Do automobile journalists ever put their cash the place their mouth is? On a regular basis, we see automobile journalists say, “You can purchase this automobile!” or “I’d purchase this automobile 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 automobile, and I saved considering again to 1 I reviewed final yr the place I keep in mind saying, “I’d purchase this automobile.”
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 Pink Metallic. I used to be doing a evaluate for BMWBLOG in regards to the automobile and whether or not it was nonetheless related six years after the G20-generation 3 Sequence first went on sale. To not spoil the remainder of this text, but it surely was nonetheless very a lot related.
The One Automobile Answer for an Fanatic
Ideally, I might have two vehicles in my storage. One could be a handbook sports activities automobile I may take to the monitor and revel in a spirited drive within the stunning canyon roads round Southern California. The opposite could be an EV or environment friendly every day commuter I may use to get round for all of the driving I do every day—comfortably and with out many issues.
Nonetheless, the dream of an M2 and an EV bought lower brief after I switched jobs. All of the sudden, the EV I had as an organization automobile was gone, and I used to be in want of a brand new commuter automobile. However the dream of a sports activities automobile I may take into the canyons or on a enjoyable street journey nonetheless felt so shut. With the potential for shifting right into a smaller one-bedroom condominium and dropping my two-car storage, I wanted one automobile to do all the things I used to be searching for. I wanted one automobile for all of my 50–100+ miles of every day driving, and a automobile I may tackle lengthy street journeys and into the canyons for some enjoyable.
The Finest Sports activities Sedan
For many years, luxurious sports activities sedans have been the last word go-to for that one-car resolution for fanatics. 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 automobile. Whereas they aren’t essentially the most environment friendly or the highest-performance vehicles, the mix of the 2 is what makes them such compelling selections for fanatics who desire a sports activities automobile however could not be capable to fairly drive a devoted two-seat sports activities automobile 75 miles a day for years on finish whereas carrying baggage or passengers.
Since its introduction 50 years in the past, the BMW 3 Sequence has lengthy been thought-about the chief within the sports activities sedan phase. The G20-generation 3 Sequence isn’t any exception. Since 2019, the present 330i and M340i (lest we overlook the now-discontinued 330e, RIP) have been the benchmark that Audi and Mercedes have tried to surpass. Whereas some could argue the others supply a barely extra luxurious experience or options, in terms of driving expertise and all-out efficiency, the G20 reigns supreme. Even though the opposite luxurious manufacturers have launched newer fashions over the previous few years, a number of updates have saved the G20 on prime. Particularly, I’m going to give attention to the M340i.
What’s New for the 2025 Mannequin Yr
For 2025, the BMW M340i (and 330i) have acquired one other replace. The primary LCI (life cycle impulse) for the G20 happened 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 automobile now receives one other set of updates which might be extra important 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 number of new colours are on supply, together with Arctic Race Blue (beforehand seen on the 4 Sequence), and new wheel choices just like the 1038i and 995M wheels.
An important 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 cut back carbon buildup on the consumption valves—a typical problem 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 better effectivity. The top end result? To cite James Pumphrey: “Extra powah, child.” Formally, it’s rated at 389 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. These numbers, primarily based on quite a few dyno runs, are very underrated and far nearer to the ability on the wheels than on the crank.
The outcomes of those updates should not solely a small energy bump over the second-generation B58 M340i but additionally better effectivity. The gentle hybrid system improves cease/begin operate—now so easy there’s nearly no purpose to show it off (although the button to take action has returned)—and permits the automobile to coast extra successfully. Not like conventional transmissions that induce engine braking when off-throttle, this setup permits the engine to close off and the transmission to decouple fully from the driveshaft, basically gliding in impartial.
Roadtrip King
One of many necessities for my new automobile 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 may drive coast-to-coast—from NYC to LA—in consolation and confidence (and this has completely nothing to do with a future Cannonball Run File 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 automobile was now prepared for a cross-country journey to go to my household in Delaware. It was nearly good for the job. Actually, I saved considering again to Alex Roy’s E39 M5 he used to resurrect and set the Cannonball File: 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 similar 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 scale, kind issue, and effectivity of the automobile made it among the finest cross-country vehicles I’ve pushed. The B58 fortunately zips throughout the nation at over 80 mph (with the circulation of site visitors) whereas returning practically 40 mpg. And the circumstances weren’t even very best: temps ranged from 10 to twenty°F, with excessive winds and snowstorms. Usually, vehicles get their finest 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 lot of idling to maintain the warmth working, regardless of the gentle hybrid system’s finest 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 supply respectable grip—higher than anticipated, with out noticeably sacrificing efficiency.
The quiet cabin, easy experience, and driver help options made the freeway miles fly by. This really is a automobile constructed for the autobahn. I drove from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. in underneath three days with minimal discomfort. My solely grievance? The seats could possibly be extra supportive on lengthy hauls. However general, this is likely one of the finest street journey vehicles on sale as we speak.
Canyon Carving
Regardless of how effectively this automobile does on street journeys and commuting, let’s not overlook 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 because of this, this automobile likes to be pushed onerous. The fastened 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 damage 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 automobile’s limits, letting me modulate brake and throttle to rotate by way of corners as shortly as adhesion permits.
This automobile is way sooner within the canyons than it seems to be. The potent powertrain and exact dynamics let it tear by way of quick sweepers and hold tempo by way of technical corners. It’s able to working with devoted sports activities vehicles, which is a big praise for one thing that isn’t a full M automobile. It actually 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 Kind Rs. Saying this automobile is simply good for freeway cruising does it a disservice.
The Excellent Automobile for Me
After spending a lot time with the M340i I drove final yr—and realizing precisely what I wanted in a brand new automobile—I knew this was it. It’s enjoyable on a backroad. It’s sensible every day. I can hop in and drive cross-country with out hesitation. Certain, different vehicles could do sure duties higher. However few vehicles underneath $90,000 can do all the things I would like this effectively.
It’s really one of the well-rounded, enthusiast-focused, daily-drivable vehicles in the marketplace in 2025. The rear-wheel drive sports activities sedan is a dying breed in as we speak’s SUV-dominated world—and that’s an actual disgrace. This automobile is sensible, and each mile I placed on it simply makes me happier.
My final driving machine.
[Photos: @duhpayway / @jesse.shoots]
