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      09-06-2017, 12:22 PM   #1
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BIMMERPOST Tests BMW 340i with M Performance Parts at COTA

This post is part of a three part series. See the other posts/videos on the M2 and M3 with M Performance parts at:

BIMMERPOST Tests BMW M2 with M Performance Parts at COTA
BIMMERPOST Tests BMW M3 with M Performance Parts at COTA

Review: 340i with M Performance Parts

BIMMERPOST was recently at Circuit of the Americas to sample a variety of BMWs equipped with M Performance Parts. The second car I drove was the 340i!



Some additional notes:

The 340i's power-to-grip ratio is unlike anything else on offer at M Track Day. It may not have as much power as the M cars, but it has significantly less grip. Where the M cars always feel very balanced and on-rails, needing deliberate provocation to break rear traction, the 340i with LSD slides its tail easily and with natural ease. It is frisky, intuitive, controllable and delightful! With stability control on, individual wheel braking happens early and the 340i's antics are reined in abruptly. While this is safe and stable, it also robs the 340i of its playfulness. I enjoy the 340i most with DSC disabled. The M Performance LSD is to thank for the 340i's predictable power oversteer and it is my favorite M Performance part for this car.

While the 340i may not have the grip, stability and composure of the blue blooded M cars, it remains supremely balanced and entertaining. In a way, it is even more fun because it demands more of the driver to extract performance. I expect its compliance, predictability and smoothness to translate very well to the street. It would take self-restraint for me to drive this car sensibly on the public road!

There is no M Performance coilover suspension available for the 340i. You have to make do with the factory M sport suspension. It feels biased for the street but there is enough firmness to work well on the track. This car feels like a great all-rounder.

My only real complaint about the 340i are the rather flat feeling seats, especially in contrast to the supportive seats in the M cars. I am also not a fan of the M Performance steering wheel with LCD display. It makes for a great show piece at cars and coffee, but the reality is that focusing your eyes back and forth between the road and the small digital display is tiresome and nearly impossible when driving on the track. My recommendation is to get the LSD, followed by the Power and Sound Kit before considering the other upgrades.

There is a variety of customisation available with the M Performance cosmetic parts such as the front spoiler. Please refer to the following documents for more information.


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      09-18-2017, 01:05 PM   #2
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Interesting... they put M mirrors on it?
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      09-18-2017, 01:08 PM   #3
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Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
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      09-18-2017, 01:16 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
True
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      09-18-2017, 01:23 PM   #5
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We all want to know the 1/4 mile, and 0-60 times, plus lateral G's.
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      09-18-2017, 01:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
All you need is the Power kit, and the aero parts. Forget the rest of the parts.
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      09-18-2017, 01:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Strongly agree!!!!
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      09-18-2017, 01:35 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blubaron79 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
All you need is the Power kit, and the aero parts. Forget the rest of the parts.
The LSD seems pretty nice too.
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      09-18-2017, 01:37 PM   #9
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Nice to see BMW is Fi ally changing the appearance of the calipers, painted with a choice of three colors, I like that
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      09-18-2017, 01:41 PM   #10
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M mirror???!!!!
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      09-18-2017, 01:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserdude View Post
Nice to see BMW is Fi ally changing the appearance of the calipers, painted with a choice of three colors, I like that
They had these available for a few years
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      09-18-2017, 01:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserdude View Post
Nice to see BMW is Fi ally changing the appearance of the calipers, painted with a choice of three colors, I like that
Where have you been? These were available since the beginning of the F30 model.
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      09-18-2017, 01:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Then what do you say to those who buy M performance models? Why not spend more and get an M?
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      09-18-2017, 01:54 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
I have a 340i with Xdrive and power and sound kit. Whilst it is certainly not an M, I think it's the perfect car for people who's looking for a daily driver with just an occasional day or two at the track. I thought about getting the M2, but with the long winters we have here in Canada, the 340i was just the practical solution. I traded in my C450 for it and love it
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      09-18-2017, 01:55 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3M TAPE View Post

Where have you been? These were available since the beginning of the F30 model.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goj View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserdude View Post
Nice to see BMW is Fi ally changing the appearance of the calipers, painted with a choice of three colors, I like that
They had these available for a few years
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3M TAPE View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserdude View Post
Nice to see BMW is Fi ally changing the appearance of the calipers, painted with a choice of three colors, I like that
Where have you been? These were available since the beginning of the F30 model.
My apologies then, I don't pay any attention to f30 performance parts as I don't have one.
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      09-18-2017, 03:05 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Exactly, makes absolutely no sense.
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      09-18-2017, 03:14 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DML View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Exactly, makes absolutely no sense.
It makes sense to some. Buyers wanting all wheel drive and/or active cruise control come to mind. Then there are those whom just want something more personalized and unique than an off-the-shelf M.
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      09-18-2017, 03:16 PM   #18
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Am I the only iOS app user that never gets audio on these YouTube embeds? :
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      09-18-2017, 03:33 PM   #19
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Thank you for sharing
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      09-18-2017, 03:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Am I the only iOS app user that never gets audio on these YouTube embeds? :
You are not alone
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      09-18-2017, 03:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by DML View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
Rather than spending $55-$60k on a 340i and then throwing a ton of money into M Performance Parts, I'd just go ahead and buy an M.
Exactly, makes absolutely no sense.
It makes sense to some. Buyers wanting all wheel drive and/or active cruise control come to mind. Then there are those whom just want something more personalized and unique than an off-the-shelf M.
Totally agree with you. As a daily there is no comparison. The M cars are super harsh on the streets. No question they are a better car but I would also never buy one for a daily.

I'd also rather own an awesome version of a lesser car than the most basic version of a better car.

A nicely optioned m3 is 30,000 more than a nice 340i in Canada.
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      09-18-2017, 03:59 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Am I the only iOS app user that never gets audio on these YouTube embeds? :
Your phone must be in silent, that is why you can't hear anything. I know it's stupid but currently only way to hear anything in the iOS app is to disable silent mode on your phone when you play the video.

Last edited by M-Pilot; 09-18-2017 at 05:24 PM..
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