[ashpal19]

My lease is up in 2 months, looking for options. I really want this to stay with a BMW, however it it too tempting not to got a Tesla Model 3. Only difference is I would need to buy the Tesla (no lease options yet)

I have had 3 BMW's in the past and would hate to switch the brand.I am looking to learn from past experiences and suggestions from folks.

Options -
A. 340 or 340M
B. M3 base ( depending on monthly payment )
C. Tesla Model 3 (AWD with extended range)

I have driven the Tesla and I didn't get the classy confidence feeling that I get with my BMWs. Tesla may be a cheaper option if I decide to keep the car for more than 3/4 years.

But just looking for help here!

[KRS_SN]

my friend has a tesla model s. i love how it drives and no rattles squeaks. Interior looks terrible and the seats are not comfortable and exterior looks not so good either. so would i switch to tesla no way!! not because tesla isn't fun to drive but because electric vehicles aren't full mainstream yet. the charging network is non existant and range anxiety is a bummer (ive seen my friends face) and battery tech is in infancy and hence overpriced etc. If wireless charging at home and road charging as we drove etc became a reality i would switch tommorrow.
in your case you have to adapt your lifestyle and driving practices to the tesla but your bmw choices wrap around your lifestyle choice is yours.

[Jeff01234567]

I would say stick with BMW and get a 340, or M3 if you can afford it. This coming decade is going to be the golden era of the internal combustion engine, since by the 2030s most companies should be switching to electric powertrains. Might as well enjoy old-fashioned gas engines a few more years and let electric cars mature some more!

[stein_325i]

My opinion get the 340i. Seeing that you have a 328i, I think the 340i would be more than enough of an upgrade from your previous car, and you will then be able to get the options you likely want. But that being said, if you can score a deal on an M3 with the right options, totally go for it, just know once you go up to an M3 for your lease, your probably never going to want to go back to a non M car afterwards.

Onto the Tesla, everyone raves about electric vehicles, but in my opinion like a post above, its still too early. You already said that you didn't really get a good feeling behind the wheel of the Model 3, so it sounds like you already made your decision regarding the idea of a Tesla. Not only that but Tesla's build quality is atrocious, and the lack of repair parts/availability is a deal breaker. I've heard people wait for something as simple as a windshield for a month. And while a low 0-60 time is cool and all, I mean how often will you be using that straight line speed in your daily life. I think the Tesla is cool, but I also think its not ready yet in regards to what i stated above. If I were buying a Tesla today, I'd rather have a Model S than the Model 3.

[harperium]

If you have M Fever, there’s only one cure. But it doesn’t sound like you’ve got it.

The 340 is amazing. Lots of useable, every-day power. My next car will be an M, but my upgraded 340i will suffice in the mean time.

[bavarianride]

The polar vortex exposes one of many shortcomings of EVs(Tesla and others) for many new owners that are mesmerized by marketing hype and FUD spread by Tesla loyalists.

Among the 3 choices in post#1, G20 340ix(xDrive available right?) can be a great choice over Model 3 AWD , while the M3 base can be a superb choice over a Model 3 Performance.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by harperium

If you have M Fever, there's only one cure. But it doesn't sound like you've got it.

The 340 is amazing. Lots of useable, every-day power. My next car will be an M, but my upgraded 340i will suffice in the mean time.

The 340i is indeed amazing with B58 engine. Unless M fever happens to be in full swing, 340i is perfect as a daily driver with plenty of power for passing when needed.

[SBM1206]

I would not suggest getting another F30. Been there, done that. 340 is faster, somehow feels more nimble, has a great engine with a fantastic (though fake) sound and the same terrible steering. It may feel a little different but still terrible and all in all it is very similar to 328. In 3-4 weeks you will feel that you driving the same car for over 3 years and going to drive it for three more years.
I also disagree about usable power. Hit the gas and you at 100mph, keep your foot planted on the go pedal and you at 120mph and ready to get arrested.
M3 is even faster and even more provocative.

