M340 vs f80 m3

[Herakles]

Spend $60k on a m340 or a 2015-2016 m3

Xdrive is nice to have in the NE but hey besides that what are your thoughts

Also is the m340 as fast as the f80 in a straight line ?

[deeldoo]

Originally Posted by Herakles

Spend $60k on a m340 or a 2015-2016 m3

Xdrive is nice to have in the NE but hey besides that what are your thoughts

Also is the m340 as fast as the f80 in a straight line ?

M4, M340 is dogshit.

If you are getting an M340 just get a 328i and call it a day.

The in between cars make 0 financial or logical sense.

If you want performance get a performance car fully, if you want luxury get a luxury car.

If you want both get a GT car.

The C43, M340, S5 class of cars are pure baffonary, they were made to do nothing particularly well and are extremely compromised.

In regards to straight line, the M4 would put airbus lengths on it above 80km/h. From a dig the M340i would pull ahead until about 110.

I don't see why anyone would ever buy the M340i other than to tell people they shouldn't care about how they have an M car.

I dunno man im very biased but fuck all those cars, either go big or go home.

I am very picky though, i am either taking the best performance option that is reasonable within a brand or i am gonna drive a 20 year old junker.

Even with porsches i refuse to like or want to drive anything but the GT3RS.

[Suds]

OP, you need to drive both.
Then decide what you prefer.

The M3/4 is a compromise for a street car that is capable at the track.
Even more capable with modifications.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by Suds

OP, you need to drive both.
Then decide what you prefer.

The M3/4 is a compromise for a street car that is capable at the track.
Even more capable with modifications.

OP, if you drive both you won't want a M340i.

At legal straight line speeds, from a dig, the 340 should have a small advantage. But neither car is a dragster so the more appropriate metrics to use are the 5-60, 30-50, and 50-70 for legal speeds (I'm only using these because ANY other data point HEAVILY favors the M3 so it wouldn't be fair).

With the above understanding, it's a still not a blowout.

2016 M3 ZCP:

5-60mph: 4.4
30-50: 2.2
50-70: 2.9

Just by extending the race to 100mph: the M3 gets there in 8.6 vs 9.2 in the 340i. By 150mph the M3 has a 2.4 second advantage.

And just for an understanding of the cornering ability - a 2016 M3 ZCP with Michelin Cup 2 tires has 1.06G of lateral grip versus 0.96 in the 340.

Hope this helps man 🙌

[deeldoo]

Also just a note OP there had been a few members i think that ended up buying an M340i then spending a ton of money on mods to try to get it to feel like an M4.

Please don't do that, keep it stock if u get it.

[icegrill]

You simply cannot beat the oem handling of an f8x. It really digs in canyon driving but can hood it's own straight line as well!

[IVM3]

If you will ever take the car to the track or you care about handling and overall performance more than just having a nice car, get the M3. If you just want a relatively fast car, a new M340 is probably fine.

The M340 also looks more modern as the F8X is starting to look a bit dated. However, it still looks tons better than the G8X imo.

[THEROK]

Albert Biermann would lol at this thread. BMW has only itself to blame for making M stand for Marketing.

[IB M]

Very simple - if short term whip for a year or two then just pick based on comfort M340 or performance F80. Tenths of a second on Zero to 60 doesn't matter either way, it's about comfort vs harder edged performance.

For long term keeper and all around great car hands down F80. I'd drive a new M340 for daily transportation but I wouldn't keep it more than a 3 year lease.

[From5toM]

Originally Posted by IVM3

If you will ever take the car to the track or you care about handling and overall performance more than just having a nice car, get the M3. If you just want a relatively fast car, a new M340 is probably fine.

The M340 also looks more modern as the F8X is starting to look a bit dated. However, it still looks tons better than the G8X imo.

I dunno man… the F80 is still one of the if not the sexiest 4 door sports sedans ever. I know the G8X are damn fugly but even pitted against other 4 doors, the F80 looks so good. Maybe I'm biased lol.

[TideMD]

Originally Posted by deeldoo

Also just a note OP there had been a few members i think that ended up buying an M340i then spending a ton of money on mods to try to get it to feel like an M4.

Please don't do that, keep it stock if u get it.

This, exactly!

I see a ton of social media shit where people take a non-///M car and try to make it look like an ///M car.
I've yet to see someone with a legit ///M car try to make it look like something beneath it.

[MisterF80M3]

I've driven the M340i and M440i at a BMW autocross event.

It is super grippy. I feel like I can't break the car loose. If you need traction, M340i is the car to get.

