Decisions - 330i 330d or M340i..
Discussion
As per title.
M140i coming to end of pcp soon and looking to buy a replacement or either 330i, 330d (330 both with the sport plus pack so LSD) or M340i - second hand (<1yr) old and escape the PCP trap and keep car for a long time 7-8yrs, 150k plus miles)
Mileage will be 20k -25k per year, 70% motorway. Fuel cost not a real consideration.
Few thoughts
Diesel - more expensive to fix in the long term if they go wrong?
M340i - do I really need to go that quickly day to day?
330i - not a straight 6! raspy old 4 pot.
RWD more fun
Thoughts etc from the PHers please..
M140i coming to end of pcp soon and looking to buy a replacement or either 330i, 330d (330 both with the sport plus pack so LSD) or M340i - second hand (<1yr) old and escape the PCP trap and keep car for a long time 7-8yrs, 150k plus miles)
Mileage will be 20k -25k per year, 70% motorway. Fuel cost not a real consideration.
Few thoughts
Diesel - more expensive to fix in the long term if they go wrong?
M340i - do I really need to go that quickly day to day?
330i - not a straight 6! raspy old 4 pot.
RWD more fun
Thoughts etc from the PHers please..
I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with all 3, if you're referring to G30 that is!
330i - Really isn't worth the consideration, the 4 pot lacks any character (i have the same engine in my Z4 atm) it's not good on fuel (I know its not a consideration) but its no better then the 340 on juice.
330d - These are phenomenal, good on fuel (again i know) not a lot to say but it's a 6 cylinder 3 series.
M340i - These hold a really special place in my heart, Fast as you need, easy to tune if you do get bored, tremendous grip, tail happy if provoked, sound good, look better then the others.
if you're looking at PCP the deals on 340 are comparable to the 330d especially.
Not sure if it's allowed but feel free to PM me if you need any help.
330i - Really isn't worth the consideration, the 4 pot lacks any character (i have the same engine in my Z4 atm) it's not good on fuel (I know its not a consideration) but its no better then the 340 on juice.
330d - These are phenomenal, good on fuel (again i know) not a lot to say but it's a 6 cylinder 3 series.
M340i - These hold a really special place in my heart, Fast as you need, easy to tune if you do get bored, tremendous grip, tail happy if provoked, sound good, look better then the others.
if you're looking at PCP the deals on 340 are comparable to the 330d especially.
Not sure if it's allowed but feel free to PM me if you need any help.
I wouldn't plan 7-8 years into the future with a diesel, given the change in attitudes (to the negative) prevalent over the last 3
You've shown some resistance to a 4-pot and I tend to agree, really don't like them based on those in a lower state of tune I've driven. Noise, power delivery all meh.
You know how good the B58 is. I drove the G20 in cooking 320d form (reviewed here) and was really impressed, and X Drive did not spoil the fun. But I have since driven another cooking iteration in RWD, it was a lot better, felt lighter and more fun. I would think the M340i being a "performance model with RWD bias" should be (a lot) better than a cooking X drive. But it's a long time to miss the fun of RWD, although from my driving experiences the G20 is a more involving car than the similar M135i (not driven M140i)
I assume you're after a touring , maybe I missed that?
if not, as it's going to be you final chance to buy a (nearly) new petrol car, why not go for for a M3 ?
Or take a cooking car for the motorway, spend less, and buy a fun weekend car?
You've shown some resistance to a 4-pot and I tend to agree, really don't like them based on those in a lower state of tune I've driven. Noise, power delivery all meh.
You know how good the B58 is. I drove the G20 in cooking 320d form (reviewed here) and was really impressed, and X Drive did not spoil the fun. But I have since driven another cooking iteration in RWD, it was a lot better, felt lighter and more fun. I would think the M340i being a "performance model with RWD bias" should be (a lot) better than a cooking X drive. But it's a long time to miss the fun of RWD, although from my driving experiences the G20 is a more involving car than the similar M135i (not driven M140i)
I assume you're after a touring , maybe I missed that?
if not, as it's going to be you final chance to buy a (nearly) new petrol car, why not go for for a M3 ?
