340i with mods - how close to M3 performance?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by 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 .

so true.

That is why I have everything in the granny setting for most of my DD (Efficient/Comfort/Comfort/S1). Having it in granny mode facilitates the self control .

[MMMCOOKIES55]

I owned a 340i zf trans with jb4, catless dps, intake blah blah blah lowered m performance brakes blah blah blah. It doesn't even come close in comparison. I own an F80 now and could not imagine going back.

[F83]

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.

Balanced shalanced. I made this mistake with the previous generation. Got close with straight line performance but as others have said - ended up paying more to get less in the end.

Facts are facts. The M cars are enhanced in ways that you cannot mod. The engine is different and superior. The drive train is carbon fiber. Etc. etc.

The truth is, the premium to go from the 440 to a decently equipped M is the best value in cars. Almost everything is changed, enhanced, better.

I did not make that mistake this time around. I will never make that mistake again.

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by F83

Balanced shalanced. I made this mistake with the previous generation. Got close with straight line performance but as others have said - ended up paying more to get less in the end.

Facts are facts. The M cars are enhanced in ways that you cannot mod. The engine is different and superior. The drive train is carbon fiber. Etc. etc.

The truth is, the premium to go from the 440 to a decently equipped M is the best value in cars. Almost everything is changed, enhanced, better.

I did not make that mistake this time around. I will never make that mistake again.

There is is a lot of chest-beating on this thread. I have a tracked a tuned 340i with good tires and a stock M3 and though they are not the same car, they are not worlds apart in my experience. Sure the 340i has a little more shake-n-bake but on the track, it is still the driver less the car. As far as value, we will see when you are out of warranty and into repairs.

[mtr3s]

You posted your 340i questions on a forum where people paid more money to buy their cars.

Just enjoy your whip and realize they are not the same car.

If I post how I should mod my F80 M3 to be as good as a GTR on a GTR forum, endless flaming would happen (not quite the same comparison, but similar results).

[jmg]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

There is is a lot of chest-beating on this thread. I have a tracked a tuned 340i with good tires and a stock M3 and though they are not the same car, they are not worlds apart in my experience. Sure the 340i has a little more shake-n-bake but on the track, it is still the driver less the car. As far as value, we will see when you are out of warranty and into repairs.

True, it's all about the driver and I'm sure a seasoned track rat could do more with a 340i than a total amateur like me could do with my M3, but that's not what this thread is about. As far as value outside of warranty, that's also not what this thread is about. If anything, the stock M3 still under warranty will still outperform many modded 340i's, which run the risk of voiding the warranty on it's many modded components.

Add to this the fact that even a conservative JB4 tune on an M3/4 will send it even beyond what a heavily modded 340i with thousands of dollars in upgrades will do in the hands of a skilled driver.

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by jmg

True, it's all about the driver and I'm sure a seasoned track rat could do more with a 340i than a total amateur like me could do with my M3, but that's not what this thread is about. As far as value outside of warranty, that's also not what this thread is about. If anything, the stock M3 still under warranty will still outperform many modded 340i's, which run the risk of voiding the warranty on it's many modded components.

Add to this the fact that even a conservative JB4 tune on an M3/4 will send it even beyond what a heavily modded 340i with thousands of dollars in upgrades will do in the hands of a skilled driver.

There is no argument the M3 is the better car. It just is not a "world" of difference as the apes-beating-chest I-spent-more-so-I-am-better guys seem to think over a 340i is all I am saying. The 340i already has enough power for most tracks especially with a tune and the B58 is a monster which if not capped could exceed the S55. I pass plenty of M3s and porsches at track. Its a difference not a "world" of difference.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

There is no argument the M3 is the better car. It just is not a "world" of difference as the apes-beating-chest I-spent-more-so-I-am-better guys seem to think over a 340i is all I am saying. The 340i already has enough power for most tracks especially with a tune and the B58 is a monster which if not capped could exceed the S55. I pass plenty of M3s and porsches at track. Its a difference not a "world" of difference.

I don't even think there is an objective way to describe a "world of difference". It's very subjective, I wouldn't come down too hard on us, we all love our cars... maybe a little too much

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

There is no argument the M3 is the better car. It just is not a "world" of difference as the apes-beating-chest I-spent-more-so-I-am-better guys seem to think over a 340i is all I am saying. The 340i already has enough power for most tracks especially with a tune and the B58 is a monster which if not capped could exceed the S55. I pass plenty of M3s and porsches at track. Its a difference not a "world" of difference.

honestly, it's not the power output that makes the difference between the two cars (like you said, a tuned B58 can easily keep up or beat an S55 in a straight), but the chassis and suspension tuning that makes them completely different. these two cars share very little parts (doors, windows, trim). the F8x platform has an exceedingly stiff torsional rigidity compared to a regular 3er. handling and chassis balance is what really makes the F8x a better car than the 3 series, which is geared towards more comfort, luxury and every day drivability.

