06-02-2020, 08:59 PM | #1 |
Private First Class
33
Rep 101
Posts
Drives: 2017 540 xdrive
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
|
G20 vs G30
I had to drive up this week to NY to have my things packed up ahead of our move. Rather than bring my "new to me" 2017 540xi, I decided to rent a car to save it some wear and tear (especially with everything going on in NY right now).
I ended up getting lucky and got an upgrade to a G20 330i. It was an interesting experience to compare the two cars. When I initially started looking for my car, I was leaning towards a 3-series, until I realized I really needed the practicality of the bigger backseat and trunk of the 5-series for my new son. After driving the 330i for almost 6 hours today, I strongly prefer my 5-series and am very happy with my decision. I won't get into powertrain comparisons since the cars had two different engines. I'll to focus on the difference in "driving feel" and the interior. The 5-series feels a bit more planted - the 3 is maybe a bit easier to toss on back roads, but at 70-80 mph, the 5 just feels more sure footed. For the interior, I think the only thing I preferred on the 3 was the bigger iDrive screen. I do not like the fully electronic instrument display - maybe it's better on the 2020 5-series? but at least on the 3, it felt almost like a game screen. Additionally, ahead of purchasing my car I'd shrugged off people comparing the better "fit and finish" of the 5 interior vs the 3. However, now that I've experienced the 5, it's hard to go back to the 3 without noticing the difference in materials and more plastic-y bits. I am sad to say, I think I've been ruined for future cars. Overall it's been a good experience and I feel good my choice. I'm still looking forward to driving the 3-series back later this week - it's a very fun car; I just enjoy the 5 more. |
Appreciate
6
|
06-03-2020, 08:57 AM | #2 |
Lieutenant Colonel
796
Rep 1,736
Posts
Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
|
think a lot of us probably made the same decision, though had G20 M340 been around I would have been very tempted (and had the wagon be available I would probably have convinced my wife to go that route)
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-03-2020, 01:14 PM | #5 |
Private First Class
33
Rep 101
Posts
Drives: 2017 540 xdrive
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-03-2020, 01:16 PM | #6 |
Private First Class
33
Rep 101
Posts
Drives: 2017 540 xdrive
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
|
Good point - I think the 330 was likely standard suspension and my 540 is the M Sport.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-04-2020, 10:16 PM | #7 |
Private First Class
40
Rep 116
Posts |
I was agonizing for almost two month trying to decide M340 or 540 M Sport.
Ended up getting the 5-er. I hated VSS in M340 and the car had significantly more road noise. Somehow 540 steering with not much feedback still felt better to me. There is no question M340 is a faster car but 2020 BMW 540 with the updated B58 engine is no slouch either. With no cops on the roads (probably the only good thing this virus brought to us) I routinely hit speedometer indicated 131 mph with very little effort from the car. Wish speed limiter would allow 155 mph. Similarly equipped 540 was also cheaper to lease than M340 and definitely is a better family sedan. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2020, 04:57 AM | #8 | |
Captain
158
Rep 866
Posts |
Quote:
The BMW driving school experience sealed the deal: my standard 5-er steering was better than the M335's and even more so the 235i M-package steering. The newer G30 is of course "up to 100 Kg lighter" per BMW sales speak - not a huge difference but better/lighter. https://www.autoevolution.com/news/5....html#agal_143 What is "VSS"? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2020, 06:46 AM | #9 |
Major General
2702
Rep 5,023
Posts |
Re speeds . Yeh police here in the U.K. reporting a big rise in speeding during the lockdown with some really scary speeds. Some video doing the rounds with someone attaining 200mph! No idea what they were in.