G20 is supposed to have much better steering feel and Model 3 is something very different. I would go with G20 or Model 3.

[pjkbrit]

I have a 340... awesome machine. I would not touch a Tesla with a 100 foot pole. Horrible quality and beyond crappy service. My friend has one and it's heavy to drive. Interior distractions from all the kewl tech is just annoying if you really want to drive. Tesla the company could go bust. Then what! Horrible balance sheet!!

[harperium]

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

I have a 340... awesome machine. I would not touch a Tesla with a 100 foot pole. Horrible quality and beyond crappy service. My friend has one and it's heavy to drive. Interior distractions from all the kewl tech is just annoying if you really want to drive. Tesla the company could go bust. Then what! Horrible balance sheet!!

Don't want to make this into an anti-Tesla thread, but the main problem with EV is the range and how that is totally unrealistic for real-life and for road trips. Huge number of cars in cities that street-park or don't have any way to charge. And much of the world is in cold climates where battery EVs would not do so well.

I went on a 4000 mile road trip over Christmas, drove 12-14 hours a day of which maybe 15 minutes was spent filling up the tank. The only Tesla I saw was while passing through a larger city. Otherwise they don't exist on the open road. An 8 hour day of driving in a Tesla becomes a 12 hour day, confined to interstates and the charging network... Good luck having an adventure that way.

For those that really love driving, the long road trips - off interstates - is where adventure lies. That's what a car is about. A car is FREEDOM. Point A to Point B commuting is what you do in between road trips.

The 340 is an amazing car in that respect. The M3 moreso. The Tesla 3 is an expensive, if poorly made, commuter for the coastal gadget types (50% of all Teslas are in California. The other 50% probably split between Chicago and NYC.)

So, for the OP, I guess it comes down to what you really want out of a car. Do you want the car to serve you? Or do you want to serve the car?

[jd_perspective]

I have yet to see a Model 3 that I like... it just has such odd proportions. Since last year there have been 2 new BMW 3'ers in my work parking lot and 5 new Model 3's! All ugly.
My friend has one and was in an accident recently... If it were a BMW it would have been fixed in 2 weeks. His was in the shop, no joke, 2 months! Lack of parts & knowledge on how to fix things appropriately.

[ashpal19]

Originally Posted by SBM1206

I would not suggest getting another F30. Been there, done that. 340 is faster, somehow feels more nimble, has a great engine with a fantastic (though fake) sound and the same terrible steering. It may feel a little different but still terrible and all in all it is very similar to 328. In 3-4 weeks you will feel that you driving the same car for over 3 years and going to drive it for three more years.
I also disagree about usable power. Hit the gas and you at 100mph, keep your foot planted on the go pedal and you at 120mph and ready to get arrested.
M3 is even faster and even more provocative.

G20 is supposed to have much better steering feel and Model 3 is something very different. I would go with G20 or Model 3.

I will read about the exact differences between 340 vs 340M, looks like a good mean between M3 and 340. Will certainly consider it, given it would be available for my timeline.

I am certainly worried about getting bored in 3-4 weeks. I know I won't get bored with an M3(for sure), since I have that going on in my mind for the last 2 years.

[jmg]

One you go M, you never go back!

[Rox335i]

Cousin has a model 3 and he likes it. I'll go with M3 .

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by harperium

So, for the OP, I guess it comes down to what you really want out of a car. Do you want the car to serve you? Or do you want to serve the car?

How would OP's three choices be different per "car to serve you" versus "to serve the car"?

[harperium]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

How would OP's three choices be different per "car to serve you" versus "to serve the car"?

With an EV, your choices of roads, routes, how long you can drive in a day, and even your destinations, are determined, and greatly narrowed, by the battery beneath your seat. You serve the car; you drive it where it must go.

Unlike a gas powered car where you can drive it when and where and for how long you choose; the car serves you

[Jeff01234567]

Originally Posted by harperium

With an EV, your choices of roads, routes, how long you can drive in a day, and even your destinations, are determined, and greatly narrowed, by the battery beneath your seat. You serve the car; you drive it where it must go.

