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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions M550i or M340i?

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      04-03-2019, 05:32 AM   #45
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Just checking, there are lots of comments on M340 performance, but has anyone actually driven one?
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      04-03-2019, 05:44 AM   #46
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Just checking, there are lots of comments on M340 performance, but has anyone actually driven one?
Doubtful
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      04-03-2019, 06:33 AM   #47
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Probably not, but can't see it being bad
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      04-07-2019, 02:50 PM   #48
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Just throw the M550 in adaptive drive mode and it’s a very enjoyable daily driver.
I'm sure it would. But M550 is over my budget, plus I will be so sad if I drive a M550 on pot hole filled LA roads. Those roads destroy good cars.
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      04-07-2019, 07:13 PM   #49
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I am on a similar boat but debating between 540 vs 340.

If I wanted a leather wrapped performance sedan with enormous power, I will go get the real thing = M5.

Dealing with Seattle's horrible traffic, terrible roads along with all the idiots who drive on them and along with all the cyclist, takes all the fun away from the commute. Both 340 and 540 will be plenty of car for the task.
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      04-07-2019, 07:18 PM   #50
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Originally Posted by TTG View Post
I am on a similar boat but debating between 540 vs 340.

If I wanted a leather wrapped performance sedan with enormous power, I will go get the real thing = M5.

Dealing with Seattle's horrible traffic, terrible roads along with all the idiots who drive and of course bike on them takes all the fun away from the commute. Both 340 and 540 will be plenty of car for the task.
I would argue that a 540i in Seattle's gridlock would be a waste of a car. A 530i should fit the bill nicely
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      04-07-2019, 09:02 PM   #51
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Originally Posted by TTG View Post
I am on a similar boat but debating between 540 vs 340.

If I wanted a leather wrapped performance sedan with enormous power, I will go get the real thing = M5.

Dealing with Seattle's horrible traffic, terrible roads along with all the idiots who drive and of course bike on them takes all the fun away from the commute. Both 340 and 540 will be plenty of car for the task.
Kids, need the back seat in general? If not stick with 340 loaded would save you a bit and give you more of a spirited drive when needed.
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      04-08-2019, 12:24 AM   #52
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Sounds like most people defending 550 and putting down 540 are trying to justify their purchase. No need as both are very good cars. Maybe serve different masters. The 550 is raw power and the same size and looks as M5 for those questioning the motor in a 5 series. The 540 is a powerful luxury sedan. I have a 540ixM with Merino leather so price wasn't the determining factor. The 540 had the power and handling I wanted and personally I think the BMW inline 6 will outlast their 8 cylinders. I tend to keep my cars for a long time. Stop fighting 5 series owners, pick on the 3 series owners
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      04-08-2019, 12:34 AM   #53
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I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC. The had loaded 330 sedans that were quick and great handling around the course. Perfect cars for the auto cross but when it was over I enjoyed getting into my comfortable 540 (Merino leather) and drive home. Don't know if I could take driving a 3 series on a road trip.
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      04-08-2019, 04:48 AM   #54
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Originally Posted by saporitj View Post
I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC. The had loaded 340 sedans that were quick and great handling around the course. Perfect cars for the auto cross but when it was over I enjoyed getting into my comfortable 540 (Merino leather) and drive home. Don't know if I could take driving a 3 series on a road trip.
They had the new 340 or last generation?
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      04-08-2019, 07:33 AM   #55
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I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC.
I was signed up for Thursday at Fedex field, but could not make it and had to cancel. How was the event?
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      04-09-2019, 12:03 PM   #56
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One thing about the 5 series, including the M550i that I've owned for about 15 months, is that there is a lot of plastic in the car (not as much as the 3 series for sure). And it snaps crackles and pops all the time: driving over bumps, and especially when there are temperature changes (like blasting the AC on a hot day, or blasting the heat on a cold day). It's the only thing I've been disappointed in about the 5 series. BMW has gotten a bit cheap there.
Thats really disappointing. My e60 has 100k miles and not a single creak.

My e82 however would creak all day and all night.
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      04-09-2019, 12:09 PM   #57
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Op, I feel I should mention the new M340i is being built by brand new workers in a brand new factory in Mexico, thousand miles from Germany.

