[Grant_7]

Hi All,

I've been lurking here for the past few months so thought I'd say hi and introduce myself

Reason for the lurking is that I'm contemplating a return to BMW, specifically something like an F31 340i. A return..? Okay [engage boring mode], here's why.

I've always been known as a BMW man. I've had, in order of ownership, the following BMs between my early 20s to early 30s:
E36 325i Coupe
E30 325i Touring
E87 130i
E36/8 Z3 M-Coupe
E46 330i Saloon

After the E46, which was a stop-gap car (and not particularly loved either), I was looking to splash out on a then-new E92 M3. However circumstance - which in this case was a completely useless local dealer - mean't that I ended up knocking on Mercedes' door () and ordering a C63 AMG.

Having moved to the dark side - my Father wasn't overly impressed! - I actually really quite liked it. So much so that when the time came to change the C63, which coincided with our first child and a growing dislike of throwing £90 in the tank every 230 miles, I up/down-graded to an E-Class, specifically an E300 Hybrid. This is my current car, which is leased, and will be going back at the beginning of September.

So why then the return to BMW? Well I knew when I went for the E300 that I would regret the move from petrol to diesel, however I had hoped that my toy-in-the-garage would stem the petrol desire and I could live with diesel again (between my E30 and E87 I had a Skoda Fabia vRS...same story; got bored with diesel). However sitting behind a 4 cylinder diesel is pure motoring drudgery. I actually really like my E-class but, with regards to petrol, they only sell either a 4 cylinder petrol or the full fat AMG twin-turbo V8. Annoyingly on the continent they have a rather tasty twin-turbo V6...but don't offer it in the UK (in the Estate at least)

Therefore my dilemma is as such:

• I need an estate.

• It doesn't have to be as big as before, therefore 3-Series size is okay (fingers crossed!)

• Must be petrol.

• Must be >4 cylinders.

• Would like >250bhp.

• Something that can achieve 30-32mpg on a run would be preferable.

Really when looking at the above, there is only one choice: F31 340i.

So anyway, apologies to anyone that actually managed to read all the above drivel. I'll pipe down now and continue speccing my 340i on the BMW configurator (for the eleventy-millionth time).

Cheers

[bodtwo]

Hello Grant,

I went from an e250 estate to F31 and have found it a joy. There is an initial feeling of being a bit closer to the passenger seat and the boot isn't as cavernous, but those feelings soon disappear.

What I would say is have a play with the options. Adaptive cruise and HUD has completely changed my driving and just soaks up stress. Leather dash and a few other tech toys also make it a much nicer place to spend time than the merc.

I'm not knocking the merc, my former 'boat' was a great car and a great place to be, it's just that a wisely spec'ed F31 is a generation or two ahead of it.

Enjoy.

[Tengocity]

Sounds like a good choice- really has to be the 340i or perhaps the new C450AMG?

Or 535i tourer?

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

[JustChris]

Welcome Grant, coming out from the lurkers.

Sounds like you've pretty much narrowed it down to F31, shame the RS6 isn't quite the same on fuel

[Alscoob]

Not quite the same but I went from a C350 d merc to a F31 330d, no comparison the BMW is streets ahead, so I guess looking at your needs the F31 340i ticks the box

[subsy]

Welcome mate - im at the beginning of a painful wait for my 340i

[Lorcan]

Welcome

[planemad]

Welcome - To note this forum comes with a warning label that joining can have a substantial effect on the wallet:

[siross]

Welcome, fantastic choice!

[Grant_7]

Thanks All

Originally Posted by bodtwo

Hello Grant,

I went from an e250 estate to F31 and have found it a joy. There is an initial feeling of being a bit closer to the passenger seat and the boot isn't as cavernous, but those feelings soon disappear.

Yes I would imagine that will be the case. Of more concern is that the F31 may well be less refined (there's a big step up from a C-Class to and E-Class in this respect) than what I'm used to. A test drive should conclude this.

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Sounds like a good choice- really has to be the 340i or perhaps the new C450AMG?

Or 535i tourer?

I enquired about the C450 AMG some time back with my local dealer. When he said the expected RRP would be a starting price of £48k I struck it off my list!

As for the 535i....hmmm, that's an interesting thought. Think I better check the configurator...

[bodtwo]

Refinement is good with right options, leather dash, nice trim finish etc. the only bit that I don't like is the plastic around the auto/gear selector.

[roshambo]

C63 that sound...

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by bodtwo

Refinement is good with right options, leather dash, nice trim finish etc. the only bit that I don't like is the plastic around the auto/gear selector.

Does the leather dash really make much of a difference?

Originally Posted by roshambo

C63 that sound...

Oh yes
[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY6JrDwoCu0[/u2b]

[Tengocity]

I've been in a few cars with the leather dash, and yes it makes a massive difference!
I would definitely add that to my spec if I was ordering again.

[KS_340i]

Originally Posted by Grant_7

Does the leather dash really make much of a difference?]

Hope so, have specced it on mine so will tell you in early March.

[KS_340i]

Originally Posted by Grant_7

Really when looking at the above, there is only one choice: F31 340i.

Cheers

My requirements were pretty much same as yours, so that's what I ordered.

Only other car in mix is an S4 estate as and when it gets released. Thing is, I would have waited for it, but discounts on Audis are not as good and like for like, I think it would be £5-£8k more than the 340i. Which I don't think justifies the price differential. Difficult to tell until they actually release th S4 estate but that was going by saloon pricing.

[tinytrevor]

Hi there! F31 340i should be a good choice indeed. Not really much competition in this segment if you're after a high performance petrol estate with a reasonable running costs.

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I've been in a few cars with the leather dash, and yes it makes a massive difference!
I would definitely add that to my spec if I was ordering again.

Interesting...will bear that in mind when I come to specify mine.

Originally Posted by KS_340i

Only other car in mix is an S4 estate as and when it gets released... but discounts on Audis are not as good and like for like, I think it would be £5-£8k more than the 340i....

100% agree. Looks like a one-horse race, unless I don't get on with the refinement, in which case I'll start looking at F11 535is.

I have an idea on how I want to option 'my' 340i...but will start a new thread.