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I wish the M3 had the front end of the M340i

The M3 and M340i are two different cars. One is for people who want a little bit extra speed, but still want comfortability and ultimate daily drivability. The other is for those who want to sacrifice certain comforts for ultimate performance, as well as those who want to track it. Both are good DDs, but the M340i is the better every day car.

Let's be honest, if you have the money you're going for the M3... Stop fooling yourselves people lol

I own a 2024 BMW M340 and in my opinion it’s an all-around all season sports car best car I’ve owned in a long time

Back in 2022 I had the same decision to make and I chose the M340i. My biggest stips were fuel economy since I wanted a fun DAILY, and price. The m3 is a whole lot of car but seeing all my friends with supras, I figured I could get the M340i there a lot cheaper and be happier. Fast forward to now, my m340i is on fortune coilovers and dinan monoballs with some rear and mid bracing. Easily closed the gap in handling between the M3 and M340i. Currently doing a g80 brakes retrofit. Also immediately ditched the runflat stockers for 19x9.5 apex wheels with a 265/35 squared setup. Then for power just did a DAW turbo with fuel and I'm very happy. Car runs low 10s, probably 9s if I go back and I can make 35mpg on long trips. And I'm still not even close to the cost of the m3.

As a previous m240i to a m2 owner, yes m cars are worth it.

Ive owned a lot of performance cars, Ive built out a few of them for both drag & track racing. I bought a G80CXD in 2022, as my first BMW, and its by far the best high performance daily driver Ive ever owned. With just a downpipe, drop in air filters, custom tune, & decent tires its a 9.7-9.8 1/4 mile car. With a subtle KW adjustable lowering springs(very subtle lowering) and it goes from good to great on the track & backroads. I truly believe the G80CXD is the greatest high performance daily driver ever produced. Unmatched in several areas: Performance Versatility(Drag, Track, Prep, No Prep, Street, Roll, Backroads), Performance gains with basic mods(200hp+200lbs gain with just DPs, intake, & Custom E40 tune), materials, build quality(unlike AMG interior which looks nice but has cheap squeaky plastic pieces), drive-ability+adaptability(Various performance & suspension settings, & AWD to RWD selection, that actually has noticeable changes), practicality(true all season, all weather daily with useable backseat & trunk space), fuel economy(in eco mode can easily get 30+MPG), reliability, value(I know some people will say "how can be it be good value costing 6 figures". What you receive for the $ competes with $300k+ super cars with literally $5k in upgrades. Most cars that perform on this level are perfect weather cars only, little practicality, performance versatility, etc. BMW could charge $140k-$150k for this car and I would still think its decent value at that level.. BMW hit a grand slam with the S58 & combining it with their XDrive. A RWD biased AWD system that still handles & feels like a RWD car in many ways, and if you want a little RWD fun its as simple as pushing a button. The M3/M4CXD are modern marvels of a car and highly recommended for anyone wanting a top of class highly practical performance car. I love my G80CXD so much I actually just ordered a new G82CXD with Carbon Buckets & CCBs to fully build out as a first in class drag, track, & show car. Ive never been a brand loyalist. I grew up on a classic car dealerships surrounded by all types muscle cars, so I liked many different models & brands, but experiencing this marvel of a machine BMW has turned me into a massive supporter of their brand. Even with basic mods-- Downpipes, lighter resonated exhaust, lighter rims + good tires, quality intake, subtle lowering(not slammed, just enough to slightly lower its CoG and reduce body roll a little), & custom 93 Octane tune for daily driving and custom E40 tune for race/track days, and you have a car that not much can compete with on the streets(thats not fully built). If you want to go further, with some engine & trans mods, these are now just after 2 short years already in the low 8's in the 1/4 mile. Which is outstanding. If someone is watching this video and is on the fence about ordering one, DO IT! I promise you wont experience a micro second of buyers remorse. Once you get past the break in period and can experience all it offers, youll be as ecstatic every time you have to drive down the road. Moreover the support Ive received from BMW has always been first class. IN 2022 when I was in the market for a new performance car, I test drove almost every one listed below. When it was done there wasnt anything that ranked as high in all the categories mentioned above. C8, Z06, GT500, GTR, RS3, RS5, RS6, ZL1 1LE, Hellcat Charger Redeye, AMG E63, Alfa R Quadriglio, Blackwing4, Blackwing5 Some platforms had a higher drag ceiling, some had a higher track ceiling, some had more space, but nothing was good in every category. It may not be an Ace of any specific category, but its better than a Jack...... A "King of all trades kind of car".. Now the platform has been out for a couple years, there is a good amount of after market support for the platform, so you can customize it however one wants. Whether thats for drag or track racing, or just cosmetically, so many different quality vendors to choose from no matter what your preferences/objectives may be. Knowing the potential of the S58, and knowing BMW was going to launch a new Hybrid M5, I was hoping BMW would use a tuned S58 instead of the V8 to help reduce the weight. I think BMW could easily release the S58 with 600-620HP + additional Hybrid output. This would have helped take off some of the weight from the hybrid system, which I think would have been the perfect combo for the new M5. I suppose we'll see how its reviewed when its launched.

