[NewM3driver]

Just for the record... I had an E39 530 sport. Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engine (before the days of throwing turbo's on everything), 5 speed manual transmission, 2 wheel drive, hydraulic steering. Absolutely sublime.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Just for the record... I had an E39 530 sport. Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engine (before the days of throwing turbo's on everything), 5 speed manual transmission, 2 wheel drive, hydraulic steering. Absolutely sublime.

You're bringing back some sweet memories. My brother bought a brand new 1999 528i in cashmere beige metallic with the sand beige interior. It was the first BMW i ever drove and I learned how to drive in that car. I'll never forget it. The interior was absolutely gorgeous with that wrap around walnut wood trim. The soft leather seats were the most comfortable of any car I've ever sat in. And the simplicity-just get in and drive. No gadgets, no tech, just you and the car. I wish I could drive that car forever. There will never be a driving experience that will ever come close to that.

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

Interesting- what did you like about the A4? I rented a B9 A4(non sport) from silver car Audi and drove it from Denver to Aspen. It was a very comfortable highway cruiser but that was about it. Steering was way too light and numb (even by EPS standards) and the car didn’t feel particularly agile-way too much roll in the corners when pushed hard. It felt pretty quick though and the seats were comfortable. 330i feels much more nimble and confidence inspiring when I push it and just has much better overall feel/

My A4 was tuned, had a CAI, was lowered and had a strut bar, transmission insert swap etc. Stock for stock, I’d say both cars have their own positives and negatives and I agree with your insight. But slightly modded like mine, it was a much better car than stock. Handled way better, was faster than stock (and my 330i) and was also smooth too. I think the engine in the A4 is smoother and quieter than the one in the 330i. It was also more spacious, had a much much better sound system and looked better (that’s just my opinion though). I’m looking at both cars as a whole. Not just from a fun to drive perspective.

[BillD1953]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I just had a G20 330 xdrive loaner for 3 days, or about 300 miles. I think it's a fantastic car for a non enthusiast. It feels like it has enough power until you really get on it; and the suspension is fine until you push it. Even the base audio system is fine if you don't try and listen at too high a volume or have high expectations.

interesting you mentioned the standard hifi on the 330i. The day I put a few hundred miles on the loaner I thought the hifi was great.

I have the harmon kardon in the X3M40i and to my ear the hifi in the 330i sounds better.

Maybe because the cabin is smaller in the 330i but also the lack of wind noise at highway speeds in the 330i vs the X3 is notable

I was using bluetooth Spotify on my iphone and sirius

[BillD1953]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

Am the only one who doesn’t think the 330i is underpowered ? I guess it’s all relative and this is a forum for enthusiasts but I’ve never been in a single situation in this car where I felt like I needed more power. Every morning I merge on the highway and I’m at 90mph before I can even blink. Transmission is always lightning fast too. I do have the lighter RWD 330i and maybe some of these loaners have been running 87 octane. All this while averaging 37mpg!

Genuine question - Where/when are you guys using the extra power In day to day commuting ?

today I picked up 3 of my grandboys at school in the M40i. The boys are 4,8,10.....two oldest are gettin into cars. So I dropped the M40i into Super Sport mode and play with the gas pedal. The 6 cylinder is quick even in the X3, but the 330i is more than enough for any daily driving. As said, highway merge, 90mph will come real quick with the 4 banger.

[BillD1953]

Originally Posted by clausmoll

I'm totally with you. I have the 330i RWD and running on octane 100 (sometimes 98) and has plenty of power. It's fast, nimble and just fun to drive. Of course it's not a 340i - but it's all I would ever need.

If I were to get a 330i it would be RWD.
Curious???
I've read on some of the M340i threads that with the power it was not uncommon for the ass end to kick out in the rain in spirited driving with RWD model.

Any issues in the rain with a RWD 330i ?

Thanks

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

If I were to get a 330i it would be RWD.
Curious???
I've read on some of the M340i threads that with the power it was not uncommon for the ass end to kick out in the rain in spirited driving with RWD model.

Any issues in the rain with a RWD 330i ?

Thanks

My xdrive kicks it’s rear end out when I take sharp turns spiritedly, especially in the wet or when there’s snow. If you’re going real fast, it does it in the dry too.

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

You're bringing back some sweet memories. My brother bought a brand new 1999 528i in cashmere beige metallic with the sand beige interior. It was the first BMW i ever drove and I learned how to drive in that car. I'll never forget it. The interior was absolutely gorgeous with that wrap around walnut wood trim. The soft leather seats were the most comfortable of any car I've ever sat in. And the simplicity-just get in and drive. No gadgets, no tech, just you and the car. I wish I could drive that car forever. There will never be a driving experience that will ever come close to that.

See that I'm not the only one!

There IS another driving experience thats even better. I have a 1995 Porsche 993 C2. All analogue, flat-6, six speed, polar silver/black leather. The drive, the engine, the sound, the smell, the look, the stance, the soul. Pure emotion. It's definitely a forever car. Buy one. You'll never lose a penny.

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

You're bringing back some sweet memories. My brother bought a brand new 1999 528i in cashmere beige metallic with the sand beige interior. It was the first BMW i ever drove and I learned how to drive in that car. I'll never forget it. The interior was absolutely gorgeous with that wrap around walnut wood trim. The soft leather seats were the most comfortable of any car I've ever sat in. And the simplicity-just get in and drive. No gadgets, no tech, just you and the car. I wish I could drive that car forever. There will never be a driving experience that will ever come close to that.

Isn't it cool that a car can create such emotion?

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

If I were to get a 330i it would be RWD.
Curious???
I've read on some of the M340i threads that with the power it was not uncommon for the ass end to kick out in the rain in spirited driving with RWD model.

