The new M3 Touring ISN'T the fast BMW 3 Series estate to have

[@alexcockram673]

Foregone conclusion. Most car nerds have an Alpina B3 on their lottery win list. Looks incredible and the perfect mix of performance, comfort, practicality and usability.

[@jamesholman952]

Alpina is BMW for old people.

[@flyingphoenix113]

​​@@jamesholman952, lmao. Ironically, I know more young Alpina owners than ///M owners. ///M is mostly for insecure boomers who are past their prime and still feel the need to prove themselves. The Alpina is for self-confident individuals who just want the superior all around car.

[@sje106]

Alpina basically take a good BMW, make it a little worse looking, not any faster and drive a bit worse..

[@jamesholman952]

@@sje106Exactly. And give it the worst alloys they can possibly find. The look awful

[@papa_pt]

​@@sje106it's the best car here. S58 motor with a sunroof. Done

[@stefaneinz]

A very personal choice, but having run the Alpina B3 for six months, and then the M3 Touring for a similar length of time - the M3 wins for me. For my commute to London the B3 was clearly the winner; and I love it subtle looks. But two issues for me - the extra turbo lag in the B3 (a surprise given the smaller turbos) and the numb steering. The M3 rides well enough (as Dan says) and then properly comes alive on back roads. The way it turns in and corners is so, so engaging. Absolutely love it, whereas I only admired the B3. (Conversely, Alpina B5 versus M5 Comp - and it's B5 every time for me because M5 just too brittle riding.)

[@hovnojede010101]

I've got a D3 S and test drove a B3 and have driven M3T as well. The B3 had more boost threshold than the M3 indeed, surprisingly - though it was the better car for daily driving and the occasional country road blast (which most M xDrive owners do anyway...). The slickness of the whole package makes it nicer to drive, but of course if one's going to take the M3 to the Ring a couple times a year or loves drifting en route to Asda, then the M3 is the one to have. Kidney grillez aside. 😊 Good to have choices

[@hl236]

I have only driven the G82 M4 and M340i. Although the gearbox in the M4 isn’t shard enough for a sports car, the front end turn-in is epic. It makes the M340i feel sloppy. Ride quality in the M4 is appropriately firm but not harsh. It can also be softened by opting for sports instead of bucket seats.

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

I think some of it may come down to, are you a petrolhead who has just one single car for everything? You might want an M3 despite how ugly it is. Alternatively, if you've got a separate, dedicated sports car, the Alpina is probably a nicer thing to drive around every day than the M3 by a margin. And far better looking to boot.

[@kamata93]

Always loved Alpinas but their reliability is something that should be a bit higher in their list.

[@camelsac]

@@hl236A lot of the sloppiness is down to tyres. I have an M440i and it took me a long time to get used to the size of the car which is good because a car you can jump in straightaway and drive fast is a bit dull after a while. Once I got rid of the terrible Pirelli run flats and fitted some Continental Sport Contact 7s, that all changed! Instantly, there was more steering feel, far more grip and as a bonus, more comfort. Now, I can throw it down a B road with much more confidence and cornering is vastly improved. At 1.8 tons, you’re still aware of its bulk but cornering is no longer a lottery - although the lowering springs might contribute as well.

[@ace_55581]

Well I own a M340d. Never driven the M3T or the B3 but I’m full of praise for my car. It’s fast, fun and even frugal. Deploying all the power and torque in mine down a B road is rare as opportunity just doesn’t come around enough, but when it does the M340d is fast enough I really can’t see how going any faster on public roads is sane 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thereallotharmatthae]

Same feeling for my good old F31 335d

[@tomnutting3836]

It’s the one for me! Hopefully in a year or 2

[@andrewhurstcars]

Good choice. I’ve got a 330i N53, and never needed more power - 0-60 in 5 and 160mph top speed. Plus 42mpg on motorway trips. The only BMW that’s faster with the same economy is the M340d.

