F30 340i vs F80 M3

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

To so many that think you must always have an M car if you can afford. Well I have had a change of employment and am stuck driving 170 miles a day, mostly all highway. I can tell you an M is a STUPID car for that drive. Yup it's a great daily, comfortable, decent gas mileage and all that, but it's a travesty to waste a car like that droning on the highway for that many miles, it's absolutely stupid. Burning off MPSS's going straight. Sucking the resale out of it because someone's ego had to have an M for the highway presence. Please. lol

So if nothing changes shortly I will be selling the F80 for a Civic, Corolla or other rolling appliance.

My new contract required an 80 mile commute and I agree. It is a shame to burn so many miles in traffic in my F80. I got an i3 for my commute. Carpool sticker and adaptive cruise make my commute so much more relaxing. Charging station at work and 2 years free charging through BMW and I've cut my gas bill significantly while not increasing my power bill at home. I drive the F80 to work 2 days a week and when I want to have fun on the weekends. Best decision I ever made.

[aajjcc]

F80 and no regrets.

[ssabripo]

i'm currently driving a 440i coupe as a loaner, and i dont know what some of you guys are smoking, but this thing - as nice as it is for what it is, it's a whole tier BELOW the F80!

the s55 engine is much more capable, faster by a good margin, and sounds much better.
the interior is night and day.
the M body panels really are missed.

and i priced one out at dealer for a possible lease, just for shits and giggles, and with $1800 over invoice pricing, the 440i coupe would cost me MORE than what i'm currently paying for my F80 lease.

yeah, no thanks.

[DBACE]

OP, I would strongly consider getting the F80 if I were you, only for the fact that you are inclined to modify cars. I say this based on knowing someone who had a 340 and when I rode in it, it was just so damn underwhelming in comparison to my F80. I never said it to the owner, as the car is nice in its own right, but the owner eventually went to the F80 ZCP.

jwar93 may have some further insight into this as well. What ever you decide to do, have fun with it.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by DBACE

OP, I would strongly consider getting the F80 if I were you, only for the fact that you are inclined to modify cars. I say this based on knowing someone who had a 340 and when I rode in it, it was just so damn underwhelming in comparison to my F80. I never said it to the owner, as the car is nice in its own right, but the owner eventually went to the F80 ZCP.

jwar93 may have some further insight into this as well. What ever you decide to do, have fun with it.

Yeah, when we needed this second car, I looked at getting a base carrera or an F80. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of an AWD car that came already modded and then when the lease was up, I could get something like the p-car or F80, especially since we were looking at leases that only had about a year left. Long story short, I found the perfect modded 335 on swapalease and the owner didn't get back to me in time, so I ended up with a car that needed tons of mods just to be decent (at least to me), and I'm still not happy.

Even my wife keeps telling me I should have picked up an F80. You live and learn, right?

Oh well, I can do early move-up as early as March (assuming they're offering it in 2018)!

[jwar93]

340i is definitely a great choice. Stock it is a fantastic car and definitely quick enough to have fun with!

...That being said I did do some work to mine as after a few months as I felt it needed a bit more. Added the full MPPSK to it a few months down the road which improved it greatly. Brought the engine to life with all the sound that exhaust brings and the power bump was definitely nice. I lowered it on HR sport springs and added a BMS intake as well...then came the CF Spoiler and a Front lip. After all this it was just about perfect and a great daily, especially in inclement weather with the xDrive to help out. Tons of fun in the snow!

There is no real comparison to the F80 though. The way the F80 drives and handles is far superior. It is a much sportier ride and according to the girlfriend, the ZCP seats are not conducive to napping on road trips as the 340 seats are. Gas mileage is much better in the 340 than M3, but that probably has something to do with the extra turbo on the S55 and 100 or so HP difference. I've driven some of the same back roads in the F80 that I did in the 340 and feel much more confident in the grip/handling I get in the F80 than 340 (might be the huge increase in contact patch of tires vs the 18" msport wheels I was rocking in addition to the ZCP suspension set up).

Looking back, I wouldn't do anything differently...except maybe have waited a few more months and gotten a 2018 F80 vs. the 2017 because of the wheel change for the ZCP wheels.

Based on your original post OP, I would say go with the F80 since you already know what a "normal" 6 cylinder BMW is like. Yes, the B58 is a huge improvement over the N55, but it does not hold a candle to a ZCP F80 with the S55. IF you can live with the 20's on the roads where you are, don't hesitate, just do it. Every time I walk to/from my car I always get the "hot damn that's my car" feeling and love the cold starts.

All that I have felt I needed to do to my F80 so far was install a set of BMS intakes to bring out the turbo noises because who doesn't love those. The exhaust burbles and crackles so nicely and gets even better after 5k miles on the clock (currently sitting at 5600 miles or so on mine). Might go catless in the spring but haven't made up my mind yet.

