G21 M340i LCI2 Ownership Thread

Back home after a most interesting day in Gloucestershire.

The new car is safely parked up on the driveway now, all ready for many adventures, drives, upgrades and assorted motoring related fun.

As mentioned in the ordering thread, we arrived at Cotswolds at 11:30am, bang on time. I parked the M2 up and disconnected the owner account, said good bye and walked into meet the new car. Mark, the salesman, took us over to the bay where the car was sat under the cover, we ordered a coffee each and set about the boring forms.



After some forms to sign off the part ex, and then some forms for finance etc, the car was revealed:

https://youtube.com/shorts/F1lHr_J25sQ?si=IV_pNwfYFG7BnxyJ

Mrs W was most surprised, she was convinced I'd ordered the PB version.

The M Performance rear spoiler looks great on the car, I'm very happy I specified this.



We then sat in the car and connected my account via the phone app, connected the Apple CarPlay and were pretty much all set to drive away when I noticed the tyres. Many would say I am a proper daft lad not wanting the PS5s, but I was adamant that I'd wanted, and ordered, the RFTs, so Mark went and had a word with the boss. 10 mins later an offer was made to fit a brand new set of M Performance 898M wheels and Pirelli RFTs, they had a set on the pallet in the warehouse. We agreed that was a plan, Mrs W and I then zipped off to Hanley (Worcestershire) for a pre-booked lunch and then zipped back to the dealership to get the wheels fitted.
The car looked amazing when I came to collect it for a second time, the wheels just finish it off perfectly. So happy that this weird option came my way due to the "wrong" tyre being on the car.



The journey back looked to be a nightmare, there had been a closure on the M5, so we headed into Cheltenham and enjoyed a wee shop and drink in an attempt to let the traffic ease off.

A few immediate observations following the direct swap with the M2:
- the M340i isn't that much slower to be fair, the electric boost fills in the turbo gap when setting off, the B58 feels slightly quicker at lower speeds as this electric fill in and the lower boosting turbo gives more torque earlier on
- it is so much calmer in Comfort/Eco Pro, back to being a motorway cruiser in these modes, I'd suggest that it is slightly softer than the G22 M440i was
- the seats are lovely, immediately felt at home in them, there is slight more give in the squabs
- the RFTs are almost as quiet/comfortable as the PS5s that were on it, I really struggled to notice a difference
- the 8.5 drive is very different to the 8.0 in the M2, it feels a wee bit more intuitive
- the flat bottom steering wheel may take a little getting used to, when on turn it is a bit odd having the flat bit through the hands
- absolutely love the boot space
- the pan roof adds so much more light to the cabin, definitely a good spec option
- the steering isn't anywhere as direct as the M2, obviously, I may look into the engine bay strut braces as a possible option, maybe not
- I will need to learn to look as the dash, my eyes automatically go to where the HUD would be

So all in all a very happy chap indeed. And most importantly, Mrs W loves it!

Interior shot:



And the car tucked up on the drive, the Alfa is being handed over to my lad tomorrow, I shall drive it down to the train station for one last time tomorrow morning.



First job on the car is to get it properly valeted and protected, this chap is coming on Monday to spend the day, and a chunk of my money, to give the car a clean, stage one detail to remove any paint defects, and then a ceramic coat.

https://thecarvaletguy.com/

I will spend some time on Saturday setting the car up, I've already added the speed camera warning option!

 

Congratulations. A fabulous car. May it bring you many happy miles.

 

Congrats, looks great and I am sure will be the perfect Swiss army knife car, good for everything

(And definitely better looking than an i5 touring!)

 

Looks fantastic, colour both inside and out. The whole combination just works, a great choice

 

Stunning
Could swear I’ve seen a common theme, but it works

 

Looks great.

Although my M340d is going it will very much be missed and I agree with the above comment, they are a Swiss army knife and can truly be all things to all men.

Enjoy

 

A few more photos of the car taken today, I'm just beginning to get a handle on the new car, the tech and the space.

The "business" end of the car, a 500L boot, two nice cubby spaces for bits and pieces, and the all important hatch opening:



I think I will be looking for a decent bumper protector for the rear, don't want to scratch it putting bikes in, going to the tip, suitcases etc.

