[Mach550]

Had a loaner 330 (about 4k miles) recently and it was a very uncomfortable ride. The nose was really bouncy on the highway and the interior was plastic/rubbery everywhere. Important to note that I'm very spoiled by leather on 90% of the surfaces I touch in my car...

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Mach550

Had a loaner 330 (about 4k miles) recently and it was a very uncomfortable ride. The nose was really bouncy on the highway and the interior was plastic/rubbery everywhere. Important to note that I'm very spoiled by leather on 90% of the surfaces I touch in my car...

Often times dealers over inflate tires thus contributing to less than desirable riding and handling characteristics.

But agree with you on the rest. Going from a G30 to a G20 the experience is a bit agricultural lol.

[paulbazoV2]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Often times dealers over inflate tires thus contributing to less than desirable riding and handling characteristics.

But agree with you on the rest. Going from a G30 to a G20 the experience is a bit agricultural lol.

Well...I went from M550 to M340 and could not be happier.

[MikeElmendorf]

Originally Posted by paulbazoV2

Well...I went from M550 to M340 and could not be happier.

Paul - I'm considering the M340. Can you give some more details on what you really like about the M340 and how it compares to your 5?

[weingarm]

Originally Posted by ArchJR

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.

Agree with this 100%. I currently have an F90 M5 and an G20 330i loaner. The M5 is obviously no performance slouch and the quality of the interior (I have the full Merino leather interior) feels solid and a couple steps up from the Vernasca.

However, the 330i does have a certain "tossability" in slow speed turns that's ironed out of the M5. Yes, the M5 trounces the 330i in straight-line speed and mid/high speed handling but at slower speeds I can see the 330i's virtues.

As far as size goes, these cars are nearly the same. Look it up. Rear seat leg room is only 1" greater in the 5. Front seat leg room is identical 3 vs 5. Head room front & rear are identical 3 vs 5. The main interior difference is shoulder room which is about 2" bigger in the 5 front & rear. Trunk space is only about 1.5 cubic feet bigger in the 5 (18.5 cubic feet vs 17 cubic feet).

The more interesting comparison will be the M5 vs the upcoming G80 M3. It should have Merino leather options including full-Merino as well as the all-important manual transmission. Can't wait for that!

[weingarm]

G20 330i (foreground) vs F90 M5

[paulbazoV2]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Paul - I'm considering the M340. Can you give some more details on what you really like about the M340 and how it compares to your 5?

Hi, sorry for the late response.

-The M340 engine is great, smooth power delivery, great sound, good power.
-M340 feels lighter and more tossable than the M550,
-As far as headroom and legroom go, there's not much difference between the BMW M340 and the BMW M550 in the front seats
-The lengths of the cars are within inches each other.

Basically, the M340 is a little smaller, lighter, more agile than the M550

[NYC_340i]

I agree with most of the above...

I'm not going to go too much into the design, tech features, etc... since around the time I ordered my M340i back in September and was comparing to a M550i the latter now has the LCI where those points have been addressed...

But I've always been a fan of BMW straight 6 engines and coming from a F30 340i I really liked the M340i. However after driving the X5 50i and M850i at the BMW events I fell in love with the V8.

The biggest thing for me was that being in my mid 20s I couldn't justify needing a 5 series over a 3 series just to get a V8 (both in terms of having a car that size and the extra cost). The driving dynamics of the M340i are obviously much more lively and in the smaller streets of NYC I felt the 3 would be better to have. I do see having a 5 series in the future once I have a family or a need for a bigger car.

And yes the overall quality and materials are better on the G30 but I was just happy to get the improvements made between the F30 and G20.

[540i_DFW]

I went from a 4 cyl F30 to a 6 cyl G30 and I am 39 and I sometimes feel the G30 is too luxurious for someone my age. I have owned two Jaguar V8s that arguably are more luxurious and can be tossed around but I never felt those cars were too luxurious for me like the G30. I think the composed drive quality of the G30 has something to do with it. I typically drive enthusiastically so I find myself being a bit underwhelmed when I try to toss around the G30. The weight of the car and bias toward luxury probably has something to do with it. The G30 almost feels like a 7er should and seems to like being driven that way. The 3er is definitely geared toward a different demographic and drives accordingly. To me build quality and the larger dimensions was at the top of my list and the G30 delivers in that department. And I cannot get over the G20 being made in Mexico. I do not want to pay a premium price to drive a BMW manufactured anywhere other than Germany. We've all seen the pride and attention to detail the Germans have for their cars and it shows. It's like buying Becks beer that is brewed in the US with domestic ingredients. It not the same tasting product no matter how hard the company tries to hide it.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by 540i_DFW

I went from a 4 cyl F30 to a 6 cyl G30 and I am 39 and I sometimes feel the G30 is too luxurious for someone my age. I have owned two Jaguar V8s that arguably are more luxurious and can be tossed around but I never felt those cars were too luxurious for me like the G30. I think the composed drive quality of the G30 has something to do with it. I typically drive enthusiastically so I find myself being a bit underwhelmed when I try to toss around the G30. The weight of the car and bias toward luxury probably has something to do with it. The G30 almost feels like a 7er should and seems to like being driven that way. The 3er is definitely geared toward a different demographic and drives accordingly. To me build quality and the larger dimensions was at the top of my list and the G30 delivers in that department. And I cannot get over the G20 being made in Mexico. I do not want to pay a premium price to drive a BMW manufactured anywhere other than Germany. We've all seen the pride and attention to detail the Germans have for their cars and it shows. It's like buying Becks beer that is brewed in the US with domestic ingredients. It not the same tasting product no matter how hard the company tries to hide it.