[@camelsac]

I bought my first BMW around 2 1/2 years ago. It was almost accidental as I hadn’t considered it until a “recommended for you” video popped up on KZbin. Thanks to Joe Achilles, Petroped and StefABTV, I have an M440i sat on my driveway. It’s probably BMW’s best kept secret as it’s overshadowed by the M4 yet as a daily, it batters the M4 completely! Power is supposedly 374 BHP - mine dyno’d at 410 with just a drop in panel filter and a Remus rear silencer as the only engine related modifications. Although it’s lowered, the ride comfort is still excellent and a few cosmetic alterations have given it an OEM+ lift - but here’s the rub - even though it has a 3 litre turbo petrol engine, I’ve had as much as 50 mpg from it thanks to the mild hybrid tech! On top of that, it has the glorious B58 six pot sound which has been enhanced by the rear silencer change. Over two years down the line, it still draws positive comments and it still doesn’t make me lust after an M4 but the best part is, it has much lower running costs. Incidentally, probably the best upgrade was getting rid of the Pirelli run flat tyres and fitting a set of Continental Sport Contact 7s which instantly improved grip, steering feel and ride quality - and after years of having had Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, the Contis beat the Michelins hands down - something I never tho I’d ever hear myself say. kzbin.infognG4FxwRxkc?si=h-WFTd0x3qq1Npr8

[@michaelbrady9364]

340d is my choice

[@jamieorton6809]

I am lucky enough to be a B3 owner and I can honestly say having driven the other two, I would have been delighted to own any of them. They each do the same job, but all slightly differently. I don’t think there is a clear winner. I chose the B3 because of that unbelievable comfort plus mode. A genuinely comfortable setting in 2023 where all that matters in ‘ring’ times and sports suspension. However, despite my magic carpet daily I will miss the M3’s added dynamism and edge. It is the more exciting car and on the way back from the school run, I would knock it into 2wd and enjoy myself if I had the M3. I will miss that. As for the 340, well it is just a bargain. It should be less money, would really benefit from not being on run flats. I found the ride busy and I think it was all down to that. Great car though. If budget restricts you to the 340, you are not in a ‘lesser’ car. Also, try the 340d. I absolutely loved that as well.

[@1993j]

@Hydranger-jd4vo Oh I do think people appreciate how bad run-flats are, the topic has plagued every single BMW forum and chat group on a daily basis for the past 10 years...

[@camelsac]

@@1993jFitted Continental 7s to my M440i - night and day difference - and after years of MPS4S tyres, these knock the Michelins into a cocked hat. Much better tyre.

[@John64125]

The key comment is that the M340i and M340d are 2/3 the price but they are way more than 2/3 of the car. If budget is an issue there’s only one choice. I get over 50mpg on longer journeys in a 340d, it’s some machine.

[@lechprotean]

I don't know how much is that in UK mpg but I get around 10l/100km in my petrol m340i Surely it's a weird choice to go for a 400HP car and then skimp a few pennies on fuel?

[@mfpix]

And remember the horrendous car tax on a new car

[@blairmcconachie]

@@1993j The m340d definitely has its niche market. I tow my caterham race car on 1400 mile round trips and I use the torque / mpg of the m340d for that purpose and the touring body helps with carrying tools. When I'm back home in NE Scotland I have the fun of a decent chassis and it's certainly quick enough. That works for me better than a m340i which would be pretty pricey for the towing side. Battery car would be non-starter for my use case.

[@SSkyreS]

Its a diesel and completely different.

[@leemacdonald6533]

Save yourself 30k and get a 340i xdrive along with a remap and exhausted 👍

[@saabik9553]

I used to drive M340i, now I drive B3. I have to say, Alpina B3 is the best choice in case of these three super cars.✌

[@UKAviationMovies]

I own an M340i Touring, had it since new from March 2021. It's an absolutely awesome car. Very reasonable to run, 400-420 miles per tank and is super practical to haul my crap around. More importantly it's great fun to drive. It feels sharp and responsive especially after swapping out the awful run flats for PS5s. The car is now pretty much perfect. Three years in and I love it more than ever.

[@edwowen]

I've run a 2021 M340i Touring for the last 2 years. For me, the other 2 just cant justify the price variable. The M3 is out for me on the face - it's just gopping. The M340i is a seriously quick car, plenty in the UK for 99% of the time, and yet without effort I get 400 miles and 35mpg. My lease ends next year, and it could be the first time in 100 car history I replace a car with the same again.

[@biddyboy1570]

From my house to the supermarket the M340i is as quick as the M3.

