Considering a G20...any "gotchas" I don't know about?

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I can't really comment on an older G20 nor the four cylinder engine, but if you have any specific questions about the M340i let me know. We recently ordered and received a 2024 M340i for my wife's car. She had been driving our M2C and E91 mostly prior to that. I sold my E90 M3 after it had appreciated a lot over the past few years to make garage room. The difference between the E91 and the new M340i is night and day and hard to cover all the changes/updates/etc.

It's on track performance is what sold us on the M340i even though we aren't going to use it for autox or track (I've got the M2C for that). Living so close to the Performance Center, I've been to many events there and twice during 2023 I was able to drive an M340i in the rat race (wet oval, rough pavement, competition vs other car) and hot lapping. I'm not easily impressed with track performance (been autocrossing and track driving since the 1970s), but the M340i far exceeded my expectations. Yes EPS is lacking tactical feel, but if you let go of former internal programming and pay attention to what it provides approaching/at/over the limits of adhesion up front, it's fine imo. I spent four hours on the Michelin 1/2 mile skidpad learning the intricacies of the EPS on the M2C shortly after buying it, and it does take some internal programming rewiring lol. The M-LSD is also fantastic, and we'd have never bought the car without one (like former non-M 3-series where they always had an open diff, well in the past 35 years anyway, and prior versions implemented the braking on one side kludge attempt to limit wheelspin).

So it was the ability to lay down some hard laps and also extract the best possible laps in the rat race that won me over to looking at the M340i. I expected the car to be a joke somewhat, and I completely proved myself wrong. Shockingly wrong in fact. We were planning to get a G80 M3 with a 6MT since my wife really didn't want to let go of a driving a manual, but again, the ZF8 in the M340i has been incredible. Given our usage of the car, we're both happy to have chosen the M340i over the 6MT G80 M3 since the S58 is lacking on low end (around town) torque output, and the 6th gear has the engine screaming at 75mph (just like in the M2C). Interestingly, Car and Driver test data shows the M340i faster to 60mph than the 6MT M3 and only 0.2 seconds slower to 100mph (9.4 sec vs 9.2 for the M3).

Hmm, thanks for the review. I probably won't be tracking this car, but we do have some twisty roads around here and its always fun to sling the car around a bit when traffic opens up. So your M340 has a limited slip diff? I've never actually owned a car with one, its something I'd like to have though.

Originally Posted by Bc2005

The M340i is a combination that’s hard to beat. 0-60 in about 4 seconds, smooth shifting 8 speed auto, turbo tuning that keeps it in the high torque range nearly all the time, and gas mileage of 32-33 mpg when you take a long drive on the highway.

What you may not like is how smoothly and quietly all this happens with the 2021+ mild hybrid. If you don’t spend money on exhaust or tuning that creates all the exhaust burbles, you will be outrunning Mustang GT’s and Camaros, but cruising as quietly as a Honda Accord. A stock M340i is not for the “look at me and my cool sounding car” crowd.

Hah, perfect. I had way too many tickets in my 20s, I'm fine with flying under the radar.

Originally Posted by MJBO

G20 is a good car and a good platform. BMW is making solid reliable cars these days, it’s great to see and experience.

Owned a G01 X3 with the 185kW B48 for nearly five years and it’s been flawless, same with my year old G81 M3.

Shame you guys don’t get the G21, a decent amount of seat time in one was one of the things that convinced me I wanted a wagon.

Damn that G21 is awesome. It kills me that we don't get them here. How would you rate your G01 compared to the G21? I'm a bit torn between the two models. I had an E83 X3 that was a great car, but I wasn't wild about the height when I was driving on twisty roads, I've read that the seat height is lower on the G01 though. I'm guessing its not 3-series height though?

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

The newer car will feel more isolated from the outside, sterile and boat-like compared to the E90. And I'm talking about my F22 2 series here... not even a G20. That's just how they are these days.

This is not an accurate statement. The G20 suspension is pretty similar to the E90 suspension. Actually the M340i suspension is firmer than the E90 sport suspension. A little too much so.

Originally Posted by rothwem

Hmm, thanks for the review. I probably won't be tracking this car, but we do have some twisty roads around here and it’s always fun to sling the car around a bit when traffic opens up. So your M340 has a limited slip diff? I've never actually owned a car with one, it’s something I'd like to have though.

Hah, perfect. I had way too many tickets in my 20s, I'm fine with flying under the radar.

The M340i gets the M LSD as standard equipment.

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

This is not an accurate statement. The G20 suspension is pretty similar to the E90 suspension. Actually the M340i suspension is firmer than the E90 sport suspension. A little too much so.

