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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Help me choose between a F30 340i and G20 330i

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      07-14-2019, 09:53 PM   #1
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Help me choose between a F30 340i and G20 330i

For the lift of me i cant truly decide between a used 18 340 or a new 19 330 x drive. Driven both and love both. the 19 interior for me is hands down just better. Granted it was a base model no hud or anything fancy besides the new cluster it just felt right. Quick car to 60 sound is lacking. better mpg.

the 340 is a fast car but it just felt dated after driving the g20.

Dont know what i want mainly for commuting . i have a Ducati for speed lol
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      07-14-2019, 10:10 PM   #2
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I highly suggest going with the G20 as the F30 is dated as is, let alone once you are a year or two in the G20 lifecycle. I have owned both a 2019 G05 X5 and now a 2020 G20 M340i and can tell you after having the combination of both, it's very hard looking back "technology wise" to previous generations regardless of the power difference between the 340 and the 330.
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      07-14-2019, 10:23 PM   #3
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Personally, I would get the G20.
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      07-15-2019, 02:36 AM   #4
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If you can't go with the m340i, I'd say take the '18 340i. That's me though. Technology, nice interiors, etc are less important to me than the motor that's powering the car. After all, I'm buying a car primarily for driving, not for a rolling entertainment center.

I understand that the b48 4-cylinder that powers the g20 330i, is plenty powerful enough for a daily driver, but it isn't all about speed. There's just something about how the silky smooth I6 builds power that I find exhilarating and rewarding. Whenever I drive a bmw with the 4-cylinder, it feels adequate, but not as special as the I6. If I'm buying a premium car, I want more than "adequate".
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      07-15-2019, 04:25 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
If you can't go with the m340i, I'd say take the '18 340i. That's me though. Technology, nice interiors, etc are less important to me than the motor that's powering the car. After all, I'm buying a car primarily for driving, not for a rolling entertainment center.

I understand that the b48 4-cylinder that powers the g20 330i, is plenty powerful enough for a daily driver, but it isn't all about speed. There's just something about how the silky smooth I6 builds power that I find exhilarating and rewarding. Whenever I drive a bmw with the 4-cylinder, it feels adequate, but not as special as the I6. If I'm buying a premium car, I want more than "adequate".
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Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
If you can't go with the m340i, I'd say take the '18 340i. That's me though. Technology, nice interiors, etc are less important to me than the motor that's powering the car. After all, I'm buying a car primarily for driving, not for a rolling entertainment center.
That's what I used to think as well. But then I realized I spent 99% of my driving in traffic and under 60 mph. So it really depends on your commute. When I had my m3 the vast majority of my drive would be no different than if I had a 320i
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      07-15-2019, 07:28 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omaralt View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
If you can't go with the m340i, I'd say take the '18 340i. That's me though. Technology, nice interiors, etc are less important to me than the motor that's powering the car. After all, I'm buying a car primarily for driving, not for a rolling entertainment center.

I understand that the b48 4-cylinder that powers the g20 330i, is plenty powerful enough for a daily driver, but it isn't all about speed. There's just something about how the silky smooth I6 builds power that I find exhilarating and rewarding. Whenever I drive a bmw with the 4-cylinder, it feels adequate, but not as special as the I6. If I'm buying a premium car, I want more than "adequate".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
If you can't go with the m340i, I'd say take the '18 340i. That's me though. Technology, nice interiors, etc are less important to me than the motor that's powering the car. After all, I'm buying a car primarily for driving, not for a rolling entertainment center.
That's what I used to think as well. But then I realized I spent 99% of my driving in traffic and under 60 mph. So it really depends on your commute. When I had my m3 the vast majority of my drive would be no different than if I had a 320i
I spend a lot of time in traffic too, but for the times when I'm not, it's worth it to me to have the I6. I realize I don't need the 6 cylinder, but I don't need a bmw either. Getting a premium car isn't about making compromises with what one values most in a car. The motor is one area I prioritize, and won't compromise. If I had to get a 4 cylinder car, I'd probably get a Honda or Mazda. I wouldn't bother with bmw.

As for the tech, the g20 seems to be having a lot of problems. It's usually a good idea to wait a year or two for the issues to be addressed before getting a new generation of any model. In this case, the outgoing 340i is at its best, and has the engine I want. It would, currently, be the best choice for me within the constraints defined by the op (m340i wasn't listed as an option).

The op asked for opinions, this is what I'd probably do, and why.
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      07-15-2019, 08:04 AM   #7
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The only F30 I would even consider would be a 340 msport with a 6MT.

Otherwise why bother with a car with inferior handling and steering? 🤷🏻
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      07-15-2019, 08:04 AM   #8
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Reading the pros and cons of the difference between the F30 and the G20 in this post and others and how much better the F30 must be a joke!
There ain’t no comparison between the two.
The G20 is another world, another motor, another ‘era.
But all this type of rot issued forth when the E90 appeared.
Hell, I was only too pleased to get shot of my F30 being quite cumbersome compared to the E90.
The G20 has put the 3 Series back on track for sure!
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      07-15-2019, 08:55 AM   #9
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I’ll be coming from f150s and mustangs . As I said my motorcycle is the speed demon . Just want a nice car . While the 18 340 was certainly fun the 19 330 just felt like a more premium car. The 18 looks dated interior and exterior . I would solely get it for the engine
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      07-15-2019, 01:31 PM   #10
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Help 18 340 or 19 330

In my opinion, get the G20.

