BMW 340i set: driving test and video
Posted on 27-07-2015 to 16:00 pm by Wouter – 92 Comments”
A game of “find the 10 differences” with the facelift of the 3-series not to do so, so subtle are the exterior changes. Under the skin changes to something more, but don’t expect a revolution.
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
The significant facelifts in previous generations (E46 and E90) were not the reason for that recipe to hold. According to BMW, the redesigned 3-series stand out due to the new design of
the LED daytime running lights and rear light units with a distinctive LED signature. There changed something to the air intakes of the front bumper, but you’d be forgiven if you’re not spot. The Sport, Luxury and M-sport variants of the 3 series, also not all have the same bumpers. For the exterior changes need one with a current 3-series not once returned to the local BMW dealer. Except if you a 335i to drive, because 340i set on the ass looks so’n is 12.5% thicker.
New engines
Although a large part of the engines line-up is known, or, at most, slightly refreshed, there are also some real innovations to be reported. Slowly turn BMW over to their LEGO inspired engine family per cylinder 500 cc content know. The 2.0 four-cylinder engine from the 320i and 330i (follows the 328i), the 340i set is the new king of the regular 3-series. If you are especially for a premium experience and less shy sit to a lot of power, then at the BMW dealer will be informed to the new 318i. Positive approached which has a half-straight six, a block which is also sometimes referred to as a three cylinder. That 318i replaces the equally strong 316i, so out of the driepittertje peurt BMW 136 hp. Strong example type designation-inflation and that with CO2 emissions of only 5 grams per km drops to 129 g/km).
The 330e is more interesting. This plug-in hybrid combines the 2.0 litre, 184 hp 320i engine with a 80 kW (109 hp) strong electric motor. Combined, the power of 252 horsepower and the torque of 420 Nm. This sprint the 330e in 6,3 seconds to 100 and gets 225 km/h. With CO2 emissions of 49 g/km would 330e beautiful in the 7% bijtellingstarief in 2015 fall, were it not that the plug-in 3-series, in principle, only in 2016 on the market. If the production is yet to start this year, all 330e’s to the Netherlands, but remains unclear.
340i set
Also this block is new and for BMW to jesters, we can make the following the say: the two welded together driecilinders. By that I mean, of course, that the 3.0 litre six-in-line block of the same from 500cc large cylinders accrued engine family is a part. And what a candy is this block. With 326 horsepower (between 5500 and 6500 rpm and 450 Nm (between 1380-5000 rpm), the 3-series really wings. The 340i set seems to be the M3/M4 is completely unnecessary to make, as soon he is so good in the sound of the block. The artificial sound of the M-blocks is completely absent, this sounds like pure nature straight-six or paying for.
The limited top of 250 km/h retrieves the 340i set whistling, and the sprint to 100 takes with automatic transmission is 5.1 seconds. The brave souls who in this class is still a manual gearbox (a tribute!) can the standard sprint in 5.2 seconds, provided that they are clutch, accelerator and gearbox optimally operate.
Small tweaks to the frame
Which is good, need little adjustment. The top mounts are what make it stiffer, the chassis is 10 mm lower and the dampers are new. It feels all mostly familiar, with a bit more feel and rigidity to the front assembly. According to BMW, this would be less bodyroll and a faster and more precise steering response.
Or the control is also really better, remains to be seen. The test-340i set was equipped with Variable Sport Steering: an adaptive system what is the stuurinput dependent of speed, removal of the wheels and the position of the moon translates to what the wheels actually do. This kind of systems have more manufacturers in the offer, and sometimes it works brilliantly (as you feel). In the 340i set was for me, however, a letdown of intense activity, with weird transitions around the middle. Anything less than snaarstrak asphalt was the worse, so it would also be to the changed geometry of the front axle.
Further, the 340i set a piece of candy, with a delicious balance, insanely good handling and more than enough comfort.
Prices and competition
Per cylinder is the 318i, the most expensive, but it is with 34.500 euro is the cheapest way to get a new 3-series to drive. For 3250 euro, you get not only a cylinder but also 48 hp in the 320i. The 340i set from 54.006 euro and the dieselgamma starts at 38.000 euros for the 316d.
For this money there is a lot of choice in car-land, but presumably the new A4 (still have to wait and see how that runs) and the Jaguar XE is the most serious opponents. The Jag will send something better, but the BMW is more mature in terms of space and interior. Price beats the 340i set the XE 3.0 S all the way, because Jaguar requires there 74.175 euro for. That’s a solid 20 mille more than for the 340i set, which is the choice for many is undoubtedly easy. Movie!
Gallery: BMW 340i set F30
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