[BimmerGuyFL78]

So I currently have a lease that's coming to an end in 3 months on my 2018 540i. I test drove this past weekend an M340i and I loved how it drove. I still love my 540i and I am torn between getting an LCI 540i or should I try an M340i for the next 3 years.

Any thoughts or suggestions if you were to make this decision?

[moarhorsepower]

Really depends on what you're looking for. I like the extra space in the 5 series and honestly the seats are more comfortable (both front and rear) for longer trips. My legs went numb after an hour and a half in the back of the 3 series.

[MikeElmendorf]

I am pondering the same, with the lease on my 2018 540 nearing an end. I'm also considering an M550.

[stein_325i]

G20 vs G30

G20 vs G30 https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1726621

[SteveinArizona]

speed and handling vs. luxury. You pays your money and youse takes your chances.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by moarhorsepower

Really depends on what you're looking for. I like the extra space in the 5 series and honestly the seats are more comfortable (both front and rear) for longer trips. My legs went numb after an hour and a half in the back of the 3 series.

Luckely, these conditions rarely happen. A friend of mine told me once: when I buy a car, it's for sitting behind the wheel, the back seat is only for somebody to use that didn't pay for the car so I don't care.

[KoenG]

M340i is the more dynamic package to spice up your life, the 540i is a car that destresses after a hard day of work. Where is your need?

[Nate1616]

Just get the M550 and have the best of both

[Skyrider01]

Originally Posted by Nate1616

Just get the M550 and have the best of both

This!

But If you are choosing between the 540 and M340, you need to decide between comfort and luxury, vs a smaller, but faster and sportier car.

[clee1982]

without wife and kids, definitely M340i, with family, hum, guess depends on spouse's tolerance...

[jjscsix]

I have had the same thoughts. But every time I look inside a 3 series, or get one as a loaner, I feel like I'm in a car that BMW cheaped out on. I never get that feeling looking at a Audi or Mercedes in the same class. Why can't you even get ventilated seats or a power steering wheel in a 3 series? A Genesis G70 is a better choice.

The performance is certainly appealing, but I fill that need with three motorcycles that will all leave even the M340 for dead.

Decide what your priorities are and how much you want to spend. Then look at all options.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by jjscsix

I have had the same thoughts. But every time I look inside a 3 series, or get one as a loaner, I feel like I'm in a car that BMW cheaped out on. I never get that feeling looking at a Audi or Mercedes in the same class. Why can't you even get ventilated seats or a power steering wheel in a 3 series? A Genesis G70 is a better choice.

The performance is certainly appealing, but I fill that need with three motorcycles that will all leave even the M340 for dead.

Decide what your priorities are and how much you want to spend. Then look at all options.

I agree. That is why I went from a 330e to a 530e. BMW really should allow us to option out the smaller car. I am more than willing to pay for it.

[mffarrell]

M550, hands down.

[Skyrider01]

Originally Posted by jjscsix

I have had the same thoughts. But every time I look inside a 3 series, or get one as a loaner, I feel like I'm in a car that BMW cheaped out on. I never get that feeling looking at a Audi or Mercedes in the same class. Why can't you even get ventilated seats or a power steering wheel in a 3 series? A Genesis G70 is a better choice.

Agreed. I have an M550 and a 330 as well that my better half drives. The 5 series is so much more comfortable and luxurious inside. But on the other hand, the 3 series has rear climate control as standard, whereas it's not even available on the 5 (unless you get the dealer to special order it.)

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by jjscsix

I have had the same thoughts. But every time I look inside a 3 series, or get one as a loaner, I feel like I'm in a car that BMW cheaped out on. I never get that feeling looking at a Audi or Mercedes in the same class. Why can't you even get ventilated seats or a power steering wheel in a 3 series? A Genesis G70 is a better choice.

The performance is certainly appealing, but I fill that need with three motorcycles that will all leave even the M340 for dead.

Decide what your priorities are and how much you want to spend. Then look at all options.

I wouldn't say that you can't feel a difference between the Mercedes C-Class and the E-Class. The 3-Series is the C-Class equal and you'll feel a step down between the C-Class and the E-Class for sure both in interior and features.

That being said, Mercedes and BMW are beefing up the technology package in the lower classes more aggressively than the higher tier classes due to increase competition from brands like Tesla. It is why the 3-Series had "full" iDrive 7 before the 5-Series, among other things. And you can get Laser Lights on the 3-Series, but not the LCI 5-Series.

Getting a modern "entry level" luxury car versus a "full" level is now driven a lot by what your optimizing for. There isn't the exact tier cutoffs as there was previously. BMW still has some with the limits on leather options on the 3-Series that Mercedes doesn't have (Mercedes has Fake Leather or Real Leather, not multiple tiers).

