[225]

Went for a brief test drive in one today. Pics attached and certainly not the colour combo I'd choose as I dont like the shadow line grille or wheels.

Anyway, impressions are similar to that of others, step up in interior refinement and materials.
Layout and tech is good and makes me realise how much I miss idrive, the wheel selector, the gearbox, the screen clarity, actual buttons!
I like the silence radio hand gesture and call answer swipe and loved the HUD.

The cold start was a bit quieter than was in my 340 but then I had the left flap unplugged which looks like you can do on the m340. Plus the car was box fresh, under a week at the dealer and not even registered so would get louder I'd imagine.

Driving was nice, smooth revving B58 with a nice growl (fake or not) and speed went up faster than you think. Sport mode was good, nice noise but only went to 4.5k as the car was so new.

I thought the ride height was high baring in mind the 19s on it and shame about the fake large exhausts being a bit obvious.

Overall though nice upgrade over the f31 340. Nicer feel, more space, new kit etc and with a tuning box would be a bit of an animal.

In discussing money I mentioned the 19% autoebid quote and I think they would have matched it which is a good sign.

I'm pretty resigned to one being my next car now and with the 3.5 month lead time should work out well with being able to see what the Q2 deals look like before ordering.

[225]

Pictures

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by 225

Pictures

Thanks for your review. Agree about the colour combo as it looks very uninspiring in those pics..

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by 225

Pictures

Nice review, thanks

I like the BSM colour on the touring but not with the black pack. Wheels and grille look cr*p, imo. I agree with your points about ride height and exhaust tips. Pity as they do detract. Must book myself a test soon. Have only driven a 330i saloon, which I liked.

[XAlp]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

I agree with your points about ride height and exhaust tips. Pity as they do detract. Must book myself a test soon.

...listen for Lorcan breathing sigh of relief...

[GBR1]

A walk around by Joe Achilles on an individual green M340i, looks very nice!

GBR1

[225]

Originally Posted by GBR1

A walk around by Joe Achilles on an individual green M340i, looks very nice!

GBR1

Nice to see another review but clearly struggling for material and could have at least read the spec of what an m340 has as standard first..
Still looking forward to the road test in TRLs version.

PS I wont be ordering that colour green!

[PeteN]

I quite like that green but it's a brave choice, wouldn't order it myself but it'll certainly standout.
I saw my first G21 M340i on the road today. I was waiting to cross the road and saw it heading my way. Looked very nice in Mineral Grey with Shadowline Plus pack! Sounded nice too as he drove past me. Made me even more excited to be getting mine. Due around 20/3.

[nashdm2]

I saw that video also, really lovely colour......

[GBR1]

Local dealer just upped their corwow discount to 20.1%..

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by GBR1

Local dealer just upped their corwow discount to 20.1%..

Is that on factory orders or just for cars that are available immediately?

[GBR1]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Is that on factory orders or just for cars that are available immediately?

Factory order if needed..

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by GBR1

Factory order if needed..

That's pretty good then! However, despite comments elsewhere, some of the deals still include an element of finance contribution and that's a fixed amount which doesn't increase as you add options (and hence a well specced vehicle can end-up with an overall discount a couple of percent lower than the headline figure on the basic car). That said, the levels of discount on the G21 M340i are already looking pretty decent on what is a new model!

[PeteN]

Does anyone know the BMW service intervals for the M340i?

[225]

Originally Posted by JNW1

That's pretty good then! However, despite comments elsewhere, some of the deals still include an element of finance contribution and that's a fixed amount which doesn't increase as you add options (and hence a well specced vehicle can end-up with an overall discount a couple of percent lower than the headline figure on the basic car). That said, the levels of discount on the G21 M340i are already looking pretty decent on what is a new model!

Yes good point. %discount needs to be for the entire car cost with options.
Here's hoping 1st April brings a nice low APR!

