Macan or M340i Touring

[911UK]

the fact the title of this thread is any Macan verses a very specific model high performance BMW Touring says it all...

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[OttoOtto]

the fact the title of this thread is any Macan verses a very specific model high performance BMW Touring says it all...

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Yes but you need to read the original post too. I was comparing to a Turbo Performance or GTS. I wouldn't touch a 4-pot Macan and it needs to be petrol 6c. Currently the M340i Touring is my preference all considered; fully loaded examples are becoming excellent value

 

[OttoOtto]

OK, so ..... I did "boring"

I couldn't pass this one up - M340i Touring with full extended Merino black leather, Harmon Kardon, head-up display, laser lights, sunroof, comfort.... etc. etc. 10k+ of options, but importantly they all seem worth it.

 

[Longp2]

Looks great, please let us know how you find it. I have only read good things and am going in to look at one next week as a replacement for our Golf R - have loved the golf but the new model just doesn’t do it for me.

 

[OttoOtto]

Thanks, I'm super impressed - it is a car you just want to go and drive for no reason. I can't compare to a Golf because the last performance one I owned was a Mk 1 GTI

My decision won out over a Macan because of my expectations of the B58 engine. And I'm not in a financial position to own a 911 and a high performance estate. So I was hoping for something that could do close to both - quite the ask!

First impressions and scores-on-the-doors after a couple of weeks....

B58 - it definitely feels like it has more power than specified and behaves similarly to a NA engine. Despite what reviewers say it likes to pull to the red line. Haven't noticed any turbo lag that the low torque of my 911 betters it at low revs. It feels very familiar to me on the road when compared to my 991.1 C4S and the sport and sport plus settings deliver a similar feel. But it has more mid-range - I feel the push back in the driving seat far more than in the 911. So that is a 10/10.

Sound - it does pop and bang a little bit but you can't hear it from inside. Can't really compete with a flat 6 sports exhaust. 6/10.

Gear box - not as snappy as a PDK/DCT and with 8 gears I'm not really finding much use for the paddles (didn't in the 911 tbh). Basically seamless gear changes. You can set sport plus individual for the gearbox to get punchier changes but loses a point, 9/10.

Suspension - last BM was a 2015 535d with standard suspension and was let down by the runflats (always looking for manhole covers etc.). The adaptive drive on this smooths all but the worst on our roads and firms up nicely in sport/sport plus. I was looking for air suspension on a Macan as a must, so this car is not a limousine but very well sound insulated and easily comfortable enough for long journeys. 8/10.

Handling - I'm not an expert, it goes where I point it. Less planted than my 911 but still inspires confidence is all I can say. I think the fact that reviewers are consistent in saying the comfort setting is fine says it all. 8/10.

Brakes - initial perception was they lack sufficient bite, but after getting used to them they just require a little extra work. They are fine and very progressive but can't compete with my 911. 7/10.

Tech - this is a big 10/10. I was sceptical about some of it but I seem to use all of it all the time. Reverse assist and auto park are intuitive, the head up display is crystal clear and does much more than I realised. HK sound is crisper than Bose (but I'm comparing to 2014 bose). Mine's not MHT - still unclear whether that adds anything in the real world? There's loads more...

Insurance - LV insisted on a tracker which mine doesn't have and would cost close to my full £700 premium to fit. Switched to Aviva, no tracker required and will also insure my 25 yr old.

Running costs - will have to live with another year and a bit before the tax comes down to £190 (or maybe much more after next weeks' budget (gulp)). According to docs the last major service with plugs etc. cost about £600. I won't be running an extended warranty which I felt was essential with Porsche. 6/10.

Fuel economy - 28/30mpg overall. Best I would forecast is 40 on run in eco mode etc. 7/10.

Summary - I no longer feel the need for an Alpina B3

Er... that's it

 

[Longp2]

Great write up, thank you. I’ll let you know how I get on once I’ve been in to our local dealer and have had the chance to have a run out in one.
Only concern is that the boot is smaller than the golf but as long as our 2 labs fit then it’ll be fine!