Do automotive journalists ever put their cash the place their mouth is? On a regular basis, we see automotive journalists say, “You can purchase this automotive!” or “I’d purchase this automotive myself!” However typically 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 considering again to 1 I reviewed final 12 months 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 Automobile Answer for an Fanatic
Ideally, I’d have two automobiles in my storage. One could be a handbook sports activities automotive I might take to the observe and revel in a spirited drive within the stunning canyon roads round Southern California. The opposite could be an EV or environment friendly each day commuter I might use to get round for all of the driving I do every day—comfortably and with out many issues.
Nevertheless, the dream of an M2 and an EV bought lower brief once I switched jobs. All of a sudden, 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 opportunity of transferring right into a smaller one-bedroom condominium and shedding my two-car storage, I wanted one automotive to do all the things I used to be on the lookout for. I wanted one automotive for all of my 50–100+ miles of each day driving, and a automotive I might 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 answer for fans. They provide all of the practicality of a sedan in relation to type 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 automobiles, the mix of the 2 is what makes them such compelling decisions for fans who need a sports activities automotive however could not have the ability to fairly 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 section. The G20-generation 3 Collection is not 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 provide a barely extra luxurious journey or options, in relation to 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 stored the G20 on prime. Particularly, I’m going to concentrate on the M340i.
What’s New for the 2025 Mannequin Yr
For 2025, the BMW M340i (and 330i) have obtained 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 12 months with the B58TU). For 2025, the automotive now receives one other set of updates which are extra vital than would possibly first meet the attention.
For starters, there’s the revised inside. Now, iDrive 8.5 is normal, 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 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 gas supply and cut back carbon buildup on the consumption valves—a standard difficulty with direct-injection-only engines. The consumption manifolds have additionally been redesigned to permit for extra cooling, comparable 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 larger effectivity. The tip consequence? 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 will not be solely a small energy bump over the second-generation B58 M340i but in addition larger effectivity. The gentle hybrid system improves cease/begin perform—now so easy there’s nearly no purpose to show it off (although the button to take action has returned)—and permits the automotive 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, 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 mates in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and El Paso. I additionally needed 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 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 automotive was now prepared for a cross-country journey to go to my household in Delaware. It was nearly good for the job. Actually, I stored 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 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, type issue, and effectivity of the automotive made it among the finest cross-country automobiles I’ve pushed. The B58 fortunately zips throughout the nation at over 80 mph (with the stream of site visitors) whereas returning practically 40 mpg. And the circumstances weren’t even ultimate: temps ranged from 10 to twenty°F, with excessive winds and snowstorms. Usually, automobiles get their greatest gas economic 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 outdoors Memphis. That meant a number of idling to maintain the warmth operating, regardless of the gentle hybrid system’s greatest efforts. I additionally hit a serious pothole and didn’t understand I had a sidewall gash and bulge till 1,000 miles later. Thankfully, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season Run-Flat tires are practically indestructible. These low-rolling-resistance tires help gas economic system however nonetheless provide respectable grip—higher than anticipated, with out noticeably sacrificing efficiency.
The quiet cabin, easy journey, and driver help options made the freeway miles fly by. This really is a automotive 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 might be extra supportive on lengthy hauls. However total, this is likely one of the greatest street journey automobiles on sale right now.
Canyon Carving
Regardless of how effectively this automotive 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 would possibly second-guess that. The G20 chassis is extremely stiff, and because of this, this automotive likes to be pushed laborious. 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 truly harm dealing with, however this setup permits for simply sufficient journey to take care of 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 by way of corners as shortly as adhesion permits.
This automotive 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 maintain tempo by way of technical corners. It’s able to operating with devoted sports activities automobiles, which is a large praise for one thing that isn’t a full M automotive. It actually looks 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 simply good for freeway cruising does it a disservice.
The Good Automobile for Me
After spending a lot time with the M340i I drove final 12 months—and figuring out precisely what I wanted in a brand new automotive—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 automobiles could do sure duties higher. However few automobiles underneath $90,000 can do all the things I need this effectively.
It’s really one of the well-rounded, enthusiast-focused, daily-drivable automobiles available on the market in 2025. The rear-wheel drive sports activities sedan is a dying breed in right now’s SUV-dominated world—and that’s an actual disgrace. This automotive is good, and each mile I placed on it simply makes me happier.
My final driving machine.
[Photos: @duhpayway / @jesse.shoots]
