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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Looking for feedback/opinion on 330i, m340i, c43

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      10-09-2020, 04:19 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gdiddy23 View Post
Don't forget to give your Bimmerpost boys a shout out
Haha I've asked if they will be driving or will I (not sure I want to be on a YouTube video lol).
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      10-09-2020, 04:23 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
Haha I've asked if they will be driving or will I (not sure I want to be on a YouTube video lol).
Burrcold, that is awesome! Hope you take them up on that, I'm a big fan of that Canadian Top Gear-like duo!
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      10-09-2020, 04:41 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by WXdrivefun View Post
Looking into the following video review from throttle house below:


The video mentioned one reviewer they would take the 330i M-Sport over the m340i as there was not a significant difference moving up to the larger engine with the price.

The video also mentioned in the similar premium price range they would select the C43 over the M340i, because of more driving theater and drama on the c43. However, I think the m340i can accomplish similar driving theater and drama with M-Performance exhaust installed.

So to conclude, is your feedback and opinion similar to that of review from Throttle House? Do you guys feel any other criticism?

Finally, has anyone actually test drove 330i with M-Sport package, Adaptive suspension and summer performance staggered tires with LSD against the m340i with Adaptive suspension and summer performance staggered tires?

And what are your opinions/first initial impressions?
OP, shameless plug for my C43 vs M340i impressions thread:

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=C43

Ultimately, I felt that the M340i defined Goldilocks. The C43 was either too aggressive in Sport or too soft in Comfort, the M340i was exciting enough in Sport/Sport Plus, and refined enough in Comfort.

You should know however that the 330i had better steering feel than the M340i. If you're not addicted to the straight 6, know that the 330i will have enough power for normal situations with better steering feel.

Also, I wholeheartedly recommend the adaptive suspension in any case as it really enhances the Jekyll and Hyde aspects of the drive. I do not have it on mine and it is as close as I have come to a regret with my build.

I also am a silly northerner who chose the RWD in order to save as much weight as possible, so not sure if this factors into your choice. I felt the RWD was just a bit nimbler when I drove it in autocross prior to purchase.

Good luck with your decision, excited to see what you pick!

Last edited by -EndOfAnEra-; 10-09-2020 at 05:07 PM..
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      10-09-2020, 04:48 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by -EndOfAnEra- View Post
Burrcold, that is awesome! Hope you take them up on that, I'm a big fan of that Canadian Top Gear-like duo!
I told them I am game! It's in a few weeks so hopefully our schedules can align and we can do this.
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      10-09-2020, 05:49 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
I told them I am game! It's in a few weeks so hopefully our schedules can align and we can do this.
Wow Awesome sounds great Burrcold, can't wait for the video..
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      10-09-2020, 05:56 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by WXdrivefun View Post
Wow Awesome sounds great Burrcold, can't wait for the video..
I hope I can make it work with my schedule! Thomas would be driving my car, but I would get an afternoon of track time in after the shoot. Sounds awesome! It's only in a few weeks though so I have to see if I can move around a few things with work. Argh.
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      10-09-2020, 05:56 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
I've been waffling between a 330i and M340i and keep coming back to this issue. For my daily driving in Florida traffic, the M340i power is almost a wash compared to the lighter feel and more direct steering of the 330i M Sport. So I start to question whether I want to lease a 1.5 second faster 0-60 time for an extra $100+ per month.

I have still not completely made up my mind, but I am inclined to embrace the 330i. Of course, sometimes I go the other direction and consider another 540i, which is only $4k more than the M340i based on my build preferences. That at least has a proper luxury interior.
If you don't care about more horsepower, the 330i is a tad more energetic around town imo. I am a HP junkie though so the choice was obvious for me
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      10-09-2020, 06:29 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
James just messaged me and wants to do a Throttle House video pitting his B9 S4 against my M340i, and a C43. I think I might take them up on the offer, so stay tuned!!
Do it for the team.


As for the 330 VS 340, I think the differences are significant enough. 340 has torque vectoring LSD from M2 standard which is optional on 330i, that is significant in my opinion. I never liked that TH review because to me it was an unfair assessment. Watching that you'd walk away thinking C43 was superior. When that's not the case, flat bottom steering wheel and louder exhaust doesn't equates to superior car.

