[Bimmer2000]

I left BMW for a new Cadillac ATS-V over three years ago. It's the most fun car I've ever had. Having driven BMWs in the past, it reminds me of a perfect mix between the E46 and E90 M3. Handling, burst, and sound are off the charts. Plus it's not something you see often.

That said, my lease is up. I want to come back. My trusted SA at my local store said he owns a 2016 M3 and that the M340i is as good or better than his could ever be.

I've watched all the videos and reviews. I'm torn. Do I buy my car after the lease, look for a nicely priced 16/17 M3, or look to lease the M340i? What say you? I'm hoping this community can help me with what I view as a tough decision.

Thanks in advance!

[tturedraider]

“It’s the most fun car I’ve ever had.” I’d rather tell you to come back to an M340, but I think you’ve answered your own question. If Cadillac and your Cadillac dealer will make an acceptable deal buy it.

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

"It's the most fun car I've ever had." I'd rather tell you to come back to an M340, but I think you've answered your own question. If Cadillac and your Cadillac dealer will make an acceptable deal buy it.

Yeah, fair enough. Appreciate that. But that's the thing. All things considered and equal, I guess my real question is what's the best decision based on ride, handling, power, and value? I doubt they'll be able to give me a fair price on my current car, therefore I guess what I'm really asking is preowned M3 or M340i? I get the "M3 like feel" with my V, but will the M340i live up? You know?

[hubbahubba]

Why don't you go drive a M340i and see for yourself? Test drives are free!

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Why don't you go drive a M340i and see for yourself? Test drives are free!

Hahaha! Yeah, no doubt! Getting there, but doing some pre-work!

[hubbahubba]

It's a fine ride, and if you're coming off the Cadillac, would you be accepting of the "raw" an M3 gives?

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

It's a fine ride, and if you're coming off the Cadillac, would you be accepting of the "raw" an M3 gives?

Yeah, if you haven't driven an ATS-V, it's not your "insert here" Cadillac. I was shocked at how close it was to our favorite sport sedan. So much so, I signed the deal. But still, point taken and considered!

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by Bimmer2000

Yeah, if you haven't driven an ATS-V, it's not your "insert here" Cadillac. I was shocked at how close it was to our favorite sport sedan. So much so, I signed the deal. But still, point taken and considered!

Point also heard. I have not driven one, but I imagine it knocks your head back pretty well. Should you just lease a new one of those? Really, this whole industry is pretty subjective, and people really like different things. For me, for the last few years every time I travelled I made it a point to get a rental car that was different every time to test a wide variety of manufacturers and cars. Again, for me, it always was the BMW that turned me on the most. When it came time to decide I knew where I was going. Didn't think I was going for an M340i, but either a 440i or an X3M40i. Then I drove the M340i, and the decision was made. Order is placed, and now I am just waiting patiently until it finds a boat headed to Oxnard. I do believe that if you go drive one, you will either love it, or not.

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Point also heard. I have not driven one, but I imagine it knocks your head back pretty well. Should you just lease a new one of those? Really, this whole industry is pretty subjective, and people really like different things. For me, for the last few years every time I travelled I made it a point to get a rental car that was different every time to test a wide variety of manufacturers and cars. Again, for me, it always was the BMW that turned me on the most. When it came time to decide I knew where I was going. Didn't think I was going for an M340i, but either a 440i or an X3M40i. Then I drove the M340i, and the decision was made. Order is placed, and now I am just waiting patiently until it finds a boat headed to Oxnard. I do believe that if you go drive one, you will either love it, or not.

Thank you! That helps a lot! And to your point, I'm feeling that I should just wear the V out on the way to my BMW store, and jump right into the 340 to see what's what! Then I should know?! I hope! Lol!

[hubbahubba]

Very glad to help, and please check back after your drive!

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Very glad to help, and please check back after your drive!

Thanks so much! Will do!

[Transfer]

The M340i is fast and very capable. It's also rather comfortable and relaxed compared to an F80 M3. If you want a hair on fire option, you'll want the real M. If you want to switch to AWD then only one option there.

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by Transfer

The M340i is fast and very capable. It's also rather comfortable and relaxed compared to an F80 M3. If you want a hair on fire option, you'll want the real M. If you want to switch to AWD then only one option there.

Yes, totally! I would only want the AWD. Most tests say the AWD does 60 in 4.1, while my current car does it in 3.8. Negligible at best.

[stein_325i]

If you want something close to the Caddy, go for an F80 M3. It will feel closer to your ATS than an M340i is. I tested an F82 M4 Competition (btw you'll likely want the competition package as it drives much better than the base M3/4) recently, as well as essentially the entire compact class of sports sedans, and if you want a more raw feeling car, an M3, Giulia, or maybe even an AMG of sorts (possibly C43/63) will feel close to your ATS, the M340i is more civilized and feels heavier, but still a fast car, but I don't think it will be as fun to drive as an M3.

Here's another problem, anything but maybe a Giulia, will likely be a step down in driving experience to your Caddy, as the ATS-V like you said is a fantastic car, and I would say drives better than an M3. So this may make any car in comparison feel more disappointing than it actually is. If you don't need 4-doors, I'd say check out an M2. Used F80's are also an option but I would worry about how they've been treated by their previous owner, these cars are abused/pushed harder than your average 3 series.

