[G30M]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Thank you. I think this is the thing that would hang me up. I can perhaps live with the trade of comfort for handling. It’s not like it’s THAT uncomfortable. But on my way to work this morning, I love being able to feel all that power with a slight press on the accelerator even at like 1,500-2,000 RPM. You can be very passive and stil access that “pushed back in the seat” power without having to press hard at all on the gas pedal. I think that’s what I would miss most. Maybe that’s why the test drive in the 440 wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped. I didn’t mind the comfort level and enjoyed the sportier handling. But I was probably treating the accelerator the same way I do in my M550 and not getting the desired result. I’d have to relearn how to drive the car to get what I want out of it and it sounds like that would require an increased level of aggression, you might say. Not sure I want that on a daily basis, though it does sound like fun!

to be fair, if you no longer have a 550, then it doesn't matter there is no comparing

i hear the 440 is more luxurious than the 340 for some reason, so go 440 GC perhaps

the one thing the inline 6 has over the V8 is MPG and over time, perhaps reliability

i can drive like a maniac and get 16 mpg, and when cruising i have done 40mpg without trying (that was carrying 2 adults 3 teens and an entire touring/wagon boot filled to the ceiling with all our stuff)

[I800C0LLECT]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

This is not correct, at least for the 2024 model year. The raised speed limiter does come with the optional 19" mixed runflat summer tires with 792M wheels (8"/8.5"). I just ordered a 2024 with them and took delivery in January. When you select that option, the factory build sheet shows code 1G0 for the "19" M Lt/Aly wheels double spoke 792M Bicolour Jet Black / MT" coupled with code 258 Runflat tires (225/40-19, 255/35-19), and code 840 "Increased top speed limiter". (it shows up on the decoder as S840 High Speed Synchronization)

My 2023 has mixed/staggered summer run flats and it received the higher speed limiter.

I didn't like the 4 series as I felt it was obviously more of a grand touring feel. The 3 series isn't as refined as that and seemed more enjoyable to toss around.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by g21

I bought the 340 and loved it.
Then I bought a 550 and now I do not like the 340 at all

Is that the trim quality that u like on the 550i better than 340i? How about the handling and drive experience?

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I was waiting to hear your take. That’s two now that have owned both with similar warnings.

I really want to love this idea. Don’t know why. Because I’m addicited to turning over cars, probably.

I drove a 2024 M440 Coupe and it didn’t have the sensation I was looking for. But I loved driving the 330i. I think it’s the different driving dynamic of the 3 vs the 4. What else would cause the difference in sensation? It has occurred to me that old saying that it’s “fun to drive a slow car fast” (not that the 330 is a slow car, it’s all relative here). Maybe I need another drive it the 440 and push it harder. I think it’s still there.

I just need to find one of these to drive. I’ll know pretty quick.

I read a comment that 330i is "a truly dynamic, punchy, and agile car" just a few months after buying my 330i 3 years ago, and that comment still holds true to this date after driving mine for 3 years and 30k+ miles.

Comparing to the M550i's V8 low-end grunt, the M340i may feel a bit off at low rpm, but it provides better mpg and has less weight compared to the V8.

I do feel that the biggest differences between the 2 would be the trim quality and handling of 3-series vs. 5-series.

post#12 of https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1836825

[koopa]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

I do feel that the biggest differences between the 2 would be the trim quality and handling of 3-series vs. 5-series.

I would add that seat comfort is worlds apart. The seats in the G20 aren't very comfortable imo, while those multi contour in the G30 are perfect.

[Montaver]

The M340i is the best all around car on sale IMO, it does everything well. Fast, refined, quiet, very well built, great tech. You can’t really go wrong with it.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Montaver

The M340i is the best all around car on sale IMO, it does everything well. Fast, refined, quiet, very well built, great tech. You can’t really go wrong with it.

I agree and add that the B58 is one of best engines BMW has ever built. It has the highest reliability of any engine BMW builds (and least warranty claims) coupled with huge potential if one wants to modify it. I don't relate to the low end torque comment up above...of course when I drive the M340i it's always in sport individual with engine tuning on sport or sport+ and transmission on sport, and I've yet to ever feel it lacking down low. Now if it is in comfort mode, that's a different story perhaps, but I've never used that except on the highway.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Is that the trim quality that u like on the 550i better than 340i? How about the handling and drive experience?

340 is a race car - for young people wanting to make their mark
550 is a business class 747 - for old people like me who has made their mark

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by g21

340 is a race car - for young people wanting to make their mark
550 is a business class 747 - for old people like me who has made their mark

I went through my made my mark old phase over 30 years ago with two E32s, at least one of the 735i's was a 5MT. Some of us never grow up I guess.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I went through my made my mark old phase over 30 years ago with two E32s, at least one of the 735i's was a 5MT. Some of us never grow up I guess.

yeah don't buy the 550 for handling, it's a boat. but with DHP it's a fine boat.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I agree and add that the B58 is one of best engines BMW has ever built. It has the highest reliability of any engine BMW builds (and least warranty claims) coupled with huge potential if one wants to modify it. I don't relate to the low end torque comment up above...of course when I drive the M340i it's always in sport individual with engine tuning on sport or sport+ and transmission on sport, and I've yet to ever feel it lacking down low. Now if it is in comfort mode, that's a different story perhaps, but I've never used that except on the highway.

I think some of the low end torque comments were relative directly to the M550 and not general comments of the M340 as compared to the world.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by g21

340 is a race car - for young people wanting to make their mark
550 is a business class 747 - for old people like me who has made their mark

I’m not really a “make my mark” guy. I think I’m a kid that drooled over loud muscle cars growing up and wanted a T top Camaro in high school. Now I’m just an older, slightly more polished version of that kid with a good job. M550 is just a modern day German muscle car that happens to be supremely comfortable and pretty luxurious.

