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      06-21-2021, 07:00 PM   #1
Tyga11
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How much better is the M3/M4 than M340i/M440i?

I was thinking about this earlier. I'm not trying to start a troll war but just curious from those that have driven both?
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      06-21-2021, 07:33 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyga11 View Post
I was thinking about this earlier. I'm not trying to start a troll war but just curious from those that have driven both?
Likewise…M4..RWD or AWD:> individual color
:
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      06-21-2021, 08:42 PM   #3
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      06-21-2021, 08:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyga11 View Post
I was thinking about this earlier. I'm not trying to start a troll war but just curious from those that have driven both?
What's your definition of "better"?

At VIR, a base non-comp M4 is 3.2 seconds faster than the M340i and this difference maintains roughly at most tracks around the world. It's a significant difference but if you don't track, then does it really matter?

In a straight line, M340i with XDrive will launch better then will get passed at higher speeds. From a roll It will lose straight up.
But if you don't race much, does it really matter?
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      06-21-2021, 08:57 PM   #5
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Main diff for me is the M models are still offered with manual. Otherwise, would have easily gone with an M340. But I also have been wanting to own an M3 since e36 days, so the manual issue made it a no brainer.
On a daily basis, I am sure I would notice the difference but as others said, probably wouldn't have mattered much.
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      06-21-2021, 09:41 PM   #6
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I owned an M340i for 3 months. The simplest way to put it, is everything about the M3 is more precise and intense. I didn't think it would be this big of a jump from car to car.

Steering is tighter, brakes are more responsive, seats are more comfortable (non cf buckets) and car is way, way faster feeling.
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      06-21-2021, 10:08 PM   #7
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The M340i is a less hardcore daily driver that can go fast in a straight line and be competent in the odd track day.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...lightning-lap/

Quote:
And the M340i's 3:03.2 lap is 10.0 seconds quicker than that of the last-gen 2012 BMW 335i Sport Line and just 2.5 seconds off the M4's time.
It's only 2.5 seconds behind the F82 M4 at VIR so surprisingly decent but the M3/M4 is the much, much better performance car.
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      06-22-2021, 12:38 AM   #8
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And aside from the driving, it's subjectively to me a bunch cooler and more aggressive looking.
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      06-22-2021, 12:50 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snareman View Post
And aside from the driving, it's subjectively to me a bunch cooler and more aggressive looking.
This is true, for me the M340 looks like a poor cousin to an M3. It looks like it's playing at being an M car
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      06-22-2021, 01:26 AM   #10
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This has been a big question for me. Except for the M features, the interiors and options are identical. So performance and driving dynamics are the reason for the upgrade, and does that justify the expense for strictly a daily driver? The M3C is still on my list, but I’ve had my M340i RWD for going on 2 years and not sure if it will make much of a difference for daily driving. I’ve read the instant responsiveness of the twin-scroll B58 is superior to the twin turbo S58 for throttle and go situations. I suppose I’ll be needing a test drive to figure it out. lots of options to consider.
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      06-22-2021, 02:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyga11 View Post
I was thinking about this earlier. I'm not trying to start a troll war but just curious from those that have driven both?
It's a very legitimate question given the vast cost differences - especially in the UK where only the competition models are on sale.

I had a 3 day test drive with a M440 and M4 over the last few months. I'll bullet point my key feelings of both

M440
Very powerful/quick/capable
Great value for money
Fuel consumption great given power/weight
Needs high spec/after market mods to make is distinctive to other more basic models
Vastly lower running/daily costs in UK because of tax, fuel and insurance costs

M4
Much more powerful, immediate power on tap, more sharper handling
Uses about 15% more fuel in real world vs M440
Completely different animal: suspension, gearbox settings, sound, looks, makes it a very different and unique experience.
Interior carbon trims/quality of leather noticeably better/premium
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      06-22-2021, 02:15 AM   #12
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Not comparing but had the M340/M440 come with a manual transmission it might’ve been a consideration
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      06-22-2021, 02:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
The M3C is still on my list, but I’ve had my M340i RWD for going on 2 years and not sure if it will make much of a difference for daily driving. I’ve read the instant responsiveness of the twin-scroll B58 is superior to the twin turbo S58 for throttle and go situations. I suppose I’ll be needing a test drive to figure it out. lots of options to consider.
You should definitely drive the M3 and use that experience to help you decide. I love my M340i xDrive. It launches hard and pulls hard, but the top end is definitely lacking. All it needs is a tune and a few bolt-ons to fix that though.
The reason I decided to order the 22' xDrive M3 Comp is because I have an irrational love for cars. I can't tell anyone else what the car is worth or if it makes sense to jump from B58tu to S58. Cars are definitely not a good investment, they are just something that brings me immense joy. I decided to just pull the trigger, no regrets.
If you aren't a die hard car person, it might not make any sense to upgrade. A RWD G20 M3 and an xDrive M340i does not have a huge gap in straight line performance considering the price difference.
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      06-22-2021, 06:28 AM   #14
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The differences aren't all in numbers you can put on paper, though the better lap times do reflect the less obvious changes. The chassis differences between the M-lites and the full M cars directly affects how the car feels, even at moderate mostly-safe road speeds. Directly mounting the rear subframe to the body instead of using rubber bushings changes the game quite a bit. The rear axle is specific to the M cars, as well. The cost is noise and comfort, of course, but that's less of a hit on this car than some from the past.

Long story short, the old "I can mod my non-M to be as fast as a real M" misses the point of an M.

