[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Gixerste

Thats ok no offence taken ... Like I said though... I was that suprised I took a photo lol

I did the same with mine when I was surprised that the range (miles covered + miles to go) reached 500 once, and the 200 mile round trip that day was an average of 40.9 mph. (the 100 miles back was the 46mpg run iirc)

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

We shouldn't get carried away and think that a 40i is too much closer to an M-car than any other F3x is. Quick in a straight line, yes, but I'm sure that the gap between a M4 and a 440i in the twisty bits is pretty significant, and far greater than the one that exists between, say, 430i and 440i (which is probably cigarette paper thin). A 40i is a quick car, but a M3/4 is so much more than 'just' quick. I imagine anyway, haven't got around to driving one.

As you say, it's the better sound track that sets the B58 apart from 4-cylinders or the quick diesels; it's an engine that elicits a more emotional connection than many others in the range. Plus an incredibly civilised smoothness when you are just bumbling around.

I've seen 46mpg as my best return on a 100 mile run. Given a proper long run on quiet motorways, I wouldn't be surprised if that would push a couple higher. It's an impressive string to it's bow, but just one facet of a great engine.

The best I've seen out of my 340i Touring is 40mpg indicated on a 30 mile run with a long 40mph restriction. Overall 31.6mpg over 5k miles though.

Waft along in comfort and high 30's come easily. As long as you keep in touch with the speed limits...

We had friends over this evening and got take out. So went out to collect it and my mate who drives a Focus ST came along for the ride. He loved the noise of the stock exhaust in Sport mode. Anyway, for somebody who drives a quite quick car he was fairly blown away by the acceleration on offer from a relatively discrete family car.

To be fair, I was a bit surprised also. It was my first outing in the dry without my 6 month old son onboard, and with a clear road, summer tyres on a warm road and a run in car. 30-70 (ish) is really very rapid when not traction limited...

[P1 PET]

I've only driven 440i Convertible which i think is a heavier and slightly slower car compared to 40i saloon and coupe variants.

The one i drove didn't give me the feeling like it wanted to jump when floored it on motorway at about 40 mph. Weight i guess.

I'd like to go for a test drive in a regular 40i coupe next time to see if it pulls any faster.

[Three Bell Load]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

I've only driven 440i Convertible which i think is a heavier and slightly slower car compared to 40i saloon and coupe variants.

The one i drove didn't give me the feeling like it wanted to jump when floored it on motorway at about 40 mph. Weight i guess.

I'd like to go for a test drive in a regular 40i coupe next time to see if it pulls any faster.

If you're finding yourself having to regularly accelerate from 40mph on a motorway, have you thought about one of these..............

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

I've only driven 440i Convertible which i think is a heavier and slightly slower car compared to 40i saloon and coupe variants.

The one i drove didn't give me the feeling like it wanted to jump when floored it on motorway at about 40 mph. Weight i guess.

I'd like to go for a test drive in a regular 40i coupe next time to see if it pulls any faster.

I suppose it depends on what you're used to and how you measure/perceive the pace.

I came from a 330d that felt faster. This is simply the punch of 550Nm vs 450Nm. However, if you look at the stats, out of the windscreen or down at the speedometer rising and you know the 340i is a much faster car. Particularly at higher speeds...

If you floor a 40i 8AT at 40mph for a fast overtake it will kick down and then fling you to higher speeds on an overtake than my 320d or 330d could.

The smoothness of cars >4 cylinders also hides much of 'feel' of the extra power.

I remember going from a 130hp Ford Focus 2.0i (4pot) to a 170hp Volvo S40 2.4i (5pot) and thinking it felt slower. However, after a bit more running and learning the car it was noticeably faster.

If you get the chance I'd certainly give the 40i another run. They are certainly a very quick family car or touring coupe. So, it all depends on what your comparing with and looking for...

[CazuaLLUK]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

CazuaLLUK If anyone is interested, it's £26k.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/3-Series/3...cmdc=se_na_re_

Gonna wait a year when they are down to 23-24k, get one with m sport plus pack and pro nav, wack and MPPSK on it and away I go!

That's if I am not moved out by then and got myself an M3, then a 340i is the most realistic option!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

I've only driven 440i Convertible which i think is a heavier and slightly slower car compared to 40i saloon and coupe variants.

The one i drove didn't give me the feeling like it wanted to jump when floored it on motorway at about 40 mph. Weight i guess.

I'd like to go for a test drive in a regular 40i coupe next time to see if it pulls any faster.

I tested a 'vert before buying my GC. Thought it was pretty damn swift.

Driving modes make a huge difference in the 40i. EcoPro vs.Sport+stick-left, you are driving two completely different cars with completely different throttle responses.

