BMW M340i vs M3

The M340i and M3 are both spanking-new performance cars from BMW. They're both enthusiast cars that unhook unconfined performance, handling, and driving experience. While both siphon an M-badge only one of them is truly an M - the BMW M3. The M340i is known as an M-Performance car (or "M-Lite"), but isn't truly built or designed by the M semester for motor racing. In this article, we compare the M340i vs M3 including specs, performance, driving experience, price, and more.

Note: Much of this vendible moreover applies to the M440i vs M4. The M340i and M440i are nearly identical less the door count. The same applies to the M3 and M4.

M340i vs M3 Specs

In this article, we'll squint at both the F80 and G80 M3 as comparisons to the G20 M340i. The newest G80 M3 is really the largest comparison based on years of production. However, given the price differences, it's pearly to include the F80 M3 since they're a bit older and pricing is increasingly in line with that of the M340i. Anyway, pricing is a topic that will come up later in this article. For now, let's jump in and squint at M340i vs M3 specs:

*Weights are rough estimates and can vary a lot depending on options. All else equal, the G80 M3 and G20 M340i come it at roughly the same weight and are well-nigh 200-250 lbs. heavier than the F80 M3.

All cars share the same vital 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 diamond with uncontrived injection, DOHC, VVT, and VVL. However, the F80 and G80 M3 receive twin turbo engines instead of the single turbo diamond of the M340i. The S55 and S58 are moreover BMW M designed engines while the B58 is a standard engine.

The M3's unhook increasingly revs, power, and torque. 0-60 times are from BMW and are often on the inobtrusive side. For example, MotorTrend was worldly-wise to unzip a 0-60mph time of 2.98 seconds in a 2022 M3 Competition. The gap only widens in favor of the M3 when you squint at 1/4 mile times.

BMW Figure-8 & Lap Times

Motortrend tests quite a few cars virtually their vital figure-8 test track. It's a very short track, so times are clumped together pretty close. It was unquestionably an M440i xDrive that achieved the 24.7 second time, and a RWD M340i that managed 25.0 seconds. The G80 M3 xDrive achieved 23.3 seconds and the F80 M3 splits that difference at 24 seconds flat.

For reference, an E92 M3 took 24.4 seconds virtually the figure-8. A Porsche GT2 RS is tied for the track record at 21.9 seconds and a 2019 Toyota Prius managed 26.3 seconds. Ultimately, a two generation old E92 M3 is still worldly-wise to outpace an M340i. 1.4 seconds separate the G80 M3 and record holding Porsche 911 GT2 RS; the same gap that separates the M340i vs G80 M3.

At the Virginia International Raceway, the G80 M3 Competition xDrive managed a 2:53 lap compared to 3:00 for the F82 M3 and 3:03 for the M340i xDrive. Looking at word-for-word seconds it was only 2.5 seconds overdue the F82 M4 and 9.7 seconds overdue the G80 M3.

It's a very respectable result for the M340i, expressly compared to the F82 M4 that has less weight and increasingly power. The xDrive certainly helps, though. The M340i vs M3 didn't fare quite as well versus the newest G80 model.

BMW M340i vs M3 Differences

Despite the many similarities of these BMW 3-series models they do have some very notable differences. A true M-car still aims to be the "Ultimate Driving Machine" and a true enthusiasts car. Some of this is evident in transmission options, brakes, engines, and more.

Other aspects of the M340i vs M3 simply can't be explained on paper. The M3 delivers a connection with the suburbanite that is nonflexible to match. In the next sections, let's squint at a few of the notable differences between the two M-badged cars.

Manual or Will-less Transmission

One resulting complaint well-nigh the BMW M340i or M440i is the lack of a transmission transmission. These cars are only misogynist with a ZF 8-speed automatic. It's an spanking-new transmission and some enthusiasts - like myself - unquestionably prefer an AT. However, it's surely a deal breaker for those who still fathom the deeper connection of a 6MT.

Enter the M3. Both the F80 and G80 models are misogynist with a good old fashioned 6MT, and the M3 will likely protract to offer a transmission option.

"M-Lite" vs True M Cars

True M cars only siphon one number. The M2, M3, M4, M5, X3M, etc. are cars designed and built by BMW's M division. Other BMW's that siphon the M-badge - like the M340i, M440i, & M550i - are wontedly known as either M-performance or M-Lite. They are not built by the legendary M division. They are standard BMW's with a few uneaten performance touches.

The M340i receives M Performance brakes, M sport exhaust, larger wheels and largest tires, spare driving modes, and a few other changes. However, these upgrades still don't compare to the M3. For example, the M340i M Performance brakes are not the same as the M3 brakes. A G80 M3 uses 6-piston calipers, large two-piece drilled rotors, and higher performance pads. Meanwhile the M340i brakes are 4-piston Brembo brakes with smaller two-piece zippo squatter rotors.