[@valereberlage617]

I have never been a BMW fan... but the M3 touring, or the Alpina B3 are now on the top of my bucket list for my last great pure thermic dream, wanting nice engine in a car usable with the family... What a machine... The Alpina has a discretion I love as well... A last thermic might be a money sacrifice, however! But cheaper than the competition for what you get...

[@anthonysnook1098]

I'm old but love driving as quickly as the law and roads allow. Over 60 years of driving, I've had Ps and Fs and M cars but am on my third Alpina. I love their torque/ride comfort/handling/extra quality combination and their exclusive subtle appeal. The surprise is that the D cars, the diesel Tourings, with 170+mph/700nm/40+ mpg are probably better all rounders than the petrol versions. It's a shame that, having been sold by the Bovensiepen family to BMW, by the end of 2025 they will be subsumed to become the brand's luxury rather than the performance arm.

[@memilome3431]

M340d mh 750nm (new map) instant grunt everywhere.Comfortable as a Plank,Run flats probably didn’t help.But a very quick delivery van.

[@Greg-nc8sn]

I’m 2 weeks into m340i ownership… it’s the perfect real-world super estate. No contest

[@deancostello14]

I'm quite happy you like the M340i, I've just heard people slag it off because it's not an M3. A second hand one might be my next car, I'm not sure the M3 will get to an affordable level for me anytime soon.

[@DWI_Community]

Amazing video guys. This is the exact review we've been waiting for someone to do. We have an older F31 D3 Biturbo touring (done about 35k miles in it now). I think you have nailed the driving impression. It's the supreme family barge on big road trips. Ride quality is completely unparalleled. 600+ miles to a tank too.

[@PieterVanBraeckel-xt9xt]

I have a g60 bmw 550e now, though it is a technological marvel and almost drives itself, I couldn’t part with my F31 D3 biturbo + drexler diff. For the first time in its loyal service I have a mechanical problem (swirl flaps), really pray the block is untouched. This car is a dream to drive! Fast, frugal, comfortable (not Bmw 5ish), balances in corners…

[@DWI_Community]

@PieterVanBraeckel-xt9xt nice one, ours had the Drexler option ticked also. Swirl flap *frantic Googling* how many miles has your car done?

[@PieterVanBraeckel-xt9xt]

@@DWI_Community 88000 Miles. The oil I saw @ right tire is luckily not engine oil but shock that is shot. In the f3x the swirl valve malfunction does not cause immediate engine problems as in previous models…

[@DWI_Community]

@PieterVanBraeckel-xt9xt interesting our car is now on 95k miles. I'll get that inspected.

[@DWI_Community]

@@PieterVanBraeckel-xt9xt you may be interested to hear your car from a different angle kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4PMlJyHhsqtfZIsi=jjg7EYEBbtfjbMLs

[@joetacchino4470]

100,000 quid on the M3 can be reduced quite a bit by losing the frozen paint, Ceramic brakes and the carbon buckets and now it's an 85,000 pound car, with ZERO loss of purpose (i.e. you're not using the buckets and the CCB's in your family estate). Different proposition isn't it now?

[@Usman-zp6ig]

Exactly. He (Dan) is biased though when it comes to the GX M3/M4, its clear from his other vids

[@teabagtowers3823]

I'm on the configurator now It's £86k before you start with options nice paint job you're talking £1100-£3000 paint I picked was £1100. Carbon brakes which Chris Harris said are a must they're £8k nice set of alloys are £1k same nice leather interior £1700. Those are just my picks of the options at a minimum.... So by the time you option it up which the average buyer would do and put a few option packs on it you're over £95k at the very least and you can easily go over £100k. I wouldn't get the carbon buckets but the carbon brakes considering the mass and power behind this car as Chris Harris said it's money well spent. Saying it's an 85k car yeah maybe in theory but in reality most buyers will option it over 95k or even 100k. So it is a £100k car at the end of the day.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@teabagtowers3823 Just because Chris Harris says something, doesn't mean his opinion of options suits everyone else. Standard brakes are perfectly good enough for 99% of buyers, who won't be taking a hundred grand car on a track. The standard alloys look great to me, and probably 99% of others, so just because Chris Harris says they are 'nice' doesn't mean you have to have them. If Chris Harris told you to put your head in an oven and turn the gas on, I bet you'd do it.

