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      12-15-2017, 05:47 PM   #67
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Should have syncing dual zone climate control and adjustable seat belt anchors on a $50K car.
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      12-15-2017, 10:20 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LBH23 View Post
Jeez, this is a tough crowd. I love my 340i. In fact, I got out of a 2017 C43 AMG to move back to BMW. The car is simply fantastic. I finally learned that BMW simplicity is far superior to the glitz and glamour interiors of Audi/MB. Just my opinion after having a fully loaded C43, the interior LOOKED far better than the 340i, but it was a miserable piece of kit - looks can be deceiving. Rattles upon rattles upon rattles, COMAND system that made no sense, safety nannies that were intrusive and went off at any given time - and the 9G transmission was terrible.

Is my 340i perfect? No. Is it a great car compared to most others under 65K. Absolutely yes. If I had to complain, the steering with VSS in sport mode is a tad artificially heavy and the RFTs suck. But on the C43, it too had run flats and the steering was FAR too light.

Bottom line, the 340i is a fantastic car and I am very much looking forward tot the M340i.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LBH23 View Post
Jeez, this is a tough crowd. I love my 340i. In fact, I got out of a 2017 C43 AMG to move back to BMW. The car is simply fantastic. I finally learned that BMW simplicity is far superior to the glitz and glamour interiors of Audi/MB. Just my opinion after having a fully loaded C43, the interior LOOKED far better than the 340i, but it was a miserable piece of kit - looks can be deceiving. Rattles upon rattles upon rattles, COMAND system that made no sense, safety nannies that were intrusive and went off at any given time - and the 9G transmission was terrible.

Is my 340i perfect? No. Is it a great car compared to most others under 65K. Absolutely yes. If I had to complain, the steering with VSS in sport mode is a tad artificially heavy and the RFTs suck. But on the C43, it too had run flats and the steering was FAR too light.

Bottom line, the 340i is a fantastic car and I am very much looking forward tot the M340i.
I agree. I drove everything in class. I have 25k miles on mine in less than a year and couldn't be more pleased. I've driven all kinds of sports cars and exotics. I think some are just hard to please and want to make it into a track car 100% of the time. It's not a track car. It's a lot more fun to drive than most cars. Is it a Ferrari? No, but I can drive it 1200 miles straight without wishing I hadn't, and have fun doing it. I average 28-30mpg in the warmer months too, that blows my mind. I'm not driving in eco mode and do 85mph on the interstate.

The seats are the best "sport" seats in any car I've ever owned. Power is great. Handles great for a daily "sport" sedan. IDrive is wonderful. The only minor complaint I have is lack of storage space (console)
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      12-16-2017, 10:45 AM   #69
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I like beating over 90% of folks that try to race me at the stop light. Last vicitim to fall was some guy in a 2005 or older C-Class thinking he could take me. He wasn't faster off the line or after that as I pulled away and he drove off with his tail between his legs.
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      12-16-2017, 09:05 PM   #70
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Interesting observations. I also got my car about 20 days ago.
Did not have time to drive it much but still put about 150 miles on it. So far no rattles that I could notice.

Compared to our previous car, a 2015 BMW 328, the new car is quieter, has a much better suspension (the old one had the base xDrive suspension), better mid-range power and it sounds much, much better. Surprisingly it also feels smaller and lighter than the old 2015 328.

328 had more power just of idle (N26 engine). I kept saying that it sounded like a 4 cylinder car but was puling like a V8. But that is its only advantage I can think of.

340 sounds like an I6 and pulls like an I6. Feels more like a naturally aspirated than a turbo.

2015 328 was white and white is, in my opinion, a better color for a small car like 3 series.
Our 340 is mineral gray and being such a small cat looks somewhat strange in gray. Gray definitely would look better on a bigger car like 5 series.

2015 car quickly developed a small rattle coming from a dashboard that was fixed on the first service visit. It was not bad enough to justify a special trip to the dealership.
As I mentioned already 2018 does not emit any unpleasant sounds. I would prefer a quieter engine, though. I generally do not want to hear the engine below 4,000 RPM but the sound is rather pleasant than not.

Last edited by SBM1206; 12-16-2017 at 09:25 PM..
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      12-17-2017, 06:52 AM   #71
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Originally Posted by tim818 View Post
I dislike the fact that 340i looks so ordinary just like another 3-series, and many Civic/Corolla/Mustang/etc. drivers just blew by intentionally.

Fortunately, there is an easy fix for that -- just open her up!

