Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1605 kgs (3538 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2998cc 24V St6 engine produces 322 bhp (240 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 1380 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (225.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 200.6 bhp per ton and 206.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 3 Series competing with the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (225.6 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Audi A6 S6 3.0 V6 Turbo (225.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 206.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2019 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (231.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDi (231.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.94 secs @ 98.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 (13.88 secs), the 2013 Porsche Macan S 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (13.88 secs), and the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (13.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 3 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2015 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison