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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions BMW M340i vs Mercedes C43 AMG vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport - Review & Comparison

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      08-10-2019, 03:04 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
Number 2 is essentially the problem for me. While I do have one Alfa dealer nearby, its paired with Fiat, Jeep and Dodge, and the service center there isn't the best. I do have one Alfa dealer paired with Porsche and Maserati, but the problem with that one is that while it is much nicer and has better service, its about 1.5 hrs away, in a heavily trafficked area.
I think you may like the G70 3.3T because it does feel lighter on its feet than the M340 but the transmission is a hyundai unit and not as good as the ZF. The Genesis dealership experience is shabby at least where i live since you have to go to the local Hyundai dealership.
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      08-10-2019, 03:10 PM   #24
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
Number 2 is essentially the problem for me. While I do have one Alfa dealer nearby, its paired with Fiat, Jeep and Dodge, and the service center there isn't the best. I do have one Alfa dealer paired with Porsche and Maserati, but the problem with that one is that while it is much nicer and has better service, its about 1.5 hrs away, in a heavily trafficked area.
I think you may like the G70 3.3T because it does feel lighter on its feet than the M340 but the transmission is a hyundai unit and not as good as the ZF. The Genesis dealership experience is shabby at least where i live since you have to go to the local Hyundai dealership.
I plan on going back to a different Hyundai dealer sometime this week. I have three local dealers, one doesn't have any G70's, one has a small number of 2.0T's only, and one does have a larger stock of 3.3TT's so I'll have to go to that one.

Similar to Alfa, the problem with Genesis is dealer experience. In Canada, they have everything figured out. They bring the car to you to test drive, they have a whole delivery experience where they bring it on a truck with a nice big bow when you buy it, and for service, they bring you a loaner, and take your car to the service center. Sadly, the US doesn't have this. Despite this, I am still curious about how it handles, so I'll definitely need to drive one.
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      08-11-2019, 02:11 AM   #25
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One thing I'll point out, that many might already realize, is the longer the Giulia sits on dealer lots, the more attractive the offers and discounts are becoming. I saw a new 2018 quadrifoglio dropped all the way to mid 50s. I didn't dig deeper to see what the details were, but if there are left over '18 quads being offered for the cost of a well optioned 330i, that's hard to resist.

In some regions of the US, like the NE, the dealer situation isn't bad either. I have the feeling though, if I walk into an Alfa dealership looking for a quadrifoglio, it would be difficult to leave without buying it. Compound that with the fact that, on some level, I'd want to be talked into buying it, and id be a relatively easy mark for a skilled sales person. Car sales staff are often very perceptive, and despite what you think is a good poker face, they tend to sense your mind set if you're an enthusiast type. Then again, who else would be interested in buying a rwd Italian sports sedan in the northeastern US. You're either not playing with a full deck, or you're the type who comes to life when in control of 500+ hp. Anyway, got to be sensible, no impulsive car purchases... My F36 might not be a youngster anymore, but she's perfectly fine...I think.
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      08-11-2019, 07:11 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssquared View Post
I haven't driven the Merc or the Alfa, but my feelings on the M340 are extremely similar to yours.

The interior of the M340 is an improvement over the F30, but still feels very low rent, especially with the tetragonal trim. The soft touch material feels cheap, and the high/upright passenger side dashboard looks terrible. I also felt the door cards were lacking and the arm rest is too narrow

As far as driving, I was utterly bored by the 340. Its okay but nothing exciting...comfortable, refined quick, but not sporty enough to warrant a BMW badge, and not luxurious enough to be considered a luxury car.

I too was hoping the M340 would be more like the E90, but its simply not. Its an improvement over the F30 in dynamics, but its closer to the F30 in driver engagement than it is to the E90

I truly expected to like the M340 a lot better than my 2017 530, as I prefer something more athletic or fun, but I feel like the 340 gives up significant amounts of luxury and refinement over the 5 series, and doesn't really offer any additional driving enjoyment.
You hit the nail on the head.

The 340 bores me. It's not bad in the way the F30 was, it's certainly competent and would be "fun" to the average person. However, it's just not close at all to recapturing the magic of the E90 and prior models.

