[Bilajio]

So as the name suggests, I'm on the hunt for a second car.

Current car is a G05 m sport + 3.0d, which I love.

Mrs currently has a c class which is going back, she'll be taking the x5 and I'm on hunt for something new.

Now I love the X5 and am reluctantly giving it up as it makes way more sense for her to have it as she'll be ferrying 2 kids around way more often than I will.

So we've decided the 2nd car will be petrol, don't think we're ready for electric and we definitely don't need another diesel, but needs 4 doors and a usable boot.

So, I went and test drove an M340i.

My god what an engine chassis combo. 4 wheel drive puts the power down everywhere and the chassis just takes it all in its stride.

However, now it may be because I'm spoiled with the interior of the X5, the interior was a massive let down, the buttons felt plasticky and cheap, the sides of the seats near the base felt horrible. I had a 4 series before the x5 and that cabin definitely felt more upmarket... I think.

When I park the X5, I definitely look back at it each time and think it just looks fantastic, but the 3 series just looked boring.

... so, 840i gran coupe?

[wtwo3]

This is my combo of cars... an X5 40i and an m340i. The X5 is a massive upgrade in interior quality... so that is the family hauler/road trip car of choice. The m340i however is all about me driving alone, tossing it in the corners, blistering acceleration and just all out driving fun.

I totally agree with the interior. And it gets worse for us in the US, we don't even have the option for merino leather or dual pane glass or galvanized controls. But that's not the reason you purchase one. You purchase it for the sheer driving pleasure it provides.

The 840i gran coupe will undoubtedly be an upgrade in interior quality, but it's not nearly the performer the m340i is.

Think of it this way. I spend quite a bit of time enjoying the performance of the m340i. So when we go anywhere as a family in the X5, I appreciate the luxury of it that much more.

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

This is my combo of cars... an X5 40i and an m340i. The X5 is a massive upgrade in interior quality... so that is the family hauler/road trip car of choice. The m340i however is all about me driving alone, tossing it in the corners, blistering acceleration and just all out driving fun.

I totally agree with the interior. And it gets worse for us in the US, we don't even have the option for merino leather or dual pane glass or galvanized controls. But that's not the reason you purchase one. You purchase it for the sheer driving pleasure it provides.

The 840i gran coupe will undoubtedly be an upgrade in interior quality, but it's not nearly the performer the m340i is.

Think of it this way. I spend quite a bit of time enjoying the performance of the m340i. So when we go anywhere as a family in the X5, I appreciate the luxury of it that much more.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

This is my combo of cars... an X5 40i and an m340i. The X5 is a massive upgrade in interior quality... so that is the family hauler/road trip car of choice. The m340i however is all about me driving alone, tossing it in the corners, blistering acceleration and just all out driving fun.

I totally agree with the interior. And it gets worse for us in the US, we don't even have the option for merino leather or dual pane glass or galvanized controls. But that's not the reason you purchase one. You purchase it for the sheer driving pleasure it provides.

The 840i gran coupe will undoubtedly be an upgrade in interior quality, but it's not nearly the performer the m340i is.

Think of it this way. I spend quite a bit of time enjoying the performance of the m340i. So when we go anywhere as a family in the X5, I appreciate the luxury of it that much more.

That's how I was planning on seeing it.

M340i is just for fun, I wasn't even going to bother speccing it above base, as anywhere we go as a family it'll be as a family.

I agree, the 840i won't be as fun as the m340i, j think it's nearly 50bhp power less in the 840.

The m340i was just incredible... but I fear the interior may just annoy me.

Other options are a cla45 amg

[wtwo3]

With the CLA 45 I personally have a hard time getting over the fact that it's a FWD biased platform. And if you feel the m340i interior is cheap, the CLA interior is a hard, creaking plastic cave. I would much rather go with a C43 over a CLA45.

[JonnyCrash]

I love the x3 M40i. It’s what I was originally going to get until my smarter half insisted it was too small for our needs. She was probably right, and I love the luxury of the new X5... but fit less money I would be having a lot more fun in the M40i. We will see what happens when the lease on my GTI is up in a year and a half.

