M3 or 340i?

[georgere]

?

Update 10/1: so I (OP) end up ordering M3 with DCT

[nicknaz]

I suspect you are trying to convince yourself a 340 is "close enough" to an m3. If so, my advice is get the m3. My wife has an f30 335 now and it is not even close

[georgere]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I suspect you are trying to convince yourself a 340 is "close enough" to an m3. If so, my advice is get the m3. My wife has an f30 335 now and it is not even close

Yes, actually.

[Aralan]

Originally Posted by georgere

Yes, actually.

Get the M3, it's a completely different animal from the 335i and don't expect the 340i will change that.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I am in the same boat and considering a 2016 M3 with 6 speed manual or a 2016 340xdrive with 6 speed manual. I like the added traction the xdrive offers in the rain and snow but the M3 is obviously a much better looking vehicle and much more fun to drive. Interestingly the M3 costs about $20,000 Canadian more but in 4 years will probably have a resale value $15,000 to $16,000 more than the 340 xdrive so the extra monthly cost of the M3 is probably less than $100 per month.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by georgere

Yes, actually.

Personally, i think the better question other than gearbox are what exactly are the suspension and steering changes.

If bmw takes the f80 eps and puts it into the lci f30 and if the f30 sport suspension is the m performance suspension (instead of the old option 704 suspension) that makes the 340 a lot more interesting.

[visualguy]

The design of the MT isn't by itself a reason to pick an M3 over a 340i.

The choice depends on how you plan to use the car... The 340i will have a more comfortable ride, less noise, better fuel economy. It's a better daily driver. The M3 is better for the track - even more power (which is mostly overkill for public roads), better handling at the limit (again overkill for public roads), also more noise if you like that.

Best solution if you can make it happen - 340i for daily driving, and a Cayman or Corvette as a fun car!

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by visualguy

The design of the MT isn't by itself a reason to pick an M3 over a 340i.

The choice depends on how you plan to use the car... The 340i will have a more comfortable ride, less noise, better fuel economy. It's a better daily driver. The M3 is better for the track - even more power (which is mostly overkill for public roads), better handling at the limit (again overkill for public roads), also more noise

Best solution if you can make it happen - 340i for daily driving, and a Cayman or Corvette as a fun car!

Even better would be m3 for daily driving and GT4 as a fun car

I completely agree with you m3 is overkill but its so great to overkill the daily commute. (I am very biased since i work odd hours and rarely hit traffic here in socal)

[georgere]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

Interestingly the M3 costs about $20,000 Canadian more but in 4 years will probably have a resale value $15,000 to $16,000 more than the 340 xdrive so the extra monthly cost of the M3 is probably less than $100 per month.

unfortunately not true. the difference is more like 200% of the non M. just check your local listings.

[GMe90]

The 340i and 335i are also "overkills" for regular roads. You tap the gas and you're already in jail territory. Neither car's potential can be reached safely on regular roads.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Originally Posted by georgere

unfortunately not true. the difference is more like 200% of the non M. just check your local listings.

So are you saying if a 2016 340xdrive is worth $28,000 Canadian in 4 years then the 2016 M3 will be worth $56,000 for the M3? Based on blackbook wholesale prices (not asking prices) that doesn't make sense because a brand new M3 costs $74,000 Canadian...........there is no way a 4 year old M3 only loses $18,000 from MSRP.

I would expect a 2016 340xdrive to be worth $28,000 Canadian wholesale in 4 years and the 2016 M3 to be worth about $44,000 Canadian wholesale in 4 years.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by GMe90

The 340i and 335i are also "overkills" for regular roads. You tap the gas and you're already in jail territory. Neither car's potential can be reached safely on regular roads.

True, that's why in order to have fun you need to go in a different direction than even more power (M3). You need something lighter, smaller, with a more raw and engaging driving experience even on public roads, which is where true sports cars like the Cayman come in. Unfortunately, these cars aren't great as daily drivers, so you still need a 340i or similar (yes, the 330i is also good-enough for that.)

