[S4CH]

Having had three 5 series in a row I am thinking of mixing things up a bit. I have the M550 for which the lease is up in two months.

As much as I'd love to get another one, I'm driving much less and mostly around town.

I am thinking an M340 may work a little better. Did anyone come from the M550?

Any regrets?

I understand there is a little less refinement but hopefully the drive ability makes up for it.

[bokmeipai]

Originally Posted by S4CH

Having had three 5 series in a row I am thinking of mixing things up a bit. I have the M550 for which the lease is up in two months.

As much as I'd love to get another one, I'm driving much less and mostly around town.

I am thinking an M340 may work a little better. Did anyone come from the M550?

Any regrets?

I understand there is a little less refinement but hopefully the drive ability makes up for it.

I came from an Audi S6 into a M340i and have no regrets. The power is there on tap with no lag and handling is way better than the S6. Comfort wise the Audi had a softer ride but the trade off was worth it. The M340i is a better driver's car.

[440xiGCMSport2]

I have a 540 and a 440GC( which more or less drives like a 3er). Unless you really like to drive sporty most of the time I find that I miss the 5ers refinement 90 percent of the time when I am just puttering around town. I like to get into the 4 series GC whenever I want some spirited driving on some country roads. When in the city I like the isolation that that 5er provides me.
Maybe go try a 540 since it weighs less than the 550 thus a little more agile.

[stein_325i]

The M340i is a much better driver's car than any of the G30 variants, so it will be much more fun and the backseat and interior space is actually very similar. Only big downgrade from the 5er to me is the seats, the multi-contours in the G30 are excellent while the G20/G01 seats are stiffer, so definitely test out and get a good amount of time in the interior before you decide since that's where you'll notice the most changes. The materials in the car will be cheaper as well however to me they aren't deal breakers (at least to me), especially since your lease will be cheaper anyways. Good luck!

[Antec800]

Originally Posted by bokmeipai

I came from an Audi S6 into a M340i and have no regrets. The power is there on tap with no lag and handling is way better than the S6. Comfort wise the Audi had a softer ride but the trade off was worth it. The M340i is a better driver's car.

The s6 isn’t very close to the m550 in power, closer to a 540, and to answer op I had a 540i for a bit before going to a m340 it drives much better around town plus being super comfortable just not as fast, but if your barely driving much the downgrade shouldn’t be that bad

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

I had an M550i for two years. Traded into a new M5.

Added an M340i a year later.

Between the M550i and the M340i there's a world of difference, namely the refinement of fit & finish, the comfort and that 5 being a cruise-missile monster on the highway. It just goes like hell and never feels out of sorts. It sticks to the ground.

That said, I love being able to do a quick u-turn in the M340i. I love the go-kart like response. The sound is a lot more brash, but it's fun. You're definitely going to miss the low, serious growl of the M550i's V8.

If I were you, I'd only downgrade if I really needed to. If this is a matter of needing less car, an easier fit or something more 'fun,' I totally get it.

Just be prepared to miss a lot about what makes the M550i special.

[Rob_G77]

Here in Canada, current 2021 lease rates and low residual values on the 5 series make it a very expensive vehicle to have.

Rob

[S4CH]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

The M340i is a much better driver's car than any of the G30 variants, so it will be much more fun and the backseat and interior space is actually very similar. Only big downgrade from the 5er to me is the seats, the multi-contours in the G30 are excellent while the G20/G01 seats are stiffer, so definitely test out and get a good amount of time in the interior before you decide since that's where you'll notice the most changes. The materials in the car will be cheaper as well however to me they aren't deal breakers (at least to me), especially since your lease will be cheaper anyways. Good luck!

[QUOTE=stein_325i;27127675]


Thanks. Makes sense. I am definitely expecting some trade offs in exchange for saving a few hundred dollars every month. Good point on the seats, I do like that I can manage 4 or 5 hour stretches of driving in the M550 without feeling tired.

[S4CH]

Originally Posted by 440xiGCMSport2

I have a 540 and a 440GC( which more or less drives like a 3er). Unless you really like to drive sporty most of the time I find that I miss the 5ers refinement 90 percent of the time when I am just puttering around town. I like to get into the 4 series GC whenever I want some spirited driving on some country roads. When in the city I like the isolation that that 5er provides me.
Maybe go try a 540 since it weighs less than the 550 thus a little more agile.

Nice perspective. I guess it speaks volumes when you have both car keys at hand and you chose one or the other more often.

[S4CH]

Originally Posted by Benjamin_Nicholas

I had an M550i for two years. Traded into a new M5.

Added an M340i a year later.

Between the M550i and the M340i there's a world of difference, namely the refinement of fit & finish, the comfort and that 5 being a cruise-missile monster on the highway. It just goes like hell and never feels out of sorts. It sticks to the ground.

That said, I love being able to do a quick u-turn in the M340i. I love the go-kart like response. The sound is a lot more brash, but it's fun. You're definitely going to miss the low, serious growl of the M550i's V8.

