Being a mild-hybrid, that M340i now gets almost the same MPG as a 330i. But, it costs an extra $12k. Annoyingly, you can't get a spare tire with the M340i's Tire and Cooling Package, since the G20's 18" spare doesn't fit over the Tire and Cooling Package's larger front brakes.
Purchase cost (~$12k less than an M340i) and fuel economy are what will put me in a 330i. Although, with the M340i now being a mild-hybrid, the fuel economy (3 MPG difference) is less of an issue.
If it were a slug, I would have moved up to a 340. The 330 is anything but slow. My last BMW was a 2009 535i, and the 330 is about the same level of power.
Exactly, it's not a fast car, but it certainly is not a slow one.
The more I drive my '22 540i back-to-back with my wife's '22 330ix, the more pronounced the "slowness" of the 330ix becomes apparent. The 540i acceleration and performance is effortless, not so much the 3. While I won't say the 3 is a slug, driving the 5 is much more satisfying. For a few mpg difference I wouldn't be happy with the 4-cylinder as a daily driver. Anyone considering moving from a 6-cylinder to the 4 (Autoputzer) should really decide if they will be happy long term.
I won't for a minute disparage the 5, I have owned 3 ('99 528 Touring, '07 530xi, '09 535is) over the years. They are nothing but exceptional cars. However, the 3 is a much better price point. My initial thought was to price a 5, but leases were running about $900/month. My loaded 330xi, (leather, Harmon Kardon, Premium, etc) with 15k mi/yr was $625 with minimal down. I use this as my daily, inclement weather, NYC, shopping centers, airports, business trips, and drive clients around in it. I can leave my 911 in the garage but still enjoy the drive. The tech is great, and it really sips gas. So perfect for me, and as it has to lug around an AWD system, I don't have an issue letting it spool up for a second to take off. All that said, I will try to get into a M340 next...because, almost 400 hp.
Sorry, my point was not 3 vs 5, but the x30i vs x40i's
That's it, lower cost, better gas mileage.
When I was car shopping in 2013, I didn't even consider a 528i. My mentality at the time was that $50k+ cars don't have four-cylinder engines. Actually, that was BMW's philosophy for the US market before widespread turbocharging. Their "loss-leaders" (lower-sale price, same manufacturing cost, therefore lower-profit) cars had naturally aspirated, de-tuned, six-cylinder engines. The reality is that the turbocharged four-cylinder that repllaced the naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine is more powerful and more fuel effiicent.
Frau Putzer wasn't impressed with my 330i loaner last year. "Oh, great... Just what the world needs, a $50k Chevy Cobalt."
No problem. That straight 6 is legendary, and I miss the N54 in the 535. You do know that output of the 3 series engines (both 4 & 6 cyl) are higher than the 4 & 6 in the 5 series. I can't for the life of me figure out why the 340 has 389hp and the 540 has 335hp. The 4 cyl is less powerful in the 5 series too. Makes no sense unless they have a dedicated engine assemble lines feeding the 3 & 5 series assembly.
The six-cylinder 3 Series is an M340i, a so-called "M prefix car." M prefix cars and SUV's (M240i, M340i, X2 M35i, X3 M40i, etc.) have souped up versions of the engines. The 540i has a standard tune six-cylinder engine.
