[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Davg31

You're not taking the question in the right direction, the question is 330 vs M340 stop your comparison out of time and having no interest in the initial question, as I mentioned my 430 was fabulous,

I’m not answering a question. I am making a statement:

The 330i is an extremely fast and powerful sports-car with the type of performance akin to M3’s of the past. The 330i is a beast. The 340i is more of a beast. But it does not denigrate the 330i.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I’m not answering a question. I am making a statement:

The 330i is an extremely fast and powerful sports-car with the type of performance akin to M3’s of the past. The 330i is a beast. The 340i is more of a beast. But it does not denigrate the 330i.

I can't understand you, we're comparing the 330 to the M340, if we were talking about the M3 E36 we'd be comparing it to the 328 E36 for example, and we can't compare it to the M340, unless we don't realise that times have changed and push the cursors further.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

I u

I don't know what is the current price trends, but I tend to agree with post#1's article that 95% of the time the 330i feels exactly the same as driving a M340i,

Totally untrue, having had a G in a 330 before returning to the B58, at no point do these vehicles resemble each other, you've never driven an M340, I have and except when parking, there is no possible comparison (I'm not saying that the 330 is rubbish, it's a good car, but it's a long, long way from the M340).

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Yeah the the G20 318d with B47 diesel has 148HP, and 0-60 in 8.2seconds.

So 330i is right at the middle of the G20 lineup to support the center stage effect.

318 Petrol not Diesel

[sfgator]

Originally Posted by Davg31

Totally untrue, having had a G in a 330 before returning to the B58, at no point do these vehicles resemble each other, you've never driven an M340, I have and except when parking, there is no possible comparison (I'm not saying that the 330 is rubbish, it's a good car, but it's a long, long way from the M340).

100% agree. Completely different classes of cars

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Davg31

I can't understand you, we're comparing the 330 to the M340, if we were talking about the M3 E36 we'd be comparing it to the 328 E36 for example, and we can't compare it to the M340, unless we don't realise that times have changed and push the cursors further.

The engine is the difference between the two cars. Engines make horsepower and torque which leads to 0-60 times, benchmarks in this class.

Times have indeed changed. And the 330i is the performance equivalent of prior generation’s M3. That is not to be swept under the rug. That is a big deal. That’s all I’m saying. It is an extremely fast and powerful car regardless of the fact that the M440i exists.

Think of it this way, someone comes up to an owner in a parking lot and says “Nice 330i you have there! Is it fast?” And he responds “Hell yes! This thing is faster and more powerful than my M3 was back before I had kids!” And that is more than enough for 95% of the people and thus makes the case that the 330i is more than enough for the original poster. Read the first post of this thread. I am answering the question.

[Davg31]

Ok OK then, I'll tell you that an M340 is as fast as a Porsche 911 at the time of the M3 E36, and more than 2 seconds faster than the M3 from 0 to 100 km/h.

But once again, no one said that the 330 is a bad car, it's superb, we're talking about the M340.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Davg31

Ok OK then, I'll tell you that an M340 is as fast as a Porsche 911 at the time of the M3 E36, and more than 2 seconds faster than the M3 from 0 to 100 km/h.

But once again, no one said that the 330 is a bad car, it's superb, we're talking about the M340.

No you are talking about the M340. The rest of us, including the original poster, are talking about both cars because the quote in the very first post of this thread made this statement and led to this conversation:

“Unless you’re planning on hitting the autocross or race track every couple weekends, it’s hard to see any reason to fork over an extra $10,000 or more for the M340i. That’s not a slight against the M340i; it’s more a credit to how solid the 330i is.”

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a636...-versus-m340i/

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Davg31

Totally untrue, having had a G in a 330 before returning to the B58, at no point do these vehicles resemble each other, you've never driven an M340, I have and except when parking, there is no possible comparison (I'm not saying that the 330 is rubbish, it's a good car, but it's a long, long way from the M340).

I have driven M340i's from my friends, and you are correct, in my locales with freeways looking like parking lots, you can't effectively use the strengths of M340i.

And my friends on and off drive my 330i(almost base without M-sport), they agreed that they would be just fine with my 330i 95% of the time, with or without traffic.