[@teabagtowers3823]

@@DjNikGnashers No I wouldn't put my head in oven but maybe you can take my advice Nik and remove that chip from your shoulder.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@teabagtowers3823 Saying I have a chip on my shoulder, because I pointed out that just because one person shares an opinion on something, doesn't make it a fact, or mean everyone has the same view, makes absolutely no sense at all. Grow up, and realize the stupid comment you made was the reason for my reply.

[@ivarmarkusson382]

i've had a B3 touring twice, its easy to under estimate them, they are cars that you keep on realising how good are the more you drive them, alpina is using some black magic in its suspension, because they ride better thanany std bmw's but are still lower and on really low profile tires. great cars.

[@FizzyMotors]

I rented the M3 Touring in Germany. and on the glass like German roads it was just perfection. Very comfortable and was not being thrown around like you would be on UK roads, or roads else where in the world.

[@joetacchino4470]

The G8X M3 finally has a suspension that's livable on other roads as well.

[@MYMOUNTAIN_122]

If only we had the m340 estate available in Australia, c'mon BMW Australia, make it happen.......

[@madrx2]

We have the Alpina Estate for $40,000 Less than the M3 Estate

[@elix9099]

I agree bring em to Aus. But is the 330i msport enough to get the wagon?

[@joetacchino4470]

Great conclusion. The M3 is for the person who, as you say, doesn't have all the stuff. 10, 15 years ago there was no way I had a budget for a third car (nor the room). Back then I had two small kids, and I had a P2 Volvo V70R. Slightly modded, it was an amazing do it all car. Could comfortably do the family duties but when you asked for the performance, it got up and moved. The M3 touring is the modern replacement for that car. Yes, if you have a 911 for the weekend, you'd definitely only need the M340i for every day.

[@jamieorton6809]

It is true it might be a car amongst others, but for me I would get so many more opportunities to enjoy the M3. It is those dead legs home, on your own. Slightly damp road. You don’t have to plan a drive. You drop the children off and have your fun on the way home. Currently, every ‘fun’ drive has to be pre meditated.

[@edwowen]

M340i Tourer and a 4.0 Spyder here!

[@ahenners]

M340 is the best looking, they really nailed it with the facelift. It's the one to have.

[@frits8986]

An Alpina B3 would be my car of choice if I could only pick one car for the rest of my life.

[@mikegreenhalgh3316]

Sorry gentlemen ,don't agree . Tried all three ,bought the M3 Touring . It is just a much more accomplished B road blaster .My Viszla preferred it also !

[@Anders_HeymSR30]

So did I, and my Weimaraner agrees!

[@ckarsenal]

One of the few classic motoring channels 👌

[@amphilbey]

Great video, 3 weeks into a M340i Touring which replaced a prev gen 330D Touring and a brilliant car, great value with the deals on offer. But the Alpina B3 in green would definitely be the lottery win car...

[@giofreddi]

Aestethic is very personal. I love the M3 Touring look and I really don't like the Alpina. From every point of view, my choice is M3 Touring. I've ordered one, and never thought one second to get a M340 or an B3.

[@andrewsmith7636]

Iv had my m340i touring for 14 months now and love it value for money practicality and really good fun 😇 if i could afford then m3

[@Billywoo12]

A strong start intercooler! Alpina is often forgotten!

[@DouglasJWalker]

I was wondering what you were going to do with the last half of the video. Very enjoyable and looking forward to the future with you

[@rw1592]

In lieu of using the budget for a new M3 dad's dream garage might be a used M340i Touring plus a used Z4 M40i roadster or Boxster GTS.

[@dr.greentom7994]

Its really really a real shame, that the new M3 doesn‘t have the same grill as the standard 3-series. The alpina front is awesome!

[@geoffbullock8280]

When you see them side by side in the flesh, the M3 is far more aggressive and different as it should be. The M3 gets a lot of attention, I get questioned everyday by strangers and I have never experienced that before and I have had some great cars lol

[@mynt253]

Used to be you got an M car because you wanted subtle performance without the attention

[@G82Watts]

I love the new grille especially with all the aftermarket grilles like adro,Vorstiener, csl grilles. It makes everyone's m3 or m4 look unique and different then the others. All u gotta do is lower it ans add a grille and front splitter. Shits so aggresive 🔥 also the GTS or CSL taillights. Just so much u can do to the new m3 and m4s to make it ur very own unique cad

[@geoffbullock8280]

@@mynt253 which M cars have been subtle? None of mine have?

