[BMW M3 CRT]

I heard this weekend that an M340i won´t be ruled out totally but would come in 2016 (MJ2017) ... and probably with the 374hp of M2 and X4 M40i !?

Anyone heard about this?

[wakebord99]

No, but it makes it competitive with the C450 AMG at 360 HP. Makes sense to me that the BMW M line should be between 350-375hp.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/16/2...-drive-review/

[the_phew]

If BMW is truly committing to the Mxxx model strategy, then they HAVE to at least give their volume-seller (the 3/4 series) the treatment. Especially since Merc seriously threw down the gauntlet with the C450 AMG Sport: biturbo V6, sport exhaust, real sport bucket seats, etc.

However, the M235i doesn't go far enough, IMHO. If BMW is serious about this, they'll offer the M340i with the F8x seats and the M-performance LSD from the factory (not port). I don't need the power of the F8x, but I don't think I could stomach spending $60k on an M340i and getting the same seats and open diff as my $34k 320i.

OT, but BMW has a branding disaster on their hands with the letter M. Just off the top off my head:
M logos on decidely non-M cars (my lowly 320i Sport has Ms on at least the steering wheel and shift knob)
M-sport Line/Brakes
M-performance port-installed/aftermarket stuff
Whatever the M235i is
The actual M cars
...I'm an actual BMW enthusiast and I can't even keep them all straight (does the M235i have 704 suspension or M-performance?, M-sport 328xi has base suspension, etc). The casual car buyer must be confused out of their minds.

[wakebord99]

Originally Posted by the_phew

OT, but BMW has a branding disaster on their hands with the letter M.

...I'm an actual BMW enthusiast and I can't even keep them all straight (does the M235i have 704 suspension or M-performance?, M-sport 328xi has base suspension, etc). The casual car buyer must be confused out of their minds.

+1.. tell me about it.

The really should just stick with "M Sport" with everything that isn't an "M(x)" version of a car. They need to do a lot more than my 14' M sport if they want to compete with this AMG business. If MB had this car out when I was shopping I would have opted for the MB over BMW more than likely.

Although truth be told I would have spent the extra 5k on a C63 AMG, gotten the TT V8 and the amazing sound that goes along with it.

[WJSM5]

I highly doubt there will be an M340. I saw a 340 at a VDC tour in Jersey City last week. If it's like the 2 series. (228i and M235i - No regular 235) then I would not expect a M340.

So wake and phew I would not worry about over saturation of the M designation.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

I highly doubt there will be an M340. I saw a 340 at a VDC tour in Jersey City last week. If it's like the 2 series. (228i and M235i - No regular 235) then I would not expect a M340.

So wake and phew I would not worry about over saturation of the M designation.

The F30 LCI hasn't been seen in public fully unveiled. What do you mean you saw it in Jersey City?

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

The F30 LCI hasn't been seen in public fully unveiled. What do you mean you saw it in Jersey City?

BMW CCA had a VDC event in Jersey City at BMWs port. I saw it along with every other M model you could imagine including the new X5/6M

No cameras allowed so no pictures

[ynguldyn]

The answer to the question in the subject is "no."

Thread closed.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

BMW CCA had a VDC event in Jersey City at BMWs port. I saw it along with every other M model you could imagine including the new X5/6M

No cameras allowed so no pictures

I call your bluff unless you give us some details on the car.

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

I call your bluff unless you give us some details on the car.

Call bluff all you want, you'll see, im right.

[floppyedonkey]

So the 3 series would be like the 2 series? Just an M340i no non "M" 340i?

I like the Benz AMG 450 Sport but I'm afraid they are making the suspension too stiff and not offering "AIRMATIC Package" I imagine BMW would not offer the "Dynamic Handling Package" on a M340i, if one were to exist. Which leads me to wondering is it too much to ask for a sport sedan that has the ability to soften up for long haul trips, or bumpy city/highways?

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

BMW CCA had a VDC event in Jersey City at BMWs port. I saw it along with every other M model you could imagine including the new X5/6M

No cameras allowed so no pictures

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...2489.html#main

Notice how there is an M235 on the MY2016 production calendar.

Notice how there is no M340, but there is a 340.

The production calendar is canon, so there is no M340 as a MY2016. Maybe in MY2017.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

I highly doubt there will be an M340. I saw a 340 at a VDC tour in Jersey City last week. If it's like the 2 series. (228i and M235i - No regular 235) then I would not expect a M340.

So wake and phew I would not worry about over saturation of the M designation.

Originally Posted by WJSM5

Call bluff all you want, you'll see, im right.

All you did was state you "highly doubt" there will be an M340--you are not really making any bold statements based on a first hand look at the LCI. Anyone of us could make the same statement.

[fshubert]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

Call bluff all you want, you'll see, im right.

I was there as well. "340i" on the rear deck. Under the hood looked just like the 335i except the air cleaner was on the left side. It even said "Castrol" on the oil cap!

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by fshubert

I was there as well. "340i" on the rear deck. Under the hood looked just like the 335i except the air cleaner was on the left side. It even said "Castrol" on the oil cap!

What did the headlights and tail lights look like? Those changes are the most commonly cited that I've seen.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

Call bluff all you want, you'll see, im right.

Not about the M, but the 340 LCI. We want details or it didn't happen.

[Max@TMB]

Originally Posted by tex2670

What did the headlights and tail lights look like? Those changes are the most commonly cited that I've seen.

+1, would like to know this as well

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by Max@TMB

+1, would like to know this as well

The tail lights looked a little more angular. It was hard to tell if they were LED or not. I tried to turn on ACC however the car wouldn't turn on like all the others? Maybe so we couldn't see? Speculation goes on....like fshuburt said the engine was certainly different in my opinion significantly larger. The interior was a beige leather and there wasn't much difference. The exhaust from axle back was the same as a 335. So besides for the engine and designation (possibly taillights) I couldn't find much different.

[fshubert]

Originally Posted by tex2670

What did the headlights and tail lights look like? Those changes are the most commonly cited that I've seen.

I'm not the most observant guy (ask my wife ) but to me it looked just like the 335i I have today. The headlights did say something like "active LED" on top. I would have taken pictures if they allowed phones in the place, but they had rules that everyone respected.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by fshubert

I was there as well. "340i" on the rear deck. Under the hood looked just like the 335i except the air cleaner was on the left side. It even said "Castrol" on the oil cap!

B58 has been in low rate production for some time, so will have parts like the older oil caps on early ones.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

....like fshuburt said the engine was certainly different in my opinion significantly larger.

Interesting you say that since its supposed to be lighter than the N55.
9kg difference has been mentioned before.

Maybe just the plastic covers make it look larger.
doubt it will have a "engine cocoon" for sound deadening like the new 7 Series

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Interesting you say that since its supposed to be lighter than the N55.
9kg difference has been mentioned before.

Maybe just the plastic covers make it look larger.
doubt it will have a "engine cocoon" for sound deadening like the new 7 Series

Definitely not an engine cocoon, probably just a larger cowling.