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by danniexi

honestly, it's not the power output that makes the difference between the two cars (like you said, a tuned B58 can easily keep up or beat an S55 in a straight), but the chassis and suspension tuning that makes them completely different. these two cars share very little parts (doors, windows, trim). the F8x platform has an exceedingly stiff torsional rigidity compared to a regular 3er. handling and chassis balance is what really makes the F8x a better car than the 3 series, which is geared towards more comfort, luxury and every day drivability.

Its a tighter trackcar and the 3rd gear is a rip but its angry rumble and tight suspension makes it feel like it is alot faster than it really is. Would I kick it out of bed? Of course not it was a pleasure to track but a world of difference is an exaggeration and a put-down for a very capable 340.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Its a tighter trackcar and the 3rd gear is a rip but its angry rumble and tight suspension makes it feel like it is alot faster than it really is. Would I kick it out of bed? Of course not it was a pleasure to track but a world of difference is an exaggeration and a put-down for a very capable 340.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Its a tighter trackcar and the 3rd gear is a rip but its angry rumble and tight suspension makes it feel like it is alot faster than it really is. Would I kick it out of bed? Of course not it was a pleasure to track but a world of difference is an exaggeration and a put-down for a very capable 340.

Spoken like a 340 owner... LOL I owned 435, tuned, stack tune, etc.. No comparison in handling, power delivery, and overall feel. NONE. Hence why I am driving barely stock M3, well may be slightly modified with Jb stage 1.. One word - BEAST!!!

340 sounds better though..

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Its a tighter trackcar and the 3rd gear is a rip but its angry rumble and tight suspension makes it feel like it is alot faster than it really is. Would I kick it out of bed? Of course not it was a pleasure to track but a world of difference is an exaggeration and a put-down for a very capable 340.

What are you doing trolling F8x forum anyways??

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

There is no argument the M3 is the better car. It just is not a "world" of difference as the apes-beating-chest I-spent-more-so-I-am-better guys seem to think over a 340i is all I am saying. The 340i already has enough power for most tracks especially with a tune and the B58 is a monster which if not capped could exceed the S55. I pass plenty of M3s and porsches at track. Its a difference not a "world" of difference.

The main difference is not in the power output, but rather in all the upgraded components on the M3/4 to make it track ready. The upgraded brakes, the added cooling for engine, transmission and differential, the re-enforced chassis, the lightened suspension components, the widened track, the LSD, etc... I've seen countless non-M BMWs overheat on track and/or go into limp mode. They are fantastic daily drivers, but the track is not their preferred environment.

I've test driven a 335i (not a 340i) on track, "world apart" is very subjective in terms of interpretation, but yes, it did feel very different than an M3/4.

It's not about "chest beating". It's about design intent. The AG cars are designed as sporty DD sedans while the ///M are designed for dual use as DD and track rats. Period.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Its a tighter trackcar and the 3rd gear is a rip but its angry rumble and tight suspension makes it feel like it is alot faster than it really is. Would I kick it out of bed? Of course not it was a pleasure to track but a world of difference is an exaggeration and a put-down for a very capable 340.

Hey man, if you can't tell the difference that's great. You saved a lot of money.

Fellow f30 335 and ex e89 z435 owner here... it is a "world of difference" to me going to f80 m3

[jackkk]

I've got e90 335i fully moded and we have 335i f30 m-pack in Spain.
Doesn't matter how you mod the 335i, it not become an M3.
335i is a good car and with mods it is fast.
So it is fast regular car with sport soul.
The M3 is a sport car with you can use daily.

[F83]

Originally Posted by romanonj

Spoken like a 340 owner... LOL I owned 435, tuned, stack tune, etc.. No comparison in handling, power delivery, and overall feel. NONE. Hence why I am driving barely stock M3, well may be slightly modified with Jb stage 1.. One word - BEAST!!!

340 sounds better though..

Yeah I was a bit this way with my highly modded E90 335. In fairness it did perform well against a stock E90 M3 in a straight line 0-60.

However then I bought an M4 and beyond just liking it more discovered....

You can modify those also!

[Leaveit2bevo]

Originally Posted by mtr3s

You posted your 340i questions on a forum where people paid more money to buy their cars.

Just enjoy your whip and realize they are not the same car.

If I post how I should mod my F80 M3 to be as good as a GTR on a GTR forum, endless flaming would happen (not quite the same comparison, but similar results).

Hey the GTR owners arent that bad, half of them like me have a DD m3/m4!

[Ian1973]

Oh really, half of them have close to 200 grand tied up in vehicles? I find that hard to believe.

[Leaveit2bevo]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

Oh really, half of them have close to 200 grand tied up in vehicles? I find that hard to believe.

a large majority of those dudes have 200k tied up in just their 1000hp gtr's not sure why you want to start a money pissing contest here.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by Leaveit2bevo

a large majority of those dudes have 200k tied up in just their 1000hp gtr's not sure why you want to start a money pissing contest here.

A 200K GTR

[BigSky702]

Just to add my .02 cents.... to me it's a MAJOR difference... had the pleasure of driving a loaner 340i AND racing a 440i! Mind you it was stock vs. stock (m4 vs 440), and not accounting for driver error, it wasn't even close!!

The 340\440i are very capable, but there's a reason why the ///M is slightly more $$.