340i with mods - how close to M3 performance?

[RaidersFan]

Hi everyone,

My fiance is due for an upgrade: her 335is is out of warranty shortly, and it is better to get 5 seats this time around.

We have been keen on getting a low mileage M3 or M4, but her new job requires a lot of mileage with only $.40/mile of reimbursement, which is not going to offset an M-car.

Questions: how would a modded (say, upgraded suspension) 340i compare to a stock F80 M3? How about her current 335is (which has Dinan sways). If, for example, we threw $3500 into coilovers and swaybar?

Looking at a manual in either: I assume the tranny is the same in the M3/340i?

This car won't see the track, but she is every bit the enthusiast. It can't suck, or be worse than her 335 is, otherwise, I will never hear the end of it!

[SD ///M4]

My wife has a 335is Coupe. She's driven my M4 a lot over the last year, including on the track. Her car is due for replacement next year. She's replacing it with an M3. 'Nuff said.

"There's no substitute..."

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

My wife has a 335is Coupe. She's driven my M4 a lot over the last year, including on the track. Her car is due for replacement next year. She's replacing it with an M3. 'Nuff said.

"There's no substitute..."

This! Get an M car and stop wasting money on making a normal one perform and look like an M car, it never will and you'll end up paying a lot in the process with no warranty on the mods you did and it won't really count when you come to sell the car so your money is lost unless you want to deal with the hassle of selling those upgrades yourself and refit the original parts....

[knightarmor]

It just doesn't compare is what these guys are saying and I would agree.

[M3 Geezer]

Like Mr. Snappy Phoenix said "There's no substitute..."

[aX3Man]

I went from a 2014 335i m sport w/ MPPK to a 2017 M3 ZCP 6mt.... it's not even close.

[Gibson6594]

What's the old saying? The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts?

[RickFLM4]

Maybe if you put an M3 / M4 badge on it...

[nicknaz]

I think if you have enough mods to have ~420whp it will feel close in a straight line, and if you have that power level together with aftermarket full coilovers and more aggressive tires, then maybe it isn't worth the upgrade

stock vs stock, no comparison

BTW, why not get a 328d commuter, pocket the $ and get a full out sports car toy?

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by M3 Geezer

Like Mr. Snappy Phoenix said "There's no substitute..."

He didn't say that, I said that. He quoted me.

[CPWINCH]

No where close..

Mod list:
Klassen ID MS01 18x10 square
Toyo Tires R888 275/35 square
BC Racing ER Series coilovers
BC Racing Camber Plates
Evolution RaceWerks Catless Downpipe
Evolution RaceWerks Intercooler
Evolution RaceWerks Chargepipe
Evolution RaceWerks upgraded Oil Cooler
Sparco Ergo II Seats
Burger Tuning JB4
RPI Exhaust
BMW Performance Diffuser
BMW Performance Spoiler
BMW Performamce Black Grills
RW Carbon 3D style front lip
Gutted Trunk
Rear Seat delete
Motorsport Hardware Stud Conversion


Ask me how I know

Current Car:


Even stock my M4 felt way better than my 435i with every modification did. The M car is on a whole different level. I drive 50+ miles a day and have to say that the 435i had way better gas mileage but the performance from the M4 is worth the extra money on gas per month.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by RaidersFan

Questions: how would a modded (say, upgraded suspension) 340i compare to a stock F80 M3? How about her current 335is (which has Dinan sways). If, for example, we threw $3500 into coilovers and swaybar?

You realize that you asked this question in the F8x forum, right? For a balanced perspective, ask the same questions in the E9x and F3x forums.

[Draper]

The question you should be asking is what she wants...not what you want her to have.

The 340i will probably be a better commuter car, and you are unlikely to approach its limits while on public roads. The M3/M4 is total overkill, but that's the main reason we buy them.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I think if you have enough mods to have ~420whp it will feel close in a straight line, and if you have that power level together with aftermarket full coilovers and more aggressive tires, then maybe it isn't worth the upgrade

stock vs stock, no comparison

BTW, why not get a 328d commuter, pocket the $ and get a full out sports car toy?

