E92 M3 or M340i? Why?

[Z K]

That's exactly why I have both now! My wife always questions why we have two BMW sedans that in her eyes serve the same purpose. Can't win that argument. haha

[tsk94]

Very different cars.
The M340i is faster, even stock. Tuned they aren't even close. BUT they feel heavy and extremely numb in comparison. For a street car, that's fine and could be preferred depending on how it's being used (daily-driver).
The E92 is much more analog and has more feel - all the controls feel more connected, especially the steering. The V8 has no torque in comparison, but of course, revs out and is much more enjoyable in high rpms then the B58.

For a track car, E92, no question at all. If you want a B58 track car, you get a Supra.

[kyrix1st]

I say fk all to M34560i and get an actual turbocharged M. That way, you don't have to worry about E92 M3's quirks and features, and you get all the torque and power you want.

That being said, I ADDED G87 M2 6 speed next to E92 M3. I did not and will not replace the V8.

[Z K]

Sure an actual new M3 is better than a M340i. But that line is now blurred. Defining features of an M car such as M-LSD, power, big Brembo brakes and suspension/handling... you now get those in a M340i.

The only differentiator between a G20 M340i and an G80 M3 is some styling changes, wide body and more power in the current generation cars. And of course the badge on the trunk.

[MineralWhiteF80]

You MUST drive both before you make a decision.

If you need a "do it all" daily driver car that you can also drive spiritedly, the M340i is definitely the right choice over an e92 m3. Honestly, I really hate saying that, but it's true if you need one car that can do everything good. The M340 is faster, more comfortable, way more creature comforts, normal people are fine riding in it, and it can be fun to drive fast here and there. E92 is older and shows its age in a lot of ways in the "daily driver" category.

The e92 is all about emotion and soul. It's so exciting to drive. The sounds it makes, the steering feels, and immediate response of the drivetrain is hard to beat. I'd rather be slower than everyone and enjoy the drama that is the e92 m3 over having a faster, nicer, more expensive car that is boring. No one says, DAMN an M340! But lots of people say, Damn! look at that m3 over there.

I enjoy driving my e92 m3 so much more than my f82 m4- the m4 feels big, heavy, and numb compared to my e92. So much so that I don't even track or drive the m4 spiritedly anymore, just more of a slow relaxed cruise-around style listening to music. I've never turned the radio/music on in my e92- just listen to the engine sounds and voices in my head.

[E92Bean]

I had a similar dilemma except between an F82 and e92 for daily driving. I dismissed the 340i rather quickly given the depreciation that will hit, and the F8x M cars are so similar in price and values have leveled out. I’ve always wanted an e92 m3 so I ultimately bought one with a warranty. I’m curious if you’ve considered the F80 given it’s a similar layout to the 3 series but more special.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by E92Bean

I had a similar dilemma except between an F82 and e92 for daily driving. I dismissed the 340i rather quickly given the depreciation that will hit, and the F8x M cars are so similar in price and values have leveled out. I’ve always wanted an e92 m3 so I ultimately bought one with a warranty. I’m curious if you’ve considered the F80 given it’s a similar layout to the 3 series but more special.

I drove every version of the F80 including the GTS model. The engine sound is terrible compared to even a regular F30. It sounds like a 4 cylinder struggling for air. I liked the platform enough to get a F30 after I drove a F30 6MT rental car across Germany and at the Nurburgring. The F80 didn't stand out much above the F30 and for a daily driver, it was too stiff and impractical. Also, the crank hub issue is not an easy fix like the rod bearings on the E90.

I think the G80 is better than the F80 in every measurable way but the styling and the pricing is insane. BMW has lost me with their M3 line up after the E90.

For me, the M340i is a happy medium with an similar price to the E90 M3 when new and with the same capabilities. And as a daily driver, it is head an shoulders above the M3. I regularly get over 30 MPG on the highway, the cabin is quiet and refined and it is much faster and powerful.

My E90 is the fun weekend track car. The M340i is great for daily commuting, road trips and an occasional mountain road run.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by Z K

I drove every version of the F80 including the GTS model. The engine sound is terrible compared to even a regular F30. It sounds like a 4 cylinder struggling for air. I liked the platform enough to get a F30 after I drove a F30 6MT rental car across Germany and at the Nurburgring. The F80 didn't stand out much above the F30 and for a daily driver, it was too stiff and impractical. Also, the crank hub issue is not an easy fix like the rod bearings on the E90.

