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Thread: potentially ordering a 2018 340i, a couple questions

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Waltham, MA
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    40
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    '04 WRX / '07 X3 6MT

    potentially ordering a 2018 340i, a couple questions

    I've been cross-shopping the Audi A4 and 340i. (Yes, 340 not 330; it was unexpected. **I explain at the end.)

    Yesterday and today I test drove a 340 xDrive manual trans w/ Msport package. It's principally the car I want (xdrive w/ manual trans) but wrong color and way over-optioned. I'm potentially doing an order very soon and have a couple questions.

    1. My sales guy tells me the car I drove (w Msport) has a different exhaust than the car we configured for me (I chose Sport Design, not Msport.) He says the Msport exhaust is a bit louder than exhaust you get with the Sport Design. I'm ok with that, the car we drove had just a bit more engine noise than I want to hear. But my question is, does that ring correct to folks here? I can't find any mention of exhaust in the Msport package description, and sales ppl dont always know everything about the cars they sell. (Or, was that engine noise actually just from the stereo? in which case maybe I should have checked Comfort mode??)

    2. For ppl with xDrive cars, especially higher miles: Has your drivetrain remained quiet/smooth/tight feeling as you've gotten up in miles?
    I have reservations about the system: My wife has a 2007 X3 with xDrive and manual trans (it was an option back then!). The system was perfect for, say the first 60-70k I dont remember exactly. But around 90k the transfer case needed to be replaced. (Very expensive repair; the actuator for the center clutch failed, leaving the vehicle purely rear drive with no traction/stab. control or ABS.) It also makes clunky drivetrain noises at low speeds (like parking lot maneuvering where there's lots of first gear starting and stopping and sharp turning.). Coming from a Subaru, Im used to a simple, dumb AWD drivetrain that never clunks or breaks down. It makes lots of whirring gear noise, but never clunks. What're peoples experiences here, especially those with xDrive cars with higher miles?

    3. Edit. One more question. Can you disable the rev-match on downshifting? I like it, except for one specific thing. I have this idiosyncrasy in my manual trans driving, where I tend to move the shifter left and right between the 1-2 and 3-4 gates, when I'm coasting in neutral. I can't explain it; it's just a habit I picked up many years ago while learning to drive manual. I do it to remind myself that the car is in neutral. Anyway, in the BMW, when you pull out of 3rd, the rev match blips the engine when you pull left. (It's assuming you're going to downshift into 2nd.) From what I can tell, in all other gears it waits until your actually pulling or pushing into the gear, but coming out of 3rd, as soon as you pull the shifter left, it revs the engine. And in my case, when I do my "neutral fidgeting" with the shifter, it incurs unintended rev match! So Im wondering if it can be disabled. Guessing no but thought Id ask anyway!

    **Here's the story on why Im comparing the 340 and A4. Originally I was comparing the 330i with the A4 (awd versions of both). I have no idea how, but somehow I missed that fact that you can't get a 330i w/ xDrive and manual trans. xDrive + manual is only in the 340 <shrug>. I do a lot of winter driving to go skiing and so I want AWD. So my wife says, well lets look at the 340 then. Uhhhh, ok hun!! :-) Ive driven the A4 too; they've both excellent cars (well obviously coming from a Subaru) in their own ways. The 340i engine is superb. The A4 is no slouch either.
    Last edited by skifastr; 01-21-2018 at 11:48 PM. Reason: 3rd question.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Ottawa Ontario CANADA
    Posts
    20,507
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    21 M3 6MT Dravit/KO/ZPP
    I am not aware of a different exhaust unless you get the MPPSK, but not sure if things are different in the US!
    Also the car does not have any setting for the rev match disable, not sure if it can be done via aftermarket programming. I love it though esp. with the MPPSK :-).
    Current Car (delivered 20/10/21): 2021 G80 M3; 6MT; DravitGrau/Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino; Permium Pkg (ZPP); 826M bicolor wheels; Black M Compound brakes; Sunroof (yes no CF roof)
    (more pictures here)

    Previous Cars: 2018 F30 340ix 6MT Msport(Dec 2017 - Sep 2021); 2013 F30 335ix 6MT Msport (Nov 2013-17); 2011 e90 328i 6MT ZSP (Aug 10-Nov 13); 07 e90-323i ZSP (May 07 - Aug 10); 97-318ti ZSP (Feb 97 - May 07)

    "Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens", Friedrich von Schiller -- "Life is simple, people make it complicated", Me (About me)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Gaithersburg, Md.
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    2017 BMW 340i x-drive
    We have a 2017 340i x-drive with auto. It doesn't have the M-sport package, but the exhaust note is definitely louder than a lesser model. It has a nice full throated tone, but not too loud. For me, it is perfect. This is our first x-drive BMW so I can't speak to years down the road. I found it very helpful in recent snowy conditions and wet pavement. Coming from a 08 535i, we had to make some adjustments. The 340i seats are far less comfortable then the SP seats in the 535i. So far, we are very happy with the car and it has more power and better response than the 535i. We did notice a subtle reduction in the quality of overall material in the 340i compared with our old 535i. I expected better from BMW.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Ottawa Ontario CANADA
    Posts
    20,507
    My Cars
    21 M3 6MT Dravit/KO/ZPP
    3 series always had relatively lower quality materials than the 5er. Not surprising consider the price difference. You should check out the new 540i, a bit too big for my needs, but I was highly impressed when I test drove it.
    Current Car (delivered 20/10/21): 2021 G80 M3; 6MT; DravitGrau/Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino; Permium Pkg (ZPP); 826M bicolor wheels; Black M Compound brakes; Sunroof (yes no CF roof)
    (more pictures here)

    Previous Cars: 2018 F30 340ix 6MT Msport(Dec 2017 - Sep 2021); 2013 F30 335ix 6MT Msport (Nov 2013-17); 2011 e90 328i 6MT ZSP (Aug 10-Nov 13); 07 e90-323i ZSP (May 07 - Aug 10); 97-318ti ZSP (Feb 97 - May 07)

    "Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens", Friedrich von Schiller -- "Life is simple, people make it complicated", Me (About me)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Gaithersburg, Md.
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    2017 BMW 340i x-drive
    We did consider the 540i but when my wallet jumped out of my pocket and ran out of the dealership, I figured that was a sign!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    near Yosemite, Central Ca
    Posts
    826
    My Cars
    1997 M3/4, 2004 X5 4.4i
    I'm considering a 340i X-Drive with a manual, but I read that the rev-match feature can only be disabled if you turn off traction control. Is there an aftermarket programming work-around for this feature?
    Aaron

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