The pan roof is such a great feature, brightens up the interior no end:



As always, the interior is such a lovely place to be, I know many don't like the look of the slab of tech on the dash, but it does fit well in my eyes. Super sharp display, almost OLED as far as my aged eyes can tell, just about beginning to understand the workings of the 8.5 system.
The centre dash vents are growing on me, clearly a cost saving design when compared to the previous versions, but they fit ok in the cabin, the little "knob" is very effective when adjusting the direction and flow.




I've fitted the M Performance tyre pressure valve caps (must add 0.0001bhp I reckon) and the floating centre caps, just to add that little customisation. Very much looking forward to the detail on Monday, will post some during and after photos of that.

 

I like the fact you can store the parcel shelf under the boot hatch.

A couple of interesting design tweaks from my 2023 model.

Mine doesn't have the flat steering wheel (I prefer yours) and the air vents are different.

 

Having had mine for just over a year now this feels like a very new statement to me. One I’m gonna have to look into as it’s a pain in the backside storing it elsewhere when I need to take it out.

 

I’ve not seen this either, so will be giving it a whirl!

@Phil your ‘23 interior is all but identical to that of the G87 M2. The main tweaks for the LCI 2 are the vents, the steering wheel and the updated idrive.

 

Well I’ll be stowed!

 

I’ve just found the luggage load net as well, all very well thought out indeed. I’m impressed.

 

Every day is a school day

Is the updated iDrive much better. What does it do differently

 

It feels more responsive to both the touch screen and the idrive controller as a direct comparison to the G87 version of the 8. The resolution is cleaner, and the tiling options are cleaner in terms of their design and where they sit on the display. When I’ve had a good play and settled on the configuration I will post some photos.

 

You played it safe then!!! Looks lovely and a result on the wheels as I prefer them. Looks a nice contrast to the BG paint. Enjoy the ownership experience

 

I’ve found something that I don’t like, it’s the driver door access. The last four cars have all been coupes, E92/F32/G22/G87, so had lovely wide door access. I’m finding the opening of the G21 rather small, possibly not helped by me having the steering wheel set to its furthest extension, but I actually struggle to get in! Find I’m bashing my rear end on the door pillar, or knees on the steering wheel. Bizarre.
The doors do shut really nicely, there seems to be a real solidity to the close/shut feel and sound.

 

What a fantastic all round package! Huge congratulations. Always loved these! The pano roof for me is the best feature of the lot.

 

On the plus side at least you are less likely to hit other cars getting in and out of it in car parks. A guy in the petrol station in his new x5 M got quite snotty with me as he thought I hit his car getting out of mine, and couldn't believe I got out ok. He checked the door to make sure and wouldn't pull away until I got back in. So he thinks I done it once and wants to give me a second chance to do it - really! I was going to compliment him on the colour it looked like it was individual paint option Frozen Bay Blue, it did look good. I can see why he was a bit snotty with me but even after explaining my door cards were thinner than his so I had the room, he still wouldn't have it. Now I don't want to damage my car, so I'm not going to hit his I am very careful in car parks, and generally won't park in tight spaces and always look for an end space. I've seen too many "mums" fling the door open or the wind catch it when getting in and out. Door dents are so annoying and one of the easiest to avoid, if people only showed a bit care and respect.

I know what you mean about getting in and out, I have the steering wheel highest and furthest out and seat so the bolster is just behind the door seal (so I dont wear the bolster out getting in and out) when I'm in the car there is a good couple of inches between my legs and the bottom of my round steering wheel. Amazingly this seems about the right drving position for me as I have no aches or pains even after a few hours driving. But getting in and out I have managed to catch the bottom of the steering wheel with a zip and slighly scuffed the leather. I have developed a "knack" for getting in and out now to the point that it is habbit, but I doubt my body will be able to do it for ever as my body is getting on but it works for now. I do bang my head occasionally getting in and I'm not that tall.

I love the sound of the doors closing.

 

My Dobermann does her best "Here's Johnny" impression with that, so I had to go with the BMW solid dog guard.