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I spent my Friday afternoon at the BMW dealer checking out the M340i X drive and the 540i xdrive.
Im going to be looking at certified used unless somebody can tell what the discount I should expect from buying a new BMW vs a Used one.
I test drove a ‘24 M340i with 17k miles on it. Not sure what the package was included exactly but the original msrp was $72k. The only thing I saw missing was the panoramic camera that I would like. Drove quite well, I like it very much from the short 15mins drive. It was quite comfortable and quiet on the highway. Suspension is much more compliant than I thought. I was expected stiffer and harder on bumps tbh but it was quite comfortable and good for daily driving. I can definitely see myself in it. The space is okay. But I’m a little concerned with wanting more after 2 weeks of owning it. This is my only concern with the M340. It’s a ‘24 so it has the single large wide screen which I thought I wouldn’t like but I actually do. Asking price is 60k on this one.
Then I test drove a ‘22 540i xdrive and right away, I like the space more. It does feel and drive like a larger vehicle than the M340i. I also quite like it. I didn’t ask for the original msrp on this one because it wasn’t the color I want. But I didn’t really like the tombstone screen and the controls feel a little dated. No panoramic view camera. And I really dislike the shifter that sticks out. Why does it have to be so long? I wouldn’t have any problem with wanting more space on the 540i. With 37k miles and not the color I want, the asking price is 45k.
The 540i is probably what I’m leaning to at this point. But I do wish it has the single wide screen and a more flushed shifter. I do not like the ‘24 540i. Sits too high like a Toyota Crown.
My problem is, the Lexus is always on the back of my mind. This is probably the reason why I never bought anything else for the past 15yrs. At 60k, I can get a pretty low mileage ‘22 certified LS500 which will feel “just like home”.
I’m a little surprised to see 540i is priced almost exactly the same or even a little less than a m340i. Can anyone tell me why? Is it because the maintenance cost on the 540i will be higher than a m340i?
Originally Posted by Striker223
You already have Supra lol!
I know. One day sooner than later I’m going to add a piggyback or send the ECU off.
Looking up the 340, 540 and M3 so I can follow along.
I’m still learning about BMWs. I just learned yesterday what BMW mean. Don’t ask me because I can’t spell it. 🫣
Originally Posted by NickL
lol. When I got home, the wife asked how did it go. I said a BMW might be my next vehicle. I mean, how bad can it be?
I just really dislike the shifter on the 540i. It looks out of place. And the tombstone screen that is way higher than the dash.
Originally Posted by SW17LS
Those are minor quibbles…
May be a deal breaker to him. Important to learn the different packages and which mean more to you than not.
I too just recently bought outside of Lexus/Toyota and quickly had to learn about BMW different packages, LCI, and how much more their extended warranties. Forum members here helped and I also hopped on bimmerpost and started reading and watched a ton of YouTube videos. Good luck sounds like the 540 is the right move.
Those silver 825Ms are one of the few options from the LCI that I wish I could have gotten on my 2023. I have the bi-color 825Ms (polished and black), which do look nice, but not as good as the silver.
lol. When I got home, the wife asked how did it go. I said a BMW might be my next vehicle. I mean, how bad can it be?
I just really dislike the shifter on the 540i. It looks out of place. And the tombstone screen that is way higher than the dash.
I actually prefer that shifter over flicking the current m340i's little shiftoris.
Also prefer the old-school style separate cluster than the unified widescreen. But either car should be good.
I actually prefer that shifter over flicking the current m340i's little shiftoris.
Also prefer the old-school style separate cluster than the unified widescreen. But either car should be good.
I'm not surprised you liked the 540 more than the M340 due to the size. Moving from an LS to a 3 series is quite a jump.
BMW discounts these days from new generally fall between 5 and 8%. However, you prefer the prior gen 5, as do I. If it was the M340, I'd go new. If the 5, I'd go CPO also.