simple, quick answer.... YES the M3 is definitely worth the money

M340i for the reasons others have given but also for looks alone. Will never get used to the M3 grille. Just doesn’t work aesthetically.

I’d say daily livability is better in the M340i because of its better low end response for stop and go traffic, much better mpg, and better sound. Plus the B58 has already been proven to be extremely reliable (S58 is also reliable, but still yet to see if it measures up to B58 level). Let’s not forget that with some minor suspension and wheel/tire mods, you can make the M340i very close in track performance. The B58 has also broken more world records and has proven to hold more power than the S58 both stock engine and built.

Finally some honesty from a M340 owner. I really wish Mercedes AMG and BMW MDivision didn’t dilute their brands but I understand why they do it. Look, M-Lite cars are fantastic sporty editions of already exceptional cars BUT they are not the same as a real M car. If you own one, bravo you’re already ahead of the game and you have a sweet ass ride but please stop arguing it’s the same or better. I don’t care what tune, downpipe, midpipe etc. you put on to improve your 1/4 time. You can even paint or wrap your roof to simulate carbon fiber or slap on an oversized CF spoiler from Amazon, it’s just not the same. Purists can appreciate both, but the real ones understand that a real M is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s not about 1/4 times etc.; it is truly the definition of the ultimate driving machine and it cannot be expressed in words or quantified with data, it has to be experienced on a canyon road or on track.

If you’re looking for a sports car go M3. If you’re looking to save thousands of dollars, for a daily that you can still have “fun” in and get 30MPG go M340i.

Got the '22 M340i xDrive, Spartanburg delivery (GO for it!). Ordered every option (including Michelin Pilot 4S NRFs and oil cooler) except the power trunk lid--HATE power doors. It's now a Dinan car with suspension, strut braces, cold air intake, and quad exhaust. It's my first automatic in 42 years, and it's brilliant, but it still does what IT wants to do--I'd rather have a manual. Could've gotten an M3 with manual tranny for near the same price, but detuned and RWD only. Plus, for professional reasons, I needed something with some degree of subtlety and elegance--wood trim, black metallic paint (with Shadowline), mocha leather--and I just couldn't spec the M3 that way, away from brash boy-racer combos (don't like carbon fiber decor), plus its styling gives it away anyway. I lMUCH like the M340i! The struts and suspension give the steering more responsiveness. The cold air intake and quad exhaust actually smooth out the sport transmission action around town so it isn't so jerky, yet more responsive. I ordered adaptive suspension, but it was decontented during the chip-shortage build, so the ride's a bit stiff. I save the Pilot 4Ss for track days. They have a lot of impact harshness. The Continental all-season DSW Extreme Contacts lose just a touch of turnin sharpness but add LOTS of impact smoothness--well worth it for daily driving. I took the car to VIR and yes, the M3s have it all over this slightly upgraded M340i xDrive. (But for now, the car is way better than I am!) Maybe some chip work later? Re. the LCI, I'm GLAD to have the pre-LCI interior! The binnacle and center screen are BEAUTIFULLY integrated, making the whole dash area into an attractive work of art that's also functional with real but unobtrusive buttons. The LCI dash is UGLY! It looks like someone mated two Dell desktop screens from someone's work cubicle and just dumped the result to perch on top of a formerly beautiful dash--where the screens even need ugly bracing in the back just to stay in place! Sure, these screens do more and have more graphics--but whatever happened to the simple, well-integrated, elegant beauty that BMW has modeled through the years? And buttons--what buttons? (And with computer graphics, why oh why can't we just have the option of round dials?) Then, THE SHIFT LEVER IS GONE--the thing that "falls readily to hand" and in a Bimmer, FITS your hand! I can move the lever by feel, not sight. How will a slide switch EVER perform the needed functions so smoothly and well? No way! This is a big step back in ergonomics. To conclude: is the M3 worth the money? Yes, no doubt. Is it what I need? No, it's a bit much for me in presentation and maintenance. I'm VERY happy in the land of my modded M340i!