[georgere]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

So are you saying if a 2016 340xdrive is worth $28,000 Canadian in 4 years then the 2016 M3 will be worth $56,000 for the M3? Based on blackbook wholesale prices (not asking prices) that doesn't make sense because a brand new M3 costs $74,000 Canadian...........there is no way a 4 year old M3 only loses $18,000 from MSRP.

I would expect a 2016 340xdrive to be worth $28,000 Canadian wholesale in 4 years and the 2016 M3 to be worth about $44,000 Canadian wholesale in 4 years.

Ok I agree

[Reid]

Originally Posted by georgere

06 325i 6MT Sport Premium

If you have been doing fine with a 325i, you will be ecstatic with a new 340i.

If you choose the M3, just understand that it will be worse "commuter" than a 340i. The chassis will transmit more noise, the road noise will be greater from the tires, the exhaust is louder (and arguably not as pleasing to the ears), the ride comfort will decrease and it gets worse gas mileage. On top of all of these things, the M3 costs more in both MSRP and insurance.

[nicknaz]

335 "better" commuter but m3 so awesome to have as a daily!

[georgere]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

335 "better" commuter but m3 so awesome to have as a daily!

This is the reason I am considering M3. My brain and wallet says I am an idiot though. My wife however supports my 'buy' idea.

[Ian1973]

Not sure I agree with people who say the 335 or 340 are a better commuter. I drove an E92 335 for 3 years and I believe my F80 is better. The comfort is better, the traction is better, the ride is better(least with adaptive suspension) and obviously just more fun day to day.

[georgere]

so I (OP) end up ordering M3 with DCT

[SamS]

Originally Posted by georgere

so I (OP) end up ordering M3 with DCT

LOL. Well enjoy sir! If this is your first M car, be prepared for quite the life-changing experience. You'll find it hard to consider a standard series BMW again in the future.

[NewM3driver]

I drove an M3 as a daily for 3 years. Honestly, the handling was great, the noise didn't bother me, the gas milage sucked but I payed no mind to that. I felt the car was too high strung for the day to day.

Right now I have a beautiful 2015 535 msport individual and a 2012 328 convertible that is ready to come off lease. I fully intended to replace the vert with a new M3, but a LONG test drive left me sort of perplexed. I liked it, didn't love it. Next I took out a rwd 340 with Msport and track package. The 340 is an awesome package... smooth, wickedly fast, and perfectly damped (some credit to the 18's and non run flat rubber). It reminds me of the universal goodness of the BMW's of yesteryear.

I ordered the 340 and I know I'm going to love it. It is a world apart from the 335, and in my opinion, for this old boy, a better choice for use everyday in CT.

If I wanted to go to the track 3 or 4 times a year or if I lived out west with different roads and traffic conditions, I would opt for the M3 all day every day. It is a wicked good car, gets you instant respect and attention (if that is what you want), and is sure to make you smile every time you drive it.

[anesthetize]

Originally Posted by SamS

LOL. Well enjoy sir! If this is your first M car, be prepared for quite the life-changing experience. You'll find it hard to consider a standard series BMW again in the future.

Congrats on your order OP. I had a 330i then 335i before I got an E90 M3. I drove that car as a daily with 2 active kids for 3 years. I did several autocross events with it and enjoyed every second. I thought I wanted more room so I leased a loaded 550. I enjoyed it for a month or so but always missed the ///M. Lease is up in June and I kept trying to talk myself into a 340, but one fateful day I found a gently used 2015 M3 to test drive. That was all it took and a few weeks later I ordered a '16 M3.

Do yourself a favor and find a track or autoX event to really let your new baby shine!

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by anesthetize

Congrats on your order OP. I had a 330i then 335i before I got an E90 M3. I drove that car as a daily with 2 active kids for 3 years. I did several autocross events with it and enjoyed every second. I thought I wanted more room so I leased a loaded 550. I enjoyed it for a month or so but always missed the ///M. Lease is up in June and I kept trying to talk myself into a 340, but one fateful day I found a gently used 2015 M3 to test drive. That was all it took and a few weeks later I ordered a '16 M3.

Do yourself a favor and find a track or autoX event to really let your new baby shine!

You have nice roads in NC but the cops are out of control. Wondering.... did you drive a properly specced 340?