This is why we should takes these as pure entertainment, test drive and buy what you like. After more than a year and almost 13k miles I still love mine and I have had cars that I grew to hate like the former Lexus IS200T.

I too feel BMW could have injected a little more M dna but it's what it is, not everyone likes to hang the tail out like me lol. Plus that would also alienate many buyers as well. Can't imagine how many more complaints there'd be if BMW added more M DNA. With all the people who claim they want more comfort or that they can't use the standard suspension, car rides rough without adaptive suspension etc . There's many buying this car who want the buick experience.
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      10-09-2020, 07:23 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
I told them I am game! It's in a few weeks so hopefully our schedules can align and we can do this.
Thank God! I told James about your M340i and he said he’d reach out to you. It was after that that I thought maybe you didn’t want anyone else driving your car. By then, it was too late
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      10-09-2020, 07:26 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by VipinLJ View Post
Thank God! I told James about your M340i and he said he’d reach out to you. It was after that that I thought maybe you didn’t want anyone else driving your car. By then, it was too late
Hah that's awesome, thanks! James said Thomas would be driving my car (I told them I'm OCD about my car so I don't want anything to happen to it lol). I'm going to give James a call tomorrow to work out the logistics!
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      10-09-2020, 07:30 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
Hah that's awesome, thanks! James said Thomas would be driving my car (I told them I'm OCD about my car so I don't want anything to happen to it lol). I'm going to give James a call tomorrow to work out the logistics!
I assumed it would be Thomas since he loves BMWs and he also wants to drive the fastest car from now on (as per their latest drag race video with the accord, Camry and Mazda).
I’m glad it all worked out. He said he has found a C43 and he has the S4 and needed an M340i and you were the first person that popped up in my head. I wanna see by how much the M340i beats the S4.
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      10-09-2020, 08:23 PM   #34
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With about 1.5 years of ownership for 330 M-Sport with Adaptive suspension, a part of me still contemplates the driving experience feeling of the m340 with the identical adaptive suspension and wheel setup to that of my 330 M-sport when the budget permits..

Nevertheless appreciate your inputs!
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      10-09-2020, 08:29 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WXdrivefun View Post
With about 1.5 years of ownership for 330 M-Sport with Adaptive suspension, a part of me still contemplates the driving experience feeling of the m340 with the identical adaptive suspension and wheel setup to that of my 330 M-sport when the budget permits..

Nevertheless appreciate your inputs!
The I6 is a gem! I loved it. Doesn't have the drama of the C43AMG but that is a good thing.
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      10-10-2020, 12:26 AM   #36
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I had a C43 for almost 4 years and had my M340 for a weak. Going off my test drive and the track event the M340 is clearly the faster and better handling car. While I'm breaking in my car the M340 is also better at the duel personality. Way more comfortable, the M340 power delivery doesn't feel laggy and jerky like the C43

Interior I think the M340 looks better but there are things I prefer on the C43 such as the digital display 64 ambient lighting colors power steering adjustment, exhaust button. Exterior I like the design of the M340 more but C43 to me has more presence.

My M340 has the MPE and my C43 had the AMG PE the M340 is louder on cold starts & all modes and it pops and bangs in all modes where as the C43 was only dramatic on sport plus. Sometimes in comfort on the C43 I would get light pops but it was very rare. I believe it's because of the mild 48v that in comfort the M340 is very tamed and peaceful rev it past 3000 rpm and it wakes up. The C43 has the dramatic pops and bangs, It's more pronounced, It's strange because the M340 burbles more frequently then the C43 but it looks like the tune on the exhaust note wasn't geared around the theatrics like the C43 exhaust is. Maybe when I finish the break in period and rev it to its limit I'll get those aggressive gun shot sounding back fires like i did on the C43.

I questioned if had new car biases going on but my neighbors confirmed that the M340 is louder 🤣. It's crazy how big of a difference the MPE made. Before I knew about the MPE I already test drove the car and I contemplated getting another C43 just for the sound even tho I like the M340 more.

