IT MAKES good business sense for manufacturers to court buyers higher up a model range where performance is meatier and specification levels are more lavish, with meatier/more lavish profit margins to match. The latest BMW 340i is a fine case in point.

A decade ago its predecessor the 335i cost $107,300 plus on-road costs, a $37,900 rise on the middle-tier 325i. Five years ago the 335i dropped to $91,400 with a smaller $26,800 increase on the 328i below it.

Now the facelifted $89,900 340i lobs for exactly $20,000 more than the 330i to further tempt buyers into the penultimate 3 Series (below the M3). The 335i becomes 340i thanks to a 50Nm torque boost from the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, with a specification lift to match.

So should buyers make the step up?

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