The Austrian Alps and a strong BMW 3 Collection touring – these are the substances to an unbelievable expertise and one you can’t simply get in North America. Okay positive we’ve got comparable mountains and nice roads. However what we don’t have (beside the schnitzel) is the BMW 3 Collection touring. And the BMW M340i Touring isn’t simply any wagon. It could simply be the final word every day driver bought by BMW right this moment.
With winding roads framed by among the most picturesque surroundings Europe has to supply, western Austria is a perfect setting to check a automobile’s dealing with, energy, and general expertise behind the wheel. And if there’s one automobile designed to steadiness dynamic efficiency and on a regular basis practicality, it’s the BMW M340i Touring.
BMW stopped importing all wagons (or Touring as they’re recognized in Europe) with the earlier F31 era. And even that automobile was imported solely as a 4 cylinder mannequin, bypassing the efficiency oriented variations that the remainder of the world acquired. And we marvel why BMW couldn’t get Individuals to have a look at wagons in a different way. We digress.
BMW’s 3 Collection Touring is a masterclass in delivering each driving expertise in addition to versatility. The M340i variant packs a 3.0-litre inline-six, boasting 369bhp and 370 ft lbs of torque. Whereas its exterior would possibly recommend a family-friendly wagon, the engine underneath the bonnet and the chassis dynamics make it way over a mere utility centered car. Driving it by way of the switchbacks and inclines of the Austrian Alps is the place the M340i’s twin persona got here to life.
First Impressions of the M340i Touring
With the M340i Touring, BMW has managed to merge property automobile practicality with simply the correct quantity of aggressive M styling. Whereas our take a look at automobile was shod with a fairly small wanting winter wheel and tire bundle and completed in an understated black on black spec, it nonetheless had a classy and smooth look we shortly fell in love with. The lengthy, low roof and slanted rear hatch design does wonders for the three Collection form. In our eyes this has been and nonetheless is one of the best wanting 3 Collection bought.
The entrance finish of the present 3 Collection sports activities the traditional kidney grilles, fortunately scaled appropriately, framed by adaptive LED headlights that proved wonderful on darkish Alpine roads. Distinctive to the M340i is the M Sport physique equipment, M brakes, decrease experience top and twin exhaust. However all advised it is a comparatively modest wanting automobile – particularly completed in black.
The M340i’s low-slung stance provides it a purposeful look. It’s not ostentatious, however there’s an plain presence to this automobile that the sedan can’t fairly seize in our eyes. It’s additionally what makes the M340i Touring notably interesting: it’s understated however exudes an aura of functionality.
Engine and Efficiency
Now, let’s get into the center of the M340i Touring: that wonderful 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six. With 369bhp at 5,500rpm and 370 ft lbs of torque obtainable from simply 1,850rpm, the facility supply really feel unending. Sure there are many automobiles within the BMW line-up with extra energy and better redlines. However the way in which the B58B30O1 delivers its energy harkens again to among the finest inline six engines in BMW’s historical past. BMW claims a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds however that feels fairly conservative to us. And we’ve seen that born out with instances starting from 3.9 to 4.2 second in unbiased reviewed.
However what makes the M340i such pleasant to drive isn’t the uncooked numbers however the way in which it goes about its enterprise. Throttle response is completely judged with nice responsiveness and feels elastic like one of the best BMWs. The steering was nicely weighted with fast turn-in and sufficient data conveyed by way of the wheel that I by no means felt nervous on the slender Alpine switchbacks.
Flip the automobile into Sport mode and also you’re greeted with a sharper throttle response, stiffer suspension, weightier steering and people off throttle pops and burbles that develop addicting. I discovered that dialing in consolation steering and fewer aggressive transmission settings and saving it as Sport Particular person was my sweet-spot.
It might not be a handbook or perhaps a dual-clutch however the venerable ZF eight-speed automated transmission is seamless, shifting shortly when wanted however easy sufficient to by no means really feel intrusive. Even in handbook mode, the paddle shifters reply immediately, making you’re feeling instantly related to the automobile.
On just a few unrestricted sections of the Autobahn the M340i cruised effortlessly at an indicated 250 kph or 155 mph. However make no mistake, this isn’t a full M automobile. The distinction between the way in which an M3 pulled from 60-120 mph is noticeable.
Dealing with & Journey High quality
Within the mountains, the M340i’s adaptive M suspension comes into its personal. Geared up with electronically managed dampers, the Touring’s suspension adjusts continuously to highway situations, offering agility with out sacrificing experience high quality. Regardless of the automobile’s weight of three,951 lbs, the M340i feels agile and looking forward to any inputs.