[BMWBear]

I find the 3 series to be small even for daily driving duties. It would need to be at least a 5 series, EClass, or A6.

wtwo3 I used the same dealer for my X7 purchase even though I’m an hour away.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by BYEIL

I find the 3 series to be small even for daily driving duties. It would need to be at least a 5 series, EClass, or A6.

wtwo3 I used the same dealer for my X7 purchase even though I’m an hour away.

Awesome! I'm actually also an hour away from them They happened to give me a great deal and their customer service was incredible so I ended up getting both mine from there.

[GlennC]

Originally Posted by Bilajio

So as the name suggests, I'm on the hunt for a second car.

Current car is a G05 m sport + 3.0d, which I love.

Mrs currently has a c class which is going back, she'll be taking the x5 and I'm on hunt for something new.

Now I love the X5 and am reluctantly giving it up as it makes way more sense for her to have it as she'll be ferrying 2 kids around way more often than I will.

So we've decided the 2nd car will be petrol, don't think we're ready for electric and we definitely don't need another diesel, but needs 4 doors and a usable boot.

So, I went and test drove an M340i.

My god what an engine chassis combo. 4 wheel drive puts the power down everywhere and the chassis just takes it all in its stride.

However, now it may be because I'm spoiled with the interior of the X5, the interior was a massive let down, the buttons felt plasticky and cheap, the sides of the seats near the base felt horrible. I had a 4 series before the x5 and that cabin definitely felt more upmarket... I think.

When I park the X5, I definitely look back at it each time and think it just looks fantastic, but the 3 series just looked boring.

... so, 840i gran coupe?

How about an M550i? It's faster than an 840i and has a very nice interior.

[M40i4me]

Wait, isn’t the dash on the m340 the same as the dash on the X5?

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by 3284me

Wait, isn't the dash on the m340 the same as the dash on the X5?

Originally Posted by 3284me

Wait, isn't the dash on the m340 the same as the dash on the X5?

I'm on about the touchy feely bits, not the screens

[ems328i]

Originally Posted by Bilajio

I'm on about the touchy feely bits, not the screens

'special' massage seats?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 3284me

Wait, isn’t the dash on the m340 the same as the dash on the X5?

Technically the design is similar... but the quality of materials used is vastly different.

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Technically the design is similar... but the quality of materials used is vastly different.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Technically the design is similar... but the quality of materials used is vastly different.

VASTLY being the operative word!

I'm genuinely shocked by the difference

[Aimster82]

How is the quality on the AMG lines for the A/CLA class?

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by Aimster82

How is the quality on the AMG lines for the A/CLA class?

Originally Posted by Aimster82

How is the quality on the AMG lines for the A/CLA class?

Haven't checked it out yet.

It it's anything like my wife's current C class (2016) it'll be terrible.

Tbf I'm just ticking the box for the cla/a class. I went for a test drive a few months ago, and the car broke... so not great news.

Not sure what else I'd consider. Maybe a used S5,

[MikeElmendorf]

Interesting thread.

I have a 2019 X5 and a 2018 540 (which I love), with that lease up in December. I'm starting to think about ordering now and have been flirting with the M340, but have similar concerns about the relative interior quality. Also considering another 540 or possibly jumping up to the M550. Waiting for the US configurator to go live for 2021 models so I can do some builds and see how they would price out.

For what it is worth, I have a friend who has owned several 5 series, most recently a 550 in the prior body style, that he replaced with an M340. He says the M340 is the best BMW he has ever owned. Obviously, not a direct comparison between the old 550 and the new M550, both in terms of interior and the engine.

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Interesting thread.

I have a 2019 X5 and a 2018 540 (which I love), with that lease up in December. I'm starting to think about ordering now and have been flirting with the M340, but have similar concerns about the relative interior quality. Also considering another 540 or possibly jumping up to the M550. Waiting for the US configurator to go live for 2021 models so I can do some builds and see how they would price out.

