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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Buy M340i or 330i with stage1?

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      12-16-2020, 12:29 AM   #45
iceRN09
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I have the M340i for almost 6 months and 5K miles. My In law has the 330i M sport for about the same. I have driven both. I consider my self a performance car guy. So in that regards, my standards when it comes to Engine, Transmission and Handling are pretty different that what my in-laws requires. Given this 3 categories is where the 330i and M340i differs. Highway driving is where the M340i shines. I live in MA where 85 on 65 is ok. I live where the roads are still good. So I enjoy highway driving. At 85+mph. The M340i feels better in everyway than a 330i. I also have the adaptive suspension. I feel that it is better than the passive one in the 330i. All I can say is that the Weight to power ration in the M340i is perfect for a sport sedan and it shows in every driving aspect.

I also drive in Adaptive mode most of the time. I can get 30 mpg in the summer and 28 Mpg during the winter months. One thing I wished to have gotten is the Tire and cooling package to remove the pesky 130 mph limiter.
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      12-16-2020, 12:37 AM   #46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dr_frankfurter View Post
As someone who is coming from a decently quick car (V8 Challenger), I was worried if the 330i would be "enough". Yes, the M340i is very much a faster car, but let's be real; how often will you be doing 0-60 launches? Just a simple $200 JB+ will breathe in another 30 HP & torque if the standard power isn't enough, and apparently drops the 0-60 time by nearly a second (if you're into that). Again, coming from a V8, I'm sometimes surprised at the speeds my 330i can do in the short amount of time it does them. Fuel economy is amazing as well; my friend with his M340i is filling up as often as I did with my Challenger, and believe me I do not miss that. Unless you truly plan to drive aggressively and quickly every single day, and maybe track your car often, consider the 330i as a more reasonable car. Maybe use the money you save on the payments and gas to buy some index funds every month and use that growth to get an M3 once your lease ends
The reason why the BMW M340i goes to the gas pump as fast as the challenger is because of the gas tank size. Which is 15.6 gal. on BMW vs 19.6 gal. on challenger. 30 MPG in a sports sedan IMHO is already gold. You can only squeeze so much energy from a drop of gas. If people are looking for more gas mileage, there is the Prius. LOL
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      12-16-2020, 01:31 PM   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iceRN09 View Post
The reason why the BMW M340i goes to the gas pump as fast as the challenger is because of the gas tank size. Which is 15.6 gal. on BMW vs 19.6 gal. on challenger. 30 MPG in a sports sedan IMHO is already gold. You can only squeeze so much energy from a drop of gas. If people are looking for more gas mileage, there is the Prius. LOL
Pretty sure driving style has more to do with it than just 5 gallons of tank size difference. Sure, 30MPG is possible with a 340 if you drive normally. But if you're not looking to drive aggressive, I guess a Prius works too even with a heavy foot, I'm averaging over double of my Challenger's average of 14 MPG; can't say the same would be possible with the 340.
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      12-16-2020, 06:27 PM   #48
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He's correct though, if you don't drive this car like a hooligan you can get great gas mileage. I don't drive mine like an old lady and still get better gas mileage than my previous 2016 Lexus IS200T, imagine that. So the analogy regarding the challenger is spot on.
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      12-17-2020, 02:01 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBH View Post
Really depends on your user requirements and budget.

Unlimited budget or have excess cash to spend? Favour performance and a straight line acceleration over anything else? Want to out-accelerate some AMG or RS douchebags who thinks their car is better than BMW? M340i no doubt.

Want to have a better fuel economy? Thinking more of cost-benefits and long term financial stability? A reasonably fast mid-size sedan that's not a rocket ship but more than enough to have fun while still having the BMW brand prestige? Then the 330i.

Personally I have the 330i. I think the 330i is in the sweet zone and believe it's the best compromise for everything.

Besides, if you get the M340i now, don't you think you'll have a buyer's remorse once the new M3 is out? Assuming that you want the fastest cars only?
I don't think I will have any remorse now that the M3 is coming out because they are entirely different cars (I just got an M340) and the M3 is insanely more expensive.

I just traded in a 2017 330 and they are both good cars. I just wanted the M340 because to me IT is the perfect dual threat car. I can use it as my DD and then on the weekends or on an on ramp, well, you know it will haul the mail.

I will say that the price point is certainly higher so it depends on budget and either way they are both good cars. Just different.
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      12-18-2020, 05:59 PM   #50
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In Europe: 330i is the sweet spot since the M340i TCO will be (almost) double and although it's better, certainly not twice as good.

In US: M340i might be worthwhile since TCO is not that far apart.
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      12-18-2020, 06:40 PM   #51
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I'm biased but...

The M340i is lightning in a bottle and magic on the road. If you consider yourself a spirited driver, and if you are looking for a fast performance sedan that won't shatter the bank and can still do everything you'd ask of a family car, get the M340i.

If you can work with 2 doors and less creature comforts, skip the M340i and go for the M2 Comp for less. Both of these cars are the finest BMWs for the driver on sale right now.

I guess if the looks, image and price jump don't bother you consider the G80 or G82 M3/M4. I know I am completely satisfied with my M340i.
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      01-26-2021, 11:59 AM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dr_frankfurter View Post
As someone who is coming from a decently quick car (V8 Challenger), I was worried if the 330i would be "enough". Yes, the M340i is very much a faster car, but let's be real; how often will you be doing 0-60 launches? Just a simple $200 JB+ will breathe in another 30 HP & torque if the standard power isn't enough, and apparently drops the 0-60 time by nearly a second (if you're into that). Again, coming from a V8, I'm sometimes surprised at the speeds my 330i can do in the short amount of time it does them. Fuel economy is amazing as well; my friend with his M340i is filling up as often as I did with my Challenger, and believe me I do not miss that. Unless you truly plan to drive aggressively and quickly every single day, and maybe track your car often, consider the 330i as a more reasonable car. Maybe use the money you save on the payments and gas to buy some index funds every month and use that growth to get an M3 once your lease ends
Nice thought. Agree!!
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