M3 vs 340i for DD?

[Florida]

I've always been a fan of the M3 and I'm considering picking up a 2015 M3 to replace a 3 series. I currently daily drive a 2011 328i and weekend/track a 2016 Viper. My biggest issue is that I'm old school and would want a manual in any performance car but prefer not to daily a manual. I'd be content with an auto in the 340i since I consider it more of a sporty/luxury sedan. So here are my questions.

Have any of you 'old school must have a 6spd guys' been converted and switched to this newer DCT technology in the M3?

Do you think the M3 is a little overkill for a daily driver, would a 340i be much more comfortable/practical?

Also, with the M3 being higher HP and having forced induction how reliable are these cars at higher miles? Anyone hit 60k-70k+ miles yet with any issues?

Thanks for the advice all!

[Zed519]

I turned in my 335 (auto) in December for an f80 (manual). I daily drive it, I’m in Chicago and put snow tires on before I took deliver. In my opinion it’s the perfect DD even in manual form. It’s compfy and the manual is incredibly smooth. My round trip commute is approx 50 miles a day.

[saleen556]

I no longer have it but my 16 M3 was a great daily driver. Got it right after my 13 328. The DCT is great for both performance and daily traffic. I now have a manual in my 17 Z07 because I knew I wouldn't be happy with the auto after having the BMW DCT. It's very good. If we didn't have such bad weather here I'd have kept it. Insetead I got a truck for daily duty.

[aajjcc]

m3

[zamboni]

I would get a M3 with 6MT, traded in my F30 335i and never look back. It's DD for me and the car is very comfort to drive and power is there when you needed.

[SD ///M4]

My wife bought a 335is Coupe in 2011 and daily drives it. We considered the E92 M3 at the time but decided that was overkill for a DD. We bought the extended warranty because we had a few things go bad before the factory warranty was up, including a turbo and the charge pipe. Under extended warranty the water pump, TPMSs, the engine (yes!), and a rear main seal were replaced. The engine spun a main bearing at 72,000 miles.

That said, she tracked the 335is and she's ready to step up to an M3, so she has an M3 Comp Pack on order for Euro Delivery in July. She will track that car and the M3 is a far better track car than the 335is (or a 340i).

I have a 2016 M4 and after driving both a 6MT and a DCT back-to-back, I chose the DCT. My wife ordered the DCT for the M3 and has never owned a non-MT car before this. It's an incredible transmission, especially for the track. I plan on buying an extended warranty in a couple of years before the factory warranty runs out and we will most likely buy an extended warranty for the M3 in 4 years.

There's no doubt the 340i would be a more economical, comfortable, and practical DD than an M3, but wouldn't be nearly as much fun. Given that you track a Viper, I'm not sure you would necessarily enjoy an M4 if you're not going to track it.

[Hachima]

I have a 340xi MPPSK and a 2018 M3 ZCP (current DD). I don't think there is any room to argue the M3 is going to be more comfortable than a 340i. I don't care about the harshness of the ride though. If anything the extra road noise of the M3 is what I'd say I dislike the most, mainly if I ever have a passenger with me and want to have a conversation.

If you drive the M3 on public roads and are driving in a way that let's you enjoy it, yeah it's overkill. You are likely breaking a few laws and doing things like ignoring the 25MPH recommendation for a turn and are doing 50+ . You could say the same with the 340i too. I think part of the reason people get these models is the overkill

I've spent a few thousand miles in a 5 series as a DD and that is an even higher step in terms of comfort and quit relaxation with minimal noise. If comfort is any consideration I'd say give a 540i w/ some sport packages a test drive too.

[jninja]

If going 340i get AUTO. If going M3 get 3 PEDALS... IMO, it's not about 'speed' or 'times', it's about fun and control. JIMO

[elinstylez]

My dd currently is my '13 328i... auto sucks the life out of me. I'm in the market for a f80 and it will only be 6mt; not only is it more fun but also according to motor trend it yields a much higher mpg result than as advertised so that's a big plus.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

60 miles a day daily commute 6MT. Moved from a 435i 8AT. No regerts whatsoever. Once you understand the auto rev match behavior it literally takes no brain power to shift gears unless you put it in Sport+.

