M340i Touring - the best car in the world?
Discussion
Having sold my FL5 Type R I’m on the hunt for a new car. The FL5 was brilliant, but on top of having a few niggles, it’s no longer the right tool for the job - 95% of my driving is your everyday stuff, I have little to no time for track days, euro tours or Sunday blasts 
Although it’s probably not the best car in the world, I’ve come to the conclusion the M340i Touring is the best do it all car - can anyone persuade me otherwise?
The G80 Xdrive saloon is also on my radar, at 60k for a nice example they’re now in range, but I can’t help but think the M340i will make a better daily. I suspect the M3 will depreciate less (but still a lot), so part of me says go all out, get a roof box and bike rack for the M3 and that’s the family trip use case covered. The other issue being the sort of people that drive an M3, but I’m willing to look past myself
I’ve also owned C63 and 340i estates in the past.
Although it’s probably not the best car in the world, I’ve come to the conclusion the M340i Touring is the best do it all car - can anyone persuade me otherwise?
The G80 Xdrive saloon is also on my radar, at 60k for a nice example they’re now in range, but I can’t help but think the M340i will make a better daily. I suspect the M3 will depreciate less (but still a lot), so part of me says go all out, get a roof box and bike rack for the M3 and that’s the family trip use case covered. The other issue being the sort of people that drive an M3, but I’m willing to look past myself
I’ve also owned C63 and 340i estates in the past.
It is a very competent car indeed. I owned a 540i and that was very good, but I do think the M340i is a cracking car to drive, fast, handles well and reasonable space wise.
If I had the budget, I'd seriously look at one. I did see a Carwow drag race a couple of days ago between the M340i/ M340d/ M3 touring and Alpina B3 touring. The M340i did very well considering the on paper deficits.
If I had the budget, I'd seriously look at one. I did see a Carwow drag race a couple of days ago between the M340i/ M340d/ M3 touring and Alpina B3 touring. The M340i did very well considering the on paper deficits.
Both 540i and 550i also caught my eye but I think the 5 series is a little big for me. Maybe it’s worth it for the comfort factor. A B3 is also a good shout but they are few and far between, the single Touring on AutoTrader has been up for some time (65k) and they won’t budge on price, the ivory interior doesn’t lend itself to family duties.
I’ve come to the conclusion that used M340i Tourings are over priced. Dealers are asking over £55k for 1-2 year old examples, based on WBAC pricing, I’ll loose 15k driving off the forecourt. The M3s on the other hand have been falling rapidly, but seem to be settling. There are a few with a £5k delta between dealer and WBAC - spend more to loose less, man maths at its best maybe.
I like these M340i saloons, although the private sale needs to come down a fair bit in my opinion. Once you’ve taken off the M badges I think you’ve got a great looking car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023111840...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023111439...
I’ve come to the conclusion that used M340i Tourings are over priced. Dealers are asking over £55k for 1-2 year old examples, based on WBAC pricing, I’ll loose 15k driving off the forecourt. The M3s on the other hand have been falling rapidly, but seem to be settling. There are a few with a £5k delta between dealer and WBAC - spend more to loose less, man maths at its best maybe.
I like these M340i saloons, although the private sale needs to come down a fair bit in my opinion. Once you’ve taken off the M badges I think you’ve got a great looking car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023111840...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023111439...
JAMSXR said:
Having sold my FL5 Type R I’m on the hunt for a new car. The FL5 was brilliant, but on top of having a few niggles, it’s no longer the right tool for the job - 95% of my driving is your everyday stuff, I have little to no time for track days, euro tours or Sunday blasts
Although it’s probably not the best car in the world, I’ve come to the conclusion the M340i Touring is the best do it all car - can anyone persuade me otherwise?
The G80 Xdrive saloon is also on my radar, at 60k for a nice example they’re now in range, but I can’t help but think the M340i will make a better daily. I suspect the M3 will depreciate less (but still a lot), so part of me says go all out, get a roof box and bike rack for the M3 and that’s the family trip use case covered. The other issue being the sort of people that drive an M3, but I’m willing to look past myself
I’ve also owned C63 and 340i estates in the past.
