[PLF69]

I know a lot of ppl around here haven't touched foot on a road course ever or even if they did never driven there own car on one.

Don't fool yourselves, BMW isn't making M3/4 for 0-60 stunts and 1/4 or 1/2 mile racing. Your just getting the by results of them making a more efficient car on circuit and that they now have to play the marketing games of course.

I tracked a M235i before buying an M2 Wich I then tracked for 3 summers on a regular basis. I now own an M340i because I got a great deal and this new gen is a lot more potent than the past one. M diff, stiffer chassis, track package with better brakes than the OG M2, water/air cooling etc.

Would an M3 be better on track ? YES
Would an M3 be more fun commuting ? In some situations: Yes

Am I happy with the performance of the M340i ? I'm blown away by it, I have a hard time processing how much it's close to my M2.

Before going on a forum and regurgitate all sorts of things on different models, think that everyone has different needs and realitys, we don't all live in California, we don't all have nice dry winters, we don't all live 15min away from a race track or a 1/4mile.

I'm just very happy that BMW is making nice "trackable" and usable cars.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by MNoob

0-60 times for all cars are getting faster and faster so the differences are smaller. Shaving tenths off a 3.5 is a lot different than shaving tenths off 8.5.

Shaving tenths off a 60-130 time isn't much different than shaving tenths off a 0-60 time?

A fast 0-60 time is essentially based on 2 things. Traction and gearing.

A fast 60-130 time is based on power and aerodynamics, as well as gearing.

Judging 2 cars because 1 is "only" quicker by 0.3-0.5 and saying it's not much of a difference when a 60-130 time has a 2 second gap or so just shows that much of a difference judging both factors. It's an entirely different car. And that's just straight line acceleration.

That doesn't factor in handling, braking, corner speed, overall drivability on the track/street. That's why one is REAL M car. The other is just an M-line type of car.

Similar to the S and the RS in audi. S7's are great. But the RS7 is greater.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

Shaving tenths off a 60-130 time isn't much different than shaving tenths off a 0-60 time?

A fast 0-60 time is essentially based on 2 things. Traction and gearing.

A fast 60-130 time is based on power and aerodynamics, as well as gearing.

Judging 2 cars because 1 is "only" quicker by 0.3-0.5 and saying it's not much of a difference when a 60-130 time has a 2 second gap or so just shows that much of a difference judging both factors. It's an entirely different car. And that's just straight line acceleration.

That doesn't factor in handling, braking, corner speed, overall drivability on the track/street. That's why one is REAL M car. The other is just an M-line type of car.

Similar to the S and the RS in audi. S7's are great. But the RS7 is greater.

I think you're misinterpreting my post. I'm agreeing with you chief.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by MNoob

I think you're misinterpreting my post. I'm agreeing with you chief.

lol i know, i just wanted to elaborate more.

Plus, i didn't even touch on the looks dept. An M3 is so radical looking compared to the standard looking 3-series M340.

Which again, BOTH AWESOME cars. But one is the top dog of the 3-series. The other is not.

No one should be ashamed of owning an M340I. They're all incredible machines.

[335xs2dinan]

How about that gas mileage though?!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

A 10mph difference in trap speed is gigantic. People really don't know how big that difference is until you start driving or racing really fast cars.

What is the 60-130 time for both? I think someone managed 7.5 for the M3C stock? Although autotopnl did it in 8.01.

Even tuned M340's on their leaderboard was in the 9s.

Those high speed performance gaps are massive.

When the M340i passes the 1/4 mile mark, the M3 is over 130 feet ahead. That is indeed a massive difference.

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

When the M340i passes the 1/4 mile mark, the M3 is over 130 feet ahead. That is indeed a massive difference.

That is a lifetime in the 1/4. You could have crossed the finish line and had a coke by the time the M340 shows up.

[Cinco]

Originally Posted by MKParris

That is a lifetime in the 1/4. You could have crossed the finish line and had a coke by the time the M340 shows up.

then there's me, who's probably going to launch the car a few times, maybe go to a track once, probably not, and spend 99% of my time commuting in stop and go traffic to and from work with a few road trips along the way with two car seats in the back.

M3C sounds perfect for me!

tbh just wanted a sporty car with AWD and a larger trunk than my RS3.

