[JamesNguyen]

Hi everyone,

This is my very first time to own a BMW since I am a newbie.

I am considering between 2 options (there is 2 videos of both 2 vehicles)
1. 2020 M340i with 50,000km on it (without the adaptive suspension)
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/nT49...JJ_HdjAgvXTKAY
2. 2022 330i with 5,000km on it (with the adaptive suspension)

These 2 options come with the same price at $52,000 CAD

I am not planning at putting any mods or tunes on it so which is the one that I should go for?

Appricate all your inputs! Please help me figure this out

[joeyb26]

M340i. hands down

[Fuji808]

B58>B48

[Sushimaster]

M340 price kinda high

[NHung513]

I regret getting the 330 over M340.

[siphor1989]

Test drive both of them and see which one you like better. IMO, I would get the m340i given the same price point but try to find one with adaptive suspension since you’re in Ontario.

[Bimmer_Pilot]

M340i all day.

[Paul275]

I am going to be flamed here by all the purists and lead foots but here goes. I have a '21 330 x-drive. It is all day long a 5 sec 0-60 mph car. Plenty of power on the backroads and highway. Fuel mileage is really great. The 330 you are looking at is brand new. My other car is a 911 and although it is faster than the BMW, the BMW is not a slow car, by any means. If you must, go for the 340.

[dhock_holiday]

M340i

[I800C0LLECT]

Originally Posted by Sushimaster

M340 price kinda high

That’s $37.8K in US dollars. Not bad at all. Huge fan of the B58 but it’s overkill for daily driving through town.

Not sure what Canadian interstates are like but at least you get decent gas mileage in B58. Or… you can always tune the B48 and it’s decently quick

[Longdoggy]

why do you even need a post to make this decision.
M340, all the way, hands down.

[cyam]

If you actually have to ask this question, then get the 330, clearly you aren't a 340 driver. No one that owns and truly appreciates the m340 would consider the 330. Only a "non driver" would ask this question.

Sorry.

[Cam330i]

Originally Posted by JamesNguyen

Hi everyone,

This is my very first time to own a BMW since I am a newbie.

I am considering between 2 options (there is 2 videos of both 2 vehicles)
1. 2020 M340i with 50,000km on it (without the adaptive suspension)
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/nT49...JJ_HdjAgvXTKAY
2. 2022 330i with 5,000km on it (with the adaptive suspension)

These 2 options come with the same price at $52,000 CAD

I am not planning at putting any mods or tunes on it so which is the one that I should go for?

Appricate all your inputs! Please help me figure this out

Hellooo!

I drive a 2021 BMW 330i (best car ever - I named him "Hrag" lol) and would like to give you my input!
DISCLAIMER: Some of the information I provide will be based in North America (NA) and so things might be different for the Canadian market - I assume your in Canada based off of the currency mentioned in your post (CAD)

Despite driving a 330i and having sooo much love for it, my vote would go towards the M340i!

Many consider the MY 2020 to be the "Goat" year or the "best" year for the M340i for the following reasons:
- No 48V Mild Hybrid power train system (some like this though)
- Auto Start/Stop can be disabled via button (Starting with MY 2021, the button is no longer available and the engine will turn off rather you like it or not UNLESS you drive in Sport mode or with MAX A/C on)
- Better Exhaust sound/performance (many say the 2021 M340i's were "Neutered" and their stock exhaust sound is quieter and overall disappointing)
- Full availability in terms of options/packages/features and so on
NOTE: I am not bashing or talking down by any means on the 2021+ models, but just relaying what many have said throughout the years.

MAJOR WARNING for 2022 models (and late 2021 models)
- The biggest thing to be aware of for the 2022 and late 2021 models is the removal of a lot of desirable features, with the 330i's being one of the worst models to be affected by this! This is because of there being a shortage in parts/chips/supplies and there are many threads on this forum that talk about this!
- Things like Harman Kardon, the Head - Up Display (HUD), Driver Assistance Professional Package, Passenger Lumbar Support (incl. Width adjustment), the Parking Assistance Package, Wireless Charging, and at one point, a touchscreen navigation screen are some (but not all) of the features that are largely absent on the 2022 models, and while the 330i was most affected, the M340i was not exempt from this shortage either.

That said, I only mention this so that you can make sure that the 2022 330i that you are thinking of purchasing has the options/features/packages that are a MUST for you! For example, I think BMW's stock sound system is horrible, and so Harman Kardon Surround Sound is a MUST for me and so if my 330i didn't have H/K, I wouldn't have bought it!

Lastly, please remember that the info posted above is based in/on North America and so things might be slightly or totally different for the BMW's in Canada, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to make you aware of these things! I just want to make sure you are happy with whatever car you decide to purchase!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! The G2x squad/family are very friendly and welcoming and so please keep us posted on what you decide to do! Regardless of which 3 series model you purchase, I congratulate and welcome you to the BMW G20 club!

[clubracer6]

Originally Posted by cyam

If you actually have to ask this question, then get the 330, clearly you aren't a 340 driver. No one that owns and truly appreciates the m340 would consider the 330. Only a "non driver" would ask this question.

Sorry.

I have been road racing for 30+ years, race wins, lap records and even a championship. 25 or so different tracks on 4 different continents. I have also instructed for various companies and clubs. So I think I would not be classified as a non-driver and I am currently shopping for a 330i to be the ~75th car I’ve owned. I have Miata’s, Corvettes, 911’s, M-Cars and about dozen race cars.

For the street, the 330i is more than plenty, just as my 04 330ZHP was 20 something years ago.

For me, being a driver it about getting the most out of car. With a M340 or the F80 M3 that I just sold, you are barely using most of its capability most of the time. If you are using the most of it, then I hope you have budget for a good attorney.