As a biker myself, nothing on 4 wheels within this range will give you the performance (or exhilaration) your bike will. I know which one I'd take out for a Sunday blast....if you're mainly commuting and own a Ducati (performance) then the g20 sounds like the perfect commuter that has enough in it to keep you happy.

If the bike wasn't an option or you were looking at the g20 340i, it might be a different story. Just doesn't seem to make sense (to me) to buy the F30 simply for an engine with your current setup.

Just my 2 cents.
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      07-15-2019, 02:02 PM   #11
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FYI this question was just asked:

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1632603&page=1
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      07-15-2019, 08:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3ismagic# View Post
The only F30 I would even consider would be a 340 msport with a 6MT.

Otherwise why bother with a car with inferior handling and steering? 🤷🏻
The f30 steering feel takes some getting used to, but the actual handling isn't that bad. The very first pre-lci f30 cars left something to be desired, but later model years, and the 4 series are decent cars.
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      07-16-2019, 09:51 AM   #13
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It depends.
If you drive your car in open roads, winding canyons I would get a 440i GC or something. Inline 6 makes a difference, and frankly, when you're driving along with one of the best engines in the world, everything else would dissapear and you would forget about the dated design or older tech. If you sit in traffic all day, or if you're like a more "normal person" who wouldn't notice the feel of the engine, G20 is the way to go. But if I were in your shoes; I would wait for a few months, save a little more and get M340i around December. By then, M3 will be introduced, M340i probably be discounted just like M550i has been right around M5 introduction, and you'll have additional discounts on top of it because you know, December, and they have their quotas to hit.

Before I got my 540i, I convinced myself to get a 530i instead and save a bunch of money. But then, I had the opportunity to drive 540i and 530i back to back. Even though my ride was less than half an hour long and in the city, and my bias was on the side of 530i, and my goal was to convince myself that the price difference doesn't worth it, the 540i was so much better that I had to go with 540i. It felt more complete, it felt like the engine and the chassis were more in sync, it felt like it had a lot of "reserve" power which made the driving experience way better. 530i felt more like they took out the engine from 540i and replaced with an engine that is very capable (And pretty amazing in terms of performance and economy); but didn't really belong to the car.
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      07-16-2019, 09:59 AM   #14
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      07-16-2019, 12:54 PM   #15
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Key question, is the F30 M Sport?
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      07-16-2019, 01:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
I spend a lot of time in traffic too, but for the times when I'm not, it's worth it to me to have the I6. I realize I don't need the 6 cylinder, but I don't need a bmw either. Getting a premium car isn't about making compromises with what one values most in a car. The motor is one area I prioritize, and won't compromise. If I had to get a 4 cylinder car, I'd probably get a Honda or Mazda. I wouldn't bother with bmw.

As for the tech, the g20 seems to be having a lot of problems. It's usually a good idea to wait a year or two for the issues to be addressed before getting a new generation of any model. In this case, the outgoing 340i is at its best, and has the engine I want. It would, currently, be the best choice for me within the constraints defined by the op (m340i wasn't listed as an option).

The op asked for opinions, this is what I'd probably do, and why.
we all have to compromise in some way. when i had my m3 i had to compromise comfort and luxury. now in my 19 x5 i have an insane amount of luxury and automation but i've compromised in rawness and speed. it's all about where we want to compromise. personally, at this moment in my life; i've realized luxury is more important to me than performance. i'm sure that will change once the new m3's hit the lots
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      07-16-2019, 03:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omaralt View Post
we all have to compromise in some way. when i had my m3 i had to compromise comfort and luxury. now in my 19 x5 i have an insane amount of luxury and automation but i've compromised in rawness and speed. it's all about where we want to compromise. personally, at this moment in my life; i've realized luxury is more important to me than performance. i'm sure that will change once the new m3's hit the lots
Wait... we can't have it all?

From your sig... looks like you have been doing it at least mostly right
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      07-16-2019, 05:19 PM   #18
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tough to beat the g20
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      07-16-2019, 05:23 PM   #19
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3rd option: Tesla M3 Performance. $54K
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      07-16-2019, 05:25 PM   #20
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3rd option: Tesla M3 Performance. $54K
Yeah but the wait time for one is ridiculous I hear.
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      07-16-2019, 07:38 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omaralt View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
I spend a lot of time in traffic too, but for the times when I'm not, it's worth it to me to have the I6. I realize I don't need the 6 cylinder, but I don't need a bmw either. Getting a premium car isn't about making compromises with what one values most in a car. The motor is one area I prioritize, and won't compromise. If I had to get a 4 cylinder car, I'd probably get a Honda or Mazda. I wouldn't bother with bmw.

As for the tech, the g20 seems to be having a lot of problems. It's usually a good idea to wait a year or two for the issues to be addressed before getting a new generation of any model. In this case, the outgoing 340i is at its best, and has the engine I want. It would, currently, be the best choice for me within the constraints defined by the op (m340i wasn't listed as an option).

The op asked for opinions, this is what I'd probably do, and why.
we all have to compromise in some way. when i had my m3 i had to compromise comfort and luxury. now in my 19 x5 i have an insane amount of luxury and automation but i've compromised in rawness and speed. it's all about where we want to compromise. personally, at this moment in my life; i've realized luxury is more important to me than performance. i'm sure that will change once the new m3's hit the lots
I agree fully. See the second part of the sentence you bolded in the quoted post.

The op asked for our opinions, and I offered mine. In the end, though, one should get what they want, and not compromise (within reason of course) on what they value most.
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      07-16-2019, 08:54 PM   #22
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Yeah but the wait time for one is ridiculous I hear.
It says 2 weeks on the site. I thought the long wait time was for the base $35K model.
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