That's the issue, even if you did make that kind of power, the intercooler and cooling systems on the 340i would never keep up with the heat generated by the extra boost. The intake air temperatures would be unusable after 2 -3 pulls and it wouldn't make any where near 420 WHP anymore.

I had an N54 335 5 yrs ago with about 400 wheel HP and after 2 pulls I couldn't boost past 11 psi because the IAT's where too high. Then, I got an aftermarket IC, great I thought. Then, after 2 laps on the track the oil temps were above 260!

Then the brakes would be overwhelmed because they aren't 4/6 piston oversized drilled fixed caliper rotors.

The M literally has 7 coolers under the hood for heat management, there is too much to list to understand why you're better off just doing it right.


Plus there is way more to the M's handling/suspension than just coilovers, the entire front of the car feels like its built out of a piece of granite, it's just way tighter. You would never be able to reasonably replicate the responsiveness and buttoned down feeling the M has.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

You realize that you asked this question in the F8x forum, right? For a balanced perspective, ask the same questions in the E9x and F3x forums.

I am unbiased, I'll call a spade a spade and its just the truth.

Sure sometimes you will get unrealistic/biased answers but in this case its an easy one.

I'm just a believer in doing it right. I guess you would get somewhat close in performance under very specific circumstances, but it compromised from the beginning from various engineering perspectives.

[RobC2]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

This, get an M car and stop wasting money on making a normal one perform and look like an M car, it never will and you'll end up paying a lot in the process with no warranty on the mods you did and it won't really count when you come to sell the car so your money is lost unless you want to deal with the hassle of selling those upgrades yourself and refit the original parts....

Completely agree with this.

[hanszilla]

Get a 328D, or the new 328 (or is it 330 now). The 8 speed transmission is so much nicer than the DCT in traffic; I daily my F80 and it is absolute shit in LA traffic. If she commutes a lot then bypass the M3/4 and get a cheap commuter; save the money and then get a full blown toy. For a commuter M3/4 is not exactly the best as the ride is slightly stiffer than the normal counterpart (either that or I'm getting old).

P.S that's the sensible side of me talking, and as you can see I don't have a a 328/330 commuter. So that shows that I don't take my own advice.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by neilum

That's the issue, even if you did make that kind of power, the intercooler and cooling systems on the 340i would never keep up with the heat generated by the extra boost. The intake air temperatures would be unusable after 2 -3 pulls and it wouldn't make any where near 420 WHP anymore.

I had an N54 335 5 yrs ago with about 400 wheel HP and after 2 pulls I couldn't boost past 11 psi because the IAT's where too high. Then, I got an aftermarket IC, great I thought. Then, after 2 laps on the track the oil temps were above 260!

Then the brakes would be overwhelmed because they aren't 4/6 piston oversized drilled fixed caliper rotors.

The M literally has 7 coolers under the hood for heat management, there is too much to list to understand why you're better off just doing it right.


Plus there is way more to the M's handling/suspension than just coilovers, the entire front of the car feels like its built out of a piece of granite, it's just way tighter. You would never be able to reasonably replicate the responsiveness and buttoned down feeling the M has.

yup, I agree with you completely, when track usage is put in place, there is no comparison. I also had a modded N54 and had an F80 after that.

but OP is talking strictly for commuting, and in that case, you just need to do 1 pull to make a pass on the highway, and you aren't driving hard enough to max out the limits of a modded 335is or M3 anyway (or you really shouldn't be on public roads)

A fully depreciated 335 with mods is interesting to me as a commuter substitute to F80. There's a LOT of cash savings we are talking about, which could be used for many things, not least of which is an all out sports car to be used as a toy

[newbie340]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

No where close..

