[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by magbarn

For me being the ripe old age of 43, the extra $100 for the m550 over the crazy overpriced M340i is a no brainer. It's a highway cruiser with crazy amounts of power and the ability to put it down with the xdrive. The G30's main problem is it isn't a canyon carver and the nose heavy m550ix exacerbates it a bit. You have to get DHP to add some pep back into the G30's chassis so the price will go up a bit.

Really crazy that BMW is asking E92 M3 money for the m340ix....

Now that BMW's leases are really crappy compared to 2 years ago also isn't helping it either

BMW leases have finally been market corrected. Cheaper to buy the car and enjoy...

[openwheelracing]

The days of cheap leases are over. We had a good run.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

The days of cheap leases are over. We had a good run.

Manufacturers and their lending arms have come to the realization that heavily subsidized lease deals, cash on the hood and astronomically high and inflated residuals are the nemesis of maximum profits.

Now, the new BMW Lesee is expected to pay upfront for all those charges and expected lease costs.

[blinkme323]

Those who are saying that the M340 will lease in the 500-550 range are still living back in 2016... The bulk of leases on this car will be in the 750-850 range.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

I'm talking about the M550i which I drove and didn't like. The press doesn’t love the M550i so much, and when I drove it I agreed with what they said. Disappointing steering and handling, but great straight line performance and comfort. It's not close to being an M5 lite by any means, its just a regular 5 series that just so happens to be faster than the last M5.

Lets not forget, we aren't comparing to an M3, we are comparing to an M340, which is miles off an M3. The M550i is up near .94 skidpad, that's pretty good, good enough that some tire/wheel upgrades should boost it to the upper .99, if not 1G. It's heavy, that's what happens with these big sedans. Dinan is saying 539hp and 589tq were the factory measured HP on it, don't know where that's measured, but it's impressive wherever it's measured. It's not going to handle like an M3 obviously...

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by clee1982

That's like my 540 price and that's not full loaded yet (full load 540 would be another 10k? Basically adding luxury seat/dynamic handling/one level upgrade from H&K sound)

But it's not like the 540 is "better" than an M340i. The M340i is much faster, more powerful, and much more fun to drive. If you don't need what is a huge boat in both size and driving dynamics, you get the M340i. If you need a family cruisers, you get the 540i. Both cars have their place and they're not made to compete with each other.

I don't understand people who always think the bigger car is the "better" car. It's just a bigger car. For many people, me included, I'd much rather have a fun to drive car. The E60 was the last fun to drive 5 series.

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

But it's not like the 540 is "better" than an M340i. The M340i is much faster, more powerful, and much more fun to drive. If you don't need what is a huge boat in both size and driving dynamics, you get the M340i. If you need a family cruisers, you get the 540i. Both cars have their place and they're not made to compete with each other.

I don't understand people who always think the bigger car is the "better" car. It's just a bigger car. For many people, me included, I'd much rather have a fun to drive car. The E60 was the last fun to drive 5 series.

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

But it's not like the 540 is "better" than an M340i. The M340i is much faster, more powerful, and much more fun to drive. If you don't need what is a huge boat in both size and driving dynamics, you get the M340i. If you need a family cruisers, you get the 540i. Both cars have their place and they're not made to compete with each other.

I don't understand people who always think the bigger car is the "better" car. It's just a bigger car. For many people, me included, I'd much rather have a fun to drive car. The E60 was the last fun to drive 5 series.

Wasn't about that, the thread title is 550 vs 340 (I.e. priced closely enough), my point was the price is closer to 540 rather than 550 unless it's bare bone 550

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

But it's not like the 540 is "better" than an M340i. The M340i is much faster, more powerful, and much more fun to drive. If you don't need what is a huge boat in both size and driving dynamics, you get the M340i. If you need a family cruisers, you get the 540i. Both cars have their place and they're not made to compete with each other.

I don't understand people who always think the bigger car is the "better" car. It's just a bigger car. For many people, me included, I'd much rather have a fun to drive car. The E60 was the last fun to drive 5 series.

It depends. The G30 is a really nice place to be. After years of driving smaller "Fun" cars it was a refreshing change of pace for my older bones.

And face it, for those of us city dwellers the opportunities to drive aggressively tuned cars in congested big city roads are far and few in between. Only a small percentage of the population have access to mountain roads, twisties, canyons and areas with light to non existing traffic. The 5er nicely fits the bill here.

But then again the G30 is fast and delivers when pushed while giving you loads of comfort on a well finished and trimmed cabin. What's not to like?

[MT4life]

340 vs 540 I'd take 340
340 vs 550 I'd take 550
Since they're both Automatic I'd take more power and sacrifice handling
Price wise they're probably 25K apart equally loaded and $300 a month difference on a lease. So not quite apples to apples

[Ilyam5]

Originally Posted by MT4life

Price wise they're probably 25K apart equally loaded and $300 a month difference on a lease. So not quite apples to apples

Not quite. Equally loaded - they are not 25 K apart more like 10K
and 100-150 in lease
to make them 25K apart you need to load 550 with options not available on the 3 - like full merino leather, leather dash, ventilated seats, DHP, ceramic controls etc.

even putting the money aside it is an interesting battle. Horsepower "shrinks" the car. M 550 feels very nimble for a big car. and with 523 HP engine from 850 - it is an even tougher decision to make.

340 still has RWD available, Limited slip and now new package with extra cooling so you can track it and not overheat.

[MT4life]

Originally Posted by Ilyam5

Not quite. Equally loaded - they are not 25 K apart more like 10K
and 100-150 in lease
to make them 25K apart you need to load 550 with options not available on the 3 - like full merino leather, leather dash, ventilated seats, DHP, ceramic controls etc.

even putting the money aside it is an interesting battle. Horsepower "shrinks" the car. M 550 feels very nimble for a big car. and with 523 HP engine from 850 - it is an even tougher decision to make.

