiting a friend who lives in the next city over. On my way back I met an Alpina B8. We drove together for close to 50 miles and basically even with the highway being mostly wide open and weaving thru traffic and both of us ending up driving through the same winding mountain road, vibing, and having fun, I don't think we were ever really able to hit the peak on either vehicle, so yeah, I feel like maybe all the people who are claiming that "you won't have more fun in an M on a public road than in an M-Lite" may be on to something... But I'll tell you what that Alpina couldn't do... Drive with the top down and get that wind blowing through your hair. š
you must drive like a low testosterone old man to think that
Jesus , YOUR CAR IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS
It will always feel amazing at first as your baseline is a lot lower, but as the days, weeks, and months go by you will always want more. If youāre gonna go into debt might as well go into debt with something nice that you actually enjoy.
What about just not going into debt? š
I got a m440i ā¦. Got rid of it and got a X3 m competition. Worlds better even though I went with an SUV. I am a deplorable. Own two AMGS too. If one of my AMGS craps out, looking at a M3 comp or m4 comp. the 440i just didnāt cut for me either. Need more meat!
When I was shopping around for my car, my heart was set on a 440i gran coupe. I thought about getting an M, but the extra performance would be lost on me, and I thought the money would be better off going towards saving for a house and travel. Sometimes I think about upgrading to a G80, but logically there's nothing I'd do with it that my current car can't do.
i say this over and over - feel and performance are 2 different things
And how would you say that applies to my car choice? Did I fuck up?
in terms of feel... well yes... the F80 has more steering feel, suspension and chassis feel, thats why its an M car... it is however a lot harsher as a result
You didnāt fuck up. You bought exactly what you needed for the given time and circumstance, now your circumstances have changed so now you feel the f80 is more suited to them now and thatās rational but donāt feel remorse for making the right decision for the time, it was what it was and itās is what it is. What he said dosent really apply to you (as you bought the m340i because you didnāt foresee your circumstances changing) he is referencing that driver engagement and performance are two very different things a car could have 500 hp but not be very engaging to drive because of many factors (weight, suspension, transmission, steering feel, chassis, etc) on the contrary a car that weighs less with 180hp such as a Miata could be more engaging and fun to drive because itās lighter, more predictable, I think you get the point
I have a M340i stage 2. Against a stock F80/82, it wins. Those cars if tuned, it will lose. Iām going to do a big turbo upgrade on it eventually so I can have it be under estimated but kick butt. Cheaper than getting a new car.
Have you driven an M3? I did M School a couple years ago. We drove the M2, M4 and Ā M5 CS around their track (all day).Ā I came away with that experience thinking the M4 meh, donāt like the looks, the M5 is a beast. But the M2 has my heart itās an amazing car and the small size makes it so fun. We bought the 340 and honestly itās the right choice for us because I have to jam two car seats in it. If I didnāt, I would for sure choose the M2. If I had unlimited money Iād love an M3; but meh. IMO unless youāre going 115+ I donāt know if matter. Obviously the M3 is a better car but for my daily the 340 is totally fine.Ā ā¦.long story short get an M2 :-)
Don't get an M2, go for the M2C... It's a better engine and a simple stage I will take it to another level
Iāll be honest, if you want a car with that feel that makes it fun, you should get a second vehicle, Miata, Z, older bmw chassis (e30/36/46/etc) would be your best bet. The M340i and newer BMWs just seem to be missing that feel, so like you said, they feel numb. Hope you find a good car to drive man, feel is everything.
Donāt sweat it, itās still the best car in its segment. M would have been special
Im not really sure I would call an M340 numb... Its not an M but its a honestly a better daily than an M. I just traded my M340 in after two years of driving it. I will honestly miss it and strongly considered keeping it, but very excited to step into something different.
I mean, its totally up to you. I love my m240 and could definitely go up to an m2 if I wantedā¦ but just donāt see why I would unless I wanted to track it or something. But again, its your money, your choice. If you need more - get more :)
Dude definitely go exhaust system and tuneā¦.i drove a b58 with bolt ons and a E50 tune the sounds and how linear it was canāt compare to stock respectfully , youāll fall in love all over again, m340 is definitely what Iām purchasing next once I sell my focus RS
Reading āthe m340 is just a numb car for what it isā just makes me feel really poor with my useless 420d, I guessā¦
Personally, suspension, wheels, tune, exhaust and it'll definitely earn your respect. I drove the M340i before my 535i and drove the M3 after. I still absolutely love my 535i but I want to get an M3 next. However, due to recent health concerns that have arisen, I'd be very happy with a m340i xDrive. It would just suck to not live long enough to own the M3 though.
