09-06-2017, 12:22 PM | #1 |
Contributor - Editor
298
Rep 79
Posts |
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. |
09-18-2017, 01:08 PM | #3 |
Major
614
Rep 1,133
Posts |
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.
__________________
It's good to be bad
|
09-18-2017, 01:16 PM | #4 |
Second Lieutenant
48
Rep 225
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 01:23 PM | #5 |
Brigadier General
1433
Rep 4,724
Posts |
We all want to know the 1/4 mile, and 0-60 times, plus lateral G's.
__________________
Current: 2021 M340i xDrive
Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive |
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 01:24 PM | #6 |
Brigadier General
1433
Rep 4,724
Posts |
All you need is the Power kit, and the aero parts. Forget the rest of the parts.
__________________
Current: 2021 M340i xDrive
Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive |
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 01:35 PM | #7 |
Major
231
Rep 1,066
Posts
Drives: 2015 X5 50i M Sport
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: US of A
|
Strongly agree!!!!
__________________
2019 Cayenne Turbo
Gone but not forgotten: 2006 2.0T A4 Avant, 2007 Z4 Roadster 3.0si, 2006 M Roadster, 2013 550i M Sport, 2015 Cayman S, 2015 X5 50i M Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 01:35 PM | #8 |
Brigadier General
2253
Rep 3,622
Posts |
The LSD seems pretty nice too.
__________________
BMW CCA Member #516012
2016 340i, Estoril Blue, Manual Transmission, MPE, MPBBK, HRE FF04 Instagram: @brandons340i |
Appreciate
1
Blubaron791433.00 |
09-18-2017, 01:41 PM | #11 |
Brigadier General
2253
Rep 3,622
Posts |
They had these available for a few years
__________________
BMW CCA Member #516012
2016 340i, Estoril Blue, Manual Transmission, MPE, MPBBK, HRE FF04 Instagram: @brandons340i |
Appreciate
1
Blubaron791433.00 |
09-18-2017, 01:52 PM | #12 |
Banned
350
Rep 1,225
Posts |
|
Appreciate
1
firedown31913.00 |
09-18-2017, 01:54 PM | #14 | |
Second Lieutenant
198
Rep 233
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
8
michal12203.50 ron_jeremy513.00 ishowerinjager111.00 CQVD33051.50 Beek707.00 johnbenedict32.00 Brian_R29.00 mwh2009289.00 |
09-18-2017, 01:55 PM | #15 | ||
Private
39
Rep 94
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 03:05 PM | #16 |
Colonel
968
Rep 2,017
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 03:14 PM | #17 |
2006 TIME Person Of The Year
9720
Rep 6,445
Posts |
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.
__________________
|
Appreciate
1
firedown31913.00 |
09-18-2017, 03:33 PM | #19 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
24183
Rep 190,777
Posts |
Thank you for sharing
__________________
Check out our current sale by clicking on this link!
https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2017, 03:47 PM | #20 |
Second Lieutenant
111
Rep 216
Posts |
You are not alone
__________________
2017 340i M Performance Edition: Fashion Grey, MPPSK, M performance front splitter, rear diffuser, side sills, black grille, CF spoiler, 405M 20s, 8AT, full Marino interior and dash, adaptive suspension
|
Appreciate
1
Dog Face Pony Soldier9719.50 |
09-18-2017, 03:53 PM | #21 | |
Second Lieutenant
111
Rep 216
Posts |
Quote:
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.
__________________
2017 340i M Performance Edition: Fashion Grey, MPPSK, M performance front splitter, rear diffuser, side sills, black grille, CF spoiler, 405M 20s, 8AT, full Marino interior and dash, adaptive suspension
|
|
Appreciate
1
Blubaron791433.00 |
09-18-2017, 03:59 PM | #22 |
Brigadier General
4859
Rep 3,659
Posts
Drives: 981 Cayman GTS
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CA
|
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.. |
Appreciate
3
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|