[BimmerBoomer]

If you want AWD right now it is between the C43 and the Audi S4/S5 SB. The C43 is a really good car, but I was put off by the interior and the styling. I'm hoping that BMW will do an M440i xDrive Gran Coupe on the G20 platform in two or three years and I can come back to the fold. But right now I've had enough of the wind noise, the rattles and lack of a true sport suspension. Make no mistake: BMWs used to be better than this.

[M3MENTO]

Used or New?

Mercedes has best interior and thats where it stops for me.

I would only pick the Audi between these three if I lived in snowy climate, nothing better than Audi's Quattro, you can also tune the car to a decent 400-500 hp for quite cheap, I am talking about the B8.5's here.. not the new 2018 models.

BMW looks great, good aftermarket tunes if you decide to juice it up in future, has the best interior right behind the Merc, great handling...best overall car IMO.

If you were buying these cars "new" I would just go for the new Audi RS3, functionality of the four doors, AWD, 400 HP and 3,300 kerb weight and 54k MSRP... that already gets me to pull the trigger.

[rogersmj]

Originally Posted by ishowerinjager

Exhaust is much better with mppsk in the 340i...

Really? That's good to hear (pun intended). I kinda wanted a C43, partly because I thought the exhaust sounded great, partly because of the interior materials quality...but considering I got a 1 year old 340i for barely over half the price of a C43, the value-for-dollar argument couldn't be beat.

I have never heard the MPPSK, so it's nice to know that if I get a hankering for a better exhaust note I can go that route. I actually think it sounds pretty good stock from the outside, I just wish it was a bit louder inside.

[bmwm617]

Originally Posted by Mamyf30

Interested to see what pros and cons people think about these three vehicles when comparing to each other. Which would give the best performance/value for you and why?

I will choose BMW because of its powerful engine. That's why I am BMW fan.

[Humdizzle]

best value is a 2013 M sport. you're getting 95% of what a new 340i has to offer for like half the price.

power doesn't matter. you can tune any of these cars to your hearts desire. although with the awd/sports diff i'd have to give the nod to the audi since it can actually put the power down. the lack of a differential really kills the 3 series in the performance department. but at least you can get hints of oversteer in the 3.

the mercedes is a bit too expensive for what it is. but the interior and refinement are verrrry nice if thats what you are after.

[Calvin36]

Originally Posted by rogersmj

Really? That's good to hear (pun intended). I kinda wanted a C43, partly because I thought the exhaust sounded great, partly because of the interior materials quality...but considering I got a 1 year old 340i for barely over half the price of a C43, the value-for-dollar argument couldn't be beat.

I have never heard the MPPSK, so it's nice to know that if I get a hankering for a better exhaust note I can go that route. I actually think it sounds pretty good stock from the outside, I just wish it was a bit louder inside.

The MPPSK makes it sound soooo good!! Listen to some video clips of it. Good burbles too!

[goj]

Say no to column shifters. BMW or Audi ftw ( but I prefer BMW)

[ishowerinjager]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

best value is a 2013 M sport. you're getting 95% of what a new 340i has to offer for like half the price.

power doesn't matter. you can tune any of these cars to your hearts desire. although with the awd/sports diff i'd have to give the nod to the audi since it can actually put the power down. the lack of a differential really kills the 3 series in the performance department. but at least you can get hints of oversteer in the 3.

the mercedes is a bit too expensive for what it is. but the interior and refinement are verrrry nice if thats what you are after.

The new b58 engine is quite different than the engine in the 335.

You have to put a fair bit of money into a 335 to make it pull like a 340 with mppsk.

It's definitely possible but if your looking for a car with a warranty I would grab the first used 340i that you see. You'll still save yourself 30,000. You'll have yourself the new engine and a ton of power with the mppsk. And you'll have warranty

[German Straight-6]

In my opinion, I think the 3 series was the top of it's class back in 2012, but it's just too outdated to compete with the newer entries unless you are looking at a RWD example and care only about driving dynamics.

you gotta test drive all of them to decide for certain.

Originally Posted by chicagoshark

Solid assessment. I think you can customize the bmw a little better than the alternatives. It will be interesting to see how these rankings/preferences change with the G20...

If they update the interior, don't put nasty square pipes, and if they fix a little of the body roll, it will be no contest.

I need to drive a rwd 340 with m sport suspension and compare it to mine to really know which is best.

BMW's F chassis is incredible in RWD, and I am using an F10 with base suspension as my example...

Originally Posted by N33D4SP33D

What is this body roll everyone talks about my ties are square and I don't feel it.

That just means you havent pushed your BMW hard enough into corners yet

Originally Posted by S.BMW23

Exactly!! Audi lease deals are horrible. Get into a high end bmw at that point vs paying 800 for an s4

C43 lease not horrible. I've seen in the 600s

All german cars have horrible lease rates. I would never lease a german car.