Never really was a fan of audis I loved there exterior design a few of my friends had a A4 S5 & S6. Driving there Audis It never it captured my interest or desire to getting one.
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      10-10-2020, 09:57 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ikester19 View Post
+1 lol

OP, every other reviewer you will find has only good things to say about the M340i.

I certainly wouldn't go by these clowns best to test drive each for yourself and make a decision based on your needs and wants.
You do realize that what you are saying isn't accurate? The m440i is fantastic but many reviews say they'd rather have the 330i considering the price difference.
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      10-10-2020, 10:12 PM   #38
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You do realize that what you are saying isn't accurate? The m440i is fantastic but many reviews say they'd rather have the 330i considering the price difference.
So you're going by reviews as well but telling him his opinion is not accurate? Uh huh...
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      10-10-2020, 11:45 PM   #39
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Originally Posted by OUGrad05 View Post

You do realize that what you are saying isn't accurate? The m440i is fantastic but many reviews say they'd rather have the 330i considering the price difference.
That a flawed argument that's like saying why go for a M3 when you got a M340i. I mean the M340 basically has the performance of F80 M3. Im sure the M340 owners on this forum there were other factors aside from performance that lead them to that car and not a 330 or like a 540. Not to mention there's a lot of things the M340 comes with as standard where as the 330i would be paid package. If I was to build a 330 the way I would want it I would in a M340 price territory.

Granted I do agree that differentiation (exterior and interior styling) between the 330i and M340i is subtle but the driving feel and experience is totally different. I don't like those compassions even when I had my C43 I wouldnt compare it to C300 the driving experience is totally different
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      10-11-2020, 01:40 AM   #40
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I've driven all of these, the C43 most extensively. The Merc has a great engine and exhaust note, and handles competently. But once you really push it in the twisties is sort of falls apart. It feels top heavy and not planted, steering is weighted but vague, and the car is heavy overall.

M340 is a better driver's car. I usually agree with these guys' assessments but they missed the mark in this video.
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      10-11-2020, 02:06 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OUGrad05 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ikester19 View Post
+1 lol

OP, every other reviewer you will find has only good things to say about the M340i.

I certainly wouldn't go by these clowns best to test drive each for yourself and make a decision based on your needs and wants.
You do realize that what you are saying isn't accurate? The m440i is fantastic but many reviews say they'd rather have the 330i considering the price difference.
My comment although perhaps not clearly articulated was specifically around the reviewers comparison between the S4, C43 and M340i and ultimately their convoluted conclusion - one picked the C43 based on drama and theatre the other the 330i based on saving money! A very opinionated conclusion without having evaluated the cars fairly against any specific scoring criteria.

With regards to the 330i, It is a great car however sits in a different category to the cars which were reviewed. In the end it comes down to ones preferences, and affordability which ultimately is a personal decision.
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      10-12-2020, 10:32 AM   #42
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Originally Posted by Casone238 View Post
That a flawed argument that's like saying why go for a M3 when you got a M340i. I mean the M340 basically has the performance of F80 M3. Im sure the M340 owners on this forum there were other factors aside from performance that lead them to that car and not a 330 or like a 540. Not to mention there's a lot of things the M340 comes with as standard where as the 330i would be paid package. If I was to build a 330 the way I would want it I would in a M340 price territory.

Granted I do agree that differentiation (exterior and interior styling) between the 330i and M340i is subtle but the driving feel and experience is totally different. I don't like those compassions even when I had my C43 I wouldnt compare it to C300 the driving experience is totally different
I'm not saying what he should or shouldn't go for. I'm saying the 330i is a great car and more than adequate for the vast majority of folks. Furthermore multiple reviews say they'd rather have the 330i. I'm not saying I would but my point is that it truly is a superb vehicle.
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      10-12-2020, 07:00 PM   #43
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The real issue here is whether the M340i is worth the up charge over the already excellent 330i. I think it is.
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      10-12-2020, 07:41 PM   #44
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The real issue here is whether the M340i is worth the up charge over the already excellent 330i. I think it is.
Same, but I can understand that it's not needed for everyone.
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