Tim
I love the anonymity of this car, you pull up behind other drivers who just think you’re in a 320d (here in the uk they account for around 95% of all 3’s on the road) and then you floor it and they see the tell tail split exhausts disappearing into the distance

Only thing I really hate tho, is that it doesn’t stay in the driving mode you left it in when you turned off the engine! Don’t know why it doesn’t, my Golf did... this is a sports saloon and sport mode should be the default mode! Sadly BMW are now pandering to the needs of ‘normal’ drivers who are buying a badge and want light steering and ‘eco’ throttle response.... shame on you BMW

Other than this I love the car, had it for a year now and can’t really fault it!
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      12-17-2017, 03:08 PM   #72
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* Steering wheel is light.
* 340i has issues putting power down, will recommend 340ix.
* Not even close to M3.

Overall its a highest 3-series you can buy under M3. I owned 340i for 2 years. No major complaints. Will recommend M Sport Package and M Performance Exhaust.
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      12-17-2017, 04:31 PM   #73
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Most of these people are nuts...for a non track car the 340i is fantastic. I have all th goodies (mppsk, track, m sport, m performance package, adaptive) it is a great all rounder.

Are there some things here or there sure but if they are so severe you dislike the car you have bigger problems a new car won't solve.
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      12-18-2017, 12:46 AM   #74
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I know the f30 gets a lot of hate from the purists. I can only compare my 340 to my e30 and yeah the e30 is blast to drive. But to compare a 340i M Sport to a Lexus?! GTFO. I went from a GS 350 F Sport to my 340i and it was like driving a go cart. And that’s a good thing! My 340 is the most engaging car I’ve ever owned.

Well second only to my e30 of course.

My only gripe, the dual sync climate control.
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      12-19-2017, 12:05 AM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nozydog View Post
I love the anonymity of this car, you pull up behind other drivers who just think you’re in a 320d (here in the uk they account for around 95% of all 3’s on the road) and then you floor it and they see the tell tail split exhausts disappearing into the distance

Only thing I really hate tho, is that it doesn’t stay in the driving mode you left it in when you turned off the engine! Don’t know why it doesn’t, my Golf did... this is a sports saloon and sport mode should be the default mode! Sadly BMW are now pandering to the needs of ‘normal’ drivers who are buying a badge and want light steering and ‘eco’ throttle response.... shame on you BMW

Other than this I love the car, had it for a year now and can’t really fault it!
Oh don't get me wrong -- I love 'sleeper' cars, and a 340i somewhat fits in that category (wish I could afford an E63 Estate, as that's a PROPER sleeper!). People who don't know what it is are often taken by surprise when it flies down the road. I just don't like some drivers intentionally cut me off, and make me want to exercise my right foot.

Unfortunately, BMW has gone mainstream and took away part of its own soul. But then, every car manufacturer is going the same direction, and now profitability is the number one priority. For my budget, I can't find anything better than a 340i, despite some shortcomings such as light steering feel, etc. Hopefully the G20 will bring back some of its own root...

Tim
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      12-19-2017, 12:42 AM   #76
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Mine is 440, but the complaint would be the same on 3xx. I would prefer volume and cruise control buttons switched on the steering wheel. I would like the start-stop button to be 1-touch for off.

These are minor complaints. I really like the engine and 6MT.
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      12-19-2017, 01:21 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911and340 View Post
Most of these people are nuts...for a non track car the 340i is fantastic.
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      12-19-2017, 03:11 AM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LBH23 View Post
Jeez, this is a tough crowd. I love my 340i. In fact, I got out of a 2017 C43 AMG to move back to BMW. The car is simply fantastic. I finally learned that BMW simplicity is far superior to the glitz and glamour interiors of Audi/MB. Just my opinion after having a fully loaded C43, the interior LOOKED far better than the 340i, but it was a miserable piece of kit - looks can be deceiving. Rattles upon rattles upon rattles, COMAND system that made no sense, safety nannies that were intrusive and went off at any given time - and the 9G transmission was terrible.

Is my 340i perfect? No. Is it a great car compared to most others under 65K. Absolutely yes. If I had to complain, the steering with VSS in sport mode is a tad artificially heavy and the RFTs suck. But on the C43, it too had run flats and the steering was FAR too light.

Bottom line, the 340i is a fantastic car and I am very much looking forward tot the M340i.
Interesting as I was looking into the C43. But your insight has put me right off! I did wonder if the appearance of the C43 interior was just a skin deep illusion disguising some rather cheaply made trim, lacking substance! Some reviews I've read have suggested this and your own experience confirms it! I love the simple functionality of the 340i interior and while my 2012 320d had some minor interior issues, they do seem to have sorted this on the LCi. I don't have the VSS as I had read mixed reviews and I have the non RF Michelin Pilot SS tyres which, in sport mode, make the steering very acceptable to me (and I've come from a Porsche Cayman!!) I will cross the C43 off my list!!
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      12-19-2017, 09:41 AM   #79
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two things:
1) I still like my audio controls on the left side of the steering wheel. After two years, the right side still doesn't feel intuitive.
2) When pumping up the volume, the outside rattles like crazy and sounds like a 20y old Hyundai with a sub in it.

