Do automotive journalists ever put their cash the place their mouth is? On a regular basis, we see automotive journalists say, “You should purchase this automotive!” or “I’d purchase this automotive myself!” However generally that’s only a becoming tagline or sage recommendation that isn’t adopted up on. For me although, it was time to purchase a brand new automotive, and I stored pondering again to at least one I reviewed final yr the place I keep in mind saying, “I’d purchase this automotive.”
It was April 2024, and I used to be fortunate sufficient to have simply gotten the keys to a 2024 BMW M340i xDrive in Melbourne Crimson Metallic. I used to be doing a assessment for BMWBLOG concerning the automotive and whether or not it was nonetheless related six years after the G20-generation 3 Collection first went on sale. To not spoil the remainder of this text, but it surely was nonetheless very a lot related.
The One Automotive Answer for an Fanatic
Ideally, I’d have two vehicles in my storage. One can be a guide sports activities automotive I might take to the monitor and luxuriate in a spirited drive within the lovely canyon roads round Southern California. The opposite can be an EV or environment friendly every day commuter I might use to get round for all of the driving I do each day—comfortably and with out many issues.
Nonetheless, the dream of an M2 and an EV acquired reduce brief after I switched jobs. Out of the blue, the EV I had as an organization automotive was gone, and I used to be in want of a brand new commuter automotive. However the dream of a sports activities automotive I might take into the canyons or on a enjoyable street journey nonetheless felt so shut. With the potential for transferring right into a smaller one-bedroom house and dropping my two-car storage, I wanted one automotive to do every thing I used to be on the lookout for. I wanted one automotive for all of my 50–100+ miles of every day driving, and a automotive I might tackle lengthy street journeys and into the canyons for some enjoyable.
The Greatest Sports activities Sedan
For many years, luxurious sports activities sedans have been the final word go-to for that one-car answer for lovers. They provide all of the practicality of a sedan in terms of kind issue whereas providing elevated ranges of efficiency near that of a devoted sports activities automotive. Whereas they don’t seem to be probably the most environment friendly or the highest-performance vehicles, the mix of the 2 is what makes them such compelling decisions for lovers who need a sports activities automotive however could not be capable of moderately drive a devoted two-seat sports activities automotive 75 miles a day for years on finish whereas carrying baggage or passengers.
Since its introduction 50 years in the past, the BMW 3 Collection has lengthy been thought-about the chief within the sports activities sedan phase. The G20-generation 3 Collection isn’t any exception. Since 2019, the present 330i and M340i (lest we neglect the now-discontinued 330e, RIP) have been the benchmark that Audi and Mercedes have tried to surpass. Whereas some could argue the others provide a barely extra luxurious trip or options, in terms of driving expertise and all-out efficiency, the G20 reigns supreme. Even if the opposite luxurious manufacturers have launched newer fashions over the previous few years, a number of updates have stored the G20 on high. Particularly, I’m going to deal with the M340i.
What’s New for the 2025 Mannequin 12 months
For 2025, the BMW M340i (and 330i) have acquired one other replace. The primary LCI (life cycle impulse) for the G20 took place in 2022 and introduced with it the introduction of the brand new front-end design, iDrive 8.5 with the curved shows, and—for the M340i—a gentle hybrid system (though that was technically launched within the 2021 mannequin yr with the B58TU). For 2025, the automotive now receives one other set of updates which can be extra vital than may first meet the attention.
For starters, there’s the revised inside. Now, iDrive 8.5 is commonplace, with refined software program and a brand new look. The ambient lighting has modified, together with the up to date M Efficiency steering wheel. A couple of new colours are on provide, together with Arctic Race Blue (beforehand seen on the 4 Collection), and new wheel choices just like the 1038i and 995M wheels.
A very powerful change is the introduction of the third-generation B58 engine. Nonetheless a 3.0-liter inline-six, it now options each port and direct injection to enhance gasoline supply and scale back carbon buildup on the consumption valves—a typical situation with direct-injection-only engines. The consumption manifolds have additionally been redesigned to permit for extra cooling, related in design to the S58. The electrical motor contained in the ZF 8-speed transmission has been up to date to supply extra energy and higher effectivity. The tip outcome? To cite James Pumphrey: “Extra powah, child.” Formally, it’s rated at 389 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. These numbers, based mostly on quite a few dyno runs, are very underrated and far nearer to the facility on the wheels than on the crank.
