340i with mods - how close to M3 performance?

[Jaymax85]

I have both cars.... it's not even close . They are on different planets

[newbie340]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

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.

Fair enough. I just think "whole different level" is a pretty big statement if you put that huge mod list he had on a 435 on a 340 track package.

But alas we won't know until I do it

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by newbie340

Fair enough. I just think "who different level" is a pretty big statement if you put that huge mod list he had on a 435 on a 340 track package.

But alas we won't know until I do it

Sorry dude it's true ... I've driven both cars today so my perspective is fresh

[newbie340]

Originally Posted by HELLOimJ

Sorry dude it's true ... I've driven both cars today so my perspective is fresh

Lolol but none of you have driven THAT 340 with those precise mods! That is the comparison we would need...

[CPWINCH]

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.

Legitimate differences as in a electronic rear differential, a dual clutch trasnmission and an incredible engine/cooling set up? I am telling you my experience, on the racetrack, between the two cars ive owned. The 435i i had once a combination of parts that made for a fun car where the M4 is a well enginered car straight from the factory. The whole suspension set up is different on the M4 and it is a lot more rigid and precise. I have been racing cars for a long time. The M4 is a better car in every regard and that is proven by the faster lap times it puts down with the same driver (Me). Now my M4 has full coilovers, camber plates, full exhaust, race seats and is gutted and it is incredible. I have a lot of love for my old build and as much as I wish it was on par with a true M, it simply was not. Please look into the engineering that went into the M chassis or just take one for a drive and you will see. Ill even take you for a ride in my M4 if you are ever around calabasas so you can see what I am talking about. Dont get me wrong, the standard 3 series and 4 series are great cars, but not the same as an M even with mods

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by newbie340

Lolol but none of you have driven THAT 340 with those precise mods! That is the comparison we would need...

340i is not much different than a 335i. The B58 is great tho!

[///M4ster Yoda]

M4 > 335is > 340. All great cars. We currently have an M4 (mine) and 340 (wifey). My last car before the M was the "is". Loved that car. Had the DCT and a Cobb protune by PTF. Car was fast. As others have stated already the M is on another level and I would either keep the "is" as I feel it is a special edition cool car or just get the M. Don't waste time on the 340. The only reason we have one is east coast living and ski trips.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by newbie340

Lolol but none of you have driven THAT 340 with those precise mods! That is the comparison we would need...

What would the investment be for a new 340 with all those mods?

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

Legitimate differences as in a electronic rear differential, a dual clutch trasnmission and an incredible engine/cooling set up? I am telling you my experience, on the racetrack, between the two cars ive owned. The 435i i had once a combination of parts that made for a fun car where the M4 is a well enginered car straight from the factory. The whole suspension set up is different on the M4 and it is a lot more rigid and precise. I have been racing cars for a long time. The M4 is a better car in every regard and that is proven by the faster lap times it puts down with the same driver (Me). Now my M4 has full coilovers, camber plates, full exhaust, race seats and is gutted and it is incredible. I have a lot of love for my old build and as much as I wish it was on par with a true M, it simply was not. Please look into the engineering that went into the M chassis or just take one for a drive and you will see. Ill even take you for a ride in my M4 if you are ever around calabasas so you can see what I am talking about. Dont get me wrong, the standard 3 series and 4 series are great cars, but not the same as an M even with mods

+1...

I always say, if you can't justify / see why the M4/M3 cost much more for a car that shares the same chassis, than the ///M car isn't for you, and you'll probably be much happier with the money saved in your pocket. I for one would be salty as hell in a Non-M car. Which I've been in many times in my life and wished I opted for the M - which I eventually did and I have zero f*ckin regrets. Best decision I've made on a car IMO!

[newbie340]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

Legitimate differences as in a electronic rear differential, a dual clutch trasnmission and an incredible engine/cooling set up? I am telling you my experience, on the racetrack, between the two cars ive owned. The 435i i had once a combination of parts that made for a fun car where the M4 is a well enginered car straight from the factory. The whole suspension set up is different on the M4 and it is a lot more rigid and precise. I have been racing cars for a long time. The M4 is a better car in every regard and that is proven by the faster lap times it puts down with the same driver (Me). Now my M4 has full coilovers, camber plates, full exhaust, race seats and is gutted and it is incredible. I have a lot of love for my old build and as much as I wish it was on par with a true M, it simply was not. Please look into the engineering that went into the M chassis or just take one for a drive and you will see. Ill even take you for a ride in my M4 if you are ever around calabasas so you can see what I am talking about. Dont get me wrong, the standard 3 series and 4 series are great cars, but not the same as an M even with mods

This makes me sad the M3 with all the options I wanted would have been like $80,000+ Mine plus an exhaustive modding will still only be $62,000.

If I am in calbasas though that's not a bad idea

[RaidersFan]

Originally Posted by 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.

Problem is, she wants the M. After driving one, her 6MT 335i was somewhat lacking.

