[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by EXE46

KIA/Genesis has gotten this good only because their cars have BMW/Audi's DNA. They poached former BMW M boss as well as engineers from Audi. The Former M boss is the man behind the genesis/ stinger and the new hyundai hot hatch. Therefore one should not be surprise that they're finally making good driver's car.


PS. Congrats OP, i too test drove the 3.3T G70 last year and after testing the G20, decision was made to go with the bimmer. Back then I had a Lexus 3IS since I too had left BMW after F30 debuted and bought my very first Toyota.

Indeed!! Kia hyundai made the most daring move.... bring in the best! Couldn't have happened without these german top people. But now they have learned and it is being transformed to even higher place, as evidenced by the new K5 and the Sonata.

Welcome back and congratulations to you as well!!

G70 is ever coming closer to a non-m sport 3 aren't they??

[RCtennis3811]

Awesome write-up and comparison, but also welcome back to BMW!

I had a 2015 Hyundai Genesis (aka the G80) that I traded in for a 2020 330i. I purchased it new when it hit the dealer in 2014 and put 97K miles on it. The car was an absolute steal of vehicle; super-solid build quality, extremely quiet, and just a joy to have. It was just too big of a vehicle for me. I was really close to getting a G70, but the 2 things that held me back were the small 8" infotainment screen and the less-than-stellar fuel economy for AWD models. The 3-Series is definitely the best in the class for most things, so I'm glad to be here.

Having said that, the tech in the new G80 and GV80 have definitely piqued my interest. And knowing how Hyundai/Kia/Genesis update their software at a quicker pace than BMW (and with far less glitches), who knows where I'll end up after my 330i lease is over.

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

Awesome write-up and comparison, but also welcome back to BMW!

I had a 2015 Hyundai Genesis (aka the G80) that I traded in for a 2020 330i. I purchased it new when it hit the dealer in 2014 and put 97K miles on it. The car was an absolute steal of vehicle; super-solid build quality, extremely quiet, and just a joy to have. It was just too big of a vehicle for me. I was really close to getting a G70, but the 2 things that held me back were the small 8" infotainment screen and the less-than-stellar fuel economy for AWD models. The 3-Series is definitely the best in the class for most things, so I'm glad to be here.

Having said that, the tech in the new G80 and GV80 have definitely piqued my interest. And knowing how Hyundai/Kia/Genesis update their software at a quicker pace than BMW (and with far less glitches), who knows where I'll end up after my 330i lease is over.

Thank you!! Yes hyundai and kia is becoming more and more of a competitor to the higher level automakers.

They are worthy of consideration. And in a few years I predict quantum leap by those two because they are learning from the best and applying those knowledge.

And they sell tons of cars worldwide... exception of toyota, the korean company has overtook other japanese carmakers by a long shot in terms of global sales.

Money is there and they have a great philosophy of how to make cars, taught by the best germans.

Your thinking is very realistic. It is possible that you would pick a cheaper but very good G80 over excellent but a bit more expensive 5 series... who knows indeed

[Aero7000]

So this made me think: "If a bigger, heavier 540i drives better than the Stinger, how much MORE would that M340i be??"

This made me LOL, kinda no-brainer
Congrats on you choice.

[3erMan]

Originally Posted by Aero7000

So this made me think: "If a bigger, heavier 540i drives better than the Stinger, how much MORE would that M340i be??"

This made me LOL, kinda no-brainer
Congrats on you choice.

I agree -- OP's choice is a good one.

FWIW, the 540i xDrive is 4,019 lbs.

Stinger 3.3 v6 AWD curb weight: 4,023 lbs.

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by Aero7000

So this made me think: "If a bigger, heavier 540i drives better than the Stinger, how much MORE would that M340i be??"

This made me LOL, kinda no-brainer
Congrats on you choice.

Thank you! my goodness, you have that dravit gray WITH the cognac..?? I envy you, both color that I wanted.

I just couldn't believe how distinctly better the 540i drove. Stinger was a bit quicker, but didn't matter... there was more to a driving satisfaction than the 0-60, and I learned my lesson.

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by 3erMan

I agree -- OP's choice is a good one.

FWIW, the 540i xDrive is 4,019 lbs.

Stinger 3.3 v6 AWD curb weight: 4,023 lbs.

Right. they are similarly weighted. the 540 was RWD and my stinger was RWD as well, both around 3850.

And stinger was a great drive.. BUT how was it that the 540i drove even better?? More solid and planted. BMW magic.

[-EndOfAnEra-]

OP, congratulations and welcome back!

My overriding memory of the Stinger was wanting to drive it fast at the Test Drive event at my local auto show, and the sales reps deliberately doing EVERYTHING to keep that from happening!! A half mile course in straight lines and gentle corners in an empty parking lot where you were supposed to keep it under 30 MPH! I left that test drive so frustrated, absolutely loving that crisp driver centric interior and desperately wanting more but convinced that Kia dealers just didn't want to sell them...

Flash forward a few years and I gave up my stickshift habit for a svelte new mistress. The more I let the car show me what it can do, the more impressed I become. From performance to tech to class, this car can absolutely do it all!

Enjoy many fine years with your steed!

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by -EndOfAnEra-

OP, congratulations and welcome back!

My overriding memory of the Stinger was wanting to drive it fast at the Test Drive event at my local auto show, and the sales reps deliberately doing EVERYTHING to keep that from happening!! A half mile course in straight lines and gentle corners in an empty parking lot where you were supposed to keep it under 30 MPH! I left that test drive so frustrated, absolutely loving that crisp driver centric interior and desperately wanting more but convinced that Kia dealers just didn't want to sell them...

Flash forward a few years and I gave up my stickshift habit for a svelte new mistress. The more I let the car show me what it can do, the more impressed I become. From performance to tech to class, this car can absolutely do it all!

Enjoy many fine years with your steed!

Thank you! Hope you are having a lot of fun with your 'mistress' lol. Thats the one downfall of kia... the people and the quality of the dealerships. Need to upgrade the customer service or it won't sell as much as it should.

[rrfitness20]

Great comparison!! The stinger is definitely a nice car but the M340...man is it game changing.
I came from a 19 Q60s redsport/ Full Bolt on and believe me I have way more fun with this car. I look forward to always driving it! This car truly is addicting lol.

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by rrfitness20

Great comparison!! The stinger is definitely a nice car but the M340...man is it game changing.
I came from a 19 Q60s redsport/ Full Bolt on and believe me I have way more fun with this car. I look forward to always driving it! This car truly is addicting lol.

Until now I always was never truly satisfied 100% with what I had. But I tell you what, I've never had a car this satisfying and also a do-it-all. So I am totally with you on that. I also look forward to drive it to work/market what have you. Truly enjoyable. Enjoy your baby!!