[steve@codemybimmer]

One of the VP's at the company I worked for recently bought a 2016 340i xDrive which is the base model with no options and it turned out that his car was only $2000 more than my 2016 328i xDrive with M Sport package, Premium Package Essentials and lumbar support.

Here in Canada, the 340i comes with standard M Sport, Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assist and the On Board Navigation System. My 328i xDrive would have the following options over the stock 340i.

- Comfort Access
- Alarm System
- Rear View Camera
- PDC
- Through Loading system
- Lumbar Support
- Real Time Traffic Info, Concierge Services, BMW Online, Remote Services
- Sirius XM
- Auto Dimming Mirrors with folding option


I'm starting to regret not getting the base 340i instead but I'm not sure if it's worth waiting 3-4 months to wait to place an order on one. Would you rather take the moderately equipped 328i xDrive or the stock 340i?

[jd_perspective]

meh enjoy your 328! yeah the 340 is quicker but how often are you going to utilize that speed? at least this is how i justified my 428 vs 435 purchase last year.

i still managed to get a stupid speeding ticket with a slower car

[steve@codemybimmer]

lol good point. My last 3 cars were all within the 200 - 240HP range so the extra power might actually get me into a little unwanted trouble.

Other than the engine upgrade, are there any other differences with the driving dynamics on the 328i LCI? I heard they changed the suspension as well.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

One of the VP's at the company I worked for recently bought a 2016 340i xDrive which is the base model with no options and it turned out that his car was only $2000 more than my 2016 328i xDrive with M Sport package, Premium Package Essentials and lumbar support.

Here in Canada, the 340i comes with standard M Sport, Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assist and the On Board Navigation System. My 328i xDrive would have the following options over the stock 340i.

- Comfort Access
- Alarm System
- Rear View Camera
- PDC
- Through Loading system
- Lumbar Support
- Real Time Traffic Info, Concierge Services, BMW Online, Remote Services
- Sirius XM
- Auto Dimming Mirrors with folding option


I'm starting to regret not getting the base 340i instead but I'm not sure if it's worth waiting 3-4 months to wait to place an order on one. Would you rather take the moderately equipped 328i xDrive or the stock 340i?

so in Canada, the 340i doesn't come standard with the items originally in the premium package"(Comft access, lumbar, satlite, Auto Dimming Mirrors)?

Nav in 340i includes , - Real Time Traffic Info, Concierge Services, BMW Online, Remote Services

[lemonchicken]

It would be funny if your boss was reading this thread. I'd go with base 340i but can't afford either.

[steve@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

so in Canada, the 340i doesn't come standard with the items originally in the premium package"(Comft access, lumbar, satlite, Auto Dimming Mirrors)?

Nav in 340i includes , - Real Time Traffic Info, Concierge Services, BMW Online, Remote Services

I believe in the US, you guys get Comfort Access, Harmon Kardon, Lumbar Support and Auto Dimming Mirrors and Sirius XM standard on the 340i.

Here in Canada, we get Nav and M Sport standard on the 340i but you can only get Sirius XM, RTTI, Concierge and Remote Services, Auto Dimming Mirrors and comfort access with the essential premium package. The Enhanced Premium Package will get your HUD, Harmon Kardon and Universal Remote on top of the other ones listed earlier.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

I believe in the US, you guys get Comfort Access, Harmon Kardon, Lumbar Support and Auto Dimming Mirrors and Sirius XM standard on the 340i.

Here in Canada, we get Nav and M Sport standard on the 340i but you can only get Sirius XM, RTTI, Concierge and Remote Services, Auto Dimming Mirrors and comfort access with the essential premium package. The Enhanced Premium Package will get your HUD, Harmon Kardon and Universal Remote on top of the other ones listed earlier.

well these are must haves for me:
- Comfort Access
- Rear View Camera
- PDC
- Through Loading system
- Lumbar Support
- Auto Dimming Mirrors with folding option

[3onDubs]

M Sport is a must have imo

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

lol good point. My last 3 cars were all within the 200 - 240HP range so the extra power might actually get me into a little unwanted trouble.

yeah my last cars were 280-290 (Altima/Maxima) & 390 (Grand Cherokee) my 240 428 blows them all away

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

I'm starting to regret not getting the base 340i instead but I'm not sure if it's worth waiting 3-4 months to wait to place an order on one. Would you rather take the moderately equipped 328i xDrive or the stock 340i?