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by RaidersFan

Problem is, she wants the M. After driving one, her 6MT 335i was somewhat lacking.

well then, there you have it!

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by newbie340

Fair enough. I just think "whole different level" is a pretty big statement if you put that huge mod list he had on a 435 on a 340 track package.

But alas we won't know until I do it

don't worry about it man. you have a great car but most people will agree that a car well set up from the factory is better than an extensively modded car that's similar. of course "whole new level" is relative .. we aren't talking about going from a golf TDI to a McLaren 675LT, but you can tell a big difference between M and non M cars. I've had a handful of each and I recently drove a really nice x6 35i MSport back to back with an X6M. power aside, so many aspects of the M are just better and that goes for the other models too.

in your defense I've said before that the non-Ms make for a great daily and maybe even better for a lot of people. the M cars can be a tad harsh, more expensive to operate, etc but if you appreciate the details the M divison incorporates, it's well worth the cash. it's a win-win for anyone trying to decide between the two.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

No where close..

goddamn well done modding your old 4er. gorgeous.

[Lexor1704]

I was just driving a 340i m sport as my loaner while my M3 was getting the M HAS springs installed, if anyone is on the fence about these springs just do it I could not get ZCP because my 2016 was too early and this really transformed the car, and it was nice and in some ways felt more reponsive because you have far more traction but it is in no way shape or form like my M3. Beyond engine and suspension there are so many other changes you cannot easily replicate that make the M3 what it is, carbon fiber driveshaft for rotational mass, insanely high chassis rigidity and a group of folks that spent months focusing on ways to make it better. I drove a modded 335, loved that E90, before this M3 and it was fast and it was fun but it would have been left for dead on a track with this M3. While it is tempting to look at "close enough" when spending this much on a car is cost really a reason any of us buy these cars? At least on this board I believe it is about the passion M cars evoke and the no excuses results we get from these cars. Yes this generation is not perfect and some folks will point out flaws and how they are not as good as they should be but when you look at this M car from the perspective of performance, everyday driving and track ability they are very hard to touch and the reason they cost what they do. Embrace the M side!

[fusionchicken]

A car backed by factory engineers produced on a large scale with full factory warranty will almost always be better than a car pieced together by enthuasists / shops / forum research. With the amount of mods you'd most likely need to bring a 340 near M3 level you can also kiss your warranty goodbye, which is probably not a good idea for a daily drive IMHO.

If the OP is just looking for a daily driver with some ooomph then I'm all for a simple chipped 340i. That thing will still be a blast but it won't be an M3.

[ghost34]

I'd mod up a used 3 vs a new up, the resale value on 3's have dropped off a cliff. look at 2 year old ones. still won't be a M but the investment is lower

[Professor///M]

I had 7 years of 335s with >350HP, with xDrive. Neither of them put a smile on my face the same way my 1 week old M3 has. And I'm still in the break in period.

2 different experiences. Are there things I'd want back from my 335 to put in my M3, absolutely! Does the overall big picture outweigh those very few things, definitely.

I think far fewer people look back and say... you know what, I should have gotten the 340.

And at the end of the day, the M3 will retain its value better than the 340... every mod you get to make it close to an M3 will be worth $0, so might as well pay that up front to make it an M3.

[Alpine Missile]

A 340i is a great car to drive daily and way less expensive. Lots of power and torque in a very comfortable package. It's a deceptively quick car. In my opinion, she won't be able to use all the extra power with an M car in traffic anyway. No one can. My M3 is a daily driver and sometimes I wish I had a damn Honda Accord to just put miles on and not worry about it since I'm always stuck in gridlock. The 340i with active suspension is a great handler and a very nice ride. I wouldn't mess with it unless you want to drop it for aesthetics... still think it's a mistake. If you are going to track it fairly frequently, and you're that much of an enthusiast, without a doubt buy the M. There is no comparison on a track as the other posters have already said. This car really shines when it can be opened up and pushed very hard. Hope this helps you all decide.

[jmg]

I dumped my 340i M Sport with Track Handling after 3 months of ownership to get my M3. They are totally different cars and the difference is staggering. While the 340i is a perfectly capable road car, I equate the M3 as a track car you can drive on the street and a 340i as a street car you can drive on the track with some mods. Having said that, as a commuter car, the 340i is EXCELLENT. Fast, comfortable, still sporty enough to have fun etc. The M3 is perfectly capable as a commuter, but it's overkill. It's and exercise in self control to say under 80mph, the M3 want's to burn it's wheels off. It's slightly maddening, but put on some soothing music and it's manageable .

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by newbie340

This makes me sad the M3 with all the options I wanted would have been like $80,000+ Mine plus an exhaustive modding will still only be $62,000.

Get less options and get the F80, or better yet get a low miles 2015 F80 for low $50k range, and mod that

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by danniexi

goddamn well done modding your old 4er. gorgeous.

Thank you sir, much appreciated!