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The BMW M340i might sit one rung below the full-fat M3 on the performance ladder, yet a week behind its flat-bottomed wheel highlights just how narrow that rung has become. From the moment the straight-six wakes with a cultured bark, the saloon feels every inch a member of the M family. The three-litre B58 engine breathes through a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver 386 bhp and 561 Nm, channelling drive through an eight-speed Steptronic box to either the rear tyres or, in xDrive form, all four. Engage launch control, and the latter version matches an entry-level M3 off the line, dispatching 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds before settling into a refined cruise with the rev counter barely grazing 2,000 rpm.
That blend of urgency and civility defines the M340i. Adaptive dampers soften scarred urban asphalt, yet tighten obediently when the road arcs and cambers. The M Sport differential apportions torque with subtle precision, helping the car pivot cleanly out of tight bends while allowing confident progress in foul weather. Steering is direct without feeling nervous, and the uprated brakes bite hard but modulate with ease – useful on a brisk B-road where the saloon’s balanced chassis invites committed corner entry.
Externally, the M340i keeps the theatrics in check. Deeper bumpers, shadow-lined trim and 19-inch alloys hint at intent without mimicking the M3’s flared arches and quartet of tailpipes. Inside, sports seats grip firmly yet remain comfortable over long distances, and the M steering wheel – complete with a red top-dead-centre marker – feels pleasantly tactile. Ahead stretches BMW’s curved display running iDrive 8.5, which responds crisply to touch, voice or the familiar rotary controller. It can call up driving data or, at the prod of a thumb, settle on a motorway playlist via wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Hit the motorway and the M340i’s dual nature shines. The cabin is hushed, wind noise low, and ride supple. Efficiency is respectable too; gentle throttle inputs and keen regenerative braking mean mid-30s mpg is achievable, impressive for a saloon with performance credentials to match cars wearing a more aggressive badge. When the road clears, a nudge of the right paddle summons rapid downshifts and a muscular surge towards the red line, the exhaust offering a cultured snarl rather than a full-volume shout.
Where the M3 constantly eggs its driver on, the M340i feels composed and accommodating, content to lope across counties or slice through a favourite ribbon of tarmac without demanding heroics. For many drivers, that equilibrium – genuine pace allied to day-to-day comfort – makes it the sweet spot of the 3 Series range. The badge on the bootlid may lack a single letter, yet the experience from behind the wheel rarely feels short-changed. In short, the BMW M340i delivers M-car performance with grand-touring manners, making it the smarter choice for anyone who values real-world usability as highly as raw speed.