When I buy a M340i, I want to use it the way it is built, e.g. on autobahns without speed limits. Since my locale does not have those, the 330i would be just fine 95% of the time.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

No you are talking about the M340. The rest of us, including the original poster, are talking about both cars because the quote in the very first post of this thread made this statement and led to this conversation:

“Unless you’re planning on hitting the autocross or race track every couple weekends, it’s hard to see any reason to fork over an extra $10,000 or more for the M340i. That’s not a slight against the M340i; it’s more a credit to how solid the 330i is.”

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a636...-versus-m340i/

Did God write this article? No, I don't think so. I'm talking about my feelings and my vision as a lover of mechanics

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

I have driven M340i's from my friends, and you are correct, in my locales with freeways looking like parking lots, you can't effectively use the strengths of M340i.

And my friends on and off drive my 330i(almost base without M-sport), they agreed that they would be just fine with my 330i 95% of the time, with or without traffic.

When I buy a M340i, I want to use it the way it is built, e.g. on autobahns without speed limits. Since my locale does not have those, the 330i would be just fine 95% of the time.

hum you have weird friends ;-), more seriously read my initial opinion, I say that in normal driving the 330 is perfect, but if like me you like the engine sound, the torque, the acceleration and you have a teenager driving, then long live the M340, but if you don't like that yes a 330 or even a 320, you can't say you love cars, love engines and prefer an impossible 330 is lying to yourself.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Davg31

hum you have weird friends ;-), more seriously read my initial opinion, I say that in normal driving the 330 is perfect, but if like me you like the engine sound, the torque, the acceleration and you have a teenager driving, then long live the M340, but if you don't like that yes a 330 or even a 320, you can't say you love cars, love engines and prefer an impossible 330 is lying to yourself.

This is a lot to love about the G20 330i, the highlights being the I4 engine with 255HP and 295lb-ft AND 40+mpg, the chassis, the 50/50, the mating with ZF 8AT.

G20 330i is an excellent package that showcases BMW's technical depths, and to me it is a great spiritual successor of E39 530i and 540i.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by newmanjr

OK - thanks so sounds like you disagree with the Review’s below statement?

“Unless you’re planning on hitting the autocross or race track every couple weekends, it’s hard to see any reason to fork over an extra $10,000 or more for the M340i. That’s not a slight against the M Sport model; it’s more a credit to how solid the basic 330i is.”

there's always a more powerful car.
the M340i is much more powerful than the 330i.
but do you want to pay $xx for more power?
do you want to eat a $25 burger or a $15 burger?
at the end of the day it's just a burger.
at the end of the day it's a car.

i bought the M340i and within a few weeks i wanted the M3.
I bought the M550i within a few days (*gulp) i wanted a M5.
it never ends.
am I happy with my M340i/M550i ? yes! but after a few times driving it i don't notice the power anymore.

so in a way, i agree with the statement. would i pay $10,000 more for the M340i? yes! lol. do i need it no. do i want the power? yes.
would i buy the M340i again? no.
would i ever buy the 330i? NEVER.

which car should you buy? well since you asked i suggest getting the 330i so you don't get corrupted by power in your tender age.
even if you did autocross, i suggest you learn to drive a slower car fast than drive a faster car poorly.
hope that helps.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Agreed, 330i, M340i, and M3 are 3 products for 3 different segments.

One poster(with long-term E46 and E90 experiences) in fact moved from G20 M340i back to F30 340i M-sport due to M340i's harsh ride, so each of us is looking for specific things that fit our requirements.

I would think G8X subforum posters likely have thorough knowledge of the G8X ride qualities before buying those products, or maybe folks just trade in their harsh rides quietly.

Yes, that's an anomaly lol. I drove my last E46 for 10 years, manual tranny and slammed on 18" BBS LM's and even then never would describe it as harsh. Different strokes I guess, or maybe I just have higher tolerance for these things.

[dhock_holiday]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

What mpg does your M440i on highways?

My 330i routinely get above 40mpg on highways(say, 50-100 miles 1-way on sea-level terrains with 300 ft up/down), the best is around 43mpg going 65-80mph.

I think M340i's fuel efficiency benefits from mild-hybrid, it would be interesting to see 330i's mpg when it gets mild-hybrid too.