And i love how it looks.

who cares if it would make more sense for me to get a Prius. i don't want to drive a Prius. i want to drive an M3.

M3C competition build week 36 scheduled.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by Cinco

then there's me, who's probably going to launch the car a few times, maybe go to a track once, probably not, and spend 99% of my time commuting in stop and go traffic to and from work with a few road trips along the way with two car seats in the back.

M3C sounds perfect for me!

tbh just wanted a sporty car with AWD and a larger trunk than my RS3.

And i love how it looks.

who cares if it would make more sense for me to get a Prius. i don't want to drive a Prius. i want to drive an M3.

M3C competition build week 36 scheduled.

Contrary to what i said earlier about model to model, i probably won't even track the M3C when i get it. Well maybe i'll try it once, because i heard once you try it, you're hooked. So maybe i'll do an autox instead. But other than that, it's just another "toy" to go alongside my C7 z06 to use from time to time. With minor daily driving duties.

It'll be a street car 99.8% of the time. And i'm ok with going overkill on a 3 series to handle what i got it for.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by Cinco

then there's me, who's probably going to launch the car a few times, maybe go to a track once, probably not, and spend 99% of my time commuting in stop and go traffic to and from work with a few road trips along the way with two car seats in the back.

M3C sounds perfect for me!

tbh just wanted a sporty car with AWD and a larger trunk than my RS3.

And i love how it looks.

who cares if it would make more sense for me to get a Prius. i don't want to drive a Prius. i want to drive an M3.

M3C competition build week 36 scheduled.

(Side track) How did you get your build week? I've emailed my dealer a few times but it's crickets.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by MKParris

Because in the old days, under the real rules, it is not an M.

The "real rules" are that bmw M tunes the car. And under that, the M340 is a real M. Granted, my dreams are still with getting a M3/4, that doesn't change.

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

I get the concern about M-brand dilution. But:

1) It's not new. BMW has been offering M sport packages (with assorted ///M badging all over the cars) for many years.

2) It's not unusual. As you said, AMG and Quattro and Lexus F (and probably others) have all gotten into the model-blending game. (And "it's just marketing" fails to acknowledge that all products a company puts out--including M models--are "marketing.")

3) It's not harmful. It helps BMW sell more cars, which makes it a stronger company that can afford to invest in new engines and models and technologies

4) It's misplaced anger. You want something to be annoyed with? How about 5500 pound M SUVs? How about the rapid disappearance of stick shifts? How about the realization that ICE-powered cars likely only have a decade left?

Don't blame people who buy M340's for buying a quality product and then teasing them about it. It's their money and their priorities. If you have a problem with BMW, then stop buying their products and move on. We should greet these people as brothers/sisters and continue singing the praises of M cars, rather than belittling theirs.

Dude M340i or 440i or M3 or not. A Tuned twin turbo S2k with coilovers or lowering springs and some toyos will smoke all those cars with a good driver.

[Cinco]

Originally Posted by MNoob

(Side track) How did you get your build week? I've emailed my dealer a few times but it's crickets.

i dunno. when he gave me my order invoice he told me it was week 36. then i called up the genius line and they confirmed it

[dimmy]

Originally Posted by MNoob

(Side track) How did you get your build week? I've emailed my dealer a few times but it's crickets.

More than likely it’s because they don’t have a production number for you yet. What that means is that they did put your order in the order bank giving you priority for an allocation (future space in the production schedule), but that space hasn’t become available yet. When your order switches to “Order Accepted” (or otherwise known as 110 status), that means that the factory has committed to space in their assembly line to make your car and will give the dealer a unique production number to track the process. You should at that point have an estimated build week (e.g. Week 36 or first week of September) which is when your vehicle should be finished being built. This date could change up until your car is scheduled for and begins actual production, but nonetheless, having a production number is when you can legitimately consider “actually” having a car that is scheduled to be made.

The quickest way to find out if you have a build week is to call your dealer and ask if you have a production number yet or if it’s still in the order bank.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

The "real rules" are that bmw M tunes the car. And under that, the M340 is a real M. Granted, my dreams are still with getting a M3/4, that doesn't change.

You kinda just disproved yourself. BMW M division does NOT make the M340/440/240 et all.

Not only that, your car isn't assembled in the same factory that the M3/M4 are.

