03-22-2024, 01:20 PM | #23 | |
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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) |
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03-22-2024, 11:50 PM | #24 | |
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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. |
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03-23-2024, 11:02 AM | #25 |
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03-23-2024, 11:12 AM | #26 | |
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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 |
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03-23-2024, 11:55 AM | #28 |
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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.
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03-23-2024, 12:20 PM | #29 |
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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.
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03-23-2024, 12:25 PM | #30 |
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03-23-2024, 12:28 PM | #31 | |
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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.
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03-23-2024, 01:05 PM | #33 | |
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03-23-2024, 01:14 PM | #34 | |
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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…
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03-24-2024, 10:28 AM | #36 |
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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.
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03-25-2024, 08:00 PM | #37 |
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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.
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03-25-2024, 10:35 PM | #38 | |
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03-25-2024, 11:23 PM | #39 | |
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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.
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03-26-2024, 04:26 AM | #40 |
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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. Last edited by blue_seather; 03-26-2024 at 04:48 AM.. |
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03-26-2024, 07:04 AM | #41 | |
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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.
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