2020 BMW M340i

It’s no secret that BMW owners were disappointed with the F30 3 Series generation almost immediately after they arrived at dealerships. The successor to the beloved E90/E92 generation just couldn’t live up to the legacy of the cars that came before it. There was a lack of driving engagement and feedback, BMW decided for the M3 to go with a turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine instead of the V8, and many owners weren’t fans of the interior design either. With this endless amount of discontent, BMW listened to their most loyal customers and have crafted a new 3 Series that just might be the best we’ve seen since the E90.

Back in February I got my first look at the 2019 BMW 330i M Sport, and immediately I could notice the difference from the F30. The driving dynamics were improved, the seats were shaped better to give drivers a more connected feeling to the car when on a spirited drive, the interior was updated with a digital information display, and the overall road presence was much more aggressive. I feel that BMW has once again reclaimed the throne in the segment the 3 Series competes in, as Mercedes Benz has made no changes to the C-Class as of right now, and the Audi A4 has already been in production for almost four years.

The remaining question was whether the all new 2020 BMW M340i could live up to the hype. The F30 340i got left out in the cold compared to the B9 S4 and Mercedes Benz C43 due to it being outdated and underpowered. This particular segment has been a constant battle with German manufacturers fighting for consumers who aren’t in the market to purchase a new M3 or C63 AMG, while also trying to fend off new emerging players like the Genesis G70 3.3t.

2020 BMW M340i
2020 BMW M340i

Now that the new M340i is at dealerships, we can see whether BMW is a legitimate competitor and possible leader in the class, but more importantly a car that current 340i owners will want to trade up for. After two opportunities to experience the M340i, I can truly say this car could possibly be special when we look back in a few years. The Ultimate Driving Machine is a perfect description for this sports car, and the significant increase in performance and driving experience has now put it in a heated two-way battle for the top spot verses the Mercedes Benz C43 AMG.

Under the hood the 2020 M340i gets a turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine that puts out 382 hp and 369 lb ft of torque and paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Compared to last generation’s 340i, this is an improvement of 62 hp, but it’s the 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds that’s getting everyone talking. To put that into perspective, that’s the same time as an E92 M3, but more importantly it falls right in line with it’s main competitor, the C43 AMG which achieves the same 0-60 time. RWD does come standard for the M340i, with AWD being a $2k option.

When it comes to driving this car, I can’t start without getting into how good the M340i sounds with a stock exhaust. Once you get the engine warmed up it will burble and crackle, so spending extra money on a burble tune isn’t necessary. Getting up to speed isn’t difficult either, but on a rolling start there is a turbo lag where the car seems like it questions whether you really want to go fast, and then it responds in a way that puts you back in your seat. The connectivity to the road and the comfort you feel on winding roads, even in sports plus mode, is going to give you an experience you haven’t felt in a BMW in almost 10 years.

The interior isn’t much different than what you’ll find in the 330i. The 12.3 inch digital information display comes standard, the infotainment system functions as both a touchscreen or you can use the touchpad and overall it’s responsive with a high quality resolution and graphics. But as a car enthusiast, I don’t necessarily want to be blown away with the interior and have that be my last impression, because it’s all about the driving dynamics and the 2020 M340i certainly offers an experience that will put a smile on your face.

The model I tested was priced at $65k with a few additional packages included. Base price starts at $56k and you can exceed a price tag of $69k. Personally, I think packages that don’t heighten driver feedback aren’t worth optioning for as the M340i truly is a driver’s car. As a BMW enthusiast, all I can say is well done to the brand that for a short time lost its way.

After handing the keys over and walking away, my lasting impression is that the M340i is a sports sedan that’s an appreciation to BMW loyalists and owners. The Ultimate Driving Machine has returned, and I, along with many others couldn’t be happier.

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