So no matter how many times you tell people you drive a real M car, you're only lying to everyone and to yourself. Nothing wrong with the M340/440, your facts are just incorrect.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by shoei

You kinda just disproved yourself. BMW M division does NOT make the M340/440/240 et all.

Not only that, your car isn't assembled in the same factory that the M3/M4 are.

So no matter how many times you tell people you drive a real M car, you're only lying to everyone and to yourself. Nothing wrong with the M340/440, your facts are just incorrect.

plus M car VIN's start with WBS for a reason

anyway not trying to add fuel to the fire here but where they are made is important as to what type of car and how it's tuned ie the M Division here

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by dimmy

More than likely it’s because they don’t have a production number for you yet. What that means is that they did put your order in the order bank giving you priority for an allocation (future space in the production schedule), but that space hasn’t become available yet. When your order switches to “Order Accepted” (or otherwise known as 110 status), that means that the factory has committed to space in their assembly line to make your car and will give the dealer a unique production number to track the process. You should at that point have an estimated build week (e.g. Week 36 or first week of September) which is when your vehicle should be finished being built. This date could change up until your car is scheduled for and begins actual production, but nonetheless, having a production number is when you can legitimately consider “actually” having a car that is scheduled to be made.

The quickest way to find out if you have a build week is to call your dealer and ask if you have a production number yet or if it’s still in the order bank.

Christ, that is what my salesman texted me last week because i voiced my concern on whether or not i had an allocation.

He texted me a screen shot of what his computer screen looked like although cut massively so i can't see the other info/other customer's orders?

And next to my last name on his screen, it said, "ORDER BANK".

This is really BS.

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by dimmy

More than likely it’s because they don’t have a production number for you yet. What that means is that they did put your order in the order bank giving you priority for an allocation (future space in the production schedule), but that space hasn’t become available yet. When your order switches to “Order Accepted” (or otherwise known as 110 status), that means that the factory has committed to space in their assembly line to make your car and will give the dealer a unique production number to track the process. You should at that point have an estimated build week (e.g. Week 36 or first week of September) which is when your vehicle should be finished being built. This date could change up until your car is scheduled for and begins actual production, but nonetheless, having a production number is when you can legitimately consider “actually” having a car that is scheduled to be made.

The quickest way to find out if you have a build week is to call your dealer and ask if you have a production number yet or if it’s still in the order bank.

This is helpful, thank you.

[dimmy]

Yea it’s scummy that some dealers aren’t explaining the process outright, and even scummier if some are lying and telling their customers they have allocations when it’s just the order being submitted.

Having your order in the order bank IS good of course and does give the dealer priority to receive an allocation from the factory, but those allocations only happen 1 - 2 times a month and these days might be even slower. And that’s even assuming there aren’t customers ahead of you too who are also waiting an allocation, because they’ll have to give production numbers to them first.

I mean that’s how orders work but it’s on the dealer to explain that process correctly. If they’re lying to customers and saying that they have allocations when it’s in fact just orders in the order bank that’s pretty fucked up and just a tactic to maximize sales (especially if they’ve collected a deposit up front).

What I’d recommend to both of you is to ask if you’re first in line for the next allocation drop or if there are other customers ahead, and also when they expect their next allocations to drop (it’s generally the beginning and end of the month IIRC but can also happen sporadically).

[MTM3]

Originally Posted by shoei

You kinda just disproved yourself. BMW M division does NOT make the M340/440/240 et all.

Not only that, your car isn't assembled in the same factory that the M3/M4 are.

So no matter how many times you tell people you drive a real M car, you're only lying to everyone and to yourself. Nothing wrong with the M340/440, your facts are just incorrect.

Yep. And BMW should be ashamed of their mktg dept. for allowing them to rename M-sport pkg on a regular 3 series to a m340i etc

[will0621]

Originally Posted by MTM3

Yep. And BMW should be ashamed of their mktg dept. for allowing them to rename M-sport pkg on a regular 3 series to a m340i etc

In BMW's defense they probably had to to keep up with sales of the AMG 43s and Audi S trim cars. I don't know the exact timeframe but didn't MB change the C450 to the C43 Amg first.

[elitex]

Can't believe how fast new M3 is.

And to the people comparing non M to M cars. They just don't get it. I don't think they ever will.