My vote, look extensively at the options and drive them and see what you really like and what fits your needs.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

So I currently have a lease that's coming to an end in 3 months on my 2018 540i. I test drove this past weekend an M340i and I loved how it drove. I still love my 540i and I am torn between getting an LCI 540i or should I try an M340i for the next 3 years.

Any thoughts or suggestions if you were to make this decision?

You should ask yourself why you are "torn". I think you realize perfectly fine the obvious differences between the 3 and the 5 series (stuff that everyone mentioned here already), the speed and agility VS the "luxury" factor.

Then there's perception and maybe that's why you're torn. Do you want to be seen as someone driving "just" a 3 series OR do you want to continue to drive an "executive" sedan?

Side note, I am on the same boat. Lease ends in Dec. I am waiting to see the LCI in flesh, but overall I am very bored with the current, uneventful G30 exterior design. My contenders are; 5 LCI, 8 series or maybe the new 4.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Then there's perception and maybe that's why you're torn. Do you want to be seen as someone driving "just" a 3 series OR do you want to continue to drive an "executive" sedan?

No offense but what perception? The general public can't tell the difference between a 3 and 5 series, most people just see us as another a**hole BMW driver regardless of series, its not like you are driving a Bentley or Rolls, its a BMW, you see one on every corner. Not once when I owned my 5-series did anyone look at me differently than my 3-series, or see me as some executive big shot, if anything only my CLS has gotten the attention of others of the cars I've owned.

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by COBodom

You should ask yourself why you are "torn". I think you realize perfectly fine the obvious differences between the 3 and the 5 series (stuff that everyone mentioned here already), the speed and agility VS the "luxury" factor.

Then there's perception and maybe that's why you're torn. Do you want to be seen as someone driving "just" a 3 series OR do you want to continue to drive an "executive" sedan?

Side note, I am on the same boat. Lease ends in Dec. I am waiting to see the LCI in flesh, but overall I am very bored with the current, uneventful G30 exterior design. My contenders are; 5 LCI, 8 series or maybe the new 4.

I cancelled the M340i order. I was torn because I really like the refinement of my 540i, ride quality, handling, steering, quietness.

The M340i I see it as, "WOW great acceleration and handling in high speed corners" etc. there's no way to enjoy that everyday more vs the qualities the 540i posses over the M340i.

My final two prospects are the X5 and the 5 LCI.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

I cancelled the M340i order. I was torn because I really like the refinement of my 540i, ride quality, handling, steering, quietness.

The M340i I see it as, "WOW great acceleration and handling in high speed corners" etc. there's no way to enjoy that everyday more vs the qualities the 540i posses over the M340i.

My final two prospects are the X5 and the 5 LCI.

I would go for the X5 honestly, the interior really just wows you and looks and feels its price more than the 5er, especially in the night blue/ivory white combo.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I would go for the X5 honestly, the interior really just wows you and looks and feels its price more than the 5er, especially in the night blue/ivory white combo.

+1, I spend more time driving my X5 than M550i. It's a refined and flexible daily driver.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by jstein55

No offense but what perception? The general public can't tell the difference between a 3 and 5 series, most people just see us as another a**hole BMW driver regardless of series, its not like you are driving a Bentley or Rolls, its a BMW, you see one on every corner. Not once when I owned my 5-series did anyone look at me differently than my 3-series, or see me as some executive big shot, if anything only my CLS has gotten the attention of others of the cars I've owned.

No offense taken.

I didn't say you're a big shot if you're driving 5 series, but you may be perceived as more mature or maybe more established over someone driving a 3 series. Whether that has anything to do with reality is besides the point.

You are assuming that people don't know the difference between 5 series and the 3 series, the basic difference of one being more expensive than the other. You're also assuming that car world is divided between peasants (BMW, Benz, Audi, etc) and the likes of Bentleys and RRs of the world. If that's the assumption you operate under than yeah BMW perception argument doesn't hold water.

I am of the opinion that people recognize 5 series is positioned up-market of the 3 series and that could be a deciding factor when getting a car. I am also of the opinion that many will not know the difference between the basic 3 series and the M340.

I hope we wont get into a conversation how a 3 series can be optioned to match and exceed the price of the bare 5 series

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

I cancelled the M340i order. I was torn because I really like the refinement of my 540i, ride quality, handling, steering, quietness.

The M340i I see it as, "WOW great acceleration and handling in high speed corners" etc. there's no way to enjoy that everyday more vs the qualities the 540i posses over the M340i.

My final two prospects are the X5 and the 5 LCI.

Good luck with your choice.

I 100% agree that 540 is more than enough performance for everyday driving. That's why 3 years ago I got well optioned 540 over 550.