[undertaker]

I will admit the MB’s have great lines and fluency and look flawless on the exterior. But as mentioned above. They are not the same as reported in consumer reports with quality control, etc, unfortunately.

[Cammy440iGC]

Okay...I now drive a 2024 M440i GC XDrive having come from a 2019 W205 LCI C43 with AMG Performance Exhaust.

Both are great cars but the M440i is by far the better driver car. The B58 engine and ZF 8 speed transmission are just so much better than the V6 Biturbo mated to the 9 speed transmission. While the C43 was rated at 385 HP...it was not nearly as fast as the M440i rated at just 382HP.

What was better on the MB? The AMG Performance exhaust which was just a $1,200.00 but well worth it. I also had the adaptive multibeam headlights which I think are just slightly better than the M440i Laser lights. My LCI C43 also had good fit and finish...like a tank. No major issues in 4 years of driving.

Before going with the M440i GC XDrive I test drove the new W206 4 cylinder C43. It was a mess. The transmission was clunky and hesitated. Plus...no AMG Performance exhaust option. They had a $550 electronic sound option? Give me a break. Plus the 4 cylinder electrified turbo lacked low end torque. My W205 felt like it had much more grunt down low. So it was an easy pass for me.

Why pay same or more for a 4 cylinder with a lousy transmission?

Stick with an M340i or M440i and the B58 and ZF 8 speed transmission.

[Tomla]

I looked at Audi as well. I like the RS 5 Sportback except for one thing that I can't quite get over. I really dislike the center display screen. It looks like they took a tablet and stuck it to the top of the dash as an afterthought. I wish they integrated it with the dash like the A6. It would probably make the display smaller but that's OK. Before you ask, the A6 is a bigger than what I want.

[blue_seather]

Originally Posted by Tomla

I looked at Audi as well. I like the RS 5 Sportback except for one thing that I can't quite get over. I really dislike the center display screen. It looks like they took a tablet and stuck it to the top of the dash as an afterthought.

The A4 and A5 are really old models at this point. This year they should both get merged into the A5 and come out with brand new models. You might need to wait until next year for an S5 or an RS5, though.

[rostrata]

BMW for reliable performance and fit and finish. MB for interiors but even that’s debatable at this point. BMW, Audi and MB have all gone the way of little differentiation between vehicle model interiors. Most Audis look identical to one-another. And the exterior leaves room for much improvement.

If I had to do it all over again, I’d have gotten the Supra. Still intend to. But one fact that can’t be ignored is the flat-out awesome nature of the B58TU engine. I’m keeping my 340iX until I’m dead. It’ll be my toy car for the long haul. And then I’ll daily drive a Supra.

A little off topic at the end but the point remains.

[JITH]

Coming from MB to BMW. I will be on BMW for a while. Way better IMO.

[JITH]

Maybe this can help

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by JITH

https://youtu.be/HOeRpQ1ZTtQ?si=7ThudFIFdeb_slQu

Maybe this can help

That’s very entertaining. I thought the Audi would do better. I really like the M340. That video just backs it up.

[Tomla]

Originally Posted by rostrata

BMW for reliable performance and fit and finish. MB for interiors but even that’s debatable at this point. BMW, Audi and MB have all gone the way of little differentiation between vehicle model interiors. Most Audis look identical to one-another. And the exterior leaves room for much improvement.

If I had to do it all over again, I’d have gotten the Supra. Still intend to. But one fact that can’t be ignored is the flat-out awesome nature of the B58TU engine. I’m keeping my 340iX until I’m dead. It’ll be my toy car for the long haul. And then I’ll daily drive a Supra.

A little off topic at the end but the point remains.

If the 3 series has good fit and finish I would hate to see what poor fit and finish is. My car spent months at the dealer under warranty having noises and rattles addressed.

[Montaver]

My first G20 didn’t have a single rattle in 25k miles. My current G20 is the same. These cars are properly screwed together with very tight tolerances, you can’t really fault current BMW build quality in my experience.

[TheKandyman]

It's a little sad to see how MB quality seems to be declining. Prior to my G26, I had a 2012 E350 Sport (W212 model) which I had for 10 years and slightly over 100k miles. Nothing rattled. No engine problems. Just engine mounts which broke about every 4 years. It was a good solid car like you'd image an MB would be.

[Tomla]

Originally Posted by Montaver

My first G20 didn’t have a single rattle in 25k miles. My current G20 is the same. These cars are properly screwed together with very tight tolerances, you can’t really fault current BMW build quality in my experience.

I wish that was my experience.

[NGT2]

I’ve bought two 5 series (2018 540 and 2020 M550) lightly used and well treated.

They rattle as they age. Is what it is. Not awful in my experience but it happens. I find it largely depends on temperature and components contracting and expanding. I did have one bad rattle in the 540 and eventually identified it. The plastic rain gutter under the hood was loose. Other than that, it’s just typical sunroof creaks/rattles that can be addressed with some lubrication/conditioning.

But some mild amount of rattling seems to be common with many BMWs as they age.

[Tomla]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’ve bought two 5 series (2018 540 and 2020 M550) lightly used and well treated.

They rattle as they age. Is what it is. Not awful in my experience but it happens. I find it largely depends on temperature and components contracting and expanding. I did have one bad rattle in the 540 and eventually identified it. The plastic rain gutter under the hood was loose. Other than that, it’s just typical sunroof creaks/rattles that can be addressed with some lubrication/conditioning.

But some mild amount of rattling seems to be common with many BMWs as they age.

I have a 2011 335i X drive with about 160K. I bought it with about 8k. I still have it. It doesn't have any rattles and never has. I wish that my 2020 M340 had the same level of build quality.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Tomla

I have a 2011 335i X drive with about 160K. I bought it with about 8k. I still have it. It doesn't have any rattles and never has. I wish that my 2020 M340 had the same level of build quality.

I buy that. I’m sure some materials have become cheaper, across all manufacturers.

My 7 year old gets a headache every time he gets in our cars. Both BMWs. Before we ever start moving, he complains about his head hurting. I think it’s probably some cheap plastic or some adhesive used somewhere that he has a mild reaction to. But I can’t prove it.

[blue_seather]

My brand new G26 M440i has a rattle right beside my ear in the B pillar. Never had a car that has a rattle from day 1 before. Seems like it should be pretty easy to diagnose, so fingers crossed it resolves quickly and easily.

Not enough to deter me from the brand, though. Everything in the interior feels extremely well put together. Ten times more so compared to the 2-3 times more expensive EQS I saw at a local MB dealership.

This clip pretty much sums it up - https://www.facebook.com/reel/910343070341382.