Or take a cooking car for the motorway, spend less, and buy a fun weekend car?
If you do decent mileage, 330d all the way.
Absolutely as fast as you would need it to be, and the bonus is range. My 430d will do 600 miles on a tank and is averaging 49.6mpg over its first 4,000 miles. However you drive, you wouldn't get less than 40.
Petrols are not as economical. Even if you don't care about the cost, you'll spend less time looking for filling stations. If you do a lot of miles, its a consideration.
Absolutely as fast as you would need it to be, and the bonus is range. My 430d will do 600 miles on a tank and is averaging 49.6mpg over its first 4,000 miles. However you drive, you wouldn't get less than 40.
Petrols are not as economical. Even if you don't care about the cost, you'll spend less time looking for filling stations. If you do a lot of miles, its a consideration.
I’m in the same boat but do less motorway miles at the moment. M340i is currently top of my list, it’s probably the last new performance combustion engine vehicle I’ll get to buy as I plan to keep for over 5 years.
Biggest problem for me is holding off, I want the car now, but ultimately won’t really need it until lockdown is over. Best case is 2 months but it could be next year before I really need access to my own car, until then my wife’s Kia will do.
Biggest problem for me is holding off, I want the car now, but ultimately won’t really need it until lockdown is over. Best case is 2 months but it could be next year before I really need access to my own car, until then my wife’s Kia will do.
Reading the OP's original post, I'm reading that he's either going to buy a new 330d or 330i, or a secondhand 340i. Do we assume that even the secondhand 340i will be the current model - or not? Maybe (OP) if you can specify this bit, then it'll help steer the conversation where it needs to be, and away from models they haven't made for the last 5 years.
BFleming said:
Reading the OP's original post, I'm reading that he's either going to buy a new 330d or 330i, or a secondhand 340i. Do we assume that even the secondhand 340i will be the current model - or not? Maybe (OP) if you can specify this bit, then it'll help steer the conversation where it needs to be, and away from models they haven't made for the last 5 years.
Yep it would be the G20 M340i xdrive rocket ship, saloon over estate. All models would be latest G20 iteration.Cheers
Your usage would suit a diesel, but if you’re not bothered about fuel costs, personally I’d not be able to look past the 340. You know how good that engine is.
The 330d is a cracking car (I really liked the F30 I spent some decent time in) but there’s no denying it’s a diesel on start up etc. If you’re not bothered about MPG / range I’d not compromise fir the diesel.
The 330d is a cracking car (I really liked the F30 I spent some decent time in) but there’s no denying it’s a diesel on start up etc. If you’re not bothered about MPG / range I’d not compromise fir the diesel.
jwo said:
Yep, want to stick with G20 model. Tested a 540i xdrive which was - surprisingly - just a brisk as the M140i but more refined.
Nice place to be in, need to drive them all once I am able...
I was looking at all the 3’s you’ve mentioned. What did I buy...Nice place to be in, need to drive them all once I am able...
540i msport xdrive touring, still running it in, but by christ for a big car it moves fantastically well. Can’t wait til i can take it over 4k revs
nordboy said:
I was looking at all the 3’s you’ve mentioned. What did I buy...
540i msport xdrive touring, still running it in, but by christ for a big car it moves fantastically well. Can’t wait til i can take it over 4k revs
Exactly what I did when I handed my M135i back. Diesel was never a consideration for me so I was looking at 340i/440i's and didn't really consider a 5 series as I thought it would be too big. The local dealer had a 540i xDrive in and I had a look around. That car wasn't for me due to a basic spec but it did spark my interest. I've had my 540i xDrive since October last year and it's superb. I've not thought about the 3/4 series since. 540i msport xdrive touring, still running it in, but by christ for a big car it moves fantastically well. Can’t wait til i can take it over 4k revs
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