The small but sporty luxury sedan market has always been a strong segment. This remains so even despite such a large shift towards crossovers and SUVs. These types of cars bring a lot of new customers into a brand’s base floor. The hope is that the customer will love the entry level luxury sedan so much that when they decide to upgrade, it is to a larger and more expensive one and of the same brand.
This is why it is such a competitive segment. Most luxury brands try to impress the crowd with flashy yet attainable sedan. A lot of automakers get this right like with the Lexus IS or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But not many accomplish it as well as the BMW M340i. This small sedan has been a staple in the BMW lineup for decades and the M340i only makes it better. It gives a great combination of performance without going too extravagant. It also does not forget the classic BMW spirit that keep people loyal to the brand. The Bavarian automaker knows there is a lot riding on it and has kept the car classy, yet modern and handsome.
Here is why the BMW M340i is the go-to luxury sports sedan.
The BMW M340i Gives Just The Right Amount Of M Performance And Value
This base M-line 3 Series is a relatively new addition to the lineup. In generations past, it hasn’t been labeled as an M product, rather just a 340i. BMW’s positioning of it as a true M product has given it the attention that it deserves though. It still has a powertrain worthy of connection to BMW’s performance brand. The twin turbocharged inline six-cylinder produces 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque which keeps it ahead or at least on par with the rest of the pack. One of the hottest new competitors to the M340i is the Genesis G70 and despite its impressive performance chops, it lags behind the BMW with 365 horsepower in its most powerful powertrain.
Granted, the M3 will give the most power in the 3 Series, but for most, the M340i will be plenty powerful for the thrill seekers who want a sporty daily driver. Not everyone needs a track-ready beast like the M3 and that is where the M340i comes into play. It is also a lot easier on the wallet than the M3 ever was. The base price for the junior M car is only $56,700. There are some pricey options, but if you keep them to a minimum, you are getting a lot of value for the power and performance that the M340i offers. Its close competitor the Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG which starts at north of $61,000.
The M340i Has The Styling And Features To Go The Distance
To say the least, BMW has taken a bold and commonly criticized approach to their new corporate designs. Big kidney grilles are the new norm for BMW and that is slightly unfortunate. The new design is polarizing and can take attention away from the nice design elements. The M340i thankfully maintains a normally sized grille and nice proportions overall. This is in contrast to the M3 and the unfavorable grille it dawns on the front. The traditional grille on the M340i looks especially good when it comes with the blacked out trim pieces.
This BMW has the interior features that clearly demonstrate that it is a solid luxury vehicle. It comes standard with a 10.3 center touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It offers the usual driver assistance packages that make life a lot easier. M performance bits also give some visual flair to both the inside and outside the vehicle. This includes exclusive M wheels and the iconic M colored stripes used in various areas.
For the 2023 model year, BMW has done a significant refresh on the base 3 Series, but we have not gotten any word on the status of the M340i. We hope that it continues on but no word on this yet. The addition of a new lower front fascia and headlights compliment the 2023 3 Series very nicely and would look good on a new M340i.
There is a lot to like about the M340i with all that it delivers. BMW’s M performance line is not in the limelight nearly as much as the traditional M models, but it still deserves praise for all that it does well. The M340i hits the mark in the sense that it gives you everything that you would need in a luxury sports sedan – good power, good looks, and features that make driving and life easier. If you have been digging for that hidden gem in the small luxury sedan market, look no further. The M340i is the unsung hero of the BMW lineup.