Certainly not a 5. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-05-2020, 11:07 AM | #10 |
Major
175
Rep 1,123
Posts |
|
Appreciate
1
stein_325i25051.00 |
06-06-2020, 09:02 AM | #12 |
First Lieutenant
24
Rep 319
Posts |
wait till you try one of those M cars as well, it really ruins everything afterward. Even the M550i vs the M5, I didn't understand what it meant when people kept refferring to M built quality and finish... it was night and day. The M5 was quiter, you hear the engine, the exhaust... but you don't hear the low bang and shake... from the body of the car on bumps anymore. The whole car is really absolutely one piece from the leather trim to the actually door. It's absolutely crazy to finally realize it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-06-2020, 11:41 AM | #13 |
Lieutenant
205
Rep 459
Posts |
I had the exact opposite reaction driving a basic 330i rental for a long road trip. Sure my 540i is quieter on the highway and the massaging Napa leather seats are in a different league, but around town the 3-series reminded me of why I first started driving BMWs. It is just so much more fun to dart through in traffic or toss around on twisty roads. I guess after having such a luxurious car with all of its ridiculous features, I feel like I checked that wish off my list and want to go back to driving a car that brings me joy. This might also be the product of a midlife crisis or a COVID-19 recession era mindset that makes me question the value of certain luxuries.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-06-2020, 02:50 PM | #14 | |
Brigadier General
3086
Rep 4,210
Posts |
Quote:
What is annoying to me is that BMW (to be fair, like many car makers) doesn't let us choose (and pay for) better features in a 3 series like Nappa upholstery. |
|
06-06-2020, 02:56 PM | #15 | |
Captain
158
Rep 866
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-06-2020, 03:59 PM | #16 | |
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
The G20 is not that much smaller in comparison to the G30. To me the 5 Series trounces the G20 in the interior quality and amenities. It all comes down to what you want. If you want a fun to drive car to dart in and out of traffic and drive insane, my money is on a MNI Cooper Clubman S F55. That drives far more entertaining that a G20 330i. I had an E90 2011 before my G30 and was a very good but bit harsh and not very comfortable daily driving 3 series. The steering was ridiculously hard and heavy and the standard suspension, which was pretty firm to be honest, tended to be crashy over less than perfect pavement. Still was a very entertaining vehicle in many other ways. As I get older, prefer the comfort, amenities and relaxed driving nature of the G30.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-06-2020, 04:01 PM | #17 | ||
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
||
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2020, 07:29 AM | #18 | |
Lieutenant
205
Rep 459
Posts |
Quote:
Still, I would relish the opportunity to buy something like the Alpina B3 Touring here! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2020, 08:59 AM | #19 | ||
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
My caveat with the G20 is the front seats and some of the interior materials that help contribute this odd 2020 Honda Accord vibe to the cabin ambience. Another dislike that also extends to newer G30s is the horrid reversed digital gauges. If you want the larger iDrive screen you have to spring for these Atari 2600 looking gauges in the instrument cluster. At least with the G20 if you don't care for them and ID7, you can opt for the standard (and better) physical round gauges plus IDrive 6 but you do get penalized with a smaller screen. Cabin interior space is OK not particularly great in the back for a car that has grown over the E90 and F30 that preceded it.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
||
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2020, 09:03 AM | #20 | |
Colonel
2017
Rep 2,932
Posts
Drives: 2020 BMW 530xe
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Farmington, NY
|
Quote:
A shame really. Since the pricing on al new minis are close to each other they likely don’t feel the need to force various buyer demographics to certain cars. |
|
Appreciate
1
clee1982796.00 |
06-07-2020, 09:13 AM | #21 |
Captain
158
Rep 866
Posts |
The 3 series has had a market all its own until recently but is still a notch below the 5-er.
The good thing about the 5-series is its in a highly competitive segment with the E-class and less so with the Audi 6. Very competitive on features, quality, and styling. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-22-2020, 07:13 PM | #22 |
Second Lieutenant
278
Rep 268
Posts |
I am glad BMW has the 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 series and they are all different. At different times in my life I have preferred one or the other. I do feel one sweet spot in the line is a 5 series with the large engine 550 in a touring wagon style which I wish was available in the US. A great drivers car with enough utility when needed. Wagons allow you to put things on the top rack when needed. I have a 640IX right now and while its great it's closer to a 7 series than a 5 series driving wise. I like how a 550 splits the difference between the sporty 3 and luxury 7 series.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|