I’ve weighed a lot of pros and cons both ways. Including the unknown joy of building and ordering my own BMW, which I can afford to do with the M340. In the end, I think it’s the muscle that’s primarily winning and the specs like Bowers stereo and multi contour seating coming in as the secondary motivators.

All of the comments have been super helpful. I really appreciate it and I hope this thread is helpful to others in the future. If I change my mind and order a G20, you guys will be the first to know. For now, I’m going to hang on to my M550. And maybe try this same exploratory exercise with the other bimmer muscle car, the M850…

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by koopa

I would add that seat comfort is worlds apart. The seats in the G20 aren't very comfortable imo, while those multi contour in the G30 are perfect.

Yes the multi-contour seats are great, I think they do require certain shoulder rooms and hence can't fit into a G20.

[koopa]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Yes the multi-contour seats are great, I think they do require certain shoulder rooms and hence can't fit into a G20.

I think that's true, but even the m sport seats out of the G80 (or special order if you live outside of the US) are also a big improvement to me. I don't think it's just the leather quality, but that certainly helps too.

[NGT2]

Little bit of a gripe, here.

I have a friend that sells Audis so I went to say hi Saturday. He had a 2023 S5 Sportback that was optioned pretty well. So, I drove it for the hell of it.

I know the G20/22 is faster but the interior of the Audi was a lot nicer, in my opinion. Nappa leather seats, alcantara on the door cards, leather dash. Hardly any plastic anywhere. And it had a pretty nice exhaust note, though that can always been adjusted via mild modification.

I went and drove the M440 coupe again right after so I could get some kind of comparison. Both are fun to drive. The M440 was more fun than the first time I drove it. This time I used the paddle shifters more to keep the RPM’s high and it was more fun to drive. I definitely think I’d just have to learn to drive it differently than I drive the M550, which is all good and sounds fun.

But for interior, I have to give Audi the nod on that one.

Side note - he also let me drive an RS6 Avant and HOLY SHIT. What an amazing car.

[dhock_holiday]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Little bit of a gripe, here.

I have a friend that sells Audis so I went to say hi Saturday. He had a 2023 S5 Sportback that was optioned pretty well. So, I drove it for the hell of it.

I know the G20/22 is faster but the interior of the Audi was a lot nicer, in my opinion. Nappa leather seats, alcantara on the door cards, leather dash. Hardly any plastic anywhere. And it had a pretty nice exhaust note, though that can always been adjusted via mild modification.

I went and drove the M440 coupe again right after so I could get some kind of comparison. Both are fun to drive. The M440 was more fun than the first time I drove it. This time I used the paddle shifters more to keep the RPM’s high and it was more fun to drive. I definitely think I’d just have to learn to drive it differently than I drive the M550, which is all good and sounds fun.

But for interior, I have to give Audi the nod on that one.

Side note - he also let me drive an RS6 Avant and HOLY SHIT. What an amazing car.

Audi does interiors really well. The seats in the S4/S5 are superb. BMW needs to stop gatekeeping the nicer seats from the higher trims

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by dhock_holiday

Audi does interiors really well. The seats in the S4/S5 are superb. BMW needs to stop gatekeeping the nicer seats from the higher trims

The seats were definitely nicer. But I’m not sure they were much bigger. Through my test driving, I’ve gotten used to the narrower seats in these narrower cars. I don’t think you could fit the multi contour seats from the higher trims into a G20/22 (or an S5). But they could just do better on the seats for those smaller cars. The BMW is a better raw vehicle. I like xDrive, I love the B58 and the ZF8 transmission. Audi just did the interior better. It’s a shame for BMW to let that happen. We’re talking about $70k cars when you add some nice options and get them out the door. It means something to me to have the better performing car but 80-90% of the time I’m still commuting or cruising in town.

I also tested the IS500 for the hell of it. Great value for the money. Awesome sound. But not as much fun to drive as either German car.

[blue_seather]

The S5 is a quite of an old model at this point, which brings some advantages to the table, as well as some disadvantages.

It was developed a few years back when things weren't as plastic-y, so it's sturdier than newer cars, but it felt outdated visually even back then. Now, compared to iDrive 8, it looks like a dinosaur. Of course, some might prefer the older analog controls but here I'm talking solely about the visual aspect.

Later this year, Audi should release a new A5 and hopefully at the beginning of next year - an S5. It will look a lot more modern on the inside but I think that there will be a trade-off - they will dive a bit into the plastic route. The new Q6 etron is probably the best way to judge Audi's new interiors and they don't seem to look especially good quality-wise, at least on camera.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by blue_seather

The S5 is a quite of an old model at this point, which brings some advantages to the table, as well as some disadvantages.

It was developed a few years back when things weren't as plastic-y, so it's sturdier than newer cars, but it felt outdated visually even back then. Now, compared to iDrive 8, it looks like a dinosaur. Of course, some might prefer the older analog controls but here I'm talking solely about the visual aspect.

Later this year, Audi should release a new A5 and hopefully at the beginning of next year - an S5. It will look a lot more modern on the inside but I think that there will be a trade-off - they will dive a bit into the plastic route. The new Q6 etron is probably the best way to judge Audi's new interiors and they don't seem to look especially good quality-wise, at least on camera.

Yeah my friend said the new one is coming and won’t be anything like the current one.

All the good cars are dying. I’m not very excited about the automobile era I’ll live with in the second half of my life.