[@mynt253]

@@geoffbullock8280 E12, E24, E28, E34, E36, E39, E6X, E85/86, F10. The E46, E9X, F80-83, F87 and F90 in their base forms are pretty aggressive, but still pretty difficult for the layman to tell apart from a regular car with M sport bumpers and maybe an enthusiastic owner that put a quad tip exhaust on.

[@simonrook5743]

You can buy the equipment to add comfort+ to a 340i (gets over written if your dealer does a software update), costs about £150. Well worth it for longer journeys.

[@ThorDyrden]

great review... before watching I already knew I would choose the Alpina every day... would be a dream car. But as Dan put it - as I buy it from my own money - I go with the M340i - even I don't have another fun-car to play with this will be my daily driver for the coming years by next spring. Can't wait to drive my "home-Autobahn" down to Munich first time... the A93 is rather winding and hilly for an Autobahn... mostly unlimited and I know the challenging corners you can't go flat out 😁

[@OzInfidel]

I don't understand why they don't bring M340i Touring for sale here in Australia, yet we have the M3 Touring and Alpina B3 Touring. 🤔

[@neillaw9867]

Id love an Alpina B6 Bi Turbo with X Drive and tuned by Litchfield.

[@WilliamPhelps-t9b]

A fascinating comparison. I own a B3 touring but have spent the weekend in the company of an M3 competition (saloon) - with the mad seats and carbon-ceramic brakes etc. Whilst I loved the M3 for its amazing focus and cornering abilities, I did find the ride a little 'jiggly' as I think you termed it and the seats provided zero 'wriggle room' literally. Overall, I prefer the B3 for its sheer spread of abilities - the cabin is a special place to be and the ride - well, as you say, how do they do it? Great review, thank you - I just subscribed on the strength of it.

[@richarddocherty5007]

I have the Alpina D3 S and absolutely love it, 355hp and 730 Ibs of torque.

[@andrewhurstcars]

Nice, what made you go for the D3 S over the B3 Richard?

[@fraserloudon167]

So the m340D is best option as torque and most relaxed car

[@richardraybould6928]

B3 for me ever time. Not driven the M3 but the combo that the B3 offers is superb. Lovely video chaps!

[@gadjules7334]

Great video. I've got the old E61 B5 Touring (the supercharged one) and love it. There really is something special about an Alpina imo.

[@nab5018]

May I ask you what your average fuel consumption is, and also at legal motorway speeds?

[@gadjules7334]

@nab5018 not my daily, and when I do drive her then once warm I like to give her the beans. I average 18, which rises to early to mid 20's on the odd occasion I've done a motorway run

[@witton6475]

When Andrew Frankel is talking about the turbo lag in the B3 someone off camera shouts “yes” as if agreeing with him. 21:22. Who was that?

[@kamykkamyk]

Look, at the end when someone pulls next to you in M3 and you sit in aplina or 340i you will always feel that you could have an M. I drove all of them before making a final decision to buy M3 touring. M3 control and stability is way beyond what other two have no questions asked so i dibt agree that aplina is better. Aplina miss that M factor that I want from the car. 340i is still good but only if I had something to play with at the garage. For every day M3 is a bullseye really what i was looking from performance car I highly recommend you test the cars before you make your decisions but remember M3 is has an M factor.

[@Anders_HeymSR30]

Aplina?? ALPINA

[@biddyboy1570]

What's more likely to happen is you'll be driving to the airport with loads of stuff in the boot of your M3 and you'll be thinking "I could have got an M340i and still done this."

[@kamykkamyk]

@biddyboy1570 i would rather be in M3 and have the same thoughts LOL

[@biddyboy1570]

@@kamykkamyk Im glad we agree.

[@tubejorrit]

But what would be your pick? BMW F80 (previous model m3) or a M340i.

[@kmf7515]

M340i is the best everyday car a man can get. It’s fast, smooth and comfortable. B58 is very reliable.

[@dantonchat71]

Take that and keep the change over the b3 and the M3 to bring the family to a proper holiday !