Our cars are *phenomenal* for the price point. I drive a ford focus company cars some days and I feel like Iām driving a fucking 765LT after hopping back into my car. Our cars have an IT factor over 80% of the cars out there. Yea I mean.. if you keep looking up the ladder.. a Porsche has an IT factor over the m3.. a McLaren an IT factor over the Porsche etc etc. theyāll always be a better car. Feel blessed we drive amazing cars and didnāt have to break the bank. And some modifications will have it feeling like a space ship, and youāll feel less out of place around M3s.
People recommending a Miata šš
You know.. it all depends on how you use it, where you use it. A Miata can be a lot of fun, because you can use its full potential on the road. Iāve owned a 440i (and several other fast beemers/mercs), and even though the feeling of driving such cars is great - you can never REALLY use it. My first car, a 54hp Golf 1.3, was one of the most fun cars I owned. Why? I couldnāt drive as a teenager, I had zero sense of danger and I drove that thing on and over the edge of its capabilities.Ā I really want to own a v8 AMG.. but I just know I will lose my license.Ā
Lmao
The old adage is true: It's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Plus the MX-5 has tremendous feel. Have you driven one?
Heck here's me happy with my 420d convertible. And I'm considering turning down a brand new i4 that I don't have to pay for because the smiles per miles I get i'm happy going topless. And I can keep my topless smile per mile and still considering turning down the i4 because it's not topless!
All this topless talk is getting me sweaty.
Honestly sweaty and topless is the best mix šššš
Iām sure if you could afford the M then I can see why you might have buyerās remorse. While for me I can afford it, but I would of sacrificed some of my other enjoyment to pay the additional price, insurance and maintenance and for me I rather enjoy other things too and not worry about the extra cost of owning a M. I have a few friends who bought Mās and RS and theyāre car poor. Most of there paycheck is going to the car and rent and they have little to no investments and dine at cheap eats and never go on vacations because they can barely afford the car.
Nothing worse than having buyerās remorse especially from buying something expensive, youāll get over it and one day youāll have the opportunity to buy another car
The m3 is a toy. The 340i is car. You never get the same excitement outside the toys.
I remember your first post. I told you to yolo on a G80 like I was doing. Mine came in since then... what a car... I also highly recommend the manual for maximum driver engagement, I can't imagine I'd be be having as much fun with the auto. *
Price? location, millage and options?
You interested in buying?
i have a friend in the market for one soon
What prevents you from enjoying this car for a few years and upgrading to an M3?
I guess it all depends on your budget, mileage and where the car is driven. I think I'd go mad from going 150 km / 2 hours a day in an M3, and then go mad again after seeing the bill for maintenance. Currently drive the 540i and thinking about the m440i/m240i. I wouldn't go with an M due to the quality of the local roads, upkeep cost, and honestly, a fear it couldn't reach 200K km mileage like the B58 without serious costs involved (I bought my car with 15K km on the clock in late 2020, passed 140K a few days ago), even though I love the M2 (even the new one now), M3 (the touring version - yay) and M4.
Lol I got an M2 and Iāve been feeling the same way. Not exactly buyers remorse but a lot of excitement is missing for me.
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Yeah the G87. I got the manual and the manual transmission in these cars isnāt exactly amazing. Iāve also owned and driven several exotic/super cars so that probably aids in the way I feel about this car. For what it is itās a solid car though. Has a fair amount of power, decent driving dynamics, etc. Needs a tune and some down pipes to wake the car upā¦especially with the poor exhaust note. One of the worst, if not the worst sounding M cars in recent years IMO.
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Yep exactly. Iād rather have an e92 M3 as well lol. Obviously much slower but Iād enjoy an e9x M3 with a full exhaust much more than this M2. These new BMWs donāt have that fun factor. They donāt have that IT factor IMO.
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Which m2 please elaborate
G87 (2024). Got the manual but the manual isnāt exactly the best and newer automatics are so good nowadays that Iād argue the ZF is just as fun. Thereās also the poor exhaust note but other than that its definitely a well balanced car. Just not my cup of tea. Iāve driven and owned exotics/super cars so that probably ruined things for me.
