07-05-2019, 10:45 AM | #67 | |
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The host then alluded to that video at the end when he said he’d take the 330 over the s4, c43 and 340 |
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07-05-2019, 11:09 AM | #68 | ||||
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07-05-2019, 12:53 PM | #69 | |
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On the other hand, Mercedes wanted to make their C43 AMG closer to the C63 AMG. This is most obvious by the fact that they are using the exact same naming scheme. The C43 AMG IS meant to be an AMG car on a budget. The M340i is NOT meant to be an M3 on a budget. It's meant to be the BEST (sporty) normal G20 3 series. They're different philosophies and the reviewers touch on it at the end. BMW surely could have made the car stiffer, louder, and more dynamic purely through tuning. But they didn't. The target audience for the M340i are the ones that want a more compliant ride but still be able to go fast in a straight line. Just because THESE guys like the C43 AMG more doesn't mean it's better. They just prefer the sportier tuning. That and the manual option is the reason why I am not considering an M340i this generation and will just skip to the M3. For 90% of people who want a fast 3 series, though, the M340i is a GREAT car. |
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07-05-2019, 02:48 PM | #70 | |
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As a note I know how quick is each, we have S4, S5 and A8 in family, thank you. There are other aspects that are important and Audi doesn't even came close for me. Fair enough? |
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07-05-2019, 04:36 PM | #71 |
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That's fair. My apologies for the misquote. You are an enthusiast good sir, so there are other factors that matter. You're here on these forums. For the other 95% of the general population, nothing else matters.
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07-05-2019, 05:04 PM | #72 |
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Excellent video! I'll add my thoughts from my brief test drive experience of both cars.
1. The C43 is very aggressive when it wants to be and quiets down when it doesn't (albeit a little too much). This is a beautiful thing in a way and reminds me greatly of both my E90 and E46's ability to be sporty and sharp one moment at 5000 RPM in third and quiet and civil the next at 1800 RPM in 6th. 2. However, Comfort in the C43's adaptive suspension is too soft for me. I suspect it will be too soft for any who prefer the 704 passive M suspension. And thanks to AMG's tuning, a purely passive suspension in the C43 feels crashy and hard. Therefore adaptive is more or less a necessity there if its a daily. 3. I still haven't driven the M340i even close to its abilities on dynamic roads I am familiar with, so can't comment there yet. It was clear to me that the BMW had a much more natural progression as you turned up the heat even slightly, where the C43 was either all on or all off. I liken it to settings 1, 2, and 3 in the BMW, and 1, 5, and 7 in the C43. 4. The C43 feels faster even when it isn't. The C43 is a lot of fun due to the sense of pantomime and theatre it gives, very much giving that special sauce that made the Audi B8 S4 so much more special than the B8 A4. I actually found myself welcoming the conclusion that the M340i wasn't as outright aggressive but just as fast! For those who are concerned at the conclusion that the M340i may not be as aggressive or as big a leap over the 330i, do recall that a little something called the M2 Competition exists at the same price point or less and offers the same or better aggression and sense of drama as the C43! When I thought about it like this, BMW's strategy became clear. Those who want the theatre at some expense of comfort will go straight for the M2C. I know I would if I didn't need a sensible family car I think it is fair to say that the G20 is beginning to straddle the line between the 3-series and the older, more driver-friendly 5-series, like the E39 and E60. From that perspective, a more comfort focused car that can still dance makes sense. Waiting for the M3 to see how much of what I said has basis in reality.
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07-06-2019, 09:31 AM | #73 |
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It doesn't matter what all these guys think, go test drive these cars and get the car you like!
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07-07-2019, 06:12 PM | #74 |
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Test drove c43 yesterday and m340i xdrive last week. IMO c43 wins at exhaust sound, steering wheel design and rear end design (quad exhausts look much better than dual exhausts on m340i). I believe the joy mentioned in the video also mainly comes from the exhaust sound.
However, in terms of performance (straight line, lap time on track), I still think m340i is closer to the standard that m3/c63 set. Another thing I noticed but not covered in the video was that the v6 engine from c43 vibrated heavily at idle speed. To me the shake of the steering wheel and central console is unacceptable. I would not be surprised if Merc replaces the v6 with a l6 engine in the next gen c43. |
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07-07-2019, 07:39 PM | #75 |
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Agreed exhaust sound in C43 is sublime but I did drive the one with performance exhaust. Car feels a bit raw on the road but I find steering a bit soft in comfort and it actually feels kind of cheap even with upgraded leather. Keep in mind similarly equipped C43 cost almost $70k and local dealers are not willing to let them go for no more than 4-5% discount. I don’t see that many C43 for sale either so I don’t expect to get 10-12% off we can with M340.
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07-07-2019, 09:55 PM | #76 | |
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07-08-2019, 03:22 PM | #78 | |
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The C43 AMG was picked by James (the comedic relief). |
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07-08-2019, 04:02 PM | #79 |
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This is a great take on these cars. If someone really wants the full on sports/race car they will get the M, AMG, or RS. This is meant to be the fun, usable, middle ground car. This is how they should be judged in my opinion.
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07-09-2019, 11:11 AM | #80 | |
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07-10-2019, 12:28 AM | #81 | |
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My folks are in the market for a new SUV so I went with them to test drive the new X5. The saleswoman was obsessing over all this mindless tech and got pissy when I threw it into corners and rowed through the gears. She goes "it's a family SUV it's not meant to be sporty, you can get...I think it's called the X5M for that." What a knucklehead. Come take my mom's E70 M Sport for a spin and you'll see how a family SUV can be a blast to drive and not cost $100k in the process.
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