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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions G20 vs G30

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      06-02-2020, 08:59 PM   #1
crew09
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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.
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      06-03-2020, 08:57 AM   #2
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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)
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      06-03-2020, 10:19 AM   #3
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540 or 330? always 540
540 or M340? mmm...M340
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      06-03-2020, 11:03 AM   #4
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Suspension on 5 and 3 are totally different even standard suspension are no comparison... that alone will give you more planted feel. I'm pretty sure your rental was a standard suspension... what about your 540?
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      06-03-2020, 01:14 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by paulbazoV2 View Post
540 or 330? always 540
540 or M340? mmm...M340
Hah - I think M340 was always out of the equation for me. I bought used, so a well equipped M340 would have been ~$20k more for me since they are all new now.
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      06-03-2020, 01:16 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by bimmer_335 View Post
Suspension on 5 and 3 are totally different even standard suspension are no comparison... that alone will give you more planted feel. I'm pretty sure your rental was a standard suspension... what about your 540?
Good point - I think the 330 was likely standard suspension and my 540 is the M Sport.
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      06-04-2020, 10:16 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by paulbazoV2 View Post
540 or 330? always 540
540 or M340? mmm...M340
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.
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      06-05-2020, 04:57 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by SBM1206 View Post
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.
I feel the same way about my 5-er - coming from a sport suspension E90 its a real upgrade for not much difference in cost.

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"?
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      06-05-2020, 06:46 AM   #9
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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.
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      06-05-2020, 11:07 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by crew09 View Post
Good point - I think the 330 was likely standard suspension and my 540 is the M Sport.
i've promised myself never to buy a standard BMW suspension regardless of the series... they are not what they used to be.
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      06-05-2020, 06:58 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Pierre Louis View Post
What is "VSS"?
Variable Sport Steering or at least this is what I meant.
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      06-06-2020, 09:02 AM   #12
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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.
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      06-06-2020, 11:41 AM   #13
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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.
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      06-06-2020, 02:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
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.

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.
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      06-06-2020, 02:56 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
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.
You've elegantly restated the major criticism of at least the F10 version, which was addressed in the G30 IMO - tossable feel
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      06-06-2020, 03:59 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
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.
I find the G20 seats to be horrendously hard and uncomfortable.

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.
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      06-06-2020, 04:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
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.

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.
The seats in the G20 are like park benches. Seriously, the MINi Clubman S has superior seats.
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      06-07-2020, 07:29 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
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.
For a company that allows extreme customization of small cars in its Mini brand, it is odd that BMW chooses not to do the same for the 3-series (in the US at least). I only switched to a 5-series because I wanted a nicer interior than my last F30 3-series, not more space. I feel like the G20 is a nice enough compromise - better interior than the F30, more fun to drive than the G30. It still has the best interior in its respective class factoring in materials, design, ergonomics, and technology.

Still, I would relish the opportunity to buy something like the Alpina B3 Touring here!
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      06-07-2020, 08:59 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
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.
For a company that allows extreme customization of small cars in its Mini brand, it is odd that BMW chooses not to do the same for the 3-series (in the US at least). I only switched to a 5-series because I wanted a nicer interior than my last F30 3-series, not more space. I feel like the G20 is a nice enough compromise - better interior than the F30, more fun to drive than the G30. It still has the best interior in its respective class factoring in materials, design, ergonomics, and technology.

Still, I would relish the opportunity to buy something like the Alpina B3 Touring here!
If I had to down grade to a G20 I would probably be OK with that. The car drives well and in many ways it reminds me of my late E90. I would not buy one brand new though. I find new 3er prices on the ridiculous side of the spectrum and many ways overlapping G30 MSRP.

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.
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      06-07-2020, 09:03 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchJR View Post
For a company that allows extreme customization of small cars in its Mini brand, it is odd that BMW chooses not to do the same for the 3-series (in the US at least). I only switched to a 5-series because I wanted a nicer interior than my last F30 3-series, not more space. I feel like the G20 is a nice enough compromise - better interior than the F30, more fun to drive than the G30. It still has the best interior in its respective class factoring in materials, design, ergonomics, and technology.

Still, I would relish the opportunity to buy something like the Alpina B3 Touring here!
In the US, and probably all markets, BMW uses quite a few tactics to steer people into certain car lines to try and force market segmentation. They offer a nicer interior in the 5 to prevent intended buyers of the 5 from going down to the 3. But they weaken the 5 to keep it from pulling buyers down from the 7. In a market like Canada where prices are higher across the board, in comparison, the 5 is better equipped since the 7 is not a major seller so there is less cannibalism for them to worry about.

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.
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      06-07-2020, 09:13 AM   #21
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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.
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      06-22-2020, 07:13 PM   #22
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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.
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