The Austrian Alps and a strong BMW 3 Collection touring – these are the components to an unbelievable expertise and one that you could’t simply get in North America. Okay positive we now have 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 might simply be the last word day by day driver offered by BMW immediately.
With winding roads framed by a number of 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 stability 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 technology. And even that automobile was imported solely as a 4 cylinder mannequin, bypassing the efficiency oriented variations that the remainder of the world bought. And we marvel why BMW couldn’t get Individuals to take 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 may recommend a family-friendly wagon, the engine below the bonnet and the chassis dynamics make it excess of a mere utility targeted car. Driving it by way of the switchbacks and inclines of the Austrian Alps is the place the M340i’s twin character 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 check automobile was shod with a moderately small wanting winter wheel and tire bundle and completed in an understated black on black spec, it nonetheless had a classy and glossy look we rapidly 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 the very best wanting 3 Collection offered.
The entrance finish of the present 3 Collection sports activities the basic kidney grilles, fortunately scaled appropriately, framed by adaptive LED headlights that proved glorious on darkish Alpine roads. Distinctive to the M340i is the M Sport physique package, M brakes, decrease trip top and twin exhaust. However all advised it is a comparatively modest wanting automobile – particularly completed in black.
The M340i’s low-slung stance offers it a purposeful look. It’s not ostentatious, however there’s an simple 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 guts of the M340i Touring: that superb 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six. With 369bhp at 5,500rpm and 370 ft lbs of torque obtainable from simply 1,850rpm, the ability supply really feel unending. Sure there are many vehicles within the BMW line-up with extra energy and better redlines. However the way in which the B58B30O1 delivers its energy harkens again to a number of 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 impartial 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 the very best BMWs. The steering was effectively weighted with fast turn-in and sufficient data conveyed by way of the wheel that I by no means felt nervous on the slim 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 computerized transmission is seamless, shifting rapidly when wanted however clean sufficient to by no means really feel intrusive. Even in handbook mode, the paddle shifters reply immediately, making you are feeling straight linked to the automobile.
On a number of 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. Outfitted with electronically managed dampers, the Touring’s suspension adjusts always to street circumstances, offering agility with out sacrificing trip high quality. Regardless of the automobile’s weight of three,951 lbs, the M340i feels agile and anticipating 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 reaching 50/50 weight distribution. The M340i Touring as 54% within the entrance and 46% within the rear which makes gently energy slides a little bit tougher. However because of BMW’s trick electronics and an electronically managed, absolutely variable locking rear differential (referred to as an M Sport differential) it’s undoubtedly doable and fairly controllable.
In quick corners, the automobile’s composure is exceptional. The steering is exact, with sufficient suggestions to make you are feeling linked to the street 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 commonplace xDrive. We are saying that as a result of shod with winter tires there’s actually no want for xDrive until 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 phenomenal in the way it performs. Solely in essentially 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 snug and have all of the hallmarks of BMW’s basic 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 Dwell Cockpit Skilled setup comes commonplace, displaying key data on a 12.3-inch display screen behind the wheel and one other 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment. The display screen’s responsiveness and the iDrive system make navigating menus simple – not that you simply’ll must fiddle a lot, as voice instructions are surprisingly adequate 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 may appear to be an oxymoron, however BMW has nailed the practicality facet. 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 needs 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 moderately all black look, it was a wonderfully nice place to be for 8 days and 700 miles. .
Gasoline effectivity is one other shock. Because of BMW’s mild-hybrid know-how, the M340i shuts off the engine whereas coasting, and the 48-volt system handles the air-con and different electronics in stop-and-go visitors. Over our Alpine journey, we averaged about 30mpg – respectable given the spirited driving and mountainous terrain.
Know-how & Driver Help
We’ve bought 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, having 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 effectively!
The BimmerFile Verdict
The BMW M340i Touring makes vehicles 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 yet again. The duality in its character defies the normal 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 excellent a mix of efficiency and utility they are often.
Spending this a lot time in a automobile actually offers you perception into what possession seems like. I can confidently say that the M340i Touring is the very best day by day driver (for my wants) in BMW’s present lineup. It’s compact sufficient to really feel nimble however practically as spacious as my outdated E61 5 Collection wagon, comfortably accommodating 4 adults. Add to that the ability and the M-derived tweaks to the chassis and brakes, and also you’ve bought an exceptionally simple automobile to reside with—one which brings a smile to your face every single day.
Naturally none of this issues should you reside in North America. However should you don’t and also you’re on the lookout for the last word day by day driving machine, you’ve simply discovered it.
BMW M340i Touring Gallery