[@Jason-cl8hk]

Unfortunately, despite being close to Andrew’s age my inner ASBO points me in the direction of the M3 as I lack the maturity to admit the Alpina is probably the better car. That being said, my daily driver is a heavily modified Defender (not Pretender) so what do I know? Great to see you guys on KZbin as well as the Intercooler app which is great btw…

[@longytvboxlongy3479]

Depends how you drive it I guess, on a 7/10ths flowing drive the alpina and 340 will do just fine. Give it the full beans 10/10ths and the M3 will just come alive and shine. M3 for me all day

[@anotae]

B3 B5 Alpina all day. Gorgeous.

[@taziopieri7892]

It's so great to listen to your review! Just find this channel and cannot wait to watch the other contents!! Alpina B3 is my dream car, I will have 1 one day 💪. Thank you for your work

[@ethicalelectricalgroupltd3153]

That Alpina with the diesel 3.0l engine 👌🏻perfect for me

[@philmountain9290]

I fitted the BMW * Michelin PS4S to my M340i with noticeable improvements all round. I had the Pirelli runflat as standard, the ride is now slightly better but the handling has turned up a notch, not just more grip (specially in shitty UK conditions) but the feel, turn in etc. Worth trying.

[@andrewhurstcars]

Unique to the M3 is the option of laser headlights, which aren’t available on the other two.

[@ace_55581]

They have Adaptive headlights with HBA and behave in a very similar way to the lasers of the M3.

[@andrewhurstcars]

@@ace_55581 yes but the lasers on the M3 are still brighter.

[@paulsanderson8657]

@@andrewhurstcars

[@paulsanderson8657]

Thats not true led's brighter

[@andrewhurstcars]

@@paulsanderson8657 might be true for the LCI update but wasn’t true at launch

[@mayhem88]

I own both F8 and STO and got a M3 Touring and GT3 Touring on order.. Can tell the type of vehicles I like.

[@PeterKirton-nu9iv]

The road used for this film seems to feature on many KZbin videos. I too have driven it many times looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere great filming location.

[@JChavsPorsches]

And none of these are available in the us. Shame especially for the alpina it’s just perfect

[@Techie-B]

The topic of this video is actually quite interesting. Personally, I would take the Alpina. For me, it's just alittle bit more "special". I have to comment that the camera work when you both are speaking (close up shot) is not very good and very shaky (a lot of movement). Perhaps the use of a tripod would have yielded a better result. Thank you for your efforts nevertheless.

[@aproductofboredom]

Impeccable as always.

[@lukewaring2832]

One I am fiancial stable this is where my subscription willl be.. 2024 is the year of my intercooler..I have some catching up to do..what a quality product..you get what you pay for.. Epic thanks for sharing..😎

[@mpfrankfurt]

Thanks for the very nice comparison. I am very happy with my M340i Touring in conjunction with an ST coilover kit :)

[@DjNikGnashers]

Three vehicles with the same body shape, but designed and developed for three different types of buyer. There is no 'best', only which suits your requirements the best. Some people don't want to feel 'relaxed' every time they get into a 100 grand performance car, they want every drive to feel like a special occasion and an exciting time. I'd like an M3 Touring with the M340i front end. The Alpina styling has never floated my boat, and always had a whiff of rich retired old man going to play golf.

[@ubonrat8653]

Great video keep up the good work

[@dancarter5595]

I own an m340i, so may be biased, but I think the chrome on the B3 grill looks silly with all the rest blacked out. Should either be all chrome/silver or black.

[@edward92128]

Controversial but I’d go for the M340d

[@nickcastleton7438]

I’ve got an M340d which replaced a 340i and I don’t know how people say they get 35mpg, I might have got 33mpg on a gentle run but most of my driving is town driving and I was getting 22mpg, I always get 40+ in the M340d and 50 on a run! Oh and a big smile every journey, the torque is amazing! And you never get a chance to use the top end legally in the 340i, so controversial too!!