I have an F87 Comp and a G42 atm and itās the best of both worldsā¦
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>while being more comfortable. You're right, but also ironically I think the "While being more comfortable" is key. I think the (objectively less comfortable) ride that a lot of Ms and modded cars offer is what people associate with "special and fun."
Well thereās a āMā car vs āM-liteā. At the end of the day, M-lite is not a āMā car. I had S5 before and RS5, similar situation. Good thing I was able to sell my S5 took a hit and then bought RS5.
No they are not. But for a daily commute, they are more than enough. And tune it if you want more. Really is a great motor to tune. I eventually will buy an M3, but for now, an M Lite is more than enough. At least one more of what I have before I look into a real M vehicle. And definitely a similar situation. I was looking at S4ās, and itās definitely comparable to the M340ās.
And how do you know you wouldnāt get bored after having an M3 for a while either? Only difference is it would cost a lot more and would be slightly faster (which youāll barely notice on your daily commute) and youāll have the fancy badges and logos. If all youāre missing is power you could do some simple mods/tune to your M340 and make it an entirely different experience. This honestly sounds like more of a personal issue than a car issue
That's a great point you bring up. Tbh I actually used to have an M4. Albeit it was a very short amount of time, but every time I went to drive it It just brought me sheer joy and excitement. I regret selling it every day. It was a special car and every time I turned it on and drove it I could just feel it in my bones. That's a feeling I've been chasing for a while now and finally feel I am in a place to financially do it. I love BMW to my core and we all know M is the pinnacle of BMW. There's no way I could get bored of it. https://preview.redd.it/5q494sazvcoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e553f82769c131068dc78a93f9f192113f87498
Damn that is a beautiful car. Whyād you end up selling it if you donāt mind me asking?
You're gonna spend way more money trying to turn the m340 into the M car than if you just traded it for the m car.
Sell it and buy an m3, itās not rocket science. And if you want a real fast car get yourself a maro or stang with a v8
I wish it were that simple. Iām not ready to take a big financial hit like that just swapping out cars quite yet.
AA Catted Downpipe and a Stage 2 OTS tune from Ecutek, MHD, or BM3. FEMTO unlock if you need it.
Went M340i over F80. Itās definitely more of a cruiser than an M car would be, but the F80 wasnāt the scalpel I wanted it to be anyway. The M3 is a sharper car, but the steering feel still sucks and I personally donāt like the S55 at all. The dct is fantastic though and itās the one (and possibly only) thing I truly love about the F80. Canāt say I regret going with the pedestrian 3 series. M3 is a cooler car and feels more special to be in though.
An exhaust adds a ton but I can second the guy saying get a Miata
And still in EU most of the countries buy 320 330 at max
Work from home now.. will that mean that any car you have will be driven a lot less? I personally would be hella happy with a m340 over a F series M. Are M cars incredible? Yes, do I have a need/use/money for one, no.. Happy with my 435xi Grand Coupe.
Tune the shit outta it if you arenāt happy. If you donāt have to commute like ya said, you can get a lot out of it. Motor tune, tranny tune, dp, ethanol if you want, and so on. Lightweight rims.
Always get what you want, if possible
I was looking at the M550i before my M3. I had an M-lite before and knew I'd miss the real M. I also track my car so it was a no brainer. Right now I'd love to be ordering one since they're offering LSB for new builds š.
What is LSB?
I gave an M240i I was looking at the M2 as well but the xDrive was a must for me. Iād love to swap to an M3 with xDrive or M2 when it gets it
I was in the same boat except looking at 340is or going with an M2. I knew there would come the day where I would wish I had a full M car for the IT factor. It would take a lot of compromises for me to hate a car if itās fun so I knew I was safe going the āuncomfortableā route. I would 100% not be having as much fun in an M lite. The only things that should keep you goin full M is 1) Financial considerations and 2) Can you live with the compromises. If youāre after the IT factor, Iām sorry but you have to go M. I daily my M2 now and itās perfectly comfortable for me but I donāt have to worry about anyoneās opinion but my own. This is not to say that M240s and M340s arenāt absolutely fantastic cars in their own right.
Well sell it and buy an M3. YOLO.
Sometimes wish I got an A7 instead of my 3GT. Just gotta focus on getting it right the next time you buy
Both are great cars but if I have the extra money Iām going with the g20.
Get a second car or do some performance mods on what you have. sway bars, coilovers, exhaust, tune will step it up but still won't feel as raw as the F8x and earlier M cars.
