[vladipachirisu]

Hello everyone!
I'm currently looking for a replacement for my BMW X3 and I narrowed it between a 340i with MPPSK and the new 530i.
I'm in love with the sound and the performance of the 3 series, but the 5 series has a better interior and looks like a more grown up car. After options,the price of these 2 is nearly identical.
Also, I'll be keeping the car for at least 5 years.
What do you guys suggest?

[Katin]

Have you got a family or reason to put people in the back seat? Go for the 5.

Love my 3 but it's not suited for backseat comfort for grown folks.

[bimmer456]

I have the 340 and I've driven the f10 with the n20. The 340 has better driving dynamics especially with the b58 and sounds a lot better. The 540i shares the same engine so would be closer in performance to the 340 but still slower due to being larger. The 530 may be somewhat underwhelming because you're getting the larger and heavier car with the smaller engine. The 5 is a more grown up car you could say as it is a mid size car vs the 3 is a compact sports sedan. With the B58 it is a blast to drive because you have a relatively big engine in a lightweight short wheel base sedan resulting in excellent driving dynamics in a sport tuned chassis. When I got my car I thought it was on the small side too due to being used to larger sedans. But now I feel the 5 is like a big boat compared to the 3. It isn't like my car even with the b58.

[vladipachirisu]

Yeah, I do have a family, but when my kid sat in the backseat of a 3 series he said that it's plenty of space for him.

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I have the 340 and I've driven the f10 with the n20. The 340 has better driving dynamics especially with the b58 and sounds a lot better. The 540i shares the same engine so would be closer in performance to the 340 but still slower due to being larger. The 530 may be somewhat underwhelming because you're getting the larger and heavier car with the smaller engine. The 5 is a more grown up car you could say as it is a mid size car vs the 3 is a compact sports sedan. With the B58 it is a blast to drive because you have a relatively big engine in a lightweight short wheel base sedan resulting in excellent driving dynamics in a sport tuned chassis. When I got my car I thought it was on the small side too due to being used to larger sedans. But now I feel the 5 is like a big boat compared to the 3. It isn't like my car even with the b58.

I don't think that the power in the 5 series will be underwhelming coming from a X3 20d. But, as you said, I think that I'll have way more fun in the 3.

[metallicpea]

More fun in the 3 and this car is plenty big enough for me. I'd like it to be smaller actually. It feels as big as my 5 series E60 inside.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

I don't think that the power in the 5 series will be underwhelming coming from a X3 20d. But, as you said, I think that I'll have way more fun in the 3.

You should test drive them both to see what you like best. The x3 is the 3 series platform while the x5 is closer to the 5 series. Not sure about weight being SAVs how they compare though. The power on the 530 won't be bad it's still a quick sedan so you should try it out first.

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

You should test drive them both to see what you like best. The x3 is the 3 series platform while the x5 is closer to the 5 series. Not sure about weight being SAVs how they compare though. The power on the 530 won't be bad it's still a quick sedan so you should try it out first.

I think that in the end I'll test drive both, but in my country it's pretty hard to get a test drive with the exact engine that i want

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

I think that in the end I'll test drive both, but in my country it's pretty hard to get a test drive with the exact engine that i want

If you are going to keep for 5+ years you are doing the right thing evaluating all your options. I looked at the same thing few years back.

• You are correct that the 5 is a higher grade interior and of course has larger rear seats. I have a Son who is now 6'4" and the rear seat room is not too bad if the person in the front does not have the seat all the way back. That being said, the new 3 series is nearly the same size as the BMW 5 Series E39 (1997-2003). In the end went 3 series as it was large enough.
• New "5 Series" G30 will not be changed till 2025, "3 Series" change due in 2019 so you would have last modle end of next year (if that matters)
• 340i is higher performance (0-60MPH @ 4.6 sec.) than 530i (0-60MPH @ 6.0 sec.) but either will be a significant increase over your x3 20d (0-60MPH @ 8.6 sec.)
• Would the 5er and 3er be similarity equipped?
• The test drive of a 3 and 5 even if not equipped exactly as you like can give provide a good base to decide from
• Have you considered the 3 Grand Turismo? It is on a 5 series frame, huge back seat, hatchback design with very large trunk, in 340 form you could get speed or 3 and size of 5 (this is what my Daughter drives and fits two rear facing baby seats)...just a thought

What ever way you go, you can't go wrong with the German engineering, good luck!