With the 330 you will actually be able to push it more often, which is especially fun with the road conditions that winter brings.

[cyam]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

I have been road racing for 30+ years, race wins, lap records and even a championship. 25 or so different tracks on 4 different continents. I have also instructed for various companies and clubs. So I think I would not be classified as a non-driver and I am currently shopping for a 330i to be the ~75th car I’ve owned. I have Miata’s, Corvettes, 911’s, M-Cars and about dozen race cars.

For the street, the 330i is more than plenty, just as my 04 330ZHP was 20 something years ago.

For me, being a driver it about getting the most out of car. With a M340 or the F80 M3 that I just sold, you are barely using most of its capability most of the time. If you are using the most of it, then I hope you have budget for a good attorney.

With the 330 you will actually be able to push it more often, which is especially fun with the road conditions that winter brings.

So you confirmed what I said. Buy the 330, clearly that's the one for you.

I have the m340i mod'd to 350kw/470hp. WOT and redline is a regular occurrence, so the 330 is not something I ever contemplated.

Good luck with your car. Enjoy.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by cyam

So you confirmed what I said. Buy the 330, clearly that's the one for you.

I have the m340i mod'd to 350kw/470hp. WOT and redline is a regular occurrence, so the 330 is not something I ever contemplated.

Good luck with your car. Enjoy.

"Getting the most out of the car?" You mean needing to downshift 2 gears after flooring it past the double click point on teh throttle and redline all the time just to pass some idiot on the highway that doesn't want to move out of the left lane but floors it when you get into the middle?

If the 330 were manual, I feel like your argument would hold some water, and throwing around a 330i with a 6 speed would in many ways be more satisfying.

As it stands - "getting more out of the car" really does not correlate to "buying the slower car" in any real world logic that I can get behind.

[Planoser]

I don’t recall ever seeing anybody say, “ I got a m340i but really wish I got the 330i instead.” Quite the opposite, you see regret posts #BuyOnceCryOnce

[clubracer6]

I did test drive both and for me it wasn’t worth the 10+k price gap. Both were uninspiring, but I think my senses are still calibrated to the F80.

Agree the lack of a manual is brutal and does kind of kill the car for a bit. So getting a 330 and a sports car to go with it. Trying to have a one car solution simply did not cut it, which is why I sold the M3.

Of course, to each his own, I was responding to the comment of not being a “driver” if you do not see the value to a 340.

[Paul275]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

I did test drive both and for me it wasn’t worth the 10+k price gap. Both were uninspiring, but I think my senses are still calibrated to the F80.

Agree the lack of a manual is brutal and does kind of kill the car for a bit. So getting a 330 and a sports car to go with it. Trying to have a one car solution simply did not cut it, which is why I sold the M3.

Of course, to each his own, I was responding to the comment of not being a “driver” if you do not see the value to a 340.

My 330ix is my daily. Sleeps outside while the 911 takes the garage spot. Spends a week at a time at the airport and is low key enough for me note to worry too much about it. Yet it holds the road nicely to make late night runs home from the airport decent fun. Easily averages over 30mpg or much more on highway trips. Sure, if didn't have the Porsche, I would have the 340, but the 330 in it's own right is a great car, and left me 10 grand + for track days, tires and lots of gas. Either way you can't go wrong.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by brianeck

"Getting the most out of the car?" You mean needing to downshift 2 gears after flooring it past the double click point on teh throttle and redline all the time just to pass some idiot on the highway that doesn't want to move out of the left lane but floors it when you get into the middle?

If the 330 were manual, I feel like your argument would hold some water, and throwing around a 330i with a 6 speed would in many ways be more satisfying.

As it stands - "getting more out of the car" really does not correlate to "buying the slower car" in any real world logic that I can get behind.

Whenever this happens to me it’s usually some drone in a Tesla. Doesn’t matter that I’m in the m340i or my previous 330i, electric cars in general make almost everything ICE around them sluggish by comparison.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

I did test drive both and for me it wasn’t worth the 10+k price gap. Both were uninspiring, but I think my senses are still calibrated to the F80.

Agree the lack of a manual is brutal and does kind of kill the car for a bit. So getting a 330 and a sports car to go with it. Trying to have a one car solution simply did not cut it, which is why I sold the M3.

Of course, to each his own, I was responding to the comment of not being a “driver” if you do not see the value to a 340.

Having owned a 330i and now an m340i, in most situations where your putting around town there’s not much in it. If your looking to make progress both cars can be plenty fast, but the m340i has the big engine effortless feeling that you don’t quite get in the 330i once you get past that nice initial slug of torque. Then there is the sound track, huge powerband, and general smoothness of the six cylinder. Fuel economy there’s not much in it either. A lot of people would be more than happy with a 330i though I think, it’s got plenty of grunt for most situations.

Also once you spec up a 330i properly it’s $55k. Whilst an m340i will be roughly $8-9k more with similar spec, it will hold its value better so the real delta will be lower. Personally it was worth the extra spend for me, but YMMV.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

I did test drive both and for me it wasn’t worth the 10+k price gap. Both were uninspiring, but I think my senses are still calibrated to the F80.

Agree the lack of a manual is brutal and does kind of kill the car for a bit. So getting a 330 and a sports car to go with it. Trying to have a one car solution simply did not cut it, which is why I sold the M3.

Of course, to each his own, I was responding to the comment of not being a “driver” if you do not see the value to a 340.

Hello, for me your opinion is useless and not interesting in this case, indeed you have several cars, and therefore can change according to the desire, here we speak if we must have only one, as for your experience on circuit it is of no use in the subject here (I say all this with respect, I'm not a native English speaker).