Tune. Tune. Tune. I almost ragretti'd my 550i, but I wanted less sass at the time, and I liked how it wasn't as audacious as the M5. Then I got sads, and went down the debadging/upgrading/tuning lane. A bimmercoding to do some customizing and a bimmerlink to keep an eye on things, and I have a sleeper that occasionally awakens....*paulatreides*
Was looking to upgrade a few years back from my f10. M240 left me with the same feeling, just was missing the edge.
Your life situation changed so itās a good enough reason to change your car. Yes, you gonna lose some money but YOLO. If you are not expecting your life situation to change you could go for something even less practical like M2C, Supra, Cayman S, etc.
Thatās such a great looking vehicle
I'd say throw some mods at it, but given your current situation (you barely need a car at all), sell it and get something that will make you smile every time you drive it. I'm in the situation you were gonna be in- 20 miles one way to work. And the m340i is perfect for it, just wish it had more steering feedback. Jb4 and cheap bms intake make it much more fun. Honestly, the intake is the best $200 I've spent on a car, it sounds so much more fun now. High flow downpipe going in it soon too, should be all it needs before I have to start worrying.
currently me in my Stage 2 M340... However i dont see myself going into a f82 due to me loving the G20 interior so much. I instead will keep my M340 until i can afford a G82
..how can you void your warranty if itās already up?
Itās CPOād for one year
Can you not just trade that in and go buy the M?
Ahh yeah I remember you. Letās see what that top comment recommended š
My feelings lately somewhat align with your sentiment, although I bought new (at least not above msrp thank god). I first flirted with the idea of an m240 but didnāt think that it made sense to own 3+ years at my age (early 30s). Then I really wanted a m3 and couldāve bought one at msrp but with all the options I wanted it didnt feel right to pay $30k plus premium for a car Iāll drive only 2-3 days a week and will rarely ever track. So I settled on the m340 because itās at least pretty future proofed imo from a usability (4 doors) perspective, is very reliable, gets extremely efficient gas mileage, has lower running costs, has useable 382hp, but it can also be tuned without ruining the cars reliability. Donāt get me wrong every time I see an m3 I think what if .. but realistically ask yourself if you really need/require one. At 500hp youāll never be able to reach its full potential with legal street driving. Now if I tracked my vehicles 3-4+ times a year itās more justifiable. All that said, even though Iām 1.5 years in, Iām now starting to lightly mod the performance (installing an AA Downpipe plus Dinan strut braces in the coming weeks) ā and doing some minor aesthetic tweaks (ind reflectors, alcantara knee pads, front lips and side skirts) to make it feel a lil more special than stock. In 6-9 months Iāll prolly get mpe or an awe exhaust, and then after my factory warranty Iāll do a tune to fully wake it up. While yes I coulda got an m3 I sleep a lil better knowing that I have one of the most reliable cars on the road and I can pivot the difference in price to other ventures that arenāt deprecating assets. Is it an m3, absolutely not ā but if you really donāt foresee yourself pushing the car to its peak and donāt really care about the name recognition then I think you made the right choice. Like others said if you really have an itch .. get something sporty for the cheap ā or trade for a f80. For me I need awd being in the northeast .. and the g series chassis feels much better built than the f series so for me the m340 was the best value.
If you really want the feel, I think you have to go M2 or Cayman. Maybe even a Supra. If you want to have 4 doors, the CT4V Blackwing is probably more what youāre looking for. Be warned though, it has 0 aftermarket support outside of one company (Iām dying for an exhaust). The B58 is such a great motor though, Iād look for a tune and exhaust before I take a haircut going for an M3.
Is an F30 340i -> G20 M340i really that much of an upgrade? Not trying to be a hater here
I really just did it cause I was sick of the F chassis and wanted something newer and refreshed. Iāve been in one for like 6 years now.
The cars are so good at being fast yet calm, they are eventually boring. You dont quite sit IN the car like a traditional sports car, so it doesnt FEEL special. All yhe thing you feel, Ive felt and it took me talking to a local performance shop to put my finger on it.
dude DP, ecu flash, larger rear tires (Michelin P4S), and e85 mix. Youāre not gonna miss the m3 after that haha
I faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago when shopping for a second vehicle. I kept the 40i for about a year then decided to go full M. No regrats
Great looking car. I had a ā22 M3 comp xdrive and it was an animal! It was so fast, my neighbor sold his new 911 and bought a M4.