Any issues in the rain with a RWD 330i ?

Thanks

In the Rain, lol? The M3 can be going 35 mph up an on ramp... a perfectly DRY on ramp, and get completely sideways if you were to floor it in second gear with the traction control off. No better car to drive like a hooligan

[A6bullet]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

If I were to get a 330i it would be RWD.
Curious???
I've read on some of the M340i threads that with the power it was not uncommon for the ass end to kick out in the rain in spirited driving with RWD model.

Any issues in the rain with a RWD 330i ?

Thanks

I have the RWD 330i, no issues whatsoever. BUT! I did notice that while on the autobahn one day, it was quite damp, i was going pretty fast up a hill and the DSC light started flashing. Car did not feel unsafe though. It kept straight and was putting down the power ( I have M Diff).

That being said, it will kick the rear end out, you just have to be a bit more intentional about it than with a 340 to say.

It will though, its still a fast car, don't let it fool you.

[euro_syd]

Originally Posted by BillD1953

Yesterday I dropped my X3M40i for its routine 40,000 mile service. I ordered it new January 2018.
The M40i has been flawless during the 40,000 miles.
I wore out the original runflat Bridgestone Duellers @ 39,000 miles.
I just bolted on 4 new Good Year Eagle Exhilirates, what a difference in the ride and handling compared to the hockey puck noisy runflats.

OK, I asked the BMW service dept @ the Stratham NH dealer if they had a G20 330i available as a loaner and they did. A black stripper base model xdrive, sticker showed a $48,000 +- list. Standard hifi, standard suspension, heated wheel, seats, moon roof, not much else.
Car was fairly new with 4,000 miles on it.

I took the G20 330i loaner for a real good spin. Burned 3/4 tank of fuel over the day.

Went from Stratham NH to Portland Maine up the Maine Turnpike INT 95, then back south down 95 to RTE 128 north in Peabody Ma. to Gloucester, Ma. and back to Stratham NH end of day to pu the M40i.

Cruised at 90 mph on the turnpike, 128 north is a twisty with rough roads. Drove state and town roads 25-50 mph...overall a very good mix of driving.

1st impressions:

What a great 4 door sedan for the money. Although I'm used to the M40i's 6 cyl B58 power, the 4 banger in the 330i is PLENTY of power for this car. Plenty fast from a stop, smooth, will hit 90 mph in no time. Good power band. Has an overdrive gear that keeps rpms around 1600-1700 @ 80mph on the highway. Press the peddle and she'll downshift just a bit. All very smooth, no herky jerky crap.

Yesterday was about as windy as it gets for highway driving. 80mph the car was rock straight down the highway. Wind didn't bother the 330i like in my M40i and IMO the 330i is super quiet with little wind noise and road noise even with the Pirelli P7 18" runflats.

The new passive suspension is notable. Smooth when need be, stiffer when need be. It's a great passive suspension IMO with great handling and ride when pushed on lousy pavement.

Doors are solid when shut.

This a great car, I'd by one just like it if going to a 3 series sedan. No need IMO for the big motor in the M340i.

For what it's worth,

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback on g20 330i. I just ordered one 2022 330i and was thinking should I have gone for a m340i, well doesn't look like I need 340i as you have explained about 330i. I drive normally, may be very few fast acceleration her and there.
Once again thanks.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by euro_syd

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback on g20 330i. I just ordered one 2022 330i and was thinking should I have gone for a m340i, well doesn't look like I need 340i as you have explained about 330i. I drive normally, may be very few fast acceleration her and there.
Once again thanks.

If you’re thinking you should have gone with the M340i you should do that. The B48 is adequate, but it simply does not compare to the inline six B58.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by premier3is

I didn't realize you get 37mpg sheesh. I am getting 20mpg lol, guess I am more of a spirited driver.

iDrive showed 46mpg once I later re-calculated from fill-up and it was around 42mpg.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Just for the record... I had an E39 530 sport. Naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engine (before the days of throwing turbo's on everything), 5 speed manual transmission, 2 wheel drive, hydraulic steering. Absolutely sublime.

I had a 2001 E39 530i 5MT with M54 for 12 years, and it was a great car!

3500lb, 50/50 RWD, surging power band, 2nd gear(one shift!) to 60mph at 6krpm, that was lots of fun.

I do feel that G20 330i is a true successor to that car in many ways, e.g. size, classic drive feel, comfort + competence. In fact G20 feels stiffer and more nimble than E39, akin to E46.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

If you are going to splurge on a BMW, do yourself a favor. Get it with a SIX.

I had a E39 I6 NA(M54), a F30 I4 turbo(N26), and now have a G20 I4 turbo(B46).

There is a distinct difference of M54's surging power band, to N26/B46's flat power band, in terms of visceral feel and sound.

The current gen I6 turbo(N55/B58) also has relatively flat power band, which is needed for turbo spooling and such.

The numbers do show that while M54 + 5MT feels fast, N26/B46 + Z8AT is fast! And the awesome mpg of N26/B46 is very cool too.

And also note that BMW-Vierzylinder tells us that 4-cyclinder is old school BMW too.

[TruthOne]

Originally Posted by euro_syd

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback on g20 330i. I just ordered one 2022 330i and was thinking should I have gone for a m340i, well doesn't look like I need 340i as you have explained about 330i. I drive normally, may be very few fast acceleration her and there.
Once again thanks.

Nobody needs any of these cars but if the M340 thoughts were creeping in you will end up regretting not going for what you really want. I had a 330 loaner and while it's peppy it doesn't compare power wise to the M340. After a day I wanted my car back desperately