2024 BMW M340i Sedan Interior Features and Performance Specs: A Controlled Explosion in a Three-Piece Suit
Four-door luxury sedans exude a sense of status and sensibilities. And BMW M-branded cars, even the half-hearted ones, come with a sense of occasion that betrays those sensibilities. So what do you get in a half-BMW M four-door luxury sedan in 2024? A controlled explosion in a three-piece suit. Meet the 2024 BMW M340i.
2024 BMW M340i interior exudes class
The BMW 3 Series is no longer the boy-racer version of a luxury sedan. It is, simply, a luxury sedan. It offers premium Vernasca leather, and wood grain dash accents. Plus, the 3 Series comes with multi-zone climate control, and 10-way adjustable front seats. The 3 Series is even available with a heated steering wheel and 5G WiFi, presumably so you can keep up with your portfolio in stop and go traffic. To that end, the latest BMW four-door is available with Traffic Jam Assist, so it will handle the stop-start traffic on your morning commute without you lifting a toe.
The 2024 BMW 3 Series sedan is no longer the compact luxury sedan alternative, either. It’s wider than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and just one inch shorter. It weighs the same, too. And with a nearly identical wheelbase, it loses the natural agility advantage that defined BMW’s peak.
In short, if you pine for the days of the E46, this ain’t it. The 3 Series is now a full-on luxury cruiser, replete with the sound isolation, overdamped steering, and substantial curb weight to match.
The new BMW M340i performance rips
If this all has you bummed about the state of modern BMW sedans, I have some good news. The M340i absolutely f-[redacted] rips. The B58 engine under the hood chucks out a stated 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque at the crank. According to legendary BMW tuning company, Dinan, those figures are underreported. In its dyno testing, the BMW M340i made 411 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque.
Whoever you believe, the 2024 BMW M340i can go from sitting still to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. And when I had my hands on the BMW M240i with the same kit, the 3,800-pound two-door made it to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds on slightly damp, winter-ravaged New England asphalt. Considering that’s just 100 pounds less than the four-door M340i, I believe 3.8 ticks might be conservative.
The adaptive suspension provides excellent balance, as BMW is wont to do. However, despite its curb weight, the 2024 BMW M340i is sprightly enough to enjoy a few winding switchbacks when you choose the scenic route.
What is the BMW M340i, exactly?
Overall, the M340i sits at the intersection of professionalism and pugnacity. It’s not a BMW M3, on looks or performance. But the 2024 BMW m340i isn’t exactly a lazy, ultra-luxe wallflower either. It compromises outright handling and pace for a modicum of comfort and practicality. And it ditches the abhorrent M3 grilles for a more elegant, stately front-end appearance. If you’re a performance-loving driver seeking a one-car solution, this spicy BMW 3 Series has all the ingredients you’re looking for.