I believe M340i's are still made in Germany.

[MikeElmendorf]

The 3 series is made in Mexico. I can’t imagine that the M340 is made in Germany.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by 540i_DFW

It's like buying Becks beer that is brewed in the US with domestic ingredients. It not the same tasting product no matter how hard the company tries to hide it.

On a cruise and stop in Montego Bay Jamaica, Margaritaville was one of the few recommended restaurants. I ordered a Red Stripe. It was bottled in Connecticut and shipped to Jamaica.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

The 3 series is made in Mexico. I can't imagine that the M340 is made in Germany.

If equipped with xDrive, for now at least, M340xi production is in Germany. RWD + 30i is Mexico.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1655256

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

The 3 series is made in Mexico. I can't imagine that the M340 is made in Germany.

My E90 was made in South Africa. Solid car

[Superjackson]

I had a 330i rental for almost a month. Engine was smooth and response, suspension felt decently planted and still quite comfy. However, the transmission is so stupid at deciding when to shift and the rental didn't have paddle shifters. Cannot comment on interior since it was a rental and very base model.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

My E90 was made in South Africa. Solid car

The South African 3-series are the best in my opinion. That factory was really good quality wise.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by jstein55

The South African 3-series are the best in my opinion. That factory was really good quality wise.

Agreed fit and finish was very good. Car had not a single rattle after 7 years of daily use.

It is often said that the Roslyn plant in South Africa has the best QA of all BMw group plants. Production line is also slower which probably helps with the attention to detail.

South Africa no longer produces the 3er as production has shift to Mexico. Now they make X3 crossovers.

[Skyrider01]

I have both the M550 and the 330. The first thing I notice when I get in the G20 is how uncomfortable the seats are compared to the G30. (I have the Nappa ventilated massaging seats on the G30).

The other obvious difference which has previously been stated is that the G20 interior is a lot cheaper. A couple of examples are the trim and ambient lighting. On the G20, the trim is on only the center console and above the glove compartment, whereas on the G30 it is across most of the front and on each door as well. And the ambient lighting on the G20 covers a lot less area too.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by 540i_DFW

I went from a 4 cyl F30 to a 6 cyl G30 and I am 39 and I sometimes feel the G30 is too luxurious for someone my age. I have owned two Jaguar V8s that arguably are more luxurious and can be tossed around but I never felt those cars were too luxurious for me like the G30. I think the composed drive quality of the G30 has something to do with it. I typically drive enthusiastically so I find myself being a bit underwhelmed when I try to toss around the G30. The weight of the car and bias toward luxury probably has something to do with it. The G30 almost feels like a 7er should and seems to like being driven that way. The 3er is definitely geared toward a different demographic and drives accordingly. To me build quality and the larger dimensions was at the top of my list and the G30 delivers in that department. And I cannot get over the G20 being made in Mexico. I do not want to pay a premium price to drive a BMW manufactured anywhere other than Germany. We've all seen the pride and attention to detail the Germans have for their cars and it shows. It's like buying Becks beer that is brewed in the US with domestic ingredients. It not the same tasting product no matter how hard the company tries to hide it.

Your comparison of M340i made in MX and Becks beer ingredients is ridiculous. The ingredients on that M340i are identical as the ones built in Germany and workers are trained and controlled the same way.
And yes, the M340i is built in MX unless you order individual colors that require allocation from the German factory. I have ordered the tanzanite color and waiting to German factory to resume production in September.

I had no idea that was the process and would not mind at all if it was built in MX

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Skyrider01

I have both the M550 and the 330. The first thing I notice when I get in the G20 is how uncomfortable the seats are compared to the G30. (I have the Nappa ventilated massaging seats on the G30).

The other obvious difference which has previously been stated is that the G20 interior is a lot cheaper. A couple of examples are the trim and ambient lighting. On the G20, the trim is on only the center console and above the glove compartment, whereas on the G30 it is across most of the front and on each door as well. And the ambient lighting on the G20 covers a lot less area too.

The G30 interior and seats are far better than G20.

[540i_DFW]

Originally Posted by drF80

Your comparison of M340i made in MX and Becks beer ingredients is ridiculous. The ingredients on that M340i are identical as the ones built in Germany and workers are trained and controlled the same way.
And yes, the M340i is built in MX unless you order individual colors that require allocation from the German factory. I have ordered the tanzanite color and waiting to German factory to resume production in September.

I had no idea that was the process and would not mind at all if it was built in MX

The ingredients are not the same. You are wrong. I suggest you do your research before concluding my comparison is ridiculous. The G20 has 25% less German parts than its predecessor the F30 and it has been made up by a 5% decrease in US parts and the total Mexican parts from nil to 20% so your new G20 is 1/5 Mexican and less American. Obviously this was done with a view toward cutting labor and parts costs. As for being able to tell the difference, the average consumer might not be able to notice a difference in quality but I certainly could. You will see it in the plastics and rubber. I would never buy a BMW or a Pirelli tire made in Mexico. The quality is inferior which is why it's cheaper and the manufacturers aren't passing that along to the consumer but down to the bottom line. As for Becks beer, I don't buy it anymore. It doesn't taste the same.

[stein_325i]

You can get an M340ix that is made in Germany.