First. The Mexico German relationship has only ever been trouble. Zimmerman notes, dead Habsburgs, etc.

Second, any new factory has to go through a break in period. See Tesla. BMW or not, there will be problems and there must be cars produced.

Anyone signing up now to buy a new car from that factory is asking for poor build quality.

I'd recommend anyone who can't get a euro/US G30 to wait or opt for another model.

Mexico can build nice stuff but it takes a while to get it to happen. Thr new 3 is new to the Germans, and new to the Mexicans. Ironing out issues via teleconference across languages?

That's a yikes from me dog.

(Note: have a 110k mile Mexican Silverado no unreasonable issues)
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      04-09-2019, 01:09 PM   #58
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My g30 is creak free .
Mine was built in graz (so not a bmw factory) can't fault the build quality

For creaks if you do get them re the doors put gummipledge on the rubber bit and that sorts it. That sorted my f10 and e39 prior to that. G30 has been fine so far.

Always going to some cars worse better than others unfortunately
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      04-09-2019, 04:17 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksoze View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by saporitj View Post
I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC.
I was signed up for Thursday at Fedex field, but could not make it and had to cancel. How was the event?
It was a lot of fun. Mostly driving and very little classroom talk. Perfect. Friday was a drizzly day so ground was wet be still drivable. Gave us a nice BMW hat when we were done.
Don't know new from old series but they had a bunch of their newest models to test drive. Basically handed you the key and said be back in 1/2 hour.
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      04-10-2019, 05:59 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saporitj View Post
I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC. The had loaded 340 sedans that were quick and great handling around the course. Perfect cars for the auto cross but when it was over I enjoyed getting into my comfortable 540 (Merino leather) and drive home. Don't know if I could take driving a 3 series on a road trip.
They had the new 340 or last generation?
I was at the DC event this weekend, no 340i's present as they have only just arrived at a small amount of dealers this weekend. They had us autocross 330i M-Sports and they had a 430i and 330i test drives. Only 40i's were the X3, X5 and 2 series for test drives.
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      04-13-2019, 05:25 AM   #61
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[QUOTE=SleepingBMW;24631250]Op, I feel I should mention the new M340i is being built by brand new workers in a brand new factory in Mexico, thousand miles from Germany.

First. The Mexico



M340 is build in Germany. Xi are going to continue to be build in Germany. Rwd will switch to mexico in the next couple of years but you can guarantee German car by ordering euro delivery. So there is nothing to worry about there.

340 has many advantages
- limited slip
-available RWD
- cooling pack with oil,radiator
- bigger brakes
- new tech
- remote start

It is more nimble and toss-able and can be driven on the track where heavier 550 will suffer

But. New 2020 m550 will have 523hp v8 from the m850. 850 was measured to hit 60 in 3.3. That is enough argument for me
2020 M550 will smoke anything in site short of m5

