[bmwmboss]

Hi guys, i have a 2019 Audi S3 which has been a great car so far and ticks all the boxes i need which are practicality, AWD, fast and cheap to run. The only drawback of the car is the shitty harsh suspension (non magnetic suspension) and numb/vague steering. I was thinking of switching to something similar in price but more exciting to drive and better sounding.

Currently used 2019 M340i's in the UK are selling at £35k. I paid £30k for my S3 new. Do you think the difference in the cars is significant enough to warrant the switch?

Thanks

[wtwo3]

I think in general the differences are significant enough to warrant it, but not specifically for the reasons you're looking at (harsh suspension and numb/vague steering).

If you have a concern with the suspension, see if you can find an m340i with the adaptive suspension. I have the standard suspension and I find it a bit harsh.

As for the steering feel, it's not great, so not sure it'll be much of an upgrade over the S3.

But besides those things, it's quicker, has a much nicer interior with more space, IMO more fun to drive, and definitely better sounding. Plus that B58 motor is an absolute gem.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by bmwmboss

Hi guys, i have a 2019 Audi S3 which has been a great car so far and ticks all the boxes i need which are practicality, AWD, fast and cheap to run. The only drawback of the car is the shitty harsh suspension (non magnetic suspension) and numb/vague steering. I was thinking of switching to something similar in price but more exciting to drive and better sounding.

Currently used 2019 M340i's in the UK are selling at £35k. I paid £30k for my S3 new. Do you think the difference in the cars is significant enough to warrant the switch?

Thanks

Not S3, but I switched from S5... steering feel is better but still not the greatest, the (non-adaptive) suspension on the M340 is actually stiffer than the S5.
But the biggest difference from the Audi is the drivetrain: the S5 (while having the same transmission) was laggy, while the B58 with the ZF8 is a pleasure to drive and never caught napping.

[MUFCbmwbear]

Yes

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Not S3, but I switched from S5... steering feel is better but still not the greatest, the (non-adaptive) suspension on the M340 is actually stiffer than the S5.
But the biggest difference from the Audi is the drivetrain: the S5 (while having the same transmission) was laggy, while the B58 with the ZF8 is a pleasure to drive and never caught napping.

This. Also you are definitely going to notice the size difference (even moving up to an S4 you would as well)...the S3 is tiny and being FWD bias, it makes it feel way more nimble. That being said, the M340i will be so much faster, much more luxurious, better chassis, better ride (if you opt for the M adaptive suspension), and you won't have to stare at that god awful micro infotainment screen anymore.

[FrostNixon]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

This. Also you are definitely going to notice the size difference (even moving up to an S4 you would as well)...the S3 is tiny and being FWD bias, it makes it feel way more nimble. That being said, the M340i will be so much faster, much more luxurious, better chassis, better ride (if you opt for the M adaptive suspension), and you won't have to stare at that god awful micro infotainment screen anymore.

True, but if it makes sense, while the m340i is faster, the s3 is swifter. The bmw is the longer, more stable car,which means 120mph feels like nothing, while 90mph in the s3 feels like flying. For me the m340i is 5 times the car the s3 can hope to be, but answer is always "it depends"

[stein_325i]

OP is 4-doors a must have options? Otherwise I would draw your attention to an M240i Coupe/Vert.

The M340i will be an upgrade, and will likely fix your suspension issues if optioned with the correct packages, which may be difficult depending on availability since you are looking used, however suspension will always be a personal preference, only you can decide which suspension is right. As for steering feel, it won't really be an upgrade there, but powertrain wise yes, an I6 with a RWD platform is definitely an upgrade, just know you will be in a much larger and heavier vehicle which may cause it to feel less nimble. Overall I advise you shop around and take the car for an extensive test drive, and remember that you will likely be taking a hit from depreciation on the Audi. Good luck.

[EXE46]

Audi has worst steering feel than the M340i, that's a fact.

[Burrcold]

Also used "2019 M340i"? Did they not come out as 2020 everywhere in the world?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Also used "2019 M340i"? Did they not come out as 2020 everywhere in the world?

OP is probably only looking used, so the price variation isn't too large.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by jstein55

OP is probably only looking used, so the price variation isn't too large.

I got that but I didn't know the M340i was even offered as a 2019 model year in any market.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I got that but I didn't know the M340i was even offered as a 2019 model year in any market.

Oh yeah, forgot that the m340 was introduced later in the market. Maybe its a UK thing.

[bmwmboss]

Thanks for all the replies. I am based in the UK so the M340i was released in late 2019. They come with adaptive suspension as standard. One thing that really strikes me with these cars is how low the GFV is. Typically around £15-16k balloon payment for late 2019 models after 48 months and selling from around £35-36k. This essentially means i need to allow the price to drop to around £30k with in interest rate of 7% APR for the monthly payments to equal what i pay now for the S3 (£400 per month)

I'm hoping that by Christmas this deal may be possible depending on how the economy goes. One good thing about the S3 is the depreciation curve is far slower than the M340i. My GFV on the S3 is almost £19k after 48 months.

[Jim-Bow]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I got that but I didn't know the M340i was even offered as a 2019 model year in any market.

Looks like the OP is a UK poster, over here a "2019 m340i" literally means a car that was first registered in 2019 unless stated otherwise. We do have the same "Model Year" tech/product updates as the rest of the world but most customers are less aware of them and the first registration year is more important with regards to value of a car.

Hope that helps!

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Jim-Bow

Looks like the OP is a UK poster, over here a "2019 m340i" literally means a car that was first registered in 2019 unless stated otherwise. We do have the same "Model Year" tech/product updates as the rest of the world but most customers are less aware of them and the first registration year is more important with regards to value of a car.

Hope that helps!

Very interesting, I did not know that! Thanks!

[SpiveyCJ]

Living in USA, I went from 2015 S3 to M340i 2 months ago. I loved the S3 but overall the M340 is on another level, especially in ride quality, smoothness, quietness, if that matters to you. M340 faster, more refined, transmission is much better and very surprised that M340 fuel efficiency is far far superior to S3 despite being heavier and having 2 more cylinders.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

My S5 suspension isn't harsh at all and I've actually complained that it's too soft for a sports coupe. Steering is vague though. Also not a lot of emotion going on. Biggest drawback on my car is the transmission.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by bmwmboss

Hi guys, i have a 2019 Audi S3 which has been a great car so far and ticks all the boxes i need which are practicality, AWD, fast and cheap to run. The only drawback of the car is the shitty harsh suspension (non magnetic suspension) and numb/vague steering. I was thinking of switching to something similar in price but more exciting to drive and better sounding...

Have you ever considered a Tesla Model 3, "Performance" or "Long Range AWD"? Ticks most of your boxes with the obvious exception of "better sounding", though relative silence can also be appealing at times...

I drove Audis for 20+ years before buying mine...

[gagmd]

They came out mid year 2019 as 2020 models. I was the first to take delivery of the M340 from the dealership.

[SoCalM340i]

Yes, make the switch

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

Have you ever considered a Tesla Model 3, "Performance" or "Long Range AWD"? Ticks most of your boxes with the obvious exception of "better sounding", though relative silence can also be appealing at times...

I drove Audis for 20+ years before buying mine...

I'd buy an I4 before a Tesla 3

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Audi is lovely, but they're still no BMW.

Loads of bells & whistles. Numb steering. Numb experience.