[paulbazo]

I just returned my leased M550i, and I really enjoyed that car. Today I drove an M340i - a very brief dealer test drive around the block - and I loved it. I placed an order!

I was considering a 540i M Sport, but the M340i is more fun to drive. Another BMW home run!

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

I just returned my leased M550i, and I really enjoyed that car. Today I drove an M340i - a very brief dealer test drive around the block - and I loved it. I placed an order!

I was considering a 540i M Sport, but the M340i is more fun to drive. Another BMW home run!

The HP drop did not bother you?

[Weiner0123]

Originally Posted by themnmd

The HP drop did not bother you?

For some people HP isn't everything, it is a smaller car in the end and more nimble than a big 5 series, 2 very different driving experiences

[530iDriver]

The M340i will handle better than the M550i just because it is lighter up front.

The lengths of the cars are within inches each other. The G20 isn't exactly small by old 3 Series standards.

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by themnmd

The HP drop did not bother you?

No, hard to notice on a short test drive in the city, but the car is lighter, more agile, the steering in sport felt better than the m550.
I just got a taste but I am sure it will be more fun than the M550

Maybe on the highway I will miss the m550.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

No, hard to notice on a short test drive in the city, but the car is lighter, more agile, the steering in sport felt better than the m550.
I just got a taste but I am sure it will be more fun than the M550

Maybe on the highway I will miss the m550.

As it should. The 5-Series is a comfortable mile eater highway cruiser. I still prefer the G30 interior over G20 but the M340i is a compelling alternative, not necessarily better just different in mission and purpose.

You will definitely enjoy a lower monthly fuel bill vs that N63 V8. I believe a better comparison would have been a 540i M-Sport vs M340i which is more apples to apples.

I find the G20 exterior a bit blah specially the sides and rear which emulate more a certain Japanese maker of luxury automobiles. The loss of the side character line and the strange Hoffmeister kink are 2 elements that I attribute to the rather clinical look.

With that said, the CLAR platform is excellent regardless of what the hate filled American car magazine publications say to the contrary.

[themnmd]

I chose m340 over m550 simply on price , about 35k less

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by themnmd

I chose m340 over m550 simply on price , about 35k less

My M550 had MSRP of $80k, the M340 I am ordering aprox $64k, so is only a $16k delta. In lease payments is about $400 less for the M340.

so, yes , a lower price alternative with a higher fun factor.

And if you compare to a 540, the M340 is way better, right now I can lease a 2019 540i Msport with MSRP $71.5k for less than the M340 and was seriously considering it, until I drove the M340, really no comparison.

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

My M550 had MSRP of $80k, the M340 I am ordering aprox $64k, so is only a $16k delta. In lease payments is about $400 less for the M340.

so, yes , a lower price alternative with a higher fun factor.

And if you compare to a 540, the M340 is way better, right now I can lease a 2019 540i Msport with MSRP $71.5k for less than the M340 and was seriously considering it, until I drove the M340, really no comparison.

i was at 90k for my spec m550 and 68k for m340 x drive. 2020 m550 is 500+ hp!

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by themnmd

i was at 90k for my spec m550 and 68k for m340 x drive. 2020 m550 is 500+ hp!

I like the M550, I was curious about the weight difference between M550 and M340, according to BMW specs on the web, M550 weighs 5,430 pounds and the M340 RWD 3,849.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

I like the M550, I was curious about the weight difference between M550 and M340, according to BMW specs on the web, M550 weighs 5,430 pounds and the M340 RWD 3,849.

That is incorrect.

The curb weight of the M550i is 4,456 pounds per BMW USA website:

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

That is incorrect.

The curb weight of the M550i is 4,456 pounds per BMW USA website:

Ok, I had the wrong info, I wasnt sure, 5430 pounds is too much

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

Ok, I had the wrong info, I wasnt sure, 5430 pounds is too much

No worries.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Smaller car, less weight....


Of course it is. The 5 series is a boat.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Smaller car, less weight....


Of course it is. The 5 series is a boat.

The 3 Series G20 also fits the boat definition. In terms of size and weight, G20 and G30 are way closer than you think.

540i and M340i are only 100 pounds from each other in terms of curb weight:

540i is 3,942
M340i is 3849

My 530i tips the scales at 3,713 making it 136 pounds lighter than the M340i but 124 pounds heavier than the G20 330i.

So yes, we all drive boats. It so happens that yours is a slightly smaller kind of boat.

Only BMW series 2 owners can claim to drive the lightest BMW cars in production today, tipping the scales at 3,300 pounds for the RWD 230i. Again, who is driving boats?

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

The 3 Series G20 also fits the boat definition. In terms of size and weight, G20 and G30 are way closer than you think.

540i and M340i are only 100 pounds from each other in terms of curb weight:

540i is 3,942
M340i is 3849

My 530i tips the scales at 3,713 making it 136 pounds lighter than the M340i but 124 pounds heavier than the G20 330i.

So yes, we all drive boats. It so happens that yours is a slightly smaller kind of boat.

Only BMW series 2 owners can claim to drive the lightest BMW cars in production today, tipping the scales at 3,300 pounds for the RWD 230i. Again, who is driving boats?

You have to adjust your definition. 124 pounds is one adult. That's significant. The 5 series drives like a boat and rolls like a boat. The 3 series is tuned to be more of 'sporty' 'connected' drive.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

You have to adjust your definition. 124 pounds is one adult. That's significant. The 5 series drives like a boat and rolls like a boat. The 3 series is tuned to be more of 'sporty' 'connected' drive.

Debatable.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

The 3 Series G20 also fits the boat definition. In terms of size and weight, G20 and G30 are way closer than you think.

540i and M340i are only 100 pounds from each other in terms of curb weight:

540i is 3,942
M340i is 3849

My 530i tips the scales at 3,713 making it 136 pounds lighter than the M340i but 124 pounds heavier than the G20 330i.

So yes, we all drive boats. It so happens that yours is a slightly smaller kind of boat.

Only BMW series 2 owners can claim to drive the lightest BMW cars in production today, tipping the scales at 3,300 pounds for the RWD 230i. Again, who is driving boats?

3er = boat
5er = yacht
7er = barge

[Falafel Combo]

After a 5 series, anything will seem fun!

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

After a 5 series, anything will seem fun!

It's obvious just by looking at the color pallet (M excluded) it's not meant to be a sporty fun car when there are no "colors" available. It's an old mans car.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Mako

It's obvious just by looking at the color pallet (M excluded) it's not meant to be a sporty fun car when there are no "colors" available. It's an old mans car.

You'll be an old man one day too.

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

You'll be an old man one day too.

Guys, the M550 is a great car, probably the best BMW I've had,
but my current financial situation requires some cost adjustments, and I find the M340 a very nice daily driver, an excellent alternative to the M550
(Like a smaller M550)
My lease payment is reduced by $400 and the fun factor is very close if not higher