I think the G80 is better than the F80 in every measurable way but the styling and the pricing is insane. BMW has lost me with their M3 line up after the E90.

For me, the M340i is a happy medium with an similar price to the E90 M3 when new and with the same capabilities. And as a daily driver, it is head an shoulders above the M3. I regularly get over 30 MPG on the highway, the cabin is quiet and refined and it is much faster and powerful.

My E90 is the fun weekend track car. The M340i is great for daily commuting, road trips and an occasional mountain road run.

I see having a 340 purely as a daily works out, but I think the f80 fits as a fun 1 car solution if someone really wanted a modern M-car. I found the 340 pretty dull. Now the f80 isn’t much better off, but it’s a more interesting car to me and makes sense considering value. 340’s have a lot to loose. Plus the dct is more engaging than the zf.

Now I think the e9x has more character than both, and for now it fits as my 1 car solution. Ride is comfortable with EDC, and the DCT has a lot of customization to differentiate commute and spirited driving. The gas mileage is a fair point, but my last car was a mustang GT so it didn’t bother me. In other words, I’d take an f80 over a 340, but an e92 over both.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by E92Bean

I see having a 340 purely as a daily works out, but I think the f80 fits as a fun 1 car solution if someone really wanted a modern M-car. I found the 340 pretty dull. Now the f80 isn’t much better off, but it’s a more interesting car to me and makes sense considering value. 340’s have a lot to loose. Plus the dct is more engaging than the zf.

Now I think the e9x has more character than both, and for now it fits as my 1 car solution. Ride is comfortable with EDC, and the DCT has a lot of customization to differentiate commute and spirited driving. The gas mileage is a fair point, but my last car was a mustang GT so it didn’t bother me. In other words, I’d take an f80 over a 340, but an e92 over both.

Yes, I agree that if I had 1 car, I would not do the M340i. But my criteria is a little different in that I do go to the track regularly and any "1 car solution" I'd have would be compromised as a daily with the modifications needed to be able to run track days consistently. That's what happened to my E90 M3 as it became less and less daily friendly as I owned it.

I have owned the same E90 M3 for 15 years so it's very familiar. The shifter and clutch pedal feels like extensions of my body. And the car is very low maintenance and easy to care for. But I was ready for something more daily friendly yet still fun so M340i fit the bill.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

I say fk all to M34560i and get an actual turbocharged M. That way, you don't have to worry about E92 M3's quirks and features, and you get all the torque and power you want.

That being said, I ADDED G87 M2 6 speed next to E92 M3. I did not and will not replace the V8.

Are the newer ///M’s (F80, G80) as comfortable as the E9x? My E90 non-EDC is super comfortable over rough roads and bumps. The seats themselves are wide and soft. I’ve heard before on this forum and in reviews that the newer ///M’s are pretty stiff.

[quiksi]

The cars are quite comfortable still, though with the optional bigger wheels they will be stiffer. The full M SUVs, on the other hand… way too stiff.

[BimmerMan33]

I think both cars can be used as a 1 car solution. E9x M3 can definitely be used as a DD comfortably, it’s just that fuel & maintenence costs will be significantly higher with the M3, if you DIY then it’ll be much better but some people might get frustrated with it needing repairs & not to mention frequent scheduled M service..
Also if you don’t get to rev out the M3 often, then it’s not much fun..
Both these cars are very different in character, needs & costs..

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Z K

Sure an actual new M3 is better than a M340i. But that line is now blurred. Defining features of an M car such as M-LSD, power, big Brembo brakes and suspension/handling... you now get those in a M340i.

The only differentiator between a G20 M340i and an G80 M3 is some styling changes, wide body and more power in the current generation cars. And of course the badge on the trunk.

We just went through this decision of M340i vs G80 M3 for my wife's next car. The net of it was the M340i won the contest based on much better torque curve of the B58 for daily driving, much better gas mileage and especially as you mentioned having the M-LSD - if it had an open diff, we'd have never purchased it...that was a huge buying point. For about $20k more for the M3 we'd have a slicktop (carbon roof) and a 6MT. She laments not being able to get a 6MT in the M340i, but at the same time the ZF8 is superb. With that $20k extra cost for the M3 comes compromises we didn't want to make for the expected usage of the M340i. After all we still have the E90 M3 and an M2C in the garage for 6MT fun when desired.