[@andrewkeene9681]

I’ve driven the B3S (not the latest facelift with 495bhp) and the M340i touring, not the M3 although I’ve been a passenger in one. I think as others have said, if this is your one car garage or your 2nd special daily ( ie your Mrs has an SUV etc) then M3 I’d say, but for me its mainly a dog hauler / long distance car. I’m lucky enough (read in more debt..) to have a more fun, performance car so my choice is M340i all day long, its a serious bargain atm, well equipped nearly new ones at c.£55k with room for haggling. It needs the M seats and a non black interior, pan roof, Adaptive cruise etc, then its a serious cruiser but will also keep up with most stuff across country, it prefers fast A roads than tight B roads imo, but configured right it can cover ground a lot quicker than it really should be allowed to. I found the B3 better fun when dialled up in Sport+, less lag, much better turn in, but no better really 95% of the time. Granted it’s more special, but decent specced ones at £95k…M3T’s are sub £80k for nearly new (without Ultimate pack). But as someone else said, it’s testament to how good the 3 er touring is, as they are all the right answer, albeit to slightly different questions..

[@jscan5385]

This is a high quality video review, bravo.

[@andrewhurstcars]

Nice review Dan.

[@jimhough586]

I test drove an M3 saloon and thought it was fab, but it’s too hardcore for an everyday driver. I bought an M340i saloon instead and one year in, I still love itself, but I’ve always fancied an Alpina…

[@robhaddock2034]

M340i is the one. Has been for a few years. One of the best looking 3's of all time for me too.

[@maedhros0111]

I think that the M340d should have been in this video.

[@tomnorris1734]

For me, if I wanted a fast 3 series estate it would go as follows: Alpina D3 BMW 340d Alpina B3 BMW 340i M3 But I do 25 - 30k miles per year mostly on motorways so comfort and torque matter more than 'sporty' handling and too end power.

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Just found this channel , excellent stuff , great cars all 3 , Alpina for me .

[@alackofspeed]

The M340i is likely on runflats? The best thing that can be done to that car is to fit normal tyres, and then if the comfort plus setting is wanted, that's a few moments of coding to enable.

[@colin5577]

For me it’s a no brainer now. I had a deposit on an M3 in the UK until it was confirmed as auto only. So I later deposited a left hand drive Touring in Germany until THAT was confirmed as auto only. If I had to have an auto only performance BMW, I’d have an Alpina. That goes for M5/B5 and it goes double for M3/B3 given that you don’t have to look at that grille. All things considered, I think I’m stuck with BMW’s back catalogue now - they make nothing I like any more.

[@thereallotharmatthae]

Same, sadly. Sticking to my F31 335d and F56 Mini JCW.

[@colin5577]

@@thereallotharmatthae Luckily, they're both fantastic cars. I keep looking out for the right F31 and a Gen 1 GP to replace one I had back in the day.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Ive grown to love the the grill on compatition bmw and it suits the astate ,i love the way the bonet bulges with the creases run down the hood to meet the corners of both grill,looks very aggressive!!

[@HFrizzler]

If money is less of an issue and distance driving is to be considered the B3 is perfect as an Autobahn bomber that it is. If fun time is more important than go with the M3. Same with the M340d and the M340i which has substantial tuning potential even with a tune for ECU and TCU only.

[@cheezeisgood555]

Have noticed the only issue with the xdrive is it doesn’t like slow speeds in underground car parks on polished concrete

[@elray7518]

Great Video. Many thanks.Thanks for the video. Unfortunately, my English is so bad that I can't understand all the details in your dialogues. But I am happy and proud to own and drive my B3. Erc is a perfect matchmaker that serves everyday life, travel and sports. Vielen Dank für das Video. Leider ist mein Englisch so schlecht, dass ich nicht alle Details aus euren Dialogen erfassen kann. Aber ich bin froh und stolz, meinen B3 besitzen und fahren zu dürfen. Ercist ein perfekter Matchmaker der sowohl Alltag, Reisen und Sport bedient.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

With the era of everything being controlled from a computer screen, I'm surprised to learn that Alpina can have a "Comfort +" mode. Not because changing springs and dampers is hard, but they have the computer engineers on staff to hack into the system and create new controls, logos, buttons, etc.?

[@donward2674]

Good Video review. My thoughts exactly, B3 Alpina all day, every day 😊

[@witton6475]

Alpina is beautifully understated and that suits me just fine. Some might say boring. I’d say classy without showing its knickers to all and sundry. Will have better residuals too, should one be mad enough to want to offload it.

[@beny2377]

Loved this comparison. Great Vid.