The M340 is very sought after, and thus holds it value quite well. Better than the 330. The 3 series is more popular than the 5, since people who want space are moving towards CUV/SUVs. Hence why used M340is which stickered for less than 540s when new, are commonly more expensive certified.
You can't go wrong either way. You might go wrong if you pick a worse LS just because you don't like the shifter design!
Good luck with your shopping.
I too just recently bought outside of Lexus/Toyota and quickly had to learn about BMW different packages, LCI, and how much more their extended warranties. Forum members here helped and I also hopped on bimmerpost and started reading and watched a ton of YouTube videos. Good luck sounds like the 540 is the right move.
I’ve since bought 2 BMWs in 2 months.
The ridiculous extended warranty prices just happened like a year ago. Before that they were somewhat reasonable and now they priced them way outside of the market so everyone is getting a Fidelity warranty and even those are more than the BMW extended warranties a year ago.
The 3 series is more popular than the 5, since people who want space are moving towards CUV/SUVs. Hence why used M340is which stickered for less than 540s when new, are commonly more expensive certified.
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I know quite a few people who wanted more space jumping straight from a 3-series to an X3, X5, or X6 (for a sportier look). X1 and X2 are ridiculously small SUVs, if you can even call them that.
Those silver 825Ms are one of the few options from the LCI that I wish I could have gotten on my 2023. I have the bi-color 825Ms (polished and black), which do look nice, but not as good as the silver.
That said, the M340i is far and away the better daily driver if you're not regularly "getting after it". B58s higher compression and smaller turbo means significantly more power at light throttle, and WAY better fuel economy--16/23 vs. 27/33.
But if the goal is a fun car, I wholly endorse the M3. It's an absolute monster when driven with purpose and intention.
I have almost 100,000 miles on a RWD dark blue big dog with that same Silverstone interior, and if you appreciate g forces and have a heavy right foot, I concur. Step right into a used M car and never look back. So many smiles/mile.
Your car is beautiful Kevin.
If the IS 500 didn't come out I would be in either an M2 or M3. That dark blue M3 with the light silver wheels knocked my socks off yesterday. It just looked so good.
@NickL , any interest in test driving an M3 Comp x drive? Judging by your sig you could easily afford one.
My local dealer has a IS500 in Ultra Sonic Blue. This will match with my LC500.
Of course, with an LC500 already in your collection, it would make zero sense to get an IS500. I contemplated for a year between the LC500 and IS500, but ultimately chose the latter due to more practicality, although it was tough decision since the LC is the better car with the better transmission. Get a BMW now to add more variety to your lineup. My wife's 330i xdrive is great - no complaints so far. Great hookup with the all wheel drive, great suspension, silky smooth transmission, great gas mileage. The IS500 is definitely more fun to drive, but the 330i xdrive is no slouch and more leisurely to drive. Depends what you are after here - if you are after all out performance with top of the line BMW product made in Germany - get an M3. If you are after a spacious, comfortable, luxury cruiser, then go for the 5-series. Can't go wrong there. M340i of course also a great option, and it will run circles around your LC500 in every metric (that would be the high performance vehicle in your collection).
Yes. Grigio Telesto Pearl Metallic--a Lamborghini color. Kind of like Dravit Grey, but with Mica flake (blue/silver) instead of gold flake.
However I was a bit miffed when they added the very similar Grigio Telesto Metallic (no pearl) as a "Priority Individual" (meaning the factory does not have to approve it) color on the M2 this year.
The ridiculous extended warranty prices just happened like a year ago. Before that they were somewhat reasonable and now they priced them way outside of the market so everyone is getting a Fidelity warranty and even those are more than the BMW extended warranties a year ago.
‼️‼️ We will be getting a “new warranty” either thru Fidelity or thru BMW when the X7 redesign happens.
Originally Posted by geko29
Thank you! Neither, it's a non-competition (6MT) M3.
@SW17LS Lexus is getting further and further in our rearview