Maybe alternatives;Although it’s probably not the best car in the world, I’ve come to the conclusion the M340i Touring is the best do it all car - can anyone persuade me otherwise?
The G80 Xdrive saloon is also on my radar, at 60k for a nice example they’re now in range, but I can’t help but think the M340i will make a better daily. I suspect the M3 will depreciate less (but still a lot), so part of me says go all out, get a roof box and bike rack for the M3 and that’s the family trip use case covered. The other issue being the sort of people that drive an M3, but I’m willing to look past myself
I’ve also owned C63 and 340i estates in the past.
Last gen C63 wagon
Macan S or slighly older GTS
F-Pace P400 or even a few SVRs
I'm really pleased with mine.
It offers more performance than I'll ever need, is enjoyable to drive and inexpensive to run compared with similarly powerful cars.
The Touring seems to be quite a lot more expensive than the Saloon, when I was buying I noticed an equivalent Touring was usually at least £4-5k more than a saloon.
It offers more performance than I'll ever need, is enjoyable to drive and inexpensive to run compared with similarly powerful cars.
The Touring seems to be quite a lot more expensive than the Saloon, when I was buying I noticed an equivalent Touring was usually at least £4-5k more than a saloon.
fflump said:
I had a 330d xDrive and it did everything I could possibly want a car to do as a family car. I sold it after 2 years for a Ghibli V6 S which was an inferior car but made me far happier
He's not looking at a diesel.My previous car was a 530d which I also really liked - the M340i is different to drive and as a result is more fun. They are quite different.
I had a 540i xDrive and that was a wonderful daily car. I replaced it with a ridiculously expensive campervan and now back into a BMW again, a 340i. My choice was to pocket some cash and get the 340i or get an M3 and not have the cash. As special as the M3 is, it's not the ideal daily for comfort and as it's more expensive, the m lite makes more sense.
The 3 series is more fun, handles well and does the daily thing brilliantly. The M340i is an improvement on refinement and luxury compared to my older car so although it's maybe not quite up to 5 series standards, it's more than good enough and you get the added bonus of it being a bit more agile and fun. It's pretty much the perfect daily. The one caveat to that is looks. I don't like estate cars, so I always buy saloons instead, but the newer BMW models are a complete mess design wise. I'm not sure I could live with the new 3 series looks. The new 2 series and 5 series have gone the same way.
The 3 series is more fun, handles well and does the daily thing brilliantly. The M340i is an improvement on refinement and luxury compared to my older car so although it's maybe not quite up to 5 series standards, it's more than good enough and you get the added bonus of it being a bit more agile and fun. It's pretty much the perfect daily. The one caveat to that is looks. I don't like estate cars, so I always buy saloons instead, but the newer BMW models are a complete mess design wise. I'm not sure I could live with the new 3 series looks. The new 2 series and 5 series have gone the same way.
Bought myself a 987 Cayman a couple of years ago to complement my 320 Touring daily.
Replaced the 320 with an M340i Touring a few months back and have decided I cannot justify paying the mad road tax etc on the Cayman when the BMW is almost as much fun to drive and, obviously, so much more practical so I'll be looking to sell the Cayman come the spring.
That's not to say the road tax on an M340i isn't equally mad but do get yourself one, you'll not be disappointed.
Replaced the 320 with an M340i Touring a few months back and have decided I cannot justify paying the mad road tax etc on the Cayman when the BMW is almost as much fun to drive and, obviously, so much more practical so I'll be looking to sell the Cayman come the spring.
That's not to say the road tax on an M340i isn't equally mad but do get yourself one, you'll not be disappointed.
After years of ridiculing about 4 vs 6 cylinders, my brother has just changed hisc330i for an M340i. Both Touring. He loves it, apart from tge urban fuel consumption, but he's happy to live with that. I have a 440i and subjectively performance is the same. The newer platform is arguably a better place to be. Would I have an M440? Probably....but my 440 has an MPPSK, and the M lites sound too sterile!!