As I climbed into the tight switchbacks I grew assured sufficient to show off DSC and see simply how compose the M340i was on the restrict. Sadly gone are the times of BMWs like this one attaining 50/50 weight distribution. The M340i Touring as 54% within the entrance and 46% within the rear which makes gently energy slides a bit harder. However because of BMW’s trick electronics and an electronically managed, absolutely variable locking rear differential (often called an M Sport differential) it’s positively doable and fairly controllable.
In quick corners, the automobile’s composure is outstanding. The steering is exact, with sufficient suggestions to make you’re feeling related to the highway floor with out being overly heavy. It’s not razor-sharp like a full M automobile, but it surely’s balanced – offering simply the correct quantity of heft and accuracy that allows you to push with confidence.
Sadly the BMW M340i Touring comes customary xDrive. We are saying that as a result of shod with winter tires there’s actually no want for xDrive except you reside within the harshest and snowiest climates. With out it we’d probably see one a 100 lbs weight benefit largely within the entrance – getting the automobile nearer to that fifty/50 weight distribution. But the xDrive is outstanding in the way it performs. Solely in probably the most excessive eventualities to you ever sense it even being there. And critically the M340i Touring all the time feels rear wheel drive biased.
Inside High quality & Consolation
Inside you’re met with a mix of BMW’s tech-forward design and high quality supplies. The game seats are well-bolstered but comfy and have all of the hallmarks of BMW’s traditional seat design. As you’d count on the M340i has all of the M touches: distinction stitching, a chunky M Sport steering wheel and loads of M logos
BMW’s Reside Cockpit Skilled setup comes customary, displaying key data on a 12.3-inch display behind the wheel and one other 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment. The display’s responsiveness and the iDrive system make navigating menus straightforward – not that you simply’ll must fiddle a lot, as voice instructions are surprisingly ok to deal with most requests. The inclusion of wi-fi Apple CarPlay is a welcome contact particularly when touring into unknown areas.
Practicality & On a regular basis Usability
A high-performance wagon or property automobile would possibly appear to be an oxymoron, however BMW has nailed the practicality side. Past the spectacular boot capability, the rear seats provide ample legroom, which suggests passengers can journey comfortably – some extent not misplaced when driving over longer distances. Whereas a lot of the journey was simply two, we sprinted from Munich to Innsbruck with 4 adults and baggage with out points (the boot is 500 litres, which expands to 1,510 with the rear seats down). The Touring’s spaciousness makes it a incredible selection for a household or anybody who desires the flexibility of an property with out sacrificing pleasure behind the wheel. Did you point out the Touring is our favourite 3 Collection mannequin?
Within the mountains, the huge panoramic sunroof floods the inside with pure gentle. Whereas our automobile was specced in a fairly all black look, it was a superbly nice place to be for 8 days and 700 miles. .
Gasoline effectivity is one other shock. Due to BMW’s mild-hybrid expertise, the M340i shuts off the engine whereas coasting, and the 48-volt system handles the air con and different electronics in stop-and-go site visitors. Over our Alpine journey, we averaged about 30mpg – respectable given the spirited driving and mountainous terrain.
Expertise & Driver Help
We’ve acquired to provide a shoutout to BMW’s suite of driver help options that are well-integrated and unobtrusive. Given the that I used to be driving on roads I hardly knew, with the ability to have the automobile actively set adaptive cruise to the velocity restrict because it modified was useful. Additionally the power to set that velocity to be a selected MPH over the restrict was good as nicely!
The BimmerFile Verdict
The BMW M340i Touring makes automobiles just like the X3 and even X5 look ridiculous. Over the course of seven days and lots of of miles on unbelievable Alpine roads, the M340i made me name in love with the wagons another time. The duality in its character defies the standard notion of practicality and utility by additionally delivering an enticing driving expertise.
As a earlier proprietor of an E61 535i and E46 325iT wagons, the brilliance of the format is one thing I’ve recognized for a few years. However experiencing it in a contemporary BMW with dramatically extra efficiency on faucet reinforces simply how good a mix of efficiency and utility they are often.
Spending this a lot time in a automobile actually provides you perception into what possession appears like. I can confidently say that the M340i Touring is one of the best every day driver (for my wants) in BMW’s present lineup. It’s compact sufficient to really feel nimble however almost as spacious as my previous E61 5 Collection wagon, comfortably accommodating 4 adults. Add to that the facility and the M-derived tweaks to the chassis and brakes, and also you’ve acquired an exceptionally straightforward automobile to dwell with—one which brings a smile to your face day-after-day.
Naturally none of this issues for those who dwell in North America. However for those who don’t and also you’re searching for the final word every day driving machine, you’ve simply discovered it.
BMW M340i Touring Gallery
