Automotive

Review: 2023 BMW M340i keeps the 3 Series alive

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The 2023 BMW M340i is aged compared to other small luxury sedan options on the market, but still compares very well
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The 2023 BMW M340i is aged compared to other small luxury sedan options on the market, but still compares very well
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Small luxury sedans are a hot market and the 2023 BMW M340i is a solid choice from that segment
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The M340i is the sport-oriented version of the BMW 3 Series
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Zero to 60 sprint times in the M340i improve to under five seconds
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The M340i replaces the four-cylinder engine of the standard 3 Series with a turbocharged six-cylinder
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The interior of the refreshed 2023 BMW 3 Series is where most of the changes and improvements happened
BMW
The physical shifter knob has been removed and replaced with a button and tab arrangement
BMW
Large screens are integrated into a continuous housing across about two thirds of the BMW 3 Series' dash
BMW
The new technology screens mean less glare and more continuity in visuals in the BMW 3 Series
BMW
The back seats of the 2023 BMW M340i are cramped, as with most small sedans, but adult usable
BMW
This infographic from BMW highlights major changes to the BMW 3 Series' interior
BMW
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BMW updated the styling for the 3 Series for the 2023 model year, carrying forward with the seventh generation of the 3, which entered the market in 2019. The updates, happily, didn’t include a widening of the beaver tooth or a nerfing of the M model.

At a Glance

  • Body updates are minimal and nicely done
  • Interior upgrades are plentiful and focus on the infotainment
  • Drive quality and engagement is good
  • Aged compared to rivals, but still competitive

Most of the changes for the upgraded 3 Series are in slight fascia changes and a changing of the infotainment system. Exterior changes include a slightly wider grille, a less complicated headlamp cluster, and sharper angles at the edges of the bumpers. Inside, the instrument cluster enters a single housing for better visibility and the touchscreen gets slightly larger as fewer buttons adorn the dashboard. BMW also added updates to the voice-activated Intelligent Personal Assistant for more functionality.

This infographic from BMW highlights major changes to the BMW 3 Series' interior
BMW

The digital instrument cluster is now 12.3 inches and shares a sort of curved overall housing with the 14.9-in infotainment screen. This makes them appear to be one large, integrated screen across the left two-thirds of the dash. In actuality, it’s two screens that just appear to be melded. The curve, however, means that the instrument cluster is a little more visible in this larger size and the infotainment screen is more than double the size it was before.

New features include everything in BMW’s new iDrive 8 system. Which means a more casual voice-controlled system and a lot of useful functionality like preset buttons that can be preset for almost anything. They can be for radio stations, navigation points, phone numbers, or any combination. The added room in the center console for this and the accompanying (optional use) command knob comes thanks to the removal of the shift knob. It’s now buttons, bringing the 3 Series in line with the rest of the BMW lineup, which has moved to button-type shifting in this current generation.

The new 3 Series comes in three small luxury sedan configurations. The base model is the 330i followed by the 330e and the M340i. We drove the latter, which has an upgraded engine and more sport-oriented amenities. The standard engine in the 3 Series is a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 255 horsepower (190 kW) to an eight-speed automatic transmission in rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option. The 330e model adds a plug-in hybrid system with about 22 miles of all-electric driving.

The M340i is the sport-oriented version of this small luxury sedan. It swaps the four-cylinder for a turbocharged six-cylinder that outputs 382 horsepower (285 kW). It also brings larger wheels, an aerodynamics kit, an M Sport suspension, rear differential, and braking setup, and an integrated rear spoiler. This improves 0-60 mph (0-92 km/h) sprint times from about 5.7 seconds in the base model to less than five seconds for the M340i.

As with most BMW models, handling in the 2023 M340i is very good and the interior is quiet and smooth. The road isn’t erased from the experience, just softened so it’s less jarring. The M340i feels good to drive and combines what most BMW buyers would expect in terms of comfort, luxury, and sportiness.

The new technology interfaces are the big changes this year. The bigger screen and functions moving from the dash to the screen are a big change for BMW. The voice system, while far better in understanding and capability than its previous generation, is still a little clunky. There’s no personality at all, with no Easter eggs we could find and no functions beyond the basic “tune the radio to this” or “navigate to there.” It can do several things, but most of them will not be the kinds of things one would do while on the go. Comfort settings, for example, are usually “set and forget” for most of us. Drive modes are a more tactile thing we’re more likely to flip a switch for (which is available near the gear shift buttons) than ask for. And few are going to change the radio volume by asking for it when a quick hand gesture or flick of a knob (included) will do it better.

Small luxury sedans are a hot market and the 2023 BMW M340i is a solid choice from that segment
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas

But the technologies in the new BMW 3 Series are better at hearing commands and responding accordingly. The lag time of the previous generation is largely gone and responses are much quicker as a result. The larger screen is much clearer and easier to use as well. In the end, though, BMW is still playing catchup to chief rival Mercedes-Benz when it comes to voice-enabled infotainment.

The 2023 BMW M340i is aged compared to other small luxury sedan options on the market. It is not, however, behind those other options. In terms of drive and appeal, the 3 Series holds it own well. It’s just the details that make the laugh lines for this one.

The 2023 BMW 330i starts at about US$43,300 while the M340i model starts at around $58,000.

Product Page: 2023 BMW M340i

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4 comments
Sergius
Despite being filled with interesting electronic novelties, the most important thing was that BMW accepted the design of the front grille proposed by Cheep Foose last year, whose bumper did the favor of splitting the hideous front grille in two. It greatly smoothed the front grille of the agricultural Panzer introduced last year.
Anna
Still needs a better cutting edge design
guzmanchinky
Say it with me: The. Future. Is. Electric. Gasoline cars are terminally boring...
Chris
@Anna Care to elaborate on your absurd comment? How does it need to be more cutting edge? BMW is not trying to be Audi or Mercedes, or any other brand, for that matter. BMW is BMW, and always will be. It has its own brand identity. People that buy BMWs, buy them BECAUSE of their design and their driving experience, not DESPITE these factors. BMW is unapologetically itself. They have no desire to mimick or become like other brands. That's part of what I love about them. If that's not your thing, move along. Plenty of other car brands out there, vying for your hard-earned money.