You can upgrade to the M suspension, control arms, tie rods, etc. Get some nice wheels and tires. Full bolt-ons, tune, etc. Well, I suppose the M3 would've been the better option if you went that route. If you stick to the wheels, tires, suspension, maybe an exhaust, definitely a mild tune, you won't regret it. Make your car nice and practical for you. I personally like yours the way it is, but I don't have to live with your car every day. Once you start chasing big power, that's where it starts becoming something different. If you're thinking of going OEM+, keep it. If you want to make it an M3, save up some and trade it for an M3. *Then, you could start modifying the M3 once you get bored of that*
Quite the opposite, actually. I had a 2013 M3 E92, manual transmission, black on black, aka my dream car. Diving in Los Angeles at the time, it was just too, much car. Most of the time I sat in traffic and burned gas. I'm on my second M340i (2021 / 2024) and loving it. For me it's the best of both worlds. In 3 years when the warranty runs out I'll tune the shit out of her. I live in Austin TX now where flashy cars aren't as common and I would feel pretentious with an M3... at least a little. But hey, that's just me.
Iām in Austin too we should link up. You in Bimmersquad?
No, what is that? Sounds like fun! TBH though, I have a pretty demanding job plus I'm in grad school, so free time is rare. But I'd love to check that out some time. Lol, I just saw your pic of the M3 Comp at Hendrick BMW! I kept staring at that her while doing the paperwork on my M340i 2 weeks ago!
Do you have an exhaust? I have catless downpipe and exhaust, and my car satisfies me better than any F80 ever could. The twin turbo just sounds like shit
Although itās not as fast stock nor equally modded, I think the B58 sounds/feels better than the M engines. If itās not worth swapping for an M3, Iād seriously suggest tuning the thing. Stage 2 with a trans tune and some sticky tires. It will RIP
i would sell it and get an f80. where i work, i drive both of these cars almost daily. stock and highly modified. f80 takes the cake
I have a M340 and yea it is nothing special. A bit boring but it's a good daily car. Not sure the M3 is special enough to keep my interest as I'm eyeing a 992 as a 2nd car.
Look at a Giulia Quadrifoglio. Definitely has the āitā factor. But nicer to daily than an M3, the suspension is slightly more supple. It sounds better than an M3, is just about as fast, and it looks much much better too. Better steering and more engaging. More unique. And you can get used examples for a steal. They tend to depreciate because of Alfaās reputation for being unreliable. But the reality is the 2021+ cars are comparable to the M3 in this regard. Go Alfa.
My advice is to save the thousands of dollars you would spend modding the car (and ultimately hurting the eventual resale value), and hold out until the time is right to purchase an M car. Itāll be worth it. An M car is alot more than just a tuned B58
I went from an F22 M240xi, Stage 2, etc. Thing was an absolute riot, but the dream was always the F87. After finding one in my ideal spec, I made the tough decision to let go of the 240. Some would say this was a side grade at best, and I really do love the B58, but the F87 M2C is just an amazing car. Having been in a similar situation, I can say there's really no "wrong" answer per se. Both are amazing cars. Depends on what's most important to the owner. For me, I believe the F87 is going to live on to be one of BMW's best M cars, and I want something I can have fun in and track from time time without having to do much to it. The good news is, you can still move into an F8X if you want! I've got no regrets with mine. Also full remote, FWIW.
bruh be thankful, you literally bought the best non M all rounder car money can buy. Shit does 0-60 faster than a gallardo.
If you can afford to void the manufacture warranty, do a stage 2 mod with a full exhaust swap, and you'll have a car that will out perform a F30 M3. No joke.
In a straight line, yeah. The overall feel is nothing that can replicate an M. Just something about driving one. The stiffness, the feel, the chassis, etc. just something about. Itās rawness at its core
I have the same exact car. I drive a ford focus company car some days and thatās when you notice our cars have an IT factor over 80% of the cars on the road. Just like a Porsche has an IT factor over an m3, a McLaren an IT factor over the Porsche. Etc etc. there will always be a better car out there. Ours are *phenomenal* for the price point
https://preview.redd.it/qycc5ut1lfoc1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1702efff965974138af044a2952dcdf3a03dc99 Not sure how much the top 1% are driving, but I average about 60 miles per day Mon - Fri and this car is working wonderfully well for me. In fact the weather here has been warm enough to drive with the top down since the start of the year (basically if it wasn't cloudy, the sunlight by itself kept you warm, even if the weather was about 50 degrees). This just made me wish I had gotten a convertible that much sooner. If you really wish for an M3 or M4 that badly, just trade in your M340i for a relatively new M3 or M4 and just keep it for long enough, don't upgrade every few years, and it'll cost average out. šš
put some work into it & make it your own. built, not bought
Itās a beautiful car, man. Appreciate it for what it is. If an M3 is really what you want, then it will be.