Mod list:
Klassen ID MS01 18x10 square
Toyo Tires R888 275/35 square
BC Racing ER Series coilovers
BC Racing Camber Plates
Evolution RaceWerks Catless Downpipe
Evolution RaceWerks Intercooler
Evolution RaceWerks Chargepipe
Evolution RaceWerks upgraded Oil Cooler
Sparco Ergo II Seats
Burger Tuning JB4
RPI Exhaust
BMW Performance Diffuser
BMW Performance Spoiler
BMW Performamce Black Grills
RW Carbon 3D style front lip
Gutted Trunk
Rear Seat delete
Motorsport Hardware Stud Conversion


Ask me how I know

Current Car:


Even stock my M4 felt way better than my 435i with every modification did. The M car is on a whole different level. I drive 50+ miles a day and have to say that the 435i had way better gas mileage but the performance from the M4 is worth the extra money on gas per month.

Lol that post choice supportive bias doe...somehow I truly doubt it's a whole different level with those mods and I doubt any professional driver would agree

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by newbie340

Lol that post choice supportive bias doe...somehow I truly doubt it's a whole different level with those mods and I doubt any professional driver would agree

your username is perfect because you definitely are a noob. First off you drive an X-drive and live in LA, really need it for all the snow we have been getting I track my cars and push them to the absolute limit. The regular 3 series and 4 series cannot match the M versions. The rear differential, dual clutch transmission, properly sized turbos and increased cooling make a huge difference. This car has better turn in response, better steering feel, way better power delivery, and remains cool lap after lap at the track. Yes i have had professional drivers drive my old build compared to regular M4 and they agree ot doesnt match up. Also i run faster laps in the M4 at the track. It truly is a better car. Im not sure you understand just how different the M is vs the standard cars

[newbie340]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

your username is perfect because you definitely are a noob. First off you drive an X-drive and live in LA, really need it for all the snow we have been getting I track my cars and push them to the absolute limit. The regular 3 series and 4 series cannot match the M versions. The rear differential, dual clutch transmission, properly sized turbos and increased cooling make a huge difference. This car has better turn in response, better steering feel, way better power delivery, and remains cool lap after lap at the track. Yes i have had professional drivers drive my old build compared to regular M4 and they agree ot doesnt match up. Also i run faster laps in the M4 at the track. It truly is a better car. Im not sure you understand just how different the M is vs the standard cars

The M fan boys come out.

I drive an xdrive because I'm from the northeast and have only been in LA for 6 months and don't plan to be here the whole time I have this vehicle.

All of the differences you just stated were addressed by the mods you had on your 435. Also you had a 435 not 440 so hats not even being taken into account. I believe in legitimate differences between cars not "intangibles."

Also I have track package for whatever that is worth.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

your username is perfect because you definitely are a noob. First off you drive an X-drive and live in LA, really need it for all the snow we have been getting I track my cars and push them to the absolute limit. The regular 3 series and 4 series cannot match the M versions. The rear differential, dual clutch transmission, properly sized turbos and increased cooling make a huge difference. This car has better turn in response, better steering feel, way better power delivery, and remains cool lap after lap at the track. Yes i have had professional drivers drive my old build compared to regular M4 and they agree ot doesnt match up. Also i run faster laps in the M4 at the track. It truly is a better car. Im not sure you understand just how different the M is vs the standard cars

Originally Posted by newbie340

The M fan boys come out.

I drive an xdrive because I'm from the northeast and have only been in LA for 6 months and don't plan to be here the whole time I have this vehicle.

All of the differences you just stated were addressed by the mods you had on your 435. Also you had a 435 not 440 so hats not even being taken into account. I believe in legitimate differences between cars not "intangibles."

Also I have track package for whatever that is worth.

Nothing wrong with a 340i xdrive. Had one myself. Now I have an M3. Completely different deal. Drive one and you will see what us M fan boys are talking about. Everything about the car has been carefully considered and it will run at the track all day long.