We just took delivery of the 2024 M340i yesterday, so I'll have to really evaluate it over the next few weeks. I've only ever driving the M340i on track at the PC before, but so far it seems like an exceptional car (crazy big screen and all, lol).

[Z K]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

We just went through this decision of M340i vs G80 M3 for my wife's next car. The net of it was the M340i won the contest based on much better torque curve of the B58 for daily driving, much better gas mileage and especially as you mentioned having the M-LSD - if it had an open diff, we'd have never purchased it...that was a huge buying point. For about $20k more for the M3 we'd have a slicktop (carbon roof) and a 6MT. She laments not being able to get a 6MT in the M340i, but at the same time the ZF8 is superb. With that $20k extra cost for the M3 comes compromises we didn't want to make for the expected usage of the M340i. After all we still have the E90 M3 and an M2C in the garage for 6MT fun when desired.

We just took delivery of the 2024 M340i yesterday, so I'll have to really evaluate it over the next few weeks. I've only ever driving the M340i on track at the PC before, but so far it seems like an exceptional car (crazy big screen and all, lol).

Enjoy the new purchase! The M340i is a good car. I have a 2020 so it doesn't have the huge screen. I am not a fan of the big screen but that's not something that would deter me from purchasing it.

Another reason for picking the M340i over the M3 - I hate the front end on the M3. The M340i retains the more conservative and traditional BMW look. The M3's front is pretty controversial and even BMW themselves is backing away from it. The cars that came after the M3 like new M2 and XM SUV do not have huge vertical grills. I think BMW will completely phase it out soon.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Z K

Enjoy the new purchase! The M340i is a good car. I have a 2020 so it doesn't have the huge screen. I am not a fan of the big screen but that's not something that would deter me from purchasing it.

Another reason for picking the M340i over the M3 - I hate the front end on the M3. The M340i retains the more conservative and traditional BMW look. The M3's front is pretty controversial and even BMW themselves is backing away from it. The cars that came after the M3 like new M2 and XM SUV do not have huge vertical grills. I think BMW will completely phase it out soon.

Definitely. My wife cannot stand the G80 M3 front end (for some reason I've grown used to it somewhat, lol, but greatly prefer the M340i look including the LCI revisions).

After fooling with the large screen/lack of near any buttons yesterday, I hopped into the E90 M3 and realized that it is essentially only the HVAC controls and radio preset buttons that are on-screen now. The M340i still has the traditional iDrive knob along with a lot of control buttons surrounding the knob and shifter button, etc, along with headlight controls on the left side of the steering wheel, etc. Nonetheless, being engineers, neither of us is excited about the single point of failure of a screen for so many of a car's functions. My wife's background is in ergonomics/human factors engineering, so I'm sure she will have a list of issues with iDrive8 (that of course will never be improved upon!) at some point as I've already heard about a number of GUI design issues.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by Z K

Yes, I agree that if I had 1 car, I would not do the M340i. But my criteria is a little different in that I do go to the track regularly and any "1 car solution" I'd have would be compromised as a daily with the modifications needed to be able to run track days consistently. That's what happened to my E90 M3 as it became less and less daily friendly as I owned it.

I have owned the same E90 M3 for 15 years so it's very familiar. The shifter and clutch pedal feels like extensions of my body. And the car is very low maintenance and easy to care for. But I was ready for something more daily friendly yet still fun so M340i fit the bill.

If I wanted more practicality (mainly for other drivers in my family who sadly can't handle a stick) I would definitely get a mint F80 M3 Comp or CS in DCT, not the G80 ZF8. I can't stand the slow and numb paddle response of the ZF8, nor the fact that it hates to rev past 7,000 rpm. Pedestrian transmission really.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

If I wanted more practicality (mainly for other drivers in my family who sadly can't handle a stick) I would definitely get a mint F80 M3 Comp or CS in DCT, not the G80 ZF8. I can't stand the slow and numb paddle response of the ZF8, nor the fact that it hates to rev past 7,000 rpm. Pedestrian transmission really.