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by 225

Yes good point. %discount needs to be for the entire car cost with options.
Here's hoping 1st April brings a nice low APR!

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I understand a price increase is going to take effect from 1st April and, notwithstanding the G21 M340i is a relatively new model, apparently it's still affected. Means discounts for Q2 will probably have to improve by a couple of percent just for net prices to stay where they are at the moment. However, the prediction is interest rates are likely to be on their way down so perhaps an improved APR is a possibility?

[225]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I understand a price increase is going to take effect from 1st April and, notwithstanding the G21 M340i is a relatively new model, apparently it's still affected. Means discounts for Q2 will probably have to improve by a couple of percent just for net prices to stay where they are at the moment. However, the prediction is interest rates are likely to be on their way down so perhaps an improved APR is a possibility?

hmm where did you see that? I would assume they would throw a bit more kit at them to help compensate so might not be too bad if so.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by 225

hmm where did you see that? I would assume they would throw a bit more kit at them to help compensate so might not be too bad if so.

The word on the price increase came from a dealer I've been talking to regarding a prospective order; not seen anything in writing but no reason to believe the information I was given is incorrect.

The comment on interest rates was just reflecting the current media speculation about a probable rate cut; obviously no guarantee it will happen but if it does I'd have thought it should if anything help to reduce the rates on car finance?

[225]

Of dear not a good review of the m340i in Evo. Said it's very fast but steering was rubbish and not involving in a nut shell.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by 225

Of dear not a good review of the m340i in Evo. Said it's very fast but steering was rubbish and not involving in a nut shell.

I'd be interested to read EVO's comments, do you have a link to the relevant article? As I said in my initial post, I think the M340i is a compromise package so if someone's seeking a more pure and involving driving experience I can see they might need to look elsewhere.

However, if you're in the market for a performance estate that's also well made and refined I'm not sure there's a better alternative at the price point? Perhaps a C43 estate would be more of an event to drive but the C Class is due for replacement later this year and as an overall package I doubt it would be as good as a G21. The S4 would certainly have been a contender for me had it remained petrol but once it went diesel it was out; not sure what other credible competition there is?

[225]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I'd be interested to read EVO's comments, do you have a link to the relevant article? As I said in my initial post, I think the M340i is a compromise package so if someone's seeking a more pure and involving driving experience I can see they might need to look elsewhere.

However, if you're in the market for a performance estate that's also well made and refined I'm not sure there's a better alternative at the price point? Perhaps a C43 estate would be more of an event to drive but the C Class is due for replacement later this year and as an overall package I doubt it would be as good as a G21. The S4 would certainly have been a contender for me had it remained petrol but once it went diesel it was out; not sure what other credible competition there is?

Yes agreed.
I personally think evo went in wanting it to be a cut price m3 which it clearly isn't.
C43 (from what I've read) would be more raucous in spirited driving mode but for me I dont like the styling of them.
I'll upload the pictures of the article when I can.

But even in my short drive of one I wasnt expecting it to be loud amg like monster, but as a long term family car which happens to go like stink and be fun for me when occasion arises.

There are far more positive reviews of them than not and as much as like Evo it's just one persons review so will happily ignore them!

[MGooda]

Originally Posted by 225

Yes agreed.
I personally think evo went in wanting it to be a cut price m3 which it clearly isn't.
C43 (from what I've read) would be more raucous in spirited driving mode but for me I dont like the styling of them.
I'll upload the pictures of the article when I can.

But even in my short drive of one I wasnt expecting it to be loud amg like monster, but as a long term family car which happens to go like stink and be fun for me when occasion arises.

There are far more positive reviews of them than not and as much as like Evo it's just one persons review so will happily ignore them!

I've owned both, currently the M340i. It is a cut above the C43 in all areas. As was said there are a lot more positive than not positive reviews.

As an all rounder it's an amazing car, that will deliver 38mpg on a run. Something the C43 wouldn't get near