[WXdrivefun]

Anyone in the market and considering stepping up to the new 2021 G30 5 Series LCI instead of going with the 2021 G20 3 Series?

Anyone have regrets about purchasing the G20 3 Series instead of waiting for the G30 5 Series LCI?

Any thoughts on choosing the M340i with the B58 O1 engine compared to the 540i with the less powerful B58 M1 engine?

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by WXdrivefun

Anyone in the market and considering stepping up to the new 2021 G30 5 Series LCI instead of going with the 2021 G20 3 Series?

Anyone have regrets about purchasing the G20 3 Series instead of waiting for the G30 5 Series LCI?

Any thoughts on choosing the M340i with the B58 O1 engine compared to the 540i with the less powerful B58 M1 engine?

I have an '18 540i and plan to go the other way. I like the plushness of the 5-series and might miss some of the features unavailable on the 3, but I'm ready for a more engaging car again.

[stein_325i]

Don't go from a 3 to a 5. The only reason to go for the 5-Series is for the luxury amenities in my opinion, as it is a good car but a bad BMW, but even still other competitors do the luxury part better. The new 5er just drives terribly, I had a 540i with every option for a year before it was totaled, and was so disappointed in the handling (didn't like my M550 test drive either), even the E-Class drives better, hence why I have a CLS now.

The 3-Series while not boasting the best or most comfortable interior at least lives up to some BMW virtues (aside from steering) and actually handles and drives well. Not to mention interior/cargo space is within a few inches of the 5er so practicality between the two is essentially almost the same.

[Gdiddy23]

I can only vouch for the M340 but spend some time reading some reviews on here and on YouTube and you'll realize it's the best bang for your buck daily driver in its class and competes w cars much more expensive. Especially if you need AWD.

Just my 2 cents as always

[blazesquall]

I went with a 2020 G20 m340i.

My wife is going from a 2017 G30 540i to a 2021 G30 m550i.

I feel like they are completely different cars. She doesn't like the 3 and I don't like the 5..

[tturbolife]

I think I'm going to go with the M550i next time. Tired of the tire/road noise of my G20 and the subpar leather quality

[Gdiddy23]

Originally Posted by tturbolife

I think I'm going to go with the M550i next time. Tired of the tire/road noise of my G20 and the subpar leather quality

What kind of tires do you have? I do not have any issues w road noise on my vehicle

[wtwo3]

I've had this very thought in my mind for my next car..... 3 series, or M550. I love the luxury of the 5 series, but at the expense of just overall tossability and fun to drive? I don't think I could do it. Maybe if I consider a 3rd car as a toy, I could see myself going with a more subdued daily like a 5 series. But I don't see myself getting a toy until my daughter's much older, so till then most likely stick with the 3 series. It's got just enough fun and practicality/luxury to make it a great option.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I've had this very thought in my mind for my next car..... 3 series, or M550. I love the luxury of the 5 series, but at the expense of just overall tossability and fun to drive? I don't think I could do it. Maybe if I consider a 3rd car as a toy, I could see myself going with a more subdued daily like a 5 series. But I don't see myself getting a toy until my daughter's much older, so till then most likely stick with the 3 series. It's got just enough fun and practicality/luxury to make it a great option.

Yep its really sad how much they neutered the 5er. My father will not give up his E60 535i at all despite all the issues.

[mf44]

I test drove the M340 and M550 back to back. Don't get me wrong, the M550 is fast! But it's also very, very subdued. It feels like a much bigger car than the 3 and frankly, it's too quite and soft. The M340 feels like a sporty car. The M550 feels like a luxury barge with a big engine. I can see why many would like the M550, but it's not the car for me.

[hpetric]

I have only a short drive in G30, but it hasn't been very different to our F10. Both waaaaay less engaging drives than G20 (all cars with B47 190hp engine and RWD). For me, a 5 series is a fine autobahn cruiser. But 3 series' advantage on B-roads is much greater than its deficit on autobahn. Hence, G20 all the way!

[tturbolife]

Originally Posted by Gdiddy23

What kind of tires do you have? I do not have any issues w road noise on my vehicle

18" wheels with the all season non-run flats. It is wind noise too that I hear. It just isn't as quiet as the 5 series or even as my old e63 650i (and that was 19" with run flats).

[FrostNixon]

If money wasn't an issue, I'd go for a G30 in the blink of an eye.

[tturbolife]

Honestly wish we could get the 5 series interior quality/quietness with the 3 series body/suspension. Would be perfect to me.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by tturbolife

Honestly wish we could get the 5 series interior quality/quietness with the 3 series body/suspension. Would be perfect to me.

Alpina B3?

Yet another amazing option we're robbed of here in the US.

[Ikester19]

The G20 chassis is excellent. Apart from steering feel the M340i is one of the best if not the best all round luxury performance cars you can buy today. The G30 is a more comfortable cruiser albeit a huge ship! The 5er will also depreciate a lot faster.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by WXdrivefun

Anyone in the market and considering stepping up to the new 2021 G30 5 Series LCI instead of going with the 2021 G20 3 Series?

Anyone have regrets about purchasing the G20 3 Series instead of waiting for the G30 5 Series LCI?

Any thoughts on choosing the M340i with the B58 O1 engine compared to the 540i with the less powerful B58 M1 engine?

I wouldn't even cross shop the two cars. The new 5 series drives and handles like a 50 foot yacht. It's luxurious and comfortable but so is every other competitor. If you're coming from a Cadillac Deville or Lincoln towncar, you *might* like it. 17.1:1 steering ratio should tell you all you need to know.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Yep its really sad how much they neutered the 5er. My father will not give up his E60 535i at all despite all the issues.

Don't blame him. I had an E60 535 Msport and it was an outstanding drivers car. 3,660 lb curb weight, great steering feel, cornered flat, fantastic seats.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by scoale

Don't blame him. I had an E60 535 Msport and it was an outstanding drivers car. 3,660 lb curb weight, great steering feel, cornered flat, fantastic seats.

Agree, he's had numerous 5-series and was a very valued customer that BMW would know by name and was devoted to the brand since the 70's. He's had every generation up to E60. He absolutely despised the F10 when it came out and hasn't changed his opinion since.

[siegester]

Nope. Traded my F06 and have no regrets. 3 series is such a fun car to drive

[joe5432]

Is everyone not factoring in $$$?

I went with the m340- super fast, I think as the 3 series has become bigger, its the perfect size.

Lease cost between a 2020 m340 and the 2021 540/550 was about $300-$400, especially now that BMW has zero incentives this fall for 2021s.

[Flamingi]

It's a hard choice, but in my opinion it only makes sense to step up to the 5 series, if you actually also take all the extra comfort options it offers. So I would prefer the 5 series for it's comfort if it was optioned with Nappa/Merino leather, comfort seats, cooled seats and massage and rear wheel steering/Adaptive Drive (maybe BW sound system as well, but I think in the US in only comes in the M550i now?).

If you're looking for a drivers car you better go with the M340i, its smaller and nimbler, but doesn't offer as much comfort features. But you're not looking for them if you want a drivers car.