Quote:
Originally Posted by danf72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Transfer
I have both an M340i and X3M comp so that's as close as you can get to comparing M3 to M340i right now. They are significantly different in how they drive but both incredibly capable on the street. The G20 is softer but still handles remarkably well. The S58 is clearly more powerful than B58 but that extra power lives in the 5-7k rpm range. From 1500-4000 the B58 is very strong.
There are a lot of factors to consider but I think the main one is do you care about paying the M premium and would you use the higher performance of the M? You have to be willing to hit triple digit speeds on the street to really take advantage of the S motor imo.
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I test drove the X3M back-to-back with the M340i since that is the closest comparison I can make at this time. I don't generally like driving SUVs/CUVs. But I have to say, I liked the X3M better. Not just the power, but everything about how it drove. The M340i felt soft by comparison. Still very good, but soft. As a daily, the M340i is probably the more sensible choice. I found the X3M to also be very noisy. Maybe it's me, but there was a buffeting sort of sound. Not sure where that was coming from. I would still take the X3M over the M340i. Very surprising. So I guess I can expect the G80 to be even better. |
I also drove them both. Ordered an M340 xDrive. Loved it for a capable DD.
However, I also have an X3 and an E92 M3 ZCP 6MT in the stable, so my decision was different than maybe it would be for someone else.