[vladipachirisu]

Originally Posted by kpgray

If you are going to keep for 5+ years you are doing the right thing evaluating all your options. I looked at the same thing few years back.

• You are correct that the 5 is a higher grade interior and of course has larger rear seats. I have a Son who is now 6'4" and the rear seat room is not too bad if the person in the front does not have the seat all the way back. That being said, the new 3 series is nearly the same size as the BMW 5 Series E39 (1997-2003). In the end went 3 series as it was large enough.
• New "5 Series" G30 will not be changed till 2025, "3 Series" change due in 2019 so you would have last modle end of next year (if that matters)
• 340i is higher performance (0-60MPH @ 4.6 sec.) than 530i (0-60MPH @ 6.0 sec.) but either will be a significant increase over your x3 20d (0-60MPH @ 8.6 sec.)
• Would the 5er and 3er be similarity equipped?
• The test drive of a 3 and 5 even if not equipped exactly as you like can give provide a good base to decide from
• Have you considered the 3 Grand Turismo? It is on a 5 series frame, huge back seat, hatchback design with very large trunk, in 340 form you could get speed or 3 and size of 5 (this is what my Daughter drives and fits two rear facing baby seats)...just a thought

What ever way you go, you can't go wrong with the German engineering, good luck!

I have considered the 3 GT, but what really does it for me on the 3 series is the MPPSK. If the 3 wouldn't sound so damn good, I'd go for the 5 without thinking twice. And looking at acceleration videos and dyno stats, the 340i with MPPSK is almost as fast as a M3 and that is very tempting for me. Instead of buying a 3 GT I'd rather spend a little bit more and get that 5 series, knowing that the 5 will hold its value a lot better.

[oarnura]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

I have considered the 3 GT, but what really does it for me on the 3 series is the MPPSK. If the 3 wouldn't sound so damn good, I'd go for the 5 without thinking twice. And looking at acceleration videos and dyno stats, the 340i with MPPSK is almost as fast as a M3 and that is very tempting for me. Instead of buying a 3 GT I'd rather spend a little bit more and get that 5 series, knowing that the 5 will hold its value a lot better.

Is the 540i out of your budget?

I love my 340i with MPPSK. I am usually not to keen on buying the first model year of any BMW. From what I can tell the LCI F30 has some key changes for the better.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by oarnura

Is the 540i out of your budget?

I love my 340i with MPPSK. I am usually not to keen on buying the first model year of any BMW. From what I can tell the LCI F30 has some key changes for the better.

Keep in mind the 540i will give you more standard equipment so many of the options you pay extra for on the 530i will be already included on the 540i. It may not be that much more. In fact a well optioned 530 can easily cost more than a base 540. The 540 engine has about the same horsepower and torque (maybe even slightly more) than 340i mppsk as they tuned it to be stronger due to the added weight of the g30. They may have an mppsk for the 540 at some point as well. As for the LCI it's true they did fix or improve a few things.

[Bbb34]

Engine performance - no contest 340.
Lighter more nimble car on mountain roads (same suspension assumed) - no contest 340.
Faster off the line (same engine assumed but especially these two compared) - 340.

Need extra space, of course 530.
Interior fit and finish, more "trickle down" tech from flagship 7 series - no contest 530.
Cabin/road noise - no contest 530.
Highway cruising, Autobahn "like" speed "manners" - 530.
Classy more grown up "look" and a bit more rare on the roads (so many 3 series on the road these days) - 530.

So you just have to figure out what matters to you. I think making that decision is a lot easier than it appears to you now.

My personal opinion is that as good as these 4 cylinder engines are, they don't belong in 5 series type (and size) of vehicles. Also, I'm not up to date on current lineup but for F10 they did cut few corners on 528. Leatherette seats on base, 17" wheels, no pass through in the back seats, horrible steering wheel and few others I can't recall now.

[oarnura]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Keep in mind the 540i will give you more standard equipment so many of the options you pay extra for on the 530i will be already included on the 540i. It may not be that much more. In fact a well optioned 530 can easily cost more than a base 540. The 540 engine has about the same horsepower and torque (maybe even slightly more) than 340i mppsk as they tuned it to be stronger due to the added weight of the g30. They may have an mppsk for the 540 at some point as well. As for the LCI it's true they did fix or improve a few things.