[@gregoryflinn3577]

Personally, the M3 comes up short because there is no towbar option … if there is any non-SUV that should have a towbar option, then it is the touring.

[@MrVegchel]

Lol, no sensible person would use an m3 to tow

[@depthofshine]

Good review the M340i would be the one and not sure what shooting on as the static camera looks good but the main camera makes you look orange.

[@chrispearse5616]

Surprise that a360+ bhp BMW 3-Series surprised anyone by being good to drive - 6 cylinder 3 series have been BMW’s benchmark cars since the 80s with the Ms being the firebreathing monsters

[@chrise2329]

Perfect spec on that B3.

[@rainoor947]

For British roads, the M340i will always be the right choice

[@gord6695]

if you don’t have the money for the m3. only reason you wouldn’t have m3 estate

[@rainoor947]

@@gord6695 utter rubbish, someone who can afford the M340i will be able to afford the M3 as there is not huge difference in monthly cost for finance. People go for M340i as it is more comfortable and has better low end torque, M3 way too stiff and not comfortable as a family car! Better off having an M340i and use the spare cash on a weekend car

[@biddyboy1570]

M3 is a track tuned performance car. M340i is a road tuned performance car. I do all my driving on the road so picked the one optimised for that. Coming from an F82 M4, I've not been disappointed by the M340i. Only reason to get the M3 over it is bragging rights.

[@gord6695]

@@rainoor947 huh ? m3comp estate are 80-100k new 340is are 60. what planet are you on ? you are talking utter rubbish. not to mention if you own a m3 estate they hold money sooooo much more than the cheap m lite 340is again you can’t afford it just say. the m3 is a better car for performance and if you say you don’t want it for performance why buy a 340i. buy a 320d estate. m3 is just a better drivers car all round, the s58 is uprated b58. both talk utter rubbish

[@Againstfacismandracism]

​@@biddyboy1570does it feel fast? Compared to your previous m4?

[@M09Brumbeer]

More of this kind of stuff please....and as a subscriber to your website can we have it a few weeks in advance of KZbin?

[@szymonpogorzelski]

The best option is m340i with simple box or chip tuning to be with power closer to m3 and still have all those everyday advantages over m3 and low price.

[@paulmichael3844]

Always loved alpinas

[@dazzerpaul4302]

Nice cars, but did you have to park them by a big muddy puddle?

[@saltpeter500]

Fantastic review and production. Subbed.

[@Rog6765]

Why would you choose The Somme as a backdrop for the car discussion. Weird.

[@maxheadroom224]

We don't get the Alpina B3 or even a touring 3 series here in the state. You brits are lucky as hell!

[@rolexr]

You should try the new ALPINA B 3 GT! Same power like the M3 and has still the better comfort … shoots the Touring in 3.5sec fromm 0-100 km/h and the limo in 11.6sec from 0-200km/h !!! 🤩😎😉

[@jorndressel935]

If money doesnt matter, I'd take the B3. Since it did, I took the M340i. Stage1 brings it closer to the two rivals. For daily driving still too fast even for german roads. If you go on a racetrack, take the M3.

[@longytvboxlongy3479]

If you want a ‘family car’ and you have other cars to do the fun stuff then there’s much better and cheaper (to both buy and run) than the 340i or alpina. Can’t help but think the best option is to to have a cheap daily family car and a special weekend car

[@marwood9421]

Very interesting watch. I’ll have my M3 Touring in Dravit Grey please :)

[@mrmrsread6154]

Alpina all day long. Looks nicer, better everyday usability and the M3 is unfortunately bought by yobs now who want to show off that M badge. That said, value for money it has to be the M340i given it's around half the price of the other two by the time you've added options.

[@dbnpoldermans4120]

M5 touring E61 has just about more power, but down on torque. Alpina states bi turbo on the engine lid. So is it twin turbo or not?

[@mfpix]

Interesting video. Surely if you're going to spend that much you'd consider a 5 series touring?

[@stevetaylor3493]

Does the Alpina have a de-tuned S58? I thought it had a B58 with a different map?

[@brankokoic1219]

For every day driving smaller turbos are better. Spoons quicker and so much tourqe. Oh yeah😊😊😊

[@andrewb293]

I do hope BMW don’t change Alpina now they own it. I would love it to stay as an exclusive alternative to M cars.