Other than that, this is the only car that has brought a smile to my face every time I drive it. I love this car!
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      12-20-2017, 11:40 PM   #80
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Wow thank you everyone for all if the info. I think i am gonna call up there and make sure i add the better headlights for sure, i dont see it as an option on the website build it shows LED as standard with no adaptive upgrade option. I know the bmw website builder sucks, but i wonder if this is standard now too. I also had a 2005 STI and can relate to the info provided. I feel hopefull that the steering is something i can get over. I know this would be costly but after warranty is there a possibility (though expensive) to replace steering maybe just rack and pinion to non electric without having negative 2nd/3rd order effects?
-Rob

Update Back up camera is standard. And the adapative full LEDs as they call them require the executive package ZPX for an added $3100 other items in the package i dont want esepically the real leather seats. So maybe i will install better bulbs when these go dim/out after 5 years or so. I have the dealer pricing guide with all packages and standard items ordering sheets, cant get it to upload from phone though.

Last edited by Rob340i; 12-21-2017 at 04:45 AM..
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      12-21-2017, 04:48 AM   #81
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https://www.cars.com/articles/2018-b...1420696014749/

This shows the new updates in 2018 that i ordered it not only says back up cam but LED headlights I wonder if these are better then the ones previously mentioned. Or do you have to get the executive pack to get decent lights?
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      12-21-2017, 09:04 AM   #82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
Should have syncing dual zone climate control and adjustable seat belt anchors on a $50K car.
It's really a 32k car with 10-30k in options. When done that way, a lot of little things get left out vs a car with an actual base price of 50k.

I can see it with our X5 - same "out the door" price as my 335i but it has some nice features that my 335i doesn't, and overall just "feels" like a more premium/expensive vehicle. The X5 base price is higher, but we didn't option it up as much as my 335i so the prices ended up pretty close.
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      12-22-2017, 06:11 AM   #83
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What would it take to remove electric steering I wonder. I know it would be crazy but if it was this worst thing about the 340 and there is a solution for around $5k i would consider it. What components would have change? With all of the cpu data i would assume this is not possible can someone shed light on this please.
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      12-22-2017, 09:25 AM   #84
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I always feel like EPS takes too much of the blame vs manufacturer intent. Our E53 and E70 X5s (1st and 2nd gen) both had hydraulic steering. However while the E53 steering was like my E46, the E70 steering is as numb as my F30 and lacking even more in centering torque.

Other manufacturers reportedly can make decent EPS (Honda, Porsche), so I tend to believe that BMW's steering is tuned the way BMW wants, EPS or not.
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      12-22-2017, 11:40 AM   #85
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Most useless feature is voice command (BMW should remove button from steering wheel)
Must have feature is paddle shifters.
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      12-22-2017, 01:44 PM   #86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by White340 View Post
two things:
1) I still like my audio controls on the left side of the steering wheel. After two years, the right side still doesn't feel intuitive.
2) When pumping up the volume, the outside rattles like crazy and sounds like a 20y old Hyundai with a sub in it.

Other than that, this is the only car that has brought a smile to my face every time I drive it. I love this car!
My 330i rattled like crazy with music too. It's the rocker panels/side skirts. Take it to BMW and they can fix it within an hour - all they do is remove panels and apply felt tape/padding to the points of contact. The rattle is gone and the car sounds a lot more solid from the outside.
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      12-22-2017, 02:51 PM   #87
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Another thing I can add is lack of storage. This may have been addressed, but the center console is mighty shallow and a pack of gum basically takes up the whole space. Nowhere to put a phone neither. I usually keep it in the crack between the extended seat while I drive. Not ideal but whatever I guess.
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      01-04-2018, 09:48 PM   #88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Climb Mode View Post
^^^^ pretty solid review. Agree with almost all of it, except that I happen to actually like the clutch feel and the 6MT throws.

I would add that the steering is horrible in almost every single way. Every time I get in a rental car I get a reminder of what actually having some feel to the wheel is like.
I'm back and forth on ordering a 340i RWD 6MT.

I test drove a 340i xdrive the other day. Steering felt "heavy" and I couldn't "feel" the road like I can with my 228i RWD 6MT coupe. I think it is the xdrive causing the heaviness IMO.

I did not like the "rev matching" with the shifting. Maybe cause I don't have it in the 228i.

I assume that can be "coded off" through Idrive??? I hope ?
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