Last edited by Ilyam5; 04-13-2019 at 05:33 AM..
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      04-14-2019, 02:11 AM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuastein55 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by clee1982 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by saporitj View Post
I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC. The had loaded 340 sedans that were quick and great handling around the course. Perfect cars for the auto cross but when it was over I enjoyed getting into my comfortable 540 (Merino leather) and drive home. Don't know if I could take driving a 3 series on a road trip.
They had the new 340 or last generation?
I was at the DC event this weekend, no 340i's present as they have only just arrived at a small amount of dealers this weekend. They had us autocross 330i M-Sports and they had a 430i and 330i test drives. Only 40i's were the X3, X5 and 2 series for test drives.
You right. They were 330i M sport for autocross but I did see at least one 740 and I'm think I saw a x7 to test drive. Had to miss grills.
The 750 and 850 were on display only.
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      04-14-2019, 09:27 AM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saporitj View Post
I should add, I completed the BMW auto cross tour this week in DC. The had loaded 330 sedans that were quick and great handling around the course. Perfect cars for the auto cross but when it was over I enjoyed getting into my comfortable 540 (Merino leather) and drive home. Don't know if I could take driving a 3 series on a road trip.
The 3 can also be ordered with Merino leather but does not offer multi-contour seats or massage and ventilation
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      02-16-2020, 06:28 PM   #64
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Not to bring up a old thread but I just wanted to share my experience.
I had all intentions of purchasing a M340 later in the year and test drive one. I currently own my fifth Seven series and am tires of the larger sedan.
My wife's car was in the body shop due to my sister backing into it at Christmas and I was given a 330I for a few weeks.
I initially was impressed with the car but after a couple of weeks, the seats were uncomfortable and I really started to notice the plastics and missed the leather dash and upper door cards, soft close doors, power steering column, nappa leather and other luxury items. Dont get me wrong, it was a nice car and fun to drive but once that were off, I longed for the Seven. I switched it out for the 530I and immediately felt at home. The 530 is a four and was plenty of power but I will still get the 540I.
As far as engines, I would love the 550I but past experiences with the 8 and the length of time I keep cars now, I do not want to deal with the cost of maintenance. I believe BMW's strong suit is in the inline 6 and most of my driving is in traffic and I do not need the 550 but for bragging rights or to lose my license 😅. I am glad I had an opportunity to drive both cars for an extended time. Below is how I will build my car.
540I - Dark Graphite metallic
Driving Assistance Plus Package
Luxury Seating Package
Parking Assistance Package
Dynamic Damper Control
M Sport Brakes
M steering wheel
Ceramic Controls
Heated Steering Wheel
Leather Dashboard
WiFi Hotspot
Harman Kardon surround sound system
Mocha Nappa
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      02-17-2020, 10:55 AM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyndi335I View Post
Not to bring up a old thread but I just wanted to share my experience.
I had all intentions of purchasing a M340 later in the year and test drive one. I currently own my fifth Seven series and am tires of the larger sedan.
My wife's car was in the body shop due to my sister backing into it at Christmas and I was given a 330I for a few weeks.
I initially was impressed with the car but after a couple of weeks, the seats were uncomfortable and I really started to notice the plastics and missed the leather dash and upper door cards, soft close doors, power steering column, nappa leather and other luxury items. Dont get me wrong, it was a nice car and fun to drive but once that were off, I longed for the Seven. I switched it out for the 530I and immediately felt at home. The 530 is a four and was plenty of power but I will still get the 540I.
As far as engines, I would love the 550I but past experiences with the 8 and the length of time I keep cars now, I do not want to deal with the cost of maintenance. I believe BMW's strong suit is in the inline 6 and most of my driving is in traffic and I do not need the 550 but for bragging rights or to lose my license 😅. I am glad I had an opportunity to drive both cars for an extended time. Below is how I will build my car.
540I - Dark Graphite metallic
Driving Assistance Plus Package
Luxury Seating Package
Parking Assistance Package
Dynamic Damper Control
M Sport Brakes
M steering wheel
Ceramic Controls
Heated Steering Wheel
Leather Dashboard
WiFi Hotspot
Harman Kardon surround sound system
Mocha Nappa
While I have not driven the new generation three, that is exactly how I feel every time I have gotten a three as a loaner. I have sat in a new one and feel the same way.

I'm a card carrying speed freak and have owned some fast sports cars. I have some very fast Sport bikes now that I run the back roads on. As much as I would like a 550, I agree that what I want now in a car is more luxury and less Sport.

I'm retired, and money is a factor. Money no object I would own a M550 and a Shelby GT350 (I still want a manual in a "fun car"). But money is an object, so I too am sticking with my 540 and like it so much that I may buy another.
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      02-18-2020, 07:37 AM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjscsix View Post
While I have not driven the new generation three, that is exactly how I feel every time I have gotten a three as a loaner. I have sat in a new one and feel the same way.

I'm a card carrying speed freak and have owned some fast sports cars. I have some very fast Sport bikes now that I run the back roads on. As much as I would like a 550, I agree that what I want now in a car is more luxury and less Sport.

I'm retired, and money is a factor. Money no object I would own a M550 and a Shelby GT350 (I still want a manual in a "fun car"). But money is an object, so I too am sticking with my 540 and like it so much that I may buy another.
I am close to retirement and have always purchased CPO BMW 's and this time I am going new. My daughter has graduated college and now I have money to splurge and always wanted a new BMW. As I stated before, I really thought I wanted a more sportier car but after being in it for a extended period of time, I missed the amenities my 7 offered. I just dont like that large if a sedan anymore.
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