Thanks for the feedback everybody, it’s seems to have confirmed my suspicions RE the M340i being a great allrounder.
My F30 340i (with MPPSK) was a great car but lacked a little dynamically, seems the G-seres stepped up the game, aided by improved suspension and an LSD.
The touring seems largely overpriced, at least according to their corresponding trade values. I’ve got my eye on a few 1-2 year old low milage saloons for circa 40k. As I’m in no rush, I’m still going to track M3 prices, although I might have to re badge as an M340i to get passed the mrs.
Mileage is circa 10k (40% business) and my budget is 60k, but it’s a limit rather than a target. If I was doing bigger miles the M340d would be an easy choice.
My F30 340i (with MPPSK) was a great car but lacked a little dynamically, seems the G-seres stepped up the game, aided by improved suspension and an LSD.
The touring seems largely overpriced, at least according to their corresponding trade values. I’ve got my eye on a few 1-2 year old low milage saloons for circa 40k. As I’m in no rush, I’m still going to track M3 prices, although I might have to re badge as an M340i to get passed the mrs.
Mileage is circa 10k (40% business) and my budget is 60k, but it’s a limit rather than a target. If I was doing bigger miles the M340d would be an easy choice.
Edited by JAMSXR on Wednesday 17th January 13:32
Fox- said:
He's not looking at a diesel.
My previous car was a 530d which I also really liked - the M340i is different to drive and as a result is more fun. They are quite different.
Interesting you say that. Four years ago I went from an F31 335d to a G21 M340i; the M340d wasn't available back then but even it had been I wanted to return to petrol so would have gone for the M340i anyway. However, looking back I'd say the diesel was actually better suited to the car and, if I was ordering again now, I'd almost certainly go M340d.My previous car was a 530d which I also really liked - the M340i is different to drive and as a result is more fun. They are quite different.
Why? Well, as others have said, the G21 is relatively big and heavy and (IMHO) it's no sports car; yes it's competent on the twisty stuff - and a definite improvement over my F31 - but it wouldn't be my vehicle of choice for a bit of fun on a backroad. Where I found it at its best was on longer motorway or A-road trips but that's also exactly where the strength of the diesel lies and personally I think if anything the oil burner's even better in fulfilling that function.
None of which should be taken to mean I think the M340i's a bad car; far from it, I think it's a very good all-rounder. But in my opinion the M340d is likely to be a better one - much as I loved the B58 petrol engine I'd rather have it in something smaller and lighter and my preference would be the 40d for lugging around a 1.8 tonne estate car.
JAMSXR said:
Mileage is circa 10k (40% business) and my budget is 60k, but it’s a limit rather than a target. If I was doing bigger miles the M340d would be an easy choice.
It obviously depends what those 10k miles consist of but my advice would be to drive the petrol and the diesel and see what you think. I found the B58 engine to be pretty muted in the G21 application - and hence the nicer soundtrack wasn't that noticeable - but you'll almost certainly notice the extra torque of the 40d (which IMO is well worth having in what is a relatively heavy car). Just my two penneth though, others will obviously disagree!
JNW1 said:
It obviously depends what those 10k miles consist of but my advice would be to drive the petrol and the diesel and see what you think. I found the B58 engine to be pretty muted in the G21 application - and hence the nicer soundtrack wasn't that noticeable - but you'll almost certainly notice the extra torque of the 40d (which IMO is well worth having in what is a relatively heavy car).
Just my two penneth though, others will obviously disagree!
Good shout. It’s so easy to make a decision without actually experiencing the car, I’ll book at test drive in both the 340d and 340i. Just my two penneth though, others will obviously disagree!
I’m still shocked by the dealer vs trade prices. I’ve picked a few 340i and 340d tourings, 2 years old with ~10k miles, and I’m £15k down selling back to WBAC without driving a mile. Looking at a well priced M3 and I’m down to circa £5k. Clearly I’m open to some good old fashioned depreciation, but no way I could stomach the idea of loosing £15k out of the door.
Edited by JAMSXR on Wednesday 17th January 14:42
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff