01-23-2022, 09:56 PM | #1 |
BMW Baby
42
Rep 71
Posts |
New BMW Buyer - Need Help Deciding Between M340i/M440i GC
Hello! It’s a pleasure to be a part of the BMW community. This is my first time purchasing a BMW vehicle. A bit of background:
I recently graduated college and have landed a job that allows me to afford vehicles at this price point. I did months of research to see what kind of car I’d want and had decided on the M340i as it seems reliable with its B58 engine, good gas mileage, good trunk space, great performance, pretty much the best all arounder car. Recently, I saw the M440i GC and now I’m a bit lost on what I want between the two. I love the front end of the M340i, but the taillights/rear end of the M440i looks more appealing to me. I know that the interior is the same, engine is the same, power is basically the same, etc. I am just curious that in terms of looks alone, what would you guys prefer and why? What would make you turn your head more? I would use this car as a daily driver maybe 70-80% of the time (still have my Toyota Corolla as a beater car) whether it’s commuting to work, personal pleasure, going out with friends, or family. Also of course, show it off here and there. I was hoping to get some insight from people on here since a lot of people seem knowledgeable about differences and styling in BMW. Would appreciate your guys’ feedback, and once again, am happy to be joining this community as a proud new soon-to-be BMW owner! EDIT: Happy to announce I have put in the order for a brand new 2022 BMW M440i Gran Coupe xDrive. Production is scheduled and I’ll most likely have it by May. Huge thanks to everyone for their inputs and opinions, helped me come to this choice Last edited by Kheer; 02-07-2022 at 05:17 AM.. |
01-23-2022, 10:42 PM | #3 |
Colonel
2360
Rep 2,964
Posts |
Had a GC in the past (435) and loved the utility and uniqueness of it - have seen a few GCs on the road already and I'm a fan
That said I am also very much enamored with my M340 (after owning more BMWs than I care to admit - the m340 is special) I know I'm not helping lol Question: is used a consideration? If yes perhaps a used m340 that despite the current market has already absorbed a bit of depreciation would make the most financial sense |
Appreciate
0
|
01-23-2022, 11:26 PM | #4 | |
BMW Baby
42
Rep 71
Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn’t consider buying used, purely because a lot of BMW owners are known for their lack of care/maintenance on their cars (it may be a stereotype but it seems to hold weight). There’s also times where the owners can be dishonest about what they’ve done with maintenance. A good example is people who tend to not even warm up the car and floor it immediately off their driveway, not giving a chance for the engine to warm up or the oil to bypass (or so I’ve heard). I also was gonna get it brand new because I’m going to keep the car long term, not worried much about the resale value since I wouldn’t plan on selling it for a long time. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 12:44 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant Colonel
3195
Rep 1,669
Posts |
IMO I'd go with the M440GC. Practicality alone makes it the obvious choice for me. The rear hatch vs trunk. You can fit a lot of suprisingly bulkier items with the seats folded down.
If you're not concerned with practicality, then sure the M340 is a fine choice, but if practicality isn't at least somewhat of a concern then why not the M440 2-door coupe? If you say no, you need 4 doors for a kid / practicality, well, there's your answer.
__________________
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. Wheel horsepower is just crank horsepower after taxes. IG: EmFore_650 |
Appreciate
2
chenry2360.00 Cabrio Luv51.50 |
01-24-2022, 01:12 AM | #6 |
Lieutenant
400
Rep 453
Posts |
I liked the M440i GC when I looked at it, but rear visibility was poor so I felt that outweighed the utility.
__________________
2003 330i (Titanium Silver)
2023 M3 Competition xDrive (Skyscraper Grey) |
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 02:53 AM | #7 |
New Member
7
Rep 29
Posts |
Personally I like the M440i GC design better than the M340i. Trunk space and "uniqueness" factor of the gran coupe form factor are also winners for it. It also has a more modern look that will turn more heads IMO. There's something about the front and rear taillights that I feel are sleeker and more alluring. The sloped roofline also helps the car look sleeker from the side.
Personally I settled on the M340i for other considerations, but if you're asking about looks alone, I'd probably go with the M440i GC. |
Appreciate
1
Cabrio Luv51.50 |
01-24-2022, 03:04 AM | #8 | |
BMW Baby
42
Rep 71
Posts |
Quote:
I guess I’m more so asking about the looks at this point, what looks better from the outside/exterior? What would make you turn your head and be like “wow that’s a nice car!” Off topic but I saw what the revised 2023 M340i interior would look like and I’m not really digging the interior too much. One whole screen just seems weird for me personally (even tho I love how the UI/display looks compared to the 2022). Would you prefer the 2022 interior over the 2023 interior? |
|
Appreciate
1
NorCalAthlete3195.00 |
01-24-2022, 03:18 AM | #9 |
Colonel
1166
Rep 2,180
Posts |
Yeah, right…
|
Appreciate
7
Steelyace4.50 TheKandyman246.50 NorCalAthlete3195.00 jmg18806.00 Cabrio Luv51.50 siegester344.50 Mccobk0111.00 |
01-24-2022, 06:16 AM | #10 |
Enlisted Member
39
Rep 46
Posts |
I prefer the 3-series over the GC. The 3 has that classic BMW sedan design that I have always loved.
While I do like the 4-series in 2-dr, the GC design seems inelegant to me with that extra two doors. For me, the GC looks too much like a Mazda or other similarly shaped hatchbacks these days. But this is just my subjective opinion And if you plan to carry tall passengers, the GC has slightly less headroom. |
Appreciate
3
|
01-24-2022, 06:37 AM | #11 |
Lieutenant Colonel
766
Rep 1,797
Posts |
OP - this might not be helpful: looks are subjective. Moreover most feedback here will obviously be biased. To use the cliche: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To illustrate: I considered the M440i GC too but I couldn't get over the front grill; others find it appealing. Again this just underscores the fact that when it comes to aesthetics it is all subjective and a matter of personal preference.
I ended up going with the M340i (which of course could've used a more aggressive rare end just like the front.) I can understand how conflicted you feel in terms of liking certain aspects of one model vs the other. It's a tough call. Suffice to say: I wouldn't go by votes, I'd get a car that makes *you* happy. That's the most important thing. |
Appreciate
3
|
01-24-2022, 10:42 AM | #12 |
Lieutenant Colonel
3195
Rep 1,669
Posts |
I'm on the opposite side from you zazzau where I don't mind the grill at all, but good post and great point that it's subjective and ultimately people need to decide for themselves.
I DO think the GC "looks" just a smidge better than the M340 - for example, I like the rear lines and taillights better, it's not a matter of the grill.
__________________
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. Wheel horsepower is just crank horsepower after taxes. IG: EmFore_650 |
Appreciate
1
Cabrio Luv51.50 |
01-24-2022, 10:55 AM | #13 | |
Permanently confused
1152
Rep 1,699
Posts |
Quote:
Rear leg room isn’t the best either. However…if you are young, free, single and don’t play golf….go for it!! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 10:55 AM | #14 |
Captain
622
Rep 783
Posts |
Front grill comparison....
__________________
2022 M440i Convertible - San Remo Green / Cognac
2021 Mazda 6 Signature - Machine Grey / Parchment 2020 M340i - Mineral White / Black - SOLD 2017 M2 - Alpine White / Black - SOLD 2001 e39 M5 - Titanium / Caramel - A "Keeper" |
Appreciate
1
dr_frankfurter504.00 |
01-24-2022, 11:11 AM | #15 |
First Lieutenant
247
Rep 331
Posts |
I'll share some thoughts as others have, but I fully agree with zazzau that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you need to get what *you* will enjoy.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 11:19 AM | #16 | |
Colonel
1166
Rep 2,180
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
TheKandyman246.50 |
01-24-2022, 12:36 PM | #17 |
Enlisted Member
20
Rep 33
Posts |
Very difficult choice indeed and I had to make the same choice recently... result.. waiting for delivery of m440i GC
For me the GC is nicer than the 340 but indeed... really very personal... I really love the grill but only in black saphir as it blends in nicely then (of course with all black accents in option). Also, as the facelift is coming in the summer for the 3 series, also did not want to buy a version that is outdated in a couple of months.. also not sure I would like the one screen curved.., call me outfashioned but do like the bmw cockpit as is.. Driving wise they re pretty close but indeed 340 will probably a "bit" sportier as the 440i, due to the lower weight.. Gc is more practical in terms of trunk but 3 series is better for back seat passengers. Price wise both cars were kind of the same and if I would have gone for the 3 it would have been the touring which was a bit more expensive. Either way, after having read and seen tons of articles/videos, you cant go wrong with either 340 or 440... great cars and thus looking forward to drive my first beemer |
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 12:51 PM | #18 |
Lieutenant Colonel
2102
Rep 1,533
Posts |
I thought you had ordered an IS500, what made you choose this in the end? Congrats BTW!
__________________
Prior's: E36, E46 x2
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-24-2022, 01:44 PM | #19 |
First Lieutenant
247
Rep 331
Posts |
Briefly so I am not stealing OP's thread: I was on wait lists for an IS500 but couldn't order one back then so I ordered a G26 in Nov last year as a "plan B". I could get an IS500 now but I want to wait until my ordered G26 arrives (it is currently at the port in Bremerhaven) to make the final decision. I have also been getting out of my V8 nostalgia craze and realizing that the G26 is probably a better car for me. I keep my cars for 8 - 10 years and this is likely going to be my last ICE purchase so I wanted to end it with a v8 bang. However, there is a lot more to factor into a daily drive choice than just a sweet sounding v8. So what was initially my "plan B" is shaping up to be the one .
Last edited by TheKandyman; 01-24-2022 at 01:49 PM.. |
Appreciate
1
EXE462101.50 |
01-24-2022, 05:46 PM | #20 |
Enlisted Member
193
Rep 36
Posts |
At first I didn’t care for the new front end based on the photos I had seen online. However, seeing the new GC in person was stunning IMO. Picked it up for my girl and we love it.
|
Appreciate
2
NorCalAthlete3195.00 jpowers36218.00 |
01-25-2022, 11:05 AM | #21 |
Private
59
Rep 77
Posts |
I actually had the M340i and traded it in for the new M440i GC. My reasoning is that the GC is more unique than the M340i. The 3 series in my opinion just blended in as just another car which is fine, but for the price I wanted something a little more distinct. The GC provided that. It's much more aggressive looking it's wider, the side profile isn't just bland color but is broken up by functioning vents. I also like the hatch far more than I had expected.
I will so, the M340i is a bit faster and a bit more agile than the GC. However not in such a way that you'll ever really care, but it is noticeable if you really pay attention to how your car moves when you drive it. If I were you and all things even, I'd go the GC. Its a much more visually appealing car to the majority of people. The BMW snobs that harp on the frontend are a very very small minority. I think I had one compliment on my M340i... I pretty much hear something every single time I take out the M440i GC. Mine is Brooklyn grey with extended shadow line and I also had my rims blacked out. |
Appreciate
2
NorCalAthlete3195.00 Cabrio Luv51.50 |
01-25-2022, 01:00 PM | #22 |
Captain
244
Rep 701
Posts |
If you can live with the front end, then GC is better IMO.
Had a F36 435 before and loved the hatch, practicality and the lower/wider stance. The wider opening was just some much easier to use when you need to put anything bigger than a grocery bag. I skipped M440i because i cannot stand the front end, in picture or in person. But looks are subjective... |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|