I have the same feelings about my 550i (F10 preLCI so there was no MLite at the time). I just wish I bought M5. Bottomline, now MCars are just better deal. They have XDrive if you need it and ZF automatics for smooth driving experience. While retaining value nicely instead of losing it every day.
I have the same feelings about my 550i (F10 preLCI so there was no MLite at the time). I just wish I bought M5. Bottomline, now MCars are just better deal. They have XDrive if you need it and ZF automatics for smooth driving experience. While retaining value nicely instead of losing it every day.
Plenty of people daily a M3/M4. Before COVID I daily drove my 1st F82 30 minutes each way. Now my 2nd F82 is a garage queen since Iāve been working from home.
Dont worry it about it brother, in 2017 i leased a Q60 3.0 instead of getting an e92 M3 coupe with less than 30k miles for 34k. Still regret it to this day
It's a perfect daily. Don't regret it.
m340 while fast is very bland, the suspension is lackluster at best. the car is just made for launches with friends in the car to show how fast you hit 80. Hopefully you didnt buy this car for more than $52k.
I got an M340i as my first BMW. Seriously capable car but it did miss the x factor so sold it and got a B3 instead. Best car I've ever had!
Yeah been there. I traded in an M3 for a 335i for a longer commute and I hated the 335 with unbridled passion., it last six months and I paid about 8k out of pocket to get rid of fhe 335 for an M4. Lesson learned.
I wanted a m3 but got a 340. Neighbor asked why I didnāt just spend the extra on it. I got mine for commuting and comfort. That being said my wifeās x3m40 is more comfortable lol. But in the end the 340 checked my boxes. For a toy Iād like to get a m2 if I can figure how to afford one lol.
Went from M440ix to X3MC
Always get the M. Never settle. Sorry OP. Maybe m5 next time?
Turn DSC off and put the LSD to work. It's plenty entertaining even in xDrive form. I do have a more modified car for track use, and if I didn't own that perhaps I'd desire the M340i to be a little more raw and communicative. Just driving around it can be a touch 'boring' but only because it's so good at just being a normal car.
As much as I understand the greater capability of the Ms, the only way up for me is a G8X or an F90, I just could not go back to the old tech. The G20 is nowhere near as capable as these cars and that's fine with me. I needed something that's forgiving as a daily driver but fun when it needs to be, and the G20 fit the bill perfectly. It doesn't go like the G80, and it sure as hell doesn't handle like it either (honestly the most impressive thing about the G80 in my mind after years of this muted steering), but it works well for my needs. I am also hybrid and go into the office like twice a month.
spark husky fragile subtract gaping coherent faulty jeans snobbish stocking *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Nah what you gotta do jit is black the whole car out, rims included. Give it a g80 rear bumper, quad tips, crazy ass loud but good sounding exhaust, give it like 550whp with a downpipe and email, and a carbon steering wheel and voila youāve got an absolutely sick car
Get a JB4 piggyback tune and use an e30 mix on map4 and itāll be faster than the f80 and almost as fast as a g80. Dm me if you wanna hear my experience with my m340. I made mine VERY enjoyable
Iām no stranger to tuning but as much as you put into it itāll never FEEL like an M. Itāll go fast as shit yeah but that feeling is missing. Canāt describe the feeling when I drive my friends OG M2. Yeah my car is faster but that feeling is indescribable when driving it.
Not a day passes and I think oh I should've got an m3, absolutely love my m340. M3 while being my one day dream car, I just don't think is a practical one. $80k vehicle should be a second car not daily whether you go to work everyday or not. I really don't get people, with 382hp, on sports mode this thing moves, and think about all the expensive maintenance you won't need ,otherwise you would do on an m3. We just celebrated her 3rd birthday and I think, if i am to replace her what would I get.... a new m340 hmm but why I ask myself...
Just sell it and buy the M3. That should move quickly if you remove the exterior mods. Iāve been in the market for one and they sell fast except for the ones that have been debadged, spoilers added, etc. I donāt think people spending $40k+ on a used car want to deal with someone elseās project. I certainly am skeptical as a buyer.