Here is one my road trips in my M340i, in Eco-Pro it’s nuts with 43 MPG

[Davg31]

If you're looking for the lowest fuel consumption, there are plenty of other makes. When it comes to cars, I'm looking for teenage pleasure, without having the buttons, otherwise I'd be driving a Tesla or something else.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by dhock_holiday

Here is one my road trips in my M340i, in Eco-Pro it’s nuts with 43 MPG

That is really impressive for an I6.

My 330i's 43mpg was mostly 80mph without mild-hybrid.

I have seen 48mpg on iDrive while doing 65mph but I did not record the fuel consumption to compute the real mpg.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by EXE46

Yes, that's an anomaly lol. I drove my last E46 for 10 years, manual tranny and slammed on 18" BBS LM's and even then never would describe it as harsh. Different strokes I guess, or maybe I just have higher tolerance for these things.

The numbers of the attached thread says the G20 chassis stiffness is at least twice of E46, 62% more than E90, and 25%-50% more than F30.

So it may not be an anomaly that some E46/E90/F30 owners find the G20 to be too stiff for their likings when compared to their previous rides.

E46 - 18,000 Nm/deg
E90 - 22,500 Nm/deg
F30 - 29,300 Nm/deg
G20 - 36,625 Nm/deg (based on 25% more than predecessor, could be higher in body stiffness in certain area if 50% is applied)

E39 - 24,000 Nm/deg
E60 - 24,200 Nm/deg
F10 - 30,200 Nm/deg
G30 - 37,750 Nm/deg (based on 25% more than predecessor)

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1456434

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Davg31

hum you have weird friends ;-), more seriously read my initial opinion, I say that in normal driving the 330 is perfect, but if like me you like the engine sound, the torque, the acceleration and you have a teenager driving, then long live the M340, but if you don't like that yes a 330 or even a 320, you can't say you love cars, love engines and prefer an impossible 330 is lying to yourself.

Am I missing something? You own the Station Wagon! And it’s 4 years old! I mean, seriously? You are going to come in here and lecture us on “teenage driving” and the merits of “sportscar performance” and you drive not the Coupe, not the Gran Coupe, not the Sedan, but the Station Wagon?

Someone’s lying to himself for sure. LOL.

[Davg31]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Am I missing something? You own the Station Wagon! And it’s 4 years old! I mean, seriously? You are going to come in here and lecture us on “teenage driving” and the merits of “sportscar performance” and you drive not the Coupe, not the Gran Coupe, not the Sedan, but the Station Wagon?

Someone’s lying to himself for sure. LOL.

I love the look of the G21, I've always had these models, practical, I transport a lot for my company, so yes good mix, but I've modified the vehicles quite a bit, once again you confuse everything, why be aggressive and haughty?

I need a vehicle of this size, and I like a good engine. I always have an extra convertible in my garage, currently a Porsche 911, which is a pleasure to drive.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

The numbers of the attached thread says the G20 chassis stiffness is at least twice of E46, 62% more than E90, and 25%-50% more than F30.

So it may not be an anomaly that some E46/E90/F30 owners find the G20 to be too stiff for their likings when compared to their previous rides.

E46 - 18,000 Nm/deg
E90 - 22,500 Nm/deg
F30 - 29,300 Nm/deg
G20 - 36,625 Nm/deg (based on 25% more than predecessor, could be higher in body stiffness in certain area if 50% is applied)

E39 - 24,000 Nm/deg
E60 - 24,200 Nm/deg
F10 - 30,200 Nm/deg
G30 - 37,750 Nm/deg (based on 25% more than predecessor)

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1456434

These values describe the stiffness of the body-in-white structure. The stiffer the body-in-white is, the better the car will ride (more comfortable) and the better it will handle. They do not describe suspension tuning/stiffness which is a totally different subject.

[pkiledj]

I went for a 2WD 330i over a M340i because I wanted light and nimble. I came from a F30 335i xDrive and it just felt heavy and hunkered down. The minute I drove the 330i I knew I wanted it. It drives like a go kart compared to my previous F30. Before that I had a E46 330i and the G20 330i feels a lot more like the E46 and a lot less like the F30. The 330i HP is enough for me. Actually I believe most of the driving fun comes from the feel and handling more so than the raw HP.

For the harshness, swapped out the run flats for Continental Extreme Contacts and most of the harshness is gone.