Adaptation also makes a difference, could be the one you drove had 'adapted' to a softer throttle response. Surprised you didn't get a 'jump' on flooring it though, mine kicks down at very light provocation even in comfort mode. Not sure I've made it to full throttle yet (busy roads and licence to keep, etc, etc).

[magic77]

Tidy car,41mpg on motorway speeds is easy to achieve its around town it takes a pasting down to around 22mpg. But the rest of the car make up for that

[MattOz]

The main reason behind the decent mpg from a 340i is down to the gearing of the 'box. Particularly on the motorway where its pulling 1k rpm less than the 6-spd manual at 80mph. This has a huge affect on economy. Round town, it's closer. Great cars, but don't expect decent economy if you're not doing open road miles.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by MattOz

The main reason behind the decent mpg from a 340i is down to the gearing of the 'box. Particularly on the motorway where its pulling 1k rpm less than the 6-spd manual at 80mph. This has a huge affect on economy. Round town, it's closer. Great cars, but don't expect decent economy if you're not doing open road miles.

I appreciate that you are probably saying 'go into this with your eyes open', but I would still define the urban economy as thoroughly decent. Yes, it's poor compared with the open road economy, but it's not really poor at all for the performance on tap.

On my 7 mile each way urban commute, I'm around 30% off what my E90 320d achieved (and that can only be described as an economical car). That's before even considering that I use more fuel than is strictly comparable - due to dipping into the effortless power when space allows.

Bearing in mind that that sort of commute only totals 3500 miles per year, the urban economy of the x40i is pretty irrelevant to the running costs which are largely about depreciation. Once you start clocking up the miles, you benefit from the good open road economy.

Overall (including longer runs), I am at 29.9mpg over 3200 miles, costing £598. That's on Shell Nitro+.

[MattOz]

I'm not having a go at the economy side of the 340i. Overall, it's good, and without a doubt it's better than the older 330i and 335i, whilst being more performant too.

The fact that they're getting down to £30k ish (a bit more for one with decent spec) is a bonus.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by MattOz

I'm not having a go at the economy side of the 340i. Overall, it's good, and without a doubt it's better than the older 330i and 335i, whilst being more performant too.

The fact that they're getting down to £30k ish (a bit more for one with decent spec) is a bonus.

I think with the discounts available a new car is still the best option. A basic 340i currently £10,600 off at broker4cars, making it £30k. Add a few extras, with the same 25% discount and you'll bet getting brand new for £33k. Makes an 18 month old car at £30k look expensive.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by MattOz

I'm not having a go at the economy side of the 340i. Overall, it's good, and without a doubt it's better than the older 330i and 335i, whilst being more performant too.

The fact that they're getting down to £30k ish (a bit more for one with decent spec) is a bonus.

Re. better than a 335i; such is progress. I am annoyed with myself for not buying into this whole six-cylinder petrol smoothness thing many years ago though, I now realise what I was missing. Anything with a petrol six must be a lovely thing.

If I was driving around in a 335i, I wouldn't be tempted to change to a 40i any sooner than my normal buying time - as I am sure that 95% of the time the 35i is just as good (and no doubt the next iteration of the 40i will be a few percent ahead of what I have now).

[P1 PET]

Test drive/experience a patrol V12 or at least a V10 next time MashinBenzin

[stefan4]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

The best I've seen out of my 340i Touring is 40mpg indicated on a 30 mile run with a long 40mph restriction. Overall 31.6mpg over 5k miles though.

Waft along in comfort and high 30's come easily. As long as you keep in touch with the speed limits...

We had friends over this evening and got take out. So went out to collect it and my mate who drives a Focus ST came along for the ride. He loved the noise of the stock exhaust in Sport mode. Anyway, for somebody who drives a quite quick car he was fairly blown away by the acceleration on offer from a relatively discrete family car.

To be fair, I was a bit surprised also. It was my first outing in the dry without my 6 month old son onboard, and with a clear road, summer tyres on a warm road and a run in car. 30-70 (ish) is really very rapid when not traction limited...

yes, now the weather has warmed up and the traction is there - this car really shifts.

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Re. better than a 335i; such is progress. I am annoyed with myself for not buying into this whole six-cylinder petrol smoothness thing many years ago though, I now realise what I was missing. Anything with a petrol six must be a lovely thing.

If I was driving around in a 335i, I wouldn't be tempted to change to a 40i any sooner than my normal buying time - as I am sure that 95% of the time the 35i is just as good (and no doubt the next iteration of the 40i will be a few percent ahead of what I have now).

I guess I'm in that potential position with my 335i. I wouldn't change it for a 340i as the performance gap, whilst there is one, isn't big enough. I also can't get an F31 340i manual. Which is a shame. I used a 340i for a month over Christmas and it is a great car, without a doubt.

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

Test drive/experience a patrol V12 or at least a V10 next time MashinBenzin

Cylinders does not necessarily a great engine make.