Oh the suspension is quite capable, there's no doubt the handling ability increasing over the years. The feel is mostly attributed to the steering and maybe comfort mode being soft with a bit more body roll. It's been a few years since I have driven a stock E90... and haven't been in a G20. I don't plan on moving into a G chassis either.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Damn that G21 is awesome. It kills me that we don't get them here. How would you rate your G01 compared to the G21? I'm a bit torn between the two models. I had an E83 X3 that was a great car, but I wasn't wild about the height when I was driving on twisty roads, I've read that the seat height is lower on the G01 though. I'm guessing its not 3-series height though?

G01 is a great car, drives and handles really well, and you can sit decently low for an SUV, but no it’s not 3-series height.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Oh the suspension is quite capable, there's no doubt the handling ability increasing over the years. The feel is mostly attributed to the steering and maybe comfort mode being soft with a bit more body roll. It's been a few years since I have driven a stock E90... and haven't been in a G20. I don't plan on moving into a G chassis either.

You’re just talking nonsense, and admit you haven’t even driven the cars being discussed.

[freakystyly]

The cars have progressed a certain direction over the generations, that much should be obvious. The finer details other people can answer. I meant no offense.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The M340i gets the M LSD as standard equipment.

Ah dang, I wasn't aware of that! I really don't care that much about horsepower as long as its "enough" and the power is delivered in a fun/pleasant way, but a big chassis change like that has me looking hard again at the M340i though.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Ah dang, I wasn't aware of that! I really don't care that much about horsepower as long as its "enough" and the power is delivered in a fun/pleasant way, but a big chassis change like that has me looking hard again at the M340i though.

I had a 2020 M340i xDrive for four months. It was a great car, but it was just a little too techie for me. I’m a little bit old school and I was coming from a 2018 LCI F30 340i M Sport rwd. I decided to go back to a 2018 LCI F30 340i M Sport rwd. However, I have to say the 2d generation B58 and the updated ZF8 are absolutely tuned to perfection together!!! The F30 B58/ZF8 combination is great, but it’s just a hair less perfectly tuned than in the G20.

You probably know how BMW automatics have a slightly slow tip in when you press the accelerator. You have to be intentional or you’ll have a little hesitation. And ZF transmissions in BMWs have a tendency to bog a little bit at low speeds. The G20 B58/ZF8 have none of that. The ZF8 is always ready to go. It’s not overly eager the way a lot of American cars (GM) are, but when you press the accelerator it is instantly responsive. It is the best motor and automatic transmission marriage BMW has ever produced!!

[Xover22]

I also owned a 2020 M340i for about 3 years. Great car with a fantastic motor. The thing I regret most was not getting the adaptive suspension. The base suspension was quite firm. Moved to the F30 because I prefer the looks and I could get it in a manual.

[ptpending]

The main issue with G20 and G21 is their weight
they no longer give you this direct road and steering feel which you looked for with 1-er and 3-er.
The weight of G20 is only 5% less then G30 5-er series.
So while the body of G20 is beautiful, the B58 is very capable for tuning, the 8-speed gearbox good for economy, it is also very close to 540i, no more this car is giving you feeling of 3-er

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by ptpending

The main issue with G20 and G21 is their weight
they no longer give you this direct road and steering feel which you looked for with 1-er and 3-er.
The weight of G20 is only 5% less then G30 5-er series.
So while the body of G20 is beautiful, the B58 is very capable for tuning, the 8-speed gearbox good for economy, it is also very close to 540i, no more this car is giving you feeling of 3-er

Hm. Maybe I should look at a 5-series, they cost about the same (used) as the 3-series and if they drive the same with more interior space, that seems like a win? I had a 530i has a loaner once and I really liked it, but I didn't really beat on it and only had drove it for an hour or two.

Originally Posted by Xover22

I also owned a 2020 M340i for about 3 years. Great car with a fantastic motor. The thing I regret most was not getting the adaptive suspension. The base suspension was quite firm. Moved to the F30 because I prefer the looks and I could get it in a manual.

Hm. I'm anti-adaptive suspension...I don't want to have to replace $1000 struts. I'll have to make a call whether the stock suspension is good enough.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

You probably know how BMW automatics have a slightly slow tip in when you press the accelerator. You have to be intentional or you’ll have a little hesitation. And ZF transmissions in BMWs have a tendency to bog a little bit at low speeds. The G20 B58/ZF8 have none of that. The ZF8 is always ready to go. It’s not overly eager the way a lot of American cars (GM) are, but when you press the accelerator it is instantly responsive. It is the best motor and automatic transmission marriage BMW has ever produced!!

Ah, interesting that it doesn't have the "chilled out" throttle tip in. I had a couple manual E9x cars, which don't have the same relaxed throttle as the autos and it really bugged me with my current auto, but I got used to it and now I really like it. The throttle pedal on my wife's CX-50 feels overly jumpy in comparison.