[mastapro]

I'm trying to decide between a 440i and 430i right now and I'm leaning towards the 440i for the power. The only thing that scares me is that more power usually means more problems. Can anybody chime in on this? I would be looking at used ones around 30k miles.

[chowser51]

go for the B58.

It's BMW's modular engine.
BMW engine family of 3-cylinder (B38/ B37), 4-cylinder (B48/ B47) and 6-cylinder (B58) engines

[mastapro]

Originally Posted by chowser51

go for the B58.

It's BMW's modular engine.
BMW engine family of 3-cylinder (B38/ B37), 4-cylinder (B48/ B47) and 6-cylinder (B58) engines

Sorry kinda new here, what do you mean by modular engine?

[hybris]

Modular: They're basically the same engine with different number of cylinders. B48 has 4 and B58 has 6.

Also, why do you think more power means more problems? That may have been the case if the engines were the same size, but the B58 is 50% bigger. In reality the 330i has a higher tune than the 340i, so if anything the 330i is less likely to be reliable.

B48 330i = 126hp per liter
B58 340i = 108hp per liter

In practice they will both be fine.

[GenXer]

I had a 430i and traded it for a 440i 3 months later. Do yourself a favor and just get the 440i. In the 430i you would get a more prominent fake ASD sound through the speakers even in comfort mode. The 440i is a hell of lot quicker too. You can even get an MPPSK for the 440i with factory warranty if you decide to get it later.

[mastapro]

Originally Posted by hybris

Modular: They're basically the same engine with different number of cylinders. B48 has 4 and B58 has 6.

Also, why do you think more power means more problems? That may have been the case if the engines were the same size, but the B58 is 50% bigger. In reality the 330i has a higher tune than the 340i, so if anything the 330i is less likely to be reliable.

B48 330i = 126hp per liter
B58 340i = 108hp per liter

In practice they will both be fine.

Originally Posted by GenXer

I had a 430i and traded it for a 440i 3 months later. Do yourself a favor and just get the 440i. In the 430i you would get a more prominent fake ASD sound through the speakers even in comfort mode. The 440i is a hell of lot quicker too. You can even get an MPPSK for the 440i with factory warranty if you decide to get it later.

thank you, you guys make me feel a bit better about leaning towards the 440i

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mastapro

thank you, you guys make me feel a bit better about leaning towards the 440i

Also remember it is harder to stress the bigger engine, in normal driving. So unless you drive really hard, (whatever engine you have), the B58 will likely have the easier life.

[hybris]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Also remember it is harder to stress the bigger engine, in normal driving. So unless you drive really hard, (whatever engine you have), the B58 will likely have the easier life.

I wouldn't worry about either engine if I didn't plan on tuning it. If tuning is likely, B58 is the obvious choice. The B48 in the 330i hasn't got a lot of additional juice in it compared to the B58.

[anotheran]

440i. if you look at the tunes by BM3, they can push the B58 much more than the B48. The B58 is very under tuned.

[cfm56d7b]

In short - 440i. While N55 is already a good engine, B58 engine is so addictively capable that anything with 4 cylinders will seem irrelevant.

[Skyhigh]

That's why I never bought a Ferrari.
Too much power = too many problems.

[paul e]

I usually keep my cars for a long time, thus the 6 over the 4 was an easy choice.

Plus why get a BMW and not go for their most famous motor, the straight 6?

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by paul e

I usually keep my cars for a long time, thus the 6 over the 4 was an easy choice.

Plus why get a BMW and not go for their most famous motor, the straight 6?

Hey, hey. BMW had a pretty famous four, also.
The four will give very nice acceleration, and give at least a couple more MPG (which actually counts to some).
Plus it handles better!

Murf

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by Littlebear

Plus it handles better!
Murf

Please elaborate

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Please elaborate

Lighter front end = less need to counter understeer tendencies.

Murf

[Skyhigh]

Interesting theory... 😄
Is that why they now offer 3 cylinder engines as well for some models? 😄

Don't get me wrong - there is nothing wrong with the 4-pot engines. But please don't go to a goat for wool

[hybris]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Interesting theory... 😄
Is that why they now offer 3 cylinder engines as well for some models? 😄

Don't get me wrong - there is nothing wrong with the 4-pot engines. But please don't go to a goat for wool

Are you debating that lighter engines aren't better for handling? Of course they are.

[Skyhigh]

Should we talk numbers?

Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 430i: 48,5 : 51,5
Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 440i: 49,7 : 50,3

We all know what the ideal weight distribution is, don't we.
Somehow they went and designed the vehicle according to the biggest engine, can you believe that...

[hybris]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Should we talk numbers?

Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 430i: 48,5 : 51,5
Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 440i: 49,7 : 50,3

We all know what the ideal weight distribution is, don't we.
Somehow they went and designed the vehicle according to the biggest engine, can you believe that...

As I'm sure you know the total weight of the car is significant too, not just the balance.

[hybris]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Should we talk numbers?

Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 430i: 48,5 : 51,5
Weight distribution Front : Rear %, 440i: 49,7 : 50,3

We all know what the ideal weight distribution is, don't we.
Somehow they went and designed the vehicle according to the biggest engine, can you believe that...

https://www.motortrend.com/news/tota...mw-335i-21501/

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/fir...ter-faster-one

I'm not saying I wouldn't rather have the 340i myself, but to argue against the fact that a heavier engine at the front affects agility doesn't make sense.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by hybris

As I'm sure you know the total weight of the car is significant too, not just the balance.

Sure. That's why the KG per PS matter. Check out the numbers there.

I'm sorry, as much as I enjoy this Sunday forum exchange, to argue that there are other factors than economical in favor of a smaller engine with less cylinders is...


This said, this is where the 30i shines - good dynamics and appreciable power from a reliable, affordable and cost-efficient 4 cylinder engine. It is not the most powerful 2 liter 4-cyl engine on the market, but it is directly comparable to the one in e.g. Audi A5. I was about to get one myself (in the A5 however).

[hybris]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Sure. That's why the KG per PS matter. Check out the numbers there.

I'm sorry, as much as I enjoy this Sunday forum exchange, to argue that there are other factors than economical in favor of a smaller engine with less cylinders is...


This said, this is where the 30i shines - good dynamics and appreciable power from a reliable, affordable and cost-efficient 4 cylinder engine. It is not the most powerful 2 liter 4-cyl engine on the market, but it is directly comparable to the one in e.g. Audi A5. I was about to get one myself (in the A5 however).

Not sure I get whether you agree that a lighter car will typically handle better or not. That's all I'm saying.

Whether the marginally increased handling is an actual argument for selecting the B48 over the B58 is a completely different discussion.