Anyways, good luck with your next purchase, you have a tough choice ahead of you!

[MmmmmM2]

Two things to consider. You will see a lot less ATS-V's on the road than M340i's. Also, I'm pretty sure the ATS-V is quicker and you already love it. Now on to maintenance...I'm not sure how much parts and repair are for Cadillac's but I would assume they are cheaper than BMW's. However, I have no clue about the long term reliability of Cadillac's so I don't know how to advise with that.

[ThatKrazyPolak]

I don't know why we're even comparing a Cadillac to a BMW. It's like comparing Wonder Bread, processed and artificially concocted in a factory to Artesian bread, with hand made dough and baked on an open fire in a quaint villa on the Amalfi coast...

Stop with the nonsense.

[Bimmer2000]

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the guidance and advice. Another reason why the BMW community is so great! Cheers!

[BMV///M3]

I just turned in my 16 non ZCP M3 and we now have a 2020 M340i (non xdrive). They are both nice cars but as others have said they are different. The M3 was a beast, it was raw and when i hit the throttle i got that nervous excitement. Also, as i said, it was raw, the 3-2 shift was harsh and the road noise was a bit much on longer trips. I mostly did city driving so i focused on the driving pleasure. I never had a doubt that the car would perform.

The M340i is not as raw, driving in sport plus is as close to you can get to an M3. It is very capable but you can tell you're not in the M3. That being said, its a fun car to drive. It is capable and refined. Also, we opted for much of the tech i passed on in the M3 so the HUD, Car play and active cruise etc are big things for my wife (you could get these in an M3 too). Comfort, hands down the M340 is better, the ride is quieter as well (but then again that's not what you get an M3 for).

So it really depends on what is most important to you. At times I miss the rawness of the M3 but i enjoy the comfort and capability of the M340i.

From a visual perspective I do miss the M3's wide hips and the way it stands out. I opted for a black spoiler on our white M340i to give it more flare. If you're a big fan of the M3's aggressiveness you should look into adding a few goodies on the M340 to give it more of a presence.

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by BMV///M3

I just turned in my 16 non ZCP M3 and we now have a 2020 M340i (non xdrive). They are both nice cars but as others have said they are different. The M3 was a beast, it was raw and when i hit the throttle i got that nervous excitement. Also, as i said, it was raw, the 3-2 shift was harsh and the road noise was a bit much on longer trips. I mostly did city driving so i focused on the driving pleasure. I never had a doubt that the car would perform.

The M340i is not as raw, driving in sport plus is as close to you can get to an M3. It is very capable but you can tell you're not in the M3. That being said, its a fun car to drive. It is capable and refined. Also, we opted for much of the tech i passed on in the M3 so the HUD, Car play and active cruise etc are big things for my wife (you could get these in an M3 too). Comfort, hands down the M340 is better, the ride is quieter as well (but then again that's not what you get an M3 for).

So it really depends on what is most important to you. At times I miss the rawness of the M3 but i enjoy the comfort and capability of the M340i.

From a visual perspective I do miss the M3's wide hips and the way it stands out. I opted for a black spoiler on our white M340i to give it more flare. If you're a big fan of the M3's aggressiveness you should look into adding a few goodies on the M340 to give it more of a presence.

Thank you! You literally just described what I was assuming and thinking. Nervous excitement? Yep. Afraid I'll miss that. Also, I would love all the new tech and accoutrements, but at the expense of driving feel and fun? That's what I have to figure out...

[gofast182]

Before I got my 340i I drove an ATS. It has a demonstrably better chassis and steering feel than the BMW. Ultimately I went with the 340i because of the powertrain and it had a back seat you could actually use. Now I'm starting to look at the M340i which has a more refined chassis than my F30 and is even more potent but it still doesn't have the feel of that ATS.

[Bimmer2000]

Originally Posted by gofast182

Before I got my 340i I drove an ATS. It has a demonstrably better chassis and steering feel than the BMW. Ultimately I went with the 340i because of the powertrain and it had a back seat you could actually use. Now I'm starting to look at the M340i which has a more refined chassis than my F30 and is even more potent but it still doesn't have the feel of that ATS.

Thank you! Super helpful. Yes, I am shocked how well my current car handles. That's one of the things I'm worried about losing. My last BMW was an E60 535i, and I always thought it handled way better than any loaner F10 I got. I know what all the talking heads say about the steering and handling in newer BMW's not being what they used to be. I just need to drive them back to back as I mentioned above.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by ThatKrazyPolak

I don't know why we're even comparing a Cadillac to a BMW. It's like comparing Wonder Bread, processed and artificially concocted in a factory to Artesian bread, with hand made dough and baked on an open fire in a quaint villa on the Amalfi coast...

Stop with the nonsense.

That wonder bread is more of an Ultimate Driving Machine than the Artisan M3 is, have you tried driving an ATS-V before?, I suggest you do so, you may be shocked at how good Wonder Bread has become!