[vedant]

I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about the B58 engine pretty much since the release of the 340i but I never got to drive one. A G20 M340i was out of my budget and I went with a 330i with the M-Sport Package and Dynamic Handling Package.

This past week the idea of a 5 series combined with the B58 really intrigued me. I saw a CPO lease return at my local dealership in the beautiful Carbon Black Metallic with M Sport and had to take it for a test drive.

The seats are far more comfortable, as to be expected. They just adjust way more and they’re way more plush. You just get way more space to relax and take the vehicle down the road. Once you’re on the interstate you’re at 90mph before you even realize. The engine is butter-smooth. The M-Sport suspension is taut yet comfortable like it should be in a 5 series.

That’s about where the goodness ends for me though. The H/K sound is better but not immediately noticeably better than the base hi-fi system’s sound. The cornering isn’t as crisp as that of the 3 series. I don’t know if this is down to the setup I have in my particular 3 or if this is just the 3 versus the 5. It lacked thrill. It builds power gracefully like a Rolls and not excitably in something like an S58-powered M car.

That said, if my drives were any less curvy than they are now I may seriously consider a 5.

Has anyone else driven a G30 also? I would love to know your thoughts.

[Davg31]

Hello, I sold my G31 for a G21, because the 5 was too heavy, too soft and didn't correspond to the driving pleasure I was looking for. I rode the 5 for two years and the seat is wider but not more comfortable.
The navigation screen is bigger, but I never look at it, it's not for movies ;=), and the info is on the HUD, I don't regret it except for the HK which is much better on the 5, and the ventilated seats not available on the 3, not even the massaging ones which is ridiculous.

[BingoTheClown]

I previously had a 2018 440i GC. I now have a 2020 M340i.

Few months ago, I was given a 540 M sport for a few days as a loaner during a service that took a few days.

Same engine as my other two BMW's . . but I totally HATED the 540. It just Feld dead. No good exhaust sound. No balls. It just felt like I was pushing a large cruise ship around. Was not for me.

I think that the B58 is a BEAST of an engine. But the mapping on the 540 is not for me. Felt very tame.

[diablo2112]

Owned many 3-series, going back to the 90s. Decided to lease a 640i GC back in 2015. Hated it. Land yacht doesn't begin to describe the dynamics. No soul. Luxurious, that's about it. Lesson learned.

Our custom-ordered 440i GC is almost here. Shipped out on Nov. 2, arrives in Port tomorrow.

[Montaver]

The 5 has the older 340hp B58, the m340i has the TU2 version since its release in 2019. Might explain why it didn’t feel as quick.

[madpistol]

540i is more of a relaxed luxury cruiser. M240i, M340i, and M440i all have a higher output version of the B58, and it makes the cars noticeably quicker.

[vedant]

Originally Posted by Montaver

The 5 has the older 340hp B58, the m340i has the TU2 version since its release in 2019. Might explain why it didn’t feel as quick.

Hmm I wouldn’t know. Never driven any other B58

[vedant]

Originally Posted by madpistol

540i is more of a relaxed luxury cruiser. M240i, M340i, and M440i all have a higher output version of the B58, and it makes the cars noticeably quicker.

Yeah I thought the M-Sport suspension would give it a better balance between agility and luxury; not quite. Maybe I need to try an F90…

[Sij299]

Must be quite interesting

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by BingoTheClown

Same engine as my other two BMW's . . but I totally HATED the 540. It just Feld dead. No good exhaust sound. No balls. It just felt like I was pushing a large cruise ship around. Was not for me.

40HP deficit of the 540 can make if feel dead.

[johngetter]

I was given a 540i as a loaner at my local dealership. While it felt super comfortable, I just felt the car was too heavy. If I went on trips I would much rather drive this than my 3, but I crave the crisp cornering and stiffness that the 3 gives me as a daily over the 5.

[4WDFAN]

I had a 540i as a loaner as well. While M340i is a sports sedan, 540i is a luxury sedan. It is less sporty but more comfortable and more quiet. It felt much heavier, so I looked at the specs and was surprised to find out that it is only about 100 pounds heavier. Both cars are good, but aimed at different buyers.

[BingoTheClown]

Another thing I had noticed, while driving the 540 loaner . . . it that I was surprised at how loud the inside cabin was, on the 540. I could her the road and every car around me. I found that very strange.

My 440i GC was quiet.
The M340i is even more soundproof in the cabin (in my opnion). My M340 is super quiet inside the cabin.