I know this is a bit of a ramble and that I just threw words up here, but it's tough to explain the differences and convey everything over text. Feel free to message me if you have questions about either car!

(Big plus right now is if you hop on a 2018 M3 you should be lined up for the next-gen M3 when your lease is up)

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jmg

My new contract required an 80 mile commute and I agree. It is a shame to burn so many miles in traffic in my F80. I got an i3 for my commute. Carpool sticker and adaptive cruise make my commute so much more relaxing. Charging station at work and 2 years free charging through BMW and I've cut my gas bill significantly while not increasing my power bill at home. I drive the F80 to work 2 days a week and when I want to have fun on the weekends. Best decision I ever made.

+1 on the commuter + toy car model

But if it's a toy, you might not need the rear seats and comfort can get tossed out the window. Tougher to argue for f80 in that scenario

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

+1 on the commuter + toy car model

But if it's a toy, you might not need the rear seats and comfort can get tossed out the window. Tougher to argue for f80 in that scenario

All the more reason to replace it with a Porsche!

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jmg

All the more reason to replace it with a Porsche!

Or some other focused sports car?

It's kind of preference based more than anything else.

Right now I'm in the commuter SUV + dedicated race car camp (eg instead of a modified street car 996 turbo maybe it should have been a 996 cup car or "spec" 996)

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Yeah that was my logic initially, but I'm not doing that many miles. Plus, as I said, there's just too much I would want to mod or change on the 340 if I got it, whereas the F80, I like out of the box.

Buddy of mine commutes about 30k miles a year and picked up a Hyundai Genesis. Worth looking into for a good highway commuter. Great car imho.

Even that car is to expensive to slap so many miles on, my calculations I will put 42,000 miles on just from work, not even normal life. I just don't have it in me to destroy decent cars with such mundane activities.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

No such thing as overkill. We have both. The wifey has a 340 and I have an M4. No comparison. The ///M blows the 340 away. Most on this board will agree. Just get winter tires for our sketchy northeast winters. Once you go ///M there is no going back.

+1

I didn't get the F80 to baby it, nor as a "toy"...I got it to drive it.

Daily commuter F80 owner here, stacking the miles on daily.

Makes my commute even better. No comparison to my old 335i.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

+1

I didn't get the F80 to baby it, nor as a "toy"...I got it to drive it.

Daily commuter F80 owner here, stacking the miles on daily.

Makes my commute even better. No comparison to my old 335i.

That's awesome. Nice work!

I do think some of us are talking about 20k-30k miles per year type of driving so that's a bit of a different story in my opinion. Getting a lower cost to operate commuter can really add up with that type of mileage

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

That's awesome. Nice work!

I do think some of us are talking about 20k-30k miles per year type of driving so that's a bit of a different story in my opinion. Getting a lower cost to operate commuter can really add up with that type of mileage

I will put 25k+ on this year alone. I got my car in May of this year had the car 7 months and already over 14k with second set of rear rubber on the way.

The M3 is like any other car. Maintain it properly and it's not really an issue. Highway miles I'd take any day over city.

Only cost that tends to add up are having to put new rubber on more often than otherwise. Other than that, a few oil changes every so often it works fine as a DD

Cost isn't too much above a non M BMW for normal maintenance. In fact, you are less likely to have issues as parts on an //M just are better quality and last longer. The biggest issue with cost is as I said...the tires. Other than that not much else to worry about over a standard car.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

In fact, you are less likely to have issues as parts on an //M just are better quality and last longer.

Tell that to my $4k MPE that was replaced under warranty.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by jmg

Tell that to my $4k MPE that was replaced under warranty.

MPE isn't standard factory equipment. It's M performance/bmw aftermarket....and yeah, it's a machine, things can happen.

Original point I was making holds true, though maybe not in your particular case. I see //M's in the shop far less than any other standard BMW.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

MPE isn't standard factory equipment. It's M performance/bmw aftermarket....and yeah, it's a machine, things can happen.

Original point I was making holds true...though maybe not in your particular rare case.

It's actually not that rare and a common issue with the MPE and yes you CAN order it after the fact, but it's not "aftermarket", it's actually an option when ordering your F80.

My point was that the goal of keeping the miles in check is to keep your warranty for a reasonable amount of time. I drive about 25k miles a year on my F80 alone. I don't want to be out of warranty in 2.5 years.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by jmg

It's actually not that rare and a common issue with the MPE and yes you CAN order it after the fact, but it's not "aftermarket", it's actually an option when ordering your F80.

My point was that the goal of keeping the miles in check is to keep your warranty for a reasonable amount of time. I drive about 25k miles a year on my F80 alone. I don't want to be out of warranty in 2.5 years.

You can order it on your F80 but it is in fact installed at the dealer, not i.e. produced with MPE. It's aftermarket in the sense it is not original factory equipment on the car, it is installed via dealer or an ordered/aftermarket part via BMW M performance. Same case with the CF splitters/spoiler, diffuser, and front lip.