There is a lot of variability with the programming of ZF8s versus their platform. Have you ever driven a G80 M3 or G87 M2 with the ZF8 on track with the transmission set in full sport+ mode? Additionally, I recently spent some time on track with the new G87 M2, and only after be badgered relentlessly to set it in full automatic, full sport + or whatever mode, I did many laps letting it shift for me completely. It's hard for a full on diehard manual driver like myself to let go I guess (my wife and I both along with our children are all manual fanatics).

I honestly shed a lot of preconceived notions during those laps. I was beating on the car as hard as possible, trail braking heavily into every corner, using every bit of pavement on track out, eeking the most possible speed down each straight, and SOB if that transmission wasn't like it was a part of me. It took a huge leap of faith for me to let it do its thing, but it was in the right gear everywhere and every time it needed to be on any given lap. Even stuff like a sweeping double apex corner where you need to apex the first part, using partial to maintenance throttle drift toward the outside of the pavement before turning in to the 2nd apex, it held the proper gear the entire time. I of course was expecting it to upshift as I was lifting as revs were pretty high in that zone 5500+, but it did it's thing.

I've been tracking cars, all with manuals, since the 1970s, so this old dog actually learned something new that day. I'm not easily impressed with engineering and programming accomplishments, but I certainly was after that experience. The dial-a-drift type traction control on the G8x is crazy good too...when you're trying to put down 500whp through the rear tires, it's nice to be able to select the proper amount of slip desired all the way to no assist if desired.

As to the topic at hand, now that the rain has stopped here I plan to take this 2024 M340i out for some nice driving in the mountains right where I live, so I'll be sure to set up its ZF8 in max sport+ mode and evaluate manual shifting. I'll then back-to-back drive the E90 M3 6MT that I know so well. Report coming...

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

There is a lot of variability with the programming of ZF8s versus their platform. Have you ever driven a G80 M3 or G87 M2 with the ZF8 on track with the transmission set in full sport+ mode? Additionally, I recently spent some time on track with the new G87 M2, and only after be badgered relentlessly to set it in full automatic, full sport + or whatever mode, I did many laps letting it shift for me completely. It's hard for a full on diehard manual driver like myself to let go I guess (my wife and I both along with our children are all manual fanatics).

I honestly shed a lot of preconceived notions during those laps. I was beating on the car as hard as possible, trail braking heavily into every corner, using every bit of pavement on track out, eeking the most possible speed down each straight, and SOB if that transmission wasn't like it was a part of me. It took a huge leap of faith for me to let it do its thing, but it was in the right gear everywhere and every time it needed to be on any given lap. Even stuff like a sweeping double apex corner where you need to apex the first part, using partial to maintenance throttle drift toward the outside of the pavement before turning in to the 2nd apex, it held the proper gear the entire time. I of course was expecting it to upshift as I was lifting as revs were pretty high in that zone 5500+, but it did it's thing.

I've been tracking cars, all with manuals, since the 1970s, so this old dog actually learned something new that day. I'm not easily impressed with engineering and programming accomplishments, but I certainly was after that experience. The dial-a-drift type traction control on the G8x is crazy good too...when you're trying to put down 500whp through the rear tires, it's nice to be able to select the proper amount of slip desired all the way to no assist if desired.

As to the topic at hand, now that the rain has stopped here I plan to take this 2024 M340i out for some nice driving in the mountains right where I live, so I'll be sure to set up its ZF8 in max sport+ mode and evaluate manual shifting. I'll then back-to-back drive the E90 M3 6MT that I know so well. Report coming...

Yes. It's nowhere near the M-DCT. I hate their rev-hang upshifting near the rpm limit. Was never an issue with F80 and prior gen.

[Z K]

If it’s an M3, I’d get a manual transmission one. What is the point of driving a performance car when you aren’t getting the full body experience with your own two hands and two feet? Nothing is better than manual. When nail that perfect upshift or toe heel downshift smoothly into a corner to power out the other end on track - that’s what sports cars are about. I could care less if I’m 2 tenths faster 0-60 with a computer controlled DCT.

That’s why my M3 is 6MT.

M340i, it’s my daily driver. The transmission is very smooth and shifts super fast.. it’s not perfect but it’s good enough. I’m not expecting DCT performance.

F80, I’d stay away because of all the engine issues, it’s very noisy and the interior is no where near the newer G series.