One of the most beloved and practical cars in the segment has passed through our garage: the BMW M340d xDrive Touring. Its credentials are many to be labeled as "the perfect car" but, is it really? We analyzed it in depth in this test.
Since I have been lucky enough to dedicate myself to this motor journalism, the classic questions are quite general: "What car would you buy?", "What is your favorite car?" or even “What is the best car you have ever tried?”. The answers to these questions are always far from the situation since it is not the same to travel in a BMW 7 Series or to do it in a Mazda MX-5; each has an ideal situation where they shine spectacularly. However, is it possible that there is the perfect car for every moment? It's possible.
A few days ago we were able to test here a car that could go unnoticed by many, although for no apparent reason. I'm talking about the BMW M340d xDrive Touring, a model that on certain occasions can come to live a bit in the shadow of his brother with gasoline mechanics or even the BMW M3 Touring (although the latter is much bigger words). But after our testing, however, I have been able to change some of those answers to the questions asked above.
The BMW 3 Series Touring, in general, is one of the best family models you can buy in the entire market; of that, there is no doubt. From a 318d to an M3.Does not matter. The 3 Series is the ideal option for practically all users looking for practicality, habitable space, a more than generous trunk, and even that dynamic touch that all members of the Munich house can boast -and do boast-. However, there is a variant called M340d that has made me change all the paradigms that I had associated with this model.
With the update that the entire range of the BMW 3 Series has recently received, the motorization of which we have come to speak today has also made the appropriate modifications on itself. First of all: it's front. As in the whole family, its headlights are now sharper and eliminate the small notch they had until now. It also has new bumpers with designs that differ between the different finishes; Specifically, the model that we tested today will always come with the M Sport finish and will present a much sportier image than the rest of its brothers.
As a primary method of differentiation, the M340d features blue-decorated brakes, larger tires, or a specific pattern on its front "kidneys." The rear part also has unique elements of this engine, such as the car's own identification or the lower bumper, which presents a sportier image, with a large diffuser decorated in black that inserts a double trapezoidal exhaust outlet. For the rest of the elements, the M340d can go through a 3 Series to use.
In the cabin, the differentiation between mechanics is also difficult, since the M340d can install practically the same as the rest of its brothers, except for some elements, such as its sports seats (only available in the highest engines) or the moldings in carbon fiber. Additionally, it has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a 14.9-inch infotainment touch center panel with mobile connections via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. With the update, the air conditioning module has been eliminated, which now becomes a new menu within the aforementioned central screen.
In addition to everything mentioned, the rest of the elements are all old acquaintances. The habitable space is abundant in both front seats, it has innumerable holes to store personal belongings, as well as numerous possibilities of adaptability to the comfort of each occupant, such as good seat adjustments or individual heating in them. As always, the touch of all its upholstery or moldings is really good and impossible to put the slightest fault.
Moving on to the second row of seats, the space is still more
than good in all sections (width, ceiling height, and legroom) as long as only
two occupants travel here. In the case of putting a third passenger in the
central seat, it will reduce comfort for everyone, since three adults will
travel somewhat tighter, as well as more uncomfortable for the person who has
to do so in the aforementioned central seat. These will have comfort elements
such as a central armrest, USB sockets, or a specific air conditioning module.
Finally, the trunk has a minimum capacity of 500 liters, although this can be increased to 1,510 liters if the second row of seats is folded down. More than enough space for most common situations. In addition, this can have a separating network, in case we want to transport our pet here; it also inserts a 12-volt plug and convenient hangers for anchoring bags, for example.
Dynamic test
But let's get to the crux of the matter. We have already seen that the BMW M340d xDrive Touring can be practical, well-finished, and beautiful, although the latter will always depend on the tastes of each individual. But how does it move? This could be the last key element for this car, will its dynamics mark the turning point? We check it.