[hellokitty]

M3 of course... perfect DD.

[JibSTir13]

M3.

Re: manual or auto - if your commute is in stop and go traffic most of the time then I would go auto (manual gets real old real quick in those driving conditions IMO). If it is only a bit of stop and go, opt for the 6-speed. Nothing beats rowing your own gears (unless track car for time, which is not your situation since you've got that Viper for track duty).

In addition, not many manual sedans left in the world...get em while you can.

Although it may be cool to have a 6-speed and auto for the track as well.

[Darth One]

when you say you're concerned about "overkill", do you mean overkill from a vehicle price perspective? performance/power? practicality? or maybe something else...

it doesn't sound like you're too concerned about price, and i would definitely get an M3 over a 340i if i could comfortably absorb the increased cost/payment.

performance? it's still much more fun pootling around at 2/10ths in an M3 vs. 4/10ths in a 340i. and you can occasionally blast it and have way more fun

practicality? an M3 has the exact same dimensions and trunk space as a 340i, so i don't see any difference there. ride comfort? the M3 is plenty comfortable in that dimension. maybe you get slightly worse fuel economy.

so there you go. i also fit the "old school must have manual" description you are talking about, and regarding DCT, i would honestly say - if you have it in your head that a proper performance car must be manual, then get a manual. it's still decently DD-able unless you drive miles and miles of bad traffic. my M4 is a DCT because (a) my submodel is not offered in manual and (b) i have other manual sports cars to help me feel like a purist

[nicknaz]

If you have the cash lying around, m3 would be a great daily.

But f30 330 would be good too.

I think 340 is an odd man out. Not fast enough like m3, not cheaper like 330

[IM2C]

Depends who you ask.

If question is posed to non-m forum, assuming answers are from never-m owners, answer will be: It's a waste of money. Are you going to race soccer moms?

As POTUS says: "believe me", it's a game changer. Tracking or not, racing or not, it's AHL vs NHL.

Ones that understand will comprehend.

[uniqueMR]

M3, period !!

[KevinM]

1. I have not yet been converted to an auto/DCT. The days when you can order a new car with a MT are numbered, so I intend to indulge while I can!

2. The F80 is a fantastic DD. Of course, so is the 340, and both are way more than you need or can use during your daily commute. For me, it is the way M cars look and feel that makes the difference. Why not have that feeling on a daily basis? I bought my first M in 2004 and since then all my BMWs have been Ms. This is not so I can street race (I don't) or track a lot (I don't) but because as a car enthusiast I enjoy the experience.

3. Based on your post, if you don't acquire an M3, you will likely we longing for one (especially each time you see one!).

[einscot]

i daily my 6 MT m3 in stop and go traffic that's 50 miles round trip each day and i wouldn't trade it for the world.

we had an auto 335 xi that was fun, but didn't give me half the pleasure i get even just walking to my car to drive it to work or home

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by KevinM

I bought my first M in 2004 and since then all my BMWs have been Ms. This is not so I can street race (I don't) or track a lot (I don't) but because as a car enthusiast I enjoy the experience.

When the ///M logo lights up in the seat at night, it is a pretty awesome experience! Makes me feel like an enthusiast to see the ///M logo everywhere in the car

[fusionchicken]

M3 all day, in manual or DCT you'll love the car. It's the perfect daily, just the right size, just enough low end torque to be fun on the streets without breaking a bunch of laws, and definitely more than enough power for if you want to play on the weekends.

I like the 340i a lot also but if I were in one and I see an M3 next to me I would probably feel a bit of regret even if the compromise was made intentionally. I wouldn't feel this way if I were in the M3 looking at a 340i.