Seldom will the high-performance version of a particular model be released at the same time as the lower, lesser models. Manufacturers will present their standard wares and after a year or three of testing the waters, drop their performance version. This has several benefits for the manufacturer. Any real-world issues will present themselves and allow for the manufacturer to rectify them, it allows additional development time for things like suspension and aerodynamics, and it also ensures that the regular models enjoy some success before being completely overshadowed in the press.
BMW has done this with the latest G20 3 Series and then taken it one step further. BMW launched the G20 3 Series in the middle of 2020 and while we're still patiently waiting for the hallowed M3 to officially break ground, they've given us something to satiate our hunger for more power. Enter the M340i xDrive.
We've reviewed the G20 in 320d and 320i guise and found them to be rather likeable offerings, with a return to the dynamics that made the 3 Series so popular in the first place. The M340i xDrive promises to be more of the same, this time, with running shoes.
Related: The all-new BMW 3 Series - a return to Sheer Driving Pleasure
Styling
There's no mistaking the M340i for anything other than what it is. In previous generations, one would have to know which wheels were available on which model and even then, a second pass by the badges on the rear would be the only way of telling that the model you're looking at is a sportier, more powerful version. That's not the case here.
The M340i xDrive wears the BMW M Aerodynamic body kit that consists of an aggressive front bumper, rear bumper with diffuser and side skirts. The front end is highlighted with Cerium Grey inserts while the rear gets bespoke Cerum Grey trapezoidal tailpieces for the twin-exit exhaust system. You lose a lot of the detail in the black colour of our test car but I can assure you that in any other colour, this car makes its presence felt.
I fear that the M340i will be the most attractive of the current 3 Series if spy images and the new 4 Series are anything to go by. The large, imposing and disproportionate front grille that we have been teased with is nowhere to be seen here on the M340i and by contrast, the large grilles on the M340i look purposeful and proper.
Rolling stock is on the form of a set of 18-inch alloy wheels while our test model was fitted with the optional BMW 792 M split-spoke, 19-inch alloys wheels. It's all rounded off with the High-Gloss Shadowline package that deletes the chrome trims and replaces them with, as the name suggests, high-gloss black trimmings for areas like the window sills, B-pillars, and mirror bases.
Related: BMW 320i (2020) Review
Drive
We commented that the G20 was indeed the return to Sheer Driving Pleasure, BMW's age-old tag line. The G20 feels more like an E46 and hints at the E36 in the process, from a time when cars were still rather analogue. In the M340i you still get this sensation but to a lesser degree. It's clearly evident that a considerable amount of focus was placed on comfort in the M340i. Please don't get me wrong, there's still a sports machine underneath all of the leather and insulation, it just needs to be woken up.
Much of the compliance and manners can be attributed to the Adaptive M suspension that is capable of ironing out undulations one minute and then switching over into rigor mortis mode the next. Despite the large 19-inch wheels and wafer-thin tyres of our test model, the M340i never presented an uncomfortable drive, none more than was to be expected from a sports sedan.
Variable Sport steering and the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system help give the M340i a composure that is hard to fault in just about all driving conditions. The xDrive is rear-wheel biased and this helps retain that BMW-feel with the system transferring power to the front wheels when required. It does mute the traditional BMW handling characteristics somewhat and the traditional feel that we experienced in the 320d is less apparent. Naturally, this departure from the norm is particularly felt when pressing on and the xDrive system transfers the power to the front.
Performance
Pressing on is something that you will certainly be wanting to do. Aside from the few that will buy the M340i for the sheer fact that it is the most expensive 3 Series at the moment, most will want it for the performance aspect of things. Here it doesn't fail to deliver.
Powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six TwinPower turbo engine, the M340i develops 285 kW and 500 Nm torque, sending all of the power through an 8-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox with steering-mounted paddles to the aforementioned xDrive AWD system. There's an M Sport limited-slip differential at work in the rear to aide with turn-in and corner exits, allowing for additional control when one is brave (read: foolish) enough to disengage the driver assistance systems.
BMW claims that this arrangement is good for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint of 4.4-seconds and will carry the M340i to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. While we had limited time to test this out, the claims certainly feel accurate. In fact, Performance Motor Media ran a 4.64-seconds 0 - 100 km/h in their local testing at altitude.
Space and Comfort
As alluded to earlier on, the BMW M340i xDrive is a comfortable and compliant cruiser, quite capable of gobbling up mile after mile of open highway without leaving you reaching for the Voltaren. It manages to do the sedate town shuffle in relative comfort as well, thanks to the extensive sound insulation that sees very low NVH levels inside the cabin.
The iDrive infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay for seamless mirroring of compatible smartphones, allowing for audio streaming, navigation through Google Maps and a variety of other services such as Whatsapp message reading and composition. Our test model was equipped with gesture control so that you don't have to actually touch any of the controls, but we still feel this is a little gimmicky. Our model was not fitted with the BMW Intelligent Assistant.
Interior space is generous, as it should be, the 3 Series is no longer a small, compact vehicle. Boot space is a generous 480-litres and we had no problem loading or unloading it, despite its generous depth.
Safety
Aside from the 5-star Euro NCAP rating, the BMW offers a host of driver aids to make your journey that little bit safer. Level 2 autonomy in the form of the Driving Assistance Professional package sees the M340i fitted with Steering and Lane Keep Assist as well as Emergency Stop Assist. You will also get the Cross-roads Warning and City Brake function that can help minimise the potential of low-speed collisions.
The M340i is fitted with 6 airbags as standard and ISOFIX child seat mounting points along with the usual array of ABS, EBD, TCS and stability programs.
Fuel consumption
Claimed fuel consumption of the BMW M340i xDrive comes in at 7.5 l/100km on the combined cycle but in the real world this is a tricky number to achieve. Aside from the constant temptation of the 285 kW gnawing away in the back of your head, the M340i is a heavy machine, thanks to the xDrive system. We were only able to muster mid-9's during our time with it.
Price
Backed by a 2-year / Unlimited km warranty and a 5-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan, the BMW M340i, without options, will set you back R1 090 616. As we know, the options list can be extensive, so work on an additional R100 000 to spec an M340i to the level that you would want it.
Verdict
In lieu of a bespoke M-offering, the M340i offers just the right blend of performance and convenience at a price that seems fair for this day and age. It's priced competitively within its segment and offers a more grown-up approach to the M2 Competition offering of a similar price, with the additional practicality. It won't thrill you in the same way as the M2, but when the need arises, you'll have a tough time telling the difference in the performance stakes.
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