Awesome vid!

I took a road trip halfway across the country and got 27-28 mpg in my G80. Hearing 20 mpg was a surprise.

Great review, loving this format. Have already said it, but you guys gotta get a Giulia QV and even just a 2.0T out on this track. I actually went with a 2.0T over an M340i based on chassis tuning and steering and of course the looks. Escalated into a QV which I am picking up this week.

Wouldn’t the M340i be a better daily long distance car? I have a X3M40i with the B58 and it’s been an incredible vehicle. I just wonder if the true M3 is overkill to drive every day ?

Seems like you guys were able to get over that gaping maw a lot easier than I was. Obviously the M3 is the more dynamic vehicle, but then you have to look at it. Would love to see this comparison redone with a few more basic mods on the M340i. I just put lightweight forged wheels and wider tires on mine and it’s a different machine. If tires got you three seconds without changing tire size…

I had a 2020 BMW M340i and loved it. Had to sell it because it was just collecting dust, have a car from work I have to use due to my job. Hoping someday to justify getting a M3.

I always say the m lites sound better than the new M cars. I love the F80 generation still. Just perfect ughh wish I got the xdrive in an F80 and the upgraded tech. I believe you can upgrade the regular brakes on the g80 for track use and save the almost 10k from the carbon ceramics I have see plenty of people do it and have no issues. I have got used to the grille over the years, but still wish it was better. great video

Good comparison video. I traded in my 2023 M340i xdrive for a 2024 M3 competition xdrive and when I'm in efficiency mode and my right foot is light I'm able to get 24 MPG around town which isn't too bad compared to my M340i. I do disagree with with most people's opinion about the grill of the M3 I think it looks great and it does serve a purpose. Also, the Merino leather interior is IMO a bit nicer than the Vernasca leather in the M340i.

39k in two years on my G80 xdrive. I have never and will never consider any 340 over the G80. I am ordering the 2025 ASAP. I don't care about the price "savings".

This guy running cookie cutter tyres on the m340i and expecting the world from it. 😅

I just went ahead and got a manual CT5V Blackwing. The true W move.

Comparing M3 daily livability with the worst options of the M340i is kind of misleading. Obviously the adaptive dampers with normal tyres are going to be way better, so daily ride quality is going to be better in an M340i as long as it's spec'ed better...

I love the conversation about steering feel because for me that is what makes it more fun when it feels a bit heavier but still fast and sporty. I wouldn’t like a fast car with light steering and numb feeling so for me the M340 is overall a better daily but of course the M3 is more performance oriented

The style 666m wheels are so good 🤩

M3 for sure. G80 is very easy to live with.

I don't understand frozen paints, I love polishing the car to a high gloss and it looks far better that way. I despise the M3 Venetian blind, testes shaped grille on the M3. When surrounded by chrome on some other models it totally looks like a pair of testes. The cheap screen is a way for BMW to save millions on designing a binnacle and switchgear, I get it, but I don't like it.

i have an m340i so i could be a little bias but having that b58 engine and tuning / modding capability along with reliability and daily driving i will chose the m340i any day!

Nice vid! Would love to see even wider/stickier tires on the M340i + a simple 93 tune to close the power gap vs the M3. Maybe even a slight drop to lower the center of gravity on the M340i. It would get veeerry close to the M3. 225 tires just doesn’t do it on a 58 series engine.

I think the difference would be a lot smaller if the tires were same on both cars.