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      06-22-2021, 09:48 AM   #15
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It's like the less attractive sister of the girl of your dreams.
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      06-22-2021, 11:02 AM   #16
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Also, the grille design on the M4 is much better than the M440 with that smiley face under them. Wheel options are much better as well.
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      06-23-2021, 08:20 PM   #17
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When the M340i came out, I was all in and had my mind set on getting one. The biggest turn-off was in the USA there was no option for merino leather. I know this is a small quirk but coming from a Seven series, the interior was of some concern. Could of gotten into a Five but something about the car made me hesitant. Then the M3 showed up and the design, power and hips turned me on and it was love at first sight. I will never drive it to its full potential but I have some roads I can't wait to travel.
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      06-24-2021, 02:01 AM   #18
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The M340i/M440i are excellent sporty daily drivers. They’re tuned to be what a non-enthusiast probably thinks an M car is. They’re for those who want more passing power or want to beat people taking off from stoplights or want to take the occasional cloverleaf off ramp at speed, without making any real concessions on comfort or efficiency or stretching the budget too much. These cars nail the design brief.

For enthusiasts willing to pay the price on comfort, efficiency, and cost for the significant performance boost when driving at 7/10ths or greater, there are the actual M cars.
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      06-24-2021, 11:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CadHater View Post
You should definitely drive the M3 and use that experience to help you decide. I love my M340i xDrive. It launches hard and pulls hard, but the top end is definitely lacking. All it needs is a tune and a few bolt-ons to fix that though.
The reason I decided to order the 22' xDrive M3 Comp is because I have an irrational love for cars. I can't tell anyone else what the car is worth or if it makes sense to jump from B58tu to S58. Cars are definitely not a good investment, they are just something that brings me immense joy. I decided to just pull the trigger, no regrets.
If you aren't a die hard car person, it might not make any sense to upgrade. A RWD G20 M3 and an xDrive M340i does not have a huge gap in straight line performance considering the price difference.
I’m definitely a die hard car person but I’m just not sure the two cars are that far apart when sitting in typical California traffic unable to tap the performance. Then there’s that baggage that comes with daily driving something special, expensive, and sought after: “my car is special I have to always keep it clean, I have to valet it to keep it safe, are my employees going to get jealous and start asking for raises if I take it to work, I have to keep the miles low to preserve the residual, I can’t park it near other cars they’ll door ding me,, what was that clicking noise I need to take it to the dealership”. All that personal shit aside, I absolutely understand the full M car is in a completely different league. It’s just a question of whether it matters if I don’t have time to play hooky on a weekday to take it to Sears Point or Thunderhill. For me the decision would be so much easier if I didn’t already have the M340i which is such a capable performance daily driver.

Last edited by Giggler; 06-25-2021 at 12:05 AM..
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      06-25-2021, 02:02 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggler View Post
I’m definitely a die hard car person but I’m just not sure the two cars are that far apart when sitting in typical California traffic unable to tap the performance. Then there’s that baggage that comes with daily driving something special, expensive, and sought after: “my car is special I have to always keep it clean, I have to valet it to keep it safe, are my employees going to get jealous and start asking for raises if I take it to work, I have to keep the miles low to preserve the residual, I can’t park it near other cars they’ll door ding me,, what was that clicking noise I need to take it to the dealership”. All that personal shit aside, I absolutely understand the full M car is in a completely different league. It’s just a question of whether it matters if I don’t have time to play hooky on a weekday to take it to Sears Point or Thunderhill. For me the decision would be so much easier if I didn’t already have the M340i which is such a capable performance daily driver.
I get where you are coming from. I still had those thoughts about keeping it clean and keeping miles low on the M340i. It was the most expensive car I ever bought at the time, now the G80 M3 is even more. I took the M340i on the Nurburgring and I will do the same with the M3. I buy cars to drive them and I will not baby it or keep it as a collectors item. This is my hobby and its expensive, I have accepted that.
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      06-25-2021, 02:23 AM   #21
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The M340i is a legit enthusiasts car for the price. The M3 is obviously a step up and the S58 has the potential to be a complete monster. I have driven the 2020 M340i for the last year and I love it. It sounds very aggressive when in sports +, but then quiets down to a normal luxury sedan if you want. I did not expect to upgrade to the M3, but after a while the BSM color on the G80 kept growing on me.
I went and test drove a 2021 M3 Comp and I just decided to do it. It is just like the M340i interior, just a little better. More top end and more customization with the driving experience. The gap between M-Lite and full M gets smaller ever time a new version comes out. I don't think there is a wrong choice here, it just depends on your personal preference and driving style.
I have pushed the M340i, it is very capable on the track and it will hit the 162mph limiter no problem on the Autobahn.

Last edited by CadHater; 06-25-2021 at 02:32 AM..
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      07-10-2021, 01:17 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyndi335I View Post
When the M340i came out, I was all in and had my mind set on getting one. The biggest turn-off was in the USA there was no option for merino leather. I know this is a small quirk but coming from a Seven series, the interior was of some concern. Could of gotten into a Five but something about the car made me hesitant. Then the M3 showed up and the design, power and hips turned me on and it was love at first sight. I will never drive it to its full potential but I have some roads I can't wait to travel.
Agree. The leather and interior is on a par with the 7/8 series. Quality of materials identical to the M8C. The M340/440 is not. That matters to me. I want luxury as well as performance and the M4C gives both. The M340/440 are fine cars--for what they are. But they are not M. You do get what you pay for.
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