[Transfer]

I owned an M235xi, loved it. I test drove M240xi immediately followed by M340xi. There was no way I was getting the 240 after that back to back drive. The 240 (2019 brand new) felt dated and that terrible steering still wasn't fixed. No contest the 340 was faster, more comfortable, modern, steering fixed, and higher quality, all for about $40/mo more on lease. Yeah it's bigger so if that's not your style so be it.

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

steering fixed

This sound interesting.
I guess they finally fixed on center numbness/dead feel?

[MarkDemma]

Originally Posted by helloelectro

Lol. I was a bit surprised they offered one. I'm guessing it's a bit of enticement strategy. Waiting to be offered a true M one day. We can dream.

It was the first time I'd used this dealer for warranty work. May have been trying to get me to keep coming there. Last loaner was a 430 grand "coupe" which I hated.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by TajoMan

This sound interesting.
I guess they finally fixed on center numbness/dead feel?

Correct.

[Storm2rooper]

Can’t believe they have loaner m340s! I saw a post about lease deals on demo m340s and might inquire as my current lease is expiring.

[mcompact]

The Club Sport was at the dealer for its annual service, and my service advisor also gave me an M340i xDrive for a loaner. My impressions:
It’s maybe a tick faster than my 2 Series, but the xDrive filters the fun too much for my tastes. That said, I scared a friend quite a bit accelerating through a corner flat out when he thought I was going to lift and brake.
Fuel economy is very good considering the performance; I averaged 35 mpg driving to work.
I like the interior a lot- including the glass cockpit.
The latest generation of iDrive is excellent, but it’s considerably different from what I’m used to.
The voice recognition works quickly and accurately.
The base sound system is surprisingly good. I’d still want to audition the H-K upgrade, but the standard system is no slouch.
The car is simply too big for my tastes, but it does mask its bulk to an impressive degree.
An M240i with the M340i IP/telematics, 382 hp motor, and M Sport diff would be just about perfect for me.

[YamaLink]

My opinion....

Last week I went to test a 2020 M240ix (live in snowbelt, travel to ski resorts). Coming from 7 years of Audi, I knew the current 240's tech and interior would be a letdown to me, but the motor, MPE, and transmission, among other things, kept me coming back on the lot.

After the 240 test drive, the salesman had me jump in the 2020 M340i. I was so impressed with the new layout (very Audi-esque, but not quite as good to me) and the seat-of-pants driving sensation that the m240i was automatically crossed off the list! My butt dyno and initial reaction told me the 340i was quicker, smoother, quieter yet sounded better on full throttle.

The 240's msrp of 54K vs the 340i 63K was my reasoning of "well for that much more the 340i SHOULD feel more luxurious, and the 240 is waaaay overpriced."

Back to Audi for more tire kicking of the S3 Premium Plus, but the BMW's I6 and exhaust were so addicting. Could I purchase the 2020 m240i's "old" interior after sitting in the 340i? No, not for their asking price. I told the salesman that the new 340i made the 2020 240 feel like an old car with inferior tech and stereo (my HK system is a joke compared to my Audi's B&O). Obviously not an apples to apples comparison, and I didn't want a midsize 4 door.

I ended up with that 2020 240 because we agreed on a price about 15% under msrp. But, to make a long story short, I thought the 2020 340ix was superior to MY car in almost every way. It's just not the car for my needs.

sidenote: I am brand new to BMW so the "horrible" steering mentioned often, well, ignorance is bliss. I came from an understeering no-feel Audi so this 240ix feels like a sharp steering mega horsepower go-kart!