340 still has RWD available, Limited slip and now new package with extra cooling so you can track it and not overheat.

That's interesting, thought it would be more, I swear I remember seeing m550i for close to 90.
Oh well

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

Those who are saying that the M340 will lease in the 500-550 range are still living back in 2016... The bulk of leases on this car will be in the 750-850 range.

Pretty much, no more artificially high residuals, and welcome crappy MF on BMW leases

BMWFS also has basically killed the strategy also of leasing it first, giving it back to the dealer, have them CPO it, and then buy for still less than the negotiated residual when first leased. You couldn't lose...

It's gonna be about $100-$150 /month difference between the two until the m340i's start going for a significant discount.

[NYCBMWFAN]

Originally Posted by penet05

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24067362

Just a small side note; why are we all so certain the 5 series that comes out this mid-late summer will have the 523 HP that the 850 does? I get the logistics but I haven't seen any definitive article. Lots of options, sure, but I'm looking for official word!

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by NYCBMWFAN

Just a small side note; why are we all so certain the 5 series that comes out this mid-late summer will have the 523 HP that the 850 does? I get the logistics but I haven't seen any definitive article. Lots of options, sure, but I'm looking for official word!

You will probably have to be patient an wait for official word to come from BMW. I would not expect any teasers and announcements until after the summer.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by NYCBMWFAN

Just a small side note; why are we all so certain the 5 series that comes out this mid-late summer will have the 523 HP that the 850 does? I get the logistics but I haven't seen any definitive article. Lots of options, sure, but I'm looking for official word!

Dinan has already measured the current M550i above those numbers:

https://www.dinancars.com/product/g3...#info_tab_cont

Look at the "specs". So the 850i engine might be even more, but who knows and who cares? The above explains how much of a monster the 550i is and why it is as fast/faster than the previous M5.

The M550i is really a monster when it comes to power and torque, the roadholding is good enough, a 2016 340i only holds .91-.94 depending on the drive configuration. Nicely optioned at about 80K, I don't see much advantage with a 340, except for the fan-boys that think their 3-series really is the "ultimate driving vehicle". Most of these buyers are going to probably get an x-drive 3-series anyway, further handicapping the suspension/chassis.

[Rschin2]

Originally Posted by sbt007

And I think it can possibly be well equipped at 65K by leaving out a couple of options. .

Try under 60k. Don't know why on earth anyone would need all of those packages unless they have money to burn. Way too much for my taste. Just get the damn car and drive it. You should easily be able to get a 340i for about $60k

[MT4life]

Originally Posted by Rschin2

Try under 60k. Don't know why on earth anyone would need all of those packages unless they have money to burn. Way too much for my taste. Just get the damn car and drive it. You should easily be able to get a 340i for about $60k

Agree a 100%. I have run through the order guide, 61K gets an awesome package without extra bells and whistles.

Kinda makes you wonder why on earth would anyone get a $56K 330i, lol

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by MT4life

Agree a 100%. I have run through the order guide, 61K gets an awesome package without extra bells and whistles.

Kinda makes you wonder why on earth would anyone get a $56K 330i, lol

That may be it but $4K-$5K could make a big difference to some people. And not everybody is chasing after max power or are card carrying speed demons.

Now $56K retail for a 330i is insane and let alone for an entry level 3 series.

[WorldBFree]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

That may be it but $4K-$5K could make a big difference to some people. And not everybody is chasing after max power or are card carrying speed demons.

Now $56K retail for a 330i is insane and let alone for an entry level 3 series.

Generally speaking I’m not a fan of electronic nannies; however, I would opt for them just to get the super cool traffic jam assist

The other way I mentally justify this is to ask what else what I be doing with this money? In my case the answer is hookers & blow ... so my choice comes down to self-debasing recreational debauchery or a cool feature I would be using on the daily .... your results may vary.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by Ilyam5

Now that the numbers are out, and the M340i is approaching $70K loaded and leasing for $900-1000 a month, one wonders what to get.

Is the M340i too close in price to the M550i at $80K and leasing for $1000-1100 a month (better residuals), especially with the 2020 model getting the 523hp V8?

M340i advantages
- Smaller, more nimble car
- Less weight
- Limited slip
- Could be ordered with rear wheel drive

M550i advantages
- A lot more horse power - that V8 is magic (approaching M5 category for $20K+ less)
- More room in the back
- More comfortable
- Did I mention 523hp?!

I've had the opportunity to drive a new 5er (not the m550 though), and they're big, and feel very big in daily driving. It feels very different to drive than a 3 series, or any other similar, mid-size sedan. It's not bad, it's a nice, comfortable car that handles competently, but it's a big limo-like luxury car at this point. The f30 and g20 are probably closer to what the 5 series used to be.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by magbarn

Pretty much, no more artificially high residuals, and welcome crappy MF on BMW leases

BMWFS also has basically killed the strategy also of leasing it first, giving it back to the dealer, have them CPO it, and then buy for still less than the negotiated residual when first leased. You couldn't lose...

It's gonna be about $100-$150 /month difference between the two until the m340i's start going for a significant discount.

Give it a few months. The model is brand new. They already are allowing loyalty incentives so things will go back soon enough. The only difference is the car has gotten more expensive. Wait until December sales.

[otay]

Interesting discussion, but for me...size matters.

M550i xdrive
Weight 4372 lbs
Length 195.4 inches
Wheelbase 117.1

F30 340i
Weight 3555
Length 182.5
Wheelbase 110.6

G20 M340i
Weight 3455*
Length 185.7
Wheelbase 112.2

* estimate

900 more pounds and 10 inches longer? No freaking thank you...