[Macboy]

You can go for the 330i if you dont come above 4500 rpm. Stay below and you will love the 4-cylinder. Great engine! Above that it sounds awful. You just constantly get reminded how terrible a 4-cylinder is in a BMW compared to a straight 6. Just try them out.

[jmg]

I personally would prefer to not own a used 3 series and would lean towards a new G20. If you plan on keeping the car for more than 3 years, however, get the F30.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by jmg

I personally would prefer to not own a used 3 series and would lean towards a new G20. If you plan on keeping the car for more than 3 years, however, get the F30.

Ok, you lost me on that reasoning.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Ok, you lost me on that reasoning.

Sorry, that was a fast typed response. I would lease a G20 over buying a used F30. The lease residuals are very good on new ones and the maintenance is not cheap on old ones.

However, if the OP is set on buying, then the length of ownership and financing term must be taken into consideration. If they plan on only keeping the car between 4 and 6+ years, then buy the F30 which will already have taken a big depreciation hit. This is by far the most financially frugal option.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by jmg

Sorry, that was a fast typed response. I would lease a G20 over buying a used F30. The lease residuals are very good on new ones and the maintenance is not cheap on old ones.

However, if the OP is set on buying, then the length of ownership and financing term must be taken into consideration. If they plan on only keeping the car between 4 and 6+ years, then buy the F30 which will already have taken a big depreciation hit. This is by far the most financially frugal option.

I understand your reasoning but buying a bmw isn't a frugal decision to begin with. I say, if you're going to buy a premium car, get the one that you really want, within reason of course.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Fuller

I understand your reasoning but buying a bmw isn't a frugal decision to begin with. I say, if you're going to buy a premium car, get the one that you really want, within reason of course.

Frugal is relative. A CPO F30 340i isn't going to depreciate as much as a new G20 330i.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by jmg

Sorry, that was a fast typed response. I would lease a G20 over buying a used F30. The lease residuals are very good on new ones and the maintenance is not cheap on old ones.

However, if the OP is set on buying, then the length of ownership and financing term must be taken into consideration. If they plan on only keeping the car between 4 and 6+ years, then buy the F30 which will already have taken a big depreciation hit. This is by far the most financially frugal option.

Ok thanks for clearing that up. Makes sense.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by jmg

Frugal is relative. A CPO F30 340i isn't going to depreciate as much as a new G20 330i.

A gently used Camry won't depreciate as much as a cpo f30. Then again, a used rav4 might not depreciate as much as the Camry either.

If you bought a lancer evo in the few years before it was discontinued, you could have put 40-50k miles on it and now sell it for nearly what you bought it for.

[sspdw]

The g20 has the better chassi, lower road noise, better tech and lower running cost. The F30 has more power and a great sounding engine.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by sspdw

The g20 has the better chassi, lower road noise, better tech and lower running cost. The F30 has more power and a great sounding engine.

G20 330i: Better chassis = Score 1 for the g20 330i.
Better tech, less road noise, lower running cost = boring snooze fest - time for my night cap.

F30 340i: More power
Better sound
Score 2 for the 340i.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Fuller

A gently used Camry won't depreciate as much as a cpo f30. Then again, a used rav4 might not depreciate as much as the Camry either.

If you bought a lancer evo in the few years before it was discontinued, you could have put 40-50k miles on it and now sell it for nearly what you bought it for.

Yes but the OP is asking about the G20 330i vs the F30 340i. Personally, I'd get an i8, F82 or wait for the G8X, but that's not on the OP's list.

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by Fuller

G20 330i: Better chassis = Score 1 for the g20 330i.
Better tech, less road noise, lower running cost = boring snooze fest - time for my night cap.

F30 340i: More power
Better sound
Score 2 for the 340i.

Agree.

Curveball.... given being in the scenario of buying... just make the stretch, go for the G20 M340i, and win on all counts, that is how I would personally play this scenario, but sounds like that is not an option for OP.

If not an option, here is my very happy story on the matter with the F30, though:
When the G20 is facelifted, will probably make the jump for a late model M340i next, no rush though.
Another thing... In my opinion, F30 is M Sport or bust. Very happy with that, and it was a must for me.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by jmg

Yes but the OP is asking about the G20 330i vs the F30 340i. Personally, I'd get an i8, F82 or wait for the G8X, but that's not on the OP's list.

I realize that. My, admittedly obscured, point was that buying a bmw isn't necessarily about making the most sound financial decision, or compromising on what you truly want in order to, potentially, save a couple grand on a 60k purchase. It's about fulfillment, assuming one has the disposable income to spend a little extra on a car. If you really want, and can comfortably afford a new g20, why forgo that in order to buy a car you're less passionate about because it'll depreciate less? If depreciation is a serious concern (nothing wrong with that), buying a bmw is probably ill advised. All this to say, the op should get the bimmer he wants, even if not the most sensible, mathematically sound choice.

Regardless, I agree that he should get the f30 because it's a 340i, depreciation concerns notwithstanding.

Also, cpo cars carry their own depreciation. If the cpo warranty isn't transferrable, you end up eating that extra 3-4K that you pay for a cpo car. The cpo warranty is only one year now (correct me if I'm wrong) and doesn't cover everything either, so you might not even get to use the warranty and recoup some of the cost. In order to be fully covered for an extended time you'll also need to purchase additional warranty coverage, further increasing the cost, and consequently, depreciation (for whatever isn't transferrable to another party buying the car from you).

[cjpp78]

old post but figured I'd add my 2cent. I Have leased in the past a 2021 M340 and now currently lease a 2023 330i. I have also driven F30 3 series, 328 msport and 340i.
Recently I borrowed a friend's 2023 M340 for the weekend. Stepping into that car after driving my 330i, the M340i felt so heavy. Steering so heavy at low speed by comparison. The snarl of the B58 engine is so good compared to B48 though. The M340i is for sure faster but honestly it doesn't "feel" a world faster...Keeping in mind I have jb+ on the 330i and a little E85 mixed in. If you can afford it, go M340i but a Msport 330i and a few mods is great also. Between G20 330i and F30 340i...If you like the 6 cylinder sound and want major power later get the 340i. If you want a better platform and okay with quick stock power and only maybe 300- 400whp later go G20 330i

[Davg31]

Hello, I'm sorry but I'm trying to say this without offending you, you're talking nonsense (I apologize if mistranslated, I speak with respect), to have a G 430 and a GM340 are two huge differences from an engine point of view.
There's no difference in steering unless there's a different option (adaptive chassis, etc.).
Now, having also had an F, I'd take the one with the most options, the HK works better in the F.

The G is much bigger, looks like a better chassis, has options impossible on an F series, I find it at the same level as a 5 series +- (I had a G31)