Unlike a gas powered car where you can drive it when and where and for how long you choose; the car serves you

Goes back to letting EV's mature. One day they will have a range double that of a gas-powered car, and gas stations will be replaced by charging stations that will be able to fully charge a battery in 10 minutes. Until that day comes, gas is still king...

[jmg]

Originally Posted by harperium

With an EV, your choices of roads, routes, how long you can drive in a day, and even your destinations, are determined, and greatly narrowed, by the battery beneath your seat. You serve the car; you drive it where it must go.

Unlike a gas powered car where you can drive it when and where and for how long you choose; the car serves you

That a bit of an extreme take on it. The Model 3 has a range of 220 miles. Unless you are doing a long distance road trip, the Model 3 will serve the driver just fine. Who drives more than 220 miles a day? Those who do are definitely the exception, not necessarily the rule.

Whether or not the car will be serving the driver or the driver serving the car is completely subjective and determined on the drivers needs and situation. If you live in a big city and have an extra car for road trips and commute less than 220 miles a day, the Model 3 will do more than serve the driver, it's probably ideal. If you live in the sticks or don't have a means of charging your car at home or work then the Model 3 will not serve you. It all depends.

My current EV, a 2018 i3 REx serves me just fine, more than fine actually, it's a superior daily than my old 340i for my needs.

Originally Posted by Jeff01234567

Goes back to letting EV's mature. One day they will have a range double that of a gas-powered car, and gas stations will be replaced by charging stations that will be able to fully charge a battery in 10 minutes. Until that day comes, gas is still king...

With a range of 220 miles, which is more than enough for a daily commute or weekend around town, you don't need a charging station nor necessarily need to charge in 10 minutes (although it would be nice). Unless you live in an apartment, then charging at home will be the most convenient and widely used means to "refuel" your EV. Hopefully one day the range will be 500 miles and you would merely have to charge every few days/weeks or so. There will be less and less reliance on public charging because that charging could be done at home, ideally with home installed solar panels and cells that store energy for use in the home and car charging, saving money and reducing the reliance on carbon fuel sources.

[Wires]

Tons of places have charging stations. And with the extended range battery getting you 350ish miles per charge, it's really no different than my 340's range right now. Only difference is on extended road trips that you need to be a bit more conscious of charge stations (but their NAV tells you where to find them).

I love the insane raw acceleration of the electric motor. It's addicting! There is a YouTube video that explains the 10 secrets of the Model 3 (I think it's called that) which will most likely change your mind. My beef's with the Model 3 (a lot from this video):
1) Tesla's website does this slimly sales pitch where they give a price for the car with a '*'. The price indicated is lower, and indicates the effective price assuming fuel savings compared to gasoline.
2) No HUD, no speedo, nothing. Speed is showing on the top corner of their giant tablet control.
3) No knobs, controls, etc. All controlled through the touchscreen tablet. I get that even in our cars, it's just a mechanical interface to a background computer, but for the cost of the model 3, I'd expect something.
4) Not even a key fob. You need to use your phone or a HID card to open the door.
5) Looks plain. Again for the money, I just expect more (and sure, there is a lot more computer processing behind the scenes that gets you autopilot, but image is everything).

The slick thing is their autopilot. That works well, and is insanely seamless. I have yet to experience any other brand that offers (allows?) the car to be controlled as well as theirs. 99% of the time I really could care less. But there is that 1% on mind numbing highway journeys that it's nice for the car to drive you. It really reduces driver fatigue.

[outofphase]

If it were me, between the M3 and 340i, I'd go with a loaded 340i. I just drove one for a few days as a loaner and it was glorious, and if I had to choose between loaded 340 vs base M3, I'd rather have the loaded option. But I guess it depends on what's more important to you -- performance or lots of options.

[skyline408]

I sold my F80 M3, to buy a new Model S. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by skyline408

I sold my F80 M3, to buy a new Model S. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE.

Any specific to share?