For what it is worth, I have a friend who has owned several 5 series, most recently a 550 in the prior body style, that he replaced with an M340. He says the M340 is the best BMW he has ever owned. Obviously, not a direct comparison between the old 550 and the new M550, both in terms of interior and the engine.

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Interesting thread.

I have a 2019 X5 and a 2018 540 (which I love), with that lease up in December. I'm starting to think about ordering now and have been flirting with the M340, but have similar concerns about the relative interior quality. Also considering another 540 or possibly jumping up to the M550. Waiting for the US configurator to go live for 2021 models so I can do some builds and see how they would price out.

For what it is worth, I have a friend who has owned several 5 series, most recently a 550 in the prior body style, that he replaced with an M340. He says the M340 is the best BMW he has ever owned. Obviously, not a direct comparison between the old 550 and the new M550, both in terms of interior and the engine.

The m340i just makes so much sense. Perfectly packaged, 4 wheel drive and a peach of an engine.

Every day M Car, without the M Car costs.

I had an extended test drive, put the little car seat in the back, drove like a getaway driver to get him, calmed everything right down when I picked him, and he was a happy camper.

I'm tempted to go see what the new 540i offers... and also the 840i

[W0ut]

Fun to drive: M2 cs, M340i, X3 M40i
Interior quality: 5 series and up

Both combined: Alpina B3!!
Better interior, M3 performance without the hard ride and outstanding handling.

Personally, if I'm the only one driving it, I would look into something completely different Audi RS3, Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, ...

[Bilajio]

Originally Posted by W0ut

Fun to drive: M2 cs, M340i, X3 M40i
Interior quality: 5 series and up

Both combined: Alpina B3!!
Better interior, M3 performance without the hard ride and outstanding handling.

Personally, if I'm the only one driving it, I would look into something completely different Audi RS3, Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, ...

Originally Posted by W0ut

Fun to drive: M2 cs, M340i, X3 M40i
Interior quality: 5 series and up

Both combined: Alpina B3!!
Better interior, M3 performance without the hard ride and outstanding handling.

Personally, if I'm the only one driving it, I would look into something completely different Audi RS3, Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, ...

Funnily enough, I've been looking at RS3 & TTRS as part of this process.

Or a naturally aspirated cayman / boxster, only issue with these is that I may (occasionally) need rear seats.

M2 interior would annoy me.

M4 is a potential, but I don't know how 'everyday' the M cars are

[Wrighterjw10]

What’s the budget?

The M340, while a fun experience, lacked the interior for a car in that price range. I’d easily rather have a nicely equipped 540i.

840i feels like a chick car to me. Massively underpowered.

M550, M5...now we are talking. F90 is an awesome car. I love the power, obviously. But I also love that I can press a few buttons and make it comfortable and under the radar.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Technically the design is similar... but the quality of materials used is vastly different.

Since the 5 series dash is one generation behind, (it’s vents and nav screen specifically), does it still beat the new 3 series in quality of materials? I was also looking at a 5 but it’s interior design is not as nice in my opinion after being in my X5.

I love the X5 interior and was looking to replace my 2011 328 in a few years with a 340xi or 440xi, and thought the QTY would be the same. I guess since the X5 cost so much more they had to add a more luxury look and feel!

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 3284me

So, the 5 series dash is one generation behind, (it’s vents and nav screen specifically), yet beats the new 3 series in quality of materials? I was also looking at a 5 but it’s interior design is not as nice in my opinion.

I love the X5 interior and was looking to replace my 2011 328 in a few years with a 340xi or 440xi.

I'd say so. Especially once you begin optioning the 5 series with things like luxury seating, merino leather, ceramic controls, executive package, leather dash, etc. It feels much more upscale than a 3 series. Similar story with the X5.

But you don't buy a 3 series for its soft touch materials and pampering ride, you buy it because you can toss it in a corner and have a blast doing so, much more so than any X5 or 5 series can. The 3 series (despite getting bigger every generation) still retains some of that small car fun factor.

All this said, the 3 series interior is not bad. Especially in this G20 generation, it's a major improvement over previous generations and still offers relatively good materials for its class, plus it's a very quiet interior in comfort mode. It just pales in comparison to something like an X5.