The outcomes of those updates usually are not solely a small energy bump over the second-generation B58 M340i but in addition higher effectivity. The delicate hybrid system improves cease/begin perform—now so easy there’s nearly no cause to show it off (although the button to take action has returned)—and permits the automotive to coast extra successfully. In contrast to conventional transmissions that induce engine braking when off-throttle, this setup permits the engine to close off and the transmission to decouple utterly from the driveshaft, primarily gliding in impartial.
Roadtrip King
One of many necessities for my new automotive was that it needed to be good at long-distance street journeys. I like to go to buddies in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and El Paso. I additionally wished one thing I might drive coast-to-coast—from NYC to LA—in consolation and confidence (and this has completely nothing to do with a future Cannonball Run Report try).
Shortly after I purchased my M340i in January 2025, I took it in for a paint correction, full PPF and ceramic coating, together with ceramic window tint set up. The automotive was now prepared for a cross-country journey to go to my household in Delaware. It was nearly excellent for the job. The truth is, I stored pondering again to Alex Roy’s E39 M5 he used to resurrect and set the Cannonball Report: 31 hours, 4 minutes from New York to Los Angeles. The G20 M340i is inside an inch of the E39’s wheelbase. It’s additionally practically an identical in energy—with nearly 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. However my rear-wheel drive M340i is over 100 kilos lighter than that M5.
The dimensions, kind issue, and effectivity of the automotive made it among the finest cross-country vehicles I’ve pushed. The B58 fortunately zips throughout the nation at over 80 mph (with the circulate of visitors) whereas returning practically 40 mpg. And the situations weren’t even very best: temps ranged from 10 to twenty°F, with excessive winds and snowstorms. Sometimes, vehicles get their greatest gasoline financial system above 60 levels. So what was my common MPG for the 7,000-mile journey from LA to the East Coast and again?
34.6 mpg.
This wasn’t some hypermiling experiment, both. I hit 37 mpg on the primary leg, however a blizzard dropped a number of inches of snow on the return, shutting down the freeway for 4 hours exterior Memphis. That meant a number of idling to maintain the warmth working, regardless of the delicate hybrid system’s greatest efforts. I additionally hit a significant pothole and didn’t notice I had a sidewall gash and bulge till 1,000 miles later. Happily, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season Run-Flat tires are practically indestructible. These low-rolling-resistance tires support gasoline financial system however nonetheless provide first rate grip—higher than anticipated, with out noticeably sacrificing efficiency.
The quiet cabin, easy trip, and driver help options made the freeway miles fly by. This actually is a automotive constructed for the autobahn. I drove from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. in beneath three days with minimal discomfort. My solely criticism? The seats might be extra supportive on lengthy hauls. However general, this is without doubt one of the greatest street journey vehicles on sale right this moment.
Canyon Carving
Regardless of how effectively this automotive does on street journeys and commuting, let’s not neglect there’s nonetheless an M badge on the again. No, it’s not a full M3—however park it on a backroad and also you may second-guess that. The G20 chassis is extremely stiff, and consequently, this automotive likes to be pushed arduous. The mounted sport suspension is ideal for mountain roads. It’s solely barely stiffer than consolation mode on the adaptive dampers—proper the place I’d need it. Too stiff on bumpy roads can really harm dealing with, however this setup permits for simply sufficient journey to keep up grip.
There’s some physique roll, however I don’t thoughts it—it helps talk the automotive’s limits, letting me modulate brake and throttle to rotate via corners as shortly as adhesion permits.
This automotive is way sooner within the canyons than it appears to be like. The potent powertrain and exact dynamics let it tear via quick sweepers and preserve tempo via technical corners. It’s able to working with devoted sports activities vehicles, which is a large praise for one thing that isn’t a full M automotive. It truthfully appears like a Toyota Supra in a tailor-made go well with. I’ve loved drives with track-prepped Miatas, GR86s, older Boxsters, and Civic Sort Rs. Saying this automotive is barely good for freeway cruising does it a disservice.
The Excellent Automotive for Me
After spending a lot time with the M340i I drove final yr—and understanding precisely what I wanted in a brand new automotive—I knew this was it. It’s enjoyable on a backroad. It’s sensible each day. I can hop in and drive cross-country with out hesitation. Certain, different vehicles could do sure duties higher. However few vehicles beneath $90,000 can do every thing I need this effectively.
It’s actually one of the crucial well-rounded, enthusiast-focused, daily-drivable vehicles in the marketplace in 2025. The rear-wheel drive sports activities sedan is a dying breed in right this moment’s SUV-dominated world—and that’s an actual disgrace. This automotive is sensible, and each mile I placed on it simply makes me happier.
My final driving machine.
[Photos: @duhpayway / @jesse.shoots]
