[drummerlauw]

Ahhh tough choice. I was in your shoes when trying to decide between 340i and 528i. I went with 340i because I rarely have passengers (only once a week). Also I love big engine in a smaller car. The 340i is indeed a small sport sedan. If you don't mind the space and old interior, go with 340i, as it will outperform the 5 in performance section. 5 series will feel/ look more mature and modern.

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I'll have to see about the 5 series configurator here. I know for 3 series you get moonroof and HK standard versus you don't get those on 328, but it may have changed with 330. Also Sport line became standard in 2016 for 340i and M Sport in 2017. So quite a lot of goodies just by upgrading to base 340i. Maybe it's not so with 540 I was just basing my assumption that it would be like the 3. UPDATE so yeah I checked it not that much difference here either really just the bigger engine it seems upon quickly glancing at standard features, but 530 comes with a lot already just doesn't get the HK system but neither does 540. It is nice that moonroof and navi are standard on both. This would be an argument in favor of 340 as you get M sport standard and you don't on 530 nor do you get HK. I don't believe navi is standard on 340 so you would have to negotiate on that. I was able to get it thrown in for free.

Just looked into the configurator and if I get the 340i I only get LED Headlights and some stuff worth 1k (parking sensors, sport seats) as standard, but the M Sport is 1k cheaper. After options, the difference between a 330i and a 340i is like $4k and I can pay for that.
By the way I called my dealer and they told me my X3 is worth a lot more than I tought ( I tought it'd be like 15k and it's 22-25k) so I will see if I can get the 540i.

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by 5ilver-5amurai

I'm going to be a wildcard here and say that If I was in your situation I would opt for neither...

I'm going to call out that my assessment is all personal opinion and is highly subjective. I think the 530 is severely under-powered for its size and weight. The 340 is the better option here from an enjoyment standpoint, but they are changing the entire car very soon. Sooner than you think - once you start seeing the G-series rolling around. I have made the mistake of buying a car within 1 year of a full model change and I felt the pain every payment after the new model came out. I think the whole 'don't buy the first year of a new car because it will have issues' is a pretty terrible argument used to justify not waiting for a new model. If I was buying a luxury sedan for reliability, I would be at a Lexus dealership instead. If you really need a 4 door luxury sedan, I would probably opt for the new S4 or new S5 Sportback given that they're so new. I would even avoid the current C-sedan as that has an LCI coming soon as well.

Before the flames come out, remember, I said it was highly subjective If you are happy with your car, who cares what someone online says right?

This is why I'm still not sure about buying the 3 series. I'm afraid that I will be sorry for having the older model in a year. And thank you for your recommendation with Audi, but I'm staying loyal

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

Just looked into the configurator and if I get the 340i I only get LED Headlights and some stuff worth 1k (parking sensors, sport seats) as standard, but the M Sport is 1k cheaper. After options, the difference between a 330i and a 340i is like $4k and I can pay for that.
By the way I called my dealer and they told me my X3 is worth a lot more than I tought ( I tought it'd be like 15k and it's 22-25k) so I will see if I can get the 540i.

Wow that's pretty awesome! Bimmers have some of the best residuals in the industry if not the best! The 540 will be a nice upgrade!

[eluded]

340 is the only one that comes with stick.

End of discussion.

[AlexM]

5 is probably the best saloon at the moment. If you can't go the distance to 540, since you are in Romania you can get the 520d. I would go for that and tune it to 250hp. It's much cheaper than 530 so you can get the M sport (standard doesn't look nice) and all the right stuff. However, if you're and engine junky like me, go for the 340i Or even better, the 4 GC.
I have to say, after driving 328 for 5 years, the performance of this 4-pot is good but you will curse every moment listening to it - the sound is almost unbearable

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by AlexM

5 is probably the best saloon at the moment. If you can't go the distance to 540, since you are in Romania you can get the 520d. I would go for that and tune it to 250hp. It's much cheaper than 530 so you can get the M sport (standard doesn't look nice) and all the right stuff. However, if you're and engine junky like me, go for the 340i Or even better, the 4 GC.
I have to say, after driving 328 for 5 years, the performance of this 4-pot is good but you will curse every moment listening to it - the sound is almost unbearable

I don't want to tune it because I will lose warranty on the car and I really don't want another diesel car. As I know, the 530i has a different engine so maybe it won't sound like your 328

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

I don't want to tune it because I will lose warranty on the car and I really don't want another diesel car. As I know, the 530i has a different engine so maybe it won't sound like your 328

It has the B48 which is the b58 just with two fewer cylinders. 248 Hp vs 240 for the n20. If BMW makes a mppsk or mpe for it that won't void your warranty or a dinan tune has its own warranty. It might be a couple of a 10ths faster to 60 than the 528

[JDMAF]

Originally Posted by eluded

340 is the only one that comes with stick.

End of discussion.

Boom (drop the mic)


completely agree