[clemsonkev]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I'm sorry, not everyone likes to drive it like they stole it I had my share of manuals for 15 yrs, now I find the BMW auto to be the best of both worlds.

fair enough.

I will have to give auto a try as I want to test drive the C450 and Jag XE-S.... both of which are only offered in auto.

But if I had to bet, I'll likely end up getting a 340i M Sport w/ another manual.

..... or, slapping some bigger turbos on my N54 and an e85 setup for some crazy HP gains. (meanwhile, my wife wants to know if I'll ever grow up)

[VDPHB]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

fuel mileage? really?!

no, we drive manuals b/c WE drive the car, not the CAR driving us.

http://jalopnik.com/tag/save-the-manuals

"A Manual Transmission Isn't Always The Right Option"

http://jalopnik.com/a-manual-transmi...ion-1710072869

[clemsonkev]

good read.

Manuals were a perfect match for the 2 Audi S4's I owned and is pure butter in my e90. I get sick when I see someone get a new Mustang, Camaro or Vette with an automatic. WHY?!

Anyway, must be a reason the likes of Ferrari, Lambo and now AMG has completely gone away from my beloved stick.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes...300-88778.html

[VDPHB]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

good read.

Manuals were a perfect match for the 2 Audi S4's I owned and is pure butter in my e90. I get sick when I see someone get a new Mustang, Camaro or Vette with an automatic. WHY?!

Anyway, must be a reason the likes of Ferrari, Lambo and now AMG has completely gone away from my beloved stick.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes...300-88778.html

Agreed, interesting about MB.

[murrays]

When I test drove the M235i with the auto in sport mode a) fired off shifts faster than I ever could & b) downshifted while approaching the corners, I knew it was time to give the auto a try for the first time since I bought my first car in the '80s.

I pick up my 335i this afternoon...

[clemsonkev]

curious... why did you pick the 335i over the M235i? space?

Was the 435i Gran Coupe considered or waiting for a 340i?

[leon1984]

Originally Posted by murrays

When I test drove the M235i with the auto in sport mode a) fired off shifts faster than I ever could & b) downshifted while approaching the corners, I knew it was time to give the auto a try for the first time since I bought my first car in the '80s.

I pick up my 335i this afternoon...

On the road, shift times don't matter there is no clock or lap time. My manual 235 downshifted whilst approaching corners, turning into corners... All whilst Rev matching.... Oh the joys of pedalling a car.

Will be missed when my auto 335d comes

[murrays]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

curious... why did you pick the 335i over the M235i? space?

Was the 435i Gran Coupe considered or waiting for a 340i?

I was going for a convertible, but the uncertainty of putting a bike rack on it, even a trailer hitch mount, along with winters in Wisconsin pushed me to a sedan/coupe.

That, plus the M235 rides noticeably rougher than the 335. Given that and the added space, we (ie my wife) are much more likely to take the car on weekend trips. Having a fun to drive car is pointless if it doesn't get driven as much.

[Misano]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

+1

[murrays]

FWIW, during the wait for my 335i, I was second guessing my decision to order ahead of the LCI while monitoring this thread.

After taking delivery on Saturday, I'm no longer second guessing my decision since the smile hasn't left my face

[clemsonkev]

Originally Posted by murrays

FWIW, during the wait for my 335i, I was second guessing my decision to order ahead of the LCI while monitoring this thread.

After taking delivery on Saturday, I'm no longer second guessing my decision since the smile hasn't left my face

Just ignore any posts that describes the LCI fixes the numb feeling of the f30. I'm holding onto my e90 until user reviews surface for the 340i. The new engine looks promising too!

[Versipellis]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

Just ignore any posts that describes the LCI fixes the numb feeling of the f30.

Yep. For all you know the suspension/steering changes might actually be even worse (if that's all possible for BMW...) considering no one's actually driven one yet to definitively say...

[clemsonkev]

Originally Posted by Versipellis

Yep. For all you know the suspension/steering changes might actually be even worse (if that's all possible for BMW...) considering no one's actually driven one yet to definitively say...

Yup. I'm reserving judgement until I see some reviews posted here.

Also looking forward to comparison with the C450 AMG.

[dubdemand]

So I sat in a 340i today... It was on BMWs stand at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Managed to grab a few pictures too



















I'll try and get a few of the interior updates tomorrow - they are very minimal though.

[Daftasabrush]

Screw the internal photos, get photos of the engine!

[EzequielR]

Those tail lights are sexyyy

[Blubaron79]

Bad ass tail lights

[clemsonkev]

ahhhhh, black 340i M Sport. Likely what I'll end up with, after 8 yrs with a white e90 335i. THANKS FOR THE PICS!

I liked the C450 when introduced, but the more I look at it, the more boring it starts to come across (except the sweet interior).

FYI: was in for service the other day and was given a 2015 428i loaner. BORING. Not just the auto tranny and plastic interior, but the F30 really did feel numb.

PRAYING THE LCI FIXES THIS.... or I may hold onto the e90 a few more years -or- consider the forthcoming M2.

[x5mad]

Love the led headlights

[Zirenz2006]

Looks great...it's amazing how much better the LED headlight housing looks than the xenon with incandescent blinkers.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I saw my first LCI yesterday on Route 17 in Paramus. I have to admit the new tail lamp housings looked pretty good.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by DCG

Us In the States want and need Fog Lights on the M Sport models, and for all models for that mater!

Looks like LED fog lights are not standard on the Msport as well.

I went to the German BMW site and looked at the 340i to check out the interior options. I like the ash grain with pearl trim, very nice. The pear trim now extends onto the doors where it was black before. Also the brushed aluminum is available with the pearl gloss chrome trim that also goes onto the doors.
Both look great and the trim adds a nice touch. There are also metal trim pieces around the vents now as well as little metal tips on the window switches.
They are small touches really but they look nice.

I don't know if Germany requires different rear seat headrests, and I don't see why they would, but the LCI rear headrests are different. The shape is much flatter than before, and it looks like it increases rear window view. It looks like they can be "sat up" when passengers need them and then returned flat. I like the change.

The ash grain wood with pearl trim along with red interior looks great to me.
That's what I'm going with.
Exterior in either silver or gray if I go with Msport, which is likely.