Brakes on the M340i are still exceptional. They aren't on the same level as the M3, though. That concept applies to just well-nigh everything. The M models have lots of diamond aspects that make them superior performance cars in just well-nigh every way possible.

BMW S55, S58, & B58

BMW's S58 might not plane be a pearly comparison in this discussion. The B58TU in the M340i and S55 in the older F80 M3 are both unconfined engines. We don't believe the S55 is heady unbearable to buy an F80 M3 over the G20 M340i just considering of the engine. Quite the opposite is true of the BMW S58. It very well may go lanugo in history of one of the greatest engines of all time. It's pretty tropical to a full squandered race-spec engine that meets emissions.

The S58 is once worldly-wise to make 750 whp on stock turbos. A Red Bull skid team pushed the engine to over 1,000hp. Dozens of G80's have once croaky into the 9's at 135-140 mph in the 1/4 mile. Most of those were full weight xDrive models with nothing increasingly than a tune, intake, downpipes, and E85.

It's well-spoken the M3 has the wholesomeness when it comes to M340i vs M3 engines. The B58TU is a unconfined engine, too. The M340i can make 450-500 whp on the stock turbo and 600-700 whp is very possible with an upgraded turbo and proper supporting mods. Anything remoter will require a built engine for reliability and longevity. The M3 can unzip those numbers with a stock engine, stock turbos, and a few vital bolt-on mods.

The M3 Is The True Drivers Car

A lot of M340i vs M3 differences can't just be explained on paper. It's weightier to test momentum both cars - if possible - and decide which one weightier suits you. The quicker 0-60mph, 1/4 mile, and lap times don't paint the full picture for the M3. Without all, most people won't plane utilize the full sufficiency of an M340i on the street, let vacated the BMW M3.

The chassis differences have a large impact on how each car feels, though. An M3 often provides increasingly feedback, response, and connection to the driver. Some of that can plane be felt during normal daily driving and not just when pushing the cars to the limit. Again, it's nonflexible to explain well on paper and something each person needs to experience. True enthusiasts will likely finger the difference immediately.

Point is - the M3 is the full package. It delivers increasingly performance, largest handling, and a increasingly unfluctuating and visceral experience. The M340i still delivers much of that at a upper level and will likely be increasingly than unbearable for moderate enthusiasts. However, die-hard enthusiasts might have a nonflexible time getting when into an M340i without experiencing a true M-car.

BMW M340i and M3 Price

Finally, this is where things turn in favor of the BMW M340i. For one, an M340i should be an easier car to find and purchase. I am currently on the waitlist for a G80 M3 from our local dealer here in Denver. I joined the waitlist in May 2022 and it's likely I won't unquestionably get the M3 until sometime virtually May-July of 2023.

The M340i is moreover less expensive than the M3. MSRP for a 2023 M340i starts at $54,850 or $56,850 for the xDrive model. An M3 starts at $72,800 with a transmission transmission and runs up to $80,800 for the Competition xDrive model. That ways you'll be spending well-nigh $15,000 to $25,000 increasingly on the BMW M3.

In the used market, as of November 2022, most G80 M3's are $80,000 . Some 2020 M340i's can be had for less than $50,000. You can moreover find some F80 M3's for less than that, but most will be virtually 2015-2017 with 50,000 miles.

M340i vs M3 Summary

Ultimately, the BMW M3 carries the true M badge; it's an M car from top to bottom. The M token is debatably the most legendary token in the world for good reason. It is the true definition of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" and a legacy that can be challenged by few to none.

Jeremy Clarkson loathes BMW but that didn't stop him from saying, "The BMW M3 is the weightier car - and unchangingly will be, and there's no point in overly thinking otherwise." The M340i is a unconfined car, but it won't overly garner that same respect. It doesn't matter whether or not (which, you can indeed) hands mod the M340i to be faster than a true M car. The M340i will never be an M3.

It sits on the vital yet stout G20 3-series chassis. It gets a unconfined engine in the B58. However, neither of those are true M products as are the F80 M3, G80 M3, and S55/S58 engines. That said, the M340i will unhook performance to satisfy a vast majority of drivers. You can't ask for much increasingly from a daily driver.

However, if you're looking for the legitimate "Ultimate Driving Machine" then you won't be happy knowing something largest exists. That is the market the M3 satisfies. It's overkill for most but it's the car that makes BMW's slogan possibly the truest in the automotive industry. It truly is the "Ultimate Driving Machine" and we wish you the weightier of luck in finding a increasingly well-rounded performance car. The BMW M3 is the largest car here - by a pretty significant margin.