Say hello to…
…the BMW M340i, the top of the 3-series range before you get to the full-fat M car. As such, the M340i strikes that middle-ground between being ‘too much’ for fleet use and ‘too eco’ to appeal to those still looking for some old-school driving fun from their company car.
Power comes from a 3.0-litre straight six petrol engine producing 369hp. Fitted as standard with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, the M340i is capable of 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.
Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloys, heated front sports seats, cruise control, M Sport styling kit, automatic aircon and auto dimming rear view mirror.
Is the BMW M340i suitable for my fleet
In today’s CO2 focussed world, the M340i would have to be run on a cash-for-car basis, even though it’s a mild-hybrid. However, as mid-size saloon it’s amazingly capable of covering long distances with ease. It also doesn’t take long to refuel – being a petrol car.
Leasing a BMW M340i
Gateway2lease is offering the 340i M Sport saloon for £687 a month on a 9+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Maintence costs on the same basis should be around £40 a month according to Gensen Reports. Just be aware that if it is run as a company car the monthly Class 1A NIC payments will be £224.
Driving a BMW M340i
Five years is a huge amount of time in car development and it’s the amount of time the current 3-series has been on the road. Even with upgrades and facelifts, the M340i is, in effect, a generation behind cars such as the current 5-series or 1-series.
What’s interesting is that the controls in the cabin of the 3-series are far easier to understand and learn than the more recently developed cars. Many physical controls still remain which means fewer touch-screen mis-hits when you’re on the move.
The quality of the interior is still impressive, both materially and in terms of the build.
The M340i comes with heated sports seats as standard which are easily the best in sector for support and comfort. Having an adjustable length seat base makes life for taller drivers immeasurably better.
BMW has always had the edge when it comes to the driving experience in this the premium saloon sector and the M340i is no exception.
While the car is all-wheel drive as standard, it feels rear-drive biased and this makes the steering feel more precise.
Not only does the M340i sit very solidly and reassuringly at motorway speeds, but drive down a twisty A- or B-road and there’s a feeling of involvement for the driver that’s just not present in many competitor cars.
The brakes are progressive and reassuring and with 369hp available, the M340i never feels slow.
That said, it’s also (relatively) economic too – for something this quick. We saw an average of 31.5mpg over more than 500 miles with no eco-effort involved.
As you may be able to tell, we at FleetandLeasing.com love the M340i. It’s a shame it isn’t more tax friendly.
Verdict on the BMW M340i
Showing its age, but in the best possible way. How the best company cars used to be before regulations made us all go electric.
BMW M340i
- Model: M340i xDrive saloon
- Power: 369hp
- Torque: 500Nm
- Max speed: 155mph
- 0-62mph: 4.4 s
- Official mpg: 34mpg
- Test mpg: 31.5mpg
- CO2 emissions: 190g/km
- BIK tax band 2025/26: 37%
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