The BMW M3 Competition holds the bragging rights in the 3 Series range with its ability to scorch from 0-100km/h in under four seconds.
Its R2.1m price places it out of the reach of many budgets, however, and BMW offers the M340i xDrive as a more affordable, mid-strength sports sedan alternative with still-fiery performance for about R730,000 less.
Like the M3 it has six-cylinder turbo power and a sports-tuned, all-wheel drive chassis, at a more palatable price of R1.36m.
It doesn’t have the M3’s 290km/h top speed, but for the cost saving the M340i delivers a hearty performance and a drive that will please all but the fussiest enthusiasts.
The M340i’s straight-six 3.0l engine translates its 285kW and 500Nm into an energetic pace, with a lively feel throughout the rev range all the way to its governed 250km/h top speed. It is impressively quick off the line, with all-wheel drive shooting it forward without wheelspin or torque steer.
The car took just 4.4 seconds to scoot to 100km/h tested at Gerotek with our Vbox. That is just 0.6 seconds slower than the 3.8 seconds we achieved in the M3 Competition.
For those who place stock in such matters, the M340i is also 0.2 seconds quicker than its chief rival, the Mercedes-AMG C43, which we tested at Gerotek on the same day.
The BMW’s straight-six engine delivers the requisite amount of acoustic charm without getting too loud, which could be annoying on long trips, but with Sport or Sport Plus mode selected the valve-controlled exhausts crackle for more aural thrills. There are also Comfort and Eco Pro modes, which tone down the car’s racy edge, while the steering, drivetrain and transmission settings can all be individually adjusted.
The M340i has the handling of BMW 3 Series renown. Any squeaks of discontent purists might have about the car not sticking with traditional rear-wheel drive are quickly quelled when this xDrive Beemer is hustled through corners.
The car feels really planted through fast turns on its sports suspension, and slices through fast and slow turns without the all-wheel drive system causing understeer. The intelligent xDrive system has fully variable power distribution between the front and rear axle, with a rear-wheel bias. Furthermore, an M Sport differential has a fully variable rear-wheel locking function.
What this all means is that the throttle can be planted early out of tight bends, with some sideways action to be enticed from the car for those who like to dabble in that sort of thing. It’s a real driver’s car, and the thick-rimmed steering wheel intensifies the sporty driver-car interface.
An M Sport brake system with a more direct ratio provides ample stopping power, and blue-painted brake calipers with the M logo.
M Sport suspension and a ride lowered by 10mm compared to a regular 3 Series makes the ride on the firm side without being uncomfortably jittery. The M340i makes a relatively practical and comfortable daily driver if you keep its low-profile 19-inch tyres away from deep potholes. Adaptive M Suspension, which softens and stiffens the ride to suit conditions, can be optioned for R33,000.
For all its performance the M340i delivers good fuel parsimony, with the test car averaging 9.9l /100km in a mix of town and freeway driving.
Decades ago the first 3 Series started out as a fairly cramped sedan, but it has grown into a sizeable car over the years. Its 4,713mm length offers adult-sized cabin space, and the boot is a useful 480l.
The M340i has gained the midlife updates applied to the latest G20-generation 3 Series. On the inside this includes a stub replacing the traditional gear lever and a new curved display as found in the latest 7 Series. The latter merges a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen system to create a single high-resolution unit, and the display changes its colour to suit the driving mode: from blue in Eco Pro to red in Sport.
Most functions are integrated into the big touchscreen to do away with a clutter of buttons, but the iDrive mechanical controller between the seats provides an interface for those who prefer old-fashioned “clicks”.
Exterior garb distinguishing the M340i from lesser 3 Series models includes trapezoidal tailpipe trims, a body-coloured rear spoiler and a striking mesh design for the grille. Adaptive LED headlights come standard too.
On its nose and tail the car wears the special “M” badge with tricolour stripes that commemorated the 50th anniversary of BMW’s high-performance M division in 2022.
Inside, the business-class cabin is given an athletic vibe by sports seats with M-specific upholstery, M leather-clad steering wheel with shift paddles and interior trim strips in Aluminium Tetragon.
It adds a subtle athletic edge to perfectly suit the 340i’s overall character, unlike the let-it-all-hang-out M3 with its supersized grille.
If you can afford it, the M3 remains the go-to model for those seeking the ultimate high-adrenaline buzz in the 3 Series range. The M340i xDrive is a more understated car that delivers hearty thrills at a big price saving. It is a downscaled but by no means defanged sports sedan.
Bang for buck, I think it’s the pick of the 3 Series range.
Tech Specs
ENGINE
Type: Six-cylinder petrol twin turbo
Capacity: 3.0l
Power: 285kW
Torque: 500Nm
TRANSMISSION
Type: Eight-speed auto
DRIVETRAIN
Type: All-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 4.3 seconds (claimed); 4.4 seconds (as tested)
Fuel Consumption: 8.0l/100km (claimed) 9.9l/100km (as tested)
Emissions: 182g/km
STANDARD FEATURES
Sports suspension, ABS brakes, stability control, six airbags, tyre pressure sensor, infotainment system with navigation, electric windows, blind spot warning, cruise control, park distance control, adaptive headlights, auto on/off lights, rain sensing wipers, keyless access, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery
COST OF OWNERSHIP
Warranty: Two years/unlimited distance
Maintenance plan: Five years/100,000km
Price: R1,363,207
Lease*: R30,247 per month
* at 11.75% interest over 60 months no deposit
BMW M340i xDrive
WE LIKE: Handling, performance, value for money
WE DISLIKE: Very little
VERDICT: A performance sedan par excellence
MOTOR NEWS star rating
Design ****
Performance *****
Economy ****
Ride *****
Handling *****
Safety *****
Value For Money ****
Overall ****
COMPETITION
Mercedes-AMG C43, 310kW/500Nm — R1,673,641
Audi S5 coupe quattro, 260kW/500Nm — R1,204,300
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