2020 BMW M340i xDrive: Drivers and Passengers Might Not Agree on How to Enjoy It

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Michael SimariCar and Driver

As automotive journalists, our friends and families are often unwilling victims of our vehicle evaluations. Cloverleafs at highway interchanges elicit cries of, “Not again. Please, Dave. No!” as they scramble to secure their loose belongings before the lateral g-forces hit. Roundabouts are an extension of our proving grounds, the perfect location to flick the wheel to test body motions. Don’t even think about taking a sip of that designer coffee; an approaching stop sign could mean a test of anti-lock brakes. But nothing generates more eye rolling than the gut punch of a launch-control start.

Starting at $56,995, the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive looks like a regular 3-series to the untrained eye, but the M in front of the 3 means it gets the same hardware as the rear-drive model, including the M Sport brakes and a limited-slip rear differential. Visually, there is not much difference. It’s unlikely anyone will notice that it sits 0.3 inch taller. If it weren’t for the badge on the trunk lid, the all-wheel-drive system may also go undetected. However, that changes when Sport mode is activated, the shifter slides into S mode, and the traction mode switches to Sport.

Those are the keys to unlocking launch control. So, apply the brakes and pin the throttle to the floor, and the 382-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six builds boost as the torque converter of the eight-speed automatic lets the engine rev to around 3000 rpm. Releasing the brake sends the engine’s full power coursing through the all-wheel-drive system, which shuffles torque to all four wheels. The car squats and rockets away. Upshifts, which are smooth and unobtrusive in normal driving, snap off like M-80s.

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A seemingly endless winter and the recent stay-at-home orders have closed our actual proving grounds, so we’ve been unable to perform instrumented testing. We’ll have to go by BMW’s claim that the all-wheel drive shaves 0.3 second from the rear-wheel drive’s sprint to 60 mph. Our test of the rear-drive M340i resulted in a 3.8-second run to 60 mph, so if BMW’s word holds true, a 3.5-second zero-to-60 time awaits. That number would align it with the next rung of performance sedans. Once life returns to normal, we’ll promise to get this sleeper sedan back to find out just how quick it is.

The world has become our proving ground. So, why limit launch-control starts to asphalt? Perhaps there’s some morning dew on a grassy field that recently exposed itself for the first time since December. This 3-series will grip it and rip it. Maybe your parents have a security camera facing a gravel road out in rural America. The M340i’s all-wheel-drive system will put on a show for them.

Subjectively, the xDrive specific and optional adaptive dampers ($700) feel slightly tauter than the rear-drive’s dampers, so the ride quality is a touch harsh, even in the Comfort setting. We should, however, note that our test car came shod with winter rubber, and we didn’t swap into summer rubber like we would have done for proper testing. On relatively low-grip winter tires, it becomes obvious that the xDrive system favors the rear. As additional traction is needed, torque is sent to the front axle. This setup allows plenty of tail-happy slides; the front tires keep the rears in check to prevent over-rotating the rear end. The steering is quick enough to catch any overenthusiastic slides, but BMW’s once-sparkling steering feel remains lost to the computer.

From the EPA’s standpoint, there’s no fuel-economy penalty for ponying up the additional $2000 for all-wheel drive. The 25 mpg combined, 22 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway ratings are identical to the rear-drive model. The M340i xDrive overachieved on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test by averaging 33 mpg, three better than the EPA’s rating. We have yet to test a rear-drive M340i on our highway loop.

Shoppers with little interest in aggressive launch-control starts but with winter driving needs will find peace of mind in the additional traction that makes pulling away from a stop easy. That said, putting winter tires on either a rear-driver or an all-wheel-drive M340i improves braking, handling, and acceleration. We just made it through winter in our rear-drive long-term BMW M340i equipped with snow shoes. We’d love to know if the edge that BMW claims for the M340i’s acceleration is true, but even without being able to corroborate their numbers, we can say that the all-wheel-drive system is a hoot. However, both drivetrains offer the potential to thrill a fun-seeking driver while eliciting plenty of eye rolls and groans from passengers.