I understand your point and where you are coming from, but the fabled folk tale "I don't want to be out of warranty these cars are too expensive if something breaks" is more old line thinking.

These cars are very reliable, and the //M's moreso than others. The S55 platform and DCT are solid. I would have no issue worrying about miles and being out of warranty on this car.

You take care of your car properly, it takes care of you.

[325iExecutive]

Originally Posted by jmg

It's actually not that rare and a common issue with the MPE and yes you CAN order it after the fact, but it's not "aftermarket", it's actually an option when ordering your F80.

My point was that the goal of keeping the miles in check is to keep your warranty for a reasonable amount of time. I drive about 25k miles a year on my F80 alone. I don't want to be out of warranty in 2.5 years.

Interesting point - how many will retain their F8X past warranty. In my case, I typically run cars into the ground.

My previous car was a 2005 325i (which I bought CPO in 2006). I sold that early this year when buying the F80. I sold it because it was too expensive to fix all the niggles plus it started to rust (again). The other car I had was Mazda CX-9 which was totaled after 7 years of ownership (bought used).

[jmg]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

You can order it on your F80 but it is in fact installed at the dealer, not i.e. produced with MPE. It's aftermarket in the sense it is not original factory equipment on the car, it is installed via dealer or an ordered/aftermarket part via BMW M performance. Same case with the CF splitters/spoiler, diffuser, and front lip.

I understand your point and where you are coming from, but the fabled folk tale "I don't want to be out of warranty these cars are too expensive if something breaks" is more old line thinking.

These cars are very reliable, and the //M's moreso than others. The S55 platform and DCT are solid. I would have no issue worrying about miles and being out of warranty on this car.

You take care of your car properly, it takes care of you.

Originally Posted by 325iExecutive

Interesting point - how many will retain their F8X past warranty. In my case, I typically run cars into the ground.

My previous car was a 2005 325i (which I bought CPO in 2006). I sold that early this year when buying the F80. I sold it because it was too expensive to fix all the niggles plus it started to rust (again). The other car I had was Mazda CX-9 which was totaled after 7 years of ownership (bought used).

There comes a point where I just don't want to deal with a European car out of warranty. It's not that I can't afford to maintain a BMW out of warranty, I just don't want to put money into an older European car. Right now I have 4 cars. I own two Japanese cars and I lease 2 German cars. The Japanese cars are dirt cheap to maintain compared to my previous BMWs and Audi's. This is just how I'm comfortable spending my money. New BMWs, old Japanese.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by jmg

There comes a point where I just don't want to deal with a European car out of warranty. It's not that I can't afford to maintain a BMW out of warranty, I just don't want to put money into an older European car. Right now I have 4 cars. I own two Japanese cars and I lease 2 German cars. The Japanese cars are dirt cheap to maintain compared to my previous BMWs and Audi's. This is just how I'm comfortable spending my money. New BMWs, old Japanese.

Understandable, and that's your view which is fine. My goal is not to sway you any different on how you feel comfortable spending your money.

I'm just saying maintaining an M3 is no different than any other car really. Cost was brought up in this thread, and other than tires the cost of an //M isn't really that much more different than standard maintenance on any car (oil changes, spark plugs, brakes, etc). The parts may be more expensive, but they also last longer and are higher quality.

The odds of something major breaking or going exponentially wrong is minimal. Sure, things happen... and sure, they are generally more expensive on Euro cars, but it's not something you need to be fearful of. It's old thinking when people question BMW's reliability imho. I have owned and know plenty of people with older, very high mileage BMW's that have been maintained and had very little to no issues.

Bottom line: Reliability on //M's is very good, and is continually improving each generation. You don't really have much to worry about other than burning $$ on more rubber .

[325iExecutive]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Understandable, and that's your view which is fine. My goal is not to sway you any different on how you feel comfortable spending your money.

I'm just saying maintaining an //M is no different than any other car really. Cost was brought up in this thread, and other than tires the cost of an //M isn't really that much more different than standard maintenance on any car (oil changes, spark plugs, brakes, etc). The parts may be more expensive, but they also last longer and are higher quality.

The odds of something major breaking or going exponentially wrong is minimal. Sure, things happen... and sure, they are generally more expensive on Euro cars.

Bottom line: Reliability on //M's is very good, and is continually improving each generation. You don't really have much to worry about other than burning $$ on more rubber

Thanks

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Bottom line: Reliability on //M's is very good, and is continually improving each generation. You don't really have much to worry about other than burning $$ on more rubber .

M vs non M bmw agreed is marginal cost to keep on the road. Bmw vs non bmw is a different story (not to mention gas vs electric)

Like I said earlier, props to you for loving your m3 so much that you daily it that much and accept the maintenance and eventual out of warranty cost