[Slowphiveo]

Get what makes you happy and don't worry about what others say...but if you are concerned with what others think, get the F80. The M340i is just a warmed over, nicely equipped sportyish sedan. If you like doing red light blasts against Hondas and VWs and want to go fast in a straight line up to 70mph...have at it. That will wear thin pretty quick. The fact that you are on an enthusiasts forum asking in the M3/4 section means you already know the answer to what you are asking...you are just trying to convince your mind to match your heart.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by Slowphiveo

Get what makes you happy and don't worry about what others say...but if you are concerned with what others think, get the F80. The M340i is just a warmed over, nicely equipped sportyish sedan. If you like doing red light blasts against Hondas and VWs and want to go fast in a straight line up to 70mph...have at it. That will wear thin pretty quick. The fact that you are on an enthusiasts forum asking in the M3/4 section means you already know the answer to what you are asking...you are just trying to convince your mind to match your heart.

Fair point. Plus who knows… maybe the M340i is like a modern version of the E46 330i ZHP which has become pretty sought after as time has passed (that's my understanding based on forums atleast)

[SYT_Shadow]

These questions have always come up. E9X vs 335, etc etc.

The m340 is not a full M car, so it feels nothing like a full M car. The m340 is a sporty daily driver, the M3/4 increases the sporty factor significantly, and also reduces the comfort etc.

Drive both. They drive completely differently even if the performance may be similar-ish

[R N M]

If you plan to sit in traffic and want to have luxury feeling - choose M340i.

If you can take having jerky DCT while stuck in traffic, uncomfortable suspension, interior creaking, higher maint costs then get M3/4. The negatives go away when you are able to start pushing these cars but its not for everyone. That’s why i hate when ppl buy it for the M badge and then complain its too “harsh” 🤔

Also M340i xdrive will probably be faster in straight line most of the time as F8x is not great at putting the power down from a stop. Its hard to do a clean launch on the street without spinning. If that is important then another win for M340i.
E9x 335s were faster than E9x M3 especially tuned - that’s not what M used to be about historically but obviously that has changed with younger buyers.

[e46zhpbmw]

Dropped off my f80 at the dealer to get the M performance suspension installed. Got a loaner M340i.

Long story short, I was HAPPY getting back into my f80

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by e46zhpbmw

Dropped off my f80 at the dealer to get the M performance suspension installed. Got a loaner M340i.

Long story short, I was HAPPY getting back into my f80

Same here.

The M340i drives like a darn boat compared to a F80. Non-engaging and slow IMO.

[dallastide]

I am in full agreement with the aggressive but spot on first response above. I'm not at all a fan of the half M cars. I'd prefer they didn't exist and personally wouldn't embolden Munich by buying one. They are a shameless marketing ploy and they cheapen the M brand.

[brody8877]

Originally Posted by e46zhpbmw

Dropped off my f80 at the dealer to get the M performance suspension installed. Got a loaner M340i.

Long story short, I was HAPPY getting back into my f80

Same, except I dropped it off for service.

I driven both G20 330i with Mperf package and M340i, safe to say both cars felt cheap, it handle pretty well in a boaty way, not as much feedback as I would like. I felt the new G-series car are very gimmicky and cheap.

The only pro: standard tech future, and the ZF 8speed.

BTW I also have a F30 328i with Mperf package, the F30 feels more flat and planted through the corners than the 330i with Mperf package.

In all honesty, I am really confused by all these automotive journalist saying the new 3 series is the return of "BMW 3 series sport sedan"

[bsmf8x]

Off the line the m340 wins, but literally 95% of the time people tend to floor it off a roll. Anywhere over 20 mph the f80 wins.

I have videos of me completely stock, 2016 DCT beating a m340 with jb4 and a stock m340 off a 30 and 40 roll like 5 times each run.

Also people don't know how to use the dct to optimize acceleration when you're racing other cars similar to your speed, it matters.

If you wanna see it message me I'll text you videos, plus I'm not a fan of G20 interiors. The 2019-2020 c43 is so much nicer honestly.

[Taco_Bueno]

The M340 is the primary example of the dilution of the "M brand". That fact alone is enough to turn me off of it. Snobby, I know, but the M340 is the definition of mediocrity from both ends of the spectrum. The only way the m340 is superior is in icy road handling, and if that's a deciding factor I would suggest you look outside of the luxury sedan market. The M3 is a car you fall in love with because it's so well-rounded, capable, and addicting. The F8x is the last of an unfortunately dying breed of true performance enthusiast monsters. The M340 is an appliance and an imposter.

Look at both. If you haven't decided by then, get in both. If you haven't decided by then, drive both. If you haven't decided by then, seek medical attention.