Agreed. I configured a 530i and 540i similarly and the price came to $62,xxx and $65,xxx. About $3500 roughly between them.

The Lighting package on the 530i is standard on the 540i. If you remove that then the 530 is another $1050 cheaper.

There isn't much difference between them. I'd go 540i for $3500-$4500 more. The B58 is totally worth every penny of it.

[vladipachirisu]

I have played a bit with the configurator and in my country , between similar configurated 530i and 540i there is a 8k$ difference which I can not afford. The base equipment on the 530i is the same as the one in the 540i. Only way I could afford a 540i is with little to no options and I definitely don't want that.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by vladipachirisu

I have played a bit with the configurator and in my country , between similar configurated 530i and 540i there is a 8k$ difference which I can not afford. The base equipment on the 530i is the same as the one in the 540i. Only way I could afford a 540i is with little to no options and I definitely don't want that.

I'll have to see about the 5 series configurator here. I know for 3 series you get moonroof and HK standard versus you don't get those on 328, but it may have changed with 330. Also Sport line became standard in 2016 for 340i and M Sport in 2017. So quite a lot of goodies just by upgrading to base 340i. Maybe it's not so with 540 I was just basing my assumption that it would be like the 3. UPDATE so yeah I checked it not that much difference here either really just the bigger engine it seems upon quickly glancing at standard features, but 530 comes with a lot already just doesn't get the HK system but neither does 540. It is nice that moonroof and navi are standard on both. This would be an argument in favor of 340 as you get M sport standard and you don't on 530 nor do you get HK. I don't believe navi is standard on 340 so you would have to negotiate on that. I was able to get it thrown in for free.

[S.BMW23]

Pay extra and go 540i.

[spuntyb]

Get the 3. Way cooler. I haven't sat in the G3x yet, but the F10 was only marginally bigger in back than the F3x, making it pointless for me (small child and a dog). If that's still the case, I don't see the point to the 5 unless you want something a little more planted and quiet for highway cruising.

[otay]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

My personal opinion is that as good as these 4 cylinder engines are, they don't belong in 5 series type (and size) of vehicles.

This.

If backseat room isn't an issue, then more power always wins. You may regret getting smaller engine in a larger sedan.

If you're concerned about if the looks of the F30 aren't "grown up", then maybe go for the Sport version of the 340i. Doesn't look quite as "aggressive" but you can still do Track Pack and MPPSK.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by otay

This.

If backseat room isn't an issue, then more power always wins. You may regret getting smaller engine in a larger sedan.

If you're concerned about if the looks of the F30 aren't "grown up", then maybe go for the Sport version of the 340i. Doesn't look quite as "aggressive" but you can still do Track Pack and MPPSK.

M sport is now standard on 340, included in base price. Though you can get Sport if you like, same price. Personally like M Sport not too aggressive at all just right. Maybe the M3 might be a little over the top for some.

[tturedraider]

My vote goes to the 340i. However, I just drove the 530i xDrive this morning and it is absolutely no slouch. That car will get up and go. And it's kind of like the 330i and the 340i; you can feel the lighter front end and it feels spritely on acceleration. The B48 four banger is an excellent motor. I like the N20 four banger, but the B48 is better. It's really kind of amazing how smoothly and well it runs.

[5ilver-5amurai]

I'm going to be a wildcard here and say that If I was in your situation I would opt for neither...

I'm going to call out that my assessment is all personal opinion and is highly subjective. I think the 530 is severely under-powered for its size and weight. The 340 is the better option here from an enjoyment standpoint, but they are changing the entire car very soon. Sooner than you think - once you start seeing the G-series rolling around. I have made the mistake of buying a car within 1 year of a full model change and I felt the pain every payment after the new model came out. I think the whole 'don't buy the first year of a new car because it will have issues' is a pretty terrible argument used to justify not waiting for a new model. If I was buying a luxury sedan for reliability, I would be at a Lexus dealership instead. If you really need a 4 door luxury sedan, I would probably opt for the new S4 or new S5 Sportback given that they're so new. I would even avoid the current C-sedan as that has an LCI coming soon as well.

Before the flames come out, remember, I said it was highly subjective If you are happy with your car, who cares what someone online says right?