If I had to choose between the M3 and M340i, it’s the M2 all day. I wanted to love the new M3. But what kills it for me are its ungainly proportions (just too big and awkward) and the Pep Boys fake air vents on the front fenders. F80 was the most beautiful and proportional M3, IMHO.

how did the M340 exhaust sound soooo much better than the M3's?? Are they both stock? Also I love the fjord blue -- unfortunately I could not get it in my M3 Comp (settled for Yas Marina blue).

I’d love to own either one eventually

M cars are better and anyone who says otherwise didn't spend the money to actually verify this Lmao. I have both cars and there isn't a single situation where I run to drive the M340 over the M3 outside of unbearably bad roads (NYC). If I was in Florida we would get rid of our M340i. Does everyone need an iPhone pro max? No, but people still buy that over the base iPhone, they accomplish virtually the same tasks but one just has a bit more refinement.

can't compare the 340 steel brakes and m3 steel brakes, the ceramics won't feel much" better" than the steels and will require more heat but they are good for high speed runs and not fading, but people who track a lot actually use the steels

The M340i in the video is only rear wheel drive and has a square tire setup. It would feel different if you had m340i Xdrive with staggered wheels on Michelin Pilot Sport 4s. This setup comparison would be a much close comparison to the M3 Competition with the Xdrive with staggered tires setup and with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s.

15:30 I didn’t catch that, so which of the seats are the best in terms of seating comfort? The non carbon fibre seats in the m3? Are these not the same as in the m340i?

The best value is the M340 The chassis bracing and suspension /tires could be upgraded .. have you seen the engine bracing on all Mcars .. M3 has significantly stiffened the chassis with bracing.. The B58 and M340 is best sounding and could be best hidden gem.. I sold them and It is a gem imagine adding CSL engine bracing and suspension

You got your blinker on because your hands were moving around the steering wheel, instead of holding them steady at 9 & 3.

I love how people are complaining about the tires. Yeah change the tires not the suspension right? Tires won’t make a huge difference to how it performed on the track. If they both have summer performance tires they should be performing. It’s also the driver not just the vehicle. As an M4 owner though I expect nothing less. I personally dislike m-lite cars, I say save and get an M. Yeah you can push a B58, but you can really push an S58.

Having owned the latest 340i and now I have the G81 sorry yanks you don’t get it. The 340 is probably the sweet spot for BMWs mega fuel economy fast and a great package, but if you have the cash get the M diff beast. Fuel wise 340 if taken easy motorway can return mid 40s m3 mid 30 think best I’ve had is 37mpg. My only negative on the 340 is it looks a bit meh and I never wanted to wash it. The amount of comments I get about the G81 amazes me

M340 for me. The price difference between the 2 doesn’t justify the street performance for me from the M3.

F80 S55 M3 Still the Best ever made 👍

coming from a G30 lci 540i to a G80 M3C. is it overpriced? yes. it is worth it? hell yes.

If the M3 had the M340i grill it would be the best looking sedan of all time imo

m340i is more comfort on the street, not on track, were bumpy rides are everywhere...... if u buy a m3 and never track is a waste........thats when u get the m340i for daily..........is like buying a 4x4 and u never go offroad!!!

Thank you! 🔥🔥 🔥 Next video F80 vs G80? 👀

Which car has a higher ground clearance?

M340 is a beast sounds better looks better upfront but can’t compare to the M3 performance wise stock and the rear end on the m3 is just better executed looks more aggressive and come with better wheels

M-Cars have a feel that none M-cars don’t have. That costs money.

Why is there no stick offered in the m340i? I looked for one but can;t find any. I assume they weren't made.

B58 sounds better imo. More usable low-end torque/response for around town and daily driver. The m340i also has a more compliant ride quality. I found the M3 ride to be a bit harsh over bumps and road imperfections for daily driving. Im still am not a fan of the M3 front grill, either.

Carbon fiber CSL grill, some more carbon fiber like front lip, side skirts.. really transform the G80. Also height adjustable lowering springs really transform the looks and handling.. way too much front tire gap and body roll stock. Springs fixed everything

Who can help me understand why the B58 sounds nicer than the S58, would this have impact on performance? Like why wouldn’t the M3 sound exactly like the 340i?? Why wouldn’t the M5/6/8 sound exactly like the m850i??? and still deliver the same performance, the M5/6/8 only miss the m850i tone and the M3/4 only miss the m340i face and engine tone, then you have perfect performance cars!!