I think if you are are starting to regret it, you will probably continue to regret it, so my vote would be to switch the order to be 340 RWD with track package and tech package. Save the money on xdrive to get the more powerful engine and just get snow tires.

Full disclosure, I always go light on "comfort/luxury" features to get the powertrain and suspension

[st3v]

I would get a stripped 340i, over a fully loaded 328i. No question about it. I regret going from my stripped 335i to a loaded F30 328i.

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by st3v

I would get a stripped 340i, over a fully loaded 328i. No questions. I regret going from my stripped 335i to a loaded F30 328i.

i agree with that, when i drive rental cars, i dont mind losing the luxury/comfort features but i miss the power of engine

[st3v]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

i agree with that, when i drive rental cars, i dont mind losing the luxury/comfort features but i miss the power of engine

Yes, and now that my 328i has over 50k miles, and I've been through every driving situation with it, I can say the 335i's power was much more useful in every situation. It also brings people back in their seat.

I will never get anything less powerful than a 340i again. Getting a stripped model isn't so bad now, that they've built in the regular sports package and improved the steering a lot. Base 340i + Leather looks good to me.

[BeachsideF30]

After 6 months youll of wished you went with the 340 just based on sound alone

[bad karma]

I would happily live with having to press an unlock button to open a door, and using my mirrors instead of a screen to park my car if it meant I got to have all of that delicious B58 power.

Sadly, they don't import the 340i Touring to the States, so my 328i F31 will have to do.

[sandwi54]

I would definitely get a stripped 340i than a fully loaded 328i, unless I don't care about power and acceleration at all.

If you are having these doubts now, you will definitely regret it later on, and lose more money to trade in the 328i to get a 340i.

[cardsdoc]

It's tough to give up the extras but i think it's tougher to give up the power. I've had an e90 N54, an f30 N55, now waiting for my 340 with the B58. I toyed with getting a 328 with the n20 for my current car to save some money and gas but after driving both I just couldn't do it. That torque is so addictive and above all the other nice aspects of these cars the engine is my favorite. I don't think it matters if you can't feasibly drive at fast absolute speeds. The torque and acceleration makes regular day to day driving more fun.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by cardsdoc

. I toyed with getting a 328 with the n20 for my current car to save some money and gas but after driving both I just couldn't do it. .

The savings is an open question for me. We had a 328 loaner for 4 days and in combined driving it got 21.2 mpg, as compared to 19.2mpg in our 335. Same roads, same drivers, same driving style.

Have others seen more of a difference?

And when we shopped in 2013, it was $50/mo lease payment difference for comparably equipped 328 and 335

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

meh enjoy your 328! yeah the 340 is quicker but how often are you going to utilize that speed? at least this is how i justified my 428 vs 435 purchase last year.

i still managed to get a stupid speeding ticket with a slower car

This is how I feel. I love my 328, and I'm completely happy with how quick and powerful it is. Never once in my 9 months of ownership have I felt that I needed the additional power of the 335/340. I'd much rather spend the extra money on additional features, which I will use on a daily basis.

I might feel different if I lived in a more remote area, without all the traffic around where I am, or if I previously had a 335/340, and stepped down in power. You know that once you move up to a 340, you are never stepping back down.

[Earthmaster]

Its not about the top speed the acceleration and change in speeds. I would much prefer that and better driving engagement then the 328i. If i only commuted and its sole purpose was commuting i'd consider 328i but I like my cars with lots of power.

[bbog2008]

OP - there is a solution for your situation; it is called Dinantronics Performance Tune. You get a lighter 328 with the power of a 335, with the extra goodies you already have, at the same price of that stripped 340i.

[ynguldyn]

One other thing to consider: most of the options you order increase the resale price of your car by a negligible amount, if at all. So, unless you lease or plan to own for a very very long time, ordering a higher end car with fewer options is a better idea financially.