We start the six cylinders in line with the engine block of 3.0 liters of displacement. Does anyone keep spreading that "diesel sounds bad"? The years and the technology of cars equipped with diesel engines have changed a lot. So much so that today the difference in sound between one of these and another gasoline is negligible. Precisely because of this, I can confirm that the M340d sounds really good and just starting its mechanics gives the feeling of a strong and tough block.
We go out into the street and the first feeling is that we are not dealing with a car with an excessively sporty set-up, but that its touch is practically identical to what other diesel alternatives in the range with less power can give us. All this, of course, as long as we have inserted a "logical" driving mode, such as the so-called Eco Pro or Comfort, where both will prioritize the efficiency and comfort of its occupants. This will be especially noticeable in its adaptive suspensions, which will take a more or less rigid setting depending on the mode chosen.
Be that as it may, driving in a "normal" mode with the M340d it can be obvious that this is a perfectly practical and usable car on a day-to-day basis. Let's forget that we are facing the sports variant of the diesel range. No jerks or absurd accelerations. The BMW model goes just as you expect it to go.
Although this car is equipped with more conventional design seats as standard, our unit adopted ones with a more sporty appearance; specifically, the so-called "M Sport Seats", which are an option within the catalog of extras for an additional price of 1,171 euros. Certainly and from my own experience on board, these take away a lot of comfort from the set, since they are quite hard and their ergonomics are not the most adequate.
In general terms, the smoothness of the car is supreme at all times, both for moving through urban territories or outside of them. The size of the car itself also seems perfect to me (4,713 mm in length), since a segment above it, such as the BMW 5 Series Touring, it is possible that it becomes somewhat larger in certain areas. The 3 Series Touring is ideal. This also plays hand in hand with outward visibility and outstanding handling.
Leaving the city and entering highways, is clearly the best territory where you can test the BMW M340d xDrive Touring. It is your place of battle. The car moves with full comfort and ease in this terrain. It feels with great poise, which generates a greater sense of security and, in turn, comfort behind the wheel.
Of course, it is always good to have 340 CV under the right pedal in any unusual situation, even more so if this figure is accompanied by nothing more and nothing less than an additional 700 Nm of maximum torque. As I say, even if they are not used continuously, it is always good to have that potential.
However, its greatest asset will always be really low consumption for the potential that this car has. On urban roads, its figures will rarely rise above 6 liters per 100 km, while on motorway routes under normal conditions, it will be normal to see numbers that oscillate over 5.2 liters. Roughly speaking, it seems that this mechanism is not exposed to mechanical stress at any time.
But there is still more. Do you want sportsmanship? That "M" in its name gives us serious clues that we are not dealing with a "usual" family car. This sports variant has some adaptive suspensions that can be more rigid than in the rest of the members of the 3 Series family, it also inserts a sportier steering (more direct and harder setting), as well as more sensitive pedals and a tuning in your gearbox to be faster.
All this leads to the fact that before us we have, what we could consider, a whole sports utility car. The BMW M340d is capable of taking us calmly on a journey from A to B or making us smile on a curvy road. And this last scenario is where we have been able to put it to the test to confirm that this car is suitable for everything.
On a stretch of twisty turns, the M340d grips perfectly thanks in part to its xDrive all-wheel drive. This is also to blame for the fact that in acceleration it hardly "loses the wheel" and its potential transition to the asphalt is simply perfect. Of course, and as we have already mentioned before, power plays a fundamental role in said accelerations. Likewise, its address perfectly transmits everything that happens beyond the steering wheel rim, in addition to having an eminently hard set that makes us consider this car a true sports car.
Conclusion and prices
Going back to the beginning of this article, does the perfect car exist? With the BMW M340d xDrive Touring, we have plenty of interior space, comfort for all occupants, low consumption, and performance that can be truly sporty if we want to extract its full potential. What more can we ask of a car?
Many of you will be able to answer this last question with
"that is affordable" and yes, I must confess that our protagonist
today is not particularly the cheapest car on the market. And it is that its
price starts from 80,100 euros. Not everything can be had in this life, right?
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