Why BMW’s M340i is a better bet than the M3

Though its more famous big brother gets all the headlines, this powerful prestige machine is a better all-round bet.

David McCowen

3 min read

April 15, 2023 - 5:00AM

BMW’s M340i makes a lot of sense for sports sedan customers.

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BMW’s 3 Series sedan works best with a high-performance engine.

It even makes economic sense, in a roundabout kind of way.

VALUE

There is an art – known in some circles as “man maths”– that involves convincing yourself that the more expensive version of a car represents prudent buying.

The updated BMW M340i is cheaper than before.

Those man maths appear to add up in the case of the recently updated BMW 3 Series, which has mildly revised styling and a huge new infotainment screen.

There have been price rises across the range, except for the six-cylinder M340i xDrive model, which has dropped by about $9000.

The 3 Series upholds the finest traditions of luxury sports sedans.

Available from $115,000 drive-away, the M340i is loaded up with luxury features such as a Harman Kardon stereo, sunroof, adaptive suspension and other goodies that cost extra in the four-cylinder BMW 330i.

The pair are normally separated by about $12,000 but the gap shrinks to a few hundred bucks if you load up the less powerful car with everything found as standard in the 340i.

It would be imprudent not to make the jump.

COMFORT

The M340i is an “M Performance” model positioned between BMW’s everyday 3 Series and the giant-killing M3 performance car.

BMW’s low-slung driving position is unbeatable.

While it has a similar engine to the BMW M3, this model is a more comfortable proposition for everyday driving thanks to comparatively supple suspension and supportive yet cushy seats.

A low-slung driving position is perfect for spirited driving, helped by a broad range of adjustment.

The cabin has a cleaner look, but the gearstick has gone.

Quiet and refined on the highway, this upgraded model replaces buttons for the stereo and air con with an enormous 14.9-inch touchscreen that looks amazing but can be frustrating to use.

We also don’t love the cost-cutting involved in swapping a proper gear lever to a little toggle switch.

SAFETY

The 3 Series is a safe bet. Its rare agility is helped by high-performance tyres, powerful brakes and crisp steering that work in your favour during an emergency.

There are enough airbags to turn the cabin into an inside-out jumping castle and a comprehensive line-up of driver aids including active cruise control with lane-keeping assistance coupled to a stop-and-go setting for traffic jams.

The M340i is the best drivers’ car in its class.

DRIVING

Bucking the trend for high-riding SUVs and heavyweight electric cars, the BMW 3 Series is an athletic machine that works incredibly well on the hills and long corners found on country roads. A rear-biased all-wheel-drive system lets you steer with the throttle, taking advantage of the car’s special balance.

The M340i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six capable of sending 285kW and 500Nm to all four Michelins.

BMW claims a 4.3 second dash to 100km/h, but independent testing suggests it is faster.

BMW calls this motor the ‘B58’, but it drops bombs like a B-52.

The same goes for the 8L/100km claimed fuel consumption.

We recorded a Camry-like 6.8L/100km on the dashboard during a long weekend away.

This truly is one of the great engines on sale today – you’ll even find it under the bonnet of Toyota’s Supra GTS sports coupe and the Ineos Grenadier four-wheel-drive.

ALTERNATIVES