You prefer the aftermarket exhaust on the m340 over the stock exhaust on the m3? *shocked face*

It wasn't always like this. The previous generations genuinely were easier to live with in a M240i or M235i. BMW have clearly sorted out the stiff suspension.

As a e90 335 owner that I love- always wanted a m340 but seeing how many people buying them, I will buy an. M3 just to remind m340 owners they do t have the real M 😊- they are both different cars engines suspension everything

just picked up my M340iX. What a sick ass car. Unfreaking real how fun it is. I can't put it in the garage.

Personally, I think the M340i looks better. If I could have either right now, I’d go with an M340i to get all the aspects of performance and comfort for daily commute and do a down pipe, drop in intake and a tune and call it a day

It shouldn't be a question.... at all.

I was looking for good fun Daily. I really want m4 buuuuut the face. I tried convince myself that it looks great but in the end I choosed m340i 😅 for the Street only in EU is as good as the m3 but it looks much better

Sounds like from the preview of him screaming "what a machine" to the M3, it IS worth the money ;)

The gap in sound performance is huge. M340i is like a sound of the hell

Had the m3 comp xdrive for 2 years now and yes yes it is worth the money.

Interesting they made the 340 exhaust louder

This comparison is only to comfort people who are not able to stretch their budget for M3 but truth be told M3 is just at another level.

I would get a M car but the insurance is crazy!!!i really can't justify insurance being as much as a car payment

German ceos to designers are just like: “bIgGeR NoSe.”

Depends what you want in a car, both are amazing but both are way too heavy to have track fun to be fair

That front end is a deal breaker on the M3. BMW will go back to a tasteful version in the future.

I didn’t catch if this was the M3 xDrive?

The immediate screaming when in the m3 😂

As a 340i owner, I would say. Go for m3

M3: 20-30 yrs from now, still look awesome M340i: 20-30 yrs will still be just another 3 series

M3 = track, m340i = comfy daily

M340i daily and M3 for car meets and races ❤

why the f would you swap the fronts? that m3 grill for me, is the best looking area

Is that a lot of under steer or am I tripping?

If I had the money, I’m going with the M3. Unpopular opinion…the M340 looks cooler.

The is no comparison from suspension, brakes , engine power Stop this bs.

We are same same, same same but different, but still same . 🤣

For the looks alone m3.. everything else considering its m3 for me over anything even c63s

Better take the M440i Gran Coupe, has wider tyre on the front, and wider axle on the front and the back, than the M340i.

No its not worth it.

I have an M340 and it’s comfortable and fast. But its handling isn’t in the sports car realm, the steering has zero feedback, and it’s heavy.

fasxtest M car is 2025 M4x. Much harsher daily than the 2025 M440x. I have the M4x, my wife opted for the Audi S5 :) the ride on the audi is amazing, but i just wanted the M4x. I am old now, so i buy what i want. My Bently is cushy when i need cushy.

I don't agree. I have both cars and is not possible to say one is better then other. m3 is more on track and fun on the road also daily but m340i is better as a horse. With trailer hitch, auxiliary heating, softer seats and suspension, quiter engine and exhaust, mild hybrid - higher torque low rev, longer range with eco pro is much better for long trips in wild places with higher suspension without engine oil cooler. that's why I keep both. M3 is brutal, loud and you can feel every small hole on the road or all the time engine vibrations. fun starts from 3500rpms. its not like m550i and m5 when m5 its just better in every aspect. I made for a short term 460ps and 750nm in m340 with box and E25 and m3 xdrive was behind me 0-60 km/h but I don't want to destroy this car that's why I bouth m3c xdrive.

hey guys, check out how tyres on 340i are so narrow...chicken legs....

wdhm by mack pockets bmw m340i

Of course it’s a big difference and almost $30K more 😮

M3 is worth the money the 340 isn’t just get a 330 better than you’d expect

Yes.

Kinda unfair comparing an xdrive M3 to a rear wheel m340i

M3 better in every way only reason to buy an m340 over it is if you don’t care about the performance

Nice pronunciation on kumho. Say it again but w a G. And you can shorten the hoe part to ho. I’m ordering an m340i and can’t wait!!!

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Why did BMW even added an “M” on the 340i? Its bad marketing that produced an army of wanna be’s