That's just too much money for me to spend on a car that leaves me feeling cold. No bueno BMW.
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      08-11-2019, 08:58 PM   #27
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Thank you for the detailed and unbiased view. Awesome
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      08-11-2019, 11:12 PM   #28
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Thanks for the update on the g70. Your assessment on the transmission is what makes me lukewarm on the g70. Despite the powerful engine, competent handling, quality interior, and relative bargain price for the segment, the transmission would ruin the experience for me. Why bother with a performance oriented car if the only choice is an auto transmission that's somewhat unpredictable and doesn't allow for full manual mode.
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      08-12-2019, 10:29 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
Thanks for the update on the g70. Your assessment on the transmission is what makes me lukewarm on the g70. Despite the powerful engine, competent handling, quality interior, and relative bargain price for the segment, the transmission would ruin the experience for me. Why bother with a performance oriented car if the only choice is an auto transmission that's somewhat unpredictable and doesn't allow for full manual mode.
And don't forget the G70's lousy fuel economy too.
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      08-12-2019, 12:19 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 530iDriver View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuller View Post
Thanks for the update on the g70. Your assessment on the transmission is what makes me lukewarm on the g70. Despite the powerful engine, competent handling, quality interior, and relative bargain price for the segment, the transmission would ruin the experience for me. Why bother with a performance oriented car if the only choice is an auto transmission that's somewhat unpredictable and doesn't allow for full manual mode.
And don't forget the G70's lousy fuel economy too.
Yes, fuel economy is surprisingly abysmal for both the 4 and 6 cylinder models somehow. Makes no sense, especially when 4 cylinder 3 series have been tested at as high as 40mpg by C/D
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      08-12-2019, 12:22 PM   #31
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Thanks for the update, especially as regards the differences between RWD and X drive! Driving a RWD E90 in the snowbelt, I suspected that the RWD M340i might have a touch more character. It's tricky because being where I am, I have no ability to compare rear to XDrive and my instinct as a driver for RWD wars with my practical self for XDrive
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      08-12-2019, 12:34 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickForLife View Post
Thanks for the update, especially as regards the differences between RWD and X drive! Driving a RWD E90 in the snowbelt, I suspected that the RWD M340i might have a touch more character. It's tricky because being where I am, I have no ability to compare rear to XDrive and my instinct as a driver for RWD wars with my practical self for XDrive
One solution for me regarding RWD and snow, is winter tires. I find that it allows me to have more fun in the summer and enough traction in the winter.
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      08-12-2019, 10:23 PM   #33
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Great thread! Maybe I missed it, but the 2020 Mercedes CLA45 looks pretty good, too. Shame the 416hp engine will not be released in the U.S.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...cla45-s-drive/
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      08-13-2019, 02:09 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by StickForLife View Post
Thanks for the update, especially as regards the differences between RWD and X drive! Driving a RWD E90 in the snowbelt, I suspected that the RWD M340i might have a touch more character. It's tricky because being where I am, I have no ability to compare rear to XDrive and my instinct as a driver for RWD wars with my practical self for XDrive
One solution for me regarding RWD and snow, is winter tires. I find that it allows me to have more fun in the summer and enough traction in the winter.
You also drive winter tires in the summer?
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      08-13-2019, 07:16 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle Creek View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by StickForLife View Post
Thanks for the update, especially as regards the differences between RWD and X drive! Driving a RWD E90 in the snowbelt, I suspected that the RWD M340i might have a touch more character. It's tricky because being where I am, I have no ability to compare rear to XDrive and my instinct as a driver for RWD wars with my practical self for XDrive
One solution for me regarding RWD and snow, is winter tires. I find that it allows me to have more fun in the summer and enough traction in the winter.
You also drive winter tires in the summer?
God no, sorry my wording was off. By using winter tires in the winter, i can have fun with summmer/performance tires in the summer, and then switch them out as soon as snow begins to fall.
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      08-13-2019, 04:48 PM   #36
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Those as-tested prices of the M and AMG lite models are ridiculous.
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      08-13-2019, 04:50 PM   #37
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Those as-tested prices of the M and AMG lite models are ridiculous.
That's what happens when all the boxes are ticked, but yes, everything today has become very expensive. I'm sure if Porsche made a competitor, it'd be well past $100k w/ all options
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      08-13-2019, 05:13 PM   #38
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Add performance suspension to your m340i and it will change the car completely.
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      08-13-2019, 05:19 PM   #39
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Go drive the Alfa QV. You won't be disappointed. You can also pick one up (18 model)for $20k discount.

I've driven 11k miles on mine so far and it has been very reliable.
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      08-13-2019, 05:24 PM   #40
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thats a very informative post.
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      08-13-2019, 05:26 PM   #41
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Go drive the Alfa QV. You won't be disappointed. You can also pick one up (18 model)for $20k discount.

I've driven 11k miles on mine so far and it has been very reliable.
Plan on trying to do so this weekend, just have to get off work early enough. After driving the Ti Sport, I can't wait to see how the twin turbo V6 makes the car even better!
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      08-13-2019, 05:28 PM   #42
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Originally Posted by buckybadger View Post
Add performance suspension to your m340i and it will change the car completely.
Is this on the builder? Or part of the M performance parts? Car I tested had the Adaptive M Suspension ($700)
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      08-13-2019, 05:29 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post

Specs
BMW M340i xDrive – As Tested Price: $68,425
Mercedes C43 AMG 4Matic – As Tested Price: $69,320
Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport RWD – As Tested Price: $53,690
Genesis G70 3.3TT HTRAC - As Tested Price: $52,495
wow. that M340 price..

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      08-13-2019, 05:47 PM   #44
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I don’t understand this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55
"Despite these great attributes, it still does suffer from many modern BMW issues like the increase in size and weight”.
Nope. There is no such issue. 3 series is lighter than C class and A4, size-wise it’s also pretty much the same. So actually, weight is an advantage for BMW, like in every single category they’re in. Just because a few loud critics made up this “issue”, that doesn’t mean it’s true.

Alfa is lighter, but steering and the weight are the only things going for it.
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