[Damage Inc]

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Hey all. Had many BMW's over the years. I'm looking for a solid DD for running errands, shuffling kids, and work meetings. Have an R8 for the sports car.

I had a G30 rental 4x during biz travel, was very impressed with the fit, finish, tech. It drove "big" and didn't handle well (compared to my Alfa QV), and I'm embarrassed to say I enjoyed the fake sounds as it livened it up a bit. Seems like a great DD.

My DD budget is $25k so originally leaning towards a 430 GC for a little more fun drive vs. a 3. But seeing G20 330i's in the high 20k, I can spend a bit more for if needed.

I thought the F30 platform was pretty crappy honestly - numb and flat steering, interior materials cheapy, and overall a bad generation 3 series. So hard to go "back" to a 430 even if GC when I was impressed with the G20 tech, fit, finish, and overall solid driving feel for a daily.

So... anybody come from a 430 GC? Does the GC offer that much better driving experience to a 330i?

I'm eyeing a couple 2020 330i's for $28k and the dealers will come down a little more. Seems like a no brainer as I like the new tech, build quality, and G20 platform vs. the F30. Or even a 2018 530i for $30k, but the 5'er is just too big for me I think.

Thoughts?

[VipinLJ]

I had a 430i GC for a few days as a loaner and it was a decent car. But my G20 330i is much better in every aspect. For me, it's a no-brainer.

And I'm with you. I kinda like the fake ASD sound in the 330i. Makes it feel livelier and faster, even though it's just a placebo effect. Lol

Aaaaand. The 530i is a no no for me. It has to be at least a 535i. The 2.0 has to work a lot more in the 530i compared to the 330i.

[dpod25]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc

I thought the F30 platform was pretty crappy honestly - numb and flat steering, interior materials cheapy, and overall a bad generation 3 series. So hard to go "back" to a 430 even if GC when I was impressed with the G20 tech, fit, finish, and overall solid driving feel for a daily.

I have both cars (2018 430 GC as well as the G20). I think I mostly agree with your thoughts.

Hands down, the G20 has the better handling, steering feel, interior materials and design, iDrive system, overall fit/finish, and even better extras like ConnectedDrive and digital key.

F36 probably has the better exterior design though, IMHO.

[Bmoney2K4]

28 K for a 2020 330i seems like a terrific deal. I haven't even heard of anything like that as of now. Everything points to the G20 platform as being more rigid and composed than the 430i GC. I've heard that the structural rigidity on the GC is kind of off--the weight distribution and the complexity of the body seems not to be solid as a convention four door sedan. Either you have great negotiating skills or Michigan is a vastly different market than Southern California

[stein_325i]

The G20 is definitely a better driving BMW than the older F3X cars, although this does require the car to be ordered a certain way to achieve this. I would watch out though on the cars your looking at, to find 2020 models already that depreciated they were likely rental vehicles, which I know some people don't like the idea of buying an ex-rental so, YMMV. As for the F32, the F-chassis 3/4-series don't drive that well, especially if optioned with x-drive as that gives the Gran Coupe the worse suspension setup. Benefits of the F32 include a cleaner design inside and out, established reliability history, as well as a rear hatch, however it doesn't add as much space as you would think, if you really need cargo space, a used F31 Wagon or G01 X3 would be better. I would go with G20 simply because its newer, however just neither car will drive as well as the Giulia, its a night and day experience behind the wheel of both.

I would go against the G30, especially if you already find it too big. I had a G30 540i and its a nice and comfortable cruiser but its absolutely numb and feels dead (and mine had every sports/handling option), reminds me of driving an old E-Class which is funny because I switched to Merc because the new E-Class drove better than the 5er

Honestly if you have an R8 and Giulia QV and you just need a car to run errands and sit in traffic with, I would just spend $25k on a nice new Mazda 6/Honda Accord that will be a lot cheaper to own and maintain in the long run, or even stretch the budget and order a $35k Model 3 (it does exist, requires calling shop), but that's just my $0.02.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Bmoney2K4

28 K for a 2020 330i seems like a terrific deal. I haven't even heard of anything like that as of now. Everything points to the G20 platform as being more rigid and composed than the 430i GC. I've heard that the structural rigidity on the GC is kind of off--the weight distribution and the complexity of the body seems not to be solid as a convention four door sedan. Either you have great negotiating skills or Michigan is a vastly different market than Southern California

Yes, probably loaners from dealers or rentals so not the top cars. A couple dozen on Autotrader $32k and less. A few good ones in that mix but I'll try to hold out for fall when the new model hits then grab a 2019 or higher mileage 2020.

Pretty typical base 3 series depreciation curve.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by dpod25

I have both cars (2018 430 GC as well as the G20). I think I mostly agree with your thoughts.

Hands down, the G20 has the better handling, steering feel, interior materials and design, iDrive system, overall fit/finish, and even better extras like ConnectedDrive and digital key.

F36 probably has the better exterior design though, IMHO.

F36 is good looking but showing its age a bit interior and exterior.

[mhkorean]

My prior car was 430i GC. The tech in the new G20 is waaaay better.

[upsidedownfunnel]

I personally never like the F3x 4 series and I think the G20 is a sharp looking car. The difference in interior quality and handling are pretty big and I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.