If I were you, I'd only downgrade if I really needed to. If this is a matter of needing less car, an easier fit or something more 'fun,' I totally get it.

Just be prepared to miss a lot about what makes the M550i special.

Thanks! I am going to drive the M340 this week, but I hear you - there is low end grunt and power in the M550 that is very addictive. Hopefully there is some of that in the M340 too that may suffice. I just feel bad that I am only driving it 2 or 3 times a week. And even then, I am making excuses to go drive or take the long route if it means getting on the highway for a few miles.

[RoyB]

What kind of driving do you do? My biggest complaint on the M340 is it's a bit loud on the highway. It doesn't have the V8 from the 550, but it's also a little lighter to offset the weight and I have to assume better balanced with the smaller engine up front. The I6 no slouch though. It moves off the line very good. I've been happy with it so far.

[S4CH]

Originally Posted by RoyB

What kind of driving do you do? My biggest complaint on the M340 is it's a bit loud on the highway. It doesn't have the V8 from the 550, but it's also a little lighter to offset the weight and I have to assume better balanced with the smaller engine up front. The I6 no slouch though. It moves off the line very good. I've been happy with it so far.

Probably a mix but generally less than 50% highway. I am thinking of having another car that will be more for road trips. I do enjoy the sound on occasion blast but not long road trips. The V8 was great when I was commuting and most of the driving was on the highway but no longer the case.

[RoyB]

Originally Posted by S4CH

Probably a mix but generally less than 50% highway. I am thinking of having another car that will be more for road trips. I do enjoy the sound on occasion blast but not long road trips. The V8 was great when I was commuting and most of the driving was on the highway but no longer the case.

I mean general highway noise. Wind, tires, etc. It's not terrible, but coming from a 5 series I imagine it will be pretty noticeable.

[siegester]

I went from a mostly loaded 650 msport grand coupe to an M340i and don't regret it. The main features I miss are the leather dash, window shades and ventilated seats. I still think the F06 wins in the looks department, but the driving enjoymemt is much higher in the G20 for me.

The wind noise is louder on the highway, but something I have adjusted to and don't mind now.

I find the G20 just as capable, but a bit more raw feeling when it comes to acceleration in most daily driving conditions.

I find the m340 hits the sweet spot for me between daily driving comfort and back road fun, especially with the adjustable dampers. YMMV

[BayM340]

[QUOTE=S4CH;27130752]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Thanks. Makes sense. I am definitely expecting some trade offs in exchange for saving a few hundred dollars every month. Good point on the seats, I do like that I can manage 4 or 5 hour stretches of driving in the M550 without feeling tired.

I'd say your biggest win is getting the B58 vs the N63. It is indeed powerful, but also one of the shittiest engines BMW has put on the market...

[WWM3]

I drove the M340 and the M550. I currently have an M340 on order. Yes, the M550 is more refined, has more luxury, and looks slightly better, but I expected more sportiness. I liked the V8 growl, but it drove like a luxury car instead of the in between of a regular 5 series and an M5. I thought the M340 was much more fun to drive and more deserving of the M in front of its numbers.

[tturbolife]

The M340i is more fun to drive, the M550i is more comfortable. If you're doing short drives around town, I'd go with the M340i. If you're driving 30 minutes or longer, I'd go with the M550i.

[Bmoney2K4]

Life is too short to buy boring cars, so I guess if you're reading this, you know to lean toward the M340i.

[paulbazoV2]

Originally Posted by Bmoney2K4

Life is too short to buy boring cars, so I guess if you're reading this, you know to lean toward the M340i.

I went from M550 to M340 with no regrets, M550 is more comfortable ( multi contour seats ) and maybe more prestige to some folks, but the M340 is a lot more fun to drive. If I had both in my garage, I would only use the 5 for long trips, and the M340 as my daily.

[S4CH]

Originally Posted by paulbazoV2

I went from M550 to M340 with no regrets, M550 is more comfortable ( multi contour seats ) and maybe more prestige to some folks, but the M340 is a lot more fun to drive. If I had both in my garage, I would only use the 5 for long trips, and the M340 as my daily.

That could be a good combo. An M340 and then an SUV like an X5 for longer drives with the family. Right now we do all the long trips in the M550 and we have an Audi A4 as a second car.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by S4CH

That could be a good combo. An M340 and then an SUV like an X5 for longer drives with the family. Right now we do all the long trips in the M550 and we have an Audi A4 as a second car.

I've got the X5 as the family hauler and the m340 as my daily and I can say it's a great combo. Best of both worlds.

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Originally Posted by paulbazoV2

I went from M550 to M340 with no regrets, M550 is more comfortable ( multi contour seats ) and maybe more prestige to some folks, but the M340 is a lot more fun to drive. If I had both in my garage, I would only use the 5 for long trips, and the M340 as my daily.

While I know this isn't plausible for everyone, this is exactly what I did. A go-kart for the weekend and a highway monster for longer trips.

Prestige? Sorta, but not really. Rarely do people know the differences between a basic 5 series and an M550i.