Topic: Test Drive: 2016 BMW 340i

[micha]

I am pretty sure by this point Ovr50 is referring to more than 50 cars BMWs!

FTFY

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[ovr50]

I am pretty sure by this point Ovr50 is referring to more than 50 cars BMWs!

FTFY

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

This is BMW #19. Yes, over 50 cars long ago.

Railton - no, I did not.

[Triple Bob]

Just picked up my copy of the new, improved 3 Series a week ago today. Mine is the 340i xDrive with Enhanced Premium and M Performance pkg. It looks identical to the car in this article, except mine is Estoril Blue with black interior.

Still less than 300 clicks on it so far; but it feels like a great car. Improved over the pre-LCI 3 Series (2013-2015 MY) in ride and handling. The new B58 engine (article has wrong code for engine, it is not N58) appears to be very willing and the noises are muted but very satisfying to the ear. I am leasing, so not concerned about issues down the road.

And, yes, you can get a manual tranny, but the 8 spd ZF is pretty damn good and faster (if that matters). Also, the Variable Sport Suspension really works. In "comfort" mode, even with the 19" wheels, it is more comfortabe than most of my previous BMWs; in "Sport", it really comes alive; and in "Sport +" with the nannies off, I don't know as I have not been there yet.   

One thing I have never had before is the "heads up display" and that is truly a neat feature that I can't see how I lived without it previously. So much easier to know speed in school zones, etc. I also "reads" the road speed signs and posts the legal speed on the windshield beside the car's actual speed. Neato.

It just might be a keeper.....................

Congrats Ovr.  How does it compare to your old M3 sedan?

[quadzilla]

Just picked up my copy of the new, improved 3 Series a week ago today. Mine is the 340i xDrive with Enhanced Premium and M Performance pkg. It looks identical to the car in this article, except mine is Estoril Blue with black interior.

It just might be a keeper.....................

Congrats ovr50 and glad to see you are still buying cars because you can. I'm sure this one is a keeper until the next one comes along.

[sailor723]

Congrats ovr50....nice choice!

[valuator]

Nice car....by far my favourite BMW colour.

[quadzilla]

So when are we getting the 340i Touring 

[Allen]

Congrats OVR, great color,  enjoy

[ChaosphereIX]

congrats Ovr, keeping the faith with a proper sports sedan and not being a sheeple and becoming yet another CUV driver

best colour combo too, good taste sir!

Is there anyone left on planet Earth that doesn't know Chaos  hates    HATES   CUV's?

OK, I can take a hint. I'll shut up about it. 

[ovr50]

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

Triple Bob - right now, I am thinking I like it better than my 2009 M3 sedan. The V8 engine in that car just wasn't the right engine for it, IMO. It is a more all-around car than that M3.

[rrocket]

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

Triple Bob - right now, I am thinking I like it better than my 2009 M3 sedan. The V8 engine in that car just wasn't the right engine for it, IMO. It is a more all-around car than that M3.

Not the first person I heard say that.  Needed more torque for "normal" every day driving.

Man oh man did it ever sound good on full boil though!!

[ovr50]

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

Triple Bob - right now, I am thinking I like it better than my 2009 M3 sedan. The V8 engine in that car just wasn't the right engine for it, IMO. It is a more all-around car than that M3.

Not the first person I heard say that.  Needed more torque for "normal" every day driving.

Man oh man did it ever sound good on full boil though!!

Agree on both counts.

[mixmanmash]

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

Triple Bob - right now, I am thinking I like it better than my 2009 M3 sedan. The V8 engine in that car just wasn't the right engine for it, IMO. It is a more all-around car than that M3.

Not the first person I heard say that.  Needed more torque for "normal" every day driving.

Man oh man did it ever sound good on full boil though!!

I too have heard that.  And yes, it sounded awesome, along with the sister V10 in the M5.

[lebowski]

Congrats Ovr! Sounds like an amazing new ride. Just curious; were you at all tempted by another wagon to replace your E91, or was it just not in the cards this time around?

[ovr50]

Congrats Ovr! Sounds like an amazing new ride. Just curious; were you at all tempted by another wagon to replace your E91, or was it just not in the cards this time around?

I like the wagon, but can only get it with the N20 4 cyl engine and I like more power. A 340 wagon would be neat tho, but will never happen in North America.

[Hannibalsmith]

Congrats ovr50 and welcome to the club Love the colour, but I'm a little biased.

When I was buying I too cross shopped the S4, which is a great car, but in the end what swayed me to the BMW was the availability of RWD, manual, and that wonderful blue.

Also as a point of reference, I optioned my car the "frugal" way and the price was $54 + tax. Though I did have to wait a few months for the factory order. I still love it!

[mlin32]

@Hannibalsmith: another cool 3er  . Congrats on ordering too.

[lebowski]

I like the wagon, but can only get it with the N20 4 cyl engine and I like more power. A 340 wagon would be neat tho, but will never happen in North America.

Right on - yeah, shame they won't bring the 340 wagon over.

[ovr50]

Congrats ovr50 and welcome to the club Love the colour, but I'm a little biased.

When I was buying I too cross shopped the S4, which is a great car, but in the end what swayed me to the BMW was the availability of RWD, manual, and that wonderful blue.

Also as a point of reference, I optioned my car the "frugal" way and the price was $54 + tax. Though I did have to wait a few months for the factory order. I still love it!

Congrats, great color, agreed on that!!! Didn't know you had that one, but I don't spend much time here. 

[tazcubed]

Ovr50, I wish you well with your choice - it looks great! I love the HUD, one of the most useful features of any car - period.  I'll say that I think BMW has improved their build quality since when I bought my last BMW in 2008, but the lease option is probably still the best way to go.

BMW and Audi in particular have hurdles to overcome - their respective reputations have been heavily damaged over the years in my opinion. Rightly so, they should have to re-earn it.